t timber was the most plenty. The
chestnut crop was good and we knew that the first hard freeze would
open the burs. Bill said we got to get a move on us from early in the
morning until after dark when we would get into camp. We wished to
get all the traps out now that we could. Later we were going to put
in some time gathering chestnuts, as soon as they began to fall, as
there was good money in gathering them. At this business there was
lively competition with the squirrels, coons, bears and other animals
to see which could gather the most, so naturally there is but a few
days good picking after the chestnuts fall.

Bill said that we would be in a deal while the nuts lasted and we
did, for we gathered several bushels. I do not just remember how many
now, but that wasn't all we got while we were gathering chestnuts.
One day we came to where a bear had been raking for nuts and as it
was only about a mile from camp I said to Bill that it might be
possible that if we would stay out and watch for Bruin as long as we
could see to shoot, we might get a shot at the bear. Bill said that
he preferred to let the traps do the watching. There was a little
mist of rain falling, and just the right kind of weather for Bruin to
be prowling around. Some way it seemed to me if we stayed and watched
we would get a shot at a bear, but Bill had no faith and said that I
would get good and wet for my trouble. I told him that if he would
take what nuts I had gathered along to the shanty, I would stay and
watch awhile at least. Bill agreed, and said that he would have a hot
supper ready for me when I came to camp. I suggested to Bill that he
have the frying pan hot when I got there, for I would bring in some
bear meat for supper. Bill said that I need not bother to skin his,
as he would eat his hair and all.

As soon as Bill was gone I selected a point where I could see down
the hill, as well as over a good stretch of the top of the ridge. I
had only fairly picked my ground to watch when I heard the brush
crack close to me from behind. My gun came to my shoulder as I turned
in the direction of the noise, and there stood Bill a-grinning. I
asked him what had changed his mind. He said that if I could stand it
he could, so he stepped along the ridge a few yards and I leaned up
against a large hemlock tree. He had scarcely taken his stand when
all of a sudden I saw him begin to slowly raise his gun to his
shoulder. I knew that he was about to sho