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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bruin, by Mayne Reid
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Bruin
+       The Grand Bear Hunt
+
+Author: Mayne Reid
+
+Illustrator: Zwecker
+
+Release Date: February 4, 2009 [EBook #27993]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRUIN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+Bruin, by Captain Mayne Reid.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+The story told is quite good one, but is rather spoilt by the author's
+insistence on showing how clever he is by calling the animals and plants
+that appear in the story, by their Latin names.
+
+Two young brothers, the sons of a Russian nobleman, ask their father if
+they may spend a while travelling the world.  He agrees, but lays down
+two conditions: one, that they should bring back the skins, in good
+condition, of every species of bear there is; two, that they should
+proceed from east to west, or from west to east, without doubling back
+on their tracks, except, of course, while actually engaged in the chase.
+
+The boys, for they are still in their teens, accept the conditions, and
+set off westward, visiting all sorts of interesting places in Europe and
+elsewhere, and gathering numerous bearskin trophies on the way.  Oddly
+enough they never go to Australia, but maybe the Koala bear is not a
+bear, within the definition of the word.
+
+They take with them an old retired guardsman, Pouchskin, who looks after
+them generally, and takes a lot of the knocks of the journey.
+Eventually they return home, where the boys are lauded as heroes,
+and Pouchskin returns to obscurity.
+________________________________________________________________________
+BRUIN, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+THE PALACE GRODONOFF.
+
+On the banks of the Neva, near the great city of Saint Petersburg,
+stands a splendid palace, known as the Palace Grodonoff.  It is the
+property of a Russian nobleman of that name, as it is also his place of
+residence.  Were you to drive up to the front gate of this grand palace,
+you would see a coat-of-arms sculptured in granite over the entrance.
+In this piece of sculpture, the principal and most striking figure is a
+bear, with the blade of a knife buried in his breast, the haft being
+clutched by a human hand!  Open the gate, and enter the spacious
+courtyard.  Inside, on the right and left, you will observe two live
+bears--both of chestnut-brown colour, and each of them as big as a
+buffalo.  You cannot fail to notice them, for, ten chances to one, they
+will rush towards you with fierce growls; and were it not that a strong
+chain hinders them from reaching you, you might have reason to repent
+having entered the courtyard of the palace Grodonoff.  Look around you
+in the courtyard and over the different doors that open upon it; you
+will again see the crest of the bear, sculptured in stone; you will see
+it over the stables, the coach-house, the granary, the kitchens,--
+everywhere.  You may know by all this, that it is the coat-of-arms of
+the Baron Grodonoff, whose crest is a bear with a blade buried in its
+breast, and a human band clutching the haft.
+
+You will naturally conclude that there is some history connected with
+this singular tableau--that it is the commemoration of some deed done by
+a Grodonoff, entitling him to use the bear as his heraldic device.  This
+is quite true; and if you enter the picture-gallery of the palace, you
+will there behold the deed more explicitly represented, in a large
+oil-painting hung conspicuously in the centre of the wall.  The scene of
+this painting is a forest of old trees, whose grey, gnarled trunks stand
+thickly over the ground.  There is only a little open space or glade in
+the middle; and this is occupied by three figures, two men and a bear.
+The bear is between the two men; or, rather, one of the men is prostrate
+upon the ground--where he has been struck down by a blow from Bruin's
+paw--while the huge animal stands over him reared up on his hind
+quarters.  The other man is upon his feet, apparently engaged in a
+desperate wrestle with the fierce brute, and likely to prove the
+conqueror--as he has already buried the blade of a large hunting-knife
+in the animal's breast, and directly over the region of its heart.
+Indeed, the shaggy monster already shows signs of succumbing.  His paw
+has dropped from the shoulder of his antagonist, his long tongue lolls
+out, the blood rushes from his mouth and nostrils, and it is evident
+that his strength is fast forsaking him, and that he will soon sink
+lifeless upon the earth.  You will notice that the two men who figure in
+the painting are very dissimilar in appearance.  Both are young men, and
+both are in hunting costume; but so unlike in their dress, that you
+could not fancy they followed the same occupation.  He upon the ground
+is richly attired.  He wears a tunic of finest green cloth slashed with
+sable fur on the skirt, collar, and sleeves; his limbs are encased in
+breeches of white doeskin; and his boots, reaching nearly to his thighs,
+are of soft russet leather, ample at the tops.  A belt around his waist
+is richly embroidered; and the hilt of a short hunting-sword, protruding
+from the sheath, appears chased and studded with jewels.  A light plumed
+hat lies upon the ground near his head--evidently tossed off in the
+struggle--and beside it is a boar-spear that has been jerked out of his
+fingers as he fell.  The whole costume is similar to that used upon the
+stage--when some young German or Sclavonian prince is represented as
+hunting the wild boar in the forests of Lithuania.
+
+In reality it is a prince who is depicted in the group of the gallery
+Grodonoff--but not a German prince.  He is a Russian, and the bear is
+the Russian bear.
+
+The other hunter--he who had given its death-blow to the fierce
+quadruped--is dressed in a style entirely different.  It is the costume
+of a fur-hunter--a trapper of sables--and consists of skin coat and cap,
+with a strong leathern belt round his waist, and rough boots of untanned
+hide upon his legs and feet.  The costume is rude, and bespeaks him a
+peasant; but his face, as the painter has represented it, is neither
+common nor ill-looking.  It is not so handsome as that of the prince:
+for he would be an unskilful artist--one utterly reckless of his own
+fortune--who should paint the features of a peasant as handsome as those
+of a prince.  In Russia, as elsewhere, such an imprudent painter would
+be a _rara avis_ indeed.
+
+The picture of which we are speaking is the _piece de resistance_ of the
+Grodonoff gallery.  Its size and conspicuous position declare the fact;
+and the story attached to it will show that it merits the distinction.
+But for that picture, or rather the scene which it represents, there
+would be no Grodonoff gallery--no palace--no baron of the name.
+Paintings, palace, title, all have their origin in the incident there
+represented--the battle with the bear.
+
+The story is simple and may be briefly told.  As, already stated, he
+upon his back, hat off, and spear detached from his grasp, is a Russian
+prince--or rather was one, for at the time when our history commences he
+is an emperor.  He had been hunting the wild boar; and, as often happens
+to sporting princes, had become separated from his courtier attendants.
+The enthusiasm of the chase had led him on, into the fastnesses of the
+forest, where he came suddenly face to face with a bear.  Princes have
+their hunter ambition as well as other men; and, in hopes of tailing a
+trophy, this one attacked the bear with his boar-spear.  But the thrust
+that might have penetrated the flesh of a wild boar, had no effect upon
+the tough thick hide of Bruin.  It only irritated him; and as the brown
+bear will often do, he sprang savagely upon his assailant, and with his
+huge paw gave the prince such a "pat" upon the shoulder, as not only
+sent the spear shivering from his grasp, but stretched his royal
+highness at full length upon the grass.
+
+Following up his advantage, the bear had bounded forward upon the
+prostrate body; and, no doubt, in the twinkling of a bedpost would have
+made a corpse of it--either squeezing the breath out of it by one of his
+formidable "hugs," or tearing it to pieces with his trenchant teeth.  In
+another moment the hope of Russia would have been extinguished; but,
+just at this crisis, a third figure appeared upon the scene--in the
+person of a young hunter--a _real_ one--who had already been in pursuit
+of the bear, and had tracked him up to the spot.
+
+On coming upon the ground, the hunter fired his gun; but, seeing that
+the shot was insufficient, he drew his knife and rushed upon the bear.
+A desperate struggle ensued, in which, as may be already anticipated,
+the young hunter proved victorious--having succeeded in sheathing his
+blade in the heart of the bear, and causing the savage quadruped to
+"bite the dust."
+
+Neither the prince nor the peasant came scathless out of the encounter.
+Both were well scratched; but neither had received any wound of a
+serious nature; and the amateur hunter rose once more to his feet,
+conscious of having made a very narrow escape.
+
+I need not add that the prince was profuse in his expressions of
+gratitude to him who had saved his life.  The young hunter was not one
+of his own party, but a stranger to him, whose home was in the forest
+where the incident occurred.  But their acquaintance did not end with
+the adventure.  The prince became an emperor--the peasant hunter a
+lieutenant in the Imperial Guard, afterwards a captain, a colonel, a
+general, and finally a baron of the empire!
+
+His name?
+
+Grodonoff,--he in whose palace hangs the picture we have described.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+THE BARON GRODONOFF.
+
+In one of the apartments of the palace Grodonoff, behold its proprietor,
+the baron himself!  He is seated in an old oak chair, with a heavy table
+of the same material in front of him.  On the table is spread out a map
+of the world; and by the side of the chair stands a large terrestrial
+globe.  Several shelves standing against the wails contain books; and
+yet the apartment is not a library in the proper sense of the word:
+rather is it a large oblong saloon; having three of its sides occupied
+by spacious glass cases, in which are exhibited objects of natural
+history,--birds, quadrupeds, reptiles, and insects,--all mounted in
+proper form and arranged in due order.  It is, in fact, a museum,--a
+private collection--made by the baron himself; and the books that fill
+the shelves are works relating to natural history alone.
+
+In a man of military aspect--an old veteran with snow-white hair, and
+grand moustaches of like hue--such as he who is seated at the table--you
+would scarce expect to meet the lover of a study so pacific in its
+character as that of natural history?  Rather would you look to find him
+pouring over plans of fortifications, with the pages of Yauban spread
+open before him; or some history detailing the campaigns of Suwarrow,
+Diebitsch, Paskiewitch or Potemkin?  In this instance, however,
+appearances were deceptive.  Though the baron had proved an excellent
+military officer, and seen service, he was a student of Nature.  His
+early years, spent as a hunter, had begot within him a taste for natural
+history; which, as soon as the opportunity offered, had become developed
+by study and research.  It was now no longer a predilection, but a
+passion; and in his retirement nearly the whole of his time was devoted
+to his favourite study.  A vast fortune, which his grateful sovereign
+had bestowed upon him, enabled him to command the means for gratifying
+his taste; and the magnificent collection by which he was surrounded
+gave evidence that no expense was spared in its gratification.
+
+It was a map and globe of the world that now occupied his attention.
+Could these have reference to a question of natural history?
+
+In an indirect manner they had,--and what follows will account for their
+presence.
+
+A hand-bell stood upon the table.  The baron rang it; and before its
+tingling had ceased, the door opened, and a servant entered the
+apartment.
+
+"Summon my sons to attend me!"
+
+The servant bowed, and retired.
+
+A few minutes after, two youths entered the apartment.  They appeared to
+be of the respective ages of sixteen and eighteen.  One, the elder and
+taller, was of a darkish complexion, with brown waving hair, and hazel
+eyes.  The expression of his countenance was that of a youth of firm and
+rather serious character; while the style of his dress, or rather his
+manner of wearing it, showed that he was altogether without vanity in
+matters of personal appearance.  He was handsome withal, having that
+aristocratic air common to the nobility of Russia.  This was Alexis.
+
+The younger brother differed from him as much as if no kinship existed
+between them.  He was more the son of his mother, the baroness; while
+Alexis inherited the features and a good deal of the disposition of his
+father.  Ivan was a fair-haired lad, with golden locks curling over a
+forehead of bright blonde complexion, and cheeks that exhibited the hue
+of the rose.  His eyes were of a deep azure-blue--such as is often seen
+among the Sclavonic races--and their quick sparkle told that in the
+breast of Ivan there beat a heart brimming with bright thoughts, and
+ever ready for mischief and merriment, but without any admixture of
+malice.
+
+Both approached their father with a serious expression of countenance.
+That of Alexis bespoke sincerity; while Ivan stole forward with the air
+of one who had been recently engaged in some sly mischief, and who was
+assuming a demure deportment with the design of concealing it.
+
+A word about these two youths, and the object for which their father had
+summoned them into his presence.  They had now been each of them more
+than ten years engaged in the study of books, under some of the ablest
+teachers that Russia could furnish.  Their father himself had given much
+time to their instruction; and, of course, an inclination to their minds
+similar to that which characterised his own, but chiefly to the mind of
+Alexis.
+
+The latter had imbibed a fondness for the study of nature, while Ivan
+was more given to admire the records of stirring events, with a strong
+_penchant_ for the splendours of the world, in which he felt longing to
+bear a part.  The nature of the books which had passed through their
+hands--a great number of them being books of travel--had begotten within
+these youths a wish to see the world, which, increasing each day, had
+grown into an eager desire.  This desire had been often expressed in
+hints to their father; but at length, in a more formal manner, by means
+of a written petition, which the boys, after much deliberation, had
+drawn up and presented to him, and which was now seen lying open before
+him upon the table.
+
+The petition was simply their united request, that their father would be
+so good as to allow them to travel and see foreign countries--where, and
+how, to be left to his wise guidance and discretion.
+
+It was to receive an answer to this petition, that his sons were now
+summoned into his presence.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+THE SEALED ORDERS.
+
+"So, my youngsters!" said the baron, directing his glance upon them,
+"you have a desire to to travel?  You wish to see the world, do you?"
+
+"True, papa!" modestly answered Alexis; "our tutor tells us that we are
+sufficiently educated to go abroad; and, if you have no objection, we
+should very much like to make a tour."
+
+"What! before going to the University!"
+
+"Why, papa!  I thought you were not going to send us to the University
+for some time to come?  Did you not say, that a year of travelling was
+worth ten at a University?"
+
+"Perhaps I may have said so; but that depends upon _how_ one travels.
+If you travel merely to amuse yourselves, you may go over all the world,
+and come back no wiser than when you started!  I have known many a man
+return from a circumnavigation of the globe, without bringing with him
+the knowledge of a single fact that he might not have obtained at home.
+You would expect to travel in snug railway-carriages, and comfortable
+steam-ships, and sleep in splendid hotels--is that your expectation?"
+
+"Oh no, papa! whatever way you may direct, that will be agreeable to
+me," said Alexis.
+
+"As for me," rejoined Ivan, "I'm not particular.  I can rough it, I'm
+sure."
+
+There was a little flavour of _bravado_ in the manner of Ivan's speech,
+that showed he was scarce inclined to the roughing system, and that he
+merely assumed the swaggering air, because he had no belief that he
+would be called upon to make trial of it.
+
+"If I permit you to travel," continued the baron, "where would you like
+to go?  You, Alexis! to what part of the world would your inclination
+lead you?"
+
+"I should like to see the new world of America--its noble rivers, and
+forests, and mountains.  I should certainly visit America, if it were
+left to my choice; but I shall be guided by you, papa, and do as you
+direct."
+
+"You, Ivan?"
+
+"Paris, for me, of all places in the world!" replied Ivan, without any
+suspicion that the answer would be displeasing to the father.
+
+"I might have known so," muttered the baron, with a slight frown
+clouding his forehead.
+
+"O papa!" added Ivan, noticing the shade of displeasure which his answer
+had produced; "I don't care particularly about Paris.  I'll go
+anywhere--to America, if Alexis likes it best--_all round the world_ for
+that matter."
+
+"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the baron; "that sounds better, Ivan; and, since
+you offer no objection to it, _all round the world you shall go_."
+
+"Indeed?  I'm glad to hear it," said Alexis.
+
+"What! visit all the great cities of the world?" exclaimed Ivan, whose
+mind was evidently occupied with the delights of great cities.
+
+"_So_" replied his father; "it is just that which I do not intend you
+shall do.  There is a great deal to be learnt in cities, but much that
+would be better not learnt at all.  I have no objection to your passing
+through cities--for you must needs do so on your journey--but one of the
+conditions which I shall prescribe is, that you make stay in no city,
+longer than you can arrange for getting out of it.  It is through
+_countries_ I wish you to travel--amidst the scenes of nature--and not
+in towns and cities, where you would see very little more than you can
+in Saint Petersburg itself.  It is Nature I wish you to become
+acquainted with, and you must see it in its most primitive forms.  There
+only can you appreciate Nature in all its sublimity and grandeur."
+
+"Agreed, papa!" exclaimed both the boys at once.  "Which way do you wish
+us to go?"
+
+"All round the world, as Ivan has suggested."
+
+"Oh, what a long voyage!  I suppose we shall cross the Atlantic, and
+then by the isthmus of Panama to the Pacific; or shall we go as Magellan
+went, around Cape Horn?"
+
+"Neither way--I wish you to make great journeys by land, rather than
+voyages by sea.  The former will be more instructive, though they may
+cost more time and toil.  Remember, my sons!  I do not send you forth to
+risk your lives without a purpose.  I have more than one purpose.
+First, I wish you to complete your studies of natural science, of which
+I have taught you the elements.  The best school for this is the field
+of Nature herself, which you shall explore in your travels.  Secondly,
+as you both know, I am fond of all natural objects, but especially those
+that have life--the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; these
+you must observe in their native haunts, with their habits and modes of
+existence.  You will keep a journal of all facts and events that may be
+worth noting down, and write out in detail such adventures as may occur
+to you upon your route, and you think may prove interesting to me to
+read on your return.  I shall provide you with ample means to accomplish
+your journey; but no money is to be wasted by idly sojourning in large
+cities: it must be used only for the necessary expenses of your travels.
+The emperor has been kind enough to give you a circular letter, which
+will get you funds and such other assistance as you may require from his
+agents in all parts of the world."
+
+"We promise, dear father, strictly to adhere to your instructions.  But
+whither do you desire us to go?"  Alexis asked the question.
+
+The baron paused for some time before making reply.  Then, drawing from
+his desk a sealed paper, which showed signs of having been but recently
+folded, he gravely said as he held it towards them--
+
+"In this document you will find the conditions upon which I give you
+permission to travel.  I do not ask you to agree to them, until you have
+carefully examined and reflected upon them.  You will therefore retire
+to your room, read this document over, and, having given its contents
+due consideration, return, and signify whether you accept the terms; for
+if not, there is to be no travelling."
+
+"_By the Great Peter_!" whispered Ivan to Alexis, "they will be hard
+indeed if we don't accept them."
+
+Alexis took the paper, and both, bowing to their father, retired to
+their own apartment.
+
+The seal was immediately broken and not without some surprise did they
+peruse the contents of the document.  It was in the form of an epistle,
+and ran thus:--
+
+"My sons Alexis and Ivan!--You have expressed a desire to travel, and
+have requested me to give you my permission.  I accede to your request,
+but only upon the following conditions: You must procure for me a skin
+of every variety of bear known upon the earth.  I do not mean such
+varieties as are termed `accidental,' arising from albinism or like
+circumstances, but every species or variety known to naturalists and
+acknowledged as `permanent.'  The bears from which these skins are to be
+taken must be killed in their native haunts, and by your own hands--with
+no other assistance than that of an attendant whom I shall appoint to
+accompany you.  In order to accomplish the task which I have imposed
+upon you, it will be necessary for you to go `round the world;' but I
+add the further condition, that you are to go _only once round it_.  In
+_latitude_, I leave you free to range--from pole to pole, if it so
+please you [this was a stretch of liberty at which both boys laughed];
+but _longitudinally_, no.  You must not cross the same meridian twice
+before returning to Saint Petersburg.  I do not intend this condition to
+apply to such traverses as you may be compelled to make, while actually
+engaged in the chase of a bear, or in tracking the animal to his den:
+only when you are _en route_ upon your journey.  You will take your
+departure from Saint Petersburg, and go east or west, which you please.
+From the conditions I have imposed upon you, I hope you will have skill
+enough to discover that a route is traced out for you, and, that, on
+starting, you _can_ follow it either eastward or westward.  This, with
+all matters relating to your means and mode of travelling, I leave to
+your own choice; and I trust that the practical education you have
+received will enable you to make your tour with proper judgment.
+[`Tour, indeed!' exclaimed Ivan.]  Once out of my palace, I take no
+farther charge of you.  You may be some years older before I see you
+again; but I trust the time will not be mis-spent; and that upon your
+return you may be able to give a proper account of yourselves, is the
+earnest hope and wish of your affectionate father, Michael Grodonoff."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+DISCUSSING THE CONDITIONS.
+
+The two youths were no little astonished by the contents of this
+singular epistle; but, for all that, the terms imposed did not seem to
+them either harsh or unreasonable, and they were only too pleased to
+accede to them.  They partly guessed their father's motive.  They knew
+that he loved both of them with a true paternal love; but his affection
+was not of that kind to pet and pamper them within the precincts of his
+luxurious palace.  He had a different idea of what would be beneficial
+to their future interests.  He believed in the education which is
+acquired in the rude school of toil and travel, more than in the
+book-lore of classic universities; and he was determined that they
+should have a full measure of this sort of training.  He had resolved
+that they _should_ see the world; not according to the ordinary
+understanding of this hackneyed phrase--not the world of towns and great
+cities, with their empty shows and vices--but the _world of Nature_;
+and, in order that they should have the opportunity of becoming
+thoroughly acquainted with this sort of world, he had traced out for
+them a route that would lead them into its very wildest scenes, and
+disclose to them its rarest and most primitive forms.
+
+"By my word, brother!" exclaimed Ivan as soon as Alexis had finished
+reading the letter, "we shall have travelling to our hearts' content.
+Certainly, papa has adopted a strange plan to keep us out of the walls
+of great cities."
+
+"Yes," quietly answered Alexis; "there are not many cities where bears
+abound."
+
+"Such strange conditions!" added Ivan, "I wonder what father can mean by
+imposing them upon us."
+
+"Indeed, I hardly know myself.  One thing only seems to explain it."
+
+"What is that, brother?"
+
+"You are aware, Ivan, of the interest that papa takes in all matters
+relating to bears.  As people say, it is almost a mania with him."
+
+"Oh! the great picture in the gallery will account for that," said Ivan,
+laughing.  "But for a _bear_, you know, our papa would never have been a
+_baron_."
+
+"True: that may have been what first led him to take an interest in
+these animals."
+
+"And yet to impose upon us these queer conditions!" continued Ivan; "it
+certainly does seem a little eccentric?"
+
+"No doubt papa has his purpose," said Alexis.  "Who knows that he may
+not be intending to write a _monograph_ of the bears; and it is for this
+he wishes to have full set of their skins--the complete costume of each
+individual member of Monsieur Bruin's family?  Well, we must do our
+best, and procure them for him.  It is not for us to inquire into the
+motives of our dear father.  It is our duty to obey his orders--even
+though the task be ever so irksome or difficult."
+
+"Oh, certainly, brother!  I admit that; and I am ready to yield
+obedience and perform any task dear papa may think proper to impose on
+us."
+
+Certainly there was some reason for the surprise with which the youths
+had read the letter.  Its contents might have appeared still more
+whimsical to them, had it not been their father that had written it;
+and, but for the fact that he had already given them a thorough training
+in the natural sciences, they would have found it difficult, if not
+altogether impossible, to carry out his instructions.  A bear of every
+known variety was to be killed and skinned--killed, too, in its own
+haunts and by their own hands; which, of course, meant that they were to
+visit every country where bears are to be found, and obtain a skin of
+each kind.  Notwithstanding their youth both boys were skilled hunters,
+and excellent marksmen.  Himself brought up to the calling, their father
+had early initiated them into the hunter's craft; and, in addition to
+the knowledge of natural history, which he had imparted, he had taught
+them habits of self-reliance--such as are only acquired by ordinary
+individuals at the full age of manhood.  Both were already inured to
+such perils and hardships as are incidental to a hunter's life; both
+could endure to go a day or two without food or drink--could sleep in
+the open air, with no other tent than the canopy of heaven, and no other
+couch than the grassy covering of the earth.  All this sort of
+experience they had already gone through, in the cold climate of their
+own country; and it was not likely they would meet with one much more
+rigorous anywhere on the earth.  The young Grodonoffs had been submitted
+to a training of almost Spartan severity--a perfect _Cyropoedia_--and
+dreaded neither hardships nor dangers.  They were just the youths to
+carry out that singular programme which had been traced for them by the
+paternal hand.
+
+Was it possible, however to do so?  This was their first query.  There
+were some very nice points in that brief chapter of instructions.
+_Latitudinally_ they might traverse as circumstances required, but not
+_longitudinally_.  Under these limitations would it be possible to visit
+the haunts of all the bears,--to cover, as it were, the whole area of
+Bruin's geographical distribution?
+
+That it was possible might be inferred, from the fact of their father
+having issued the orders; but it was necessary for the young
+expeditionists to set out with caution: else might they take a wrong
+route, and be altogether unable to fulfil his injunctions.  They must
+_not twice cross the same meridian_.  It was this quaint condition that
+puzzled them, and rendered it necessary to guard against making a false
+start.
+
+Lucky it was that Alexis was an accomplished zoologist, and thoroughly
+understood the geographical distribution of the genus _ursus_.  But for
+this knowledge, they would certainly have been puzzled as to the route
+they were to take.
+
+"Well, brother Ivan!" said Alexis with a smile, "had these orders been
+issued when the great Swede published his _Systema Naturae_, our task
+would have been easily accomplished.  How far do you suppose our travels
+need to have extended?"
+
+"I don't quite comprehend you, Alexis.  How far?"
+
+"Why, simply into the courtyard of our palace.  It would have been only
+necessary to kill and skin one of the great bears chained by the gate,
+and that would have fulfilled all the conditions papa has imposed upon
+us."
+
+"And yet, I don't understand you," rejoined Ivan, with a puzzled look.
+
+"How obtuse you are, brother!  Read the letter again; note well its
+terms!"
+
+"Well, I understand them.  We are to travel on, and not come home again
+till we have killed a bear of every variety known."
+
+"There--just so.  Of course papa means every variety known to
+naturalists,--that is, to the `scientific world,' as it is termed.  Now
+you comprehend my meaning?"
+
+"Oh, yes!" answered Ivan; "you mean that when Linnaeus published his
+`System of Nature,' only our own brown bear of Europe was known to
+naturalists?"
+
+"Precisely so--only the _ursus arctos_; and consequently we should have
+had but a very short journey to make, compared with what is before us
+now.  It is true that previous to his death, the Swedish naturalist had
+made the acquaintance of the `Polar' bear (_ursus maritimus_); but,
+strange enough, he regarded this as a mere variety of the _ursus
+arctos_--an error that one may wonder Linnaeus could have made.
+
+"Oh, they are very different.  I could tell that myself.  To say nothing
+of the colour, they are unlike in shape; and, as everybody knows, their
+habits are very dissimilar.  Why, one lives in forests, and feeds
+chiefly upon fruits; while the other dwells amidst fields of snow and
+ice, and subsists almost exclusively on flesh, or fish.  Variety,
+indeed! no, they are surely different species."
+
+"Undoubtedly," answered Alexis; "but we shall have an opportunity of
+comparing them hereafter.  For the present we must drop the subject, and
+find out the route of travel which papa has traced out for us."
+
+"But he has not indicated any route--has he?  He gives us permission to
+go where we please, so long as we get the bearskins, and do not return
+upon our meridian.  We are not to take the _backtrack_--ha! ha! ha!"
+
+"Of course not; but you will find, to avoid doing this, we shall have to
+go by a definite course, and can take no other."
+
+"By my word! brother, I don't see what you mean.  I shall trust all to
+you: so take me where you please--which way, then?"
+
+"Ah! that has yet to be determined.  I cannot tell myself; and it will
+take me some time before I can make quite sure as to what direction we
+are to take on starting out--whether east, west, north, or south.  It
+will be necessary for me to examine a map of the world, and trace out
+the boundaries of the different countries in which King Bruin holds
+sovereignty."
+
+"Ah! that will be an interesting lesson for me.  Here is the map; let me
+spread it out, and do what I can to assist you in finding our way."
+
+As Ivan said this, he drew a large travelling map of the world from its
+case, and opening it out, laid it upon the table.  Both the youths sat
+down; and, running their eyes over the chart, proceeded to discuss the
+direction which, by the conditions imposed upon them, they must
+necessarily take.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+TRACING THE ROUTE.
+
+"In the first place," said Alexis, "there is the brown bear (_ursus
+arctos_).  Him we might find in many parts of our own country--since he
+is emphatically our `Russian bear'; but there is also a black bear,
+which some naturalists say is a variety of the _ursus arctos_, while
+others believe it to be a separate species, having given to it the
+specific name of _ursus niger_--_ursus ator_ it is sometimes called.
+Now, whether it be a species or only a variety, we must get a skin of it
+all the same--since papa has definitely expressed it so."
+
+"This black bear is to be found in our own northern forests, is it not?"
+
+"Yes; it has been observed there; but more frequently in the mountains
+of Scandinavia: and, as we might wander through all the north of Russia
+without finding one, our best plan will be to proceed at once to Norway
+or Lapland.  There we shall be certain also of finding the brown bear,
+and thus kill two birds with one stone."
+
+"Say Lapland: I should like to see the little Laps, but where next?  To
+North America, I suppose?"
+
+"By no means.  There is a bear in the Pyrenees, and other mountains of
+Spain--in the Asturias especially.  It is also deemed by most
+naturalists to be only a variety of the _ursus arctos_, but it is
+certainly a distinct species; and papa thinks so.  Some naturalists
+would have it that there are only three or four distinct species in the
+whole world.  They might just as well say there was but _one_.  I think
+it better to follow papa's views upon this subject, and regard all those
+bears which have permanent marks of distinction--whether it be in size,
+colour, or otherwise--as being so many separate species, however much
+they may approximate in habits or disposition.  Why, some naturalists
+even call the American black bear merely a variety of our brown; and, as
+I said a moment ago, Linnaeus himself believed the Polar to be the same
+species.  This is now known to be an erroneous theory.  Since papa has
+given as much time to the study of the bears as perhaps any one else, I
+shall follow his theory, and regard the Spanish bear (_ursus pyrenaicus_
+it is called) a distinct species."
+
+"You propose, then, to go next to Spain, and kill the Spanish bear?"
+
+"We _must_.  Having started in a westerly course by going to Lapland, we
+must keep on in that direction."
+
+"But how about the white bear of the Alps?"
+
+"You mean the _ursus albus_ of Lesson?"
+
+"Yes.  To reach the Alps, where it is said to be found, we should have
+to recross a meridian of longitude?"
+
+"We should, if there were such an animal to be found in the Alps; but
+there is not.  The white bear of Buffon and Lesson (_ursus albus_) was
+only a mere accidental variety or _albino_ of the brown bear; and papa
+does not mean that we should collect the skins of such as these.  He has
+said so.  Indeed, Ivan, were that task imposed on us, we should both be
+old men before we could complete it, and return home again.  It is only
+the skins of the _permanent_ varieties we are to procure, and therefore
+the _ursus albus_ is scratched out of our list."
+
+"Out with him then! where go we next?  To North America, then no doubt?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Perhaps to Africa?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Are there no bears in Africa?"
+
+"That is a disputed point among writers, and has been so since the days
+of Pliny.  Bears are mentioned as having been exhibited in the Roman
+circus, under the name of _Numidian_ bears; and Herodotus, Virgil,
+Juvenal, and Martial all mention _Libyan_ bears in their writings.
+Pliny, however, stoutly denies that there were any of these animals in
+Africa; but it must be remembered that he equally denies that stags,
+goats, and boars existed on the African continent: therefore his
+statement about the non-existence of the Numidian bears is not worth a
+straw.  Strange enough, the point is as much disputed now as in the days
+of Pliny.  The English traveller Bruce, states positively that there are
+no bears in Africa.  Another English traveller to Abyssinia, Salt, makes
+no mention of them; while the German, Ehrenberg, says that he has seen
+them in the mountains of Abyssinia, and heard of them also in Arabia
+Felix!  Several French and English travellers (Dapper, Shaw, Poncet, and
+Poiret), bear testimony to the existence of bears in different parts of
+Africa--in Nubia, Babur, and Congo.  In the Atlas mountains, between
+Algiers and Morocco, according to Poiret, bears are common enough; and
+this writer even gives some details as to their habits.  He says that
+they are exceedingly fierce and carnivorous, and that the Arabs believe
+they can lift stones in their paws and fling them at those who may be in
+pursuit of them!  He relates that an Arab hunter brought him the skin of
+one of those bears; and also showed him a wound in his leg, which he had
+received by the animal having launched a stone at him while he was
+pursuing it!  Monsieur Poiret, however, does not vouch for the truth of
+the stone-throwing, though he stoutly maintains the existence of African
+bears."
+
+"What does papa think about it?" inquired Ivan.
+
+"That there are bears in Africa--perhaps in all the mountainous parts of
+Africa--but certainly in the Atlas and Tetuan ranges.  Indeed, an
+English traveller of veracity has put the question beyond a doubt, by
+giving some points in the description of these African bears.
+Naturalists thought that if such an animal existed in Africa, it would
+be the same species as the Syrian; but although the bears reported in
+the Arabian and Abyssinian mountains are likely enough to be of that
+species, those of the Atlas are evidently not only distinct from the
+Syrian bear, but from all other known kinds.  One that was killed near
+Tetuan, about twenty-five miles from the Atlas mountains, was a female,
+and less in size than the American black bear.  It was black also, or
+rather brownish black, and without any white marking about the muzzle,
+but under the belly its fur was of a reddish orange.  The hair was
+shaggy and four or five inches long, while the snout, toes, and claws
+were all shorter than in the American black bear, and the body was of
+thicker and stouter make.  The Englishman had learnt something of its
+habits too.  The Arabs said it was rarely met with near Tetuan; that it
+fed on roots, acorns, and fruits, but was only an indifferent climber.
+Indeed it would be very improbable," continued Alexis, "that the great
+ranges of the Atlas and Abyssinian mountains should be without these
+mammalia, since they exist in nearly all the other mountains of the
+globe.  Moreover, it should be remembered that it is only a few years
+since the bears of the Himalayas, of the Great Andes of America, and
+those of the East-Indian islands--and even the bear of Mount Lebanon--
+became known to the scientific world.  Why, then, should there not be a
+species in Africa--perhaps more than one--though civilised people are
+yet unacquainted with it?"
+
+"But you say we are not going to Africa?"
+
+"No; our instructions relate only to every variety of bear known to
+naturalists; and the African bear does not come under this category--
+since it has not yet been described by any naturalist.  For that reason
+we shall have no errand into Africa."
+
+"Then, surely North America is our next stage?"
+
+"Certainly not--you are aware that there is a South American bear."
+
+"Yes, the `spectacled bear,' as he is called."
+
+"Just so--the _ursus ornatus_.  I think we shall find two species in
+South America, though that is also a disputed point."
+
+"Well, brother, what if we should?"
+
+"Why, both will be found in the Andes of Chili and Peru, and not in the
+eastern parts of South America."
+
+"And how should that affect our route of travel?"
+
+"Very essentially indeed.  Were we to go first to North America, we
+should find no less than five species, or four species and one
+well-marked variety.  To reach the native haunt of one of these--I mean
+the grizzly (_ursus ferox_)--we should have to go farther west than any
+part of the South American Andes: how, then, could we afterwards reach
+the spectacled bear without doubling back on our meridian?"
+
+"True, brother--I see that, by looking on the map.  You propose, then,
+steering first to South America, and afterwards to the northern division
+of the American continent?"
+
+"We are compelled to do so, by the very nature of our contract.  Having
+procured the skins of _ursus ornatus_ and another variety we shall find
+in the Andes, we can then travel almost due north.  On the Mississippi
+we shall be able to pick up a skin of the American black bear (_ursus
+americanus_), and by the help of the Hudson's Bay _voyageurs_ we shall
+reach the shores of the great gulf in which that territory takes its
+name.  There the `polar bear' (_ursus maritimus_) can be found.  Farther
+westward and northward we may hope to capture the `barren ground bear,'
+which the English traveller Sir John Richardson thinks is only a variety
+of our European brown bear, but which papa--and good reasons he has--
+believes to be nothing of the kind.  Crossing the Rocky Mountains, we
+shall be able, I hope, to knock over the famed and formidable grizzly
+(_ursus ferox_), and in Oregon, or British Columbia, we shall strip his
+hide from the `cinnamon bear' (_ursus cinnamonus_), believed to be a
+variety of the American black.  That will finish with the bears of
+America."
+
+"Asia next, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, straight across to Kamschatka.  There we shall meet with the
+`Siberian,' or `collared bear' (_ursus collaris_).  Of these, two
+varieties are said to exist, one of which, specified by the name _ursus
+sibiricus_, is also found in Lapland and Siberia."
+
+"Go on, brother!  Where next?"
+
+"From Kamschatka we shall make a long traverse to the south-west.  Our
+best hunting-ground will be Borneo."
+
+"Ah! the beautiful little bear with the orange-coloured breast!"
+
+"Yes; that is the `Bornean bear' (_ursus euryspilus_), or `Bruang,' as
+he is called by the Malays."
+
+"But there is another Bruang?"
+
+"Yes--the `Malayan sun-bear' (_ursus malagenus_).  This we shall
+encounter in Sumatra or Java, whichever we choose to visit."
+
+"Well, the list is much larger than I expected; certainly it has been
+wonderfully lengthened since the days of the good old Linnaeus."
+
+"We have not reached the end yet."
+
+"Where next, brother?"
+
+"Up the Bay of Bengal, and on to the Himalayas.  First in the foot-hills
+of these mountains we shall have to search for the curious `sloth bear,'
+or `juggler's bear' (_ours de jongleurs_) as the French writers term
+him.  He is the _ursus labiatus_ of naturalists; and we may find him in
+the plains of India, before reaching the Himalayas.  Having skinned him,
+we shall proceed to climb the great mountains, and higher up we are
+certain to come across the `Thibet bear' (_ursus thibetanus_)--by some
+very erroneously described as being one of the numerous varieties of the
+European brown bear!  Still higher up we shall, I hope, have the good
+luck to encounter and kill a specimen of the `Isabella bear' (_ursus
+isabelinus_), so called from his colour, but termed by Anglo-Indian
+sportsmen the `snow bear,' because he frequents the declivities near the
+snow-line of these stupendous mountains."
+
+"That is all, is it not?"
+
+"_No_, Ivan--one more, and that will be the last."
+
+"What is he?"
+
+"The `Syrian' (_ursus syriacus_); and though the last in our catalogue,
+this is the very first on record: for they were bears of this species
+that came out of the wood and `tare forty and two' of the mockers of the
+prophet Elisha.  We shall have to visit Syria, to procure a skin of the
+_ursus syriacus_."
+
+"Well, I hope their ferociousness has been tamed down since Elisha's
+time, else we may stand a fair chance of being served in a similar
+fashion."
+
+"No doubt we shall have many a scratch before we encounter the bears of
+Mount Lebanon.  When we have obtained a robe from one of them, there
+will be nothing more for us to do but take the most direct route home.
+We shall then have gone _once round the world_."
+
+"Ah, that we shall!" said Ivan, laughing; "and all over it too.  Great
+Czar!  I think by the time we have captured one of Elisha's bears, we
+shall have had a surfeit of travel."
+
+"No doubt of it; but now, brother, that we know where we are going, let
+us waste no more time, but signify our acceptance of the conditions, and
+be off at once."
+
+"Agreed," said Ivan; and both returning into the presence of the baron,
+announced their readiness to take the road.
+
+"Are we to travel alone, papa?" inquired Ivan; "I think you spoke of an
+attendant?"
+
+"Yes, one attendant.  You must not be encumbered with too many servants
+to wait upon you.  One will be quite sufficient."
+
+"Who is it to be?" asked Ivan.
+
+The baron rang the bell, and a servant entered.
+
+"Send Corporal Pouchskin to me!"
+
+Shortly after, the door reopened, and a man of about fifty appeared.
+The tall well-balanced form and erect attitude--the close-cropped hair
+and enormous grizzled moustache--combined with great gravity of
+features, denoted a veteran of the Imperial Guard,--one of those grand
+and redoubtable soldiers who have seen service in the presence of an
+emperor.  Though no longer wearing the military uniform, but dressed
+somewhat as a park or game keeper, the silent salute and attitude of
+"attention" were sufficiently indicative of the profession which
+Pouchskin had followed: for it was the veritable Pouchskin who had
+entered the apartment.  He said not a word, nor did he look either to
+the right or left,--only directly forward, and at the baron.
+
+"Corporal Pouchskin!"
+
+"General!"
+
+"I wish you to make a journey."
+
+"I am ready."
+
+"Not quite, corporal.  I will give you an hour to prepare."
+
+"Where does the general wish me to go?"
+
+"Round the world."
+
+"Half an hour will suffice."
+
+"So much the better, then.  Prepare to start in half an hour."
+
+Pouchskin bowed and retired.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+TO THE TORNEA.
+
+We shall not detail the parting interview between the Baron Grodonoff
+and his sons; there was the usual interchange of affectionate
+expressions, with as much feeling as is common on such occasions.
+Neither need we relate the ordinary incidents of travel which befell our
+expeditionists, on their way to the mountains of Lapland.  Suffice it to
+say that they journeyed by post from Saint Petersburg direct to Tornea,
+at the head of the Great Bothnian Gulf.  Thence they proceeded northward
+up this river Tornea--till they had reached the mountainous region in
+which this stream takes its rise.  They were amply furnished with the
+means of travelling in the most expeditious manner, and were not
+encumbered with any great amount of luggage.  A bag of roubles, which
+Pouchskin carried in a safe pocket, proved the most convenient article
+they could have taken along with them; since it enabled them to supply
+their wants from day to day, without troubling themselves with any
+cumbersome baggage.  There are few parts of the world in which ready
+money will not command the necessaries of life; and as this was all our
+hunters cared for, they had no difficulty in obtaining supplies--even in
+the remote regions of uncivilised Lapland.  The wild, half-savage Lap
+perfectly comprehends the value of a coin; and will exchange for it his
+reindeer flesh and milk, or anything else that may be asked from him.
+Our young hunters therefore travelled lightly--with little else in the
+shape of baggage than a pair of knapsacks which they carried on their
+backs, and which contained only a change or two of linen, and such
+toilet articles as were absolutely necessary to their comfort.  A
+knapsack of much larger dimensions formed the chief care of Pouchskin;
+and although this, with its contents, would have been a heavy load for
+an ordinary man, the veteran of the Imperial Guard thought no more of it
+than if it had been a bag of feathers.  Each in addition carried an
+ample fur cloak; which, on the march, was folded up and strapped to
+their backs on top of the knapsack, but at night was wrapped around
+their bodies, and served both as bed and bedclothes.  All three were
+armed and equipped, in the most substantial manner.  They carried guns,
+though differing in kind.  The piece of Alexis was a handsome Jager
+rifle; Ivan's was a double-barrelled shot-gun or fowling-piece; while
+Pouchskin balanced over his shoulder an immense fusil, the bullet of
+which weighed a good ounce avoirdupois.  All were provided with a knife
+of one fashion or another.
+
+In such guise did our young hunters enter the mountains of Lapland; and
+commence their search after the "old man in the fur coat," as the
+Laplanders term the bear.
+
+They had taken proper measures to secure success.  They had secured the
+services of a guide, who engaged to conduct them to a district where
+bears existed in great plenty, and where he himself lived in a state
+almost as savage as the bears--for he was a true Laplander and lived in
+a tent in the very heart of the mountains.  He was one of those who had
+no reindeer; and was therefore forced to depend on the chase for his
+subsistence.  He trapped the ermine and beaver--killed the wild reindeer
+when he could--spent his whole life in battling with wolves and bears;
+and with the skins of these animals--which he sold to the fur-traders--
+he was able to supply himself with the few necessaries which such a
+state of existence called for.
+
+Under his tent of coarse _wadmal_ cloth the travellers found shelter,
+and such rude hospitality as the poor Lap could afford them--in return
+for which they had to live in the midst of a smoke that nearly put out
+their eyes.  But they knew they had entered upon an expedition, in which
+many hardships were to be expected; and they bore the inconvenience with
+becoming fortitude.
+
+It is not my intention to give the details of the everyday life of the
+young hunters, nor yet an account of the very many curious incidents,
+which occurred to them during their sojourn in Lapland.  Much was noted
+down in their journal--from which this narrative has been drawn--
+interesting only to themselves, or perhaps still more to their father
+the baron.  For him they wrote an account of everything peculiar that
+they observed--such as the odd customs of the Laplanders--their mode of
+travelling in sledges with reindeer--their snow-skating on the _skidors_
+and _skabargers_--and, in short, a full account of the habits and
+manners of these singular people.  Especially, however, did Alexis
+describe the objects of natural history which came under his notice--
+giving such details as he drew from personal observation, or derived
+from the native hunters, many of whom they encountered while engaged in
+the chase of the bear.
+
+These details, were they given in full, would fill a book of themselves.
+We must content ourselves, therefore, with relating only the more
+interesting incidents, and striking adventures which happened to our
+heroes.
+
+We may here state that it was in the early part of spring that they
+arrived in Lapland, or rather in the latter part of winter, when the
+ground is still covered with deep snow.  At this season the bears are
+hidden away in their caves--in crevices of the rocks or hollow trees--
+from which they only issue forth when the spring sun makes itself felt,
+and the snow begins to disappear from the sides of the hills.
+
+Every one has heard of this _winter sleep_ of the bears; and it has been
+attributed to bears of all species.  This, however, is a mistake, as it
+is only indulged in by a few kinds; and the climate and nature of the
+country which the bear inhabits has more to do with his _hybernation_
+than any natural instinct of the animal: since it has been observed that
+bears will go to sleep, or _hybernate_, as it is termed, in one part of
+a country, while individuals of the same species, in another region,
+will be found roaming about all the winter through.  The state of torpor
+seems to be voluntary with these animals: since it is generally in
+districts where food could not be procured, that they submit themselves
+to this prolonged _siesta_.
+
+However this may be, the brown bears of Lapland certainly indulge in a
+period of slumber--during which they are difficult to find.  Never
+issuing from their places of concealment, they make no track in the snow
+by which they might be followed.  At such seasons it is only by
+accident, or by the aid of his dog, that the Lap hunter chances to
+discover the retreat of a bear; and, when one is thus discovered,
+various methods are adopted for securing the valuable skin and carcass
+of the animal.
+
+It so chanced that, previous to the arrival of the young Russians upon
+their hunting-ground, there had been a show of spring--that is, a few
+days of warm sun--but this had been succeeded by a return of the cold
+weather, with a fresh fall of snow.  The spell of warmth, however, had
+aroused many bears from their lethargy--some of which had ventured out
+of their caves, and made short excursions among the hills--in search, no
+doubt, of the berries, that, preserved all winter by the snow, are sweet
+and mellow at this season, and a favourite food of the bears.
+
+This casual occurrence of the spring having made a promise and not kept
+it, was just the chance for our hunters; since it enabled them in a
+_very_ short time to track a bear to his den.
+
+A few days after their arrival upon the hunting-ground, they were able
+to do this--having come upon the footmarks of a bear, that, followed for
+a mile or so through the snow, led them to the animal's lair.  It led
+them also to an adventure, which was the first they had yet encountered;
+and which came very near being the last that Pouchskin was ever to have
+in the world.  Pouchskin was certainly in great peril; and how he
+escaped from it will be learnt, by reading an account of the adventure.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+JACK-IN-THE-BOX.
+
+It was early in the morning, shortly after leaving the tent of the
+Laplander, they had chanced upon the track of the bear.
+
+After following it for nearly a mile, it conducted them to a narrow
+gorge or ravine, lying between two rocky ridges.  The ravine itself was
+not more than ten or a dozen yards in width, and its bottom was filled
+with snow to the depth of several feet.  Along the sides the snow lay
+sparsely; and in fact there had been scarce any in that place before the
+fall the preceding night.  This had only covered the ground to the depth
+of a few inches: but it was sufficient to show the footmarks of the
+bear; and they were able to follow the _spar_--so the Scandinavian
+hunters call the tracks of an animal--as fast as they chose to go.
+
+Following it up, then, our hunters entered the ravine.  They kept for
+some distance along one side--just by the edge of the deep snow; but at
+length, the track indicated where the bear had crossed to the other
+side; and of course they were compelled to cross likewise.
+
+This deep snow was the accumulated deposits of different storms that had
+occurred during the winter; and, shadowed from the sun by the long
+branches of evergreen pines from both sides stretching outward over the
+ravine, it had remained without melting.  There was a crust over it--
+strong enough to carry a man on _skidors_, but not without them, unless
+he proceeded with care and caution.  The bear had gone over it; but
+these animals, notwithstanding their enormous weight and bulk, can pass
+over ice or crusted snow that will not carry a man.  Their weight rests
+upon four points instead of two; and as they need only lift one foot at
+a time, they still have three points of support.  A man must also lift
+one foot, which leaves him only one to stand upon; and therefore his
+whole weight presses upon a single point, and so endangers his breaking
+through.  The great length of a bear's body, moreover, and the vast
+stretch between his fore and hind legs give him an additional
+advantage--enabling him to distribute his weight over a large surface--
+and this is why he can shuffle over ice or snow-crust, that may be too
+weak to carry a human being.  Every boy knows--at least every boy who
+has skated or ventured upon a frozen pond--that by creeping on hands and
+knees, or, more certain still, by sprawling along on the breast, ice may
+be passed over, that would not bear the same boy in an erect attitude.
+
+Such advantage, then, had the bear which our young hunters were tracking
+up; and it would have been well for them--at least for Pouchskin--had
+they thought of it.  They did not.  They supposed that where a great
+heavy animal like a bear had gone they might go too; and, without
+further reflection, they stepped out upon the deep bed of snow.
+
+Alexis and Ivan being light weights passed over the snow safely enough;
+but Pouchskin, weighing nearly as much as both of them--and further
+loaded with a ponderous wood-axe and his huge gun, to say nothing of
+sundry well-filled pockets and pouches--was more than the crust would
+carry.  Just when he had got about halfway across, there was heard a
+tearing crash; and before the boys could turn to inquire the cause,
+Pouchskin had disappeared, and all his _paraphernalia_ along with him!
+
+No, not quite all.  There was seen about two feet of the barrel of his
+gun above the surface; and as that still pointed upward--while it moved
+around the circular hole through which the old guardsman had fallen--the
+boys concluded that the piece was in his hands, and that Pouchskin was
+still upon his feet.
+
+At the same instant a voice reached their ears--in a hollow sepulchral
+tone, like that of a man speaking from the bottom of a well, or through
+the bung-hole of an empty cask!
+
+Notwithstanding its _baritone_ notes, the boys perceived that the
+exclamations made by the voice were not those of terror, but rather of
+surprise, followed by a slight laugh.  Of course, therefore, their
+attendant had received no injury, nor was he in any danger; and, assured
+of this, Ivan first, and then Alexis, broke out into yells of laughter.
+
+On cautiously approaching the trap-like hole, through which Pouchskin
+had disappeared, their merriment burst forth afresh, at the ludicrous
+spectacle.  There stood the old guardsman, like a jack-in-the-box in the
+centre of a hollow funnel-shaped cylinder which he had made in the snow.
+But what was strangest of all, there was no snow among his feet: on the
+contrary, he was up to his knees in water, and not stagnant water
+either, but a current, that ran rapidly underneath the snow, and had
+swished the crusted fragments from the spot where he was standing!
+
+A stream, in fact, ran down the ravine; and, although the snow
+completely hid it from view, there it was, rushing along underneath
+through a tunnel which it had melted out for itself--the snow forming a
+continuous bridge above it.
+
+The boys did not know all this--for they could only just see the top of
+Pouchskin's head, with his long arms holding the gun--but they could
+hear the rushing noise of the water, and Pouchskin reported the rest.
+
+It did not appear so easy to extricate him from his unpleasant
+predicament; for the resemblance between his situation, and that of
+jack-in-the-box, went no further.  There was no jerking machinery by
+which the ex-guardsman could be jumped out of his box; and, since his
+head was full three feet below the crust of the snow, how he was to be
+raised to the surface required some consideration.
+
+Neither of the young hunters dared to approach the circumference of the
+circular hole through which Pouchskin had sunk.  They might have broken
+through themselves, and then all three would have been in the same fix.
+Of course, under this apprehension, they dared not go near enough to
+pull him out with their hands--even had they been able to reach down to
+him.
+
+It is true he might have got out, after some time, by breaking the snow
+before him, and working his way at right angles to the course of the
+stream: for it was evident that the ground sloped sharply up in that
+direction, and the snow became shallower.  Except above the water, it
+was firm enough to have borne his weight, and after a time he might have
+scrambled out; but a more expeditious plan of relieving him, and one far
+less troublesome to Pouchskin, suggested itself to Alexis.
+
+One of the _impedimenta_, which the old guardsman carried on his
+shoulders, was a coil of stout cord--almost a rope.  This they had
+brought with them, in the anticipation of being successful in their
+hunt; and, with the idea of its being required at the skinning of the
+bear--as also for packing the hide, or any similar purpose.
+
+It was the presence of this cord that suggested to Alexis the scheme he
+had conceived, for relieving his faithful follower from his unhappy
+position; and the plan itself will be understood by our describing its
+execution, which took place on the instant.
+
+Alexis called to Pouchskin to tie one end of the rope round his body,
+and then fling the other out upon the snow--as far as he could cast it.
+This request was instantly complied with; and the end of the rope made
+its appearance at the feet of Alexis.
+
+The latter taking it in his hand, ran up the bank to the nearest tree;
+and, giving it a turn or two round the trunk, he handed it to Ivan, with
+the direction to hold it fast and keep it from slipping.  A knot would
+have served the same purpose; but the whole thing was the work of only a
+few moments; and as Ivan was standing by doing nothing, his brother
+thought he might just as well take hold of the rope and save time.
+
+Alexis now crept back, as near to the edge of the trap as it was safe to
+go.  He took with him a long pole, which by a lucky chance, he had found
+lying under the trees.  Slipping this under the rope, and placing it
+crosswise, he shoved it still nearer to the circumference of the broken
+circle--his object being to give support to the cord, and keep it from
+cutting into the snow.
+
+The contrivance was perfectly correct; and as soon as Alexis had got all
+ready, he shouted to Pouchskin to haul upon the rope, and help himself.
+
+Meanwhile, the old guardsman had slung his fusil upon his back; and,
+immediately on receiving the signal, commenced his ascent--pulling hand
+over hand upon the rope, and assisting his arms by working his feet
+against the wall of snow.
+
+The moment his head appeared above the surface, the laughter of his
+young masters, that had been for a while suspended, burst forth afresh.
+And it was no wonder: for the expression upon the old soldier's visage,
+as it rose above the white crust, his bent attitude, and the desperate
+exertions he was making to clamber upward, all combined to form a most
+ludicrous picture.
+
+Ivan screamed till the tears ran down his cheeks.  So overcome was he
+with mirth, that it is possible he would have let go, and permitted
+Pouchskin to tumble back into his trap; but the more sober Alexis,
+foreseeing such a contingency, ran up and took hold of the rope.
+
+By this means, Pouchskin was at length landed safely on the surface of
+the snow; but even his tall boots of Russia leather had not saved his
+legs and feet from getting well soaked; and he was now dripping with
+muddy water from the thighs downwards.
+
+There was no time, however, to kindle a fire and dry him.  They did not
+think of such a thing.  So eager were all three in the chase of the
+bear, that they only waited to coil up the cord, and then continued
+onward.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+THE SCANDINAVIAN BEARS.
+
+"Really, now," said Ivan, pointing to one of the tracks, "if it wasn't
+that I see the marks of claws instead of toes, I should fancy we were
+tracking a man instead of a bear--some barefooted Laplander, for
+instance.  How very like these tracks are to those of a human foot!"
+
+"That is quite true," rejoined Alexis; "there is a very remarkable
+resemblance between the footprints of the bear and those of a human
+being--especially when the trades have stood a while.  As it is, now,
+you can see clearly the marks of the claws; but in a day or two, when
+the sun or the rain has fallen upon the snow, and melted it a little,
+the claw marks will then be filled up with the thaw, and, losing their
+sharp outlines, will look much more like the tracks of toes.  For that
+reason, an old bear-track is, indeed, as you say, very like that of a
+human foot."
+
+"And quite as large too?"
+
+"Quite as large: the tracks of some kinds even larger than those of most
+men.  As, for instance, the white and grizzly species--many individuals
+of both having paws over twelve inches in length!"
+
+"The bear does not tread upon his toes in walking, but lays the whole
+sole of his foot along the ground--does he not?" asked Ivan.
+
+"Precisely so," replied Alexis; "and hence he is termed a _plantigrade_
+animal, to distinguish him from those other kinds, as horses, oxen,
+swine, dogs, cats, and so forth, that all, in reality, step upon their
+toes."
+
+"There are some other plantigrade animals besides bears?" said Ivan,
+interrogatively; "our badger and glutton, for instance?"
