In fact, I didn't have any shot left, for I'd killed 'bout
forty partridges. I had a piece of strong twine with me, so I tied their
legs together and slung 'em over my shoulder. I was jest goin' to start
for hum when I heerd the boughs crackin' behind me, and turnin' 'round I
saw--Geewhillikins!--a big black b'ar not more'n ten feet from me. I had
nothin' to shoot him with, and knew that the only way to save my life
wuz to run for it. I jest bent over and threw the partridges on the
ground, thinkin' as I did so that perhaps the b'ar would stop to eat
them, and I could git away. I started to run, but caught my toe in some
underbrush and went down ker-slap. I said all the prayers I knew in
'bout eight seconds, then got up, and started to run ag'in. Like Lot's
wife, I couldn't help lookin' back, and there wuz the b'ar flat on his
back. I went up to him kinder cautious, for I didn't know but he might
be shammin', them black b'ars are mighty cute; but, no, he wuz deader'n
a door nail. I took the partridges back to town, and then a party on us
came back and toted the b'ar home.
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