Poetry · Chapter
Fight with a Bear in the Northwest explained
Two youths from a Hudson Bay Company fort in the Canadian Northwest go ice fishing and hunting, mistaking a bear for a buffalo.
What happens
Two youths from a Hudson Bay Company fort in the Canadian Northwest go ice fishing and hunting, mistaking a bear for a buffalo. After a dangerous skirmish on skates, they return to the fort for a rifle and ultimately kill the bear, taking its skin as a trophy.
Themes in this chapter
Pioneer and Settler Struggles
The youths confront and overcome a dangerous bear in the wilderness, illustrating the perils of frontier life.
Nature and the Environment
The harsh winter landscape and wildlife (trout, buffalo, bear) are central to the narrative.
Characters to notice
- Big Bear
The bear mistaken for a buffalo, fought and killed by the youths.
Key passages
“Two youths, employed at the fur fort, Resolved to have half-day of sport; From Jasper House, in the far north, For game, they joyous issued forth.”
Two young employees at the fur fort decided to take a half-day for recreation, setting out from Jasper House in the far north to hunt.
Introduces the protagonists and setting.
“The lake being smooth, the youths did skate, Resolved for to seal his fate; A pistol shot made bruin roar, And from him trickled drops of gore.”
The youths skated across the smooth lake, determined to kill the bear; a pistol shot wounded it, causing it to roar and bleed.
Describes the initial attack on the bear.
“But the bold Scottish lad, McBeath, Alas! he nearly met his death, When he so boldly did press near To probe him with the sharp fish spear.”
The brave Scottish youth McBeath nearly died when he approached too closely to stab the bear with a fish spear.
Highlights the danger faced by one of the youths.
“Full soon the savage beast is slain, With rifle bullet in his brain.”
The fierce bear was quickly killed by a rifle shot to the head.
Climax of the hunt.