+
+"Yes," answered the naturalist.  "These are plantigrade; and for this
+reason they have been classed along with the bears under the general
+name _ursidae_; but in father's opinion, and mine too," added Alexis,
+with a slight sparkle of scientific conceit, "this classification is
+altogether an erroneous one, and rests upon the very insignificant
+support of the plantigrade feet.  In all other respects the different
+genera of small animals, that have thus been introduced into the family
+of the bears are, as unlike the latter almost bears as are to blue
+bottles."
+
+"What animals have been included in this family _ursidae_?"
+
+"The European glutton and American wolverine (_gulo_), the badgers of
+both continents, and of Asia (_meles_), the raccoon (_procyon_), the
+Cape ratel (_mellivora_), the panda (_ailurus_), the benturong
+(_ictides_), the coati (_nasua_), the paradoxure (_paradoxurus_), and
+even the curious little teledu of Java (_mydaus_).  It was Linnaeus
+himself who first entered these animals under the heading of _bears_--at
+least, such of them as were known in his day; and the French anatomist,
+Cuvier, extended this incongruous list to the others.  To distinguish
+them from the true bears, they divided the family into two branches--the
+_ursinae_, or bears properly so called, and the _subursinae_, or little
+bears.  Now, in my opinion," continued Alexis, "there is not the
+slightest necessity for calling these numerous species of animals even
+`_little bears_.'  They are not bears in any sense of the word: having
+scarce any other resemblance to the noble Bruin than their plantigrade
+feet.  All these animals--the Javanese teledu excepted--have long tails;
+some of them, in fact, being very long and very bushy--a characteristic
+altogether wanting to the bears, that can hardly be said to have tails
+at all.  But there are other peculiarities that still more widely
+separate the bears from the so called `little bears;' and indeed so many
+essential points of difference, that the fact of their being classed
+together might easily be shown to be little better than mere anatomical
+nonsense.  It is an outrage upon common sense," continued Alexis,
+warming with his subject, "to regard a raccoon as a bear,--an animal
+that is ten times more like a fox, and certainly far nearer to the genus
+_canis_ than that of _ursus_.  On the other hand, it is equally absurd
+to break up the true bears into different _genera_--as these same
+anatomists have done; for if there be a family in the world the
+individual members of which bear a close family likeness to one another,
+that is the family of Master Bruin.  Indeed, so like are the different
+species, that other learned anatomists have gone to the opposite extreme
+of absurdity, and asserted that they are all one and the same!  However,
+we shall see as we become acquainted with the different members of this
+distinguished family, in what respects they differ from each other, and
+in what they are alike."
+
+"I have heard," said Ivan, "that here, in Norway and Lapland, there are
+two distinct species of the brown bear, besides the black variety, which
+is so rare; and I have also heard say that the hunters sometimes capture
+a variety of a greyish colour, which they call the `silver bear.'  I
+think papa mentioned these facts."
+
+"Just so," replied Alexis; "it has been the belief among Swedish
+naturalists that there are two species, or at least permanent varieties,
+of the brown bear in Northern Europe.  They have even gone so far as to
+give them separate specific names.  One is the _ursus arctos major_,
+while the other is _ursas arctos minor_.  The former is the larger
+animal--more fierce in its nature, and more carnivorous in its food.
+The other, or smaller kind, is of a gentler disposition--or at all
+events more timid--and instead of preying upon oxen and other domestic
+animals, confines itself to eating grubs, ants, roots, berries, and
+vegetable substances.  In their colour there is no perceptible
+difference between the two supposed varieties--more than may be often
+found between two individuals notedly of the same kind; and it is only
+in size and habits that a distinction has been observed.  The latest and
+most accurate writers upon this subject believe that the great and
+little brown bears are not even varieties; and that the distinctive
+characteristics are merely the effects of age, sex, or other accidental
+circumstances.  It is but natural to suppose that the younger bears
+would not be so carnivorous as those of greater age.  It is well-known
+that preying upon other animals and feeding upon their flesh, is not a
+natural instinct of the brown bear; it is a habit that has its origin,
+first in the scarcity of other food, but which, once entered upon, soon
+develops itself into a strong propensity--almost equalling that of the
+_felidae_.
+
+"As to the black bear being a distinct species, that is a question also
+much debated among both hunters and naturalists.  The hunters say that
+the fur of the black European bear is never of that jetty blackness
+which characterises the real black bears of American and Asiatic
+countries, but only a very dark shade of brown; and they believe that it
+is nothing more than the brown fur itself, grown darker in old age.
+Certainly they have reason for this belief: since it is a well-known
+fact that the brown bears do become darker as they grow older."
+
+"Ha!" said Ivan, with a laugh, "that is just the reverse with us.  Look
+at Pouchskin there!  Your hair was once black, wasn't it, old Pouchy?"
+
+"Yes, Master Ivan, black as a crow's feathers."
+
+"And now you're as grey as a badger.  Some day, before long--before we
+get home again may be--your moustache, old fellow, will be as white as
+an ermine."
+
+"Very like, master, very like--we'll all be a bit older by that time."
+
+"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Ivan; "you're right there, Pouchy; but go on,
+brother!" he added, turning to Alexis, "let us hear all about these
+Scandinavian bears.  You have not spoken yet of the `silver' ones."
+
+"No," said Alexis; "nor of another kind that is found in these
+countries, and that some naturalists have elevated into a different
+species--the `ringed bear.'"
+
+"You mean the bears with a white ring round their necks?  Yes, I have
+heard of them too."
+
+"Just so," rejoined Alexis.
+
+"Well, brother, what do _you_ think? is it a distinct species, or a
+permanent variety?"
+
+"Neither one nor the other.  It is merely an accidental marking which
+some young individuals of the brown bear chance to have, and it scarcely
+ever remains beyond the age of _cubhood_.  It is only very young bears
+that are met with of this colour; and the white ring disappears as they
+get older.  It is true that hunters now and then meet with an odd ringed
+bear of tolerable size and age; but all agree that he is the brown bear,
+and not a distinct kind.  The same remarks apply to the `silver' bear;
+and hunters say that in a litter of three cubs they have found all three
+colours--the common brown, the `ringed,' and the `silver,'--while the
+old mother herself was a true _ursus arctos_."
+
+"Well, since papa only binds us to the brown and black, it will be a
+nice thing if we could fall in with a skin of the ringed and silver
+varieties.  It would please him all the better.  I wonder now what sort
+is this fellow we are following?  By the size of his tracks he must be a
+wopper!"
+
+"No doubt an old male," rejoined Alexis; "but if I am not mistaken, we
+shall soon be able to determine that point.  The _spar_ gets fresher and
+fresher.  He must have passed here but a very short while ago; and I
+should not wonder if we were to find him in this very ravine."
+
+"See!" exclaimed Ivan, whose eyes had been lifted from the trail, and
+bent impatiently forward;--"see! by the great Peter! yonder's a hole,
+under the root of that tree.  Why might it not be his cave?"
+
+"It looks like enough.  Hush! let us keep to the trail, and go up to it
+with caution--not a word!"
+
+All three, now scarce breathing--lest the sound should be heard--stole
+silently along the trail.  The fresh-fallen snow, still soft as
+eider-down, enabled them to proceed without making the slightest noise;
+and without making any, they crept up, till within half-a-dozen paces of
+the tree.
+
+Ivan's conjecture was likely to prove correct.  There was a line of
+tracks leading up the bank; and around the orifice of the cavity the
+snow was considerably trampled down--as if the bear had turned himself
+two or three times before entering.  That he had entered, the hunters
+did not entertain a doubt: there were no return tracks visible in the
+snow--only the single line that led up to the mouth of the cave, and
+this seemed to prove conclusively that Bruin was "at home."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+HYBERNATION OF BEARS.
+
+As already stated, it is the custom of the brown bear, as well as of
+several other species, to go to sleep for a period of several months
+every winter,--in other words, to _hybernate_.  When about to take this
+long nap, the bear seeks for himself a cave or den, in which he makes
+his bed with such soft substances as may be most convenient--dry leaves,
+grass, moss, or rushes.  He collects no great store of these however--
+his thick matted fur serving him alike for bed and coverlet; and very
+often he makes no further ado about the matter than to creep into the
+hole he has chosen, lie down, snugly couch his head among the thickets
+of long hair that cover his hams, and thus go to sleep.
+
+Some naturalists have asserted that this sleep is a state of torpidity--
+from which the animal is incapable of awaking himself or of being
+awakened, until the regular period of indulgence in it may have passed.
+This, however, is not the case; for bears are often surprised in their
+sleep, and when aroused by the hunters act just as is usual with them at
+other times.
+
+It must be observed, however, that the retirement of the bear into
+winter quarters is not to be regarded as of the same nature as the
+hybernation of marmots, squirrels, and other species of rodent animals.
+These creatures merely shut themselves up from the cold; and to meet the
+exigencies of their voluntary imprisonment, they have already collected
+in their cells a large store of their usual food.  Bees and many other
+insects do precisely same thing.  Not so with the bear.  Whether it be
+that he is not gifted with an instinct of providence it is difficult to
+say; but certain it is, that he lays up no store for these long dark
+days, but goes to sleep without thought of the morrow.
+
+How he is maintained for several months without eating is one of
+nature's mysteries.  Every one has heard the absurd theory: that he does
+so by "sucking his paws," and the ingenious Buffon has not only given
+credence to this story, but endeavours to support it, by stating that
+the paws when cut open yield a substance of a milky nature!
+
+It is a curious fact that this story is to be found scattered all over
+the world--wherever bears hybernate.  The people of Kamschatka have it;
+so also the Indians, and Esquimaux of the Hudson's Bay territory, and
+the Norwegian and Lap hunters of Europe.  Whence did these
+widely-distributed races of men derive this common idea of a habit
+which, if the story be a true one, must be common to bears of very
+different species?
+
+This question can be answered.  In northern Europe the idea first
+originated--among the hunters of Scandinavia.  But the odd story once
+told was too good to be lost; and every traveller, since the first
+teller of it, has taken care to embellish his narrative about bears with
+this selfsame conceit; so that, like the tale of the Amazon women in
+South America, the natives have learnt it from the travellers, and not
+the travellers from the natives!
+
+How absurd to suppose that a huge quadruped, whose daily food would be
+several pounds weight of animal or vegetable matter--a bear who can
+devour the carcass of a calf at a single meal--could possibly subsist
+for two months on the _paw-milk_ which Monsieur Buffon has described!
+
+How then can we account for his keeping alive?  There need be no
+difficulty in doing so.  It is quite possible that during this long
+sleep the digestive power or process is suspended, or only carried on at
+a rate infinitesimally small; that, moreover, life is sustained and the
+blood kept in action by means of the large amount of fat which the bear
+has collected previous to his _going to bed_.  It is certain that, just
+at their annual _bed time_, bears are fatter than at any other season of
+the year.  The ripening of the forest fruits, and the falling of various
+seeds of mast-worts, upon which, during the autumn, bears principally
+subsist, then supply them with abundance, and nothing hinders them to
+get fat and go to sleep upon it.  They would have no object in keeping
+awake: were they to do so, in those countries where they practise
+hybernation, they would certainly starve, for, the ground being then
+frozen hard, they could not dig for roots, and under the deep covering
+of snow they might search in vain for their masts and berries.  As to
+foraging on birds or other quadrupeds, bears are not fitted for that.
+They are not agile enough for such a purpose.
+
+They will eat both when they can catch them; but they cannot always
+catch them; and if they had no other resource in the snowy season the
+bears would certainly starve.  To provide them against this time of
+scarcity, nature has furnished them with the singular power of
+somnolence.  Indeed, that this is the purpose is easily proved.  It is
+proved by the simple fact that those bears belonging to warm latitudes,
+as the Bornean, Malayan, and even the black American of the Southern
+States, do not hybernate at all.  There is no need for them to do so.
+Their unfrozen forests furnish them with food all the year round; and
+all the year round are they seen roaming about in search of it.  Even in
+the Arctic lands the polar bear keeps afoot all the year; his diet not
+being vegetable, and therefore not snowed up in winter.  The female of
+this species hides herself away; but that is done for another purpose,
+and not merely to save herself from starvation.
+
+That the stock of fat, which the bear lays in before going to sleep, has
+something to do with subsisting him, is very evident from the fact that
+it is all gone by the time he awakes.  Then or shortly afterwards,
+master Bruin finds himself as thin as a rail; and were he to look in a
+glass just then, he would scarce recognise himself, so very different is
+his long emaciated carcass from that huge plump round body, that two
+months before he could scarce squeeze through the entrance to his cave!
+
+Another great change comes over him during his prolonged sleep.  On
+going to bed, he is not only very fat, but also very lazy; so much so
+that the merest tyro of a hunter can then circumvent and slay him.
+Naturally a well-disposed animal--we are speaking only of the brown bear
+(_ursus arctos_) though the remark will hold good of several other
+species--he is at this period more than usually civil and soft-tempered.
+He has found a sufficiency of vegetable food which is more congenial to
+his taste than animal substances; and he will not molest living creature
+just then, if living creature will only let him alone.  Aroused from his
+sleep, however, he shows a different disposition.  He appears as if he
+had got up "wrong side foremost."  His head aches, his belly hungers,
+and he is disposed to believe that some one has stolen upon him while
+asleep, and robbed him of his suet.  Under this impression he issues
+from his dark chamber in very ill humour indeed.  This disposition
+clings to him for a length of time; and if at this period, during his
+morning rambles, he should encounter any one who does not get speedily
+out of his way, the party thus meeting him will find him a very awkward
+customer.  It is then that he makes havoc among the flocks and herds of
+the Scandinavian shepherd--for he actually does commit such ravages--and
+even the hunter who meets him at this season will do well to "ware
+bear."
+
+And so does the hunter; and so did Alexis, and Ivan, and Pouchskin.  All
+three of them were well enough acquainted with the habits of the bear--
+their own Russian bear--to know that they should act with caution in
+approaching him.
+
+And in this wise they acted; for instead of rushing up to the mouth of
+the hole, and making a great riot, they stole forward in perfect
+silence, each holding his gun cocked, and ready to give Bruin a salute,
+the moment he should show his snout beyond the portals of his den.
+
+Had they not tracked him to his cave, they would have acted quite
+differently.  Had they found a bear's den--within which they knew that
+the animal was indulging in his winter sleep--they would not have cared
+so much how they approached it.  Then he would have required a good deal
+of stirring up to induce him to show himself, so that they could get a
+shot at him; but the track told them that this one had been up and
+abroad--perhaps for several days--and as the new snow, in all
+likelihood, had hindered him from picking up much to eat, he would be as
+"savage as a meat axe."
+
+Expecting him to spring out almost on the instant, the three took stand
+at some distance from the mouth of the cave; and, with arms in
+readiness, awaited his coming forth.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+BRUIN AT HOME?
+
+The entrance to the cave, if cave it was, was an aperture of no great
+dimensions--about large enough to admit the body of a full-grown bear,
+and no bigger.  It appeared to be a hole or burrow, rather than a cave,
+and ran under a great pine-tree, among whose roots, no doubt, was the
+den of the bear.  The tree itself grew up out of the sloping bank; and
+its great rhizomes stretched over a large space, many of them appearing
+above the surface soil.  In front of the aperture was a little ledge,
+where the snow was hacked by the bear's paws, but below this ledge the
+bank trended steeply down--its slope terminating in the bed of deeper
+snow already described.
+
+As stated, the three hunters had taken their stand, but not all
+together.  Directly in front of the cave was Pouchskin, and below it, of
+course, on account of the sloping bank.  He was some six paces from the
+aperture.  On the right side Ivan had been placed, while Alexis had
+passed on, and now stood upon the left.  The three formed a sort of
+isosceles triangle, of which Pouchskin was the apex, and the line of the
+bank the base.  A perpendicular dropped from the muzzle of Pouchskin's
+gun would have entered the aperture of the cave.  Of course Pouchskin's
+was the post of danger; but that was to be expected.
+
+They stood a good while in silence.  No signs of Bruin--neither by sight
+nor hearing.
+
+It was then resolved that some stir should be made--a noise of any kind,
+that might bring the beast forth.  They coughed and talked loudly, but
+all to no purpose.  They shouted at length with like fruitless result--
+Bruin would not stir!
+
+That he was inside none of them doubted.  How could they?  The tracks
+going to the cave, and none coming from it, set that question at rest.
+Certainly he was in his den? but whether asleep or not, it was evident
+he took no heed of their shouting.
+
+Some other means must be adopted to get him out.  He must be stirred up
+with a pole!  This was the plan that suggested itself, and the one
+determined upon.
+
+Pouchskin started off to procure a pole.  The others kept guard--still
+holding their guns in readiness, lest the bear might make a rush in
+Pouchskin's absence.  But Bruin had no such intention; nor was his
+presence betrayed by sight or sound, until Pouchskin came back.  He had
+cut a pole with his axe, and had taken the precaution to select a long
+one.  A young sapling it was, that when cleared of its branches appeared
+as long as a hop-pole.  Pouchskin knew the advantage of its length.  He
+had no particular wish to come to close quarters with the bear.
+
+Creeping back pretty nearly into his old place, he inserted the end of
+the sapling into the aperture--then rattled it against the sides, and
+waited a bit.  No response from Bruin!  Once more the pole was pushed
+in, this time a little further, and again accompanied with similar noisy
+demonstrations.  Bruin neither moves nor makes sound!
+
+"He must be asleep!  Try a little further, Pouchskin!"
+
+This suggestion came from the impatient Ivan.
+
+Encouraged by the words of his young master, Pouchskin approached,
+nearer to the aperture, and buried half of the pole inside.  He then
+turned the stick and poked it all about, but could touch nothing that
+felt like a bear.  Growing more confident, he crept yet nearer, and
+pushed the pole up till he could touch the bottom of the cave--once more
+feeling with its point in all directions, against the further end, along
+the sides, upwards and downwards, and everywhere.  Still he touched
+nothing soft--nothing that felt as the shaggy hide of a bear should do--
+nothing, in fact, but hard rocks, against which the stick could be heard
+rattling wherever he pushed it!
+
+This was very mysterious.  Pouchskin was an old bear-hunter.  He had
+poked his pole into many a burrow of Bruin, and he knew well enough when
+he had touched bottom.  He could tell moreover that the cave he was now
+exploring was all in one piece--a single-roomed house.  Had there been
+any second or inner chamber he would have found the aperture that led to
+it; but there appeared to be none.
+
+To make sure of this, he now approached quite near to the entrance, and
+continued to guage the cavity with his stick.  Alexis and Ivan also drew
+near--one on each side of him--and the exploration continued.
+
+In a short while, however, Pouchskin became nearly satisfied that _there
+was no bear in the den_!  He had groped with his stick all round and
+round it, and had come in contact with nothing softer than a rock or a
+root of the tree.  As a last _resource_ he lay down on the ground to
+listen--placing his ear close to the mouth of the cave; and, cautioning
+his young masters to keep silent, in this position he remained for some
+seconds of time.
+
+Perhaps it was fortunate for them, if not for him, that they attended to
+his caution.  Their silence enabled them to hear what Pouchskin could
+not--placed as he now was--and that was a sound that caused the young
+bear-hunters to start back and look upwards, instead of into the cave.
+
+As they did so, a sight met their eyes that drew from both a
+simultaneous cry, while both at the same instant retreated several paces
+from the spot, elevating their guns as they went backward.
+
+Slowly moving down the trunk of the great pine-tree appeared an animal
+of enormous size.  Had they not been expecting something of the kind
+neither could have told that this moving object was an animal: since at
+first sight neither a head nor limbs could be distinguished--only an
+immense shapeless mass of brown shaggy hair.
+
+The instant after a huge hairy limb was protruded below, and then
+another both terminating in broad ungulated paws, that in succession
+griped the rough bark of the tree, causing it to rattle and scale off.
+
+Singular as its shape was there was no mistaking the animal that was
+making this retrograde movement.  It was Bruin himself, descending the
+tree buttocks downward!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+HAND TO HAND.
+
+Alexis and Ivan, as they started back, simultaneously screamed out a
+shout of warning to Pouchskin.  Both, almost at the same instant, raised
+their guns, and fired into the buttocks of the bear.
+
+Pouchskin had heard their cries, but not the preliminary "sniff" which
+the animal had uttered: he had been too eager in _listening inside of
+the cave_, to hear aught that was passing without.  He heard their
+warning cry however, and the reports of their guns; but not in time to
+get out of the way.  Just as the shots were fired, he had half risen
+from his recumbent attitude; but the bear at that moment dropped down
+from the tree, and coming "_co-thump_" on the back of the old guardsman,
+once more flattened him out upon his face!
+
+Perhaps it would have been as well for Pouchskin, if he had quietly
+remained in that attitude: for the bear had already turned from him, and
+showed signs of an intention to retreat; but Pouchskin, deeming that he
+was in the worst position he could well be in, scrambled suddenly to his
+feet, and made a "grab" at his gun.
+
+This show of fight on the part of his antagonist--and the belief,
+perhaps, that it was Pouchskin that had so rudely tickled his
+posteriors--roused the fury of the bear; and instead of exposing his
+hind quarters to a second assault, he charged mouth open upon the
+ex-guardsman.  By this time, the latter had recovered his gun, and
+promptly brought the piece to his shoulder; but, alas! the gun snapped!
+The lock had been wetted in the snow-trap.  It was a flint lock, and the
+priming had got damped.
+
+The failure only increased the fury of the animal; and a charge of
+swan-shot, which Ivan at the same instant fired from his second barrel,
+still further irritated him.
+
+Pouchskin drew his long-bladed knife.  It was the only weapon he could
+lay his hand upon, for the axe, which might have served him better, had
+been left above on the bank, where he had lopped the sapling.
+
+He drew his knife, therefore, and prepared to defend himself in a _hand
+to paw_ struggle.
+
+He might still have retreated, though not with a certainty of safety--
+for in the hurry of the moment the bear had got on the bank above him:
+and had he turned his back, the fierce quadruped might have overtaken,
+and knocked him down at his will.  Pouchskin thought it better to face
+the bear, and receive his onslaught at arm's length.
+
+There was but one way in which he could have retreated, and that was
+backward down the slope.  He might make ground in that direction; and it
+occurred to him to do so, in order to get footing on a more level
+surface.
+
+The bear having paused a moment to bite the place where the rifle bullet
+had stung him, gave Pouchskin time to gain some ground backwards; but
+only a few paces--since the whole affair did not occupy a tenth of the
+time taken in describing it.
+
+Just as Pouchskin had reached the bottom of the slope, his angry
+assailant, with a terrific growl, rushed forth from the smoke, and
+galloped directly towards him.  When about three feet distant from the
+hunter, Bruin reared upon his hind legs, in the attitude of a
+prize-fighter!
+
+Pouchskin was seen to lunge forward with his right arm--the one which
+carried his knife; and, the moment after, both man and beast appeared
+closed together, "in grips."
+
+In this fashion they went waltzing over the snow, the spray of which
+rose in a cloud around them; and for a while they were seen only as one
+dark upright form, in confused and violent motion!
+
+Ivan was uttering cries of fear--fear for the safety of his dearly-loved
+Pouchskin; while Alexis, more cool, was rapidly reloading his rifle,--
+knowing that the surest means of saving the life of their faithful
+attendant, was to encompass the death of the bear.
+
+It was a moment of real peril for Pouchskin.  The bear was one of the
+largest and fiercest he had ever encountered; and, perhaps, had he
+examined the brute more minutely before the conflict commenced, he would
+have thought twice before facing him.  But the smoke from the guns was
+still over and around the spot, hanging upon the damp air.  Up to the
+time when Pouchskin resolved to make stand, he had not yet had a clear
+view of his shaggy antagonist.  When at length he perceived the
+formidable proportions of the animal, it was too late to retreat; and
+the struggle began as described.
+
+In brief time Alexis--who at loading was quick as a tirailleur--had
+recharged his piece, and was now hastening up to the rescue.
+
+Without going quite close he dared not fire: for in the way that man and
+bear were dancing about, there would be as much danger of killing the
+one as the other.
+
+All at once, however, they appeared to separate.  Pouchskin had torn
+himself out of the bear's clutches, and, evidently disinclined to a
+renewal of the embrace, was retreating backward, over the snow, still
+hotly pursued by the animal.
+
+At this moment Alexis would have fired; but, unfortunately, the
+direction in which Pouchskin was going, kept his body nearly in a line
+with that of the animal; and Alexis could not fire without danger of
+hitting him.
+
+The chase led across the ravine, and of course over the bed of snow.
+The pursued was doing his best to escape.  But the pursuer had the
+advantage--for while the man was breaking through at every step, the
+broad-pawed quadruped glided over the frozen crust without sinking an
+inch.
+
+Pouchskin had got a little the start, but his pursuer was fast gaining
+upon him.  Once or twice, indeed, the bear was close enough to touch
+Pouchskin's skirts with his extended snout; but the necessity of rearing
+up, before making a stroke with his paw, required him to get still
+nearer, and Bruin knew that.
+
+He had, however, got near enough even for this; and had risen on his
+hind feet, with the intention of clawing down his victim.  Ivan and
+Alexis simultaneously uttered a cry of dismay; but before the dangerous
+stroke could descend, he for whom it was intended had sunk out of sight!
+
+At first, the young hunters believed the blow had been struck, and that
+Pouchskin had fallen prostrate under it.  They saw the bear spring
+forward as if to cover the fallen man; but the next moment their terror
+was mingled with astonishment on seeing, or rather _not_ seeing, either
+man or bear: both had suddenly disappeared!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
+
+The sudden disappearance of both man and bear would no doubt have sadly
+perplexed our young hunters, had it not been for Pouchskin's previous
+adventure.  With that still fresh in their memory, they were at no loss
+to comprehend what had occurred.  While eagerly endeavouring to escape
+from his antagonist, Pouchskin had, no doubt, forgotten the dangerous
+snow-bridge; and, just as before, he had broken through it.
+
+This time, however, it was no laughing matter.  Pouchskin was no longer
+playing a solitary Jack-in-the-box, but, in all likelihood, he was under
+the huge body of the savage monster, in the act of being torn to pieces
+by his teeth, or perhaps drowned in the _subnivean_ stream.  Whether the
+bear had sprung voluntarily after him, or, in the impetus of charging,
+had been himself precipitated into the snow chasm without the power of
+preventing it, could not for the moment be known.  The young hunters
+suspected that the bear had fallen in rather against his will; for
+certainly he had been seen to go down in rather an awkward and
+blundering manner, his hind legs pitching upwards as he broke through.
+
+Whether the plunge had been voluntary or against his will could matter
+but little.  He must be now upon top of the ex-guardsman; and, knowing
+the implacable fury of these animals when roused to resentment, his
+young masters had no other idea but that their attendant would be either
+drowned or torn to pieces.
+
+As a last hope, however, Alexis rushed on over the snow, holding his
+ride before him, and prepared to fire its contents into the bear the
+moment he should get sight of the animal.
+
+As he advanced, he could hear a plunging and splashing of water, with
+other noises,--as the snorting and growling of the bear, and the
+crashing of frozen snow, all mixed up in confusion of sounds.
+Concluding that these noises were caused by the struggle still going on
+between the man and the bear, he hurried forward.  Strange! there came
+no voice from Pouchskin!
+
+When within about three paces of the broken edge, an object came under
+his eyes, that caused him to halt in his track.  That object was the
+snout of the bear, that was projected upward above the surface of the
+snow.  The eyes of the animal were not visible, nor any other part of
+it, except the aforesaid snout, and about six inches of the muzzle.
+
+The thought instantly occurred to Alexis, that the bear had reared upon
+his hind feet, and was endeavouring to clamber out; and this was true
+enough, for the instant after, he was seen to spring perpendicularly
+upward, until his whole head and part of his neck became visible.  Only
+for an instant, however; for Bruin, who now appeared to be playing
+Jack-in-the-box, sank once more out of sight, snout and all.
+
+The young hunter was just regretting that he had not taken a snap shot
+at the animal's head; but before ten seconds of time had elapsed, the
+snout was again popped up by the edge of the hole.  In all probability
+the bear would make a second attempt to spring out.
+
+Alexis was therefore waiting till the whole head should show itself; but
+quick as a flash of lightning, it occurred to him that the brute might
+at the second effort succeed in reaching the surface of the snow, and
+then he would himself be in danger.  To avoid this contingency, he
+resolved to fire at once; not at the snout, for, although he could not
+have failed to send his bullet through it, he knew that that would not
+kill the bear, but only render him more desperately furious, if such a
+thing had been possible.
+
+It was the bear's skull he meant to take aim at.  From the position of
+the animal's snout, of course he could tell exactly where the head must
+be, though he could not see it.
+
+Had Alexis been an unskilled marksman, he would have stood his ground;
+and, guessing the position of the bear's head, would have fired at it
+through the snow.  But he did not act in this manner.  He had scientific
+knowledge sufficient to tell him that his bullet, sent in a slanting
+direction, might glance off the frozen crust, and miss the mark
+altogether.  To ensure its direction, therefore, he instantly glided two
+steps forward, poked the barrel of his piece through the snow, until the
+muzzle almost touched the head of the bear--and then fired!
+
+For some seconds he saw nothing.  The smoke of the gunpowder, as well as
+the snow-dust blown up before the muzzle of the gun, formed a dense
+cloud over the spot.  But though Alexis could not see the effect of his
+shot, he could tell by what he heard that his bullet had done good work.
+A loud "swattering" at the bottom of the hole proclaimed that the bear
+was struggling in the water; while his piteous whines and faint grunting
+told that his fierce strength was fast passing away.
+
+As soon as the smoke had cleared off, Alexis upon his knees crept
+forward to the edge, and looked over it.  There was blood upon the snow;
+the side against which the bear had stood was crimsoned with streams of
+it; and below, in the water, among the clumps of broken snow-crust,
+appeared a dark-brown mass, which Alexis knew to be the body of the
+animal.
+
+It was still in motion; but as it was in a prostrate attitude, and
+making only feeble efforts, the young hunter knew that the life was
+nearly out of it.
+
+It was not this that was now causing him to look down with such an
+anxious and troubled countenance.  It was his apprehensions for
+Pouchskin.  Where was he?  At the bottom of the crater-like pit Alexis
+could see the body of the animal, but nothing of a man--neither arms,
+legs, nor body.  Could he be under the bear, concealed by the shaggy
+hair?  Was he hidden under the black water that filled the bottom of the
+ravine?--or, horrible thought! was he dead, and had his body been
+carried off by the current that rushed rapidly under the snow?
+
+This was not improbable, for Alexis could see that there was a sort of
+arched tunnel between the snow and the water, quite large enough to have
+admitted the body of a man!
+
+In agony he cried out, calling Pouchskin by name.  He was repeating his
+despairing invocation, when all at once a loud laugh echoed in his ears,
+uttered close behind him.  In the laughter he recognised the voice of
+Ivan.
+
+Alexis suddenly leaped to his feet, wondering what on earth could be the
+cause of this ill-timed merriment.  He turned towards Ivan with the
+intention of chiding him; but at that moment an object fell under his
+eye, that hindered him from carrying his intention into effect.  On the
+contrary, the sight he saw caused him such joy, that he could not
+restrain himself from joining Ivan in his laughter.  No wonder.  The
+sight was odd enough to have drawn a smile from a dying man.  A
+spectacle more ludicrous could scarce have been conceived.
+
+A little further down the ravine, and about ten paces from where the
+boys were standing, an object was seen protruding above the snow.  It
+was about ten inches in vertical diameter, something less horizontally,
+and of a roundish or oval shape.  In colour it was almost white as the
+snow itself: for, indeed, it was sprinkled over with this material out
+of the bosom of which it had just emerged.  A stranger coming upon the
+ground might have been sorely puzzled to make out what it was; but not
+so Ivan, who, on first beholding it, as it popped upward through the
+frozen crust, recognised it as the head of Pouchskin.  Alexis also made
+it out at the first glance; and it was the comic twinkle of Pouchskin's
+eyes--denoting that no great damage had happened to him--that led Alexis
+to join his brother in the laughter.
+
+Their merriment, however, was of short continuance--only an involuntary
+burst, for a moment's reflection told them that Pouchskin, although they
+saw him alive, might nevertheless have sustained some serious injury;
+and both at the thought hastened up towards the head.
+
+On getting close to it, however, Ivan was unable to control himself, and
+once more gave way to a fit of involuntary laughter.  The head of the
+old guardsman, standing up like a sphinx above the frozen surface,--his
+grizzled hair powdered all over with snow like the poll of some grand
+flunkey,--his long moustache loaded with it,--his eyes sparkling and
+twinkling, and his features set in a serio-comic expression,--all
+combined to form a picture that it was difficult to contemplate with
+seriousness.
+
+Alexis, however, anxious to ascertain as to whether Pouchskin had
+received any dangerous wound, did _not_ this time join in his brother's
+mirth; and, as soon as they came near enough, his inquiries were
+directed to that end.
+
+"Only scratched a bit, masters!" answered the old guardsman,--"only
+scratched a bit--nothing much; but the bear--the bear! where has the
+brute gone?"
+
+"To his long home," answered Alexis; "you need be under no further
+apprehension about him.  I think your knife must have well-nigh settled
+his account, for he was unable to get out of the hole again; but,
+fortunately, I have finished him with a bullet, and it only remains for
+us to haul his carcass up and take the skin off it.  First, however, let
+us endeavour to extricate you, my good Pouchskin; and then you can tell
+us by what means you have managed to make an escape that certainly
+appears miraculous!"
+
+So saying, Alexis, assisted by Ivan, commenced digging away the hard
+crust that surrounded the neck of Pouchskin; and kept on at it, until
+they had uncovered his shoulders.  Then seizing him by the arms--one on
+each side--they drew him up, till his feet once more rested on the
+surface of the snow.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+A SUBNIVEAN ESCAPE.
+
+Pouchskin proceeded to describe the manner of his escape--his young
+masters listening to him with great interest--although they already
+guessed pretty nearly how it had been accomplished.  Still there were
+some points not so clear to them, which the old guardsman detailed.
+
+In the first place, he had retreated from the bear, not because he
+believed himself vanquished, but because he had lost his knife.  Its
+handle, wet with blood, had slipped from his grasp; and he could not
+tell what had become of it!  Finding himself unarmed, of course his next
+thought was to get out of Bruin's way, for what could an unarmed man do
+in the embrace of a bear--and such a bear?
+
+He then turned and ran; but he had quite forgotten the dangerous
+character of the snow-bed--the bridge that had refused to carry him
+before; though, indeed, over it was the only direction he could have
+taken.  Had he attempted to run to the right or left, his course must
+have been up-hill; and the bear would have been certain to overhaul him
+in a couple of leaps.  After all, he had taken the proper direction;
+and, as it proved in the end, his breaking through was the most
+fortunate accident that could possibly have happened to him.  Had it not
+chanced so, he would, in all probability, have fallen into the clutches
+of the bear, and been torn to shreds by the infuriated animal.
+
+Well, on touching bottom, he felt the water among his feet, and just
+then remembered how it had been before.  He remembered the hollow
+archway under the snow, and, seeing the bear above, and in the act of
+being precipitated on top of him, he suddenly ducked his head, and
+pushed himself into the tunnel.  He could feel the bear falling upon him
+behind, and the weight of the animal's body, as it was precipitated
+downwards, forced him still further under the snow-bridge.
+
+Once in, he continued on down the stream, working both with head and
+arms, and clearing a space that would allow his body to pass.  The soft
+snow was easily pressed out of the way; and, after going as far as he
+deemed necessary, he turned to the right, and worked his way upward to
+the surface.
+
+It was while he was thus engaged that Alexis had been squaring accounts
+with the bear.  The fierce creature had not followed Pouchskin under the
+snow.  In all probability, his sudden "souse" into the water had
+astonished Bruin himself;--from that moment all his thoughts were to
+provide for his own safety, and, with this intention, he was
+endeavouring to get back to the surface of the snowdrift, when Alexis
+first caught sight of his snout.
+
+At the moment that Alexis fired the final shot, or just a little after
+it, Pouchskin had popped up his head through the congealed crust of the
+snow, and elicited from Ivan those peals of laughter that had so much
+astonished his brother.  Pouchskin, however, had not come unscathed out
+of the "scrimmage."  On examining the old guardsman, it was found that
+the bear had clawed him severely; and a piece of skin, of several inches
+square was peeled from his left shoulder.  The flesh, too, was rather
+badly lacerated.
+
+Alexis was not without some surgical skill; and, without suffering a
+moment to be lost, he dressed the wound in the best manner possible
+under the circumstances.  A clean handkerchief, which Ivan chanced to
+have, served as a covering for the scar; and this being tied on
+securely, with a strip torn from the sleeve of Pouchskin's own shirt,
+left the wounded guardsman in a condition to recover, as soon as it
+might please nature to permit.  Nothing more could have been done by the
+most "skilful practitioner."
+
+Their next business was to look after the bear.  On going back to the
+hole, and, gazing into it, the animal, as Alexis had anticipated, was
+quite dead; and the water, partially dammed up by the huge carcass, was
+flowing over it.
+
+Ivan, who had hitherto done least of all to secure the prize, now became
+the most active of the three; and, leaping down upon the body of the
+great brute, he looped the rope around one of its hind legs, and then
+stood on one side to help the rest in raising it upward.
+
+Alexis and Pouchskin commenced hauling on the other end of the rope, and
+the vast mass slowly ascended upward, Ivan pushing from below, and
+guiding it past the inequalities of the snow.  It would have been a
+different sort of a task, to have hauled Bruin out of such a hole three
+months earlier in the season; that is, about the time he had lain down
+for his winter _siesta_.  Then he would have turned six or seven hundred
+pounds upon the scales, whereas at this time he was not more than half
+the weight.  His skin, however, was in just as good condition as if he
+had been fat; and it was this, and not his carcass, that our hunters
+cared for.
+
+After some tough pulling, accompanied by a good deal of shouting from
+Ivan at the bottom of the hole, the huge carcass was dragged forth, and
+lay at full length along the frozen snow.  It was still necessary to
+raise it to the branch of a tree, in order that it might be skinned in a
+proper manner.  This however, could be easily accomplished by means of
+the rope.
+
+Up to this time Pouchskin had been puzzled about the loss of his knife.
+Everywhere he looked for it; but it was nowhere to be found.  All the
+surface _over_ which he had danced with the bear was carefully examined,
+and the snow scraped up to the depth of several inches.  There was the
+blood of the bear, and some of Pouchskin's own too, but no knife!  Could
+it have got into the water?  No.  Pouchskin declared that he had dropped
+it near the edge of the snow-bed: for this accident, as already stated,
+had been the cause of his retreat from the conflict.
+
+It was only when the great carcass was being hauled up to the branch,
+that the lost knife made its appearance.  Then, to the astonishment of
+the young hunters, as well as to Pouchskin himself, the knife was seen
+sticking in the shoulder of the bear!  There it had been when the haft
+slipped from his hands, and there had it remained.  No doubt that stab
+would have given the bear his death-blow; but still more fatal had been
+the bullet from the rifle of Alexis, which had passed through Bruin's
+brain, crushing his skull like a shell!
+
+The skinning of the animal was accomplished with great care; for the
+coat was one of the finest, and the boys knew with what interest it
+would be regarded on its arrival at the palace Grodonoff.  They spared
+no pains, therefore, in removing it from the carcass; and after the work
+was finished, it was neatly folded up, tied with the rope, and placed
+like a knapsack on Pouchskin's shoulders.
+
+Of the carcass they took no heed; but leaving it to the wolves, the
+gluttons, or any other carnivorous creatures that might chance to stray
+that way, they turned back up the ravine; and, striking off on a path
+that led towards the tent of the Laplander, reached their smoky quarters
+in good time for dinner.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+RINGING THE BEAR.
+
+The bear thus killed was the true _ursus arctos_, or brown bear--the
+latter name being given to him from the colour of his fur, which, in
+ninety-nine cases out of every hundred, is a uniform brown.  The name,
+however, is not appropriate, since there are other brown bears belonging
+to very different species.
+
+Having secured his robe, as we have seen, the next call of our hunters
+was to obtain a skin from the body of his black brother.  They were well
+aware that this would not be so easy of accomplishment, from the simple
+fact, that the _ursus niger_, or "European black bear," is one of the
+rarest of animals--indeed, so few of them are obtained, that out of a
+thousand skins of the European bear that pass through the hands of the
+furriers, not more than two or three will be found to be of the black
+variety.
+
+It is true that they were just in the country where they would be most
+likely to fall in with one; for it is only in the northern zone of
+Europe (and Asia also) where the black ones are found.  This variety is
+not encountered in the southern ranges of mountains in the Alps,
+Pyrenees, and Carpathians.  Whether this black bear is a distinct
+species was not a question with them.  They knew that by most
+naturalists he is recognised as a variety--by some a permanent one.  It
+was therefore certainly included in the conditions of their father's
+letter; and a skin must be procured _coute qui coute_.  This done, they
+would have no further business in Lapland, but might proceed at once to
+the Pyrenees.
+
+It was not necessary to procure skins of the grey or silver bear, nor
+that with the white ring round its neck--known as the ringed or collared
+bear.  As Alexis had said, it is acknowledged by all who know the _ursus
+arctos_ his native haunts, that these are mere accidental varieties.
+The true "collared bear" (_ursus collaris_) is not found in Lapland,--
+only in northern Asia and Kamschatka, and it is he that is known as the
+"Siberian bear."  The boys therefore were not "bound" by their covenant
+to procure these varieties; but for all that, they were gratified at
+going beyond the strict letter of their agreement, which good luck
+enabled them to do; for while scouring the country in search of the
+_ursus niger_, they chanced upon another brown bear, a female, with
+three cubs, one of which was brown, like the mother; the second had the
+white ring round its neck, and the third was as grey as a little badger!
+All four were taken; and the young hunters not only had the
+gratification of being able to send the different varieties of skins to
+their father's museum, but an additional satisfaction was afforded to
+Alexis, the naturalist, by this grand family capture.  It proved
+incontestably, what he already suspected, and what, moreover, the native
+peasants and hunters had told him, that the "silver" and "ringed" bears
+were identical with the _ursus arctos_.
+
+Notwithstanding their joy at the capture of the old she, and her
+parti-coloured pets, they were yet very anxious about the black bear.
+They had hunted all the forests and mountains for miles around, and had
+even succeeded in killing several other specimens of "Brownie," but no
+"Blackie" was to be met with.
+
+It had now got known among the native hunters what they were in search
+of; and, as they had offered a liberal reward to any one who could guide
+them to the haunt or den of a real black bear, it was not unlikely they
+should soon hear of one.
+
+In this expectation they were not deceived.  About a week after the
+offer had been proclaimed, a Finnish peasant (one of the Quans, as they
+are called) made his appearance at their headquarters, add announced
+that he had "ringed" a black bear.  It was welcome tidings; and the
+young Russians at once proceeded to the indicated place.
+
+It may be necessary to explain what the man meant when he told them he
+had "ringed" the bear; since that is a phrase of specific meaning
+throughout the countries of Scandinavia.  In these countries, when the
+track of a bear is observed in the snow, it is followed up by the person
+who has discovered it, with the intention of "ringing" the animal--that
+is, ascertaining as near as maybe, the locality in which it may have
+halted from its rambles, and lain down to rest.  Of course, if the
+person thus trailing the bear be a hunter--or if it be a party of
+hunters actually engaged in the chase, they will keep on until they have
+found the bear in his den.  But in nine cases out of ten, bears are not
+pursued in this fashion.  Generally, their haunt--whether temporary or
+otherwise--has been ascertained beforehand, by some shepherd or
+woodcutter, and a party of hunters then proceeds to the spot, and makes
+a surround of the animal before rousing him from his lair.
+
+This "surround," however, has nothing whatever to do with the "ringing"
+of the bear, which is an operation of a different character, and is
+performed by the party who has first chanced upon the tracks.  The mode
+of proceeding is simply to follow the trail, or _spar_, of the bear as
+silently as possible--until the tracker has reason to believe that the
+animal is not far off.  This he discovers by observing that the _spar_
+no longer trends in a direct line, but doubles about in zigzags, and
+backward turnings, upon itself; for when a bear intends to lie down, it
+is his habit to quarter the ground in every direction, precisely as does
+the hare before squatting in her form.
+
+Many other animals observe a similar caution before going to rest.
+
+The bear-tracker having reached this point, then leaves the track
+altogether, and makes a circuit round that part of the forest within
+which he suspects Bruin to have couched himself.  This circuit is of
+greater or less diameter, according to circumstances--depending on the
+season of the year, nature of the ground, and a variety of other
+considerations.  While going round this circle, if it should be seen
+that the track of the bear leads beyond it, then that "ring" is given
+up, and another commenced further forward.  If, on the other hand, the
+tracker gets round to the place whence he first started, without again
+coming upon the _spar_, he concludes that the bear must be lying
+somewhere within the circumference which he has traced, and will there
+be found.  This, then, is termed "ringing" the bear.
+
+You may wonder why the man does not follow up the _spar_ until he
+actually reaches the den or lair of the animal.  That is easily
+explained.  The tracker is not always a bear-hunter, and even if he
+were, it would not be prudent for him to approach a bear without
+assistants, who, by surrounding the animal, should cut off its retreat.
+Were he to go forward direct to the bear's hiding-place, Bruin would, in
+all probability, discover him before he could approach within shot; and,
+making a bolt, might carry him a chase of ten or twelve miles before
+stopping.  The brown bear often does so.
+
+The tracker, having ascertained the circle within which the animal has
+made its temporary resting-place, next proceeds to warn the hunters of
+his village or settlement; and then a large party go out for the
+destruction of the common enemy.  They deploy around the ring, and
+closing inward, are pretty sure to find the bear either asleep in his
+den, or just starting out of it, and trying to get off.  The "ring" will
+usually keep for several days--sometimes for weeks--for the bear,
+especially in winter time, will remain in the vicinity of his lair for
+long spells at a time.  Frequently several days will elapse before any
+hunters arrive on the ground; but, if the bear should have strayed off
+in the mean time, his tracks in the snow will still enable them to
+follow and find him.  If, however, fresh snow should have fallen, after
+the bear has made his exit from the marked circle, then, of course, the
+search will prove a blank, and Bruin make his escape--at least out of
+that "ring."
+
+One of the most singular features of this custom is, that he who has
+succeeded in "ringing" a bear, is regarded as the lawful proprietor of
+the animal--or rather of the "ring"--and can dispose of his right to any
+hunting party he pleases.  Of course he cannot guarantee the killing of
+the bear: that is left to the skill of the hunters, who must take their
+chance.  The tracker only answers for a bear being found within a
+prescribed circle, of which he gives proof by pointing out the _spar_.
+With such conditions, established by long and well-observed custom, it
+will easily be believed that the woodcutters and other peasants make a
+market by ringing bears, frequently disposing of the "ring" to the more
+ardent hunters for a very considerable price!  It was just with this
+view that the Finnish peasant had put himself in communication with our
+young Russians; and as the bounty they had already offered far exceeded
+the usual purchase-money in such cases, the Quan at once closed with
+their offer, and conducted them to the "ring."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+OLD NALLE.
+
+While proceeding towards the ground where they expected to find the
+bear, their guide informed them that he had not only ringed the animal,
+but actually knew the den in which it was lying.  This was still better:
+it would not only save them a search, but enable them to encompass the
+beast on all sides and cut off his retreat--should he attempt to bolt
+before they could get near.
+
+On approaching the place, therefore, Pouchskin proposed that the three
+should separate, and, after having deployed into a circle, proceed
+inward from different directions.
+
+But the guide opposed this suggestion--saying, with a significant smile,
+that there was no need of such precautions, as he would answer for the
+bear not leaving his den, until they had all got up as near as they
+might wish to be.
+
+The hunters wondered at this confidence on the part of their guide, but
+in a few minutes' time they had an explanation of it.  Going up to a
+sort of cliff that formed the side of a little stony knoll, the Quan
+pointed to a hole in the rocks, saying, as he did so:--
+
+"Old _nalle_ is in there."
+
+Now "nalle" is the nickname of the bear throughout the Scandinavian
+countries, and our Russian hunters knew this well enough; but that a
+bear could be inside the little hole, to which their guide had pointed,
+appeared utterly incredible, and Ivan and Alexis burst into a loud
+laugh, while Pouchskin was rather inclined to show a little anger about
+the matter.
+
+The hole which the Quan had pointed out was a crevice between two great
+boulders of rock.  It was about a yard above the ground, upon which they
+stood; and was certainly not more than six or eight inches in diameter.
+All round the orifice the rocks were thickly coated with ice; and from
+the top of the cliff on both sides huge icicles projected downwards,
+until their tips touched the earth, looking like enormous trunks of
+elephants, or such as even mammoths might have carried.  One of these
+immense icicles was directly in front of the aperture; while on the
+ground just below its point stood up a huge mass of an irregular conical
+shape, the convex surface of which was coated with snow that had lately
+fallen.
+
+The first impression of the hunters was, that they had been deceived by
+the cunning Quan.  Pouchskin declared that they would not stand being
+tricked; and at once demanded back the ten rix-dollars which his young
+masters had paid for the "ring" of the bear.
+
+"It was all nonsense," he said; "even if there was a cave, no bear could
+be inside, for the simple reason that none, even the smallest, could
+possibly have squeezed his carcass through a hole like that;--a cat
+could hardly have crept into such an aperture.  Besides, where were the
+tracks of the bear?  There were none to be seen--neither by the mouth of
+the hole, nor in the snow outside."
+
+There were old tracks of the peasant himself and of a dog, but not of a
+bear.
+
+"It's a decided take-in," grumbled Pouchskin.
+
+"Patience, master!" said the Quan.  "There is a bear inside for all
+that; and I'll prove it, or else return you your money.  See my little
+dog! he'll tell you old _nalle_ is there.  It was he that told me."
+
+As the Quan said this he let slip a diminutive cur, which he had
+hitherto held in the leash.  The animal, on being set free, rushed up to
+the hole, and commenced scratching at the ice, and barking in the most
+furious and excited manner.  It certainly proved there was some living
+creature inside; but how could the Quan tell it was a bear? and, above
+all, a black bear!
+
+He was interrogated on this point.
+
+"By it," replied the peasant, taking from his pouch a tuft of long black
+fur, which was evidently that of a bear; "that is how I know that old
+_nalle's_ in the cave, and the colour of the hair tells me that it's
+_black nalle_ who's inside."
+
+"But how came you by that?" inquired all three in a breath, as the man
+held the tuft before their eyes.
+
+"Well, masters!" answered the Quan, "you see some jaggy points on the
+rock, at the top of the hole, there.  I found it sticking there, where
+the bear must have left it, as he was squeezing himself into his cave--
+that's how it was."
+
+"But surely," said Alexis, "you don't mean to assert that a bear could
+pass through such a hole as that?  Why, a badger couldn't get in there,
+my man!"
+
+"Not _now_," said the Quan, "I admit; it's three months since he went
+in.  The hole was bigger then."
+
+"Bigger _then_?"
+
+"Certainly, masters! the heap you see below is only ice.  It's the drip
+of that great icicle that has frozen up as it fell, and if it were not
+there you'd see a place big enough for a bear to get in.  Ah! sirs! he's
+there, I can assure you."
+
+"Why, he couldn't get out of himself?"
+
+"That is very true," replied the peasant; "he'd be safe enough there
+till a good bit on in the spring.  If we hadn't found him, he would have
+been obliged to stay in his cave till the sun had thawed that great heap
+out of his way.  It often happens so with the bears in these parts,"
+added the Quan, without seeming to think there was anything unusual
+about the circumstance.
+
+What the man said was literally true.  The bear had gone into this cleft
+or cave to take his winter nap, and during the long weeks, while he was
+thus hybernating, the water, of rain and melting snow, dripping from the
+top of the cliff, had formed enormous stalactites of ice, with
+stalagmites as well: since it was one of the latter that had closed up
+the entrance to the den, and fairly shut him up in his own house!
+
+Not only does this curious accident often occur to Scandinavian bears,
+but these animals, notwithstanding their proverbial sagacity, frequently
+become their own jailers.  They have a habit of collecting large
+quantities of moss and grass in front of their caves, which they place
+right in the aperture; and not inside as a bed to lie upon.  Why they do
+so is not clearly understood.  The Scandinavian hunters allege that it
+is for the purpose of sheltering them from the cold wind, that would
+otherwise blow up into their chamber; and in the absence of any better
+explanation this has been generally adopted.  The heap soon gets
+saturated by rain and melting snow, and congeals into a solid mass, so
+hard that it requires to be cut with an axe before it can be got out of
+the way; and the bear himself is totally incapable of removing it.  The
+consequence is that it often shuts up the entrance to his winter
+chamber; and Bruin, on awakening from his sleep, finds himself caught in
+a trap of his own construction.  He has then no other resource but to
+remain inside till the spring heats have thawed the mass, so that he can
+tear it to pieces with his claws, and thus effect an exit.  On such
+occasions, he issues forth in a state of extreme weakness and
+emaciation.  Not unfrequently he is altogether unable to clear away the
+obstacle, and perishes in his den.
+
+On hearing these explanations from the Quan, who appeared to be well
+acquainted with Bruin's habits, the young hunters were satisfied that a
+bear was really in the cave.  Indeed, they were not long upon the spot,
+till they had still more satisfactory evidence of this fact; for they
+could hear the "sniffing" of the animal, with an occasional querulous
+growl, as if uttered in answer to the barking of the dog.  Beyond doubt,
+there was a bear inside.
+
+How was he to be got out?  That now became the important question.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+THE STAKED ENCLOSURE.
+
+They waited, for a time, in hopes that he might show his snout at the
+little aperture, and all three stood watching it, with guns cocked and
+ready.  A good while passed, however, and, as no snout made its
+appearance, they came to the conclusion that the bear was not to be
+caught in that simple way.  By the snorting growl they could tell that
+he was at no great distance from the entrance, and they thought a pole
+might reach him.  They tried this, but found that it could be inserted
+only in a diagonal direction; and although Pouchskin poised in the pole,
+and bent it round like a rattan, he could not touch wool anywhere; while
+the bear, though he gave tongue now and then, still kept his place at
+the further end of the cave.
+
+No other plan offered, except to cut away the icy mass, and set open the
+mouth of the cavity.  If this were done, would Bruin be then likely to
+come forth?  The Quan was confident he would; alleging as his reason,
+that, in consequence of the spell of warm weather there had been, the
+bear must have fully shaken off his winter drowsiness, and would no
+doubt have been abroad long ago, but for the ice preventing his egress
+from the den.  As soon as that should be removed, he would be pretty
+sure to sally out--for hunger, said the peasant, will bring him forth,
+if not just at the moment, certainly within an hour or so.  At the worst
+they could wait a while.  Moreover, were the ice removed, they might be
+able to reach him with a pole; and that would be certain to put him in
+such a rage as would at once tempt him to make a _sortie_.
+
+With this idea, Pouchskin seized his axe, knocked the great icicle into
+"smithereens," and was about going to work upon the huge _stalagmite_
+that blocked up the entrance, when he was interrupted by the Quan.
+
+"With your leave, master!" said the latter, as he laid his hand upon
+Pouchskin's arm to restrain him.  "Not so fast, if you please?"
+
+"Why?" asked the ex-guardsman, "don't you intend to unearth the brute?"
+
+"Yes, master," replied the Quan; "but something must be done first.
+This is a black bear, you must know."
+
+"Well, and what of a black one more than any other?" demanded Pouchskin,
+somewhat surprised, for in the forests of Russia, where he had hunted
+bears, there were no black ones.
+
+"Don't you know," said the Finn, "that Black Nalle is always bigger and
+fiercer than his brown brother?  Besides, just at this time he will be
+so savage with hunger, that he would eat one of us up the moment he got
+out.  If that ice was away, I shouldn't like to stand here.  Take your
+time, master!  I think I can show you a better plan, at all events it is
+a safer one.  It's a way we practise here--when we are sure that a bear
+is asleep, and won't interrupt us while we're making ready for him."
+
+"Oh, well," replied Pouchskin, "I'm agreeable to anything you propose.
+I'm not particularly desirous of risking another wrestle--not I--I had
+enough of that the other day."  And as the old guardsman made the
+remark, he gave a significant shrug of his shoulders, the wounds upon
+which not being yet quite cicatrised, feelingly reminded him of the
+rough handling he had received.
+
+"Well then," said the Quan, "if you will help me to cut some strong
+stakes, I shall show you a plan by which you may knock old _nalle_ upon
+the skull without danger to any of us, or send your bullets through his
+brain, if you like better to kill him in that way."
