growth, we discovered within thirty yards of us, the fierce raging fight. Nothing distinctly however was seen; a confused mass of legs, heads, and backs of dogs, flying about as if attached to a ball, was all we could make out. A still nearer approach, and the confusion would clear off for a moment, and the head of the bear could be seen, with his tongue covered with dust, and hanging a foot from his mouth; his jaws were covered with foam and blood, his eyes almost protruding from their sockets, while his ears were so closely pressed to the back of his head, that he seemed destitute of those appendages; the whole, indicative of unbounded rage and terror. These glimpses of the bear were only momentary; his persecutors rested but for a breath, and then closed in regardless of their own lives; for you could discover, mingled with the sharp bark of defiance, the yell that told of death. It was only while the bear was crushing some luckless dog, that they could cover his back and lacerate it with their teeth. One of the hunters, in spite of the danger, headed by Bob Herring, crept upon his knees, so near, that it seemed as if another foot advanced would bring them within the circle of the fight. Bob Herring was first within safe shooting distance to save the dogs, and waving his hand to those behind him, he raised his rifle and sighted; but his favourite dog, impatient for the report, anticipated it by jumping on the bear, who throwing up his head at the same instant, the bear received the ball in his nose; at the crack of the rifle, the well-trained dogs, thinking less caution than otherwise necessary, jumped pell-mell on the bear's back, and the hardest fight ever witnessed in the Devil's Summer Retreat ensued; the hunter, with Bob, placed his gun almost against the bear's side, and the cap snapped; no one else was near enough to fire without hitting the dogs. Give him the knife!" cried those at a distance. Bob Herring's long blade was already flashing in his hand, but sticking a living bear is not child's play; he was standing undecided, when he saw the hind legs of Bose upwards; thrusting aside one or two of the dogs with his hand, he made a pass at the bear's throat, but the animal was so quick, that he struck the knife with his fore-paw, and sent it whirling into the distant cane; another was instantly handed him, which he thrust at the bear, but the point was so blunt that it would not

penetrate the skin. Foiled a third time, with a tremendous oath on himself, and the owner of the knife that wouldn't stick a cabbage,' he threw it indignantly from him, and seizing unceremoniously a rifle, just then brought up by one of the party, heretofore in the rear, he, regardless of his own legs, thrust it against the side of the bear with considerable force, and blowed him through; the bear struggled but for a moment, and fell dead. 'I saw snakes last night in my dreams,' said Bob, handing back the rifle to its owner, and I never had any good luck the next day, arter sich a sarcumstance; I call this hull hunt, about as mean an affair as damp powder; that bar thar,' pointing to the carcass, 'that bar thar, ought to have been killed afor he maimed a dog.' Then speaking energetically, he said Boys, never shoot at a bar's head, even if your iron is in his ear; it's unsartin; look how I missed the brain, and only tore the smellers; with fewer dogs, and sich a shot, a fellow would be ripped open in a powder-flash; and I say, cuss caps, and head shooting; they would have cost two lives to-day, but for them ar dogs, God bless 'em.'

"With such remarks, Bob Herring beguiled away the time, while he with others skinned the bear. His huge carcass when dressed, though not over fat, looking like a young steer's. The dogs as they recovered breath, partook of the refuse with relish; the nearest possible route out of the Devil's Retreat was selected, and two horse-loads took the meat into the open woods, where it was divided out in such a manner, that it could be taken home. Bob Herring, while the dressing of the bear was going on, took the skin, and on its inside surface, which glistened like satin, he carefully deposited the caul fat, that looked like drifted snow, and beside it, the liver; the choice parts of the bear, according to the gourmand notions of the frontier, were in Bob's possession; and many years' experience had made him so expert in cooking it, that he was locally famed for this matter above all competitors. It would be as impossible to give the recipe for this dish, so that it might be followed by the gastronomes of cities, as it would to have the articles composing it exposed for sale in the markets. Bob Herring managed as follows: he took a long wooden skewer, and having thrust its point through a small piece of bear fat, he then followed it by a small piece of the liver, then

the fat, then the liver, and so on, until his most important material was consumed; when this was done, he opened the 'bear's handkerchief,' or caul, and wrapped it round the whole, and thus roasted it before the fire. Like all the secrets in cookery, this dish depends for its flavour and richness upon exactly giving the proper quantities, as a superabundance of one or the other would completely spoil the dish. I was always unlucky, boys,' said Bob, throwing the bear-skin and its contents over his shoulder, but I've had my fill often, of caul fat and liver; many a man, who thinks he's lucky, lives and dies ignorant of its virtue, as a 'possum is of corn cake. If I ever look dead, don't bury me until you see I don't open my eyes when it is ready for eating; if I don't move when you show me it, then I am a done goner, sure.' Night closed in before we reached our homes; the excitement of the morning wore upon our spirits and energy, but the evening's meal of caul fat, and liver, and other similar fixins,' or Bob Herring's philosophical remarks, restored me to perfect health, and I shall recollect that supper, and its master of ceremonies, as harmonious with, and as extraordinary as is the Devil's Summer Retreat."

