“Well, as I said, I had started back, and had got along some two or three miles;—the sun was rather better than an hour high, and every thing was right still, when I saw 'long the path, where a great big bear had turned over a log,”—— “How did you know that a large bear turned it over?” said Rolfe. “Because,” said Earth, “the log was a large one, and it was rolled over and over, to some distance—a small bear could hardly have moved it, and then you know he would only have slipped it one side.” “Earth, what do they turn them over for?” “Rolfe, you ax too many questions. They turn them over to get the bugs and insects which are generally under them.” “Then go on, Earth.” “Well, when I saw the signs, I felt mighty bad;—I had no gun—old Jupe wan't with me, and I never had been known to pass a bear in that way, without taking any notice at all of him; so, I considered:—my knife was in my belt, sharp as I could wish it:—I took it out and drew the edge across my thumb; I felt satisfied that it would stand me good service, and I started off, determining in my own mind that I would at least take a look at him; and, if I couldn't do any thing, that then I would go home. Keeping a sharp look out, I got upon his tracks, and followed on; I kept seeing where he had been feeding, and after going along for nearly a mile, in a thick place, just ahead of me, I come upon him. He didn't notice me at first; so I stood and looked at him, and raised up my arms and took sight off my finger, just as if I had a gun. I could have blowed him to pieces. But 'twant nothing;—Oh! I did hate it.”—Saying so, Earth took off his hat, and rubbed his hair. “He was a peeler; it fairly made my mouth water to look at him. But there was no use in staying there: so I began to talk to him, and treating me with the utmost disgust, he buckled off, and began to let himself out, link at a time. I wan't much pleased at his conduct, and I knowed, if he would only keep out of the swamp, that I could run him to the girth; so I started after him:—he saw me coming, and the way that he and I did curl it for about half an hour, was curious. I tell you what, we made every thing clear the track as we moved along.