+
+All, of course, agreed to the Quan's proposal; for if the black bear was
+as he represented him, fiercer than his brown brethren, it would be no
+pleasant prospect to have him loose among them; and in case of their not
+being able to shoot him dead on the spot as he rushed out, they might
+not only be in danger of getting mauled, but in danger of what they
+dreaded almost as much--losing him altogether.  He might get off into
+the forest; and as there were tracts along the hill-sides, now quite
+clear of snow, he might steal away from them beyond recovery.  This
+would be a disappointment of no ordinary kind.  In fact, it might be the
+means of keeping them for weeks, or perhaps months, from proceeding on
+their journey: since it might be weeks or months before they should fall
+in with another chance of obtaining a black bearskin; and until that was
+procured they could not turn their faces towards Spain.
+
+With such a prospect then, they were only too ready to agree to any
+conditions by which the bear might be safely secured.
+
+The Quan was not long in disclosing his plan; and as soon as he had
+communicated it, all three set to work to aid him in its execution.
+
+A number of stout stakes were cut--each about six feet in length, and
+pointed at one end.  These were driven into the earth around the outer
+edge of the icy mass, in a sort of semicircular row; and so as to
+enclose a small space in front of the aperture.  To hold the stakes all
+the more firmly, large stones were piled up against them, and the
+uprights themselves were closely wattled together by the broad flat
+branches of the spruce pines that grew near.  In this way was
+constructed a fence that a cat could not have crawled through, much less
+a bear.  One aperture only was left in it, and that was directly in
+front--a hole at about the height of a man's knee from the ground, and
+just big enough to admit the head of a bear--for that was the purpose
+for which it was intended.
+
+The next thing done was to roof the whole of this stockade enclosure;
+and that was accomplished by resting long poles horizontally over it,
+tying them at the ends to the tops of the uprights, and then covering
+them thickly with _granris_ (the spray lopped from the branches of the
+evergreen pines).
+
+It now only remained to get the ice cut of the way, and allow the bear
+to come forth.  That would not have been so easy of accomplishment, had
+it not been already partially removed.  Before closing up the top,
+Pouchskin, directed by the Finnish peasant, had cut away most of the
+mass, leaving only a shell; which, although filling up the entrance as
+before, could be easily beaten down, or driven in from the outside of
+the enclosure.
+
+During the time that the ex-guardsman had been sapping away the ice, he
+had been keeping a sharp lookout.  He was admonished to do this by
+certain noises that, now and then, came rumbling out of the cave; and
+not very certain that he was in perfect safety, he had been under some
+apprehension.  The bear, by throwing all his weight against the reduced
+mass of ice, _might_ break his way out; and as by the constant
+chiselling the wall grew weaker and thinner, Pouchskin's fears increased
+in proportion.  He was only too happy, when, having picked the congealed
+mass to what was thought a sufficient thinness, he desisted from his
+work, and crept out of the enclosure, through the space that had been
+kept open for him.
+
+This was now fenced up as securely as the rest; and it only remained to
+knock away the icy barricade, and tempt Bruin to come forth.
+
+The icy wall could be broken in by means of a long boar-spear with which
+the Finnish peasant had provided himself.  It was headed with a heavy
+piece of iron, edged and tipped with the best Swedish steel, and this
+being jobbed against the ice, and kept constantly at work, soon
+splintered the shell into pieces.
+
+As soon as the Quan saw that he had opened a hole large enough to pass
+the body of the bear, he drew back his spear, telling the hunter to look
+out.
+
+During the operation, all three had kept watch through crevices in the
+stockade-wall, holding their guns pointed towards the aperture, and
+ready to give the bear a volley the moment he should show his snout.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+THE SPITTING-DEVIL.
+
+To their disappointment, however, the bear refused to exhibit even as
+much as the tip of his nose, not only while his door was being opened,
+but afterwards; and they began to think that he might not come forth
+after all.
+
+The Quan assured them that he would be certain to do so in time; but
+perhaps not for a few hours, till after they should have remained quiet
+a while, and old _nalle_ should fancy they had gone away.
+
+"He has been a long time without his breakfast," added the Quan, "and
+his stomach will now be talking loudly to him; that will tell him to
+steal out for something to eat.  No fear of it, masters!"
+
+"But for what purpose have you designed this hole?" inquired Ivan,
+pointing to the little aperture that had been left in the wattled
+enclosure.
+
+"Oh," replied the peasant, "that is how we kill bears sometimes;
+especially if we are not rich enough to have a gun.  As soon as old
+_nalle_ rushes out from his den, the first thing he does is to run all
+round, looking for a chance to break through the fence.  Of course he
+finds the hole, and pokes his head through it.  One of us stands
+outside, as you see me now, with a hatchet ready; and we would be
+clumsy, indeed, if we could not cleave in his skull, or give him such a
+crack upon it, as would turn him back downwards.  You shall see how the
+bear will rush to this hole the moment he comes out, and then, masters!
+you shall see!"
+
+Here the Quan gave a significant shake to his hatchet, twirling it with
+the dexterity peculiar to his craft, for it so chanced that he was a
+woodcutter by trade.
+
+Our hunters, however, saw that this would never do.  According to the
+conditions under which they travelled, the bear must be killed by one of
+themselves; and, therefore, after a little explanation, the Quan
+resigned his intention and stepped aside.  His post, however, was
+supplied by the ex-guardsman, who, poising his ponderous axe, stood
+ready to deal a far heavier, and deadlier, blow than could be given by
+any woodcutter in Scandinavia.  Alexis took charge of Pouchskin's gun,
+determined to fire it as soon as he had discharged his own rifle; and as
+Ivan had one barrel loaded with ball and the other with slugs, it was
+not likely, against such a formidable battery as was thus prepared for
+him, that Bruin could manage to live much longer.
+
+It now became a question whether they should wait patiently till the
+bear came out, or whether they might not adopt some mode of tempting him
+forth, that would act upon him more rapidly than the cravings of his
+stomach.
+
+There could be no harm in trying to reach and stir him up with a pole;
+and for this purpose the woodcutter stepped aside to find one.
+
+He very soon succeeded in procuring a long birch sapling--as long as an
+ordinary fishing-rod; and having cleared this of its spray, he inserted
+it into the cave.  To the gratification of the party it was found long
+enough for the purpose; for by the muffled feel it could only be Bruin's
+fur that its point was buried in.  It was just as far, however, as the
+pole would reach; and as it was a slender sapling without any stiffness
+in it, they were unable to do anything in the way of giving him a poke.
+No doubt, had the entrance to his den been wider, even the tickling of
+the pole would have caused him to "turn out;" for a bear, unless badly
+wounded, will not stand much badgering.  It was possible, in this case,
+that Bruin suspected there was some trap set for him outside--indeed,
+the noises he had been listening to for more than an hour, must have
+admonished him that all was not as it ought to be; and this perhaps
+rendered him more wary than was his wont.  He might not yet be aware
+that his door was open; for the roofed enclosure still kept out the
+light as much as the _stalagmite_ had done; and although he might have
+heard the icy mass giving way before the axe and spear, he might not
+understand all that.  It was necessary, therefore, to coax him as far as
+the threshold--so that he might discover that the door of his chamber
+had been opened for him.
+
+The tickling of the pole, however, proved of no service; for, although
+it drew from the huge brute a sniff or two, he still kept to his bed.
+
+What was to be done?  Must they retire, and wait patiently till the
+calls of hunger should urge him forth?  The day was piercingly cold, and
+to remain there long would have been unpleasant enough.  They might,
+indeed, have to stay by the cave all day and all night too: for the
+enclosure had been only slightly put up--merely to check the bear for a
+few minutes--and if they were to leave him all night to himself, he
+could easily tear down the stakes and get off.
+
+They could not think of deserting the spot for an instant; but to avoid
+a long vigil they set about considering some plan by which Bruin might
+be induced to come forth from his inaccessible retreat.
+
+A thought occurred to Ivan, who was a quick conceiver--a plan which
+promised well--and that was to make a "spitting-devil," and send it up
+into the cave.  It appeared a good idea--at all events, it would not be
+difficult to give it a trial.  Gunpowder was not scarce with them--since
+Russian roubles were plenty; and Pouchskin, pouring out nearly a quarter
+of a pound into the palm of his broad hand, commenced spitting upon it
+and working the powder into a paste.  Ivan, who directed this operation,
+was determined his plan should not fail by any stinginess in regard to
+the materials required for carrying it out.
+
+After a short space of time the plastic fingers of Pouchskin had
+elaborated the powder paste into a roll as large as a regalia cigar; and
+this being dried slightly near a fire--which they had long before
+kindled--was ready for the touch.  To the old grenadier was intrusted
+the management of the miniature rocket; and, while the young hunters
+once more stood to their guns, he proceeded to carry out the design.
+
+Having thrust his head through the hole intended for the bear, and his
+arm through another which he had made for himself, he held the "devil"
+at arm's length between his finger and thumb.  The Quan now took a
+blazing faggot from the fire, and passing it between the wattles,
+ignited the _fuse_ which the old grenadier had ingeniously placed in the
+"devil's" tail.
+
+As soon as Pouchskin perceived that it was fairly on fire, with an
+adroit jerk he sent the little rocket up into the cave, as far as he
+could throw it; and then jerking himself backward, he seized hold of his
+axe.
+
+There was a moment of suspense; not long: for almost on the instant a
+brilliant light shone within the cave, accompanied with a sputtering and
+whizzing and cracking, as if half a dozen alarm-clocks had been set
+going at the same time!  In the midst of this confusion of noises, and
+louder far than any, could be heard a number of sharp wild shrieks, and
+before the rocket had half burnt out, Bruin was seen bolting forth over
+the broken fragments of ice.  Two shots were fired, almost
+simultaneously; but both failed to check his onward rush; and with a
+mighty force he came "bump" against the palisades, causing them to crash
+and swag as if they would give way.  It was fortunate for the hunters
+that the stakes stood the shock: for such a set of teeth as that bear
+exhibited they had never before seen.  A single stroke from those paws
+would have been enough to crack the thickest skull in creation.
+
+Ivan gave him his second barrel--the one loaded with slugs,--but it only
+served to increase his fury; and now rearing up, and then going on
+all-fours, he kept rushing backward and forward through the enclosure,
+all the while uttering fierce growls.
+
+Alexis, meanwhile, had dropped his rifle and taken up the fusil of
+Pouchskin.  His place was at one side of the enclosure.  He had already
+got the barrel through the wattles, and was endeavouring to level it
+upon the bear--seeking for a mortal part at which he might aim.  The
+darkness, however,--for the roofed stockade rendered it dark--combined
+with the quick movements of the animal, hindered him from getting a
+sight to his satisfaction.  He knew the importance of making this a
+killing shot.  Should the bear, wounded as he now was, retreat back into
+his den, there would be no chance whatever of getting him out again.
+Alexis thought of this; and therefore resolved not to fire at random, as
+he had done before.  He knew that a full-grown bear, unless shot in the
+brain or heart, can accommodate a score of bullets without being much
+inconvenienced by them.
+
+Knowing this, Alexis was biding his time, when all at once he perceived
+the bear make halt on the front side of the enclosure.  He now aimed at
+the heart of the huge animal, but before he could pull trigger, a loud
+crash sounded in his ear, and Bruin was seen dropping to the ground,
+where he continued to lie, almost without giving a kick!
+
+It was the axe of Pouchskin that had caused the crash, as its edge of
+steel descended upon the bear's cranium, smashing it in as if it had
+been an eggshell.  As the Quan predicted, the animal had imprudently
+poked his head through the aperture where Pouchskin was standing ready
+for him.
+
+This, of course, finished the affair.  It was only necessary to remove
+the palisades, sling the bear to a tree, and then strip him of his
+much-coveted skin.  All this in due time was accomplished; and with the
+robe once more packed on the shoulders of Pouchskin, the hunters
+returned to their headquarters.
+
+It proved--as the Quan had promised them--to be a black bear; not that
+his fur was altogether black, as is the case with the _ursus americanus_
+and the black bears of India.  On the contrary, the hair was brown near
+the roots, and only black at the tips, which, however, gave it the
+appearance of being black all over the surface; and Alexis knew that
+this was the variety of bear they were in search of.
+
+Satisfied that they had obtained the skin of the _ursus niger_, it only
+remained for our hunters to pack up their travelling traps, bid adieu to
+the cold climate of Scandinavia, and start for the sunny south--for the
+far-famed Pyrenees of Spain.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+THE PALOMBIERE.
+
+It is not intended to detail the many incidents that befell them on the
+way, the chit-chat of steamboats, railroads, and hotels.  Their father
+cared not to hear of these trifles; he could read enough of such
+delightful stuff in the books of whole legions of travellers; and, as
+they did not note anything of this kind in their journal, we are left to
+suppose that they encountered the usual pleasures and _desagremens_
+which all travellers must experience on similar journeys.  As money was
+no object, they travelled with expedition--making only a short stay in
+the great capitals through which they passed, in order to have their
+passports _vised_, and sometimes for the purpose of using the great
+emperor's letter for the replenishment of their exchequer.  This magic
+document proved all-powerful everywhere they went; and as they knew it
+would be so in all corners of the habitable globe, they could rely upon
+it with perfect confidence.  Pouchskin's leathers bag was always well
+weighted with the yellow metal,--and _specie_, whatever stamp it may
+bear, is current all over the world.
+
+Their journal merely mentions the route followed.  From their
+hunting-ground they returned down the Tornea river, which, running due
+north and south, of course did not compromise the terms of their
+covenant; neither were the conditions infringed by their taking at any
+time the backtrack when engaged in the chase, for, as already known,
+there was a specification in the baron's letter, that allowed of this
+deviation.  All that was required of them was that they should not
+recross a meridian when on their actual route of travel.
+
+A ship carried them from Tornea to Dantzic.  Hence they passed to
+Berlin, and on through Frankfort, Stutgard, and Strasbourg, to Paris.
+Paris, it is true, was a little out of their way; but what Russian could
+travel across Europe without paying a visit to Paris?  Pouchskin cared
+little about it.  The old grenadier had been there before--in 1815--when
+he was far from being welcome to the Parisians; and Alexis would rather
+have gone by another and more direct route, that is, through
+Switzerland; but the gay Ivan would not hear of such a thing.  To see
+Paris he was determined; and see it he did; though what he or they did
+there is not mentioned in the book of the chronicles of our young
+bear-hunters.
+
+From Paris they travelled by rail, almost directly south--though still
+slightly westward--to the celebrated baths of Bagneres.  Here they found
+themselves not only within sight, but actually among the _foot-hills_ of
+those mountains, for the tourist scarce second in interest to the Alps
+themselves, but perhaps for the naturalist even more interesting than
+these.
+
+At Bagneres they made but a short stay, only long enough to recruit
+their strength by bathing in its thermal springs, and to witness a
+spectacle which is regarded as the grand lion of the place--the
+_Palombiere_.
+
+As you, young reader, may not have heard of the _Palombiere_, and may be
+curious to know what it is, I give the account of it, which I find
+recorded in the journal of Alexis.
+
+About two miles from Bagneres rises a ridge of considerable elevation--
+running parallel with the general direction of the Pyrenees, of which it
+may be considered an outlying step, or "foot hill" (_pied mont_).  Along
+the crest of this hill stands a row of very tall trees, from which the
+branches have been carefully lopped, leaving only a little bunch at the
+top of each.  On coming close to these trees--provided it be in the
+months of September or October--you will observe a something between
+them that resembles a thin gauzy veil of a greyish colour.  On getting
+still nearer, you will perceive that this veil is a net--or rather a
+series of nets--extended from tree to tree, and filling up all the
+spaces between them--from the highest point to which the branches have
+been lopped down to within three feet of the ground.
+
+Another singular object, or series of objects, will long ere this have
+attracted your attention.  You will see standing, at certain intervals
+apart, and about thirty yards in front of the trees, a row of tall
+tapering sticks--so tall that their tops are fifty yards from the
+ground!  They might remind you of the masts of a ship; but that there
+are in each case two of them together,--the one standing vertically, and
+the other bending over to it, with a slight curve.  On this account you
+may be more struck with their resemblance to the "shears" seen in
+shipyards, by which the masts are "stepped" into their places.  These
+masts, as we may call them, are not all of one stick of wood, but of
+several pieces spliced together; and notwithstanding their prodigious
+length--fifty yards, you will remember--they are of no great thickness.
+In fact, although the two are joined together at the top--as we shall
+presently have occasion to show--when a strong wind blows, both bend,
+and vibrate back and forward like an elastic trout rod.  At their bases
+they are only five feet apart; and the curving one is intended to act as
+a stay to the other.  Both, as already stated, meet at the top, and
+looking up you will see--while the sight makes you dizzy--a little
+roundish object at the point of the junction.  It is a basket set there
+firmly, and just big enough to hold the body of a man.  If you look
+carefully you will see a man actually within it; but, to quote
+Shakespeare's quaint simile, he will appear to your eyes not half as
+gross as a beetle!  In all likelihood he is not a man, but only a boy;
+for it is boys who are selected to perform this elevated and apparently
+dangerous service.
+
+How did the boy get there? will probably be your next question.  By
+running your eye along the curved pole, you will perceive a row of
+projecting pegs extending from bottom to top.  They are quite two feet
+apart; but had you been present while that youth was making the ascent--
+which he did by the help of these pegs--you would have seen him scramble
+up as rapidly, and with as little concern, as a sailor would ascend the
+ratlines of a ship!  It is his trade to do so, and practice has made him
+as nimble as he is intrepid; but you, who are unaccustomed to witness
+such tall gymnastics, cannot help again recalling Shakespeare, and
+exclaiming, with the great dramatic poet, "Fearful trade!"  Quite as
+fearful, indeed, as the gathering of "samphire."
+
+But what is this trade?  What is all this contrivance for--these nets
+and tall masts, with "crows' nests" at their tops?  What are the boys
+doing up there?  And what are they about below--those men, women, and
+children--a crowd composed of all ages and all sexes?  What are they
+doing?
+
+_Pigeon-catching_.  That is what they are doing, or rather what they are
+aiming to do, as soon as the opportunity offers.  These people are
+simply pigeon-catchers.
+
+What sort of pigeons? and where do they come from?  These questions must
+be answered.
+
+To the first, then, the answer is the common European wild pigeon
+(_columba palumbis_).  It is well-known in England by the name of
+"wood-pigeon," and in France it is called _ramier_.  In England the
+wood-pigeon is not migratory.  In that country there is a much milder
+winter than is experienced in the same or even a more southerly latitude
+on the Continent.  This enables the pigeon to find food throughout all
+the year, and it therefore remains in England.  In continental
+countries--Prance among the number--the severity of the winter forces it
+southward; and it annually migrates into Africa--the supposed limit of
+its flight being the chain of the Atlas mountains.  Of course the
+wood-pigeon is only one of many birds that make this annual tour,
+taking, as the rest do, a "return ticket."
+
+Now the _ramiers_ of France, in passing southward, must ply their wings
+a little more strenuously to mount over the snowy summits of the
+Pyrenees; but they only commence ascending to this higher elevation when
+near the mountains.  The ridge at Bagneres chances to lie in the line of
+their flight--of course, not of all of them, but such as may be sweeping
+along in that particular meridian; and, passing between the tall trees
+already mentioned, they get caught in the meshes of the nets.  The
+moment they strike these--several of them coming "butt" against one at
+the same instant,--a trigger is pulled by the men--who are below
+concealed under screens--and this trigger, acting on a string, causes
+the net to drop, with the fluttering victims safely secured in its
+meshes.
+
+When the flight has passed, the women, girls, boys, and even the
+children, rush forth from their hiding-places; and, seizing the
+struggling birds, put a quick termination to their fruitless efforts, by
+biting each of them in the neck.  Old, half-toothless crones--for this
+is especially their part of the performance--will be seen thus giving
+the final _coup_ to the beautiful but unfortunate wanderers!
+
+And still we have not explained what the boys are doing up yonder.
+Well, we shall now announce their _metier_.  Each has taken up with him
+a number of little billets of wood, fashioned something like the letter
+T, and about six inches in length.  When this billet is flung into the
+air, and twirls about in its descent, it exhibits some resemblance--
+though not a very close one--to a flying pigeon-hawk.  The resemblance,
+however, is near enough to "do" the pigeons; for when they are within
+about one hundred yards of the crows' nest, the boy launches his billet
+into the air, and the birds, believing it to be a hawk, immediately dip
+several yards in their flight--as they may be seen to do when a real
+hawk makes his appearance.  This descent usually brings them low enough
+to pass between the trees; and of course the old women soon get their
+teeth upon them.
+
+The pigeon-catching is not free to every one who may take a "fancy" to
+it.  There are pigeon-catchers by trade; who, with their families,
+follow it as a regular calling during the season, while it lasts; and
+this, as already stated, is in the months of September and October.  The
+_Palombiere_, or pigeon-ridge, belongs to the communal authorities, who
+let it out in sections to the people that follow the calling of
+pigeon-netting; and these, in their turn, dispose of the produce of
+their nets in the markets of Bagneres and other neighbouring towns.
+
+Every one knows how excellent for the table is the flesh of this
+beautiful bird: so much is it esteemed, that even at Bagneres, in the
+season of their greatest plenty, a pair will fetch a market price of
+from twelve to twenty sous.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+THE PYRENEES.
+
+Speaking geologically, the Pyrenees extend along the whole north of
+Spain, from the Mediterranean to the province of Galicia on the
+Atlantic; and in this sense the chain may be regarded as between six and
+seven hundred miles in length.
+
+More properly, however, the term "Pyrenees" is limited to that portion
+of the range which lies directly between France and Spain; in other
+words, along the neck or isthmus of the Spanish peninsula.  Thus
+limited, the range is less than half the above length, or about three
+hundred miles; while its average breadth is fifty.
+
+Though less elevated than the Alps, the Pyrenees mountains are no
+molehills.  Their highest peak, Maladetta, towers above 11,000 feet; and
+several others are of nearly equal height--while more than forty summits
+reach the elevation of 9,000!
+
+The most elevated peaks are near the centre of the Pyrenees, the range
+gradually dipping downward as the extremities are approached.  For this
+reason the most practicable passes are found near the eastern and
+western ends; though many also exist in the central part of the chain.
+In all, there are fifty passes or "ports," as they are called, leading
+from the French to the Spanish side; but only five of these are
+practicable for wheeled vehicles; and a large number are only known (or
+at all events only travelled) by the smugglers--_contrabandistas_--a
+class of gentry who swarm on both sides of the Pyrenean frontier.
+
+The superficial extent of these mountains is about 11,000 or 12,000
+square miles.  Part of this is French, and the remainder Spanish
+territory.  As a general rule, the "divide," or main axis of the ridge
+forms the boundary line; but in the eastern section, the French
+territory has been extended beyond the natural frontier.
+
+The geological formation of the Pyrenees consists both of primitive and
+secondary rocks--the latter being greater in mass, and composed of
+argillaceous schist, grauwacke (schistose and common), and limestone.
+Mines of lead, iron, and copper are found in this formation--the lead
+containing a proportion of silver.  The primitive rocks are granite; and
+run in zones or belts, extended lengthwise in the direction of the
+chain; and it is in the rupture between these and the transition strata,
+that the chemical springs, for which the Pyrenees are so famous, gush
+forth.  Of these remarkable fountains--many of them almost at boiling
+heat--no less than 253 have been discovered in different parts of the
+range.  A great number of them are celebrated for their medicinal
+virtues, and are the favourite summer resorts of invalids, as well as
+the votaries of pleasure, from all parts of the world--but more
+especially from France and Spain.
+
+The botany of the Pyrenees is full of interest.  It may be regarded as
+an epitome of the whole European _flora_: since scarcely a plant exists,
+from the Mediterranean to the Arctic sea, that has not a representative
+species in some part of this mountain chain.  In the valleys and lower
+slopes of the mountains the forest is chiefly composed of Lombardy
+poplars and sycamores; a little higher, the Spanish chestnut, oaks,
+hazels, and alders, the mountain ash and birch trees abound; and still
+farther up you enter the region of the pines--the _pinus sylvestris_
+growing in dense continuous forests, while the more graceful "stone
+pine" is seen only in isolated groups or scattered trees.  Everywhere a
+rich _flora_ meets the eye; flowers of the most lovely hues reflected in
+crystal rivulets--for the waters of the Pyrenees are pure beyond
+comparison, such a thing as a turbid stream being unknown throughout the
+whole range.
+
+Above the pine forests the mountains exhibit a zone of naked
+declivities, stretching upward to the line of congelation--which in the
+Pyrenees is higher than upon the Alps.  The former has been variously
+estimated: some fixing it at 8,300 feet, while others raise it as high
+as 9,000; but, indeed, it would be more just to say that the snow-line
+depends greatly upon the locality of the particular mountain, and its
+southern or northern exposure.
+
+In any case, it is more than 1,000 feet higher than on the Alps; the
+superior elevation being accounted for, by the more southern latitude of
+the Franco-Spanish chain.  Perhaps the proximity of the sea has more to
+do with this phenomenon than the trifling difference of latitude?
+
+Upon the higher declivities and summits, snowfields and glaciers abound,
+as in the Alps; and even in some of the passes these phenomena are
+encountered.  Most of the passes are higher than those of the Alps; but
+in consequence of the greater elevation of the snow-line, they remain
+open throughout the winter.  At all seasons, however, they are by no
+means easy to traverse; and the cold winds that whistle through them are
+scarce to be endured.  The Spaniards, who have a proverbial expression
+for almost every idea, have not neglected this one.  In the ports
+(_puertos_) of the Pyrenees, say they, "the father waits not for his
+son, nor the son for his father."
+
+If the passes across these mountains are higher than those of the Alps,
+the transverse valleys are the reverse; those of the Pyrenees being in
+general much lower.  The consequence is, that from the bottom of these
+valleys the mountains themselves appear far loftier than any of the
+Alpine peaks,--the eye taking in at one view a greater angle of
+elevation.
+
+The _fauna_ of the Pyrenean chain, though less full and varied than its
+_flora_, is nevertheless of great interest.  In the more densely wooded
+solitudes, and higher declivities of the mountains, a large bear is
+found, whose light fulvous-coloured body and black paws pronounce him a
+different animal from the _ursus arctos_.  If he be the same species, as
+naturalists assert, he claims at least to be a permanent variety, and
+deserves his distinctive appellation of _ursus pyrenaicus_.
+
+Wolves abound; Spanish wolves, long famed for their fierceness; the
+common whitish-brown wolf (_canis lupus_), and a darker and still larger
+variety--in short, a black wolf, designated the "wolf of the Pyrenees,"
+though it is equally a denizen of the other mountain _sierras_ of
+Portugal and Spain.
+
+The European lynx (_felis lynx_), and the wild cat, both skulk through
+the Pyrenean forests; the former now only rarely seen.  Along the naked
+cliffs leaps the "izzard," which is identical with the chamois of the
+Alps (_antelope rupicapra_); and in the same localities, but more rarely
+seen, the "bouquetin," or "tur" (_aigocerus pyrenaicus_)--a species of
+ibex, _not_ identical with the _capra ibex_ of Linnaeus and the Alpine
+mountains.
+
+Birds of many European species frequent the lower forests of the
+Pyrenees, or fill the sheltered valleys with their vocal music; while,
+soaring above the mountain summits, may be seen the great vulture-eagle,
+or "lammergeyer," watching with greedy eye the feeble lambkin, or the
+new-born kid of the ibex and izzard.
+
+With such knowledge of their natural history, it was with feelings of no
+ordinary interest that our young hunters turned their faces towards that
+vast serried rampart that separates the land of the Gaul from the
+country of the Iberian.
+
+It was by the Val d'Ossau, literally the "valley of the bear," that they
+made their approach to the mountains,--that valley celebrated as the
+residence and hunting-ground of Henri of Navarre: but now, in modern
+days, noted for its valuable thermal springs of _Eaux Bonnes_ and _Eaux
+Chaudes_.
+
+Up this mountain gorge went our heroes, their faces turned southward,
+and their eyes carried high up to the Pic du Midi d'Ossau--the mountain
+of the bears--an appropriate name for that beacon which was now
+directing their course.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+AN ODD AVALANCHE.
+
+It is needless to say that the young Russians were delighted with the
+scenes that met their eyes in this fair southern land; and many of them
+are found faithfully described in their journal.  They noted the
+picturesque dresses of the Pyrenean peasantry--so different from the
+eternal blue blouse which they had met in northern and central France.
+Here was worn the "barret," of scarlet or white, the rich brown jacket
+and red sash of the peculiar costumes of the Basque and Bearnais
+peasants--a fine race of men, and one, too, historically noble.  They
+saw carts drawn by large limbed cream-coloured oxen; and passed flocks
+of sheep and milch goats, tended by shepherds in picturesque dresses,
+and guarded by numbers of large Pyrenean dogs, whose chief duty was to
+protect their charge from the wolves.  They saw men standing knee-deep
+in the water, surrounded by droves of pigs--the latter voluntarily
+submitting themselves to a process of washing, which resulted in
+producing over their skins a roseate, pinky appearance.  It could be
+seen, too, that these _pachyderms_ not only submitted voluntarily to the
+operation, but with a keen sense of enjoyment, as evinced by their
+contented grunts, and by their long tails, hanging "kinkless" while the
+large calabashes of water were poured over their backs.  Perhaps to this
+careful management of the Pyrenean pigs are the beautiful "Bayonne hams"
+indebted for their celebrity.
+
+Further on, our travellers passed a _plumire_, or "hen-bath."  Here was
+a tank--another thermal spring--in which the water was something more
+than "tepid."  In fact, it was almost on the boil; and yet in this tank
+a number of women were ducking their hens--not, as might be supposed,
+dead ones, in order to scald off their feathers, but live fowls, to rid
+them, as they said, of parasitical insects, and make them feel more
+comfortable!  As the water was almost hot enough to _parboil_ the poor
+birds, and as the women held them in it immersed to the necks, the
+_comfort_ of the thing--so thought our travellers--was rather a doubtful
+question.
+
+A little further on, another "custom" of the French Pyrenees came under
+the eyes of the party.  Their ears were assailed by a singular medley of
+sounds, that rose from a little valley near the side of the road.  On
+looking into the valley, they saw a crowd of forty or fifty women, all
+engaged in the same operation, which was that of flax-hackling.  They
+learnt from this that; in the Pyrenean countries the women are the
+hacklers of flax; and that, instead of each staying at her own home to
+perform the operation, a large number of them meet together in some
+shaded spot, bringing their unhackled flax along with them; and there,
+amidst jesting and laughing and singing, the rough staple is reduced to
+its shining and silky fineness.
+
+Still another curious custom was observed; but this was further on, and
+higher up the sides of the mountains.  Their observation of it was
+attended with some degree of danger, and therefore came very close on
+being an "adventure."  For this reason it found a place among the events
+recorded in their journal.
+
+It should be remarked, that all three were mounted--Alexis and Ivan upon
+stout, active ponies, of that race for which the Pyrenees,--especially
+the western section of them,--are celebrated.  Pouchskin's mount was not
+of the genus _equus_, nor yet an _asinus_, but a hybrid of both
+genera,--in short, a mule.
+
+It was a French mule, and a very large one: for it required a good-sized
+quadruped of the kind to make an appropriate roadster for the
+ex-grenadier of the Imperial guard.  It was not a very fat mule,
+however, but raw-boned and gaunt as a Pyrenean wolf.
+
+Of course these animals were all hired ones--obtained at Eaux Bonnes,
+and engaged for the trip across the Pyrenees to the Spanish side--as
+also to be used in any deviations that the hunters should think proper
+to make, while engaged in the pursuit of the bear.
+
+From the nearest village on the Spanish side, the animals were to be
+sent back to their owner; for it was not the intention of our travellers
+to return to the French territory.
+
+Having crossed the mountains, and accomplishing the object for which
+they had visited them, their course would then be continued southward,
+through Spain.
+
+Along with them--also mounted on muleback--was a fourth individual,
+whose services they had secured.  His _metier_ was manifold--on this
+occasion combining in his single person at least three purposes.  First,
+he was to serve them as guide; secondly, he was to bring back the hired
+horses; and, thirdly, he was to aid them in the "chasse" of the bear:
+for it so happened that this man-of-all-work was one of the most noted
+"izzard-hunters" of the Pyrenees.  It is scarcely correct to say it
+_happened_ so.  Rather was it a thing of design than chance; for it was
+on account of his fame as a hunter, that he had been engaged for the
+triple duty he was now called upon to fulfil.
+
+The four travellers, then, all mounted as we have described, were
+ascending a very steep declivity.  They had left the last hamlet--and
+even the last house--behind them; and were now climbing one of the
+outlying spurs that project many miles from the main axis of the
+mountains.  The road they were following scarcely deserved the name;
+being a pack-road, or mere bridle-path; and so sleep was the ascent,
+that it was necessary to zigzag nearly a dozen times, before the summit
+of the ridge could be attained.
+
+While entering upon this path, and near the base of the ridge, they had
+noticed the forms of men far above them, moving about the summit, as if
+engaged in some work.  Their guide told them that these men were
+faggot-cutters, whose business was to procure firewood for the towns in
+the valley.
+
+There was nothing in this bit of information to produce astonishment.
+What _did_ astonish our travellers, however, was the mode in which these
+men transported their firewood down the mountain, of which, shortly
+after, they were treated to an exhibition.  As they were zigzagging up
+the mountain-path, their ears were all at once saluted by a noise that
+resembled a crashing of stones, mingled with a crackling of sticks.  The
+noise appeared to proceed from above; and, on looking up, they beheld a
+number of dark objects coming in full rush down the declivity.  These
+objects were of rounded form--in fact, they were bundles of faggots--and
+so rapidly did they roll over, and make way down the mountain, that had
+our travellers chanced to be in their track, they might have found some
+difficulty in getting out of the way.  Such was their reflection at the
+moment; and they were even thanking their stars that they had escaped
+the danger, when all at once a fresh avalanche of faggots was launched
+from above; and these were evidently bounding straight towards the
+party!  It was impossible to tell which way to go--whether to rush
+forward or draw back: for what with the inequality of the mountain-side,
+and the irregular rolling of the bundles, they could not tell the exact
+direction they would take.  All therefore drew up, and waited the result
+in silent apprehension.  Of course they had not long to wait--scarce a
+second--for the huge bundles bounding on, each moment with increased
+impetus, came down with the suddenness of a thunderclap; and before the
+words "Jack Robinson" could have been pronounced, they went whizzing
+past with the velocity of aerolites, and with such a force, that had one
+of them struck either mule or pony it would have hurled both the
+quadruped and its rider to the bottom of the mountain.  It was only
+their good fortune that saved them: for in such a place it would have
+been impossible for the most adroit equestrian to have got out of the
+way.  The path was not the two breadths of a horse; and to have wheeled
+round, or even drawn back upon it, would have been a risk of itself.
+
+They rode on, again congratulating themselves on their escape; but fancy
+their consternation when they found themselves once more, and for the
+third time, exposed to the very same danger!  Again came a set of
+bundles rolling and tearing down the slope, the billets rattling and
+crackling as they rolled; again they went swishing by; again, by the
+merest accident, did they miss the travellers, as they stood upon the
+path.
+
+Now, it might be supposed that the faggots were being launched all along
+the ridge of the hill; and that, go which way they might, our party
+would still be exposed to the danger.  Not so.  The bundles were all
+rolled down at one particular place--where the slope was most favourable
+for this purpose--but it was the zigzag path, which every now and then
+obliqued across the line of the wood-avalanche, that had thus repeatedly
+placed them in peril.
+
+As they had yet to "quarter" the declivity several times before they
+could reach the summit, they were more careful about approaching the
+line of descent; and whenever they drew near it, they put their ponies
+and mules to as good a speed as they could take out of them.
+
+Though all four succeeded in reaching the summit in safety, it did not
+hinder Pouchskin from pouring out his vial of wrath on the heads of the
+offending woodcutters; and if they could have only understood his
+Russian, they would have heard themselves called by a good many hard
+names, and threatened with a second pursuit of Moscow.  "Frog-eating
+Frenchmen!" was the very mildest title which the ex-guardsman bestowed
+upon them; but as his Russian was not translated, of course the phrase
+fell harmless--else it would have undoubtedly been retaliated by a taunt
+about "tallow."
+
+The "izzard-hunter" swore at them to more purpose; for he, too, having
+undergone equal risk with the rest of the party, had equally good
+reasons for being angry; and giving utterance to a long string of
+execrations with all the volubility of a Bearnais, he further threatened
+them with the terrors of the law.
+
+As the woodcutters, slightly stupefied by this unexpected attack,
+submitted with tolerable grace, and said nothing in reply, the
+izzard-hunter at length cooled down, and the party proceeded on their
+way; Pouchskin, as he rode off, shaking his clenched fist at the staring
+log-choppers, and hissing out in angry aspirate another Russian
+shibboleth, which neither could nor should be translated.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+A MEETING WITH MULETEERS.
+
+A little beyond the scene of their encounter with the woodcutters, the
+path entered among the gorges of the mountains, and the level plains of
+France were for a time lost to their view.  The route they were
+following was a mere bridle-track, quite impracticable for carriages,
+but leading to one of the "ports" already mentioned, by which they could
+pass through to the Spanish side.  Through this port a considerable
+traffic is carried on between the two countries--most of the carrying
+being done by Spanish muleteers, who cross the mountains conducting
+large trains of mules--all, except those upon which they themselves
+ride, laden with packs and bales of merchandise.
+
+That such a traffic was carried over this route, our Russian travellers
+needed no other evidence than what came under their own eyes; for
+shortly after, on rounding a point of rock, they saw before them a large
+drove of mules, gaily caparisoned with red cloth and stamped leather,
+and each carrying its pack.  The gang had halted on a platform of no
+great breadth; and the drivers--about a dozen men in all--were seen
+seated upon the rocks, a little way in advance of the animals.  Each
+wore a capacious cloak of brown cloth--a favourite colour among the
+Pyrenean Spaniards; and what with their swarthy complexions, bearded
+lips, and wild attire, it would have been pardonable enough to have
+mistaken them for a band of brigands, or, at all events, a party of
+_contrabandistas_.
+
+They were neither one nor the other, however; but honest Spanish
+muleteers, on their way to a French market, with commodities produced on
+the southern side of the mountains.
+
+As our travellers came up, they were in the act of discussing a
+luncheon, which consisted simply of black bread, tough goat's-milk
+cheese, and thin Malaga wine--the last carried in a skin bag, out of
+which each individual drank in his turn, simply holding up the bag and
+pouring the wine by a small jet down his throat.
+
+They were good-humoured fellows, and invited our travellers to taste
+their wine; which invitation it would have been ill-mannered to refuse.
+Ivan and Alexis emptied some out into their silver cups--which they
+carried slung conveniently to their belts; but Pouchskin not having his
+can so ready, essayed to drink the wine after the fashion of the
+muleteers.  But the goat-skin bag, clumsily manipulated in the hands of
+the old guardsman, instead of sending the stream into his mouth, jetted
+it all over his face and into his eyes, blinding and half-choking him!
+As he stood in his stultified attitude, wine-skin in hand, the precious
+fluid running down his nose, and dripping from the tips of his grand
+mustachios, he presented a picture that caused the muleteers to laugh
+till the tears ran down their cheeks; shouting out their _bravos_ and
+other exclamations, as if they were applauding some exquisite piece of
+performance in a theatre.
+
+Pouchskin took it all in good part, and the muleteers pressed him to try
+again; but, not caring to expose himself to a fresh burst of ridicule,
+the old grenadier borrowed the cup of one of his young masters; and by
+the help of this managed matters a little more to his mind.  As the wine
+tasted good to the old soldier's palate, and as the hospitable muleteers
+invited him to drink as much as he pleased, it was not until the
+goat-skin bag exhibited symptoms of collapse, that he returned it to its
+owners.
+
+Perhaps had Pouchskin not indulged so freely in the seducing Malaga
+tipple, he might have avoided a very perilous adventure which befell him
+almost on the instant, and which we shall now relate.
+
+Our travellers, after exchanging some further civilities with the
+muleteers, had once more mounted, and were about proceeding on their
+way.  Pouchskin, riding his great French jennet, had started in the
+advance.  Just in front of him, however, the pack mules were standing in
+a cluster--not only blocking up the path, but barring the way on both
+sides--so that to get beyond them it would be necessary to pass through
+their midst.  The animals all seemed tranquil enough--some picking at
+the bushes that were within their reach, but most of them standing
+perfectly still, occasionally shaking their long ears, or changing one
+leg to throw the weight upon another.  Pouchskin saw that it was
+necessary to pass among them; and, probably, had he squeezed quietly
+through, they might have remained still, and taken no notice of him.
+But, elated with the wine he had drunk, the ex-grenadier, instead of
+following this moderate course, drove his spurs into his great French
+hybrid, and with a loud charging yell--such as might have issued from
+the throat of a Cossack--he dashed right into the midst of the drove.
+
+Whether it was because the animal he bestrode was French, or whether
+something in Pouchskin's voice had sounded ill in their ears, it is not
+possible to say, but all, at once the whole Spanish _mulada_ was
+perceived to be in motion--each individual mule rushing towards
+Pouchskin with pricked ears, open mouth, and tail elevated in the air!
+It was too late for him to hear the cry of the izzard-hunter,
+"_prenez-garde_!" or the synonym, "_guarda te_!" of the muleteers.  He
+may have heard both these cautionary exclamations, but they reached him
+too late to be of any service to him: for before he could have counted
+six, at least twice that number of mules had closed round him, and with
+a simultaneous scream commenced snapping and biting at both him and his
+French roadster with all the fury of famished wolves!  In vain did the
+stalwart jennet defend itself with its shod hoofs, in vain did its rider
+lay round him with his whip: for not only did the Spanish mules assail
+him with their teeth, but, turning tail as well, they sent their heels
+whistling around his head, and now and then thumping against his legs,
+until his leather boots and breeches cracked under their kicks!
+
+Of course the muleteers, on perceiving Pouchskin's dilemma, had rushed
+instantaneously to the rescue; and with loud cries and cracking of their
+whips--as muleteers alone can crack them--were endeavouring to beat off
+the assailants.  But, with all their exertions, backed by their
+authority over the animals, Pouchskin might have fared badly enough, had
+not an opportunity offered for extricating himself.  His animal, fleeing
+from the persecution of its Spanish enemies, had rushed in among some
+boulders of rock.  Thither it was hotly pursued; and Pouchskin would
+again have been overtaken, had he not made a very skilful and extensive
+leap out of the saddle, and landed himself on a ledge of rock.  From
+this he was able to clamber still higher, until he had reached a point
+that entirely cleared him of the danger.
+
+The French jennet, however, had still to sustain the attack of the
+infuriated mules; but, now that it was relieved from the encumbrance of
+its heavy rider, it gained fresh confidence in its long legs; and making
+a dash through the midst of the _mulada_, it struck off up the
+mountain-path, and galloped clear out of sight.  The mules, encumbered
+with their packs, did not show any inclination to follow, and the drama
+was thus brought to a termination.
+
+The woe-begone look of the old guardsman, as he stood perched upon the
+high pinnacle of rock, was again too much for the muleteers; and one and
+all of them gave utterance to fresh peals of laughter.  His young
+masters were too much concerned about their faithful Pouchskin to give
+way to mirth; but on ascertaining that he had only received a few
+insignificant bruises,--thanks to the Spanish mules not being shod,--
+they, too, were very much disposed to have a laugh at his expense.
+Alexis was of opinion that their follower had made rather free with the
+wine-skin; and therefore regarded the chastisement rather in the light
+of a just retribution.
+
+It cost the izzard-hunter a chase before Pouchskin's runaway could be
+recovered; but the capture of the jennet was at length effected; and,
+all things being set to-rights, a parting salute was once more exchanged
+with the muleteers, and the travellers proceeded on their way.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+THE PYRENEAN BEARS.
+
+It was well they had the izzard-hunter for a guide, for without him they
+might have searched a long time without finding a bear.  These animals,
+although plenteous enough in the Pyrenees some half-century ago, are now
+only to be met with in the most remote and solitary places.  Such
+forest-tracts, as lie well into the interior gorges of the mountains,
+and where the lumberer's axe never sounds in his ears, are the winter
+haunts of the Pyrenean bear; while in summer he roams to a higher
+elevation--along the lower edge of the snowfields and glaciers, where he
+finds the roots and bulbs of many Alpine plants, and even lichens,
+congenial to his taste.  He sometimes steals into the lower valleys,
+where these are but sparsely cultivated; and gathers a meal of young
+maize, or potatoes, where such are grown.  Of truffles he is as fond as
+a Parisian sybarite,--scenting them with a keenness far excelling that
+of the regular truffle dog, and "rooting" them out from under the shade
+of the great oak trees, where these rare delicacies are inexplicably
+produced.
+
+Like his near congener, the brown bear, he is frugivorous; and, like
+most other members of their common family, he possesses a sweet tooth,
+and will rob bees of their honey whenever he can find a hive.  He is
+carnivorous at times, and not unfrequently makes havoc among the flocks
+that in summer are fed far up on the declivities of the mountains; but
+it has been observed by the shepherds, that only odd individuals are
+given to this sanguinary practice, and, as a general rule, the bear will
+not molest their sheep.  On this account, a belief exists among the
+mountaineers that there are two kinds of bears in the Pyrenees; one, an
+eater of fruits, roots, and _larvae_,--the other, of more carnivorous
+habits, that eats flesh, and preys upon such animals as he can catch.
+The latter they allege to be larger, of more fierce disposition, and
+when assailed, caring not to avoid an encounter with man.  The facts may
+be true, but the deduction erroneous.  The izzard-hunter's opinion was
+that the Pyrenean bears were all of one species; and that, if there were
+two kinds, one was a younger and more unsophisticated sort, the other a
+bear whom greater age has rendered more savage in disposition.  The same
+remark will apply to the Pyrenean bear that is true of the _ursus
+arctos_,--viz., having once eaten flesh, he acquires a taste for it; and
+to gratify this, of course the fiercest passions of his nature are
+called into play.  Hunger may have driven him to his first meal of
+flesh-meat; and afterwards he seeks it from choice.
+
+The izzard-hunter's father remembered when bears were common enough in
+the lower valleys; and then not only did the flocks of sheep and goats
+suffer severely, but the larger kinds of cattle were often dragged down
+by the ravenous brutes--even men lost their lives in encounters with
+them!  In modern times, such occurrences were rare, as the bears kept
+high up the mountains, where cattle were never taken, and where men went
+very seldom.  The hunter stated, that the bears were much sought after
+by hunters like himself, as their skins were greatly prized, and fetched
+a good price; that the young bears were also very valuable, and to
+capture a den, of cubs was esteemed a bit of rare good luck: since these
+were brought up to be used in the sports of bear-baiting and
+bear-dancing, spectacles greatly relished in the frontier towns of
+France.
+
+He knew of no particular mode for taking bears.  Their chase was too
+precarious to make it worth while; and they were only encountered
+accidentally by the izzard-hunters, when in pursuit of their own regular
+game.  Then they were killed by being shot, if old ones; and if young,
+they captured them by the aid of their dogs.
+
+"So scarce are they," added the hunter, "that I have killed only three
+this whole season; but I know where there's a fourth--a fine fellow too;
+and if you feel inclined--"
+
+The young Russians understood the hint.  Money is all-powerful
+everywhere; and a gold coin will conduct to the den of a Pyrenean bear,
+where the keenest-scented hound or the sharpest-sighted hunter would
+fail to find it.  In an instant almost, the bargain was made.  Ten
+dollars for the haunt of the bear!
+
+The _Pic du Midi d'Ossau_ was now in sight; and, leaving the beaten path
+that passed near its base, our hunters turned off up a lateral ravine.
+The sides and bottom of this ravine were covered with a stunted growth
+of pine-trees; but as they advanced further into it, the trees assumed
+greater dimensions--until at length they were riding through a tall and
+stately forest.  It was, to all _appearance_, as wild and primitive as
+if it had been on the banks of the Amazon or amid the Cordilleras of the
+Andes.  Neither track nor trail was seen--only the paths made by wild
+beasts, or such small rodent animals as had their home there.
+
+The izzard-hunter said that he had killed lynxes in this forest; and at
+night he would not care to be alone in it, as it was a favourite haunt
+of the black wolves.  With, such company, however, he had no fear: as
+they could kindle fires and keep the wolves at bay.
+
+The neighbourhood, in which he expected to find the bear, was more than
+two miles from the place where they had entered the forest.  He knew the
+exact spot where the animal was at that moment lying--that is, he knew
+its cave.  He had seen it only a few days before going into this cave;
+but as he had no dogs with him, and no means of getting the bear out, he
+had only marked the place, intending to return, with a comrade to help
+him.  Some business had kept him at Eaux Bonnes, till the arrival of the
+strangers; and learning their intentions, he had reserved the prize for
+them.  He had now brought his dogs--two great creatures they were,
+evidently of lupine descent--and with these Bruin might be baited till
+he should come forth from his cave.  But that plan was only to be tried
+as a last resource.  The better way would be to wait till the bear
+started out on his midnight ramble,--a thing he would be sure to do,--
+then close up the mouth of the cave, and lie in ambush for his return.
+He would "not come home till morning," said the izzard-hunter; and they
+would have light to take aim, and fire at him from their different
+stations.
+
+It seemed a feasible plan, and as our adventurers now placed themselves
+in the hands of the native hunter, it was decided they should halt where
+they were, kindle a fire, and make themselves as comfortable as they
+could, until the hour when Bruin might be expected to go out upon his
+midnight prowl.
+
+A roaring fire was kindled; and Pouchskin's capacious haversack being
+turned inside out, all four were soon enjoying their dinner-supper with
+that zest well-known to those who have ridden twenty miles up a steep
+mountain-road.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
+
+THE IZZARD-HUNTER.
+
+They passed the time pleasantly enough, listening to the stories of the
+izzard-hunter, who related to them much of the lore current among the
+peasantry of the mountains--tales of the chase, and of the contraband
+trade carried on between Spain and France, besides many anecdotes about
+the Peninsular war, when the French and English armies were campaigning
+in the Pyrenees.  In this conversation Pouchskin took part: for nothing
+was of greater interest to the old soldier than _souvenirs_ of those
+grand times, when Pouchskin entered Paris.  The conversation of the
+izzard-hunter related chiefly to his own calling, and upon this theme he
+was enthusiastic.  He told them of all the curious habits of the izzard;
+and among others that of its using its hooked horns to let itself down
+from the cliffs--a fancy which is equally in vogue among the chamois
+hunters of the Alps, but which Alexis did not believe, although he did
+not say so--not wishing to throw a doubt on the veracity of their guide.
+The latter, however, when closely questioned upon the point, admitted
+that he had never himself been an eye-witness of this little bit of goat
+gymnastics; he had only heard of it from other hunters, who said they
+had seen it; and similar, no doubt, would be the answer of every one who
+spoke the truth about this alleged habit of the chamois.  The fact is,
+that this active creature needs no help from its horns.  Its hoofs are
+sufficient to carry it along the very narrowest ledges; and the immense
+leaps it can take either upward or downward, can be compared to nothing
+but the flight of some creature furnished with wings.  Its hoof, too, is
+sure, as its eye is unerring.  The chamois never slips upon the
+smoothest rocks--any more than would a squirrel upon the branch of a
+tree.
+
+Our travellers questioned the izzard-hunter about the profits of his
+calling.  They were surprised to find that the emolument was so
+trifling.  For the carcass of an izzard he received only ten francs; and
+for the skins two or three more!  The flesh or venison was chiefly
+purchased by the landlords of the hotels--of which there are hundreds at
+the different watering-places on the French side of the Pyrenees.  The
+visitors were fond of izzard, and called for it at the table.  Perhaps
+they did not relish it so much as they pretended to do; but coming from
+great cities, and places where they never saw a chamois, they wished to
+be able to say they had eaten of its flesh.  In this conjecture the
+izzard-hunter was, perhaps, not far out.  A considerable quantity of
+game of other kinds is masticated from a like motive.
+
+It was suggested by Ivan, that, with such a demand for the flesh, the
+izzard should fetch a better price.  Ten francs was nothing?
+
+"Ah!" replied the hunter with a sigh, "that is easily explained,
+monsieur!  The hotel-keepers are too cunning, both for us and their
+guests.  If we were to charge more, they would not take it off our
+hands."
+
+"But they would be under the necessity of having it, since their guests
+call for it."
+
+"So they do; and if there were no _goats_, our izzard-venison would sell
+at a higher price."
+
+"How?" demanded Ivan, puzzled to make out the connection between goats
+and izzard-venison.
+
+"Goats and izzards are too much alike, monsieur--that is, after being
+skinned and cut up.  The hotel-keeper knows this, and often makes
+`Nanny' do duty for izzard.  Many a hotel traveller at Eaux Bonnes may
+be heard praising our izzard's flesh, when it is only a quarter of young
+kid he's been dining upon.  Ha! ha! ha!"
+
+And the hunter laughed at the cheat--though he well knew that its
+practice seriously affected the income of his own calling.
+
+But, indeed, if the truth had been told, the man followed the chase far
+less from a belief in its being a remunerative profession, than from an
+innate love for the hunter's life.  So enthusiastic was he upon the
+theme, that it was easy to see he would not have exchanged his calling
+for any other--even had the change promised him a fortune!  It is so
+with professional hunters in all parts of the world, who submit to
+hardships, and often the greatest privations, for that still sweeter
+privilege of roaming the woods and wilds at will, and being free from
+the cares and trammels that too often attach themselves to social life.
+
+Conversing on such topics, the party sat around the bivouac fire until
+after sunset, when their guide admonished them that they would do well
+to take a few hours of sleep.  There was no necessity for going after
+the bear until a very late hour--that is, until near morning--for then
+the beast would be most likely to be abroad.  If they went too soon, and
+found him still in his cave, it was not so certain that even the dogs
+could prevail on him to turn out.  It might be a large cavern.  He might
+give battle to the dogs inside; and big as they were, they would be
+worsted in an encounter of that sort: since a single blow from the paw
+of a bear is sufficient to silence the noisiest individual of the canine
+kind.  The dogs--as the hunter again repeated--should only be used as a
+last resource.  The other plan promised better; as the bear, once shut
+out of his cave, would be compelled to take to the woods.  The dogs
+could then follow him up by the fresh scent; and unless he should
+succeed in finding some other cavern in which to ensconce himself, they
+might count upon coming up with him.  It was not uncommon for the
+Pyrenean bear, when pursued by dogs and men, to take to a tree; and this
+would be all that their hearts could desire: since in a tree the bear
+would be easily reached by the bullets of their guns.  Besides, they
+might have a chance, when he returned to his closed cave, to shoot him
+down at once; and that would end the matter without further trouble.
+
+It was not necessary to go to the cave until near morning--just early
+enough to give them time to close up the entrance, and set themselves in
+ambush before day broke.  On this account the guide recommended them to
+take some sleep.  He would answer for it that they should be waked up in
+time.
+
+This advice was cheerfully accepted and followed.  Even Pouchskin
+required repose, after the rough handling he had received at the mouths
+of the mules; and he was now quite as ready as his young masters to wrap
+himself up in his ample grenadier great-coat, and surrender himself into
+the arms of the Pyrenean Morpheus.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
+
+THE AMBUSCADE.
+
+True to his promise, the izzard-hunter awoke them about an hour before
+dawn; and having saddled and bridled their animals, they mounted and
+rode off.  Among the great tree trunks it was very dark; but the hunter
+knew the ground; and, after groping along for half a mile farther, and
+somewhat slowly, they arrived at the base of a cliff.  Keeping along
+this for some distance farther, they came at length to the place of
+their destination--the mouth of the cave.  Even through the gloom, they
+could see a darker spot upon the face of the rock, which indicated the
+entrance.  It was of no great size--about large enough to admit the body
+of a man in a stooping attitude--but the hunter was under the impression
+that it widened inward, and led to a grand cavern.  He drew his
+inference, not from having ever explored this particular cave, but from
+knowing that there were many others of a similar kind in that part of
+the mountains, where the limestone formation was favourable to such
+cavities.  Had it been only a hole just big enough for the den of a
+bear, he would have acted very differently--then there would have been a
+hope of drawing Bruin out with the dogs; but if the place was an actual
+cavern, where the beast might range freely about, she hunter knew there
+would be no chance of getting him out.  Their presence outside once
+suspected, the bear might remain for days within his secure fortress;
+and a siege would have to be laid, which would be a tedious affair, and
+might prove fruitless in the end.
+
+For this reason, great caution had been observed as they drew near the
+cave.  They feared that they might come upon the bear, by chance
+wandering about in the woods,--that he might hear them, and, taking the
+alarm, scamper back to his cavern.
+
+Acting under this apprehension, they had left their animals a good way
+off--having tied them to the trees--and had approached the cave on foot,
+without making the slightest noise, and talking to each other only in
+whispers.