DEER HUNTING IN MISSISSIPPI.

In the subjoined communication to the editor, the writer inimitably describes the ordinary style of deer hunting throughout the Western and Southwestern States. The hero of the sketch we have seen more than once on the "small bay horse" he speaks of; we need not add that he did indeed "put him over the country in a workmanlike manner." He is, beyond doubt, one of the most accomplished sportsmen in the Union.

"In the first place let me premise that I was, as they say in the West, raised in South Carolina, and like every planter's son in that state, early learned to ride and shoot; consequently, I imbibed a great fondness for field sports, and was always delighted to indulge in the pleasant and healthful exercise, which

a pursuit of them occasions. In the year 18—, I moved out to Mississippi, to look for a new home in the wild woods of that state. I found amongst my neighbours many gentlemen of rank and fortune, who, when their business would permit, sought for pleasure and recreation in the manly sports of the chase. As with all true sportsmen, a great rivalry existed amongst them, in the most friendly spirit, as to their respective merits with the gun or in the chase. Col. M. and young Dr. Frank C. were allowed the supremacy, however, by common consent, each of these gentlemen having his friends and supporters. In a fox chase they always led-Col. W. on his celebrated bay horse 'Star,' and the Dr. on his no less celebrated mare, 'Ladybird,' both superb leapers-Star famous for fencing, and the mare for ditches, creeks, &c. No decided trial had placed either crack first, and they shared a divided empire.

"When in Carolina I rode a small bay horse, admitted on all sides to be the best hunter in our part of the country; and I flatter myself that it was quite as generally allowed that I put him over the country in a workmanlike manner. Certain it is, that on old Selim I never lost the brush; but whether my success was owing to the horse or the rider, I leave to my brother sportsmen. At all events, I had a very good opinion of my riding, and I thought that when on old Selim, I could hold my own in any crowd. Poor Selim! Let me pay a tribute to his memory, for he is now but dust. For six years I rode the noble fellow, and gallantly did he bear me. Never headed in the chase, spirited though docile as a lamb, and attached to me as a dog, he was the beau ideal of a sportsman's horse, and I really loved him. Requi escat in pace.' I fear I ne'er shall look upon his like again.' But to return.

"Not long after I had settled in the country, I heard wonderful accounts of a deer, known through all the neighbourhood as 'the Big Buck,' which had baffled all efforts to kill him. The stoutest pack would fail in pursuit of him, and as the best shots missed him, he seemed to bear a charmed life. We made up a hunt, and to gratify me, we determined to try the old buck. Burning with the desire of making a favourable impression at my debut, I saw that Selim was attended to, and cleaned my gun myself.

Early on the appointed morning we met, and in the first drive the veteran was aroused. In spite of the most strenuous endeavours on the part of the driver, however, he dashed back through the pack and escaped unhurt. The dogs were stopped, and we proceeded in search of other game. We killed four deer in all, and I quite distinguished myself by knocking over one with each barrel, from Selim's back. Before we separated we held a council of war, and it was determined that as the old buck knew the stands so well that he would not pass any of them, we would turn out in full force and run him down. For this purpose we appointed a day, giving time for the dogs to hunt day, which was but two days distant. hunt we agreed to try different ground so as not to disturb our old friend.

rest, after the regular On the approaching

"On the Thursday following, which was the day appointed for our first hunt, wishing to keep Selim fresh for the great occasion, I rode a very powerful, thoroughbred colt, four years old, of indomitable courage, but with such a temper that the stable boys had named him Dare Devil.' On our way to the hunting ground, we met a man who had a few minutes before seen the 'big buck.'

"Suppose we start him,' said the Col.; 'our dogs are in tip top condition, the day beautiful, and we are all here.'

"This proposition met with the consent of every one save myself, and as I was on a wild, unbroken horse, I wished the chase postponed. It was decided against me, and I was compelled, either to relinquish all hopes of killing the famous deer, or run the risk of breaking my neck on Dare Devil. An expression of the Dr.'s caused me to adopt the latter alternative.

"Now, Harry,' said he, 'you can show us how you ride in South Carolina.'

"But I have not my hunting horse, and this devil'

"Pooh, man! a good rider can ride any thing,' interposed the Col., with, as I thought, a slight sneer.

"Very well, gentlemen, I will show you how we ride in the old State; and I'll bet a supper Dare Devil beats either of your nags.'

"Done!' said the Col.