In the Sunk Lands — page 213: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

196 IN THE SUNK LANDS. ‘“ B’ar’s nest,’ answered Sammy, glee- © fully. ‘* Have we got to pull it down ?” I wanted to know. ‘‘ Hit would take a man a week to pull that down. Them canes air wove in tight, I tell you ; but they’re dry, so we're goin’ to burn him out. There hain’t a dog in these yere parts as could go in an’ kim out alive.” A match was applied, the dogs held off facing the dark hole on the ground, and I mentally noted a young hickory growing on the edge of the cleared space. The canes crackled and burnt fiercely ;_ we waited, trembling with excitement. We ~ decided that Joe should have the first shot. ‘“‘ Hit’s a-gittin’ warm,’ chuckled Sammy. “The old feller’ll think cold weather is over shore !”’ Then came a growl and a black muzzle was thrust out, to be instantly drawn back. Then the canes burnt through in one place and must have touched his hide, for ‘te came out in a hurry. The dogs struggled to get loose and Joe fired. For the first time since our arrival EomIcbooKkKs.co