people would be in skinning a rabbit, and wrapped myself in it, placing
my own head directly under Bruin's; the whole herd came round me
immediately, and my apprehensions threw me into a most piteous situation
to be sure: however, my scheme turned out a most admirable one for my
own safety. They all came smelling, and evidently took me for a brother
Bruin; I wanted nothing but bulk to make an excellent counterfeit:
however, I saw several cubs amongst them not much larger than myself.
After they had all smelt me, and the body of their deceased companion,
whose skin was now become my protector, we seemed very sociable, and I
found I could mimic all their actions tolerably well; but at growling,
roaring, and hugging they were quite my masters. I began now to think
that I might turn the general confidence which I had created amongst
these animals to my advantage.

I had heard an old army surgeon say a wound in the spine was instant
death. I now determined to try the experiment, and had again recourse to
my knife, with which I struck the largest in the back of the neck,
near the shoulders, but under great apprehensions, not doubting but the
creature would, if he survived the stab, tear me to pieces. However, I
was remarkably fortunate, for he fell dead at my feet without making the
least noise. I was now resolved to demolish them every one in the same
manner, which I accomplished without the least difficulty; for although
they saw their companions fall, they had no suspicion of either the
cause or the effect. When they all lay dead before me, I felt myself a
second Samson, having slain my thousands.

To make short of the story, I went back to the ship, and borrowed three
parts of the crew to assist me in skinning them, and carrying the hams
on board, which we did in a few hours, and loaded the ship with them. As
to the other parts of the animals, they were thrown into the sea, though