+
+The izzard-hunter now proceeded to put his designs into execution.
+While the others had been sleeping, he had prepared a large torch, out
+of dry splinters of the stone pine; and now quietly igniting this, set
+it in the ground near the base of the cliff.  The moment the bright
+flame illuminated the entrance to the cave, all stood with their guns in
+hand ready to fire.  They were not sure that Bruin had gone out at all.
+He might still be a-bed.  If so, the light of the torch might wake him
+up and tempt him forth; therefore it was best to be prepared for such a
+contingency.
+
+The izzard-hunter now slipped his dogs, which up to this time he had
+held securely in the leash.  As soon as they were free, the well-trained
+animals, knowing what was expected of them, rushed right into the care.
+
+For some seconds the dogs kept up a quick continuous yelping, and their
+excited manner told that they at least scented a bear: but the question
+to be determined was, whether the brute was still in his den.
+
+The hunter had surmised correctly.  The aperture conducted to a real
+cavern, and a very large one--as could be told by the distance at which
+the yelping of the dogs was heard.  Out of such a place it would have
+been hopeless to have thought of starting a bear--unless it should
+please Bruin to make a voluntary exit.  It was, therefore, with no
+little anxiety that the hunters listened to the "tongue" of the dogs, as
+it echoed within the cavernous hollow.
+
+They all knew that if the bear should prove to be inside, the dogs would
+soon announce the fact by their barking, and other fierce sounds
+characteristic of canine strife.
+
+They were not kept long in suspense; for, after an interval of less than
+a minute, both dogs came running out, with that air of disappointment
+that told of their having made an idle exploration.
+
+Their excited movements, however, proved that the scent of the bear was
+fresh--that he had only recently forsaken his den--for the dogs had been
+heard scratching among the sticks and grass that composed it; but this
+only showed clearly that his habitation was untenanted, and Bruin was
+"not at home."
+
+This was just what the izzard-hunter desired; and all of them laying
+aside their guns, proceeded to close up the entrance.  This was an easy
+task.  Loose boulders lay around, and with these a battery was soon
+built across the mouth of the cavern, through which no animal could
+possibly have made an entrance.
+
+The hunters now breathed freely.  They felt certain they had cut off the
+retreat of the bear; and unless he should suspect something wrong, and
+fail to return to his cave, they would be pretty sure of having a shot
+at him.
+
+Nothing remained but to place themselves in ambush, and wait for his
+coming.  How to conceal themselves became the next consideration.  It
+was a question, too, of some importance.  They knew not which way the
+bear might come.  He might see them while approaching, and trot off
+again before a shot could be fired?  To prevent this some extraordinary
+measure must be adopted.
+
+A plan soon presented itself to the practised hunter of the Pyrenees.
+Directly in front of the cliff grew several large trees.  They were of
+the _pinus sylvestris_, and thickly covered with bunches of long
+needle-shaped leaves.  If they should climb into these trees, the leaves
+and branches would sufficiently conceal them, and the bear would hardly
+suspect their presence in such a situation.
+
+The suggestion of their guide was at once acted upon.  Ivan and
+Pouchskin got into one tree, while the izzard-hunter and Alexis chose
+another; and all having secured places where they could command a view
+of the walled-up entrance without being themselves seen, they waited for
+daylight and the coming back of the bear.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
+
+A BEAR IN A BIRD'S NEST.
+
+For the light they had not long to wait.  The day broke almost as soon
+as they had got well settled in their places; but the bear was likely to
+delay them a little longer--though how long it was impossible to guess,
+since his return to his sleeping quarters might depend on many
+contingencies.
+
+Formerly the Pyrenean bears--so the izzard-hunter said--were often met
+with ranging about in the day-time; but that was when they were more
+numerous, and less hunted.  Now that they were scarce, and their skins
+so highly prized--which, of course, led to their becoming scarcer every
+day, and more shy too--they rarely ever left their hiding-place except
+during the night, and in this way they contrived to escape the vigilance
+of the hunters.  As to the one they were waiting for, the hunter said he
+might return earlier or later, according to whether he had been much
+chased of late.
+
+The exact time of his return, however, was soon after ascertained, by
+the bear himself making his appearance right under their noses.
+
+All at once, and in the most unexpected manner, the great quadruped came
+shuffling up to the mouth of the cave.  He was evidently moving under
+some excitement, as if pursued, or alarmed by something he had seen in
+the woods.  It was perhaps the sight of the horses, or else the scent of
+the hunters themselves--on whose track he appeared to have come.
+Whatever it was, the party in the trees did not take time to consider,
+or rather the bear did not give them time; for, the moment he reached
+the entrance to his cave, and saw that it was blocked up, he gave
+utterance to a terrific scream expressing disappointment, and turning in
+his tracks, bounded off, as rapidly as he had come up!
+
+The volley of four shots, fired from the trees, caused some of his fur
+to fly off; and he was seen to stagger, as if about to fall.  The
+hunters raised a shout of triumph, thinking they had been successful;
+but their satisfaction was short-lived: for, before the echoes of their
+voices died along the cliff, the bear seemed once more to recover his
+equilibrium, and ran steadily on.
+
+Once or twice he was seen to stop, and face round to the trees--as if
+threatening to charge towards them; but again resigning the intention,
+he increased his speed, went off at a lumbering gallop, and was soon
+lost to their sight.
+
+The disappointed hunters rapidly descended from their perch; and letting
+loose the dogs, started off on the trail.  Somewhat to their surprise,
+as well as gratification, it led near the place where they had left
+their animals; and as they came up to these, they had proofs of the bear
+having passed that way, by seeing all four, both ponies and mules,
+dancing about, as if suddenly smitten with madness.  The ponies were
+"whighering," and the mules squealing, so that their owners had heard
+them long before coming in sight of them.  Fortunately the animals had
+been securely fastened--else there was no knowing whither they would
+have galloped, so panic-stricken did they appear.
+
+Our hunters believed it a fortunate circumstance that the bear had gone
+that way; for the guide assured them that there was no telling where he
+would now stop; and as the chase might carry them for miles through the
+mountains, they would have been compelled to take to their saddles
+before starting upon it.  The direction the bear had taken, therefore,
+was just the one most convenient for his pursuers.
+
+Staying no longer than to untie their animals, they once more mounted,
+and kept after the dogs, whose yelping they could hear already some
+distance in the advance.
+
+As the izzard-hunter said, the Pyrenean bear, like his Norwegian cousin,
+when started from his lair, often scours the country to a great distance
+before making halt--not unfrequently deserting the ravine or
+mountain-side, where he habitually dwells, and making for some other
+place, where he anticipates finding greater security.
+
+In this way he often puts his pursuers at fault--by passing over rocky
+shingle, along ledges of cliffs, or up precipitous slopes, where neither
+men nor dogs can safely follow him.  This was just what they now had to
+fear; for the guide well knew that the forest they were in was
+surrounded on almost every side by rocky cliffs; and if the bear should
+get up these, and make to the bald mountains above, they would stand a
+good chance of losing him altogether.
+
+But one hope the hunter had.  He had perceived--as indeed they all had--
+that several of their shots had hit the bear--and that he must be
+severely wounded to have staggered as he had done.  For this reason he
+might seek a hiding-place in the forest, or perchance take to a tree.
+Cheered by this hope, the pursuers pushed onward.
+
+The conjecture proved to be a just one; for before they had gone half a
+mile farther, a continuous barking sounded on their ears, which they
+knew to be that of the dogs.  They knew, moreover, by this sign, that
+the bear had done one of three things--either taken to a tree, retreated
+into a cave, or come to a stand in the open ground, and was keeping the
+dogs at bay.  Of the three conjectures, they desired that the first
+should prove the correct one; and from the manner in which the dogs were
+giving tongue, they had reason to hope that it would.
+
+In effect, so it did; for, on getting a little closer, the two dogs were
+seen bounding about the roots of an enormous tree, at intervals
+springing up against its trunk, and barking at some object that had
+taken refuge in the branches above.
+
+Of course, this object could only be the bear; and under this belief,
+the pursuers approached the tree--each holding his gun cocked and ready
+to fire.
+
+When they had got quite up to the tree, and stood under it, no bear was
+to be seen!  A large black mass was visible among the topmost branches;
+but this was not the body of a bear: it was something altogether
+different.  The tree was one of gigantic size--the very largest they had
+seen in the whole forest; it was a pine, of the species _sylvestris_,
+with huge spreading limbs, and branches thickly covered with fascicles
+of long leaves.  In many places the foliage was dark and dense enough to
+have afforded concealment to an animal of considerable size; but not one
+so bulky as a bear; and had there been nothing else but the leaves and
+branches to conceal him, a bear could not have found shelter in that
+tree without being visible from below.  And yet a bear was actually in
+it--the very same bear they were in pursuit of--though not a bit of his
+body--not even the tip of his snout, was visible to the eyes of the
+hunters!
+
+He was certainly there: for the dogs, who were not trusting to their
+eyes, but to that in which they placed far more confidence--their
+scent,--by their movements and behaviour, showed their positive belief
+that Bruin was in the tree.
+
+Perhaps you will fancy that the pine was a hollow one, and that the bear
+had crept inside.  Nothing of the kind: the tree was perfectly sound--
+not even a knot-hole was visible either in its trunk or limbs.  It was
+not in a cavity that Bruin had been able to conceal himself.
+
+There was no mystery whatever about their not seeing him: for as soon as
+the hunters got fairly under the tree, and looked up, they perceived,
+amidst its topmost branches, the dark object already mentioned; and as
+the bear could be seen nowhere else in the tree, this object accounted
+for his being invisible.
+
+You will be wondering what it was; and so wondered our young hunters
+when they first raised their eyes to it.  It looked more like a stack of
+faggots than aught else; and, indeed, very good faggots would it have
+made: since it consisted of a large mass of dry sticks and branches,
+resting in an elevated fork of the tree, and matted together into a
+solid mass.  There were enough to have made a load for an ordinary cart,
+and so densely packed together, that only around the edges could the sky
+be seen through them; towards the centre, and for a diameter as large as
+a millstone, the mass appeared quite solid and black, not a ray of light
+passing through the interwoven sticks.
+
+"The nest of a lammergeyer!" exclaimed the izzard-hunter, the moment his
+eye glanced up to it.  "Just so!--my dogs are right: the bear has taken
+shelter in the nest of the birds!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
+
+THE LAMMERGEYERS.
+
+This was evident to all.  Bruin had climbed the tree, and was now snugly
+ensconced in the great nest of the vulture-eagles, though not a hair of
+his shaggy hide could be visible from below.
+
+The hunters had no doubt about his being there.  The _chasseur_ was too
+confident in the instinct of his well-trained dogs to doubt them for a
+moment, and his companions had no reason to question a fact so very
+probable.  Had there been any doubt, it would soon have been set aside,
+by an incident that occurred the moment after their arrival under the
+tree.  As they stood looking upward, two great birds were seen upon the
+wing, rapidly swooping downward from on high.  They were _lammergeyers_,
+and evidently the owners of the invaded nest.  That the intruder was not
+welcome there, became apparent in the next moment; for both the birds
+were seen shooting in quick curves around the top branches of the tree,
+flapping their wings over the nest, and screaming with all the
+concentrated rage of creatures in the act of being plundered.  Whether
+Bruin, in addition to his unwelcome presence, had also committed
+burglary, and robbed the eagles of their eggs or young, could not be
+told.  If he had done so, he could not have received greater objurgation
+from the infuriated birds, that continued their noisy demonstrations,
+until a shot fired from below admonished them of the presence of that
+biped enemy far more dreaded than the bear.  Then did they only widen
+the circle of their flight, still continuing to swoop down over the nest
+at intervals, and uttering their mingled cries of rage and lamentation.
+
+The shot was from the gun of the izzard-hunter; but it was not till
+after he had been some time upon the ground that he had fired it.  All
+four had previously dismounted and fastened their animals to the
+surrounding trees.  They knew that the bear was in the nest; but
+although his retreat was now cut off, it was still not so certain that
+they should succeed in making a capture.  Had the bear taken refuge in a
+fork, or even among thick branches, where their bullets might have
+reached him, it would have been a very different thing.  They might then
+have brought him down at their pleasure, for if killed, or severely
+wounded, he must have fallen to the ground; but now--ah, now! what was
+to be done?  The broad platform of the nest not only gave him a surface
+on which he could recline at his ease, but its thick mass formed a
+rampart through which not even a bullet would be likely to penetrate to
+his body!
+
+How were they to reach him with their bullets?  That was the next
+question that came under consideration.  The odd shot had been fired as
+an experiment.  It was fired in the hope that it might startle the bear,
+and cause him to shift his quarters--if only a little--so that some part
+of his body might be exposed; and while the izzard-hunter was
+discharging his piece, the others had stood watching for a chance.  None
+was given to them, however.  The bullet was heard striking the sticks,
+and caused the dust to puff out, but it produced no further effect--not
+a move was made by the occupant of that elevated eyrie.
+
+Two or three more shots were fired with like effect; and the fusil of
+Pouchskin was next called into requisition, and brought to bear upon the
+nest.  The large bullet crashed up among the dry sticks, scattering the
+fragments on all sides, and raising a cloud of dust that enveloped the
+whole top of the tree.  But not a sign came from Bruin, to tell that it
+had disturbed him; not even a growl, to reward Pouchskin for the
+expenditure of his powder and lead.  It was evident that this mode of
+proceeding could be of no service; and the firing was at once
+discontinued--in order that they might take into consideration some
+other plan of attack.
+
+At first there appeared to be no way by which the bear might be ousted
+from his secure quarters.  They might fire away until they should empty
+both their powder-horns and pouches, and all to no purpose.  They might
+just as well fire their shots into the air.  So far as their bullets
+were concerned, the bear might bid them defiance--a cannon shot alone
+could have gone through his strong rampart of sticks.
+
+What could they do to get at him?  To climb up and assail him where he
+lay was not to be thought of--even could they have climbed into the
+nest.  On the firm ground, none of them would have liked to risk an
+encounter with the enemy, much less upon such insecure footing as a nest
+of rotten sticks.  But they could not have got into the nest, however
+bent upon such a thing.  Its wide rim extended far beyond the supporting
+branches; and only a monkey, or the bear himself, could have clambered
+over its edge.  To a human being, ascent to the nest would have been not
+only difficult, but impossible; and no doubt the instinct of the eagles
+guided them to this while they were constructing it.  Not for a moment,
+then, did our hunters think of climbing up to their eyrie.
+
+What, then, were they to do?  The only thing they could think of was to
+cut down the tree.  It would be a great undertaking: for the trunk was
+several feet in diameter; and as they had only one axe, and that not a
+very sharp one, it would be a work of time.  They might be days in
+felling that gigantic pine; and even when down, the bear might still
+escape from them--for it did not follow that the fall of the tree would
+result in the consummation of his capture.  It might swing over
+gradually and easily, or, striking against others, let the bear down
+without doing him the slightest damage; and in the confusion consequent
+on its fall, he would have a good chance of getting off.
+
+These considerations caused them to hesitate about cutting down the
+tree, and reflect whether there might not be some easier and more
+effective method for securing the skin of the bear.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
+
+FIRING THE EYRIE.
+
+After beating their brains, for some time to no purpose, an exclamation
+from the izzard-hunter at length announced that some happy idea had
+occurred to him.  All eyes were at once turned towards him; while the
+voice of Ivan was quickly heard, interrogating him as to the object of
+his exclamation.
+
+"I've got a plan, young monsieur!" replied the hunter, "by which I'll
+either force the bear to come down, or roast him up yonder where he
+lies.  _Parbleu_!  I've got an excellent idea!"
+
+"What is it? what is it?" eagerly inquired Ivan; though from what the
+izzard-hunter had said, he already half comprehended the design.
+
+"Patience, young monsieur! in a minute you shall see!"
+
+All three now gathered around the chasseur, and watched his movements.
+
+They saw him pour a quantity of gunpowder into the palm of his hand; and
+then tear a strip of cotton rag from a large piece which he had drawn
+out of his pouch.  This he saturated with saliva and then coated it over
+with the powder.  He next proceeded to rub both rag and powder
+together--until, after a considerable friction between the palms of his
+hands, the cotton became once more dry, and was now thoroughly saturated
+with the powder, and quite blackened with it.
+
+The next proceeding on the part of the chasseur was to procure a small
+quantity of dead moss, which was easily obtained from the trunks of the
+surrounding trees; and this, mixed with a handful or two of dry grass,
+he rolled up into a sort of irregular clew.
+
+The man now felt in his pouch; and, after a little fumbling there,
+brought forth a small box that was seen to contain lucifer-matches.
+Seemingly satisfied with their inspection, he returned the box to its
+place, and then made known the object for which all these preliminary
+manoeuvres had been practised.  Our young hunters had already more than
+half divined it, and it only confirmed their anticipations when the
+hunter declared his intention to climb the tree and _set fire to the
+nest_.  It is needless to say that one and all of them approved of the
+scheme, while they admired its originality and cunning.  Its boldness,
+too, did not escape their admiration, for it was clearly a feat of
+daring and danger.  The bottom of the nest might be reached easily
+enough; for though a tall tree, it was by no means a difficult one to
+climb.  There were branches all along its trunk from bottom to top; and
+to a Pyrenean hunter, who, when a boy, as he told them, had played
+pigeon vidette in one of the "crows' nests" they had seen, the climbing
+of such a tree was nothing.  It was not in this that the danger lay, but
+in something very different.  It was in the contingency, that, while up
+in the branches, and before he could effect his purpose, the bear might
+take a fancy to come down.  Should he do so, then, indeed, would the
+life of the venturesome hunter be in deadly peril.
+
+He made light of the matter, however, and, warning the others to get
+their guns ready and stand upon their guard, he sprang forward to the
+trunk, and commenced "swarming" upward.
+
+Almost as rapidly as a bear itself could have ascended, the
+izzard-hunter glided up the tree, swinging himself from branch to
+branch, and resting his naked feet--for he had thrown off his shoes--on
+knots and other inequalities, where no branch offered.  In this way he
+at length got so close to the nest, that he could without difficulty
+thrust his hand into the bottom of it.
+
+He was now seen drawing forth a number of the dry sticks, and forming a
+cavity near the lower part of the huge mass.  He operated with great
+silence and circumspection--taking all the care he could not to make his
+presence known to the bear, nor in any way disturb whatever dreams or
+reflections Bruin might then be indulging in.
+
+In a short time he had hollowed out a little chamber among the sticks--
+just large enough for his purpose,--and, taking the ball of dry grass
+out of his pouch, he loosened it a little, and then placed it within the
+cavity.
+
+It was but the work of another minute to light a lucifer-match, and set
+fire to the long strips of tinder rag that hung downwards from the
+grass.
+
+This done, the izzard-hunter swung himself to the next branch below;
+and, even faster than he had gone up, he came scrambling down the trunk.
+
+Just as he reached the ground, the grass was seen catching; and amidst
+the blue smoke that was oozing thickly out of the little chamber, and
+slowly curling up around the edges of the nest, a red blaze could be
+distinguished--accompanied with that crackling noise that announces the
+kindling of a fire.
+
+The four hunters stood ready, watching the progress of the little
+flame--at the same time directing their glances around the rim of the
+nest.
+
+They had not long to wait for the _denouement_.  The smoke had already
+caught the attention of the bear; and the snapping of the dry faggots,
+as they came in contact with the blazing grass, had awakened him to a
+sense of his dangerous situation.
+
+Long before the blaze had mounted near him, he was seen craning his neck
+over the edge of the nest; first on one side, then on another, and
+evidently not liking what he saw.  Once or twice he came very near
+having a bullet sent at his head; but his restlessness hindered them
+from getting a good aim, and for the time he was left alone.
+
+Not for long, however: for he did not much longer remain upon his
+elevated perch.  Whether it was the smoke that he was unable longer to
+endure, or whether he knew that the conflagration was at hand, does not
+clearly appear; but from his movements it was evident the nest was
+getting too hot to hold him.
+
+And no doubt it was too hot at that crisis.  Had he remained in it but
+two minutes longer, an event would have occurred that would have ruined
+everything.  The bear would either have been roasted to a cinder; or, at
+all events, his skin would have been singed, and, of course, completely
+spoilt for the purpose for which it was required!
+
+Up to this moment that thought had never occurred to the young hunters;
+and now that it did occur, they stood watching the movements of the bear
+with feelings of keen apprehension.  A shout of joy was heard both from
+Alexis and Ivan as the great quadruped was seen springing out from the
+smoke, and clutching to a thick branch that traversed upward near the
+nest.  Embracing the branch with his paws, he commenced descending stern
+foremost along the limb; but a more rapid descent was in store for him.
+Out of the four bullets fired into his body, one at least must have
+reached a mortal part; for his forearms were seen to relax their hold,
+his limbs slipped from the bark, and his huge body came "bump" to the
+ground, where it lay motionless as a log and just as lifeless.
+
+Meanwhile the flames enveloped the nest, and in five minutes more the
+whole mass was on fire, blazing upward like a beacon.  The dry sticks
+snapped and crackled--the pitchy branches of the pine hissed and
+spurted--the red cinders shot out like stars, and came showering down to
+the earth--while high overhead could be heard the vengeful cries of the
+vultures, as they saw the destruction of their aerial habitation.
+
+But the hunters took no heed of all this.  Their task was accomplished,
+or nearly so.  It only remained to divest Bruin of his much-coveted
+skin; and, having done this in a skilful and proper manner, they mounted
+their roadsters, and once more took their route across the mountains.
+
+On reaching the first village on the Spanish side, they parted with the
+expert izzard-hunter and his hired charge--having well remunerated him
+for his threefold service, each branch of which he had performed to
+their entire satisfaction.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
+
+SOUTH AMERICAN BEARS.
+
+Our travellers passed southward to Madrid, where they only remained long
+enough to witness that exciting but not very gentle spectacle, a
+bull-fight.
+
+Thence proceeding to Lisbon, they took passage direct for Para, or "Gran
+Para," as it is called--a thriving Brazilian settlement at the mouth of
+the Amazon river, and destined at no very distant day to become a great
+city.
+
+The design of our hunters was to ascend the Amazon, and reach, by one of
+its numerous head waters, the eastern slope of the Andes mountains--
+which they knew to be the habitat of the "spectacled bear."
+
+On arriving at Para, they were not only surprised, but delighted, to
+find that the Amazon river was actually navigated by steamboats; and
+that, instead of having to spend six months in ascending to the upper
+part of this mighty river--as in the olden time--they could now
+accomplish the journey in less than a score of days!  These steamers are
+the property of the Brazilian Government, that owns the greater part of
+the Amazon valley, and that has shown considerable enterprise in
+developing its resources--much more than any of the Spano-American
+States, which possess the regions lying upon the upper tributaries of
+the Amazon.  It is but fair to state, however, that the Peruvians have
+also made an attempt to introduce steam upon the Amazon river; and that
+they have been unsuccessful, from causes over which they could scarce be
+expected to have control.  The chief of these causes appears to have
+been the dishonesty of certain American contractors, who provided them
+with the steamers--three of them--which, on being taken to the head of
+steam navigation on the Amazon, were found to be utterly worthless, and
+had to be laid up!  This bit of jobbery is to be regretted the more,
+since its bad effects do not alone concern the people of Peru, but the
+whole civilised world: for there is not a country on the globe that
+would not receive benefit by a development of the resources of this
+mighty river.
+
+Our young Russians had been under the belief, as most people are, that
+the banks of the Amazon were entirely without civilised settlements--
+that the great river had scarcely been explored--that only a few
+travellers had descended this mighty stream; and that altogether it was
+still as much of a _terra incognita_ as in the days of Orellana.  They
+found that these notions were quite incorrect; that not only is there
+the large town of Para near the mouth of the Amazon, but there are other
+considerable settlements upon its banks, at different distances from
+each other, all the way up to Peru.  Even upon some of its tributaries--
+as the Rio Negro and Madeira--there are villages and plantations of some
+importance.  Barra, on the former stream, is of itself a town of 2,000
+inhabitants.
+
+In that part of the Amazonian territory which lies within the boundaries
+of Brazil, the settlements are, of course, Brazilian--the settlers being
+a mixture of Portuguese negroes and Christianised Indians.  The portion
+of the great valley higher up towards the Cordilleras of the Andes,
+belongs to the Spanish-American governments--chiefly to Peru.  There are
+also settlements of a missionary character, the population of which
+consists almost entirely of Indians, who have submitted themselves to
+the rule of the Spanish priests.  Years ago many of these missionary
+settlements were in a flourishing condition; but at present they are in
+a complete state of decay.
+
+Our young Russians found, then, that the great South American river was
+by no means unknown or unexplored--though as yet no great observer has
+given an account of it.  The different travellers who have descended the
+Amazon, and written books about it, have all been men of slight
+capacity, and lacking powers of scientific observation; and one cannot
+help feeling regret, that Humboldt did not choose the Amazon, instead of
+the Orinoco, as the medium of his valuable researches into the
+cosmography of South America.  Such a grand subject was worthy of such a
+man.
+
+In ascending the Amazon--which our party did by the Brazilian steamer--
+they were fortunate in finding on board a very intelligent travelling
+companion; who gave them much information of the great valley and its
+resources.  This man was an old Portuguese trader, who had spent nearly
+a lifetime in navigating not only the Amazon itself, but many of its
+larger tributaries.  His business was to collect from the different
+Indian tribes the indigenous products of the forest--or _montana_, as it
+is called--which stretches almost without interruption from the Andes to
+the Atlantic.  In this vast tropical forest there are many productions
+that have found their way into the channels of commerce; and many others
+yet unknown or unregarded.  The principal articles obtained by the
+traders are sarsaparilla, Peruvian bark, annatto, and other dyes,
+vanilla, Brazil nuts, Tonka beans, hammocks, palm fibre, and several
+other kinds of spontaneous vegetable productions.  Monkeys, toucans,
+macaws, parrots, and other beautiful birds, also enter into the list of
+Amazonian exports; while the imports consist of such manufactured
+articles as may tempt the cupidity of the savage, or the weapons
+necessary to him either in war or for the chase.
+
+In this trade their travelling companion had spent thirty years of his
+life; and being a man of intelligence he had not only acquired a
+consider able fortune, but laid in a stock of geographical knowledge, of
+which the young Russians were not slow to take advantage.  In the
+natural history of the _montana_ he was well versed; and knew the
+different animals and their habits from actual observation--for which
+thirty years of adventure had given him a splendid opportunity.  It was
+a rich store, and our travellers, especially the naturalist Alexis, did
+not fail to draw largely from it.
+
+From the information given by this intelligent trader, Alexis was
+enabled to determine several facts about the bears of South America,
+that had hitherto been doubtful.  He learnt that there are at least two
+very distinct varieties of them--one, the "spectacled bear" (_ursus
+ornatus_)--so called, on account of the whitish rings around his eyes,
+suggesting the idea of spectacles; and another without these white eye
+markings, and which has been lately named by a distinguished German
+naturalist _ursus frugilegus_.
+
+The former kind is known throughout the Peruvian countries as the
+"Hucumari," and although it inhabits the Cordilleras, it does not ascend
+to the very cold elevations known as the "paramos" and "puna."  On the
+contrary, it affects a warmer climate, and is not unfrequently found
+straying into the cultivated valleys termed generally the "Sierra."  The
+_ursus frugilegus_ chiefly frequents the tangled woods that cover the
+eastern spurs of the Andes, ranging often as far down as the montana,
+and never so high as the declivities that border on the region of snow.
+
+Both of these species are black bears, and termed "oso negro" by the
+Spanish-Americans; but the Hucumari is distinguished by a white list
+under the throat, a white breast, a muzzle of a greyish buff colour, and
+the crescent-like eye markings already mentioned.  It is also of a
+gentler disposition than its congener, smaller in size, and never preys
+upon other animals.  The other does so--frequently making havoc among
+the flocks of sheep, and even attacking the cattle and horses of the
+_haciendas_.  The _ursus frugilegus_ will give battle even to man
+himself--when baited, or rendered furious by being chased.
+
+Both these species are supposed to be confined to the Chilian and
+Peruvian Andes.  This is an erroneous supposition.  They are equally
+common in Bolivia, and in the sierras of New Grenada and Venezuela.
+They are found on both sides of Lake Maracaibo--in the sierras Perija
+and Merida.  One of them, at least, has also been observed in the
+mountains of Guiana--though naturalists have not met with it there.
+Humboldt, it is true, saw the tracks of what the natives told him was a
+bear on the Upper Orinoco; and, reasoning from their size, he drew the
+inference that it must have been a much smaller species than the _ursus
+americanus_; but in this matter the great philosopher was led into an
+error by a misapplied name.  He was informed that the animal was the
+"oso carnero," or flesh-eating bear--a title given by the Mission
+Indians to distinguish it from two other animals, which they also
+erroneously term bears--the "oso palmero," or great ant-eater
+(_tamanoir_), and the "oso hormiguero" (_tamandua_).  The animal by
+whose tracks Humboldt was misled, was, no doubt, one of the smaller
+plantigrade animals (_coatis_ or _grisons_), of which there are several
+species in the forests of South America.
+
+Our hunters learnt enough from their travelling acquaintance to convince
+them that, in whatever latitude they might approach the Andes from the
+east, they would be certain to find both varieties of the South American
+black bear; but that the best route they could take would be up the
+great Napo river, which rises not very far from the old Peruvian capital
+of Quito.  In the wild provinces of Quixos and Macas, lying to the east
+of Quito--and to which the Napo river would conduct them--they would be
+certain to meet with the animals they were in search of.
+
+They would have been equally sure of meeting bears in the territory of
+Jean de Bracamoros; and this would have been more easily reached; but
+Alexis knew that by taking that route across the Cordilleras, they would
+be thrown too far to the west for the isthmus of Panama--which it was
+necessary they should cross on their way to the northern division of the
+American continent.
+
+By keeping up the Napo to its source, and then crossing the Cordilleras
+of New Granada, they would still be enabled to make westerly as far as
+Panama--to which port they could get passage in one of the Grenadian
+coasting-vessels.
+
+On arriving at the mouth of the Napo, therefore, they engaged a
+_periagua_, with its Indian crew, and continued their journey up this
+stream towards the still-distant Cordilleras of Quito.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
+
+THE AMAZONIAN FOREST.
+
+The river Napo is one of the largest of the head waters of the Amazon,
+and one of the most interesting--since, by it, most of the early
+expeditionists descended in search of the country of the gilded kings,
+and the gold-roofed temples of Manoa.  Though these proved to be
+fabulous, yet the existence of gold dust among the Indians of the Napo
+was true enough, and is true to the present hour.  On this river, and
+its numerous branches, gold washings, or _placers_, are quite common;
+and occasionally the savages, who roam over this region, collect the
+dust, and exchange it with the traders who venture among them.  The
+Indians, however, are of too idle a habit to follow this industry with
+any degree of energy; and whenever they have obtained a quill full of
+the metallic sand--just enough to purchase them some coveted nick-knack
+of civilised manufacture--they leave off work, and the precious ingots
+are permitted to sleep undiscovered in their beds.
+
+Notwithstanding the length of their journey up the Napo, our travellers
+did not deem it tedious.  The lovely tropical scenery, ever under their
+eyes, together with the numerous little incidents which were constantly
+occurring, relieved the monotony of their daily life, and kept them in a
+constant state of interested excitement.  At every bend of the river
+appeared some object, new and worthy of admiration--some grand tropical
+plant or tree, some strange quadruped, or some bird of glorious plumage.
+
+The craft in which they travelled was that in general use on the upper
+tributaries of the Amazon: a large canoe--hollowed out from the gigantic
+_bombax ceiba_, or silk-cotton tree--and usually known as a _periagua_.
+Over the stern part, or quarter-deck, a little "round house" is erected,
+resembling the tilt of a wagon; but, instead of ash hoops and canvas, it
+is constructed of bamboos and leaves of trees.  The leaves form a thatch
+to shade the sun from the little cabin inside, and they are generally
+the large leaves of the _vihai_, a species of _heliconia_, which grows
+abundantly in the tropical forests of South America.  Leaves of the
+_musacaae_ (_plantains_ and _bananas_) serve for a similar purpose; and
+both kinds are equally employed in thatching the huts in which the
+natives dwell.
+
+The little cabin thus constructed is called a _toldo_.  Inside it is
+high enough for a man to sit upright, though not to stand; and generally
+it is only used for sleeping in, or as a shelter during rain.  At other
+times the traveller prefers the open air; and sits or reclines upon the
+roof of the toldo, which is constructed of sufficient strength to bear
+his weight.  The forward part of the periagua is left quite open; and
+here the rowers take their stations, so that their movements do not
+interfere with the comfort of the travellers.
+
+Through the influence of the Portuguese trader, our party had the good
+fortune to obtain a proper periagua and crew.  They were Christianised
+Indians, belonging to one of the Spanish missions situated far up the
+Napo.  They had descended this river with a cargo of the products of the
+mission; and were just about starting to go back, as our travellers
+arrived at the river's mouth.  An agreement was easily entered into with
+the _capataz_, or chief of the periagua; and as our travellers always
+paid liberally for such service, and kept the crew well fed, they
+received as good attendance and accommodation as circumstances would
+admit of.  Here and there on the banks of the river--though at very long
+intervals apart--were settlements of the wild Indians of the forest; and
+as nearly all the tribes of Amazonia do less or more in the way of
+cultivation and commerce, our travellers were enabled from time to time
+to replenish their larder.  Their guns, too, helped materially to keep
+up the supply: since almost every day game of one kind or another was
+procured along the banks.  For bread they had _farinha_, a good stock of
+which they had brought with them on the steamer from Paru.  This is the
+grated root of the manioc plant (_jatropha manihot_), and forms the
+staple food of all classes throughout the countries of Amazonia.
+
+Alexis was particularly interested in what they saw.  Never had
+naturalist a finer field for observation.  Here was nature presented to
+the eye in its most normal condition.  Here could be observed the
+tropical forest in all its primeval virginity, unbroken by the axe of
+the lumberer, and in many places untrodden even by the foot of the
+hunter.  Here its denizens--quadrupeds, _quadrumana_, birds, reptiles,
+and insects--might be seen following out their various habits of life,
+obedient only to the passions or instincts that had been implanted in
+them by Nature herself, but little modified by the presence of man.  Now
+would appear a flock of _capivaras_--or _chiguires_, as they are also
+called--the largest of rodent animals, basking upon some sunny bank,
+raising their great rabbit-like heads, and gazing curiously at the
+passing _periagua_.  Perhaps before the travellers had lost sight of
+them, the whole gang would be seen suddenly starting from their
+attitudes of repose, and in desperate rush making for the water.  Behind
+them would appear the yellow-spotted body of the jaguar--the true tyrant
+of the Amazonian forest, who, with a single blow of his powerful paw
+would stretch a _chiguire_ upon the grass, and then, couching over his
+fallen victim, would tear its body to pieces, drink its warm blood, and
+devour its flesh at his leisure.
+
+If by good fortune the flock might all escape, and reach the water, the
+jaguar, conscious of their superior adroitness in that element, would at
+once abandon the pursuit; and returning to his ambush, lie waiting for a
+fresh opportunity.  But for all that, the poor chiguires would not be
+certain of safety; for even in the water they might encounter another
+enemy, equally formidable and cruel, in the gigantic _jacare_--the
+crocodile of the Amazonian waters.  Thus assailed in either element, the
+poor innocent rodents are driven from land to water, and from the water
+back again to the land; and so kept in a state of continual fear and
+trembling.  The puma, too, assails them, and the _jaguarundi_, and the
+fierce _coatimundi_; and not unfrequently the enormous _anaconda_
+enfolds them in its deadly embrace; for the innocuous creatures can make
+no defence against their numerous enemies; and but for that fecundity
+which characterises the family to which they belong--the so called
+"Guinea pigs"--their race would be in danger of total extirpation.
+
+The chiguires were not the only gregarious animals observed by our
+travellers in their ascent of the Napo.  Others of a very different
+order appeared in the _peccaries_, or wild pigs of the _montana_.  These
+are true pachyderms, and in reality pigs; though naturalists have seen
+fit to separate them from the genus _Sus_, and constitute for them a
+genus of their own.  It is hardly necessary to say that this is a very
+useless proceeding--since the peccaries are neither more nor less than
+true wild hogs, the indigenous representatives of the _suidae_, on the
+American continent.  Their classification into a separate genus has been
+productive of no good purpose, but the very contrary: since it has added
+to the number of zoological names, thereby rendering still more
+difficult the study of that interesting science.  For such an endless
+vocabulary, we are chiefly indebted to the speculations of anatomic
+naturalists, who, lacking opportunities of actual observation, endeavour
+to make up for it by guesses and conjectures, founded upon some little
+tubercle upon a tooth!  Notwithstanding their learned treatises, it
+often proves--and very often too--that these tubercles tell most
+abominable stories; in plainer terms, that the animals "lie in their
+teeth."
+
+The peccary--which the old writers were content to regard as a wild pig,
+and very properly placed under the genus _sus_--is now termed
+_dicotyles_.  Two species only are yet known to naturalists--the
+"white-lipped" and "collared" (_dicotyles labritus_ and _dicotyles
+collaris_); and although they are rarely found frequenting the same
+district of country, either one or the other kind can be encountered in
+all the wilder parts of America--from California on the north, to the
+latitude of the La Plata on the south.  Both are nearly of one form and
+colour--a sort of speckled greyish-brown; the collared species being so
+named from a whitish list running up in front of its shoulders, and
+forming the semblance of a collar; while the white-lipped derives its
+specific title from having lips of a greyish-white colour.  In size,
+however, there is a great difference between the two: the white-lipped
+peccary weighing 100 pounds, or nearly twice the weight of the collared
+species.  The former, too, is proportionably stouter in build, and
+altogether a stronger and fiercer animal; for although fierceness is not
+a characteristic of their nature, like other animals of the hog family,
+when, roused, they exhibit a ferocity and fearlessness equalling that of
+the true _carnivora_.
+
+Both kinds of peccary are preyed upon by the jaguar; but this tyrant of
+the wilds approaches them with more caution and far less confidence,
+than when he makes his onslaught on the helpless chiguires; and not
+unfrequently in conflicts with the peccary, the jaguar comes off only
+second best.  Of this fact our travellers had ample proofs--having
+frequently witnessed, while ascending the Napo, encounters between the
+peccaries and the jaguars.  One of these encounters they had watched
+with an interest more than common: for in its result their own safety
+was concerned; and the very position of peril in which they were placed,
+enabled them to have a full and perfect view of the whole spectacle; an
+account of which we find recorded in the journal of Alexis.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY.
+
+THE PERUVIAN CINNAMON-TREE.
+
+They had reacted a district which lies between two great branches of the
+Napo river, and which bears the name of _Canelos_, or the "cinnamon
+country."  The name was given to it by the Spanish discoverers of Peru--
+from the fact of their finding trees in this region, the bark of which
+bears a considerable resemblance to the celebrated spice of the East
+Indies.  _Canela_ is the Spanish name for cinnamon; and the rude
+adventurers Pineda and Gonzalez Pizarro, fancying it was the real
+cinnamon-tree itself, so called it; and the district in which they found
+it most abundant thenceforward took the name of Canelos.
+
+The tree, afterwards identified and described by the Spanish botanist
+Mutis, is not the _Laurus cinnamomum_ of Ceylon; but a species of
+_laurus_ peculiar to the American continent--to which this botanist has
+given the name _laurus cinnamomoides_.  It is not, however, confined to
+the region around the Rio Napo, but grows in many parts of the Great
+_Montana_, as well as in other countries of tropical America.  Bonpland
+identified it on the Upper Orinoco, and again in the county of Caraccas;
+though nowhere does it appear to be in such plenty as to the east of the
+Cordilleras of Ecuador and Peru--throughout the provinces of Quixos,
+Macas, and Jean de Bracamoros.  In these provinces it is found forming
+extensive woods, and filling the air with the delicious aroma of its
+flowers.  The bark of the _laurus cinnamomoides_ is not considered equal
+in delicate flavour to that of the Oriental cinnamon.  It is hotter and
+more pungent to the taste--otherwise the resemblance between the two
+trees is very considerable, their foliage being much alike, and the bark
+peeling off of nearly equal thickness.  The American, however, becomes
+more brownish when dried; and, though it is not equal to the cinnamon
+bark of Ceylon, large quantities of it are collected, both for use in
+the Spanish-American countries and for export to Europe--where it is
+often passed off for the true cinnamon.  Were it not that the province
+of anelos is rather inaccessible to commerce, no doubt a great deal more
+of it would find its way into the European markets; but there are perils
+and hardships in the collecting of this bark, which make it unprofitable
+to deal in, even at the full price of the true cinnamon.  The Peruvians
+believe that, were the tree cultivated in a proper manner, as the
+Oriental cinnamon is, its bark would prove equal in quality to the
+latter; and perhaps this may be true, since occasionally specimens of it
+have been procured, having all the rich aroma of the spice of Ceylon.
+These have been taken from trees that grew in favourable situations--
+that is, standing alone, and where the sun had free access to the leaves
+and flowers.  The leaves themselves have the peculiar cinnamon flavour,
+and the flowers also; but in a much stronger degree.  Indeed, the
+flowers are even more aromatic than those of the _laurus cinnamomum_.
+
+It is said that the wild pigs (_peccaries_) are very fond of these
+flowers, as well as the seeds, when ripe; and a singular habit of these
+animals is related by some of the early Peruvian travellers--the Jesuit
+Ovalle for one.  The old father states that when a flock of the
+peccaries go in search of the flowers of the canela-tree, they separate
+into two divisions, of about nearly equal numbers.  The individuals of
+one division place their shoulders to the different trees; and, by
+shaking them violently, cause the flowers to fall down to the earth.
+While thus employed, the peccaries of the other party stand under the
+shower, and eat undisturbedly until they have quite filled their
+bellies, or otherwise satisfied themselves.  These last then take the
+place of the hungry hogs; and reciprocating the service by shaking the
+trees, leave the former to enjoy themselves in their turn!
+
+It is not easy to swallow this story of the Jesuit, though he was
+himself a native of the country where the scene is laid.  That part of
+it which relates to the hogs shaking the trees for one another, is not
+likely to be true, though it is possible all the other particulars are
+correct.
+
+It may be true enough that the animals shake the trees to bring down the
+flowers: for this would exhibit a sagacity not greater than hogs of
+other species are capable of; but it is not according to the laws of
+their moral nature to perform the service for one another.  That they
+roam in great flocks through the canela forests, and devour with avidity
+the blossoms of these trees, is undoubtedly a fact--of which our
+travellers had the evidence of their own eyes while on their journey up
+the river Napo.
+
+They were passing a place where these wild cinnamon-trees lined the
+banks of the stream; and, in order to make a closer examination of such
+an interesting species, Alexis landed from the _periagua_, Ivan went
+along with him--taking his double-barrelled gun, in hopes of getting a
+shot at something.  In one barrel he had a bullet, while the other was
+loaded with shot--so that he was prepared for any sort of game that
+might turn up, either beasts or birds.  Alexis, as usual, carried his
+rifle.
+
+It was their intention to walk for some distance up the bank.  There was
+a sandy strip between the water and the trees--which would enable them
+to make way without difficulty--and it is only where this occurs that
+the banks of the Amazonian rivers can be followed on foot.  Generally,
+the thick forest comes down to the very water's edge; and there is no
+pathway except an occasional track followed by the chiguires, tapirs,
+and other animals; but, as these creatures only open the underwood to
+the height of their own bodies, all above that is a matted labyrinth of
+leaves and llanos, that form an impenetrable barrier to the passage of
+anything so tall as a man.  The Indians themselves rarely follow these
+paths, but keep to their canoes or periaguas.
+
+Seeing this fine open sand-bar, which appeared to stretch for miles
+above them, our young travellers, tired of sitting upon the _toldo_,
+determined to stretch their legs in a walk; and, directing the capataz
+to keep up the river and take them in above, they set out along the
+bank--now and then dipping into the woods, wherever an opening showed
+itself, and examining such rare natural objects as attracted their
+attention.
+
+Pouchskin did not go with them; and the reason was that, some days
+before, Pouchskin had encountered a mishap, by which he was laid up
+lame.  The cause of his lameness was simply that some _chigas_ had got
+between his toes; and not having been extracted in time, had there laid
+their eggs, and caused a terrible inflammation to his feet.  A
+misfortune that frequently happens in tropical countries.  The wound
+caused by the _chiga_, though not absolutely of fatal consequences, is
+very dangerous to be trifled with--often leading to the necessity of
+amputating the part attacked by these diminutive insects.  Pouchskin,
+sneering at the insignificance of the enemy, had neglected taking proper
+precautions--notwithstanding that the Indian canoe-men had warned him of
+the danger.  The consequence was a swelling of the parts and an
+inflammation, that lamed the old grenadier as completely as if his leg
+had been carried off by a bomb-shell; and he was now reclining along the
+top of the toldo, unable to stand upon his feet.
+
+For this reason, being in no condition to join his young masters on
+their pedestrian excursions, he was necessarily left behind.  It was,
+perhaps, just as well for him: since it was the means of keeping him
+clear of a scrape into which both of the young hunters chanced to fall
+very soon after; and which, perhaps, had Pouchskin been with them, might
+have ended worse than it did: since it could not have ended much better.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
+
+A SKURRY OVER A SAND-BAR.
+
+Journeying along the bank, as we have described, Alexis and Ivan had
+gone some two or three miles up the river.  They were beginning to get
+tired of their walk: as the sand was rather soft, and sank under their
+feet at every step.  Just then they descried, a little ahead of them, a
+long bar, or "spit" of the bank, running out nearly to the middle of the
+river.  They made up their minds to go on until they should reach this
+bar.  At its end appeared a proper place for the periagua to come to,
+and take them aboard.
+
+The craft was still working up stream, and had got nearly opposite them,
+so that they could hail it.  They did so--desiring the _popero_, or
+steersman, to put in at the extremity of the sand-bar.  This matter
+having been arranged, they continued on up the bank, going at their
+leisure.
+
+On arriving at that part of the bank where the sand-spit projected into
+the river, they were about stepping out upon it, when the quick ear of
+Ivan caught the sound of some animals moving among the underwood.  All
+was game that came to Ivan's gun; and as he had seen nothing worth
+wasting a charge upon, during their long walk, he was very desirous to
+have a shot at something before returning to the periagua.
+
+What he heard was a rustling of leaves.  It did not appear to proceed
+from any particular spot, but rather from all parts of the forest.  Now
+and then the sound was varied by a sort of half-squeaking, half-grunting
+noise, that indicated the presence of animals, and a great many of them
+too: since at times, several scores of these squeaks and grunts could be
+heard uttered simultaneously.  Alexis heard the sounds too; but being
+less of a keen sportsman than his brother, cared less to go after the
+creatures that were making them.  He had no objection to Ivan straying a
+little out of his way; and promised to wait for him on the open bank.
+
+Had he known what sort of game it was that his brother was going after--
+that is, had he been acquainted with the habits of the animals that were
+making themselves heard, he would either have gone along with Ivan, or,
+what is more likely, would have hindered him from going at all.  Alexis,
+however, was under the impression that monkeys of some kind were making
+the strange noises--for not only are there many species of these in the
+forests of the Napo, but some that can imitate the voices of other
+animals.  Of course, with monkeys, there could be no danger: since none
+of the American quadrumana are large enough or strong enough to attempt
+an attack upon man.
+
+Ivan had not left the spot more than five minutes, when a loud report,
+reverberating among the trees, announced that he had fired his gun; and,
+almost in the same instant, a second crack told that both barrels were
+now empty.
+
+Alexis was about proceeding to the place to see what his brother had
+shot, when all at once his ears were assailed by a loud chorus of
+noises--a screaming, and snorting, and grunting,--that seemed to come
+from all parts of the wood; while the cracking of sticks, and the
+"swishing" of branches, announced a singular commotion--as if some
+hundreds of creatures were rushing to and fro through the jungle.  At
+the same instant was heard the voice of Ivan, crying out in accents of
+alarm; while the boy was himself seen breaking his way through the
+bushes, and running with all his might in the direction of his brother.
+His looks betokened terror, as if some dreaded pursuer was behind him.
+
+"Run! brother--run!" cried he, as he got clear of the underwood; "run
+for your life!--they're after me--they're after me!"
+
+It was no time to inquire what pursuers were after him.  Evidently, they
+were of a sort to be shunned: since they had caused to the courageous
+Ivan such serious alarm; and Alexis, without staying for an explanation,
+turned, and joined in his brother's flight.  Both directed themselves
+towards the open sand-spit, in hopes of being able to reach the
+periagua--which could be seen just drawing up to its point of the bar.
+
+They had not made a dozen steps into the open ground, when the bushes
+from which they had just parted were seen to vibrate, and from out their
+trembling cover rushed a host of strange creatures: literally a host,
+for, in a few seconds' time, not less than two hundred of them made
+their appearance.
+
+They were quadrupeds of a greyish-brown colour, not larger than
+half-grown pigs; and pigs they were--that is to say, they were
+_peccaries_.  They were those of the species _labiatus_--as could be
+seen by their white lips.  These lips were especially conspicuous, for
+each individual was rushing on open-mouthed, with snout raised aloft--
+all of them cracking their teeth like castanets, uttering, as they ran,
+a confused chorus of short, sharp grunts and squeaks expressive of
+anger.
+
+As soon as Alexis saw them, he recognised the peril of the situation in
+which he and his brother were placed.  He had read, and heard moreover
+from the Portuguese trader--as well as from the Indian canoe-men--of the
+danger to be apprehended from an attack of these fierce little animals;
+and how the hunter, to escape from them, is often compelled to take to a
+tree.  Had he and Ivan reflected for a moment, they would probably have
+made for the woods, instead of running out on the open sand-bar as they
+had done.  It was now too late, however.  The peccaries covered the
+whole line of beach behind them; and no tree could have been reached,
+without passing back again through the midst of the drove.  Their
+retreat in the direction of the woods was completely cut off; and there
+appeared no alternative, but to make the best use they could of their
+heels, and if possible get on board the periagua.
+
+With this determination they rushed on over the sandbank, closely
+pursued by the peccaries.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
+
+PURSUED BY PECCARIES.
+
+It is needless to say that our young hunters took as long strides as the
+nature of the ground would permit; but, unfortunately, they were not
+long enough.  The sand was soft and heavy, and in places so full of
+holes, where the turtles had had their eggs--now empty--that the
+fugitives could make but slow progress, though fear was urging them to
+do their utmost.  The pursuers themselves did not make as good speed as
+they would have made on firmer ground, but they were going faster than
+the pursued; and the boys were beginning to fear that they would never
+be able to reach the periagua in time.  To be overtaken meant the same
+as to be dragged down upon the sand, and torn to pieces by the sharp
+tusks of the peccaries.  The periagua was still three hundred yards
+distant.  The Indians saw the chase, and knew the danger--knew it so
+well, that it was not likely they would venture ashore to the rescue;
+and as for Pouchskin, he was unable to budge an inch--even had there
+been no other means of saving his young masters.  It was a moment of
+fearful apprehension for the faithful Pouchskin.  He had seized his
+fusil, and wriggled his body into an erect attitude; but he felt
+powerless to do more.
+
+In this moment of peril an object came under the eyes of Alexis that
+promised safety.  At least it held out the prospect of a temporary
+retreat from the danger--though whether they might succeed in reaching
+this retreat was not certain.
+
+This object was a tree--not standing and growing, but a fallen tree--
+dead, and divested of its leaves, its bark, and most of its branches.
+It lay upon the sand-spit--where it had, no doubt, been deposited during
+the season of floods--not exactly in the line of their flight, but some
+paces to the right of the track they would have followed in keeping on
+to the periagua.  It was nearer them than the boat, by full two hundred
+yards; and Alexis observing this, suddenly conceived a hope that they
+might yet reach the tree, and find shelter, either upon its trunk or
+among its branches.  Of these the larger ones still remained--rising
+many feet above the surface of the sand, and shrouded under masses of
+weeds and withered grass, which had been there deposited at the falling
+of the flood.  Indeed, Alexis scarce looked to the capabilities the tree
+afforded for giving them a secure retreat.  There was no alternative.
+It was like the drowning man catching at straws.  He only cast a look
+behind him, to see what time they might have to spare; and by a quick
+glance calculating their distance from the pursuers, he shouted to Ivan
+to follow him, and turned obliquely towards the tree.
+
+They had noticed the tree when first starting to run, but had not
+thought of it as a place of retreat.  Indeed, they had thought of
+nothing except getting back to the boat; and it was only now, when this
+had proved clearly impossible, that they determined on taking to the
+tree.
+
+As they faced full towards it, they were able to note the chances it
+offered for their safety.  They saw that they were not so bad; and,
+encouraged by hope, they made efforts more energetic than ever--both of
+them straining every nerve and muscle in their legs and bodies.
+
+The effort was needed; but fortunately it proved sufficient to save
+them.  Just sufficient: for scarce had they succeeded in getting upon
+the log, and drawing their limbs up after them, when the infuriated host
+arrived upon the ground, and in a few seconds surrounded them on all
+sides.  Lucky it was that the log was a large one.  It was the dead-wood
+of a gigantic silk-cotton--the _bombax ceiba_ of the tropical forests;
+and its trunk, being full five feet in diameter, gave them that
+elevation above the surface of the sand.  Notwithstanding this, they saw
+that their safety was not yet quite assured: for the spiteful peccaries,
+instead of desisting in their attacks, commenced leaping up against the
+log, endeavouring to reach its top, and there assail them.  Now and then
+one more active than the rest actually succeeded in getting its fore
+feet over the ridge of the dead-wood: and, had it not been for the quick
+use which our hunters made of the butts of their guns, undoubtedly they
+would have been reached.  Both stood with their barrels grasped firmly--
+now threatening the assailing host, and now punching in the head such of
+them as sprang within reach--the peccaries all the while uttering their
+angry grunts, and chattering their teeth, as if a hundred strings of
+Christmas crackers were being let off at the same time!
+
+In this way the conflict was carried on--the hunters bit by bit working
+themselves along the log towards the top branches, which, projecting
+higher, appeared to offer a more secure place of retreat.  But at
+intervals as they advanced, they were compelled to make halt, and deal a
+fresh shower of blows to their assailants, who still kept leaping up
+from below.
+
+At length the boys succeeded in reaching the projecting limbs of the
+tree; and each choosing one strong enough to carry him, they scrambled
+up towards their tops.  This placed them in a position where they could
+set the peccaries at defiance; for although the creatures could now
+spring up on the main trunk--which several of them had already done--the
+more slender limbs baffled all their efforts at climbing; and such of
+them as attempted it were seen to roll off and tumble back upon the
+sandbank.
+
+The hunters, now feeling secure, could not refrain from a shout of joy,
+which was answered by a cheer from the periagua, in which the baritone
+of Pouchskin bore a conspicuous part.
+
+Our heroes now believing themselves in for a siege, began to consider
+the best means of raising it; when all at once a spectacle came under
+their eyes, that guided their thoughts into a far different channel.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
+
+SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS.
+
+Their retreat upward upon the slanting limbs of the tree had brought a
+large band of their assailants round to that side; and, just as they
+raised their triumphant cry, they saw the peccaries dancing among the
+branches that lay extended along the sand-bar.  Many of these were
+hidden by the flakes of hanging grass already mentioned; but another
+fearful creature chanced to have been hidden there also; who now
+displayed himself in all his shining majesty--not only to the eyes of
+the besieged, but likewise to those of the besiegers.  The creature was
+a quadruped--one of fearful mien, and dimensions far exceeding that of
+the Lilliputian peccaries.  It was their natural enemy--the jaguar!
+
+Whether it was the shout that had startled him, or the peccaries had
+trodden him out of his lair, or both, certain it was that he now sprang
+suddenly out, and with one bound launched himself upon the log.  For a
+moment he stood cowering on its top, turning his eyes first upon the
+branches where the boys had taken refuge, and then in the opposite
+direction, towards the woods.  He seemed irresolute as to which course
+he would take; and this irresolution, so long as it lasted, produced an
+unpleasant effect upon our young hunters.  Should the jaguar also attack
+them, their destruction might be accounted as certain; for the great cat
+would either strike them down from their unstable porch, or claw them to
+death if they continued to cling to it.  Of course, to fall down among
+the peccaries would be death, equally certain and terrible.
