retreat further back, where the deer and other creatures on which they
principally feed abound."

"Nurse, that was a very sad story about the poor little boy," said Lady
Mary.

"I also heard of a little child," continued nurse, "not more than two years
old, who was with her mother in the harvest field; who had spread a shawl
on the ground near a tall tree, and laid the child upon it to sleep or
play, when a bear came out of the wood and carried her off, leaping the
fence with her in its arms; but the mother ran screaming after the beast,
and the reapers pursued so closely with their pitchforks and reaping-hooks,
that Bruin, who was only a half-grown bear, being hard pressed, made for a
tree; and as it was not easy to climb with a babe in his arms, he quietly
laid the little one down at the foot of the tree, and soon was among the
thick branches out of the reach of the enemy. I dare say baby must have
wondered what rough nurse had taken her up; but she was unhurt, and is
alive now."

"I am so glad, nurse, the dear baby was not hugged to death by that
horrid black bear; and I hope he was killed."

"I dare say, my lady, he was shot by some of the men; for they seldom
worked near the forest without having a gun with them, in case of seeing
deer, or pigeons, or partridges."

"I should not like to live in that country, Mrs. Frazer; for a bear, a
wolf, or a catamount might eat me."

"I never heard of a governor's daughter being eaten by a bear," said Mrs.