e embrace. I know of several who have been in such conflict,
and although they managed to escape death by driving their knives into
some vital spot, yet they had suffered so much from broken ribs and
other injuries received, that they were never as strong and vigorous
afterward. But with a good tree at his back, his trusty knife in his
hand, and his brain cool, the advantage is all on the side of the
hunter.

Among the many stories told of such conflicts, there is one by a
Canadian Indian which shows that even the women know how to successfully
conquer in these encounters. This hunter was out looking for game, and
had succeeded in killing a deer, which he left in the woods with his
wife, skinning it, while he returned to his wigwam for his sled on which
to drag it home, as it was a large one. It was in the spring of the
year and there was still snow on the ground. A great, hungry bear that
had just left his den after his long winter's sleep of months, while
prowling about looking for food, got on the scent of the blood of the
newly killed deer, and following it up soon reached the spot where the
Indian woman was skinning the animal. She had just time to spring up
with the knife in her hand and back up against a tree before the
half-famished brute sprang on the partly skinned animal and began
devouring it. Seeing the woman so close, he seemed to think it best to
get rid of her before eating his meat, so with a growl he rushed at her.
He raised himself up on his hind legs and tried to get his fore paws
around her, and thus crush her to death. She was a brave woman and knew
what to do. Holding the knife firmly in her hand, she waited until his
hot breath was in her face and he was trying to crowd his paws in
between her back and the tree against which she was pressing herself
with all her might, then with all her force she plunged the sharp
pointed knife into his body in the region of his heart and gave it a
quick, sharp turn. So thoroughly and well did she do her work that the
great, fierce brute could only throw up his paws and fall over dead.
The brave squaw had killed him without receiving a scratch herself, and
when her husband returned with his sled he found that, not only had his
wife skinned the deer, but also a big black bear.

CHAPTER THREE.

OOWIKAPUN'S VISION.

So Oowikapun, though taken off his guard for once, was soon himself
again, and ere the infuriated brute could get her paws around him,