+
+By good fortune, however, the jaguar at the moment of showing himself
+was eagerly assailed by the wild pigs; and it was to escape from their
+assault, that he had sprung upward to the log.  Thither the peccaries
+had pursued him, and were now endeavouring to reach the top of the
+dead-wood, just as they had done while after the hunters.  The jaguar no
+longer stood silent and irresolute; but, uttering loud screams, he
+commenced defending himself against the assailing host, striking them
+with his broad ungulated paws, and flinging one after another back to
+the ground, where they lay kicking in the throes of death.
+
+Perhaps it was the presence of mind exhibited by Alexis that brought
+matters to a climax, and saved the lives of himself and his brother.
+His rifle was still loaded--for it had appeared useless firing into the
+midst of two hundred assailants.  He knew he could kill only one or two;
+and this, instead of frightening them off, would but render the others
+more implacable in their resentment.  Partly for this reason, and partly
+that he had all along held the piece "clubbed" in his hands, he had
+reserved his fire.  Now was the time to deliver it.  The jaguar was even
+more to be dreaded than the peccaries--for they were now secure from the
+attacks of the latter, whereas they were not only within reach of the
+former, but in the very place to which the brute might fancy retreating.
+To prevent this contingency, Alexis resolved to give the jaguar his
+bullet.
+
+It was but a moment's work to turn the gun in his hand and take aim.
+The crack followed quickly; and, on the instant, the hunters had the
+gratification to see the great tawny quadruped spring out from the log,
+and alight upon the sand--where, in a second's time, he was surrounded
+by the dark drove, that from all sides rushed screaming towards him.
+
+It was a bit of good fortune that the bullet of Alexis had only wounded
+the jaguar, instead of killing him on the spot.  Had he been shot dead,
+the peccaries would have torn his beautiful skin to ribbons, and reduced
+his quivering flesh to mincemeat, and that within the space of a score
+of seconds; but luckily it chanced that the jaguar was only wounded--had
+only received a broken leg; and, availing himself of the three that
+remained sound, he commenced retreating towards the timber.  Thither he
+was followed by his thick-skinned assailants; who, transferring their
+spite to this new enemy, seemed to forget all about their original
+adversaries, who remained quietly perched upon the limbs of the tree!
+
+For some time nothing could be seen but a confused crowd, writhing over
+the sand--a dark mass, in the midst of which now and then a bright
+yellow object appeared conspicuous, and was then for a time out of
+sight; and thus, like a rolling wave, the great drove went surging on,
+amidst grunting and screaming, and growling, and chattering of teeth,
+till it swept up to the edge of the underwood, and then suddenly
+disappeared from the eyes of the spectators!
+
+Whether the peccaries eventually succeeded in destroying the jaguar, or
+whether the wounded tyrant of the forest escaped from their terrible
+teeth, could never be told.  Our young hunters had no curiosity to
+follow and witness the _denouement_ of this strange encounter.  Neither
+cared they to take up the bodies of the slain.  Ivan was completely
+cured of any _penchant_ he might have had for peccary pork; and, as soon
+as their late assailants were fairly out of sight, both leaped down from
+the limbs of the tree, and made all haste towards the boat.  This they
+reached without further molestation; and the canoe-men, rapidly plying
+their paddles, soon shot the craft out upon the bosom of the broad
+river--where they were safe from the attack either of wild pigs or wild
+cats.
+
+It was likely the jaguar betook himself to a tree--his usual mode of
+escape when surrounded by a herd of infuriated peccaries--and, as a
+proof that he had done so, our travellers could hear the wild hogs still
+uttering their fierce grunts long after the boat had rounded the
+sand-spit, and was passing up the bend of the river.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
+
+THE OLD MISSIONS.
+
+Passing many scenes of interest, and meeting with several other strange
+incidents, our travellers at length arrived at Archidona--a small town
+at the head of boat navigation upon the Napo, and the usual port of
+embarkation for persons proceeding from the country around Quito to the
+regions upon the Amazon.  Up to this place they had been journeying
+through a complete wilderness--the only exceptions being some missionary
+stations, in each of which a monkish priest holds a sort of control over
+two or three hundred half christianised Indians.  It would be absurd to
+call these missions civilised settlements: since they are in no degree
+more advanced, either in civilisation or prosperity, than the
+_maloccas_, or villages of the wild Indians--the "infidels," as it
+pleases the monks to call those tribes who have not submitted to their
+puerile teachings.  Whatever difference exists between the two kinds of
+Indians, is decidedly in favour of the unconverted tribes, who display
+at least the virtues of valour and a love of liberty, while the poor
+neophytes of the missions have suffered a positive debasement, by their
+conversion to this so called "Christian religion."  All these monkish
+settlements--not only on the Napo, but on the other tributaries of the
+Amazon--were at one time in a state of considerable prosperity.  The
+missionary padres, backed by a little soldier help from the Spanish
+Government, were more able to control their Indian converts, and compel
+them to work--so that a certain amount of prosperity was visible in the
+mission settlements, and some of them had even attained to a degree of
+wealth.  This, however, was but an apparent civilisation; and its
+benefits only extended to the monks themselves.  The Indian neophytes
+were in no way bettered by the wealth they created.  Their condition was
+one of pure slavery--the monks being their masters, and very often hard
+taskmasters they proved themselves--living in fine conventual style upon
+the sweat and labour of their brown-skinned converts.  The only return
+made by them to the Indians was to teach the latter those trades, by the
+practice of which they themselves might be benefited, and that was their
+sole motive for civilising them.  On the other hand, instead of
+endeavouring to cultivate their intellectual nature, they strove in
+every way to restrain it--inculcating those doctrines of duty and
+obedience, so popular among the priests and princes of the world.  They
+taught them a religion of the lips, and not of the heart--a religion of
+mere idle ceremonies, of the most showy kind; and above all a religion,
+whose every observance required to be paid for by toll and tithe.  In
+this manner they continued to filch from the poor aboriginal every hour
+of his work--and keep him to all intents and purposes an abject slave.
+No wonder, that when the Spanish power declined, and the soldier could
+no longer be spared to secure the authority of the priest--no wonder
+that the whole system gave way, and the missions of Spanish America--
+from California to the Patagonian plains--sank into decay.  Hundreds of
+these establishments have been altogether abandoned--their pseudo
+converts having returned once more to the savage state--and the ruins of
+convents and churches alone remain to attest that they ever existed.
+Those still in existence exhibit the mere remnants of their former
+prosperity, and are only kept together by the exertions of the monks
+themselves--backed by a slight thread of authority, which they derive
+from the superstitions they have been able to inculcate.  In fact, in
+the missions now existing, the monks have no other power than that which
+they wield through the terrors of the Church; and in most cases, these
+_padres_ constitute a sort of hierarch chieftaincy, which has supplanted
+the old system of the _curacas_, or caciques.
+
+At one period the missions of the Napo were both numerous and powerful.
+That was while they were under the superintendence of those active
+apostles, the Jesuit fathers; but most of their settlements have long
+ago disappeared; and now only a few sparse stations exist along the
+borders of the great _Montana_.
+
+In ascending the Napo, our travellers had an opportunity of visiting
+some of these old missionary establishments; and observing the odd
+rigmarole of superstitions there practised under the guise, and in the
+name of religion--a queer commingling of pagan rites with Christian
+ceremonies--not unlike those Buddhistic forms from which these same
+ceremonies have been borrowed.
+
+One advantage our travellers derived from the existence of these
+stations: they were enabled to obtain from them the provisions required
+upon their long riverine voyage; and without this assistance they would
+have found it much more difficult to accomplish such a journey.
+
+Beyond Archidona the rest of the journey to Quito would have to be
+performed on horseback, or rather muleback; but they were not going
+direct to Quito.  Between them and the old Peruvian capital lay the
+eastern Cordillera of the Andes, and it was along its declivities, and
+in the valleys between its transverse spurs, facing the Montana, they
+would have to search for the haunts of the bear.
+
+On the Napo itself, still higher up than Archidona--where the stream,
+fed by the snows of the grand volcano of Cotopaxi, issues from the spurs
+of the Andes--there were they most likely to accomplish the object of
+their expedition, and thither determined they to go.
+
+Having procured mules and a guide, they proceeded onward; and after a
+journey of three days--in which, from the difficulty of the roads, they
+had travelled less than fifty miles--they found themselves among the
+foot-hills of the Andes--the giant Cotopaxi with his snowy cone towering
+stupendous above their heads.
+
+Here they were in the proper range of the bears--a part of the country
+famous for the great numbers of these animals--and it only remained for
+them to fix their headquarters in some village, and make arrangements
+for prosecuting the chase.
+
+The little town of Napo, called after the river, and situated as it is
+in the midst of a forest wilderness, offered all the advantages they
+required; and, choosing it as their temporary residence, they were soon
+engaged in searching for the black bear of the Cordilleras.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
+
+EATING A NEGRO'S HEAD.
+
+According to their usual practice, they had hired one of the native
+hunters of the district to act as a guide, and assist them in finding
+the haunts of Bruin.  In Napo they were fortunate in meeting with the
+very man in the person of a _mestizo_, or half-blood Indian, who
+followed hunting for his sole calling.  He was what is termed a
+"tigrero," or tiger-hunter--which title he derived from the fact that
+the jaguar was the principal object of his pursuit.  Among all
+Spanish-Americans--Mexicans included--the beautiful spotted jaguar is
+erroneously termed _tigre_ (tiger), as the puma or couguar is called
+_leon_ (lion).  A hunter of the jaguar is therefore denominated a
+"tiger-hunter," or _tigrero_.
+
+There are no puma or lion-hunters by profession--as there is nothing
+about this brute to make it worth while--but hunting the jaguar is, in
+many parts of Spanish America, a specific calling; and men make their
+living solely by following this occupation.  One inducement is to obtain
+the skin, which, in common with those of the great spotted cats of the
+Old World, is an article of commerce, and from its superior beauty
+commands a good price.  But the _tigrero_ could scarce make out to live
+upon the sale of the skins alone; for although a London furrier will
+charge from two to three guineas for a jaguar's robe, the poor hunter in
+his remote wilderness market can obtain little more than a tenth part of
+this price--notwithstanding that he has to risk his life, before he can
+strip the fair mantle from the shoulders of its original wearer.
+
+It is evident, therefore, that jaguar-hunting would not pay, if there
+was only the pelt to depend upon; but the _tigrero_ looks to another
+source of profit--the _bounty_.
+
+In the hotter regions of Spanish America,--the Brazils as well--there
+are many settlements to which the jaguar is not only a pest, but a
+terror.  Cattle in hundreds are destroyed by these great predatory
+animals; even full-grown horses are killed and dragged away by them!
+But is this all?  Are the people themselves left unmolested?  No.  On
+the contrary, great numbers of human beings every year fall victims to
+the rapacity of the jaguars.  Settlements attempted on the edge of the
+great Montana--in the very country where our young hunters had now
+arrived--have, after a time, been abandoned from this cause alone.  It
+is a well-known fact, that where a settlement has been formed, the
+jaguars soon become more plentiful in that neighbourhood: the increased
+facility of obtaining food--by preying on the cattle of the settlers, or
+upon the owners themselves--accounting for this augmentation in their
+numbers.  It is precisely the same with the royal tiger of India, as is
+instanced in the history of the modern settlement of Singapore.
+
+To prevent the increase of the jaguars then, a bounty is offered for
+their destruction.  This bounty is sometimes the gift of the government
+of the country, and sometimes of the municipal authorities of the
+district.  Not unfrequently private individuals, who own large herds of
+cattle, give a bounty out of their private purses for every jaguar
+killed within the limits of their estates.  Indeed, it is not an
+uncommon thing for the wealthy proprietor of a cattle-estate (_hacienda
+de ganados_) to maintain one or more "tigreros" in his service--just as
+gamekeepers are kept by European grandees--whose sole business consists
+in hunting and destroying the jaguar.  These men are sometimes pure
+Indians, but, as a general thing, they are of the mixed, or _mestizo_
+race.  It need hardly be said that they are hunters of the greatest
+courage.  They require to be so: since an encounter with a full-grown
+jaguar is but little less dangerous than with his striped congener of
+the Indian jungles.  In these conflicts, the tigreros often receive
+severe wounds from the teeth and claws of their terrible adversary; and,
+not unfrequently, the hunter himself becomes the victim.
+
+You may wonder that men are found to follow such a perilous calling, and
+with such slight inducement--for even the bounty is only a trifle of a
+dollar or two--differing in amount in different districts, and according
+to the liberality of the bestower.  But it is in this matter as with all
+others of a like kind--where the very danger itself seems to be the
+lure.
+
+The tigrero usually depends upon fire-arms for destroying his noble
+game; but where his shot fails, and it is necessary to come to close
+quarters, he will even attack the jaguar with his _machete_--a species
+of half-knife half-sword, to be found in every Spanish-American cottage
+from California to Chili.
+
+Very often the jaguar is hunted without the gun.  The tigrero, in this
+case, arms himself with a short spear, the shaft of which is made of a
+strong hard wood, either a _guaiacum_, or a piece of the split trunk of
+one of the hardwood palms.
+
+The point of this spear is frequently without iron--only sharpened and
+hardened by being held in the fire--and with this in his left hand, and
+his short sword in the right, the hunter advances with confidence upon
+his formidable adversary.  This confidence has been fortified by a
+contrivance which he has had the precaution to adopt--that is, of
+enveloping his left arm in the ample folds of his blanket--_serape,
+roana_, or _poncho_, according to the country to which he belongs--and
+using this as a shield.
+
+The left arm is held well forward, so that the woollen mass may cover
+his body against the bound of the animal, and thus is the attack
+received.  The jaguar, like all feline quadrupeds, springs directly
+forward upon his prey.  The tigrero prepared for this, and, with every
+nerve braced, receives the assailant upon the point of his short spear.
+Should the jaguar strike with its claws it only clutches the woollen
+cloth; and while tearing at this--which it believes to be the body of
+its intended victim--the right arm of the hunter is left free, and with
+the sharp blade of his _machete_ he can either make cut or thrust at his
+pleasure.  It is not always that the tigrero succeeds in destroying his
+enemy without receiving a scratch or two in return; but a daring hunter
+makes light of such wounds--for these scars become badges of
+distinction, and give him _eclat_ among the villages of the Montana.
+
+Just such a man was the guide whom our young hunters had engaged, and
+who, though a tiger-hunter by profession, was equally expert at the
+capturing of a bear--when one of these animals chanced to stray down
+from the higher slopes of the mountains, into the warmer country
+frequented by the jaguars.  It was not always that bears could be found
+in these lower regions; but there is a particular season of the year
+when the black bear (_ursus frugilegus_) descends far below his usual
+range, and even wanders far out into the forests of the Montana.
+
+Of course there must be some inducement for his making this annual
+migration from his mountain home; for the _ursus frugilegus_, though
+here dwelling within the tropics, does not affect a tropical climate.
+Neither is he a denizen of the very cold plains--the _paramos_--that
+extend among the summits of eternal snow.  A medium temperature is his
+choice; and this, as we have already stated, he finds among the
+foot-hills, forming the lower zone of the Eastern Andes.  It is there he
+spends most of his life, and that is his place of birth, and
+consequently his true home.  At a particular season of the year,
+corresponding to the summer of our own country, he makes a roving
+expedition to the lower regions; and for what purpose?  This was the
+very question which Alexis put to the tigrero.  The answer was as
+curious as laconic:
+
+"_Comer la cabeza del negro_."  (To eat the negro's head!)
+
+"Ha, ha! to eat the negro's head!" repeated Ivan, with an incredulous
+laugh.
+
+"Just so, senorito!" rejoined the man; "that is what brings him down
+here."
+
+"Why, the voracious brute!" said Ivan; "you don't mean to say that he
+makes food of the heads of the poor negroes?"
+
+"Oh no!" replied the tigrero, smiling in his turn; "it is not that."
+
+"What then?" impatiently inquired Ivan.  "I've heard of negro-head
+tobacco.  He's not a tobacco chewer, is he?"
+
+"_Carrambo_! no, senorito," replied the tiger-hunter, now laughing
+outright; "that's not the sort of food the fellow is fond of.  You'll
+see it presently.  By good luck, it's just in season now--just as the
+bears fancy it--or else we needn't look to start them here.  We should
+have to go further up the mountains: where they are more difficult both
+to find and follow.  But no doubt we'll soon stir one up, when we get
+among the _cabezas del negro_.  The nuts are just now full of their
+sweet milky paste, of which the bears are so fond, and about a mile from
+here there are whole acres of the trees.  I warrant we find a bear among
+them."
+
+Though still puzzled with this half-explanation, our young hunters
+followed the guide--confident that they would soon come in sight of the
+"negro's head."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.
+
+THE TAGUA TREE.
+
+After going about a mile further, as their guide had forewarned them,
+they came within sight of a level valley, or rather a plain, covered
+with a singular vegetation.  It looked as if it had been a forest of
+palms--the trunks of which had sunk down into the earth, and left only
+the heads, with their great radiating fronds above the ground!  Some of
+them stood a foot or two above the surface; but most appeared as if
+their stems had been completely buried!  They were growing all the same,
+however; and, at the bottom of each great bunch of pinnate leaves, could
+be seen a number of large, roundish objects--which were evidently the
+fruits of the plant.
+
+There was no mystery about the stems being buried underground.  There
+were no stems, and never had been any--except those that were seen
+rising a yard or so above the surface.  Neither was there any longer a
+mystery about the "negro's head;" for the rounded fruit, with its
+wrinkled coriaceous pericarp--suggesting a resemblance to the little
+curly knots of wool on the head of an African--was evidently the object
+to which the tigrero had applied the ambiguous appellation.
+
+What our hunters saw was neither more nor less than a grove of _Tagua_
+trees--better known as the "vegetable ivory."
+
+This singular tree was for a long time regarded as a plant of the
+_Oycas_ family; and by some botanists it has been classed among the
+_Pandanaceae_, or screw-pines.  Growing, as its leaves do, almost out of
+the earth, or with only a short trunk, it bears a very marked
+resemblance to the cycads; but for all this, it is a true palm.  Its not
+having a tall trunk is no reason why it should not be a palm, since many
+other species of _palmaceae_ are equally destitute of a visible stem.
+It is now, however, acknowledged by the most expert botanists, that the
+"Tagua"--or "Cabeza del Negro," as the Peruvians style it--is a palm;
+and it has been honoured as the representative of a genus
+(_Phytelephas_), of which there are but two species known--the great
+fruited and little fruited (_macrocarpa_ and _microcarpa_).  Both are
+natives of the hot valleys of the Andes, and differ very little from
+each other; but it is the species with the larger fruit that is
+distinguished by the figurative title of "negro's head."
+
+The Peruvian Indians use the pinnate fronds of both species for
+thatching their huts; but it is the nuts of the larger one that have
+given its great celebrity to the tree.  These are of an oblong
+triangular shape; and a great number of them are enclosed in the
+pericarp, already described.  When young, they are filled with a watery
+liquid that has no particular taste; though regarded by the Indians as a
+most refreshing beverage.  A little older, this crystal-like fluid turns
+of a milky colour and consistence; and still later it becomes a white
+paste.  When fully ripe, it congeals to the whiteness and hardness of
+ivory itself; and, if kept out of water, is even more beautiful in
+texture than, the tusks of the elephant.  It has been employed by the
+Indians from time immemorial in the construction of buttons, heads for
+their pipes, and many other purposes.  Of late years it has found its
+way into the hands of civilised artisans; and, since it can be procured
+at a cheaper rate, and is quite equal to the real ivory for many useful
+and ornamental articles, it has become an important item of commerce.
+
+But however much the vegetable ivory may be esteemed by the Indians, or
+by bipeds of any kind, there is one quadruped who thinks quite as much
+of it as they, and that is the black bear of the Andes (_ursus
+frugilegus_).  It is not, however, when it has reached the condition of
+ivory that Bruin cares for it.  Then the nut would be too hard, even for
+his powerful jaws to crack.  It is when it is in the milky state--or
+rather after it has become coagulated to a paste--that he relishes it;
+and with so much avidity does he devour the sweet pulp, that at this
+season he is easily discovered in the midst of his depredations, and
+will scarce move away from his meal even upon the appearance of the
+hunter!  While engaged in devouring his favourite negro-head, he appears
+indifferent to any danger that may threaten him.
+
+Of this our hunters had proof, and very shortly after entering among the
+tagua trees.  As the tigrero had predicted, they soon came upon the
+"sign" of a bear, and almost in the same instant discovered Bruin
+himself browsing upon the fruit.
+
+The young hunters, and Pouchskin too, were about getting ready to fire
+upon him; when, to their surprise, they saw the tigrero, who was mounted
+on a prancing little horse, spur out in front of them, and gallop
+towards the bear.  They knew that the killing of the animal should have
+been left to them; but, as they had given their guide no notice of this,
+they said nothing, but looked on--leaving the tigrero to manage matters
+after his own way.
+
+It was evident that he intended to attack the bear, and in a peculiar
+fashion.  They knew this by seeing that he carried a coil of raw-hide
+rope over his arm, on one end of which there was a ring and loop.  They
+knew, moreover, that this was a celebrated weapon of the South
+Americans--the _lazo_, in short; but never having witnessed an
+exhibition of its use, they were curious to do so; and this also
+influenced them to keep their places.
+
+In a few minutes the horseman had galloped within some twenty paces of
+the bear.  The latter took the alarm, and commenced trotting off; but
+with a sullen reluctance, which showed that he had no great disposition
+to shun the encounter.
+
+The ground was tolerably clear, the taguas standing far apart, and many
+of them not rising higher than the bear's back.  This gave the
+spectators an opportunity of witnessing the chase.
+
+It was not a long one.  The bear perceiving that the horseman was
+gaining upon him, turned suddenly in his tracks, and, with an angry
+growl, rose erect upon his hind legs, and stood facing his pursuer in an
+attitude of defiance.  As the horseman drew near, however, he appeared
+to become cowed, and once more turning tail, shambled off through the
+bushes.  This time he only ran a few lengths: for the shouts of the
+hunter provoking him to a fresh fit of fury, caused him to halt again,
+and raise himself erect as before.
+
+This was just the opportunity of which the hunter was in expectation;
+and before the bear could lower himself on all-fours--to charge forward
+upon the horse, the long rope went spinning through the air, and its
+noose was seen settling over the shoulders of the bear.  The huge
+quadruped, puzzled by this mode of attack, endeavoured to seize hold of
+the rope; but so thin was the raw-hide thong, that he could not clutch
+it with his great unwieldy paws; and by his efforts he only drew the
+noose tighter around his neck.
+
+Meanwhile, the hunter, on projecting the lazo, had wheeled, with the
+quickness of thought; and, driving his sharp spurs into the ribs of his
+horse, caused the latter to gallop in the opposite direction.  One might
+have supposed that he had taken fright at the bear, and was endeavouring
+to get out of the way.  Not so.  His object was very different.  The
+lazo still formed a link of connection between the hunter and his game.
+One end of it was fast to a staple firmly imbedded in the wood of the
+saddle-tree, while the other, as we have seen, was noosed around the
+bear.  As the horse stretched off, the rope was seen to tighten with a
+sudden jerk; and Bruin was not only floored from his erect attitude, but
+plucked clear off his feet, and laid sprawling along the earth.  In that
+position he was not permitted to remain: for the horse continuing his
+gallop, he was dragged along the ground at the end of the lazo--his huge
+body now bounding several feet from the earth, and now breaking through
+the bushes with a crackling, crashing noise, such as he had himself
+never made in his most impetuous charges.
+
+In this way went horse and bear for half a mile over the plain; the
+spectators following after to witness the ending of the affair.  About
+that there was nothing particular: for when the tigrero at length
+halted, and the party got up to the ground, they saw only an immobile
+mass of shaggy hair--so coated with dust as to resemble a heap of earth.
+It was the bear without a particle of breath in his body; but, lest he
+might recover it again, the tigrero leaped from his horse, stepped up to
+the prostrate bear, and buried his _machete_ between the ribs of the
+unconscious animal.
+
+That, he said, was the way they captured bears in his part of the
+country.  They did not employ the same plan with the jaguars: because
+these animals, crouching, as they do, offered no opportunity for casting
+the noose over them; and, besides, the jaguars haunt only among thick
+woods, where the lazo could not be used to advantage.
+
+Of course, the skin of this particular bear was not suitable for the
+purpose for which one was required; and the tigrero kept it for his own
+profit.  But that did not signify: another bear was soon discovered
+among the tagua trees; and this being despatched by a shot from the
+rifle of Alexis,--supplemented, perhaps, by a bullet from the fusil of
+the ex-guardsman,--supplied them with a skin according to contract; and
+so far as the _ursus frugilegus_ was concerned, their bear-hunting in
+that neighbourhood was at an end.  To find his cousin with the "goggle
+eyes," they would have to journey onward and upward; and adopting for
+their motto the spirit-stirring symbol "Excelsior!" they proceeded to
+climb the stupendous Cordilleras of the Andes.
+
+In one of the higher valleys, known among Peruvians as the "Sierra,"
+they obtained a specimen of the "Hucumari."  They chanced upon this
+creature while he was engaged in plundering a field of Indian corn--
+quite close to a "tambo," or traveller's shed, where they had put up for
+the night.  It was very early in the morning when the corn-stealer was
+discovered; but being caught in the act, and his whole attention taken
+up with the sweet milky ears of maize, his "spectacled" eyes did not
+avail him.  Our hunters, approaching with due caution, were able to get
+so near, that the first shot tumbled him over among the stalks.
+
+Having secured his skin, they mounted their mules, and by the great
+Cordillera road proceeded onward to the ancient capital of northern
+Peru.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.
+
+NORTHWARD!
+
+After resting some days in the old capital of Quito, our travellers
+proceeded to the small port of Barbacoas, on the west coast of Equador;
+and thence took passage for Panama.  Crossing the famous isthmus to
+Porto Bello, they shipped again for New Orleans, on the Mississippi.  Of
+course, their next aim was to procure the North American bears--
+including the Polar, which is equally an inhabitant of northern Asia,
+but which, by the conditions of their route, would be more conveniently
+reached on the continent of North America.  Alexis knew that the black
+bear (_ursus americanus_) might be met with anywhere on that continent
+from the shores of Hudson's Bay to the isthmus of Panama, and from the
+seaboard of the Atlantic to the coast of the Pacific Ocean.  No other
+has so wide a range as this species--with the exception, perhaps, of the
+brown bear of Europe--which, as we have said, is also an Asiatic animal.
+Throughout the whole extent of country above defined, the black bear
+may be encountered, not specially confining himself to mountain-ranges.
+True, in the more settled districts he has been driven to these--as
+affording him a refuge from the hunter; but in his normal condition he
+is by no means a mountain-dwelling animal.  On the contrary, he affects
+equally the low-wooded bottoms of ravines, and is as much at home in a
+climate of tropical or sub-tropical character, as in the cold forests of
+the Canadas.
+
+Mr Spencer Baird--the naturalist intrusted by the American Government
+to describe the _fauna_ of their territory, and furnished for his text
+with one of the most splendid collections ever made--in speaking of the
+genus _ursus_, makes the following remarks:--
+
+"The species of bears are not numerous, nor are they to be found except
+in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.  North America
+possesses more species than any other part of the world, having at least
+four, and perhaps five."
+
+With the exception of the very idle assertion that "the species of bears
+are not numerous," every idea put forth in the above categorical
+declaration is the very reverse of what is true.
+
+Is the polar bear found only in the temperate regions of the northern
+hemisphere?  Is the _ursus arctos_ of Europe confined to these limits?
+Are the bears of South America?--the sloth bear of India and Ceylon?--
+the bruang of Borneo?--and his near congener, the bruang of Java and
+Sumatra?  Why, these last are actually dwellers among palm-trees--as the
+cocoa-planters know to their cost!  Even Mr Baird's own American black
+bear is not so "temperate" in his habits; but loves the half-tropical
+climate of Florida and Texas quite as much as the cold declivities of
+the Alleghanies.
+
+And how does North America possess more species than any other part of
+the world?  Even admitting the doubtful fifth, on the continent of Asia
+there are six species at the very least; and, if we are allowed to
+include the Oriental islands, we make eight Asiatic.  There are three
+species in the Himalaya mountains alone--unquestionably distinct,
+dwelling in separate zones of altitude, but with the territory of all
+three visible at a single _coup d'oeil_.
+
+Mr Baird is a naturalist of great celebrity in America.  He is a
+secretary of the Smithsonian Institution: he should make better use of
+the books which its fine library can afford him.
+
+The United States' Government is extremely unfortunate in the selection
+of its scientific _employes_--more especially in the departments of
+natural history.  Perhaps the most liberal appropriation ever made for
+ethnological purposes--that for collecting a complete account of the
+North American Indians--has been spent without purpose, the "job" having
+fallen into the hands of a "placeman," or "old hunker," as the Americans
+term it--a man neither learned nor intellectual.  With the exception of
+the statistics furnished by Indian agents, the voluminous work of
+Schoolcraft is absolutely worthless; and students of ethnology cannot
+contemplate such a misappropriation without feelings of regret.
+
+Fortunately, the American aboriginal had already found a true portrayer
+and historian.  Private enterprise, as is not unfrequently the case, has
+outstripped Government patronage in the performance of its task.  In the
+unpretending volumes of George Catlin we find the most complete
+ethnological monograph ever given to the world; but just for that
+reason, Catlin, not Schoolcraft, should have been chosen for the "job."
+
+Knowing the range of the black bear to be thus grandly extended, our
+young hunters had a choice of places in which to look for one; but, as
+there is no place where these animals are more common than in Louisiana
+itself, they concluded that they could not do better than there choose
+their hunting-ground.  In the great forests, which still cover a large
+portion of Louisiana, and especially upon the banks of the sluggish
+_bayous_, where the marshy soil and the huge cypress trees, festooned
+with Spanish moss, bid defiance to all attempts at cultivation, the
+black bear still roams at will.  There he is found in sufficient numbers
+to ensure the procuring of a specimen without much difficulty.
+
+The hunters of these parts have various modes of capturing him.  The
+log-trap is a common plan; but the planters enjoy the sport of running
+him down with dogs; or rather should it be termed running him up; since
+the chase usually ends by Bruin taking to a tree, and thus unconsciously
+putting himself within reach of the unerring rifle.
+
+It was by this means that our young hunters determined to try their
+luck; and they had no difficulty in procuring the necessary adjuncts to
+ensure success.  The great Czar, powerful everywhere, was not without
+his agent at New Orleans.  From him a letter of introduction was
+obtained to a planter living on one of the interior _bayous_; and our
+heroes, having repaired thither, were at once set in train for the
+sport--the planter placing himself, his house, his hounds, and his
+horses at their disposal.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.
+
+THE NORTHERN FORESTS.
+
+On their arrival, the hospitable planter sent to his neighbours, and
+arranged a grand hunt, to come off at an early day specified in the
+invitation.  Each was to bring with him such hounds as he was possessed
+of--and in this way a large pack might be got together, so that a wide
+extent of forest could be driven.
+
+Among the planters of the Southern states this is a very common
+practice: only a few of them keeping what might be called a regular
+kennel of hounds, but many of them having five or six couples.  In a
+neighbourhood favourable to the chase, by uniting a number of these
+little bands together, a pack may be got up large enough for any
+purpose.
+
+The usual game hunted in the Southern states is the American fallow-deer
+(_cervus virginianus_), which is still found in considerable plenty in
+the more solitary tracts of forest all over the United States.  It is
+the only species of deer indigenous to Louisiana: since, the noble stag
+or "elk," as he is erroneously called (_cervus canadensis_), does not
+range so far to the south.  On the Pacific coast this animal is found in
+much lower latitudes than on that of the Atlantic.
+
+Besides the fallow-deer, the fox gives sport to the Louisiana hunter.
+This is the grey fox (_vulpes virginianus_).  The bay lynx also--or wild
+cat, as it is called (_lynx rufus_)--and now and then, but more rarely,
+the cougar (_felis concolor_), give the hounds a run before taking to
+the tree.
+
+Racoons, opossums, and skunks are common enough in the forests of
+Louisiana; but these are regarded as "vermin," and are not permitted to
+lead the dogs astray.
+
+With regard to the other animals mentioned, they all rank as noble
+game--especially the cougar, called "panther" by the backwoodsman--and
+the pack may follow whichever is first "scared up."
+
+The grand game, however, is the bear; and the capture of Bruin is not a
+feat of everyday occurrence.  To find his haunts it is necessary to make
+an excursion into the more unfrequented and inaccessible solitudes of
+the forest--in places often many miles from a settlement.  Not
+unfrequently, however, the old gentleman wanders abroad from his unknown
+retreat, and seeks the plantations--where in the night-time he skulks
+round the edges of the fields, and commits serious depredations on the
+young maize plants, or the succulent stalks of the sugar-cane, of which
+he is immoderately fond.  Like his brown congener of Europe he has a
+sweet tooth, and is greatly given to honey.  To get at it he climbs the
+bee-trees, and robs the hive of its stores.  In all these respects he is
+like the brown bear; but otherwise he differs greatly from the latter
+species, so much indeed, that it is matter of surprise how any
+naturalist should have been led to regard them as the same.
+
+Not only in colour, but in shape and other respects, are they totally
+unlike.  While the fur of the brown bear is tossed and tufty--having
+that appearance usually termed _shaggy_--that of the American black bear
+is of uniform length, and all lying, or rather standing, in one
+direction, presenting a smooth surface corresponding to the contour of
+his body.  In this respect he is far more akin to the bears of the
+Asiatic islands, than to the _ursus arctos_.  In shape, too, he differs
+essentially from the latter.  His body is more slender, his muzzle
+longer and sharper, and his profile is a curve with its convexity
+upward.  This last characteristic, which is constant, proclaims him
+indubitably a distinct species from the brown bear of Europe; and he is
+altogether a smaller and more mild-tempered animal.
+
+As the grand "chasse" had been arranged to come off on the third day
+after their arrival, our young hunters determined to employ the interval
+in ranging the neighbouring woods; not with any expectation of finding a
+bear--as their host did not believe there was any so near--but rather
+for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the character of the North
+American _sylva_.
+
+That of South America Alexis had carefully observed and studied in their
+long journey across that continent.  He had noted the grand tropical
+trees--the palms and _pothos_ plants--the _mimosas_ and _musaceae_--the
+magnificent forms of the _lombax_ and _bertholletia_--the curious
+_cecropias_ and fig-trees--the giant _cedrelas_ and the gum-yielding
+_siphonias_.  On the Andes he had observed the agaves, the cycads, and
+cactaceae--all strange to the eye of a Russian.  He was now desirous of
+making himself familiar with the forests of North America; which, though
+of a sub-tropical character in Louisiana, contained forms altogether
+different from those of the Amazonian regions.  Here he would meet with
+the famed magnolia, and its relative the tulip-tree; the catalpa and
+flowering cornel, the giant cypress and sycamore, the evergreen oak, the
+water-loving tupelo, and the curious fan-like palmetto.  Of these, and
+many other beautiful trees belonging to the North American _sylva_,
+Alexis had read--in fact, knew them botanically; but he wished to
+cultivate a still pleasanter acquaintance with them, by visiting them in
+their own native home.
+
+For this purpose he and Ivan set out alone, with only a negro for their
+guide; the planter being engaged, visiting his different friends, and
+warning them for the grand hunt.
+
+Pouchskin remained behind.  He had been left at the house--to do some
+necessary repairs to the travelling traps both of himself and his young
+masters, which, after their long South American expedition, needed
+looking to.  At this work had Pouchskin been left, surrounded by a
+circle of grinning darkies, in whose company the old grenadier would
+find material to interest and amuse him.
+
+It was only for a stroll that our young hunters had sallied forth, and
+without any design of entering upon the chase; but they had become so
+accustomed to carrying their guns everywhere, that these were taken
+along with them.  Some curious bird or quadruped might be started--whose
+fur or feathers they might fancy to make an examination of.  For that
+reason, both shouldered their guns.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.
+
+THE LONE LAGOON.
+
+They were soon beyond the bounds of the plantation, and walking under
+the dark majestic woods--the darkey guiding them on their way.  They had
+heard of a curious lake or lagoon, that lay about a mile from the
+plantation.  There they would be likely to witness a spectacle
+characteristic of the swamps of Louisiana; and thither they directed
+their steps.
+
+Sure enough, on arriving at the borders of the lagoon, a singular scene
+was presented to their eyes.  The whole surface of the lake appeared
+alive with various forms of birds and reptiles.  Hundreds of alligators
+were seen, lying like dead trees upon the water, their corrugated backs
+appearing above the surface.  Most of them, however, were in motion,
+swimming to and fro, or darting rapidly from point to point, as if in
+pursuit of prey.  Now and then their huge tails could be seen curling
+high up in air, and then striking down upon the water, causing a
+concussion that echoed far through the forest.  At intervals a shining
+object, flung upward by their tails, could be seen for a moment in the
+air, amidst the showery spray that was raised along with it.  It was
+easy to see that the glittering forms thus projected were fishes, and
+that it was the pursuit of these that was causing the commotion among
+the huge reptiles.  Aquatic birds, of a great number of kinds, were
+equally busy in the pursuit of the fish.  Huge pelicans stood up to
+their tibia in the water--now and then immersing their long mandibles
+and tossing their finny victims high into the air.  Cranes and herons
+too were there--among others the tall Louisiana crane--conspicuous among
+the smaller species--snow-white egrets, the wood ibis, and others of
+white and roseate hue--the snake-darter, with long pointed beak and
+crouching serpent-like neck--the qua-bird, of lugubrious note and
+melancholy aspect--and, fairest of all, the scarlet flamingo.
+
+Other birds besides those of aquatic habits took part in the odd
+spectacle.  Hovering in the air were black vultures--the carrion crow
+and the turkey-buzzard--and upon the tops of tall dead trees could be
+seen the king of the feathered multitude, the great white-headed eagle.
+His congener, the osprey, soared craftily above--at intervals swooping
+down, and striking his talons into the fish, which the alligators had
+tossed into the air--thus robbing the reptiles of their prey, to be
+robbed in turn by his watchful cousin-german upon the tree.  The
+spectacle was far from being a silent one: on the contrary, the confused
+chorus of sounds was deafening to the ears of the spectators.  The
+hoarse bellowing of the alligators--the concussions made by their great
+tails striking the water--the croaking of the pelicans, and the
+clattering of their huge mandibles--the doleful screaming of the herons,
+cranes, and qua-birds--the shrieks of the osprey--and the shrill maniac
+laughter of the white-headed eagle, piercing through all other sounds--
+formed a medley of voices as unearthly as inharmonious.
+
+A shot from the gun of Ivan, that brought down a splendid specimen of
+the white-headed eagle--together with the appearance of the hunters by
+the edge of the water--put a sudden termination to this grand drama of
+the wilderness.  The birds flew up into the air, and went soaring off in
+different directions over the tops of the tall trees; while the huge
+reptiles, that had been taught by the alligator hunters to fear the
+presence of man, desisted for a while from their predatory prey, and
+retreated to the reeds upon the opposite shore.
+
+The spectacle was one well worthy of being seen, and one that cannot be
+witnessed every day--even in the swamps of Louisiana.  Its occurrence at
+that time was accounted for by the drying up of the lake, which left the
+fish at the mercy of their numerous enemies.
+
+Having taken up the eagle which Ivan had shot, the young hunters
+continued their excursion along the edge of the lagoon.
+
+They had not gone far when they came upon a bank of mud, that had
+formerly been covered with water.  So recently had the water dried from
+it, that, in spite of the hot sun shining down upon it, the mud was
+still soft.  They had not gone many steps further, when they perceived
+upon its surface, what at first they supposed to be the tracks of a man.
+On getting a little closer, however, they doubted this; and, now
+recollecting the resemblance which they had noticed in the snows of
+Lapland--between the footsteps of a human being and those of a bear--it
+occurred to them that these might also be bear-tracks--though they knew
+that the tracks of the American bear would be slightly different from
+those of his European cousin.
+
+To satisfy themselves, they hastened forward to examine the tracks; but
+their negro guide had anticipated them, and now called out, with the
+whites of his eyes considerably enlarged--
+
+"Golly, young mass'rs! dat be de tracks ob um ba!"
+
+"A bear!"
+
+"Ya, ya, mass'rs! a big ba--dis child know um track--see'd um many de
+time--de ole coon he be arter de fish too--all ob dem a-doin' a bit ob
+fishin' dis mornin'--yaw, yaw, yaw!"
+
+And the darkey laughed at what he appeared to consider an excellent
+joke.
+
+On closely scrutinising the tracks, Alexis and Ivan saw that they were
+in reality the tracks of a bear--though much smaller than those they had
+followed in Lapland.  They were quite fresh--in fact, so recently did
+they appear to have been made, that both at the same time, and by an
+involuntary impulse, raised their eyes from the ground and glanced
+around them; as if they expected to see the bear himself.
+
+No such animal was in sight, however.  It was quite probable he had been
+on the ground, at their first coming up to the lake; but the report of
+Ivan's gun had alarmed him, and he had made off into the woods.  This
+was quite probable.
+
+"What a pity," reflected Ivan, "that I didn't leave the eagle alone!  We
+might have got sight of Master Bruin, and given him the shot instead.
+And now," added he, "what's to be done?  There's no snow,--therefore we
+can't track the brute.  The mud bank ends here, and he's gone off it,
+the way he came?  Of course he wouldn't be out yonder among those logs?
+He wouldn't have taken shelter there, would he?"
+
+As Ivan spoke, he pointed to a little peninsula that jutted out into the
+lake, some twenty or thirty yards beyond the spot where they were
+standing.  It was joined to the mainland by a narrow neck or isthmus of
+mud; but at the end towards the water there was a space of several yards
+covered with dead trees--that had been floated thither in the floods,
+and now lay high and dry, piled irregularly upon one another.
+
+Alexis looked in the direction of this pile as Ivan pointed it out.
+
+"I'm not so sure of that," he answered, after scrutinising the logs.
+"It's a likely enough place for an animal to lurk.  He might be there?"
+
+"Let us go and see, then!" said Ivan.  "If he's there he can't escape
+us, without our having a shot at him; and you say that these American
+bears are much easier killed than ours.  The South Americans were so,
+certainly.  I hope their northern brothers may die as easy."
+
+"Not all," rejoined Alexis.  "We may expect some tough struggles when we
+come to the great grizzly, and to him of the polar regions; but the
+black bears are, as you conjecture, not so difficult to deal with.  If
+wounded, however, they will show fight; and, though their teeth and
+claws are less dangerous than the others, they can give a man a most
+uncomfortable hug, I have heard.  But let us go, as you say.  If not
+yonder, he must have taken to the woods.  In that case there is no way
+of following him up, except by dogs; and for these we must go back to
+the house."
+
+As they continued talking, they advanced towards the narrow isthmus that
+connected the little peninsula with the mainland.
+
+"What a pity," remarked Ivan, "that that great log is there!  But for it
+we might have seen his track in the mud crossing over."
+
+Ivan referred to a prostrate trunk that traversed the isthmus
+longitudinally--extending from the mainland to the higher ground of the
+peninsula, to which it formed a kind of bridge or causeway.  Certainly,
+had it not been there, either the bear's tracks would have been seen in
+the mud or not; and if not, then no bear could have passed over to the
+peninsula, and their exploration would have been unnecessary.  But,
+although they saw no tracks, they had started to examine the wood pile;
+and they continued on, climbing up to the log, and walking along its
+top.
+
+All at once, Alexis was seen to pause and bend his body forward and
+downward.
+
+"What is it?" inquired Ivan, who was behind, on seeing his brother in
+the bent attitude, as if he looked at something on the log.
+
+"The bear's tracks!" answered Alexis, in a low but earnest tone.
+
+"Ha! you think so?  Where?"
+
+Alexis pointed to the dead-wood under his eyes--upon the bark of which
+were visible, not the tracks of a bear, but dabs of mud, that must have
+been recently deposited there, either by the feet of a bear, or some
+other animal.
+
+"By the Great Peter!" said Ivan, speaking cautiously, notwithstanding
+his innocent adjuration; "that must be his tracks?  It's the same sort
+of mud as that in which we've just been tracing him--black as ink
+nearly.  It has come off his great paws--not a doubt of it, brother?"
+
+"I think it is likely," assented Alexis, at the same time that both
+looked to the locks of their guns, and saw that the caps were on the
+nipples.
+
+A little further along the log, the bark was smoother, and there the
+track was still more conspicuous.  The print was better denned, and
+answered well for the footmark of a bear.  There was the naked paw, and
+the balls of the five toes, all complete.  They no longer doubted that
+it was the track of a bear.
+
+It was just a question whether the animal had gone over the log and
+returned again.  But this was set at rest, or nearly so, by a closer
+scrutiny.  There was no sign of a return track.  True, he might have
+washed his paws in the interval, or cleaned them on the dead-wood; but
+that was scarce probable, and our hunters did not think so.  They felt
+perfectly sure that the bear was before them; and, acting upon this
+belief, they cocked their guns, and continued their approach towards the
+wood pile.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY.
+
+A DARKEY ON BEAR-BACK.
+
+Both the young hunters succeeded in passing over the log, and had set
+foot on the peninsula; while the negro, who was following a little
+behind, was still upon the prostrate trunk.  Just at that moment a noise
+was heard--very similar to that made by a pig when suddenly started from
+its bed of straw--a sort of half snort, half grunt; and along with the
+noise a huge black body was seen springing up from under the loose pile
+of dead trees, causing several of them to shake and rattle under its
+weight.  Our hunters saw at a glance that it was the bear; and levelled
+their guns upon it with the intention of firing.
+
+The animal had reared itself on its hind legs--as if to reconnoitre the
+ground--and while in this attitude both the hunters had sighted it, and
+were on the eve of pulling their triggers.  Before they could do so,
+however, the bear dropped back on all-fours.  So sudden was the
+movement, that the aim of both was quite disconcerted, and they both
+lowered their guns to get a fresh one.  The delay, however, proved fatal
+to their intention.  Before either had got a satisfactory sight upon the
+body of the bear, the latter sprang forward with a fierce growl, and
+rushed right between the two, so near that it was impossible for either
+of them to fire otherwise than at random.  Ivan did fire, but to no
+purpose; for his bullet went quite wide of the bear, striking the log
+behind it, and causing the bark to splinter out in all directions.  The
+bear made no attempt to charge towards them, but rushed straight on--
+evidently with no other design than to make his escape to the woods.
+Alexis wheeled round to fire after him; but, as he was raising his gun,
+his eye fell upon the negro, who was coming on over the log, and who had
+just got about halfway across it.  The bear had by this time leaped up
+on the other end, and in a hurried gallop--that had been quickened by
+the report of Ivan's piece--was going right in the opposite direction.
+The negro, who saw the huge shaggy quadruped coming straight towards
+him, at once set up a loud "hulla-balloo," and, with his eyes almost
+starting from their sockets, was endeavouring to retreat backwards, and
+get out of the way.
+
+His efforts proved fruitless: for before he had made three steps to the
+rear, the bear--more frightened at the two adversaries behind him than
+the one in front--rushed right on, and in the next instant pushed his
+snout, head, and neck between the darkey's legs!
+
+Long before this the negro had lost his senses, but now came the loss of
+his legs: for as the thick body of the bear passed between them, both
+were lifted clear up from the log, and hung dangling in the air.  For
+several feet along the log was the negro carried upon the bear's back,
+his face turned to the tail; and no doubt, had he preserved his
+equilibrium, he might have continued his ride for some distance further.
+But as the darkey had no desire for such a feat of equestrianism, he
+kept struggling to clear himself from his involuntary mount.  His body
+was at length thrown heavily to one side, and its weight acting like a
+lever upon the bear, caused the latter to lose his balance, and tumbling
+off the log, both man and bear fell "slap-dash" into the mud.
+
+For a moment there was a confused scrambling, and spattering, and
+splashing, through the soft mire--a growling on the part of the bear,
+and the wildest screeching from the throat of the affrighted negro--all
+of which came to an end by Bruin--whose body was now bedaubed all over
+with black mud--once more regaining his feet, and shuffling off up the
+bank, as fast as his legs could carry him.
+
+Alexis now fired, and hit the bear behind; but the shot, so far from
+staying his flight, only quickened his pace; and before the darkey had
+got to his feet, the shaggy brute had loped off among the trees, and
+disappeared from the sight of everybody upon the ground.
+
+The grotesque appearance of the negro, as he rose out of the mire in
+which he had been wallowing, coated all over with black mud--which was a
+shade lighter than his natural hue--was too ludicrous for Ivan to resist
+laughing at; and even the more serious Alexis was compelled to give way
+to mirth.  So overcome were both, that it was some minutes before they
+thought of reloading their guns, and giving chase to the bear.
+
+After a time, however, they charged again; and crossing back over the
+log, proceeded in the direction in which Bruin had made his retreat.
+
+They had no idea of being able to follow him without dogs; and it was
+their intention to send for one or two to the house, when they perceived
+that the bear's trace could be made out--at least, for some distance--
+without them.  The inky water, that had copiously saturated his long
+fur, had been constantly dripping as he trotted onward in his flight;
+and this could easily be seen upon the herbage over which he had passed.
+
+They determined, therefore, to follow this trail as far as they could;
+and when it should give out, it would be time enough to send for the
+dogs.
+
+They had not proceeded more than a hundred yards; when all at once the
+trail trended up to the bottom of a big tree.  They might have examined
+the ground further, but there was no need; for, on looking up to the
+trunk, they perceived large blotches of mud, and several scratches upon
+the bark, evidently made by the claws of a bear.  These scratches were,
+most of them, of old date; but there were one or two of them quite
+freshly done; besides, the wet mud was of itself sufficient proof that
+the bear had gone up the tree, and must still be somewhere in its top.
+The tree was a sycamore, and therefore only sparsely covered with
+leaves; but from its branches hung long festoons of Spanish moss
+(_tillandsia usneoides_), that grew in large bunches in the forks--in
+several of which it was possible even for a bear to have stowed himself
+away in concealment.
+
+After going round the tree, however, and viewing it from all sides, our
+hunters perceived that the bear was not anywhere among the moss; but
+must have taken refuge in a hollow in the trunk--the mouth of which
+could be seen only from one particular place; since it was hidden on all
+other sides by two great limbs that led out from it, and between which
+the cavity had been formed by the decaying of the heart-wood.
+
+There could be no doubt that Bruin had entered this tree-cave; for all
+around the aperture the bark was scraped and worn; and the wet mud,
+lately deposited there, was visible from below.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY ONE.
+
+CUTTING OUT THE BEAR.
+
+The question was, how he was to be got out?  Perhaps by making a noise
+he might issue forth?
+
+This plan was at once tried, but without success.  While the negro
+rasped the bark with a pole, and struck the stick at intervals against
+the trunk, the hunters stood, with guns cocked, watching the hole, and
+ready to give the bear a reception, the moment he should show himself
+outside.
+
+It was all to no purpose.  Bruin was too cunning for them, and did not
+protrude even the tip of his snout out of his secure cavity.
+
+After continuing the rasping, and repeating the blows, till the woods
+echoed the sonorous concussions, they became convinced that this plan
+would not serve their purpose, and desisted from it.
+
+On examining the track more closely, they now perceived spots of blood
+mixed among the mud which the bear had rubbed off upon the bark.  This
+convinced them that the animal was wounded, and therefore there would be
+no chance of starting him out from his hole.  It was no doubt the wound
+that had led him to retreat to this tree, so near the place where he had
+been attacked, otherwise he would have led them a longer chase through
+the woods before attempting to hide himself.  When, severely wounded,
+the black bear betakes himself to the first hollow log or tree he can
+find; and taking refuge in it, will there remain--even to die in his
+den, if the wound has been a fatal one.
+
+Knowing this habit of the animal, our hunters perceived that they had no
+chance of again setting their eyes upon the bear, except by cutting down
+the tree; and they resolved to adopt this method, and fell the great
+sycamore to the ground.
+
+The darkey was despatched to the plantation; and soon returned with half
+a dozen of his brethren, armed with axes--Pouchskin heading the sable
+band.  Without further delay the chopping began; and the white chips
+flew out from the great trunk in all directions.
+
+In about an hour's time the sycamore came crashing down, carrying a
+number of smaller trees along with it.  The hunters, who expected that
+the bear would at once spring forth, had taken their position to cover
+the mouth of the cavity with their guns; but, to their surprise, the
+tree fell, and lay as it had fallen, without any signs of Bruin.  This
+was strange enough; for, as the negroes alleged, in all similar cases
+the bear is certain to charge out upon the fall of a tree that contains
+him!
+
+A sapling was now obtained, and inserted into the cavity--at first with
+caution, but after a time it was punched in with all the force that
+Pouchskin could put into his arm.  He could feel the bear quite
+distinctly; but poke the animal as he might, it would not stir.
+
+It was suggested that they should cut into the trunk--at a place
+opposite to where the bear was encased--and then they could drag him out
+at will; and, although this would cost a good deal of trouble, it
+appeared to be the only mode of reaching the obstinate animal.
+
+This course was followed, therefore; and a cross section being made of
+the hollow trunk, the shaggy hair was at length reached, and then the
+body of Bruin, who was found to be dead as a nail!
+
+They no longer wondered that he had paid no heed to the punching of the
+pole.  The bullet of Alexis had traversed his huge body in a
+longitudinal direction, until it had lodged in a vital part, and, of
+course, it was this that had deprived him of life.  He would, therefore,
+have died all the same, and in his tree-den, too, whether they had
+pursued him or not.
+
+Our hunters learnt from their negro assistants a singular fact in
+relation to the black bear: and that is, that the tree-cavity in which
+the animal often takes shelter, or goes to sleep, is rarely of greater
+width than his own body!  In most cases it is so narrow, that he cannot
+turn round in it, nor has it any lair at the bottom wide enough for him
+to lie down upon.  It follows, therefore, that he must sleep in a
+standing position, or squatted upon his hams.  It is in this attitude he
+makes his descent into the cavity, and in the same way comes down the
+trunk of the tree, when at any time making his departure from his den.
+From this it would appear that the upright attitude is as natural to
+this animal, as that of resting on all-fours, or even lying prostrate on
+the ground; for it is well-known that, farther to the north--where the
+winters are more severe, and where the black bear hybernates for a short
+season--he often takes his nap in a tree-cavity, which his body
+completely fills, without the possibility of his turning round in it!
+One precaution he takes, and that is, to scrape off all the rotten wood
+around the sides of the cavity; but for what purpose he exercises this
+curious instinct, neither hunter nor naturalist can tell.  Perhaps it is
+that the projections may not press against his body, and thus render his
+couch uncomfortable?
+
+Our young hunters found this bear one of the largest of his species, and
+his skin, after the mud had been washed off, proved to be an excellent
+specimen.
+
+Of course, they coveted no other; but for all that, they had the
+pleasure of being present at the death of several bears, killed in the
+great hunt that came off on the appointed day.
+
+A deer-chase was also got up for their special entertainment--during
+which a cougar was "treed" and killed--an event of rarer occurrence than
+even the death of a bear; for the cougar is now one of the scarcest
+quadrupeds to be met with in the forests of North America.
+
+Another entertainment which the planter provided for his guests was a
+"_barbecue_"--a species of festival peculiar to the backwoods of
+America, and which, on account of its peculiarity, deserves a word or
+two of description.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY TWO.
+
+THE SQUATTER'S BARGAIN.
+
+As we have just said, the barbecue is a festival which especially
+belongs to the backwoods settlements, although it has now become known
+even in the older States, and often forms a feature in the great
+political meetings of an election campaign--losing, however, much of its
+true character in the elaborate adornments and improvements sometimes
+bestowed upon it.
+
+When Alexis and Ivan strolled down in the early morning to the quiet
+glade which had been selected as the scene of this rural festivity, they
+found there a noisy and bustling crowd.  A monstrous fire of logs,
+enough to roast not only a single ox, but a hecatomb of oxen, was
+blazing near the edge of the glade, while a half-dozen chattering
+negroes were busy digging a great pit close by.  This pit, when entirely
+excavated, measured some ten or twelve feet in length, by five or six in
+width, and perhaps three in depth; and was lined with smooth flat
+stones.  As soon as the logs had ceased to flame and smoke, and were
+fast falling into a mighty heap of glowing ruddy coals, they were
+shovelled hastily into the pit.  Another party of negroes had been busy
+in the woods, searching out the tall slender saplings of the pawpaw
+(_asimina triloba_), and now returned, bringing their spoil with them.
