Fight with a Bear in the Northwest
Two youths working at a fur fort in the Canadian Northwest decide to take advantage of a half-day off granted by the Hudson Bay Company factor. During a cold winter, they venture out onto a frozen lake, where they clear the ice to fish for trout. Their fishing is successful, but they soon spot what they initially believe to be a buffalo. Upon closer inspection, they realize it is a bear. The youths attempt to hunt the bear, first firing a pistol shot that injures it. They skate around the bear, trying to distract it while throwing a hatchet, but the bear retaliates, chasing them. One of the youths, McBeath, narrowly escapes a dangerous encounter when he gets too close to the bear with a spear. Realizing the situation is serious, they return to the fort to fetch a rifle for better protection. They track the bear through the woods, following the blood trail left from their initial encounter. As they approach, they hear the bear moving through the underbrush. With determination, they manage to shoot the bear, killing it. Proud of their accomplishment, they take the bear's skin, which is as large as that of a buffalo, leaving the carcass behind. The tale highlights themes of adventure, bravery, and the challenges of hunting in the wilderness.
By James McIntyre · First published 1890 · Genre: Adventure, Poetry, Nature Writing · 623 words
First lines
The following appeared in Truth in the form of a prose tale of considerable length. We have concentrated the essence thereof into the few verses below. It is a tale of the Canadian Northwest, during the times of the Hudson Bay Company's rule.
Two youths, employed at the fur fort, Resolved to have half-day of sport;
What this Textopian page supports
Fight with a Bear in the Northwest is listed on Textopian as a poem by James McIntyre, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James McIntyre
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Poetry, Nature Writing, Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age
- Length: 623 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Fight with a Bear in the Northwest by James McIntyre
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Fight with a Bear in the Northwest?
- How does this poem by James McIntyre fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Wily Goanner by Louis Becke
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- Dick And Edward by James Mcintyre
Genres
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a thrilling encounter with a bear, showcasing the excitement and risks of outdoor exploration.
- Poetry — The work is presented in verse form, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Nature Writing — The setting in the Canadian Northwest and the focus on wildlife and natural elements highlight the beauty and challenges of nature.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set during the Hudson Bay Company's rule, providing a historical context to the narrative.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Humor · Satire · Literary Fiction · Canadian Literature · 19th Century Literature · Poetic Prose · Wildlife · Nature · Alaska · Northwest Territory