The Yearling Page #3

The door was broke!

- Take it easy, boy.

- But what happened, Pa? What done it?

Bear. A big one. Look there.

One toe's missing

on the right front paw. Old Slewfoot!

Old Slewfoot.

But none of the dogs bayed, Pa.

None. He had the wind in his favor.

He knew what he was doing.

We got to get him.

We obliged to get it.

I'm daresome to break the news to Ma.

What happened?

What you two doing?

What's the matter with you two?

I've been calling...

- Bear?

- It's Old Slewfoot, Ma!

Old Slewfoot. That dad-ratted,

no-account varmint!

IKilling and not even eating

what he kills!

I hate that.

Last year it was our brood sow.

- Them dogs asleep right there!

- No dog's as smart as that bear.

- They could have barked!

- We got meat to eat for a while.

Meat now and none this winter.

- You aiming to get after that bear?

- I'll get after him now.

Can I go with you this time?

Can I, Pa?

- Hunting bears is man's work.

- I can do it! I know I can.

Don't ask for mercy

when it gets rough.

- Oh, no, Pa! No, Pa!

- You ain't taking him?

He's got to learn.

Jody, turn the new dog loose.

Ma, you get my gun and rations.

The wise scaper's changing

his direction...

...heading for the saw grass ponds.

If that's his notion, we can

slip around and surprise him.

- You sure can figure what it'll do.

- You belong to figure.

A critter's faster than us

and stronger.

But a man's got more sense.

He's a sorry hunter

if he can't outstudy him.

- Didn't Slewfoot kill a man once, Pa?

- So they say, boy.

Is your gun loaded, Pa?

I reckon we're getting Slewfoot

pretty tired out.

You won't feel so tired when Slewfoot

raise up in front of you.

Come on. Looks like that bear's

got himself a ticket to Jacksonville.

Pa? You'll not be scared

when we come up with him?

Not unless things go mighty wrong.

I don't reckon you'll be scared, son.

No, sir. No, Pa.

Pa, if I was to be scared,

must I climb a tree?

Yes. Even if you ain't scared, it's

a good place to watch the ruckus from.

Come on.

Don't go getting faintified on me.

I feared it, the thicket. They're

getting close. You best wait here.

No, Pa. I ain't scared.

Just keep behind me, then.

Easy, girl. Easy.

- You reckon he's in there, Pa?

- He's in there.

All right, Julie, get him!

- He's coming, Pa! He's coming!

- No, he ain't, boy! He's going!

- Perk! Here, Perk!

- Pa, the new dog's running away!

Now, Pa!

Pa, what's the matter?!

Look out, boy!

You hurt, Pa? You hurt?

- What happened?!

- Backfired.

Julie! Rip!

Rip! Here, Rip!

Rip! Here, Rip!

This confounded worthless gun!

It's Julie, Pa!

She'll be all right, boy.

We'll make a hammock out

of my coat and carry her.

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