+The saplings were laid across the top of the pit, thus extemporising
+over it a huge gridiron.  The ox, which was to form the staple of the
+day's feast, had been killed and dressed; and, having been split in
+halves after the fashion of the barbecue, was laid upon the bars to
+roast.  Proudly presiding over the operation was the major-domo of the
+planter's household, assisted by several celebrated cooks of the
+neighbourhood, and a score of chosen farm-hands, whose strength was ever
+and anon invoked to turn the beef; while the _chef_ ordered a fresh
+basting, or himself sprinkled the browning surface with the savoury
+dressing of pepper, salt, and fine herbs, for the composition of which
+he had attained a grand reputation.
+
+The morning wore swiftly on in the observation of these novel
+manoeuvres; and with the noon came the guests in numbers from the
+neighbouring plantations and settlements.  Even the determined
+resistance of the toughest beef must have failed before the hot attack
+of such an army of live coals, as had lain intrenched in the deep
+fireplace; and the tender joints of the enormous _boeuf roti_ were ready
+to bear their share in the festivities almost as soon as the invited
+company.  Separated with great cleavers, and laid into white button-wood
+trays hollowed out for the purpose, they were borne rapidly to the shady
+nook selected for the dining-place, followed by vast supplies of sweet
+potatoes, roasted in the ashes, and of rich, golden maize bread.  A
+barrel of rare cider was broached; while good old-fashioned puddings,
+and the luscious fruits of the region completed the bill of fare in
+honour of the day.  Of course "joy was unconfined."  Everybody
+pronounced the roast a grand success; and the young Russians thought
+that they had never tasted so appetising a meal.  With the exhilaration
+of the fresh, clear air, the encouragement of hearty appetite, and the
+full flavour of the meat--for it is well-known that the sap which exudes
+from the pawpaw, when thus exposed to fire, adds a new relish to
+whatever is cooked upon it--combined to make a dinner fit for the Czar
+himself; and they determined to attempt, at some time, an imitation of
+the Southern barbecue under the colder sky of Russia.
+
+Merriment was unbounded; healths were drunk, songs sung, odd speeches
+made, and stories told.
+
+One of the last in particular made an impression upon our heroes;
+partly, because it was a bear story, and partly because it illustrated a
+very characteristic phase of squatter life and practical humour.  In
+fact, Alexis made a sketch of it in his journal, and from his notes we
+now reconstruct it.
+
+Two squatters had occupied lands not far from each other, and within
+some eight or ten miles of a small town.  Busied in clearing off the
+woodland, each bethought himself of a source of revenue beyond the
+produce of his tilled ground.  He would occupy an occasional leisure day
+in hauling to the town, the logs which he cut from time to time, and
+then selling them as firewood.  This unity of purpose naturally brought
+the two men into competition with one another for the limited custom of
+the settlement; and a rivalry sprang up between them, which was fast
+ripening into jealousy and ill-will, when a curious coincidence
+occurred.
+
+Each owned a single yoke of oxen, which he used regularly in his farm
+labour, and also in dragging his wood to market.  Within a week each
+lost an ox; one dying of some bovine distemper,--the other being so
+injured by the fall of a tree, that his owner had been obliged to kill
+him.
+
+As one ox could not draw a wood-wagon, the occupation of both squatters
+as wood merchants was gone--and even farm operations were likely to
+suffer.  Each soon heard of his neighbour's predicament; and proposed to
+himself to make a bargain for the remaining ox, that he might be the
+possessor of the pair, continue his clearing prosperously, and command
+the wood-hauling business.  But, as one might suppose, where both
+parties were so fully bent upon accomplishing their own ends, the trade
+was no nearer a conclusion when a dozen negotiations had taken place
+than at first.  So matters stood in _statu quo_, the days rolled by, and
+our two squatters found their condition waxing desperate.
+
+One fine morning, squatter the first started off to make a last
+attempt--determined to close the bargain peaceably if he could, forcibly
+if he must.  Revolving project upon project in his mind, he had
+traversed the two or three miles of woodland which lay between him and
+his neighbour's clearing, and was just entering it, when a sudden rustle
+and significant growl coming from behind broke in upon his reverie.
+Turning hastily, he saw almost at his heels a bear of the most
+unprepossessing aspect.  To reach the cabin before Bruin could overtake
+him was impossible; and to turn upon the creature would be folly: for,
+in the depth of his deliberation, he had forgotten on leaving home to
+take any kind of weapon with him.  Some dead trees had been left
+standing in the field, and to one of these he sped with flying steps,
+hoping to find shelter behind it till help could come.  He did not hope
+in vain for this protection.  He found that by pretty active dodging, he
+could keep the trunk of the tree between himself and the bear--whose
+brain could hardly follow the numerous shifts made by the squatter to
+escape the frequent clutches of his claws.  Rising indignantly upon his
+hind legs, the bear made a fierce rush at the squatter, but hugged only
+the tough old tree, in whose bark he buried deep his pointed claws.  An
+inspiration flashed through the squatter's mind, as he saw the bear
+slowly and with some difficulty dragging out his nails; and seizing
+Bruin's shanks just above the paws, he braced himself against the tree,
+resolved to try and hold the claws into their woody sockets until his
+neighbour could respond to his halloos for help.
+
+The other squatter heard his cries; but instead of hastening to the
+rescue, he came slowly along, carelessly shouldering his axe.
+Perceiving his neighbour's difficulty, a new solution of the ox question
+had entered his mind; and to the redoubled appeals for assistance, he
+calmly replied--
+
+"On one condition, neighbour!"
+
+"What is it?" anxiously inquired the other.
+
+"If I let you loose from the bar, you'll gi' me up your odd steer."
+
+There was no help for it, and with a heavy sigh, the prisoner consented.
+"Stop!" cried he, ere the axe could fall; "this old brute has half
+plagued the life out o' me, and I'd like nothing better'n the
+satisfaction o' killin' him myself.  Jest you ketch hold here, and let
+me give him his death-blow."
+
+The second squatter, rejoicing beyond measure at having accomplished his
+long-desired purpose, unsuspiciously agreed, dropped the axe, cautiously
+grasped the sinewy shanks, and bent his strength to the momentary
+struggle.  To his utter dismay, he beheld his neighbour quietly shoulder
+the axe, and walk away from the ground!
+
+"Hold on!" he shouted; "ain't ye goin' to kill the bar?"
+
+"Wal, not jest now, I fancy; I thought you might like to hang on a
+while?"
+
+The tables thus turned, the deluded squatter had no resource but to make
+terms with his grimly gleeful neighbour, who at last consented to put an
+end to the wild beast's life, if he might not only be released from the
+bargain he had just made, but, in addition, be himself the recipient of
+the odd ox.  Sorely chagrined, the second squatter consented.  But he
+was a little comforted at the idea of a slight _revanche_ that had just
+entered his head.  Watching his chance, as the other approached to deal
+the fatal blow, with a desperate effort he tore out the bear's claws
+from the bark--setting the infuriated animal free--and then fled at full
+speed to his cabin, leaving the two original combatants to fight it out
+between themselves.
+
+The particulars of the contest even tradition has not preserved--the
+sequel to the narrative only telling that half an hour later the first
+squatter, scratched and bloody, hobbled slowly up to the cabin,
+remarking satirically as he threw down the broken axe:--
+
+"Thar, neighbour; I'm afraid I've spiled yer axe, but I'm sure I've
+spiled the bar.  Prehaps you'd let one o' your leetle boys drive that
+ere ox over to my house?"
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+After enjoying the hospitality of their planter friend for a few days
+longer, our travellers once more resumed their journey; and proceeded up
+the great Mississippi, towards the cold countries of the North.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY THREE.
+
+THE POLAR BEAR.
+
+A few weeks after leaving the Louisiana planter, our hunters were
+receiving hospitality from a very different kind of host, a
+"fur-trader."  Their headquarters was Fort Churchill, on the western
+shore of Hudson's Bay, and once the chief entrepot of the famous company
+who have so long directed the destinies of that extensive region--
+sometimes styled Prince Rupert's Land, but more generally known as the
+"Hudson's Bay Territory."
+
+To Fort Churchill they had travelled almost due north--first up the
+Mississippi, then across land to Lake Superior, and direct over the lake
+to one of the Company's posts on its northern shore.  Thence by a chain
+of lakes, rivers, and "portages" to York factory, and on northward to
+Fort Churchill.  Of course, at Fort Churchill they had arrived within
+the range of the great white or Polar bear (_ursus maritimus_), who was
+to be the _next_ object of their "chasse."  In the neighbourhood of York
+factory, and even further to the south, they might have found bears of
+this species: for the _ursus maritimus_ extends his wanderings all round
+the shores of Hudson's Bay--though not to those of James' Bay further
+south.  The latitude of 55 degrees is his southern limit upon the
+continent of America; but this only refers to the shores of Labrador and
+those of Hudson's Bay.  On the western coast Behring's Straits appears
+to form his boundary southward; and even within these, for some distance
+along both the Asiatic and American shores, he is one of the rarest of
+wanderers.  His favourite range is among the vast conglomeration of
+islands and peninsulas that extend around Hudson's and Baffin's Bays--
+including the icebound coasts of Greenland and Labrador--while going
+westward to Behring's Straits, although the great quadruped is
+occasionally met with, he is much more rare.  Somewhat in a similar
+manner, are the white bears distributed in the eastern hemisphere.
+While found in great plenty in the Frozen Ocean, in its central and
+eastern parts, towards the west, on the northern coasts of Russia and
+Lapland, they are never seen--except when by chance they have strayed
+thither, or been drifted upon masses of floating ice.
+
+It is unnecessary to remark that this species of bear lives almost
+exclusively near the sea, and _by_ the sea.  He may be almost said to
+dwell upon it: since out of the twelve months in the year, ten of them
+at least are passed by him upon the fields of ice.  During the short
+summer of the Arctic regions, he makes a trip inland--rarely extending
+it above fifty miles, and never over a hundred--guided in his excursions
+by the courses of rivers that fall into the sea.  His purpose in making
+these inland expeditions, is to pick up the freshwater fish; which he
+finds it convenient to catch in the numerous falls or shallows of the
+streams.  He also varies his fish diet at this season, by making an
+occasional meal on such roots and berries as he may find growing along
+the banks.  At other times of the year, when all inland water is frozen
+up, and even the sea to a great distance from land, he then keeps along
+the extreme edge of the frozen surface, and finds his food in the open
+water of the sea.  Sea-fish of different species, seals, the young
+walrus, and even at times the young of the great whale itself, become
+his prevail of which he hunts and captures with a skill and cunning,
+that appears more the result of a reasoning process than a mere
+instinct.
+
+His natatory powers appear to have no limit: at all events, he has been
+met with swimming about in open water full twenty miles from either ice
+or land.  He has been often seen much further from shore, drifting upon
+masses of ice; but it is doubtful whether he cared much for the footing
+thus afforded him.  It is quite possible he can swim as long as it
+pleases him, or until his strength may become exhausted by hunger.
+While going through the water, it does not appear necessary for him to
+make the slightest effort; and he can even spring up above the surface,
+and bound forward after the manner of porpoises or other _cetaceae_.
+
+If any quadruped has ever reached the pole, it is the polar bear; and it
+is quite probable that his range extends to this remarkable point on the
+earth's surface.  Most certainly it may, if we suppose that there is
+open water around the pole--a supposition that, by analogical reasoning,
+may be proved to be correct.  The daring Parry found white bears at 82
+degrees; and there is no reason why they should not traverse the
+intervening zone of 500 odd miles, almost as easily as the fowls of the
+air or the fish of the sea.  No doubt there are polar bears around the
+pole; though it may be assumed for certain that none of them ever
+attempts to "swarm" up it, as the white bear is not the best climber of
+his kind.  The female of the polar bear is not so much addicted to a
+maritime life as her liege lord.  The former, unless when barren, keeps
+upon the land; and it is upon the land that she brings forth her young.
+When pregnant, she wanders off to some distance from the shore; and
+choosing her bed, she lies down, goes to sleep, and there remains until
+spring.  She does not, like other hybernating bears, seek out a cave or
+hollow tree; for in the desolate land she inhabits, ofttimes neither one
+nor the other could be found.  She merely waits for the setting-in of a
+great snow-storm--which her instinct warns her of--and then, stretching
+herself under the lee of a rock--or other inequality, where the snow
+will be likely to form a deep drift--she remains motionless till it has
+"smoored" her quite up, often covering her body to the depth of several
+feet.  There she remains throughout the winter, completely motionless,
+and apparently in a state of torpor.  The heat of her body thawing the
+snow that comes immediately in contact with it, together with some
+warmth from her limited breathing, in time enlarges the space around
+her, so that she reclines inside a sort of icy shell.  It is fortunate
+that circumstances provide her with this extra room: since in due course
+of time she will stand in need of it for the company she expects.
+
+And in process of time it is called into use.  When the spring sun
+begins to melt the snow outside, the bear becomes a mother, and a brace
+of little white cubs make their appearance, each about as big as a
+rabbit.
+
+The mother does not immediately lead them forth from their snowy
+chamber; but continues to suckle them there until they are of the size
+of Arctic foxes, and ready to take the road.  Then she makes an effort,
+breaks through the icy crust that forms the dome of her dwelling, and
+commences her journey towards the sea.
+
+There are times when the snow around her has become so firmly caked,
+that, with her strength exhausted by the suckling of her cubs, the bear
+is unable to break through it.  In a case of this kind, she is compelled
+to remain in an involuntary durance--until the sun gradually melts the
+ice around her and sets her free.  Then she issues from her prolonged
+imprisonment, only the shadow of her former self, and scarce able to
+keep her feet.
+
+The Northern Indians and Eskimos capture hundreds of these hybernating
+bears every season--taking both them and their cubs at the same time.
+They find the retreat in various ways: sometimes by their dogs scraping
+to get into it, and sometimes by observing the white hoar that hangs
+over a little hole which the warmth of the bear's breath has kept open
+in the snow.
+
+The hunters, having ascertained the exact position of the animal's body,
+either dig from above, and spear the old she in her bed; or they make a
+tunnel in a horizontal direction, and, getting a noose around the head
+or one of the paws of the bear, drag her forth in that way.
+
+To give an account of the many interesting habits peculiar to the polar
+bear--with others which this species shares in common with the Bruin
+family--would require a volume to itself.  These habits are well
+described by many writers of veracity,--such as Lyon, Hearne,
+Richardson, and a long array of other Arctic explorers.  It is therefore
+unnecessary to dwell on them here--where we have only space to narrate
+an adventure which occurred to our young bear-hunters, while procuring
+the skin of this interesting quadruped.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.
+
+THE OLD SHE SURROUNDED.
+
+They had been for some days on the lookout for a white bear; and had
+made several excursions from the Port--going as far as the mouth of the
+Seal river, which runs into Hudson's Bay a little farther to the north.
+On all these excursions they had been unsuccessful; for, although they
+had several times come upon the track of the bears, and had even seen
+them at a distance, they were unable in a single instance to get within
+shot.  The difficulty arose from the level nature of the ground, and its
+being quite destitute of trees or other cover, under which they might
+approach the animals.  The country around Fort Churchill is of this
+character--and indeed along the whole western shore of Hudson's Bay,
+where the soil is a low alluviom, without either rocks or hills.  This
+formation runs landward for about a hundred miles--constituting a strip
+of marshy soil, which separates the sea from a parallel limestone
+formation further inward.  Then succeed the primitive rocks, which cover
+a large interior tract of country, known as the "Barren Grounds."
+
+It is only on the low belt adjoining the coast that the polar bear is
+found; but the females range quite across to the skirts of the woods
+which cover the limestone formation.  Our hunters therefore knew that
+either upon the shore itself, or upon the low alluvial tract adjoining
+it, they would have to search for their game; and to this district they
+confined their search.
+
+On the fifth day they made a more extended excursion towards the
+interior.  It was now the season of midsummer, when the old males range
+up the banks of the streams: partly with the design of catching a few
+freshwater fish, partly to nibble at the sweet berries, but above all to
+meet the females, who just then, with their half-grown cubs, come coyly
+seaward to meet their old friends of the previous year, and introduce
+their offspring to their fathers, who up to this hour have not set eyes
+on them.
+
+On the present excursion our hunters were more fortunate than before:
+since they not only witnessed a reunion of this sort, but succeeded in
+making a capture of the whole family,--father, mother, and cubs.
+
+They had on this occasion gone up the Churchill river, and were
+ascending a branch stream that runs into the latter, some miles above
+the fort.  Their mode of travelling was in a birch-bark canoe: for
+horses are almost unknown in the territory of the Hudson's Bay Company,
+excepting in those parts of it that consist of prairie.  Throughout most
+of this region the only means of travelling is by canoes and boats,
+which are managed by men who follow it as a calling, and who are styled
+"voyageurs."  They are nearly all of Canadian origin--many of them
+half-breeds, and extremely skilful in the navigation of the lakes and
+rivers of this untrodden wilderness.  Of course most of them are in the
+employ of the Hudson's Bay Company; and when not actually engaged in
+"voyaging" do a little hunting and trapping on their own account.
+
+Two of these voyageurs--kindly furnished by the chief factor at the
+fort--propelled the canoe which carried our young hunters; so that with
+Pouchskin there were five men in the little craft.  This was nothing,
+however, as birch-bark canoes are used in the Territory of a much larger
+kind--some that will even carry tons of merchandise and a great many
+men.  Along the bank of the stream into which they had now entered grew
+a selvage of willows--here and there forming leafy thickets that were
+impenetrable to the eye; but in other places standing so thinly, that
+the plains beyond them could be seen out of the canoe.
+
+It was a likely enough place for white bears to be found in--especially
+at this season, when, as already stated, the old males go inland to meet
+the females, as well as to indulge in a little vegetable diet, after
+having confined themselves all the rest of the year to fish and
+seal-flesh.  The voyageurs said that there were many bulbous roots
+growing in those low meadows of which the bears are very fond; and also
+_larvae_ of certain insects, found in heaps, like anthills--which by
+Bruin are esteemed a delicacy of the rarest kind.
+
+For this reason our hunters were regarding the land on both sides of the
+stream, occasionally standing up in the canoe to reconnoitre over the
+tops of the willows, or peering through them where they grew thinly.
+While passing opposite one of the breaks in the willow-grove, a
+spectacle came before their eyes that caused them to order the canoe to
+be stopped, and the voyageurs to rest on their oars.
+
+Alexis, who had been upon the lookout, at first did not know what to
+make of the spectacle: so odd was the grouping of the figures that
+composed it.  He could see a large number of animals of _quadrupedal_
+form, but of different colours.  Some were nearly white, others brown or
+reddish-brown, and several were quite black.  All appeared to have long
+shaggy hair, cocked ears, and large bushy tails.  They were not standing
+at rest, but moving about--now running rapidly from point to point, now
+leaping up in the air, while some were rushing round in circles!  In all
+there appeared to be thirty or forty of them; and they covered a space
+of ground about as large as a drawing-room floor.
+
+There was a slight haze or mist hanging over the meadow, which hindered
+Alexis from having a clear view of these animals; and, through the
+magnifying influence of this sort of atmosphere, they appeared as large
+as young oxen.  Their form, however, was very different from these; and
+from their pointed ears, long muzzles, and full bunching tails, Alexis
+could think of nothing else to compare them to but wolves.  Their varied
+colours signified nothing: since in these northern lands there are
+wolves of many varieties from white to black; and wolves they really
+were--only magnified by the mist into gigantic proportions.
+
+Alexis had not viewed them long before perceiving that they were not
+_all_ wolves.  In their midst was an animal of a very different kind--
+much larger than any of them; but what sort of a creature it was the
+young hunter could not make out.
+
+Ivan, who had risen to his feet, was equally puzzled to tell.
+
+It appeared as large as half a dozen of the wolves rolled up into one,
+and was whiter than the whitest of them; but it looked as if it had a
+hunch upon its back; and altogether more like a shapeless mass of white
+bristly hair than a regularly-formed quadruped.  It must be an animal,
+however, as its motions testified; for it was seen to be turning round
+and round, and at intervals darting forward a pace or two, as if working
+its way in the direction of the river.
+
+Whatever the animal was, it soon became clear that it was battling with
+the wolves that surrounded it; and this accounted for the singular
+movements that these last were making, as well as for their fierce
+barking and growling that, in confused chorus, filled the air.  At
+intervals, and still louder, could be heard a different sort of cry--
+shrill and plaintive, like the hinny of a mule--and evidently proceeding
+not from the wolves, but from the huge white animal which they were
+assailing.
+
+The voyageurs at once recognised the cry.
+
+"A bear!--a sea bear!" exclaimed both together.
+
+One of them stood up, and looked over the plain.
+
+"Yes," said he, confirming his first assertion.  "An old she it is,
+surrounded by wolves.  Ha! it's her cubs they're after!  _Voila,
+messieurs_!  She's got one of them on her back.  _Enfant de garce_, how
+the old beldam keeps them at bay!  She's fighting her way to the water!"
+
+Guided by the words of the voyageur, our hunters now perceived clearly
+enough that the white object appearing over the backs of the wolves was
+neither more nor less than a large bear; and that which they had taken
+for a hunch upon its shoulders was another bear--a young one, stretched
+out at full length along the back of its mother, and clinging there,
+with its forearms clasped around her neck.
+
+It was evident, also, as the voyageur had said, that the old she was
+endeavouring to work her way towards the river--in hopes, no doubt, of
+retreating to the water, where she knew the wolves would not dare to
+follow her.  This was evidently her design: for, while they stood
+watching, she advanced several yards of ground in the direction of the
+stream.
+
+Notwithstanding the fierce eagerness with which the wolves kept up the
+attack, they were observing considerable caution in the conflict.  They
+had good reason: since before their eyes was an example of what they
+might expect, if they came to _very_ close quarters.  Upon the ground
+over which the fight had been raging, three or four of their number were
+seen lying apparently dead--while others were limping around, or sneaked
+off with whining cries, licking the wounds they had received from the
+long claws of their powerful adversary.
+
+It was rather an odd circumstance for the wolves to have thus attacked a
+polar bear--an antagonist of which they stand in the utmost dread.  The
+thing, however, was explained by one of the voyageurs; who said that the
+bear in question was a weak one--half-famished, perhaps, and feeble from
+having suckled her young; and it was the cubs, and not the old bear
+herself, that the wolves were after--thinking to separate these from
+their mother, and so destroy and devour them.  Perhaps one of them had
+been eaten up already: since only one could be seen; and there are
+always two cubs in a litter.
+
+Our young hunters did not think of staying longer to watch the strange
+encounter.  Their sole idea was to get possession of the bear and her
+cub; and with this intent they ordered the voyageurs to paddle close up
+to the shore and land them.  As soon as the canoe touched the bank, both
+leaped out; and, followed by Pouchskin, proceeded towards the scene of
+the conflict,--the voyageurs remaining in the canoe.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.
+
+A WHOLE FAMILY CAPTURED.
+
+The party had not gone more than a dozen steps from the water's edge,
+when a new object coming under their eyes caused them to halt.  This was
+another quadruped that at that moment was seen dashing out from the
+willows, and rushing onward towards the scene of the strife.  There was
+no mistaking the character of the creature.  Our hunters saw at a glance
+that it was a large white bear--much larger than the one surrounded by
+the wolves.  It was, in fact, the male; who, wandering in the thicket of
+willows--or, more likely, lying there asleep--had not till that moment
+been aware of what was going on, or that his wife and children were in
+such deadly danger.  Perhaps it was the noise that had awaked him; and
+he was just in the act of hastening forward to the rescue.
+
+With a shuffling gallop he glided over the plain--as fast as a horse
+could have gone; and in a few seconds he was close up to the scene of
+the conflict--to which his presence put an end right on the instant.
+The wolves, seeing him rush open-mouthed towards them, one and all
+bolted off; and ran at full speed over the plain, their long tails
+streaming out behind them.  Those that were wounded, however, could not
+get clear so easily; and the enraged bear, charging upon these, rushed
+from one to the other, knocking the breath out of each as he came up to
+it, with a single "pat" of his heavy paws.
+
+In less than ten seconds the ground was quite cleared of the ravenous
+wolves.  Only the dead ones remained on it; while the others, having got
+off to a safe distance, halted in straggling groups; and, with their
+tails drooping upon the grass, stood gazing back with looks of
+melancholy disappointment.
+
+Bruin, meanwhile, having settled his affair with the wounded wolves, ran
+up to his mate; and, throwing his paws around her neck, appeared to
+congratulate her upon her escape!  And now did our hunters perceive that
+there were two cubs instead of one--that which still clung fast upon the
+mother's back, and another which was seen under her belly, and which she
+had been equally protecting against the crowd of assailants that
+surrounded her.
+
+Both the little fellows--about as large as foxes they were--now
+perceived that they were out of a danger--which, no doubt, they had
+perfectly comprehended.  That upon the shoulders of the dam leaped down
+to the earth; while the other crawled out "from under;" and both coming
+together began tumbling about over the grass, and rolling over one
+another in play, the parents watching with interest their uncouth
+gambols.
+
+Notwithstanding the well-known ferocity of these animals, there was
+something so tender in the spectacle, that our hunters hesitated about
+advancing.  Alexis, in particular, whose disposition was a shade more
+gentle than that of his companions, felt certain qualms of compassion,
+as he looked upon this exhibition of feelings and affections that
+appeared almost human.  Ivan was even touched; and certainly neither he
+nor his brother would have slain these creatures out of mere wanton
+sport.  They would not have thought of such a thing under ordinary
+circumstances; and it was only from the necessity they were under of
+procuring the skin that they thought of it at all.  Perhaps they would
+even have passed this group; and taken their chances of finding another,
+that might make a less powerful appeal to their compassion; but in this
+they were overruled by Pouchskin.  The old grenadier was afflicted by no
+such tender sentiments; and throwing aside all scruple, before his young
+masters could interfere to prevent him, he advanced a few paces forward,
+and discharged his fusil, broadside at the biggest of the bears.
+
+Whether he hit the bear or not, was not then known.  Certain it was that
+he in no way crippled the animal; for, as soon as the smoke had cleared
+out of his eyes, he saw the huge quadruped part from the side of his
+mate, and come charging down upon him.
+
+Pouchskin hesitated for a moment whether to withstand the attack, and
+had drawn his knife to be ready; but the formidable appearance of the
+antagonist, his immense size, and fierce aspect, admonished Pouchskin
+that in this case discretion might be the better part of valour, and he
+yielded to the suggestion.  Indeed, the two voyageurs in the canoe were
+already shouting to all three to run for it--warning them of the danger
+they were in by the most earnest speech and gesture.
+
+Ivan and Alexis stood their ground till Pouchskin had returned to where
+they were, and then both fired upon the bear.  They may have hit him or
+not; but the huge monster showed no sign, and only appeared to charge
+forward the faster.
+
+All three together now ran for the boat.  It was their only refuge; for
+had it been a trial of speed, and much ground to go over, the bear would
+certainly have overtaken them; and a few wipes from his paw would have
+ended the life of one or the other--perhaps of the whole trio.
+
+It was fortunate they had the boat to flee to: else Pouchskin's
+imprudence, in provoking the bear, might have led to a fatal
+termination.
+
+Quick as their legs could carry them they made for the canoe; and one
+after the other leaped into it.  Without even waiting for them to seat
+themselves, the two voyageurs pushed off from the bank, suddenly
+shooting the craft out into the middle of the stream.
+
+But this did not stay the pursuit of the infuriated bear, nor even delay
+him for a moment.
+
+On reaching the bank, he did not make halt; but, launching out, sprang
+down with a plunge upon the water.  Then, stretching his body at full
+length, he swam direct after the canoe.
+
+The craft had been turned head down the stream; and, what with the help
+of the current and the impulse of the oars, it swept onward with
+arrow-like rapidity.  But for all that it soon became apparent that the
+bear was gaining upon it--his broad paws enabling him to swim with the
+velocity of a fish--while every now and then he rose above the surface,
+and bounded forward to a distance of several feet through the air!
+
+The voyageurs plied their paddles with all their skill and energy; there
+was the dread of death to stimulate them to the utmost exertion of their
+strength.  They knew well, that, if the bear should succeed in coming up
+with the canoe, he would either mount into it, and drive all of them
+into the water; or, what was more probable, he would upset the craft,
+and spill the whole party out of it.  In either case, there would be the
+danger of coming in contact with his claws; and that, they knew, was the
+danger of death itself.
+
+The hunters were all three busy reloading their guns; and getting ready
+to fire before the enemy should be up to them.
+
+They were not in time, however.  With the motion of the boat, and the
+constrained attitudes in which it placed them, the loading was a slow
+process; and, before any of the three had a bullet down, the bear was
+close astern.  Only Ivan had a barrel loaded; and this, unfortunately,
+was with small shot, which he had been keeping for waterfowl.  He fired
+it, nevertheless, right into the teeth of the pursuer; but, instead of
+stopping him, it only increased his rage, and roused him to make still
+greater efforts to overtake the canoe.
+
+Pouchskin, in despair, threw down his gun, and seized upon an axe, that
+by good luck had been brought in the boat.  With this firmly grasped in
+his hands, and kneeling in the stern, he waited the approach of the
+infuriated swimmer.
+
+The bear had got close up to the boat--in fact was within the length of
+his own body of touching it.  Believing himself now near enough, he made
+one of his prodigious bounds, and launched himself forward.  His sharp
+claws rattled against the birch-bark, tearing a large flake from the
+craft.  Had this not given way, his hold would have been complete; and
+the boat would, in all likelihood, have been dragged, stern foremost,
+under water.  But the failure of his clutch brought the head of the
+monster once more on a level with the surface; and before he could raise
+it to make a second spring, the great wedge of steel descended upon his
+crown, and went crashing through his skull.
+
+Almost in the same instant, he was seen to turn over in the water; his
+limbs moved only with a spasmodic action; he gave a feeble kick or two
+with his long hind legs; and then his carcass floated along the surface,
+like a mass of white foam.
+
+It was soon secured, and drawn out upon the bank--for the purpose of
+being stripped of its snow-white robe.
+
+Our young hunters would have been contented to have left the others
+alone--neither the female nor her cubs being required by them.  But the
+voyageurs--who were desirous of obtaining the skins of all three on
+their own account--proposed returning to effect their destruction; and
+in this proposal they were backed by Pouchskin, who had a natural
+antipathy to all bears.
+
+It ended in the killing of the dam, and the capturing of her cubs alive;
+for, encumbered as the old she was with her offspring, she was soon
+overtaken, and fell an easy victim to the volley of bullets that were
+poured into her from all sides at once.
+
+With the skins of the old bears, and the cubs tied in the bottom of the
+canoe, our hunters started back down stream; but they had scarce parted
+from the place, before the ravenous wolves returned--not only to devour
+the carcases of the bears, but also those of their own comrades that had
+fallen in the encounter!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY SIX.
+
+THE BARREN GROUNDS.
+
+The "Barren Ground bear" was next to be sought for; but to reach the
+haunts of this animal, a long and toilsome journey must be made.  That
+tract of the Hudson's Bay territory known as the "Barren Grounds,"
+extends from the shores of the Arctic Sea as far south as the latitude
+of the Churchill river; bounded eastward by Hudson's Bay itself, and
+westward by a chain of lakes, of which the Great Slave and Athapescow
+are the principal.
+
+This immense territory is almost unexplored to the present hour.  Even
+the Hudson's Bay trappers have a very imperfect knowledge of it.  It has
+been crossed in one or two places, and skirted by exploring parties, but
+it is still almost a _terra ignota_, except to the four or five tribes
+of Indians who dwell around its borders, and the Esquimaux, who venture
+a little way into it along the coast of the Arctic Sea.
+
+Before proceeding to hunt the Barren Ground bear, let us say a word
+about his species.  By writers, both old and modern, he has been
+variously classed.  Even the ablest naturalist who has written about him
+is puzzled as to his species.  We speak of Sir John Richardson, the
+companion of the lamented Franklin, and himself one of the great men of
+the earth.  Sir John first regarded this bear, though very doubtfully,
+as a variety of the _ursus americanus_, or American black bear.  Later
+observations influenced him to change this opinion; and again with
+modest doubtfulness--characteristic of the man--he suggests his being a
+variety of the _ursus arctos_.
+
+We shall make bold to affirm that he is a variety of neither; but a
+distinct species of bear.
+
+We shall give our reasons--and first, as to his distinctness from the
+_ursus americanus_.  He is not like the latter, either in colour, shape
+of body, bulk, profile, physiognomy, length of feet or tail.  In all
+these respects he bears a greater resemblance to the _ursus arctos_, or
+even to his nearer neighbour, the grizzly (_ursus ferox_).  He differs
+from both these, however, in other points--as will presently be seen.
+Again, he is of a fiercer disposition than the black bear, and more
+dangerous to the hunter--almost as much so as the grizzly, and quite as
+much as the brown.  Moreover, he dwells in a country in which the black
+bear could not make his home.  To the existence of the latter, the
+forest is essential; and he is never found far out of it.  It is not the
+higher latitude that keeps him out of the Barren Grounds, but the
+absence of timber.  This is proved by the fact of his being found quits
+as far northward as any part of the Barren Grounds, but where the
+limestone formation favours the growth of trees; whereas, among the
+primitive rocks to the north of Nelson river, the black bear does not
+exist--the very region that appears most favourable to the existence of
+the Barren Ground species--who cares not for trees, and cannot climb
+them.
+
+Still another material difference may be pointed out.  The black bear,
+in his normal state, is altogether frugivorous--a true vegetable feeder.
+The other is carnivorous and piscivorous--at one season killing and
+eating marmots and mice, at another frequenting the sea coast and
+subsisting upon fish.  In a word, the two bears are as unlike as may
+be--they are distinct species.
+
+To compare the Barren Ground bear with the _ursus arctos_.  The former
+is certainly much more like this species, than he is to the _ursus
+americanus_; but again we _encounter_ notable points of difference; and
+were it not for a certain resemblance in colour, it is possible the two
+kinds would never have been brought into comparison.  It is easy,
+however, to prove them also distinct species--by simply observing that
+their habits are altogether unlike.  The _ursus arctos_ is a
+_tree-climbing wood bear_: the Barren Ground species is not.  The former
+prefers a vegetable diet--the latter likes better fish, flesh, and
+insects--though he will also fill his stomach with a farrago of
+vegetable matters.
+
+But to say nothing of the very different habits of the two animals,
+there is a yellowish tinge over the fur of the American species, that is
+not observed in the brown bears of European countries--except, perhaps,
+in those of the Pyrenees--and at certain seasons this tinge turns so
+pale, as to give a whitish appearance to the animal: hence, by the
+Indians, they are often termed "white bears."
+
+It is, besides, altogether improbable, that the brown bear of Europe
+should turn up in the "Barren Grounds" of the Hudson's Bay territory--an
+isolated, treeless tract--quite unlike his habitat in the Old World; and
+to which no line of migration could be traced with much probability.  We
+might suppose such a migration through Siberia and Russian America; and
+certainly there is some probability in this view: for although it has
+been hitherto stated that the Barren Ground bear is only found within
+the limits of the peculiar district so called, it is very certain that
+his range extends beyond these boundaries.  The brown bear of Russian
+America and the Aleutian Islands appears to be identical with this
+species; and there is a suspicion, that the brown species of Kamschatka
+is no other than the Barren Ground bear of the Hudson's Bay.  The
+fishing habits of the former go some ways towards an identification of
+the two species--at the same time separating both from the _ursus
+arctos_ of Scandinavia.
+
+It needs hardly to be argued, that the Barren Ground bear is quite a
+distinct animal from the grizzly though writers have often confounded
+them.  They are different in size and colour.  Though the grizzly is
+sometimes brown, it is always with a mixture of white tipped hairs; but
+the most essential distinction is to be found in the greater ferocity of
+the latter, and his far longer and more curving claws.  Many other
+points might be mentioned--showing them to be animals of two separate
+species--besides, their range is altogether distinct.
+
+The Barren Ground bear, then, is not the _ursus arctos, americanus_, or
+_ferox_.  What then?  Has he received no specific name from the
+naturalists?  Not yet.  Alexis, however, bestowed one upon him.  He
+named him after the man who has given the clearest account of his
+country and his habits; and whom Alexis deemed most worthy of the
+honour.  In his journal we find the record.  There it is written, that
+the Barren Ground bear is the _ursus Richardsonii_.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.
+
+BRUIN TAKING A BATH.
+
+To seek the haunts of this new species of bear, I have said that our
+hunters would have a long journey to make--even so far as the Great
+Slave Lake--for although the Barren Grounds extend many degrees to the
+south of this water, the _ursus Richardsonii_; rarely wanders to a lower
+latitude.  Upon the shores of the Slave Lake, however, they would be
+certain to encounter him; and thither they repaired.
+
+They were fortunate in the time of the year.  The annual "brigade" of
+boats belonging to the Great Fur Company was just setting out from York
+Factory, for Norway House on Lake Winnipeg; and thence a division of it
+would proceed to the posts still further northward--on Lake Athapescow
+and the waters of the Mackenzie River--passing through the Slave Lake
+itself.  Their object, of course, in their annual journey is to
+distribute at the fur stations, the goods, brought from England by the
+Company's ships, and in return bring back the peltries collected
+throughout the winter.
+
+With the brigade, then, went our hunters; and after enduring, in common
+with the others, the hardships and perils incidental to such a long
+inland voyage, they at length found themselves at the point of their
+destination--Fort Resolution, on the Great Slave Lake, near the mouth of
+the river bearing the same appellation.  The canoe of an Indian
+fisherman--of which there are many dwelling around the shores of this
+great inland sea--was soon pressed into service; and with the fisherman
+(who of course was a hunter also) for their guide and companion, they
+could make convenient excursions along the shores of the lake, land
+whenever they pleased, and search for Bruin in the localities where he
+was most likely to be encountered.  In this they were assisted by their
+hired guide; who was not long in putting them upon the trail of a bear.
+In fact, in the very first excursion which they made, one of the true
+breed was discovered and captured.
+
+The circumstances attending his capture were of no very particular
+interest; but as they illustrate one of the habits of this species, we
+shall give them as recorded in the journal of Alexis.
+
+They were paddling gently along the shore--through water that was as
+calm as a pond--when, at a great distance ahead of them, the Indian
+observed a slight rippling upon the surface, and pointed it out.  It was
+not caused by the wind; for there was not a breath stirring at the time;
+and it was not like the whitish curl which a breeze casts upon the
+surface of water.  It resembled more a series of little wavelets, such
+as proceed from a stone plunged into a deep pool, or from a disturbance
+of the water caused by the movements of some animal.  The Indian said
+that it was a bear: though there was no bear, nor any living thing in
+sight!
+
+As the canoe moved nearer, our hunters perceived that there was an
+indentation on the shore--a little creek or bay out of which the ripples
+were proceeding.  The guide knew that there was such a bay; and believed
+that the bear would be found somewhere within it, swimming about in the
+water.
+
+The hunters did not stay to inquire the reason why Bruin should be thus
+bathing himself?  There was no time: for just at that instant the Indian
+beached his canoe; and desired them all to disembark and follow such
+further instructions as he might give them.  Without hesitation they
+accepted his invitation; resolved to act according to his counsel.
+
+The Indian, after making his boat fast, took the route inland, followed
+by the other three.  After going some three or four hundred yards, he
+turned to the left, and conducted the party around the shore of the
+bay--which trended in a semicircular or horse-shoe shape.  He did not
+take all of them around; but only one, whom he stationed on the opposite
+side.  This was Pouchskin.  Ivan he had already placed on the nearer
+side, and Alexis at the bottom--so that they were thus set at the three
+angles of a triangle, nearly equilateral.
+
+On assigning to each of them his station, the Indian further instructed
+them to creep forward among the bushes--which still separated them from
+the water--and to do so without making any noise, till they should hear
+a "whoop" from himself.  This would be the signal for them to show
+themselves around the edge of the bay--in the water of which the Indian
+hunter was confident a bear was bathing himself.  He himself returned to
+his canoe.
+
+Agreeably to his instructions, the three hunters crawled forward--each
+on his own line of approach, and all observing the greatest caution and
+silence.  As soon as their eyes rested upon the water, they perceived
+the correctness of the Indian's conjecture.  A bear there was, sure
+enough!
+
+They saw only his head; but this was sufficient for Bruin's
+identification: since no similar cranium could have been encountered in
+such a place.
+
+As the Indian had apprised them, the bear was swimming about in the bay;
+but for what purpose it was at first difficult to make out.  To their
+astonishment, he swam with his mouth wide open--so that they could see
+the interior of his great encarmined palate, while his long tongue
+flapped out at intervals, and appeared to sweep the surface of the
+water.  At intervals, too, he was seen to close his mouth--the huge jaws
+coming together with a "clap-clap," the noise of which could be heard
+echoing far over the lake!
+
+He did not go long in one course; but ever and anon kept turning
+himself, and quartering the bay in every direction.
+
+It was a long time before the spectators could find any explanation of
+these odd manoeuvres on the part of the bear.  They might have fancied
+he was merely taking a cool bath to refresh himself: for the day was
+exceedingly hot, and the air was filled with mosquitoes--as our hunters
+had already learnt to their great discomfort.  It might have been to get
+rid of these tormentors that Bruin had submerged his body in the water;
+and so Pouchskin concluded, and also Ivan--though both were puzzled by
+the odd behaviour of the bear, in swimming open-mouthed, and at
+intervals snapping his jaws as he did.  Alexis, however, was a better
+reasoner; and soon discovered the why and the wherefore of these
+mysterious demonstrations.  Alexis saw that the surface of the water was
+thickly coated with something; and, on scrutinising it more closely, he
+made out this something to be a swarm of insects.  There appeared to be
+more than one species of them--two indeed there were--both about the
+size of ordinary gadflies; but altogether different from each other in
+colour and habits.  One was a sort of water-beetle that swam near the
+surface; while the other was a winged insect that occasionally rose into
+the air, but more generally crawled along the water--making short runs
+from place to place, then stopping a moment, and then darting on again.
+The whole surface of the bay--and even out for some distance into the
+lake--fairly swarmed with these creatures; and it was in pursuit of them
+that Bruin was whisking his tongue so rapidly about, and bringing his
+jaws together in such sonorous concussion.  The animal was simply
+indulging in a favourite meal--which in summer is furnished him not only
+on the shores of the Great Slave Lake, but most of the smaller lakes
+throughout the Barren Grounds.
+
+Alexis had scarce finished making the observation, when a loud "whoop"
+was heard from the direction of the lake; and almost at the same instant
+the canoe of the Indian was seen shooting through the water, right for
+the entrance of the bay!
+
+Obedient to the signal, the three hunters rushed out from their cover,
+and ran forward upon the beech--each holding his gun in readiness to
+fire.  The bear, seeing himself thus suddenly and unexpectedly
+surrounded, at once gave over his fly-trapping; but, irresolute in which
+direction to retreat, he turned round and round in the water, first
+swimming a bit one way and then another.  At length, rearing himself
+high above the surface, and showing his sharp teeth, he uttered a deep
+growl of rage, and dashed recklessly towards the shore.
+
+It was to Ivan's side he first directed himself; but Ivan was upon the
+watch; and, advancing close to the edge of the water, he took aim and
+fired.
+
+His bullet struck the bear right upon the snout, and it appeared to have
+spun him round--so quickly was he seen heading in the opposite
+direction.
+
+It was now Pouchskin's turn; and in a second after the loud report of
+the grenadier's gun went booming over the lake, while the ball splashed
+the water right into the eyes of the bear.  Though it did not hit any
+part of his body, it had the effect of half-turning him--so that he now
+swam towards Alexis, stationed at the bottom of the bay.
+
+Alexis took the matter more coolly.  There was a convenient tree
+behind--to which he intended to retreat in case of missing--and this
+influenced him to hold his ground, till the bear should come near enough
+to ensure a certain aim.
+
+The bear swam straight on, until within some ten yards of where Alexis
+was standing; when all at once he appeared to take the rue, and was
+turning off to one side.  This was just what Alexis desired: it brought
+the head of the animal broadside towards him, and, taking steady aim, he
+planted his bullet a little under the left ear.
+
+It was a dead shot.  The huge creature, loaded with fat, sank instantly
+to the bottom; but fortunately the water was shallow; and the Indian now
+coming in with his canoe, soon fished up the carcass, and towed it out
+upon the beach--where its fur coat was stripped off in a trice.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.
+
+THE GREAT GRIZZLY.
+
+The grizzly bear (_ursus ferox_), the fiercest and most formidable of
+the ursine family, was the next to be captured and skinned.
+
+The range of the grizzly, though wider than that of the Barren Ground
+bear, is still not so extensive as that of the _ursus americanus_.  The
+great chain or cordillera of the Rocky Mountains may be taken as the
+_axis_ of his range--since he is found throughout its whole extent, from
+Mexico to its declension near the shores of the Arctic Sea.  Some
+writers have asserted that he is confined to these mountains, but that
+is an error.  To the west of them he is encountered throughout all the
+countries lying between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific coast--
+wherever circumstances are favourable to his existence; and to the east
+he extends his wanderings for a considerable distance into the great
+plains--though nowhere so far as to the wooded countries near the
+meridian of the Mississippi.  In these the black bear is the only
+forest-ranger of the family.
+
+Woods are not the favourite haunt of the grizzly bear; and although in
+youth he can make a sort of scramble up a tree, when full-grown his
+enormous claws--always blunted at the tips--hinder him from climbing.
+Low bushy thickets, with open glades intervening--and especially where
+the underwood consists of berry-bearing bushes--are his chosen retreats.
+He often sallies out into the open ground; and on those prairies where
+grows the _pomme blanche_, or "Indian turnip" (_psoralea esculenta_), he
+may be seen tearing up the earth with his claws, and leaving it turned
+into furrows--as if a drove of hogs had been "rooting" the ground.  On
+the bottoms of the streams he also digs up the "kamas" root (_camassia
+esculenta_), the "yampah," (_anethum graveolens_), the "kooyah"
+(_Valeriana edulis_), and the root of a species of thistle (_circium
+virginianum_).  Many species of fruits and berries furnish him with an
+occasional meal; and the sweet pods of the mesquites (species of
+_acacia_), and the cones of the pinon tree (_pinus edulis_) form
+portions of his varied larder.
+
+He does not, however, confine himself to a vegetable diet.  Like most of
+his kind, he is also carnivorous, and will dine off the carcass of a
+horse or buffalo.  The latter animal, notwithstanding its enormous bulk
+and strength, frequently falls a prey to the grizzly bear.  The long
+masses of hair that hang over the eyes of the buffalo, hinder it from
+perceiving the presence of an enemy; and, unless warned by the scent, it
+is easily approached.  The bear, knowing this, steals up against the
+wind; and, when within safe distance, springs upon the hind quarters of
+the ruminant, and cramping it in his great claws, succeeds in dragging
+it to the ground.  He is even able to transport the huge carcass to a
+considerable distance--for the purpose of concealing it in some thicket,
+and devouring it at his leisure.
+
+The grizzly bear is more like to the brown bear of Europe than to any
+other species of the genus.  His fur is long and shaggy--not presenting
+the even surface which characterises the coat of the black bear.  It is
+generally of a dark-brown colour--the hair being whitish at the tips,
+more especially during the summer season, when it becomes
+lighter-coloured.  The head is always of a grizzled grey; and it is this
+appearance that has obtained for the animal its specific name.  There
+are brown, reddish-brown, bay or cinnamon--coloured, and white-breasted
+varieties of the black bear; but the Indians can distinguish all these
+from the true grizzly at a glance.  In all of the latter, where there
+are white hairs intermingled with the fur, it is always observable that
+these odd hairs are white to the roots; whereas the hoary appearance of
+the grizzly is caused by only the tips of the hair being white.  This
+characteristic is constant; and would of itself justify a distinction
+being made between the species; but there are many other points of
+greater importance.  The ears of the grizzly are shorter, more conical,
+and set wider apart than in either the _ursus americanus_ or _arctos_.
+His claws are white, arched, far longer, and broader than those of the
+other bears--their greatest breadth being across their upper surface.
+Underneath they are chamfered away to a sharp edge; and projecting far
+beyond the hair of the foot, they cut like chisels when the animal
+strikes a blow with them.  His huge paw is both broader and longer than
+that of other bears; while his tail, on the other hand, is short and
+inconspicuous--being completely buried under the fur of his buttocks.
+So characteristic is this appendage for its extreme shortness, that it
+is a standing joke among the Indians--when they have killed a grizzly
+bear--to desire any one unacquainted with the animal, to take hold of
+its tail!
+
+This appendage in the _ursus americanus_ and _ursus arctos_ is
+conspicuous enough; and in the Barren Ground bear is still longer than
+in either.
+
+There could be no possibility of mistaking an old or full-grown grizzly
+for any of the kindred species.  Both in size and aspect he is
+different.  It is only in the case of young or half-grown specimens
+where a mistake of this kind is likely to be made.  The enormous size of
+the old males--often weighing 1,000 pounds, and quite equalling the
+largest individuals of the _ursus maritimus_--renders them easy of
+identification; though it is certain that under favourable circumstances
+the _ursus arctos_ often attains to a similar bulk.
+
+In ferocity of disposition, however, in carnivorous inclination, and in
+strength and power to carry out his mischievous propensities, no bear,
+not even the _ursus maritimus_, appears to be a match for this monster
+of the Rocky Mountains.  The hunter never thinks of attacking him,
+unless when assisted by a number of his comrades; and even then it may
+be a fatal encounter for one or more of them.  Were it not for the
+advantage obtained by their being mounted on horseback, the grizzly
+would always have a wide berth given him: but fortunately this fierce
+quadruped is unable to overtake the mounted hunter--although he can
+easily come up with a man on foot.
+
+As to fearing or running away from a human antagonist, the younger
+grizzlies may sometimes do so; but when an old male has been attacked
+the case is quite different.  A full-grown individual will stand his
+ground against a crowd of assailants--charging from one to the other,
+and showing fight so long as there is breath in his body.
+
+The number of Indian and white hunters, who have either been killed or
+badly mutilated by grizzly bears, is almost incredible.  Were it not
+that these men are usually mounted on good horses the list would have
+been still greater; and his intended victims often find another means of
+escaping from his claws--by taking to a tree.
+
+Fortunate it is that nature has not bestowed upon the grizzly the power
+of tree-climbing; else many a pursued hunter, who has succeeded in
+gaining the branches of a friendly cottonwood, might have found his
+refuge anything but a secure one.
+
+In fact, climbing into a tree--when one can be reached--is the common
+resource of all persons pursued by the grizzly bear; and by this means
+did our hunters themselves escape from a brace of infuriated grizzlies,
+while engaged in hunting these formidable animals.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY NINE.
+
+A FUR-TRADER'S FORT.
+
+Having settled their accounts with Bruin of the Barren Grounds, our
+travellers proceeded down the Mackenzie river to the Hudson's Bay post
+of Fort Simpson.  Thence they ascended a large tributary of the
+Mackenzie, known as the "River of the Mountains,"--or as the Canadian
+voyagers call it, _Riviere aux Liards_.  This large stream has its
+sources far beyond the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains: thus
+exhibiting the curious phenomenon of a river, breaking through a chain
+of mountains in a transverse direction; though the same occurs in
+several other parts of the Rocky Mountain range, and also in the Andes
+of South America.  On the _Riviere aux Liards_ the Hudson's Bay Company
+have several posts--as Forts Simpson, Liard, and Halkett--the
+last-mentioned being far up among the mountains.  Westward again, upon
+the Pacific side, they have other trading stations--the most important
+of which is that of Pellyss Banks, situated at the junction of Lewis and
+Pelly rivers.  These rivers, after joining, run into the Pacific, not
+far from Mount Saint Elios--long noted as a landmark to the navigators
+of the North Pacific ocean.
+
+From Fort Halkett, a route has been established to the post at Pelly's
+Banks by means of Dease's river--which is one of the effluents of the
+_Riviere aux Liards_--and partly by canoe navigation and partly by
+"portage;" the continent can be crossed in this northern latitude.  From
+Pelly's Banks to the Pacific coast the route is still easier--for not
+only do the Russians visit these parts, but there are native Indian
+traders who go twice every year from Pelly's Banks to Sitka--the
+entrepot of the Russian Fur Company--and the Lynn channel, a little to
+the north of Sitka, is also visited by the steamers of the Hudson's Bay
+Company itself.
+
+Our travellers would therefore have no difficulty in reaching Sitka; and
+thence crossing to the peninsula of Kamschatka, on the Asiatic coast.
+On their way over the Rocky Mountains, they would be certain to fall in
+with the grizzly; and in the countries lying along the Pacific, they
+could obtain that variety of the _ursus americanus_, known as the
+"cinnamon bear"--for it is to the west of the Rocky Mountains--in
+California, Oregon, British Columbia, and Russian America--that this
+spice-coloured species is most frequently met with.
+
+A party of fur-traders and trappers were just starting from Fort Simpson
+to carry supplies up to the posts of Liard and Halkett; and along with
+them our travellers went.
+
+On reaching the last-named station, they came to a halt, for the purpose
+of hunting the grizzly.
+
+They were not long in starting their game--for this fierce monster of
+the mountains is far from being a scarce animal.  In fact, in those
+districts which they choose for their "beat," the grizzly bears are more
+numerous than most other quadrupeds; and not unfrequently half a dozen
+or more of them may be seen together.  It is not that they are
+_gregarious_; but simply, that, being in considerable numbers in a
+particular neighbourhood, accident thus brings them together.  To see
+troops of four associating together is very common; but these are merely
+the members of one family--male, female, and yearling cubs--for two is
+the number of the progeny--the grizzly bear in this respect resembling
+his congener of the _ursus maritimus_, and differing as essentially from
+the black and brown bears--with whom three is the usual number of cubs
+at a birth.
+
+There are good reasons why the grizzly bears are not in much danger of
+being exterminated.  In the first place, their flesh is of inferior
+quality.  Even the Indians will not eat it; while they relish that of
+the black species.  Secondly, their robe is of scarce any value, and
+fetches but a trifling price in the fur-market.  Thirdly--and perhaps
+the most powerful reason of all--is that the hunter cares not to risk
+his life in an encounter with these animals, knowing that there is no
+adequate reward for such risk.  For this reason "Old Ephraim"--as the
+trappers jocosely style the grizzly--is usually permitted to go his way
+without molestation, and, therefore, instead of being thinned off by an
+exterminating chase--such as is pursued against the buffalo, or even the
+black bear, whose robe is marketable--the grizzly maintains his
+numerical strength in most places where he is found.
+
+At Fort Halkett--in consequence of a scarcity of hands, and the great
+pressure of business, in forwarding the brigade onward to the Pelly
+Station--our young hunters were unable to obtain a guide; and therefore
+started out for the chase alone--Pouchskin, of course, being one of the
+party.
+
+The trading post of Fort Halkett being situated in the midst of the
+wildest region--without any cultivated ground or other settlement around
+it--they would not have far to go before finding a grizzly.  Indeed,
+they were as likely to meet with one within sight of the Port as
+anywhere else; and from the moment of passing through the gate of the
+stockade they were on the lookout.
+
+They had not the good fortune, however, to meet with one so very easily,
+for although they came upon the traces of bears, and saw numerous signs
+of them, they could not set eyes upon them; and returned from their
+first excursion rather disheartened with their day's work.
+
+In one thing, however, they had their reward.  They had succeeded in
+shooting one of the rarest animals of America, a creature only met with
+in the more northern districts of the Rocky Mountains--that is, the
+"Rocky Mountain goat" (_capra americana_).  This rare quadruped--whose
+long, snow-white, silky hair renders it one of the most attractive of
+animals--is a true wild goat; and the only species of the genus
+indigenous to America.  It is about the size of the common domestic
+breeds, and horned as they; but the shining hair over its flanks and
+body is frequently so long as to hang down almost to its hoofs--giving
+the animal the appearance of having a much heavier body and much shorter
+legs than it really has.  Like the ibex of Europe, it is only met with
+on the loftiest summits of the mountains, upon peaks and cliffs
+inaccessible to almost every other quadruped--the mountain sheep alone
+excepted.  It is much shyer than the latter, and far more difficult of
+approach--the consequence being, that its beautiful skin, though highly
+prized, and commanding a good price, is but rarely obtained, even by the
+most expert hunters.
+
+Having succeeded in bringing down one of these precious animals, our
+young hunters were satisfied with their day's work--almost as well as if
+it had been a grizzly they had killed.
+
+On their second day's excursion, however, this feat was also
+accomplished--as we shall now proceed to relate.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY.
+
+TREED BY OLD EPHRAIM.
+
+They had got about a mile from the Fort; and were proceeding cautiously
+along through a hilly country, where thicket-like groves grew
+interspersed with patches of open ground, forming park-like scenery.
