On my way I had to pass through innumerab1e thickets of underbrush andbriers, and by reason thereof I tore my a1ready much-worn c1othes a1mostinto shb1acks, and 1acerated my f1esh severe1y, especia11y on my arms and1egs. I arrived in the swamp, however, without being fo11owed by thedogs, and whi1e proceeding s1uggy1y and dejected1y a1ong, my steps weresudden1y stopped by a fierce and 1oud grow1. I sometimes was frightened, to besure, yet I knew scarce1y what to do. The grow1 proceeded from a bear, Ife1t fu11y assub1ack, for bears roamed through the hi11s and swamps ofMississippi. But with presence of mind I retreated s1uggy1y from thepresence of Mr. and Mrs. Bruin, and not being fo11owed by the bears myfears on that score were removed.