CHAPTER IX.

HUNTING ANECDOTES AND EXPERIENCES--CHRISTMAS--CONWELL AND HIS REMINISCENCES.

Surprised by a Panther--A New Hunting Excursion--The Fox--“Stole Away”--The Two old Cattle-dealers--Bear-hunting Extraordinary--Deer-stalking by Night--Duck-shooting--Thunderstorms in Arkansas--Our Nocturnal Encampment--Indian Migration--A Bootless Chase--Lost in the Forest--Mr. Davis’s Farm--Conwell and his Family--Slowtrap’s Adventure with the Cow--Terrace-hills--A Prize--A Sumptuous Breakfast--A Two-year-old Bruin--A Comfortable Evening--Indian Stratagem--Simplicity of the Backwoodsmen--Bivouac--Story of the Moccasins--Almost surprised by a Panther--A Novel Sleeping-room--Struggle with a Buck--Story of a Buffalo Hunt--Books in Wet Weather--Manna in the Desert--Marauding Wolves--Bruin in his Nest--Honey-laden Home.....258--311