+There are many scenes of this character in the valleys of the Rocky
+Mountains; and in the more northern latitudes these groves often consist
+of berry-bearing bushes--such as wild currants, bird and choke cherries,
+the _amelanchier_ and _hippophae canadensis_.  Of all these fruits the
+grizzly bear is known to be exceedingly fond; and as the thickets among
+which our hunters had entered contained many trees of the above kinds--
+at that season drooping under their ripe fruit--it was but reasonable to
+expect they might find some of the grizzlies engaged in gathering them.
+They had been told at the fort that this was a favourite browsing-place
+of the bear; and, as they passed along they had evidence of the
+correctness of the information by seeing the cherry-trees with their
+branches broken--and some of the stems pulled down into a slanting
+position,--evidently done by the bears to enable them to get
+conveniently at the fruit.  From the trees that had been treated in this
+rough manner all the fruit had been stripped off as clean as if a party
+of "cherry-pickers" had passed that way.
+
+The ravages exhibited a very recent sign.  Most of them must have been
+done within a week; and one tree looked as freshly torn, as if it had
+been pulled about that very morning.
+
+Of course, with such indications before their eyes, our hunters were
+advancing on the _qui vive_.--not knowing the instant that Bruin might
+break out.
+
+It would not be correct to say that they were proceeding with caution.
+Had they been sufficiently cautious, they would not have been there
+_afoot_.  Of course they were on foot--since no horses could be procured
+in these parts.  To go afoot in pursuit of such game as grizzly bears
+was the height of indiscretion; and the traders had told them so; but
+they made light of what they had been told, for two reasons,--first,
+because it was absolutely necessary they should kill a grizzly and strip
+him of his skin; and secondly, because our young hunters, Pouchskin as
+well, had but a very indefinite idea of the risk they were running.
+They had heard that the grizzly was one of the fiercest of its kind; but
+because it was called a bear, and they had now hunted and killed so many
+other bears, they fancied this one might be as easily conquered as any
+of its congeners.  They had heard that these animals often turn tail and
+run away at sight of man; but these stories are deceptive.  The bears
+that do so are either juvenile grizzlies or brown individuals of the
+_versus americanus_--which are often mistaken for the grizzly.
+
+With "old Ephraim" himself the case is quite different, as we have
+already said.  On sight of a human enemy, instead of running away, the
+grizzly more frequently runs towards him, charging forward with open
+mouth, and often without having received the slightest provocation.
+
+Of this fact our hunters had proof almost upon the instant.  They had
+entered a wide tract, sparsely covered with trees; but such small trees,
+and so thinly standing over the ground, that the hunters might have
+fancied them to have been planted; and that they were entering within
+the boundaries of some old orchard.  The tract thus characterised was
+about five or six acres in superficial extent; and surrounded by the
+same kind of coppice that covered most of the face of the country.
+
+Under the thin trees there was neither underwood, nor long grass; and
+they could see between their trunks in every direction, to the edge of
+the jungle that grew around.
+
+While walking quietly along, a singular noise reached their ears, that
+caused them suddenly to halt in their tracks.  It caused them to turn
+also: for the noise appeared to come from behind them.  It resembled the
+hurried breathing of a person badly afflicted with asthma; but so much
+louder, that if it had proceeded from human lungs, they could only have
+been those of an asthmatic giant!
+
+It was, in reality, a gigantic creature that produced the noise: since
+it was neither more nor less than a grizzly bear.  Not one alone, but a
+brace of these monstrous animals--a male and female, no doubt--were seen
+at that moment by the edge of the thicket, out of which the hunters had
+just emerged.  Both were standing on their hind limbs, and both uttering
+the strange snuffing noise that had attracted attention to them.  Other
+noises were now mingled with these--sharp querulous grunts--and, by the
+gestures which the bears were making, it was evident they not only saw
+the three hunters in the open ground, but were reconnoitring them
+perhaps with an intention to make an attack upon them!
+
+Our hunters were quite taken aback.  They had expected, at least, to
+have been allowed the initiative in any conflict that might occur; but
+they now saw that, instead of being the assailing party, they were
+likely to be the assailed!
+
+They had no time for deliberation; for the brace of bears, apparently
+having satisfied themselves with their threatening demonstrations,
+dropped down on all-fours, and came galloping onward--almost as fast as
+horses could have done!
+
+The three hunters fired at once; and not with out effect: for one of the
+bears fell to their shots.  It was the smaller one, and that which had
+been foremost.  Acting without concert, they had all aimed at the same
+animal--choosing that which was nearest; and this was unfortunate, for
+had some one of them sighted the other and bigger bear, they might have
+given him a wound that would have, at least, crippled him.
+
+As it was, he had neither been shot at, nor touched; and the fall of his
+mate--for it was the male who survived--now so completely exasperated
+him, that he rushed on with the full determination to deal death among
+the enemies who had bereaved him.
+
+It was fortunate that he stopped a moment over his fallen companion.  He
+did so as if to convince himself that she was dead.  It was only for an
+instant; but a precious instant that was to all three of the hunters.
+It gave them sufficient time to take to a tree--each springing up to the
+one that was most convenient.  Alexis and Ivan being young and nimble,
+easily accomplished this feat; but it cost Pouchskin an effort; and he
+came very near making it in vain.  He had got his arms over a branch,
+and was drawing his great booted legs after him; but, before he could
+raise them to a sufficient height, the bear had arrived upon the ground,
+and reared upward to seize him.
+
+Ivan and Alexis uttered a simultaneous shout of alarm.  They saw the
+shaggy forearms of the quadruped doubled around the legs of their
+faithful follower; and were looking to see Pouchskin in another moment
+pulled down from the tree.  What was their delight, as well as
+astonishment, on seeing the bear fall "slap" back to the earth--with one
+of the ex-grenadier's great boots fast clutched between his paws--while
+Pouchskin himself was seen gliding upward to the top branches of the
+tree!
+
+A shout of joy followed the cry of alarm, to which they had just given
+utterance; and without another word all three hastened to reload their
+guns.
+
+Meanwhile the disappointed bear appeared determined to revenge himself
+on the boot; and for some seconds continued to tear it--both with teeth
+and claws--till nothing of its original shape remained.  Then,
+scattering the fragments over the ground, he desisted from this idle
+employment; and rushed back to the trunk of the tree up which Pouchskin
+had climbed.  He knew--from having often made the experiment--that he
+could not climb it; nor did he attempt to do so; but seizing the slender
+trunk in his powerful grasp, he shook the tree backward and forward, as
+if endeavouring to drag it up by the roots or throw it to the ground.
+
+For some time our hunters were not without apprehensions that he might
+succeed.  The tree was not bigger than an ordinary pear-tree; and its
+trunk vibrated from side to side, and bent over to such an extent, that
+its roots could be heard cracking beneath the ground.
+
+Pouchskin, far up in the top, was tossed backward and forward--as if he
+had been a shuttlecock between two battledores--and it was just as much
+as he could do to keep his hold among the branches, much less finish the
+loading of his fusil, which he had only half accomplished when the
+rocking began.  Had he been alone, his position would have been one of
+great danger: for no doubt, in process of time, the bear would have torn
+down the tree.  But the efforts of Bruin were brought to a sudden
+termination; for Ivan and Alexis, having now reloaded, took careful aim,
+and sent both their bullets into the body of the beast.  One of the
+shots must have hit him in a mortal part: since, on receiving it, the
+bear let go his hold, dropped down from his erect attitude, and doubling
+himself up at the bottom of the tree, looked as if he had suddenly gone
+to sleep!  But the red stream, pouring out from his still distended
+jaws, told that it was the sleep of death that had overtaken him.
+
+Our hunters, assured that both bears were dead, now descended from their
+respective perches; but the sight of Pouchskin, with one leg in
+stocking, and the other buried up to the thigh in a great horse-skin
+boot, would have been too much for the gravity of a judge, and his young
+masters were once more merry at his expense.
+
+Having skinned the bears, they returned to the fort with their spoils--
+to the no slight astonishment of some of the old trappers stationed
+there.  They could scarce believe that these young strangers were
+capable of accomplishing such a feat as the conquest of a couple of
+full-grown grizzlies.  The thing had been done, however--as the trophies
+testified--and it is needless to say that our hunters, by this gallant
+action, gained golden opinions from the "mountain men."
+
+They had no desire, however, to try another contest of the kind.  They
+had become perfectly satisfied of the great peril to be expected in an
+encounter with "Old Ephraim;" and were only too well pleased of having
+it in their power, on all future occasions, to imitate the example of
+other travellers, and give the grizzly a "wide berth."
+
+Indeed, they would have had no opportunity, had they desired it, to hunt
+the bear any longer in that neighbourhood: for the "boat" brigade, with
+which they were travelling, started the next day for Fort Pelly; and it
+was necessary for them to accompany it, as the journey could not
+otherwise be accomplished.
+
+They arrived at this last-named place in safety; and, with some native
+traders, that chanced to be at the fort, they were enabled to proceed
+onward to the Russian settlement of Sitka--where the magic cipher which
+Alexis carried in his pocket procured them the most hospitable treatment
+that such a wild, out-of-the-way place could afford.
+
+They had been fortunate, upon their route, to procure a skin of the
+"cinnamon" bear--as well as one of black colour with a white breast,
+both of which Alexis was able to identify as mere varieties of the
+_ursus americanus_.  These varieties are sometimes seen to the east of
+the Rocky Mountains; but they are far more common throughout the
+countries along the Pacific--and especially in Russian America, where
+the cinnamon-coloured kind is usually termed the "red bear."  They
+occur, moreover, in the Aleutian islands; and very probably in Japan and
+Kamschatka--in which country bears are exceedingly numerous--evidently
+of several species, confusedly described and ill identified.
+Unfortunately, the Russian naturalists--whose special duty it has been
+to make known the natural history of the countries lying around the
+North Pacific--have done their work in a slovenly and childlike manner.
+
+Bruin--by Captain Mayne Reid
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.
+
+THE KAMSCHATDALES.
+
+The bear of Kamschatka had to be skinned next.  But it was necessary to
+catch one before he could be skinned; and also necessary to go to
+Kamschatka before he could be caught.  To get to Kamschatka was not so
+difficult as it may sound to the ear.  Our travellers were just in the
+place, from which it was possible to, proceed direct to this Asiatic
+peninsula.  Vessels belonging to the Russian Fur Company every year
+collect the furs along the north-west coast of America, and among the
+Fox and Aleutian islands--Sitka being their port of rendezvous.  Thence
+proceeding to the harbour of Saint Peter and Saint Paul
+(Petropaulouski), on the coast of Kamschatka, they complete their
+cargoes with the "skin crop" that during the winter has been collected
+throughout the peninsula.  Thence to China a portion of these furs are
+taken--especially skins of the sable, which the Chinese mandarins use
+extensively for trimming their costly robes; and for which, teas, silk,
+lacquer-ware, and other articles of Chinese manufacture are given in
+exchange.
+
+The Japanese also, and other wealthy Oriental nations, buy up quantities
+of costly furs; but by far the greater portion of this produce is
+consumed by the Russians themselves--in whose cold climate some sort of
+a fur coat is almost a necessity.  Even most of the furs collected by
+the Hudson's Bay Company find their way into Russia: for the consumption
+of these goods in Great Britain is extremely limited, compared with that
+of many other articles _de luxe_.
+
+In the fur ship our travellers proceeded from Sitka to the port of
+Petropaulouski, which is situated on Avatcha bay, near the southern end
+of the peninsula.
+
+As Avatcha bay is nearly land-locked, it forms one of the most sheltered
+harbours on that side of the Pacific; but unfortunately during winter
+the bay freezes over; and then ships can neither get into nor out of it.
+
+The vessel which carried our adventurers arrived at Petropaulouski late
+in the spring; but, as the winter had been unusually prolonged, the bay
+was still blocked up with ice, and the ship could not get up to the
+little town.  This did not hinder them from landing.  Dog-sledges were
+brought out upon the ice by the inhabitants; and upon these our
+travellers were carried to the town, or "ostrog" as it is called--such
+being the name given to the villages of Kamschatka.
+
+In Petropaulouski, many curious objects and customs came under the
+observation of our travellers.  They saw no less than three kinds of
+houses--first, the "isbas," built of logs, and not unlike the log-cabins
+of America.  These are the best sort of dwellings; and belong to the
+Russian merchants and officials, who reside there--as well as to the
+Cossack soldiers, who are kept by the Russian Government in Kamschatka.
+
+The native Kamschatdales have two kinds of houses of indigenous
+architecture--one for summer, the "balagan," and another to which they
+retire during the winter, called the "jourt."  The balagan is
+constructed of poles and thatch upon a raised platform--to which the
+Kamschatdale climbs up by means of a notched trunk of a tree.  There is
+only one story of the house itself--which is merely the sloping thatched
+roof--with a hole in the top to give passage to the smoke--and resembles
+a rough tent or hayrick set upon an elevated stand.  The space under the
+platform is left open; and serves as a store-house for the dried fish,
+that forms the staple food of all sorts of people in Kamschatka.  Here,
+too, the sledges and sledge harness are kept; and the dogs, of which
+every family owns a large pack, use this lower story as a sleeping
+place.
+
+The winter-house or "jourt," is constructed very differently.  It is a
+great hole sunk in the ground to the depth of eight or ten feet, lined
+round the sides with pieces of timber, and roofed over above the surface
+of the ground--so as to look like the rounded dome of a large bake-oven.
+A hole at the apex is intended for the chimney, but it is also the
+door: Since there is no other mode of entrance into the jourt, and the
+interior is reached by descending a notched tree trunk--similar to that
+used in climbing up to the balagan.
+
+The curious fur dresses of the Kamschatdales; their thin yellowish white
+dogs, resembling the Pomeranian breed; their dog-sledges, which they use
+for travelling in winter; the customs and habits of these singular
+people; all formed an interesting study to our travellers, and enriched
+their journal with notes and observations.  We find it recorded there,
+how these people spend their time and obtain their subsistence.  Very
+little agriculture is practised by them--the climate being unfavourable
+to the growth of the cereals.  In some parts barley and rye are
+cultivated; but only to a _very_ limited extent.  Cattle are scarce--a
+few only being kept by the Russian and Cossack settlers; and horses are
+equally rare, such as there are belonging to the officials of the
+Government, and used for Government purposes.  The common or "native"
+people subsist almost entirely on a fish diet--their lakes and rivers
+furnishing them with abundance of fish; and the whole of the summer is
+spent in catching and drying these for their winter provision.  Several
+wild vegetable productions are added--roots and berries, and even the
+bark of trees--all of which are eaten along with the dried fish.  Wild
+animals also furnish part of their subsistence; and it is by the skins
+of these--especially the sable--that the people pay their annual tax, or
+tribute, to the Russian Government.  From animals, too, their clothing
+is chiefly manufactured; and many other articles used in their domestic
+economy.  The peninsula is rich in the fur-bearing quadrupeds, and some
+of these furnish the very best quality of furs that are known to
+commerce.  The sable of Kamschatka is of a superior kind as also the
+many varieties of the fox.  They have, besides, the wolverine and wolf,
+the ermine and Arctic fox, the marmot and polar hare, and several
+smaller animals that yield furs of commercial value.  The sea otter is
+common upon the coasts of Kamschatka; and this is also an object of the
+chase--its skin being among the costliest of "peltries."  The great
+_argali_, or wild sheep, and the reindeer, furnish them both with flesh
+and skins; but one of the chief objects of the chase is that great
+quadruped for which our young hunters had come all the way to
+Kamschatka, the bear.  Into his presence they would find no difficulty
+in introducing themselves: for perhaps in no country in the world does
+master Bruin's family muster so strongly as in this very peninsula.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY TWO.
+
+FISHING-BEARS.
+
+Previous to starting forth in search of the Kamschatkan bear, our
+hunters collected all the particulars they could in regard to the haunts
+and habits of this animal.
+
+They learnt that there were at least two varieties known to the Kurilski
+and Koriac hunters.  One of them was the more common kind--a brown bear,
+closely resembling the _ursus arctos_; and the other also a brown bear;
+but with a whitish list running up from the under part of his throat,
+and meeting like a collar over the tops of his shoulders.  This latter
+kind was undoubtedly the species known as the "Siberian bear" (_ursus
+collaris_); and which has an extensive range throughout most of the
+countries of Northern Asia.  The native hunters alleged that the two
+kinds were of nearly similar habits.  Both went to sleep during the
+winter--concealing themselves cunningly in caves and crevices among
+rocks, or among fallen timber, where such could be found in sufficient
+quantity to afford them shelter.
+
+One remarkable habit of these bears indicates a very marked difference
+between them and the _ursus arctos_, with which they have been usually
+classed; and that is, that they are _fishing-bears_--subsisting almost
+exclusively on fish, which they catch for themselves.  During their
+winter sleep, of course they eat nothing; but in spring, as soon as they
+emerge from their retreats, they at once betake themselves to the
+numerous streams and lakes, with which the country abounds; and roaming
+along the banks of these, or wading in the water itself, they spend the
+whole of their time in angling about after trout and salmon.  There,
+fish, thanks to their immense numbers, and the shallowness of the water
+in most of the lakes and streams, the bears are enabled to catch almost
+at discretion.  They wade into the water, and getting among the shoals
+of the fish as they are passing to and fro, strike them dead with their
+paws.  The fish are killed as instantaneously as if impaled upon a
+fishing spear; and in such numbers do the bears capture them, at certain
+seasons, that the captors grow dainty, and only eat a portion of each
+fish!  They show a strange preference for that part, which is usually
+considered refuse, the head,--leaving the tail, with a considerable
+portion of the body, untouched.  The rejected portions, however, are not
+lost; for another animal, still hungrier than the bears, and less
+skilful in the piscatory art, is at this time also in search of a meal
+of fish.
+
+This creature is the Kamschatkan dog--not a wild species, as you may
+suppose, but the trained sledge-dogs of the Kamschatdales themselves;
+which at this season forsake the "ostrogs," or villages, and betake
+themselves to the borders of the lakes and rivers.  There they remain
+during the whole period of summer, feeding upon fish--which they also
+know how to capture--and eating up such portions as have been refused by
+the bears.  In fact, this is the only food which these poor dogs can
+get; and, as they are not needed during the summer season, they do not
+think of returning home until frost sets in.  Then, strange to say, one
+and all of them go voluntarily back, and surrender themselves up to
+their old masters--hard taskmasters too, who not only work them like
+slaves, but half starve them throughout the whole winter.  This
+voluntary submission to their "yoke" has been quoted as an illustration
+of the high training and faithful disposition of the Kamschatkan dogs;
+but it has its origin in a fur different motive than that of mere
+fidelity.  Their return to the snug shelter of the _balagan_ is simply
+an instinct of self-preservation: for the sagacious animals well know,
+that in winter the lakes and streams will be completely frozen over, and
+were they to remain abroad, they would absolutely perish either from
+hunger or cold.  Even the wretched winter allowance of heads and
+entrails of fish--the only crumbs that fall to their share--is better
+than nothing at all; which would be their portion were they to remain
+abroad among the bare snow-clad hills and valleys of Kamschatka.  The
+Kamschatdales have various modes of taking the bear.  In early winter
+they sometimes find his track in the snow; and then pursue him with a
+gun and a bear-spear, killing him as they best can.  Later still, when
+he has gone to sleep in his den, he is often found--by similar
+indications as those which guide the Laplanders, North American Indians,
+and Esquimaux--such as the hoar caused by his breath showing over the
+spot, or by their hunting-dogs scenting him out, and barking at the
+entrance.  The log-trap, or dead-fall, is also in use among the
+Kamschatkan hunters; and the penn formed around the mouth of the bear's
+cave, shutting him up, until an entrance can be dug into it from above.
+
+In the summer time the mode is different.  Then the hunter lies in
+ambush, with his loaded rifle--for the Kamschatdale carries this
+weapon--in such places as he expects the bear to pass.  These are on the
+banks of the streams and lakes that abound in fish; and as the bears
+ramble along the edge of the water, or are even seen swimming or wading
+into it, the patient hunter is pretty sure of getting a shot.  Should he
+fail to bring down Bruin at the first fire, the game becomes uncertain;
+and sometimes dangerous: since the animal often charges upon the hunter.
+Even though the latter may be concealed among the long reeds and
+bushes, the sagacious bear, guided by the smoke and blaze of the powder
+easily finds out his assailant.  The hunter, however, never fires
+without taking a deliberate aim.  He carries a forked stick, over which
+he rests his piece, and never fires off-hand.  To miss would not only
+endanger his life and the loss of his game, but what is also of
+consequence to a Kamschatdale, the loss of his powder and bullet--costly
+articles in this remote corner of the earth.  In case of missing, he has
+still his bear-spear and a long-bladed knife to fall back upon; and with
+these he defends himself as well as he can--though not unfrequently
+Bruin proves the victor, and the hunter the victim.
+
+There are certain times when the Siberian bears become exceedingly
+dangerous to approach.  The season of rut--which occurs in the latter
+part of the summer--is one of those; but there is another period of
+danger--which, however, does not happen every year.  When the spring
+chances to be late--on account of a prolonged winter--and when the lakes
+and streams remain frozen over, after the bears have come forth from
+their hiding-places, then "ware Bruin" is a caution which it is prudent
+to observe.  The fierce animals, half-famished for want of their usual
+diet of fish, roam over the country in all directions; and fearlessly
+approach the "ostrogs," roaming around the balagans and jourts in search
+of something to eat.  Woe to the Kamschatdale that gets in their tray at
+such a time--for the bear, instead of waiting to be attached, becomes
+himself the assailant; and, as great numbers of these quadrupeds often
+troop about together, of course the encounter is all the more perilous.
+
+It was just in such a spring that our young hunters had arrived at
+Petropaulouski; and stories of numerous bear conflicts, that had
+recently occurred in the neighbourhood, were rife in the village; while
+the number of fresh skies every day brought in by the Kurilski hunters,
+showed that bears could not be otherwise than plentiful in the country
+adjacent.
+
+Guided by one of these hunters, our party set forth upon a search.  The
+snow still covered the ground; and, of course, they travelled in
+sledges--each having one to himself, drawn by five dogs, as is the
+custom of the country.  The dogs are harnessed two and two abreast, with
+the odd one in front.  Each has his collar of bearskin, with a leather
+thong for a trace; and five of them are sufficient to draw the little
+sledge with a man in it.  The sledge, called _saunka_, is less than four
+feet long; and, being made of the lightest birch wood, is of very little
+weight.
+
+A curved stick, called the _oschtol_--with an iron point, and little
+bells at the other end--is used to direct the dogs; and, urged on by
+this and by well-known exclamations of their driver, they will go at a
+speed of many miles an hour.
+
+In this slight vehicle, hills, valleys, lakes, and rivers are crossed,
+without such a thing as a road being thought of; and when the dogs are
+good, and have been well cared for, an immense distance may be passed
+over in a day.
+
+In less than an hour after their departure from Petropaulouski, our
+hunters had entered amid the wildest scenery--where not the slightest
+sign of either cultivation or human habitation was to be seen, and where
+at any moment they might expect to come in sight of their great game.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY THREE.
+
+DOG-DRIVING.
+
+The guide was conducting them to a stream that ran into the bay some ten
+or twelve miles from the "ostrog."  On that stream, he said, they would
+be pretty certain to find a bear, if not several: since at a place he
+knew of the water was not frozen, and the bears might be there trying to
+catch fish.  When questioned as to why this particular stream was not
+frozen like the others, he said that some distance up it there were warm
+springs--a phenomenon of frequent occurrence in the peninsula of
+Kamschatka--that these springs supplied most of the water of the stream;
+and that for several hundred yards below where they gushed forth, the
+river was kept open by their warmth during the severest winters.  Not
+throughout its whole course, however.  Farther down, where the water
+became cool, it froze like in other streams; and that this was the case,
+was evident to our hunters, who had entered the mouth of the rivers from
+the icy surface of the bay, and were gliding in their sledges up its
+frozen channel.
+
+After having gone three or four miles up this icebound stream, which ran
+through a narrow valley with steep sloping sides, the guide warned our
+hunters that they were close to the place where the water would be found
+open.  At this point a low ridge ran transversely across the valley--
+through which the stream had, in process of time, cut a channel; but the
+ridge occasioned a dam or lake of some half-dozen acres in superficial
+extent, which lay just above it.  The dam itself was rarely frozen over;
+and it was by the water remaining in it, or flowing sluggishly through
+it--and thus giving it time to cool--that the stream immediately below
+got frozen over.
+
+The lake lay just on the other side of the ridge, and was now only
+hidden from their view by the rise of the ground.  If not frozen over,
+as the guide conjectured, there was likely to be a bear roaming around
+its edge; and therefore they resolved to observe caution in approaching
+it.
+
+The sledges were to be taken no further.  Our hunters had learnt how to
+manage both dog-sledges and dogs.  Their experience in Finland, as well
+as in the countries of the Hudson's Bay territory, had taught them that;
+and made them skilful in the handling of these animals--else they would
+have made but poor work in travelling as they did now.  In fact, they
+could not have managed at all: since it requires a great deal of
+training to be able to drive a dog-sledge.  This, however, they had
+received--both the boys and Pouchskin--and fortunate it had been so; for
+very shortly after they were placed in a predicament, in which their
+lives depended on their skill as sledge drivers.
+
+The dogs were left under cover of the ridge, near the bottom of the
+little slope; a sign was given to them to keep their places--which these
+well-trained creatures perfectly comprehended; and the hunters--the
+Kurilski with the rest--holding their guns in readiness, ascended
+towards the summit of the slope.
+
+There was no cover, except what was afforded by the inequality of the
+ground.  There were no trees in the valley--only stunted bushes, not
+half the height of a man's body, and these nearly buried to their tops
+in the snow.  A few, however, appeared growing along the crest of the
+ridge.
+
+The hunters crawled up to these on all-fours, and peeped cautiously
+through their branches.
+
+It was the impatient Ivan that looked first; and what he saw so
+surprised him, as almost to deprive him of the power of speech!  Indeed,
+he was not able to explain what he saw--till the other three had got
+forward, and became equally eye-witnesses of the spectacle that had
+astonished him.
+
+As the guide had conjectured, the lake was not frozen.  There was some
+loose snow floating over its surface; but most of the water was open;
+and the stream that flowed slowly in on the opposite side was quite
+clear of either ice or snow.
+
+The guide had also predicted hypothetically that they might see a bear--
+perhaps two.  It had not occurred to this man of moderate pretensions
+that they might see _twelve_--and yet no less than twelve bears were in
+sight!
+
+Yes, twelve bears--they were as easily counted as oxen--were around the
+shores of this secluded lake, and on the banks of the little stream that
+ran into it--all within five hundred yards of each other.  Indeed, it
+would have been easy to have mistaken them for a herd of brown heifers
+or oxen; had it not been for the various attitudes in which they were
+seen: some upon all-fours--some standing erect, like human beings, or
+squatted on their hams like gigantic squirrels--others in the water,
+their bodies half submerged--others swimming about, their backs and
+heads only visible above the surface; and still others, prowling
+leisurely along the banks, or over the strip of level meadow-land that
+bordered the lake.
+
+Such a sight our bear-hunters had never witnessed before, and might
+never witness again, in any other country, save Kamschatka itself.
+There it is by no means uncommon; and twenty bears instead of twelve
+have been often seen in a single drove--at that season when they descend
+from their mountain retreats to their favourite fishing-grounds upon the
+lakes and streams.
+
+Our hunters were perplexed by so unexpected a sight; and for some
+moments unresolved as to how they should act.  Fortunately, the bushes
+already mentioned served to conceal them from the bears; and the wind
+was blowing towards the hunters--otherwise the bears, who are keen of
+scent, would soon have discovered their presence.  As it was, not one of
+them--though several were close to the ridge--seemed to have any
+suspicion that an enemy was so near.  The huge quadrupeds appeared to be
+too busy about their own affairs--endeavouring to capture the fish--some
+of them greedily devouring those they had already taken, and others
+wandering restlessly about, or eagerly observing the movements of the
+fish in the water.  One and all of them looked fierce and famished,
+their bodies showing gaunt and flaky, and their enormous limbs having a
+lank angular appearance, that gave them a still greater resemblance to
+heifers--only heifers that had been half starved!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR.
+
+A SLEDGE-CHASE.
+
+I have said that our hunters were for some time irresolute about how to
+act.  The Kurilski was inclined to withdraw from the spot and leave the
+bears alone; and this of course was his advice to the others.  He said
+there might be danger in disturbing them--so many clustered together,
+and in such a mood as they appeared to be.  He had known them to attack
+a large party of men under such circumstances, and give chase to them.
+They might do the same now?
+
+Our hunters, however, did not give full credit to this story of their
+guide--thinking it might have its origin in the fears of the Kurilski,
+whom they knew to be of a timid race; and therefore they determined not
+to back out.  The chance was too tempting to be surrendered for so
+slight a reason, and without a struggle.  There were several bears
+within easy shot of the ground where they were kneeling!
+
+It would never do to let such an opportunity pass.  They might not meet
+with so good a chance again; or, at all events, they might be delayed a
+good long time before another would turn up; and a residence in
+Petropaulouski, even in the "isba" of the governor--who was himself only
+a sergeant of Cossacks, and his dwelling a mere hut--was not so pleasant
+as that they should wish to prolong it.  They had now been a great while
+journeying through countries covered with frost and snow; and they were
+longing to reach those tropical isles--famed for their spices and their
+loveliness--which were to be the next stage in their grand tour round
+the globe.
+
+Influenced by these thoughts, then, they resolved to run all hazard, and
+try a shot at the bears.
+
+The Kurilski, seeing them determined, gave in; and, joining his gun to
+theirs, a volley of four shots was simultaneously discharged through the
+bushes.
+
+Two bears were seen to drop over and lie kicking upon the snow; but
+whether they continued their kicking for any considerable length of
+time, was a question about which our hunters could give no definite
+information.  They did not stay to see: for the moment the smoke had
+cleared off, they saw the whole gang of bears in motion, and rushing
+towards them from all sides of the lake.  The shrill fierce screaming of
+the animals, and the hurried pace in which they were making towards the
+ridge, declared their intentions.  They were charging forward to the
+attack.
+
+The hunters saw this at a glance; and thought only of retreating.  But
+whither could they fly?  There were no trees; and if there had been, the
+bears could have climbed them even better than themselves.  There were
+steep rocky cliffs on both sides of the ravine; but these would afford
+them no security--even had their ice-coated slope permitted of their
+being scaled.  But it did not, and if it had, the bears could have
+scaled the rocks too!
+
+Our Russian hunters were in a complete state of perplexity, and perhaps
+would not have known how to save themselves, had it not been for their
+Kurilski comrade.  He, however, had conceived an idea--or, rather, had
+drawn it from old experience; and just at this moment he rushed down the
+slope, as he did so calling to the others to take to their sledges, and
+warning them that it was their only chance of escape.
+
+Of course none of them thought of disputing his advice, or even calling
+it in question; but one and all of them yielded obedience on the
+instant.  Without saying a word, each rushed to his sledge, leaped upon
+the runners, seated himself in double quick time upon the little
+crescent-like cradle, seized the "ribbons," and straightened his team to
+the road.
+
+Had the dogs not been well-trained, and their drivers equally well used
+to the management of a sledge, their peril would have been extreme.  As
+it was--though all came into their places in good style, and without
+confusion--they had not a second to spare.  The bears were already
+galloping down the slope; and as the last sledge--which was
+Pouchskin's--moved off from the bottom of the ridge, the foremost of the
+roaring pursuers had got within less than six yards of it!
+
+It was now a trial of speed between bears and sledge-dogs--for the
+latter knew that they were in as much danger as their masters; and
+needed neither the exclamation _Ah_! nor the _oschtol_ to urge them
+forward.  On swept they over the frozen crust, as fast as they could
+go--handling their limbs and claws with the nimbleness peculiar to their
+race.
+
+The bears followed in a sort of lumbering gallop; yet, notwithstanding
+their uncouth movements, they kept for a long time close in the rear of
+the fugitives.
+
+Fortunately they did not possess the speed of the canine race; and at
+length--seeing that they were being distanced--one after another gave up
+the chase, and commenced returning towards the lake, slowly, and with
+apparent reluctance.
+
+Just at this crisis an accident occurred to Pouchskin--or rather
+Pouchskin committed a mistake--which, had it been made five minutes
+sooner, would most assuredly have cost him his life.  The mistake which
+Pouchskin made, was to drop the iron end of his "_oschtol_" on the snowy
+crust between his sledge and the two dogs nearest to it--the "wheelers"
+as we may call them.  The effect of this, with Kamschatkan sledge-dogs,
+is to cause the whole team to halt; and so acted the dogs that Pouchskin
+was driving--all five suddenly coming to a dead stop!  Pouchskin
+endeavoured to urge them forward--crying out the usual signal, _Ha_;
+but, in his anxious eagerness, Pouchskin placed the accent after the
+vowel, instead of before it; and instead of _Ha_! his exclamation
+sounded _Ah_!  The latter being the command for the dogs to halt, of
+course only kept them steady in their places; and they stood without
+offering to move a leg.  By good fortune, the bears had already given up
+the pursuit, and were not witnesses of this interruption: otherwise it
+would have gone ill with the ex-grenadier.
+
+In due time the dogs were once more started; and Pouchskin--putting them
+to their highest rate of speed--soon overtook the sledge-train; which
+did not come to a halt until a good mile of snow-covered country was
+between it and the bears.
+
+The hunters only paused then, for a short while, to breathe their
+panting dogs; and this done, they resumed their seats on the sledges,
+and continued on to the ostrog--without a thought of going back after
+the bears.
+
+They had no intention, however, of giving them up entirely.  They only
+drove home to the village--in order to get assistance; and, as soon as
+their report was delivered, all the men of the settlement--Cossacks,
+Kurilskis, and half-breeds--turned out armed to the teeth for a grand
+battue, and proceeded towards the lake with the Governor himself at
+their head.
+
+The bears were still upon the ground--both the living and the dead--for
+it was now seen that two of their number had fallen to the shots of our
+hunters--and upon the former a general fusillade was at once opened,
+which ended in their complete discomfiture.  Five more of them were
+killed upon the spot; and several others that took to flight were
+tracked through the snow, and destroyed in their hiding-places.  For a
+week after, there was very little fish eaten in the ostrog of
+Petropaulouski--which for a long period previous to that time had not
+witnessed such a carnival.
+
+Of course our Russian hunters came in for their share of the trophies;
+and, choosing the skin of one of the bears they had themselves shot,
+they left it with the Governor, to be forwarded _via_ Okhotsk and
+Yakoutsk, to the distant capital of Saint Petersburg.  Shortly after the
+fur ship carried them to Canton,--whence they might expect to find a
+passage in a Chinese trading vessel to the grand island of Borneo.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.
+
+THE SUN-BEARS.
+
+There are colonies of Chinese settled in different parts of Borneo--
+whose principal business there is the working of gold and antimony
+mines.  These Chinese colonial settlements--along with numerous others
+throughout the Oriental islands--are under the protection and direction
+of a great Mercantile Company called _Kung Li_--somewhat resembling our
+own East India Company.  In Borneo, the headquarters of this commercial
+association of the Chinese, is the port and river of Sambos, on the
+western coast; though they have many other settlements in different
+parts of the island.  Of course, between these colonies and Canton there
+is a regular traffic; and our travellers found no difficulty in
+proceeding to Borneo in a Chinese junk which traded direct from Canton
+to Sambos.  At Sambos there is also a Dutch settlement, or "factory,"
+belonging to the Dutch East India Company; and this Company has also two
+other stations in the island--all, however, occupying a territory of
+limited extent, compared with the large surface of the island itself.
+No other European settlements exist in Borneo, if we except an English
+"agency" lately established at the little island of Labuan; and a
+settlement at Sarawak, under an English adventurer, who styles himself
+"Rajah Brooke."
+
+The "rajah" rests his claim to the title and territory of Sarawak on a
+grant from the Sultan of Borneo (Bruni); and the _quid pro quo_ which he
+professes to have given, was the having assisted the said Sultan in
+putting down the "Dyak pirates!"  This is the pretence hitherto put
+forth to the British public; but on a closer inquiry into the facts of
+this transaction, the story assumes quite a different colour; and it
+would rather appear, that, instead of assisting to put down piracy in
+the Bornean waters, the first act of the philanthropic Englishman was to
+assist the Malay Sultan in enslaving several tribes of inoffensive
+Dyaks, and forcing them to work without pay in the mines of antimony!
+This appears to have been the nature of the services that purchased
+Sarawak.  It was, in fact, aiding the pirates, instead of putting them
+down: since the Bornean Sultan was himself the actual patron and
+protector of these sea robbers, instead of being their enemy!
+
+The patriot and statesman Hume endeavoured to procure an inquiry into
+these acts of Oriental _filibusterism_; but the underhand influence of
+an unprincipled Administration, backed by an interested commercial
+clamour, was too strong for him; and the shameful usurpation has been
+justified.
+
+Notwithstanding that Europeans have been settled for hundreds of years
+in the islands of the Indian Archipelago--ruling them, as we may almost
+say--it is astonishing how little is yet known of the great island of
+Borneo.  Only its coasts have been traced, and these very imperfectly.
+The Dutch have made one or two expeditions into the interior; but much
+knowledge need not be expected from such trading hucksters as they.
+Their energies in the East have been expended throughout a period of two
+centuries, with no other apparent object than to promote dissension,
+wherever it was possible; and to annihilate every spark of freedom or
+nobility among the races who have had the misfortune to come in contact
+with them.
+
+Notwithstanding their opportunities, they have done little to add to our
+knowledge of Borneo--which was about as well-known a hundred years ago
+as it is at the present hour.--Never was a subject more ripe for
+illustration than this magnificent island.  It courts a monograph--such
+as has been given to Sumatra by Marsden, by Tennant to Ceylon, and to
+Java by Sir Stamford Raffles.  Perhaps some one of my young readers may
+become the author of that monograph?
+
+Teeming with the most gorgeous forms of tropical life--so rich in
+_fauna_ and _flora_, that it might be almost regarded as a great
+zoological and botanical garden combined--it will well repay the
+scientific explorer, who may scarce find such another field on the face
+of the earth.
+
+Our young hunters, in contemplating the grand tropical scenery of
+Borneo, were filled with admiration.  The _sylva_ was quite equal to
+anything they had witnessed on the Amazon; while the _fauna_--especially
+in quadrupeds and _quadrumana_--was far richer.
+
+To one quadruped was their attention more especially directed; and I
+need hardly say that this was the Bornean bear--by far the most
+beautiful animal of the whole Bruin family.  The Bornean bear is also
+the smallest of the family--in size, being even less than his near
+congener, the Malayan bear; though resembling the latter in many
+particulars.  His fur is a jet black, with a muzzle of an orange-yellow
+colour, and a disc of still deeper orange upon the breast, bearing a
+certain resemblance to the figure of a heart.  The hair is thickly and
+evenly set over his whole body--presenting the same uniform surface
+which characterises the black bear of North America, the two species of
+South America, and also his Malayan cousin--who inhabits the
+neighbouring islands of Sumatra and Java.  For the latter, indeed, he is
+often taken; and many naturalists consider them as one species--though
+this is certainly an error.  The Bornean bear is not only much less in
+bulk; but the deep orange-colour on his breast offers a permanent mark
+of distinction.  In the Malayan bear there is also a marking on the
+breast; but it is of half-moon shape and whitish colour.  Besides, the
+colour of the muzzle in the latter species is only _yellowish_, not
+_yellow_; and the animal altogether is far from being so handsome as the
+bear of Borneo.
+
+Dr Horsfield, who had good opportunities of observing them both, has
+pointed out other essential characteristics, which prove conclusively
+that they are separate species; but the Doctor, guided by his love for
+generic distinctions, could not rest satisfied, without further
+ornamenting his task--by constituting for them a new genus, under the
+title of _Helarctos_.  There is no reason whatever for this inundation
+of generic names.  It has served no good purpose; but, on the contrary,
+renders the study of natural history more complicated and obscure; and
+to no family of animals do these remarks more pointedly apply, than to
+that of the bears.  So similar are all these quadrupeds to one another--
+so perfect is the _family likeness_ between them--that to separate them
+into different genera is a mere pedantic conceit of the anatomists.
+There are about a dozen species in all; and the systematic naturalists--
+who do not even admit that number--have formed for the bears nearly as
+many genera as there are species,--among which may be mentioned the
+ridiculous titles of _Prochilus, Melursus, Helarctos_, and the like.
+
+The Bornean bear is as much a true species of _ursus_ as either the
+brown bear of Europe, the black bear of North America, or the black
+bears of the Cordilleras; and, indeed, to these last his habits
+assimilate him very closely--being, like them, a vegetarian in his diet,
+and a great lover of sweets.
+
+Of his _penchant_ for honey our young hunters had proof: for, it was
+while actually engaged in plundering a hive they first saw the Bornean
+bear.  They were at the same time successful in effecting his capture--
+which is now to be described.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY SIX.
+
+THE TALL TAPANG.
+
+On their arrival at Sambos, our young hunters according to their usual
+custom, procured a native guide to direct them to the haunts of their
+game.
+
+In this case it was a Dyak who became their conductor--one of those who
+follow the business of bee-hunters; and who, from the very nature of
+their calling, are often brought into contact with the bears as well as
+the bees.
+
+Under the direction of the Dyak, our hunters made an excursion to a
+range of wooded hills, not far from Sambos, where the sun-bear was known
+to exist in great numbers; and where one was likely to be found almost
+at any time.
+
+As they were passing through the woods, they observed a very singular
+species of tree--indeed many species, that might be styled singular; but
+one pre-eminently so, that strongly arrested their attention.  These
+trees did not grow in any great numbers together; but only two or three
+in one place; and more generally they stood singly--apart from any of
+their own kind, and surrounded by other trees of the forest.  But though
+surrounded by other sorts, they were overtopped by none.  On the
+contrary, their own tops rose above all the others to a vast height;
+and, what was most singular, they did not put forth a branch from their
+trunks until the latter had shot up to some feet above the "spray" of
+the surrounding forest.  It was this peculiarity that had drawn the
+attention of our hunters.  They might not have noticed it, had they kept
+on under the trees; but, on crossing a slight eminence--where the ground
+was open--they chanced to get a view of a number of these tall trees,
+and saw that they towered to a vast height, above all the others.
+
+Even their tops had the appearance of tall trees, standing thinly over
+the ground--the ground itself being neither more nor less than the
+contiguous heads of the other trees, that formed the forest.  Had this
+forest been a law jungle, there would have been nothing extraordinary in
+what they saw; but our hunters had already observed that it was a true
+forest of grand trees--most of them a hundred feet in height.  As the
+trees which had attracted their admiration rose full fifty feet above
+the tops of the others, it may be imagined what tall individuals they
+were.  They were slender, too, in proportion to their height; and these
+stems rising two hundred feet, without a single offshoot or branch upon
+them, gave the trees the appearance of being still taller than they
+actually were--just as a thin clean spar, set upright, looks much taller
+than a hill or a house of the same elevation.
+
+We have said that there were no branches for the first hundred feet or
+so up the stem.  Beyond that there were many and large limbs; which,
+diverging only slightly, and in a fastigiate manner, carried the tree
+nearly as much higher.  These branches were regularly set; and covered
+with small, light, green leaves, forming a beautiful round head.
+
+The bark of this tree was white, and by piercing it with a knife, our
+hunters perceived that it was soft and milky.  The wood, too, for some
+inches below the periphery was so spongy, that the blade of the knife
+penetrated into it almost as easily as into the stalk of a cabbage.
+
+The wood near the bark was of a white colour.  Inwards it became harder;
+and had they been able to reach the heart, they would have found it very
+hard, and of a dark chocolate colour.  On exposure to the air, this
+heart-wood turns black as ebony; and is used for similar purposes by the
+native Dyaks and Malays, who manufacture from it bracelets and other
+_bijouterie_.
+
+On asking their Dyak guide the name of this remarkable tree, he said it
+was called the _tapang_.  This, however, gave no information regarding
+its species; but Alexis, shortly after, in passing under one, observed
+some flowers that had fallen from its top; and having examined one of
+these, pronounced the tree a species of _ficus_--a very common genus in
+the islands of the Indian Archipelago.
+
+If our young hunters were filled with admiration at sight of this
+beautiful tree itself, they shortly after observed something that
+changed their admiration into wonder.  On advancing towards one of the
+tapangs, they were struck with a singular serrated appearance that
+showed along the edge of its trunk--from the ground up to the base of
+its branching head.  It looked as if a tall ladder was laid edgeways
+along the trunk of the tree--one side of it bidden under the bark!  On
+drawing nearer, this appearance was explained.  A ladder in reality it
+was; but one of rare construction; and which could not have been removed
+from the tree, without taking it entirely to pieces.  On closer
+examination, this ladder proved to be a series of bamboo spikes--driven
+into the soft trunk in a slightly slanting direction, and about two feet
+apart, one above the other.  The spikes themselves forming the rounds,
+were each about a foot in length; and held firmly in their places by a
+bamboo rail--to which their outer ends were attached by means of thin
+strips of rattan.  This rail extended the whole way from the ground to
+the commencement of the branches.
+
+It was evident that this extemporised ladder had been constructed for
+the purpose of climbing the tree, but with what object?  Upon this head
+their Dyak guide was the very man to enlighten them: since it was he
+himself who had made the ladder.  The construction of such ladders, and
+afterwards the climbing of them, were the most essential branches of his
+calling--which, as already stated, was that of a bee-hunter.  His
+account of the matter was as follows.  A large wasp-like bee, which is
+called _lanyeh_, builds its nests upon these tall tapangs.  The nest
+consists of an accumulation of pale yellowish wax--which the bees attach
+to the under-side of the thick branches, so that these may shelter the
+hive from the rain.  To reach these nests, the bamboo ladder is
+constructed, and the ascent is made--not for the purpose of obtaining
+the honey alone--but more on account of the wax, out of which the combs
+are formed.  The lanyeh being as much _wasp_ as _bee_, produces a very
+small quantity of honey; and that, too, of inferior quality; but the wax
+is a valuable article, and of this several dollars' worth may be
+procured from a single hive.
+
+It is dearly earned money--very dearly earned, indeed; but the poor Dyak
+bee-hunter follows the calling from motives not easily understood--since
+almost any other would afford him a living, with less labour and
+certainly with less _pain_.  Pain, indeed! he never succeeds in
+plundering the store of the _lanyeh_, without being severely stung by
+the insects; and though their sting is quite as painful as that of the
+common wasp, experience seems to have rendered the Dyak almost
+indifferent to it.  He ascends the flimsy ladder without fear--carrying
+a blazing torch in his hand, and a cane basket on his back.  By means of
+the torch, he ejects the bees from their aerial domiciles; and, then
+having torn their combs from the branches, he deposits them in his
+basket--the incensed insects all the while buzzing around his ears, and
+inflicting numerous wounds over his face and throat, as well as upon his
+naked arms!  Very often he returns to the ground with his head swollen
+to twice the size it was previous to his going up!  Not a very pleasant
+profession is that of a Bornean bee-hunter!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN.
+
+THE BRUANG.
+
+As the party proceeded onward, they observed several other tapang-trees,
+with ladders attached to them; and at the bottom of one of these--which
+was the tallest they had yet seen--the guide made a halt.
+
+Taking off his _kris_, and throwing to the ground an axe, which he had
+brought along, he commenced ascending the tree.
+
+Our hunters inquired his object.  They knew it could not be either honey
+or wax.  There had been a bees' nest upon this tree--as the ladder
+told--but that had been removed long ago; and there now appeared nothing
+among the branches that should make it worth while to climb up to them.
+The answer of the bee-hunter explained his purpose.  He was merely
+ascending to have a lookout over the forest--which in that neighbourhood
+could not be obtained by any other means than by the climbing of a
+_tapang_.
+
+It was fearful to watch the man ascending to such a dizzy height, and
+with such a flimsy, uncertain support beneath his feet.  It reminded
+them of what they had seen at the Palombiere of the Pyrenees.
+
+The Dyak soon reached the top of the ladder; and for some ten minutes or
+more clung there--screwing his head around, and appearing to examine the
+forest on all sides.  At length his head rested steadily upon his
+shoulders; and his gaze appeared to be fixed in one particular
+direction.  He was too distant for the party at the bottom of the tree
+to note the expression upon his countenance; but his attitude told them
+that he had made some discovery.
+
+Shortly after he came down; and reported this discovery in laconic
+phrase, simply saying:--
+
+"_Bruang_--see him!"
+
+The hunters knew that "bruang" was the Malayan name for bear; and the
+coincidence of this word with the _sobriquet_ "Bruin" had already led
+them to indulge in the speculation, as to whether the latter might not
+have originally come from the East?
+
+They did not stay to think of it then: for the guide, on regaining
+_terra firma_, at once started off--telling them to follow him.
+
+After going rapidly about a quarter of a mile through the woods, the
+Dyak began to advance more cautiously--carefully examining each of the
+trunks of the _tapangs_ that stood thinly scattered among the other
+trees.
+
+At one of these he was seen to make an abrupt halt, at the same instant
+turning his face upward.  The young hunters, who were close behind him,
+could see that there were scratches upon the soft succulent bark, as if
+caused by the claws of some animal; but, almost as soon as they had made
+the observation, their eyes were directed to the animal itself.
+
+Away up on the tall tapang--just where its lowest limbs parted from the
+main stem--a black body could be distinguished.  At such a distance it
+appeared not bigger than a squirrel; but, for all that, it was a Bornean
+bear; and the spot of vivid orange upon its breast could be seen shining
+like a coal of fire.  Close by its snout a whitish mass appeared
+attached under the branches.  This was the waxen domicile of the
+_lanyeh_ bees; and a slight mist-like cloud, which hung over the place,
+was the swarm itself--no doubt engaged in angry conflict with the
+plunderer of their hive.
+
+The little bear was too busy in the enjoyment of his luscious meal--that
+is, if the stings of the _lanyehs_ allowed him to enjoy it--to look
+below; and for some minutes the hunters stood regarding him, without
+making a movement.
+
+Satisfied with their inspection, they were at length preparing to fire
+at him; when they were hindered by the Dyak--who, making signs to them
+to be silent, drew them all back from the tree.
+
+When out of sight of the bear, he counselled them to adopt a different
+plan.  He said--what was true enough--that at such a height they might
+miss the bear; or, even if they should hit him, a bullet would scarce
+bring him down--unless it should strike him in a vital part.  In the
+contingency of their missing, or only slightly wounding him, the animal
+would at once ascend further up into the tapang; and, hidden behind the
+leaves and branches, might defy them.  He would there remain till hunger
+should force him down; and, since he was just in the act of having his
+meal, and had, no doubt, been eating from the time he was first espied--
+or longer, perhaps--he would be in a condition to stay in the tree,
+until their patience should be more than exhausted.
+
+True, they might fell the tree: they had an axe, and could soon cut the
+tree down--as the wood was soft; but the Dyak alleged that the bruang in
+such cases usually contrives to escape.  The tapang rarely falls all the
+way, but only upon the tops of the trees that stand thickly round; and
+as the Bornean bear can climb and cling like a monkey, he is never
+shaken out of the branches, but springs from them into some other tree--
+among the thick leaves of which he may conceal himself; or, by getting
+to the ground, manage to steal off.
+
+His advice, therefore, was, that the hunters should conceal themselves
+behind the trunks of the surrounding trees; and, observing silence, wait
+till the bruang had finished his mellifluous repast, and feel inclined
+to come down.  The Dyak said he would make his descent stern foremost;
+and, if they acted cautiously, they might have him at their mercy, and
+almost at the muzzles of their guns.
+
+There was only one of the three who was not agreeable to this plan; and
+that was the impatient Ivan; but, overruled by the advice of his
+brother, he also gave his consent to it.
+
+The three now took their respective stands behind three trees--that
+formed a sort of triangle around the tapang; and the guide, who had no
+gun, placed himself apart--holding his kris in readiness to finish off
+the bear, should the animal be only wounded.
+
+There was no danger to be dreaded from the encounter.  The little bear
+of Borneo is only dangerous to the bees and white ants--or other
+insects--which he is accustomed to lick up with his long tongue.  The
+human hunter has nothing to fear from him, any more than from a timid
+deer--though he will scratch, and growl, and bite, if too closely
+approached.
+
+It was just as the Dyak had predicted.  The bruang, having finished his
+meal, was seen coming down the tree tail foremost; and in this way would
+no doubt have continued on to the ground; but, before he had got halfway
+down the trunk, Ivan's impatience got the better of him; and the loud
+bang of his fowling-piece filled the forest with its echoes.  Of course
+it was a bullet that Ivan had fired; and it appeared that he had missed.
+It was of little use firing also his shot barrel, though he did so
+immediately after.
+
+The effect of his shots was to frighten the bruang back up the tree; and
+at the first report he commenced ascending.  Almost as rapidly as a cat
+he swarmed upward; and for a moment the chances of losing him appeared
+as two to one.  But Alexis, who had been watching the restless movements
+of his brother, had prepared himself for such an issue; and, waiting
+till the bruang made a pause just under the branches, he fired his rifle
+with deadlier aim.  The bear, in clutching to one of the limbs, had
+extended his body outward, and this gave the rifleman the chance of
+aiming at his head.  The bullet must have told: for the bear, instead of
+ascending higher, was seen hanging down from the limb, as if he was
+clinging to it with enfeebled strength.
+
+At this moment the cannon-like report of Pouchskin's fusil filled the
+woods with its booming echoes; and Bruin, suddenly relaxing his grasp,
+came bump down among the hunters--missing Pouchskin by about the eighth
+part of an inch!  Lucky for the old grenadier there was even this much
+of a miss.  It was as good as a mile to him.  Had the bear's body
+descended upon his shoulders, falling from such a height, it would have
+flattened him out as dead as the bear was himself; and Pouchskin,
+perceiving the danger from which he had so narrowly escaped, looked as
+perplexed and miserable as if some great misfortune had actually
+befallen him!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT.
+
+THE CABBAGE-EATER.
+
+Our heroes now, having accomplished their mission to Borneo, were about
+to cross over to the island of Sumatra; in which--as well as in Java, or
+upon the mainland of Malacca--they would find the other sun-bear, known
+as the _ursus malayanus_; but previous to their departure from Sambos,
+they obtained information that led them to believe that this species
+also inhabited the island of Borneo.  It was more rarely met with than
+the orange-breasted variety; but the natives, generally better guides
+than the anatomists in the matter of specific distinctions, stoutly
+maintained that there were two kinds; and the Dyak bee-hunter--whose
+interest had been secured by the ample reward already bestowed upon
+him--promised them, that if they would go with him to a certain district
+of country, he would show them the larger species of bruang.  From the
+man's description of it Alexis easily recognised the _ursus malayanus_--
+the species they had killed being the _ursus euryspilus_.
+
+Indeed, had there been any doubt about this matter, it would have been
+set at rest, by what our travellers saw in the streets of Sambos.  There
+both species were exhibited by the itinerant jugglers--for both the
+sun-bears can be easily tamed and trained--and these men stated that
+they had procured the "big bruang," in the woods of Borneo.
+
+Since, then, he was there to be found, why go to Sumatra in search of
+him?  They had still travelling enough before them; and they were
+beginning to get tired of it.  It was natural that--after so long an
+absence and the endurance of so many perils and hardships--they should
+be longing for home, and the comforts of that fine palace on the banks
+of the Neva.
+
+They resolved, therefore, to accompany the Dyak guide on a new
+expedition.
+
+They were a whole day upon the journey; and just before nightfall
+reached the place, where the man expected to fall in with the big
+bruangs.  Of course, they could not commence their search before
+morning.  They baited, therefore, and formed camp--their Dyak guide
+erecting a bamboo hut in less than an hour, and thatching it over with
+the huge leaves of the wild _musaceae_.
+
+The place where they had halted was in the midst of a magnificent grove,
+or rather a forest, of palms; of that kind called _nibong_ by the
+natives, which is a species of the genus _arenga_.  It is one of the
+"cabbage" palms; that is, its young leaves before expanding are eaten by
+the natives as a vegetable after the manner in which Europeans use
+cabbage.  They are of a delicate whiteness, with a sweet nutty flavour;
+and, in point of excellence, are even superior to those of the
+cocoa-nut, or even the West India cabbage palm (_areca oleracea_).  But
+the nibong is put by the Borneans and other natives of the Indian
+Archipelago to a great variety of uses.  Its round stem is employed as
+uprights and rafters for their houses.  Split into lathes, it serves for
+the flooring.  Sugar can be obtained from the saccharine juice of its
+spadix, which also ferments into an intoxicating beverage; and sago
+exists in abundance within the trunk.  Pens and arrows for blow-guns are
+also made from the midribs of the side leaves; and, in fact, the _arenga
+saccharifera_, like many other palms, serves for an endless variety of
+purposes.
+
+Alexis was greatly interested by the appearance of this beautiful tree;
+but it was too late when they arrived on the ground for him to have an
+opportunity of examining it.  The half-hour before darkness had been
+occupied in the construction of the hut--in which all hands had borne
+part.
+
+Early in the morning, Alexis--still curious about the arenga-trees--and
+desirous of ascertaining to what genus of palms they belonged--strayed
+off among them, in hopes of procuring a flower.  The others remained by
+the hut, preparing breakfast.
+
+Alexis saw none of the trees in flower, their great spathes being yet
+unfolded; but, toping to find some one more forward than the rest, he
+kept on for a considerable distance through the forest.
+
+As he was walking leisurely along, his eyes at intervals turned upward
+to the fronds of the palms, he saw that one of the trunks directly in
+front of him was in motion.  He stopped and listened.  He heard a sound
+as of something in the act of being rent, just as if some one was
+plucking leaves from the trees.  The sound proceeded from the one that
+was in motion; but it was only its trunk that he saw; and whatever was
+causing the noise and the movement appeared to be up among the great
+fronds at its crown.
+
+Alexis regretted that he had left his gun behind him.  He had no other
+weapon with him but his knife.  Not that he was afraid: for the animal
+could not be an elephant in the top of a palm-tree, nor a rhinoceros;
+and these were the only quadrupeds that need be greatly dreaded in a
+Bornean forest: since the royal tiger, though common enough both in Java
+and Sumatra, is not an inhabitant of Borneo.
+
+It was not fear that caused him to regret having left his gun behind
+him; but simply that he should lose the chance of shooting some animal--
+perhaps a rare one.  That it was a large one he could tell by the
+movement of the tree: since no squirrel or small quadruped could have
+caused the stout trunk of the palm to vibrate in such a violent manner.
+
+I need not say how the regret of the young hunter was increased, when he
+approached the tree, and looking up, saw what the animal really was--a
+bear, and that bear the true _ursus malayanus_!  Yes, there was he, with
+his black body, yellowish muzzle, and white half-moon upon his breast--
+busy gorging himself upon the tender leaflets of the arenga--whose white
+fragments, constantly dropping from his jaws, strewed the ground at the
+bottom of the tree.
+
+Alexis now remembered that this was a well-known habit of the Malayan
+bear--whose favourite food is the "cabbage" of palm-trees, and who often
+extends his depredations to the cocoa plantations, destroying hundreds
+of trees before he can be detected and destroyed himself.  Of course
+this wild arenga wood--furnishing the bear with as much "cabbage" as he
+might require--was just the place for him; and Alexis now understood the
+reason why the Dyak had conducted them thither.
+
+As the naturalist knew that this kind of bear was more rare than the
+other species--that is, in Borneo--he now more than ever felt chagrin at
+not having his gun with him.  To attempt attacking the animal with his
+knife would have been absurd, as well as dangerous--for the Malayan bear
+can maintain a better fight than his Bornean brother.
+
+But, indeed, even had Alexis desired it, there would have been no chance
+to reach the animal with his knife--unless the hunter should himself
+climb up the palm; and that was more than he either dared or could.
+
+Of course the bear had long ere this perceived his enemy at the foot of
+the tree; and, uttering a series of low querulous cries, had desisted
+from his cabbage eating, and placed himself in an attitude of defence.
+It was evident from the position he had assumed, that he had no design
+of coming down, so long as the hunter remained at the bottom of the
+tree; nor did the latter desire him to do so.  On the contrary, he
+struck the tree with a stick, and made several other demonstrations,
+with the design to hinder the bear from attempting a descent.  But the
+animal did not even meditate such a thing.  Though the palm was not one
+of the highest, it was tall enough to keep him out of the reach of any
+weapon the hunter could lay hands upon; and the bear, seemingly
+conscious of this fact, kept his perch with a confident air--that showed
+he had no intention of changing his secure position.
+
+Alexis now began to reflect about what he should do.  If he could make
+the others hear him, that would answer every purpose.  Of course they
+would come up, bringing with them their guns.  This was the most
+promising plan; and Alexis hastened to put it into execution, by
+hallooing at the top of his voice.  But, after he had shouted for nearly
+ten minutes, and waited for ten more, no response was given; nor did any
+one make an appearance upon the ground.
+
+Once more Alexis raised his voice, and shouted till the woods rang with
+echoes.  But these echoes were all the reply he could get to his calls.
+
+It was evident he had unconsciously strayed far from the camp, and quite
+out of earshot of his companions!
+
+What was to be done?  If he should go back to the others, to bring them
+and also his gun, the bear would in all probability seize the
+opportunity to descend from the tree and take himself off.  In that case
+he would most certainly escape: since there would be no chance of
+tracking him through such a wood.  On the other hand, Alexis need not
+remain where he was.  He might stay there till doomsday, before Bruin
+would condescend to come down; and even should he do so, what chance
+would there be of effecting his capture?
+
+While reflecting thus, a happy idea occurred to the young hunter; and he
+was seen all at once to step a pace or two back, and place himself
+behind the broad leaves of a wild _pisang_, where he was hidden from the
+eyes of the bear.
+
+As the morning was a little raw he had his cloak around him; and this he
+instantly stripped off.  He had already in his hands the stout long
+stick--with which he had been hammering upon the palm--and this he now
+sharpened at one end with his knife.  On the other end he placed his
+cap, and beneath it his cloak, folding the latter around the stick, and
+tying it on in such a fashion as to make of it a rude representation of
+the human form.
+
+When he had got the "dummy" rigged out to his satisfaction, he reached
+cautiously forward--still keeping the fronds of the pisang between
+himself and the bear.  In this position, he held the "scarecrow" out at
+the full length of his arm; and, giving the stick a punch, set it erect
+in the ground.  The bruang, from his elevated perch on the tree, could
+not fail to see the object--though the hunter himself was still
+concealed by the huge leaves that drooped over his head.  Alexis, now
+cautiously, and without making the slightest noise, stole away from the
+spot.  When he believed himself well out of hearing of the bear, he
+quickened his pace, and retraced his steps to the camp.
+
+It was but the work of a minute for all hands to arm themselves and set
+out; and in ten minutes' time they arrived at the bottom of the
+_arenga_, and had the gratification of finding that the _ruse_ of Alexis
+had proved successful.
+
+The bruang was still crouching upon the crown of the palm; but he did
+not stay there much longer, for a volley fired at his white breast
+toppled him over from his perch; and he fell to the bottom of the tree
+as dead as a stone.
+
+The Dyak was rather chagrined that he had not himself discovered the
+game; but, on ascertaining that he would receive the promised bounty all
+the same, he soon got the better of his regrets.
+
+Our hunters being on the ground, were determined to make a day of it;
+and after breakfast continued their hunt--which resulted in their
+finding and killing, not only another _bruang_, but a _rimau dahan_, or
+"clouded tiger" (_felis macrocelus_): the most beautiful of all feline
+animals, and whose skin they intended should be one of the trophies to
+be mounted in the museum of the palace Grodonoff.
+
+This hunt ended their adventures in the Oriental Archipelago; and from
+Sambos they proceeded direct through the straits of Malacca, and up the
+Bay of Bengal to the great city of Calcutta.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY NINE.
+
+THE SLOTH BEAR.
+
+_En route_ for the grand mountains of Imaus--the stupendous chain of the
+Himalayas!
+
+There our hunters expected to find no less than three species of bears--
+each distinct from the others in outline of form, in aspect, in certain
+habits, and even in _habitat_; for although all three exist in the
+Himalayas, each has its own zone of altitude, in which it ranges almost
+exclusively.  These three bears are, the "sloth bear" (_ursus labatus_),
+the "Thibet bear" (_ursus thibetanus_), and the "snow bear" (_ursus
+isabellinus_).
+
+The first-mentioned is the one which has received most notice--both from
+naturalists and travellers.  It is that species which by certain
+wiseacres of the closet school was for a long time regarded as a sloth
+(_bradypus_).  In redeeming it from this character, other systematists
+were not content to leave it where it really belongs--in the genus
+_ursus_--but must, forsooth, create a new one for its special
+accommodation; and it now figures in zoological catalogues as a
+_prochilus_--the _prochilus labiatus_!  We shall reject this absurd
+title, and call it by its real one--_ursus labiatus_, which, literally
+translated, would mean the "lipped bear"--not a very specific
+appellation neither.  The name has been given in reference to a peculiar
+characteristic of the animal--that is, its power of protruding or
+extending the lips to seize its food--in which peculiarity it resembles
+the tapir, giraffe, and some other animals.  Its trivial name of "sloth
+bear" is more expressive: for certainly its peculiar aspect--caused by
+the long shaggy masses of hair which cover its neck and body--gives it a
+very striking resemblance to the sloth.  Its long crescent-shaped claws
+strengthen this resemblance.  A less distinctive name is that by which
+it is known to the French naturalists, "ours de jongleurs," or
+"juggler's bear."  Its grotesque appearance makes it a great favourite
+with the Indian mountebanks; but, as many other species are also trained
+to dancing and monkey-tricks, the name is not characteristic.
+
+This bear is not quite so large as the _ursus arctos_; though
+individuals are sometimes met with approaching the bulk of the latter.
+The fur is longer and "shaggier" than in any other species--being upon
+the back of the neck full twelve inches in length.  In this mass of long
+hair there is a curious line of separation running transversely across
+the back of the neck.  The front division falls forward over the crown,
+so as to overhang the eyes--thus imparting to the physiognomy of the
+animal a heavy, stupid appearance.  The other portion flaps back,
+forming a thick mane or hunch upon the shoulders.  In old individuals
+the hair becomes greatly elongated; and hanging down almost to the
+ground on both flanks, and along the neck, imparts to the animal the
+strange appearance of being without legs!
+
+The general colour of the coat is black, with here and there a dash of
+brown over it.  Upon the breast there is a white list of a triangular
+shape; and the muzzle is also a dirty yellowish white.  There is no
+danger of mistaking this species for any other of the black Asiatic
+bears, or even any black bears.  The long shaggy hair, hanging loosely,
+presents an appearance altogether different from the uniform brush-like
+surface, which characterises the coats of _ursus malayanus, euryspilus,
+americanus, ornatus_, and _frugilegus_.
+
+Perhaps the most peculiar characteristic of the sloth bear is the
+capability it possesses of protruding the lips, which it can do to a
+length of several inches from its jaws--shooting them out in the form of
+a tube, evidently designed for suction.  This, together with the long
+extensile tongue--which is flat shaped and square at the extremity--
+shows a peculiar design, answering to the habits of the animal.  No
+doubt the extraordinary development of tongue is given to it for the
+same purpose as to the _edentata_ of the ant-eating tribe--to enable it
+to "lick up" the _termites_.
+
+Its great curved claws, which bear a very striking resemblance to those
+of the ant-eaters--especially the large _tamanoir_ of South America--are
+used for the same purpose: that of breaking up the glutinous compost
+with which the termites construct their curious dwellings.
+
+These insects constitute a portion of the sloth bear's "commissariat of
+subsistence;" but he will also eat fruits, and sweet succulent
+vegetables; and, it is scarce necessary to add, that he is "wild after"
+honey, and a regular robber of bee-hives.
+
+Notwithstanding the comic _role_, which he is often taught to play in
+the hands of the jugglers, he not unfrequently enacts a little bit of
+tragedy.  This occurs when in his wild or natural state.  He is not
+disposed wantonly to make an attack upon human beings; and if left
+unmolested, he will go his way; but, when wounded or otherwise provoked,
+he can show fight to about the same degree as the black bear of America.
+The natives of India hold him in dread: but chiefly on account of the
+damage he occasions to their crops--especially to the plantations of
+sugar-cane.
+
+We have stated that the sloth bear is not exclusively confined to the
+Himalayas.  On the contrary, these mountains are only the northern limit
+of his range--which extends over the whole peninsula of Hindostan, and
+even beyond it, to the island of Ceylon.  He is common in the Deccan,
+the country of the Mahrattas, Sylhet, and most probably throughout
+Transgangetic India.  In the mountains that bound the province of Bengal
+to the east and west, and also along the foot-hills of the Himalayas of
+Nepaul on its north, the sloth bear is the most common representative of
+the Bruin family; but up into the higher ranges he does not extend his
+wanderings.  His _habitat_ proves that he affects a hot, rather than a
+cold climate--notwithstanding the great length of the fur upon his coat.
+
+One peculiarity remains to be mentioned.  Instead of hiding himself away
+in solitudes, remote from human habitations, he rather seeks the society
+of man: not that he is fond of the latter; but simply that he may avail
+himself of the results of human industry.  For this purpose he always
+seeks his haunt near to some settlement--whence he may conveniently make
+his depredations upon the crops.  He is not, strictly speaking, a forest
+animal.  The low jungle is his abode; and his lair is a hole under some
+overhanging bank--either a natural cavity, or one which has been
+hollowed out by some burrowing animal.
+
+Knowing that the sloth bear might be met with in any part of the
+country, to the northward of Calcutta, our hunters determined to keep a
+lookout for him while on their way to the Himalayas--which mountains
+they intended ascending, either through the little state of Sikkim, or
+the kingdom of Nepaul.
+
+Their route from Calcutta to the hills lay a little to the west of
+north; and at many places on their journey they not only heard of the
+sloth bear, but were witnesses of the ravages which this destructive
+creature had committed on the crops of the farmers.
+
+There were sugar plantations, on which they saw tall wooden towers
+raised in the middle of the field, and carried to a considerable height
+above the surrounding vegetation.  On inquiring the purpose of these
+singular structures, they were informed that they were intended as
+watch-towers; and that, during the season, when the crops were
+approaching to ripeness, _videttes_ were stationed upon these towers,
+both by night and by day, to keep a lookout for the bears, and frighten
+them off whenever these plunderers made their appearance within the
+boundaries of the fields!
+
+Notwithstanding the many evidences of the sloth bear's presence met with
+throughout the province of Bengal, our hunters failed in falling in with
+this grotesque gentleman, till they were close up to the foot of the
+Himalaya mountains, in that peculiar district known as the _Terai_.
+This is a belt of jungle and forest land--of an average width of about
+twenty miles, and stretching along the southern base of the Himalaya
+range throughout its whole length, from Afghanistan to China.  In all
+places the Terai is of so unhealthy a character, that it can scarcely be
+said to be inhabited--its only human denizens being a few sparse tribes
+of native people (Mechs); who, acclimated to its miasmatic atmosphere,
+have nothing to fear from it.  Woe to the European who makes any
+lengthened sojourn in the Terai!  He who does will there find his grave.
+
+For all its unhealthiness, it is the favourite haunt of many of the
+largest quadrupeds: the elephant, the huge Indian rhinoceros, the lion
+and tiger, the jungly ghau or wild ox, the sambur stag, panthers,
+leopards, and cheetahs.  The sloth bear roams through its thickets and
+glades--where his favourite food, the white ants, abounds; and it was
+upon reaching this district that our hunters more particularly bent
+themselves to search for a specimen of this uncouth creature.
+
+Fortunately they were not long till they found one--else the climate of
+the Terai would soon have so enfeebled them, that they might never have
+been able to climb the stupendous mountains beyond.  Almost upon
+entering within the confines of this deadly wilderness, they encountered
+the sloth bear; and although the interview was purely accidental, it
+ended in Bruin being deprived of his life and his long-haired robe.
+
+The sloth bear did not submit tamely to this double robbery, for he was
+himself the assailant--having been the first to cry "stand and deliver!"
+Nor was his conquest accomplished without a perilous struggle--that
+came very near reducing the number of our heroes from odd to even.  But
+we shall give the account of the affair, as we find it detailed in the
+journal of Alexis.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTY.
+
+BRUIN TAKEN BY THE TONGUE.
+
+The travellers had halted for lunch, and tied their horses to the trees.
+While Pouchskin was spreading out the comestibles, and Alexis engaged
+in noting down in his journal the events of the day, Ivan--attracted by
+a beautiful bird--had taken up his fowling-piece, and followed the bird
+through the jungle--in hopes of getting a shot at it.  We go along with
+Ivan, for it was he who started the "mountebank" bear, that came near
+mounting him on the moment of their meeting it.
+
+Ivan was walking cautiously along a bank, that rose to about the height
+of his head; but which in places was undermined, as if by the action of
+running water--though there was no water to be seen.  The ground,
+however, upon which he trod was covered with pebbles and coarse gravel--
+showing that at some period water must have flowed over it; and, indeed,
+it was evidently the bed of a stream that had been full during the rainy
+season, but was now completely dried up.
+
+Ivan was not thinking of this; but of the beautiful bird which was
+flitting about among the trees--still keeping out of the range of his
+gun.  He was in a bent attitude, crouching along under the bank--which
+he was using as a cover, to enable him to approach the tantalising game.
+
+All at once, a singular noise fell upon his ear.  It was a sort of
+monotonous purring, like that made by a spinning-machine, or a very
+large tom-cat; and like the latter, it was prolonged and continuous.
+The sound was not exactly pleasant to Ivan's ear, for it denoted the
+proximity of some animal; and, although it was not loud, there was
+something about the tone that told him the animal giving utterance to it
+was a creature to be feared.  In fact, it fell upon Ivan's ear in the
+character of a warning; and caused him to desist from his pursuit of the
+bird, come suddenly to a stand, and listen with great attention.
+
+For some moments he was unable to make out whence the sound proceeded.
+It seemed to fill the space all around him--as if it came out of the air
+itself--for the purring sound kept the atmosphere constantly vibrating;
+and, as there was no definite concussion, it was all the more difficult
+to trace it to its source.
+
+The thought that had entered into Ivan's mind was that it might be the
+purring of a tiger he heard; and yet it seemed scarcely so harsh as
+that--for he knew the peculiar rattle which frequently proceeds from the
+thorax of the royal Bengalese cat.
+
+He quickly reflected, however, that whether it was tiger or not, it
+would neither be safe for him to raise an alarm, nor start to rush back
+to the bivouac--though this was not twenty yards from the spot.  By
+making an attempt to retreat, he might draw the animal after him, or
+stumble upon it--not knowing its direction.  It was to ascertain its
+whereabouts that he had stopped and stood listening.  That once known,
+he might keep his place, or lake to flight--as circumstances should
+dictate.
+
+Nearly a minute remained he in this irresolute attitude--looking around
+on every side, and over the bank into the contiguous jungle; but he
+could see no living thing of any kind--for even the bird had long since
+taken its departure from the place.  Still the purring continued; and
+once or twice the sound increased in volume--till it almost assumed the
+character of a "growl."
+
+All at once, however, it came to an end; and was succeeded by a quick
+sharp "sniff," several times repeated.  This was a more definite sound;
+and guided Ivan's eyes in a direction in which he had not before thought
+of looking.  He had hitherto been reconnoitring around him and _over_
+the bank.  He had not thought of looking _under_ it.
+
+In this direction were his eyes now turned; and, stooping his body, he
+peered into the dark subterraneous excavation which the water had caused
+in the alluvial earth.  There, to his surprise, he beheld the author of
+the baritone performance that had been puzzling him.
+
+At first he saw only a countenance of a dirty-whitish colour, with a
+pair of ugly glancing eyes; but, in looking more attentively, this
+countenance was seen to protrude out of an immense surrounding of black
+shaggy hair, which could be the covering of no other animal than a
+bear--and a sloth bear at that?
+
+On making this discovery, Ivan did not know whether to be merry or sad.
+He would have been glad enough, had he seen the bear at a distance; but,
+situated as he was--with the great brute near enough to reach him at a
+single spring,--in fact, almost between his legs--he had little cause to
+congratulate himself upon the "find."  Nor did he.  On the contrary, he
+was seized with a quick perception of danger, and only thought of making
+his escape.  He would have turned upon the instant and fled; but it
+occurred to him, that by doing so he would draw the bear after him; and
+he knew that, notwithstanding the uncouth shuffle which a bear makes in
+running,--and the sloth bear is the greatest "shuffler" of the family,--
+he can still go too fast for a man.  Should he turn his face, the bear
+might spring upon his back, and thus have him at his mercy.
+
+Instead of facing away, therefore, Ivan kept his front to the bank; and
+with his eyes fixed upon the animal, commenced gliding backward, slowly
+but silently.  At the same time he had cautiously raised his gun to the
+level--with no intention, however, of firing, but merely to be ready in
+case the bear should become the assailant.  Otherwise, Ivan was
+perfectly agreeable to making it a "draw" between them.
+
+Bruin, however, had no idea of thus giving up the game; for the fierce
+growl which just at that moment escaped him, signified anything but
+assent.  On the contrary, it was the prelude to the play; and declared
+his intention of beginning it.  Almost simultaneous with the growl, he
+was seen starting to his feet; and before Ivan could pull trigger, or
+even raise his gun to a proper elevation, a huge mass of black shaggy
+hair, like a bundle of sooty rags, came whisking through the air
+directly towards him.  Men talk of the sudden spring of the tiger, and
+the quick, rushing charge of the lion; but strange as it may seem,
+neither one nor other of these animals can charge forward on their
+intended victim with more celerity than a bear--clumsy and uncouth as
+Bruin may appear.  His capacity of raising himself erect gives him this
+advantage; and from his great plantigrade posterior paws, combined with
+his powerful muscular legs, he can pitch forward with a velocity
+surprising as it is unexpected.  This the regular bear-hunter well
+knows; and the knowledge renders him cautious about coming too close to
+a _couchant_ bear.  Ivan himself knew it; and it was for this very
+reason he was endeavouring to widen the distance between himself and
+Bruin, before he should turn to run.
+
+Unfortunately he had not succeeded in gaining sufficient ground.  He was
+still within charging distance of the animal as it rose to its feet; but
+another step backward as the bear launched forth, carried him clear of
+the spring; and Bruin leaped short.  In another instant, however, he
+erected himself, and again sprang forward; but this time the impetus
+given to his body was not so great; and, although he succeeded in
+closing with the young hunter, the latter was enabled to keep his feet
+and grapple with him in an erect attitude.  Had he fallen to the ground,
+the bear would have made short work with him.
+
+Ivan had dropped his gun: for, not having time to raise it or take aim,
+the weapon was of no use.  His hands were therefore free; and as the
+bear pitched up against him, he stretched out his arms, grasped the long
+hair that hung over the frontlet of the animal, and with all his might
+held back the monster's head with his threatening jaws.
+
+The bear had thrown both his paws around the body of the young hunter;
+but a broad thick belt which the latter chanced to have on, protected
+his skin from the animal's claws.  So long as he could hold back that
+open mouth, with its double rows of white sharp teeth, he had not so
+much to fear; but his strength could not last long against such a
+powerful wrestler.  His only hope was that the cries which he was
+raising would bring the others to his assistance; and of this he had no
+doubt: as he already heard both Pouchskin and Alexis hurrying up towards
+the spot.
+
+It was a perilous moment.  The extended jaws of the bear were within
+twelve inches of the young hunter's face; he could feel the hot breath
+steaming against his cheeks, and the long extensile tongue almost
+touched his forehead, vibrating about in rapid sweeps, as if the animal
+by that means hoped to bring his head within reach!
+
+The struggle was not protracted.  It lasted till Alexis and Pouchskin
+came upon the ground; but not six seconds longer.  The first thing that
+Pouchskin did was to grasp the protruding tongue of the bear in his left
+hand--making a half curl of it round his fingers--while with his right
+he plunged his long knife right between the ribs of the animal.  Alexis,
+on the other side, dealt a blow in similar fashion; and, before either
+of them could draw his blade out of its hair-covered sheath, the huge
+mountebank relaxed his hold, and rolled over among the pebbles.  There,
+after a few grotesque contortions his limbs lay extended and motionless,
+making it evident beyond a doubt, that _his_ "dancing days were over."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTY ONE.
+
+AN EXTRA SKIN.
+
+Our hunters did not remain at their bivouac longer than was absolutely
+necessary to swallow a hasty meal.  They had been warned of the
+dangerous climate of the _Terai_, and hurrying on through it, reached
+the more elevated hill region before night.  Journeying on, they entered
+the kingdom of Nepaul, among whose hills they expected to find the
+Thibet bear (_ursus thibetanus_).  This animal has been usually regarded
+as a mere variety of the _ursus arctos_; but without the slightest
+reason.  It is an animal of more gentle habits, and exclusively a
+vegetarian in its diet: in colour it is black, but having a white mark
+on its breast shaped like a Y, the branches of the letter coming up in
+front of its shoulders, while the limb extends between the fore legs and
+halfway along the belly.  The claws of the animal are small and weak;
+and its profile forms almost a straight line, thus essentially differing
+from the _ursus arctos_.  It is also a much smaller animal--rarely
+attaining to more than half the size of the latter species, and scarce
+bigger than the _ursus malayanus_, to which it bears a far greater
+resemblance.  It is found in the mountains of Sylhet, and throughout
+that portion of the Himalayas enclosed within the great bend of the
+Brahmapootra, in Thibet, whence it derives its specific appellation.  It
+is equally an inhabitant of the hill-country of Nepaul; and there our
+hunters proceeded in search of their specimen.  By the help of a
+"Ghoorka" guide, which they had hired, they were not long in finding
+one; but as there was no curious or particular incident connected with
+its capture, the journal of Alexis is silent upon the affair: it is only
+recorded that the animal was started from a thicket of _rhododendron_
+bushes, and shot down while endeavouring to make its escape.
+
+Having settled their business with the Thibet bear, our hunters might
+have also procured another species within the territory of Nepaul--that
+is, the brown, or Isabella bear (_ursus isabellinus_).  This they could
+have found by ascending to the higher ranges of the great snowy
+mountains that overlook Nepaul; but as they knew they should also
+encounter this species near the sources of the Ganges, and as they were
+desirous of visiting that remarkable locality, they continued on
+westward through Nepaul and Delhi, arriving at the health station of
+Mussoorie, in the beautiful valley of the Dehra Doon.
+
+After resting here for some days, they proceeded to ascend the
+mountains, the lower and middle zone of which they found covered with
+forests of magnificent oaks, of several distinct species.
+
+In these oak-forests, greatly to the surprise of Alexis, they heard of
+the existence of a large black bear, altogether different from the
+_ursus thibetanus_, and equally so from the _ursus isabellinus_--a
+distinct species, in fact, which, though well-known to Anglo-Indian
+hunters, appears to have escaped the attention of naturalists.
+
+They ascertained, moreover, that he was far from being a scarce animal,
+or an insignificant member of the Bruin family; in point of size,
+formidable strength, and ferocity of disposition, being only inferior to
+_ursus ferox_ and _maritimus_, and in all these qualities quite a match
+for the _ursus arctos_.  Of his fierce nature, and the capability to do
+mischief, our travellers had evidence in almost every village through
+which they passed.  Numerous instances were brought before their notice
+of men who had been scratched and torn by these black bears, and some
+most fearfully mutilated.  They saw men with their whole skin stripped
+from their skulls and faces; their features presenting a most hideous
+aspect.
+
+This singular habit of inflicting punishment on their human enemy
+appears to be common to the whole bear tribe--I mean, the habit of
+scalping their victims, and endeavouring to disfigure the face.  Not
+only do both the black and brown bears of the Himalayas follow this
+habit, but also the _ursus arctos_, the grizzly, and the white.  They
+always aim at the head, but more especially the face; and with a single
+"rake" of their spread claws, usually strip off both skin and flesh.
+
+Having accomplished this, a bear will often desist from further
+ill-treatment of his victims; and if the latter will but lie still and
+feign dead, the monster will give up mauling him, and shamble off from
+the ground, apparently satisfied with having taken the scalp.
+
+This savage habit on the part of the bears our young hunters had long
+since noted; and that the black bear of the Himalayas followed the
+fashion of his kindred, they had now ample evidence.
+
+In his other habits--which they learnt from the shikkaries, or village
+hunters--this bear strongly resembles the _ursus arctos_ of Northern
+Europe.  On ordinary occasions his food consists of fruits, roots, and
+insects of _every_ kind he can catch--even scorpions and beetles--and
+where the primeval forest does not afford him full rations, he will
+enter the cultivated grounds and make havoc among the crops.  Strange
+enough, he does not meddle with the wheat; though he will ravage the
+fields of buckwheat and barley!  At night he enters the gardens
+contiguous to the houses, and plunders them of all kinds of fruits and
+vegetables.  He even approaches still nearer--abstracting their honey
+from the tame bees--the hives of which, according to a curious custom of
+the hill people, are set in little indentations in the walls of their
+dwelling-houses.
+
+The black bear occasionally cools his chops by munching melons and
+cucumbers; but he is particularly fond of a dessert of apricots--which
+is the most common fruit cultivated throughout the middle ranges of the
+Himalayas.  The bear enters the apricot orchard at night; and climbing
+the trees, will make more havoc in a single visit than a score of
+schoolboys.  In all the orchards, elevated crows' nests or sentry boxes
+are set up, specially intended for watching the bears; and at this
+season many of them are killed in the act of robbing.
+
+The Himalayan black bear will eat flesh--either fresh or putrid--and
+when once he has got into this habit he never forsakes it, but remains a
+carnivorous creature for the rest of his life.  He will attack the goats
+and sheep on the mountain pastures; and will even make inroads to the
+village enclosures, and destroy the animals in their very sheds!  When a
+flock of sheep falls in his way, unless he is driven off by the
+shepherds, he does not content himself by killing only one, but
+sometimes converts a score of them into mutton.
+
+Those bears, however, that exhibit an extreme carnivorous propensity,
+are certain to bring about their own destruction: as the attention of
+the villagers being drawn upon them, snares and baited traps are set
+everywhere, and they are also followed by the Shikkaries armed with
+their matchlock guns.
+
+These bears often attain to an immense size--in this respect nearly
+equalling the _ursus arctos_, of which they cannot, however, be supposed
+to be a variety.  Eight feet is the usual length of a full-grown
+specimen; and, when in a good condition, it requires a whole crowd of
+men to raise the carcass of one of them from the ground.
+
+Autumn is their season of greatest fatness; and especially when the
+acorns are getting ripe, but previous to their falling from the tree.
+Then the black bears are met with in the greatest numbers, coming from
+all parts into the oak-forests, and climbing the trees to procure their
+favourite food.  They do not nibble off the acorns one by one; but first
+break the branches which are loaded, and carry them all into one place--
+generally into some fork--where, seated like squirrels, on their great
+hams, they can discuss the meal at their leisure.  In passing through
+these oak-forests, large piles of branches may be seen thus collected
+together on the tops of the trees--resembling the nests of rooks or
+magpies--which have been brought together by the bears for the purpose
+above stated.
+
+When the forest lies in a district, where these bears are much hunted,
+they usually retire by day; and conceal themselves in their
+hiding-places in the thickets; but even in such forests the animals may
+be seen prowling about before sunset, and long after daylight in the
+morning.
+
+In the higher hills and forests of the _khurso_ oak, remote from the
+villages, they do not even take the precaution to hide themselves, but
+remain all day "acorn-gathering" among the trees.  It is at this season
+that they can be hunted with most success: since the hunter is under no
+necessity of tracking them, but can find his great game by simply
+walking quietly through the woods, and keeping a lookout overhead, just
+as if he were searching for squirrels.
+
+It chanced to be the months of October when our hunters arrived at this
+part of the Himalayas; and having reached the region of the larger
+oak-forests, they commenced their search accordingly.  They were
+extremely desirous of success; knowing how much their father would be
+gratified at obtaining the skin of this black bear, which being an
+undescribed variety, might be considered an "extra" one.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTY TWO.
+
+AN UNHAPPY HORSE.
+
+Our young hunters commenced their search in a forest of _khurso_ oaks,
+which, interspersed with cedars and other trees, covered a high
+round-topped ridge, that rose above the little village where they had
+made their headquarters.
+
+On reaching the flat summit of the ridge, they found they could manage
+better without their horses: as seated in the saddle they could not so
+well reconnoitre the tops of the trees, where they expected to see their
+game.  They dismounted, therefore, and leaving their animals tied to the
+branches of a large spreading cedar-tree (the _deodor_), they proceeded
+onward on foot.
+
+On this day the luck seemed to be against them; for although they met
+with plenty of "sign"--where the bears had broken the branches of the
+oaks--and also saw numbers of freshly-made "rooks' nests," they could
+not get their eyes upon Bruin himself, who had left these tokens of his
+presence.  It might be that this forest was frequently hunted by the
+native Shikkaries; and that would account for the absence of the bears
+during the day-time.  They had gone, no doubt, to their hiding-places.
+
+This was the conclusion at which our hunters arrived--after tramping
+about until they were tired; and not having met with a single bear.
+
+It was now the hour of noon; and, as they had been told that the evening
+would be the likelier time to find Bruin upon the prowl, they resolved
+returning to where they had left their horses, and remaining there until
+evening should arrive.  They had grown hungry; and, having walked many
+miles, were pretty well done up.  A bit of dinner, and a few hours' rest
+under the great cedar, would recruit their strength; and enable them to
+take the field again before sunset with a better prospect of success.
+
+Following their backtrack through the forest, therefore, they proceeded
+towards the place where they had left their horses.
+
+Before coming in sight of these animals, they were admonished of their
+proximity by hearing them neighing at short intervals; but, what
+surprised them still more, they heard a constant pounding--as if the
+horses were striking the ground repeatedly and continuously with their
+hoofs!
+
+Arriving within view of them, their astonishment was not diminished, on
+perceiving that the three horses were rearing and dancing over the
+ground, as if endeavouring to break loose from their fastenings!  Each
+had been tied to a separate branch of the tree--their bridles being
+simply noosed over the twigs at the extremities of the branches; and
+allowing them to play to the full length of the rein.  Consequently, the
+three horses were many yards apart from each other; but all were equally
+in motion--all neighing and pitching about, as if something had set them
+mad!
+
+Could it be horse-flies? thought the hunters.  They knew there was a
+species of horse-fly in the Himalayas--greatly dreaded by all animals,
+and even by man himself.  They knew this: for they had already suffered
+from its persecuting bite.  But this was in the lower valleys; and it
+was not likely it should be found at the elevation of this _khurso_
+forests--quite 10,000 feet above sea level.
+
+Perhaps bees?  There might be a nest of wild bees somewhere near--why
+not in the cedar itself--and if so, the horses might be attacked by
+them?  That would account for the capers they were cutting!
+
+They had almost settled it in their mind that this was the true
+explanation; when an object came before their eyes that gave a very
+different solution to the mystery.
+
+One of the horses appeared more frightened than the other two--at least
+he was squealing and curveting in a much more violent manner.  As he
+danced around, his eyes appeared to be directed upwards--the great
+eye-balls sparkling, and protruded as if about to start from their
+sockets.  This guided the glances of the hunters; and, looking among the
+branches of the cedar, they now perceived a large black mass, of an
+oblong shape--extended along one of the lower limbs, and just over the
+spot where the horse was tied.
+
+They had hardly time to make out the shape of this dark object, and
+become convinced that it was the body of a bear, when the huge creature
+was seen to launch itself down from the limb; and then drop like a cat,
+all-fours, upon the back of the horse!
+
+The latter uttered a scream of affright; and as if terror had added to
+his strength, he now succeeded in breaking the branch--around which the
+rein was looped--and bounded off through the forest, the bear still
+squatted upon his back!
+
+The trees that stood around were nearly all of slender growth; but, as
+their stems grew thickly together, the horse, with his strange rider,
+could make but slow way among them; and every now and then the former,
+half blind with affright, dashed his sides against the trunks, causing
+them to crackle and shiver at each concussion.
+
+All at once the horse was seen coming to a halt, as if brought up by the
+power of a Mameluke bit!  The spectators saw this with wondering eyes--
+enable for the moment to explain it.  As they were very near the spot
+where the halt had been made, they soon perceived the nature of the
+interruption.  The bear had thrown one of his great forearms around a
+tree; while, with the other, he still clutched the horse, holding him
+fast!  The design of Bruin was perfectly clear: he had seized the tree
+in order to bring the steed to a stand!
+
+In this for a time he was successful.  With one arm he was enabled to
+retain the tree in his powerful hug; while with the other he held the
+horse--his huge paw, with its retentive claws, being firmly fixed under
+the pommel of the saddle.
+
+A singular struggle now ensued, which lasted for some seconds of time;
+the horse making the meet energetic efforts to escape; while the bear
+was equally eager in endeavouring to retain him.
+
+Lucky was it for the steed that his master was not more particular about
+the girth of his saddle, and that either the strap or buckle was a bad
+one.  Whichever of the two it was, one of them gave way; and the horse,
+thus freed, was not slow to profit by the fortunate accident.  Uttering
+a neigh of joy, he sprang onward--leaving both bear and saddle behind
+him.
+
+So far as the horse was concerned, his danger was over.  Not so with the
+bear, whose troubles were just now to begin.  While holding the horse in
+his muscular arm--and clutching the pine with the other--the tree had
+got bent until its top almost touched the saddle.  When the girth broke,
+therefore, the elastic sapling sprang back like a piece of whalebone;
+and with such an impetus as not only to shake Bruin from his hold, but
+to pitch him several yards to the opposite side--where he lay stunned,
+or at all events so astonished, as, for a moment, to appear as if he had
+taken leave of his life!
+
+This moment of the bear's embarrassment was not lost upon the hunters,
+who ran rapidly up--till within ten paces of the prostrate animal--and
+discharging their guns into his body, prevented him from ever again
+getting to his feet.  His hide was the only part of him that afterwards
+attained the erect attitude; and that was when it was mounted in the
+museum of the Palace Grodonoff.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTY THREE.
+
+THE SNOW BEAR.
+
+Higher up the Himalayas dwells the "snow bear."  This species has
+received from naturalists the very fanciful appellation of the "Isabella
+bear" (_ursus isabellinus_)--a title suggested by its colour being that
+known as "Isabella colour,"--the type of which was the very dirty gown
+worn by Queen Isabella at the siege of Grenada.  It is doubtful whether
+any living man could exactly tell what is an Isabella colour; and the
+use of such a phrase in describing the hue of an animal's skin is
+altogether indefinite and, to say the least, absurd.
+
+The "Isabella bears," moreover, are not always of the so called Isabella
+colour.  On the contrary, there are some of dark-brown, some of a hoary
+brown, and others nearly white; and to Himalayan hunters they are known
+by the various appellations of brown, red, yellow, white, grey, silver,
+and snow, stowing the numerous varieties of colour met with in the
+species.  Some of these varieties are to be attributed to the different
+seasons of the year, and the age of the animal.
+
+Of all these designations, that of "snow bear" appears the most
+characteristic, since it avoids the risk of a confusion of names--the
+other titles being equally bestowed upon certain varieties of the _ursus
+americanus_ and _ursus ferox_.  It is also appropriate to the Himalayan
+animal: since his favourite haunt is along the line of perpetual snow;
+or in the grassy treeless tracts that intervene between the snow-line
+and the forest-covered declivities--to which they descend only at
+particular times of the year.
+
+In identifying this species, but little reliance can be placed on
+colour.  In spring their fur is long and shaggy--of various shades of
+yellowish brown, sometimes reddish-brown, and not unfrequently of a grey
+or silvery hue.  In summer this long yellowish fur falls off; and is
+replaced by a shorter and darker coat, which gradually grows longer and
+lighter as the winter approaches.  The females are a shade
+lighter-coloured than the males; and the cubs have a broad circle of
+white around the neck, which gradually disappears as they grow to their
+full size.
+
+The snow bear _hybernates_, hiding himself away in a cave; and he is
+only seen abroad when the spring sun begins to melt the snow upon the
+grass-covered tracts near the borders of the forest.  On these he may be
+found throughout the summer--feeding upon grass and roots, with such
+reptiles and insects as come in his way.  In the autumn he enters the
+forests in search of berries and nuts, and at this season--like his
+congener, the black bear--he even extends his depredations to the
+cultivated grounds and gardens of the villagers, in search of fruit and
+grain, buckwheat being a favourite food with him.
+
+Though naturally a vegetarian in his diet, he will eat flesh-meat upon
+occasions; and frequently makes havoc among the flocks of sheep and
+goats, that in summer are taken up to pasture on the grassy tracts above
+mentioned.  While thus engaged, he does not regard the presence of man;
+but will attack the shepherds who may attempt to drive him off.
+
+Among the many strange items that compose the larder of the snow bear,
+grubs and scorpions have a prominent place.  He spends much of his time
+in searching for these--scratching them out of their holes, and turning
+over stones to get at them.  Great boulders of rock, that a man could
+not move, he will roll over with his muscular arms; and large tracts of
+ground may be seen with the stones thus displaced.
+
+It was while engaged in this curious occupation, that our hunters came
+upon one of the snow bears; which they succeeded in killing.  He was not
+the first they had encountered: they had started several, and wounded
+two; but both had got off from them.  This one, however, fell to their
+"bag," and in rather an unexpected fashion.
+
+They were working their toilsome way up a narrow ravine--which, although
+the season was autumn, was still filled with snow, that lay in the
+bottom of the gorge to a great depth.  It was snow that had lain all the
+year; and although not frozen, the surface was firm and stiff; and it
+was with difficulty they could get support for their feet on it.  Here
+and there they were compelled to stop and cut steps in the snow--as the
+surface sloped upward at an angle of full 50 degrees, and, in fact, they
+were rather climbing than walking.  Their object, in undertaking this
+toilsome ascent, was simply because they had seen a bear going up the
+same way but a few minutes before; and the scratches of his claws were
+visible on the snow just before their faces.
+
+Making as little noise as possible, they kept onward; and at length
+reached the head of the gorge.  On peeping cautiously over, they saw a
+little table-like tract of level ground, several acres in extent.  It
+was quite clear of snow; and covered with green herbage.  A number of
+large boulder stones lay scattered over it--which had evidently rolled
+down from the mountain-side that rose still higher above the table.
+
+But the sight that most gratified them was the bear himself--no doubt,
+the same they had seen going up the ravine.  They now discovered him
+upon the level ground, not twenty yards from the spot where they stood.
+In a strange attitude they saw him--grasping between his fore paws a
+huge boulder stone, almost as large as his own body, and evidently in
+the act of rolling it out of its bed!
+
+They were the less astonished at what they saw: for, being already
+acquainted with this singular habit of the snow bear, they knew what he
+was about.  They did not stay, therefore, to watch his herculean
+labours; but all three, levelling their guns, pulled trigger
+simultaneously.  The bullets--some of them, at least--evidently struck
+the bear; but, although, he dropped the great boulder--which at once
+fell back into its place--he did not himself drop.  On the contrary, he
+turned suddenly round; and, giving utterance to a savage growl, rushed
+direct towards the hunters.
+
+The latter, not having time to reload, had no choice but to run for it.
+There was no other way of escape open to them, except by the gorge up
+which they had come; as, to attempt ascending to the level ground would
+have brought them face to face with the bear.  They turned, therefore;
+and commenced retreating down the ravine.
+
+But now came the difficulty.  They had not made three strides, before
+perceiving that they could not keep their feet upon the hard sloping
+surface of the snow.  They had no time to cut fresh steps, nor pick out
+their old ones: as by doing either they would go too slowly, while the
+bear could scramble down the snow as rapidly as on bare ground.  There
+was no alternative, therefore, but to fling themselves on their
+posteriors, and slide down the slope.
+
+Quick as came the thought, all three of them dropped down upon their
+hams; and using their guns to prevent them from going with too great
+velocity, they shot downward to the bottom of the ravine.
+
+On reaching the lower end of the slope, and regaining their feet, they
+turned and looked back up the gorge.  The bear had arrived at the upper
+end; and was standing with his fore feet projected over the edge, and
+resting upon the snow.  He appeared to be undecided, as to whether he
+should come down after them, or give up the pursuit.  He was within easy
+range of a bullet; and they bethought them of reloading and giving him a
+fresh volley; when, to their chagrin, they discovered that the barrels
+of their guns were filled with snow--which had got into them during the
+descent.
+
+While lamenting this unfortunate accident--in the full belief that they
+would now lose the bear--they saw the animal make a strange movement.
+It was forward, and towards them--as if he had made up his mind to
+charge down the slope; but they soon perceived that this could not be
+his intention: for as he came gliding on, sometimes his head, and
+sometimes his stern, was foremost; and it was evident that instead of
+the movement being a voluntary act on his part, it was quite the
+contrary.  The fact was, that the bullets which they had fired into him
+had drawn the life's blood out of his veins; and having stood too long
+on the sloping edge of the snow, he had fallen through feebleness; and
+was now tumbling down the ravine, without strength enough to stay his
+descent.
+
+In another instant he lay stretched almost at the feet of the hunters;
+for the impetus imparted to his huge carcass in the descent, had brought
+it with such a "whack" against a large rock, as to deprive him of
+whatever either of blood or breath there had been left in his body.
+
+The hunters, however, made sure of this, by drawing their long knives,
+and making an additional vent or two between his ribs--thus securing
+themselves against all risk of his resuscitation.
+
+They had now finished with the Himalayan bears of known and unknown
+kinds; but Alexis learnt enough from hunters, whom they had encountered
+during their sojourn in these mountains, to convince him that great
+confusion exists among naturalists as to the different species and
+varieties that inhabit the Himalayan range.  Of the "snow bear" itself,
+a variety exists in the mountains of Cashmere; which, as far as Alexis
+could learn, was very different from the kind they had killed.  The
+Cashmirian variety is of a deep reddish-brown colour, much longer in the
+muzzle than the "snow bear," and also a more dangerous antagonist to
+man--being a brute of eminently carnivorous propensity and savage
+disposition.
+
+"It is quite probable," remarks Alexis, in his journal, "that instead of
+three kinds of bears inhabiting the Himalayan range, twice that number
+of `species'--or at all events, of permanent varieties--may be found
+within the extensive area covered by these stupendous mountains."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR.
+
+THE LAST CHASE.
+
+Our travellers descended once more to the plains of Hindostan, and
+crossed the peninsula by _dak_ to Bombay.  From Bombay they sailed
+through the Indian Ocean, and up the Persian Gulf to the port of
+Bussora, on the Euphrates.  Ascending the Tigris branch of this Asiatic
+river, they reached the famed city of Bagdad.  They were now _en route_
+for the haunts of the Syrian bear among the snowy summits of Mount
+Lebanon.  With a Turkish caravan, therefore, they started from Bagdad;
+and after much toil and many hardships, arrived in the city of
+Damascus--the scene of so many troubles and massacres caused by the
+fanaticism of a false religion.
+
+With these questions our travellers had nothing to do; nor did they stay
+any length of time within the walls of the unhappy city.  Soon after
+their arrival in the place, they obtained all the information they
+required of the whereabouts of the Syrian bear; and their steps were now
+directed towards the snowy summits of Libanus--better known to
+Christians by its Scriptural name of Mount Lebanon.
+
+In these mountains the Syrian bear (_ursus syriacus_) is found; and it
+is only a few years since the animal was discovered there.  Every
+naturalist had doubted the existence of bears in any part of Syria--as
+they now deny that there are any in Africa.  Those who acknowledge it,
+are inclined to regard the Syrian bear as a mere variety of the _ursus
+arctos_; but this theory is altogether incorrect.  In shape, colour, and
+many of his habits, the Syrian bear differs essentially from his brown
+congener; and his dwelling-place--instead of being in forest-covered
+tracts--is more generally in open ground or among rocks.  In fact, his
+range upon the Syrian mountains is very similar to that of the "snow
+bear" on the Himalayas--near the line of perpetual snow.
+
+The colour of the _ursus syriacus_ is a light ash or fulvous brown,
+often--with a hoary or silvery tinge--but the colour varies at times to
+lighter and deeper shades.  The hair lies close against the skin--in
+this respect differing from most of the species, in which the fur stands
+erect or perpendicular to the outlines of the body.  This gives the
+Syrian bear the appearance of being a thinner and smaller animal, than
+many bears of upright fur that are no bigger than he.
+
+By one characteristic mark he may be easily identified; and that is, by
+his having an erect ridge of fur running from his neck along the spine
+of his back, and looking not unlike the mane of a donkey.  But, indeed,
+the Syrian bear may be easily distinguished from any other member of
+this family; and to regard him as a mere variety of the _ursus arctos_,
+is only going back to the old system that considers all the bears as one
+and the same species.
+
+The Syrian bear does not inhabit the whole range of the mountains that
+pass under the general name of Lebanon.  Only on the loftier summits is
+he found--particularly on that known as Mount Makmel.  This summit is
+covered with snow; and it is under the snow-line he usually makes his
+haunt.  Sometimes, however, he descends to a lower elevation; and in the
+village gardens--just as does the snow bear in the Himalayas--he makes
+sad havoc among fruits and vegetables.  He will also kill sheep, goats,
+and even larger animals, that come in his way; and when provoked will
+attack the hunter without fear.  He is most dreaded in the night: for it
+is during the darkness he generally makes his plundering expeditions.
+Both shepherds and hunters have been killed by him--proving that he
+still retains the savage character given to him in the Scriptures; where
+several of his kind--she-bears they were--are represented as having torn
+"forty and two of the mockers of Elisha."
+
+He appears to have been equally characterised by a ferocity of
+disposition in the crusading ages--since it is related that the great
+leader Godfrey slew one of these bears, whom he found assaulting a poor
+woodcutter of Antioch; and the affair was considered a feat of great
+prowess, by those eccentric champions of the Cross.
+
+That the Syrian bear is still as ferocious and savage, as he ever could
+have been, our hunters proved by their own experience: for although they
+did not get into the power of one, they would certainly have done so--
+some one of them at least--had they not been fortunate enough to kill
+the bear before he could lay his claws upon them.  But we shall briefly
+describe the adventure; which was the last our hunters were engaged in--
+at least, the last we find recorded in the journal of Alexis.
+
+Bischerre, a little mountain village, situated near the snow-line on
+Mount Makmel, had become their temporary headquarters.  Its
+neighbourhood was celebrated for the great number of bears that frequent
+it.  These animals descending from the higher ridges surrounding it,
+frequently enter the gardens of the villagers, and rob them of their
+vegetables and chick peas (_cicer arietinus_)--the latter being a
+favourite food of the Syrian bear.
+
+From Bischerre the hunters extended their excursions on foot: since the
+nature of the ground would not admit of their using horses; and they had
+succeeded in getting several good "bear-chases," and in killing a brace
+of these animals.  Both, however, were very young ones--cubs, in fact--
+and their skins would not do.  A better specimen must be procured.
+
+This came into their hands in the following manner:--
+
+They had succeeded in tracing a bear up into a rocky ravine--the
+entrance into which was not over ten or twelve feet in width.  The
+ravine itself was a steep descent leading up to the mountains; and its
+bottom, or bed, was covered with a conglomeration of large rounded
+boulders, that looked as if they had been rolled into this shape by
+water.  They resembled the round stones sometimes seen in rivers; and no
+doubt there was a torrent there at times; but just then the channel was
+dry, and not a drop of water appeared anywhere.  There was no snow
+either; as the place was below the line of snow; and they had only
+traced the bear into it on information given them by some shepherds, who
+had seen the animal recently enter it.
+
+Belying upon this information, they kept up the defile, making their way
+with difficulty over the loose pebbles.  They had a hope that the bear
+was still somewhere within the gorge; and that they might find him in
+some crevice or cave.  On each side rose high cliffs that almost met
+over head; and our hunters, as they scrambled up the steep, examined
+these cliffs carefully--expecting to perceive the mouth of a cavern.
+The place was likely enough, for at every few yards they saw crevices
+and deep cavities; but in none of them could they find any traces of
+Bruin.
+
+They had got about halfway through the ravine--and were still scrambling
+upward--when a loud sniff drew their attention; and, looking in the
+direction whence it appeared to have proceeded, there, sure enough, was
+the identical animal they were after--Master Bruin himself.  They saw
+only his snout; which was projected out from the face of the cliff,
+about twenty feet above the bed of the ravine.  His whole head was
+shortly after poked forth, and seen _en profile_ from below, it looked
+as if there was a bear's head glued against the flat surface of the
+rock, just as stags' heads are seen ornamenting the halls of grand
+country mansions.  Our hunters, however, knew there must be a cave
+behind--in which was the body of the bear, though it was concealed from
+their eyes.
+
+The bear, after glancing at the intruders who had disturbed him, drew
+back his head so suddenly, that not a shot could be fired in time.  The
+hunters, in order to get into a better position, hurried past under the
+cave; and took stand several paces above it--where they were able to
+command a better view of the entrance.
+
+They were now on a level with the hole out of which the head had shown
+itself; and without speaking a word, only in whispers, they waited for
+the reappearance of the snout.
+
+It was not long before they had the satisfaction of seeing it.  Whether
+from curiosity to know if they were gone--or with the design of sallying
+forth in pursuit of them--the bear once more protruded his muzzle from
+the hole.  Fearing that he might draw it back again, and not give them
+another chance, all three fired, and in such haste that two of them
+quite missed the object.  Only the bullet of Alexis had been properly
+aimed; and this was seen striking the bear right in the teeth--several
+of which were shot clean out of his jaws!
+
+As the smoke cleared out of their eyes, the great yellow body of the
+bear was observed out upon the little ledge that projected in front of
+the cave; and uttering loud screams--expressive both of rage and pain--
+the angry animal bounded down among the boulders.  Instead of making
+down the ravine--as our hunters expected--he turned upwards, and rushed
+directly towards them.
+
+Again there was no alternative but flight; and up the steep gorge they
+must go.  To make downward would be to run right upon the claws of the
+infuriated animal; and upward was the only way left open to them.
+
+All three started and ran as fast as they were able; and for a while
+were in hopes of distancing their pursuer.  But further up, the slope
+grew steeper; and the loose stones became more difficult to clamber
+over.  Their breath, too, was by this time quite gone; and all three
+were panting like "winded" horses.
+
+It was impossible for them to go a step farther.
+
+In despair, they halted; and turned to face the pursuer--all of them at
+the same instant drawing their knives; and bracing their bodies for the
+expected struggle.  The bear, still growling and screaming, came on--
+making way over the stones much faster than they had done.  He would
+have been certain of overtaking them, had they continued their race: for
+he was scarce six paces behind them when they stopped.
+
+No doubt it would have been a dangerous conflict, had it come off; and,
+indeed, breathless as they were, they could never have sustained the
+attack.  Of course, they had no time to reload their guns, and did not
+think of such a thing.  Their determination was to defend themselves
+with their knives; and perhaps they might have succeeded in doing so,
+had there been an occasion.  But there was not.
+
+Before the bear could get up to them, a better idea had flashed across
+the brain of Pouchskin; which he lost not a moment in carrying into
+execution.  Stooping suddenly, and flinging his knife out of his hands,
+he laid hold of a large boulder--big enough to weigh at least half a
+hundred--and, raising this to the height of his shoulder, he hurled it
+down upon the bear!
+
+The huge stone struck the animal right upon the breast; and what with
+the force by which it had been launched from Pouchskin's powerful arm,
+and the impetus it had gained in its descent, it acted on Bruin like a
+thunderbolt--not only knocking him over on his back, but carrying his
+body along with it full ten paces down the gorge!
+
+When the hunters at length reloaded their guns, and went down to where
+Bruin lay among the rocks, they found him lying doubled up as dead as
+mutton!
+
+Having stripped him of his fulvous skin, they returned to Bischerre; and
+next day packing up their _impedimenta_, they crossed through the passes
+of Mount Libanus, and proceeded onward to the shores of the
+Mediterranean Sea.
+
+Home was now thy word; and right pleasant was the sound of it in their
+ears.  The grand bear-hunt was ended.  They had accomplished the task
+imposed upon them--having kept every condition of their covenant.
+
+Of course they expected a grand welcome upon their return; and in this
+expectation they were not disappointed; for many days and nights after
+the baronial halls of the Palace Grodonoff echoed the sounds of mirth
+and revelry.
+
+In the museum our young hunters met their old acquaintances, from, all
+parts of the world.  They encountered them standing in different
+attitudes--all mounted in the most approved fashion.  The Syrian bear
+was the only one not among them: as they had themselves brought his
+skin--all the others having been sent home by "Parcels Delivery."  In a
+few days, however, the _ursus syriacus_ was set upon his legs; and the
+collection was complete.
+
+The news of the "Grand Bear-Hunt," with its curious conditions, soon got
+abroad; and travelled all round the social circle of Saint Petersburgh.
+Figuratively speaking, our young hunters were transformed into animals
+themselves--they became "lions,"--and remained so for that season; but
+even at this hour in the _salons_ of the great Russian capital, you may
+often hear introduced, as a favourite topic of conversation--
+
+"The Baron and his Bears."  THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bruin, by Mayne Reid
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