196 



occupied till the 6th of May, when the brigade arrived, 

 having crossed the Rocky Mountains from the Columbia 

 River. They found me encamped near a small lake, about 

 half-way between Jasper's House and the commencement of 

 the Portage, living upon White 



the 



the 



are of an excellent quality, and which I did not observe in 

 any other lake among the Rocky Mountains. I agreed to 

 accompany the brigade as far as Jasper's House, and ac- 

 cordingly set out with them on horseback. Having crossed 

 the Assinaboyne River, the party halted to breakfast, and I 

 went on before them for a few miles, to procure specimens or 

 a Jungermannia, which I had previously observed in a small 

 rivulet on our track. On this occasion I had a narrow 

 escape from the jaws of a grisly bear; for, while passing 

 through a small open glade, intent upon discovering 

 moss of which I was in search, I was surprised by hearing a 

 sudden rush and then a harsh growl, just behind me; and 

 on looking round, I beheld a large bear approaching towards 

 me, and two young ones making off in a contrary direction 

 as fast as possible. My astonishment was great, for I 

 not calculated upon seeing these animals so early in 

 season, and this was the first I had met with. She halted 

 within two or three yards of me, growling and rearing her- 

 self on her hind feet, then suddenly wheeled about, and went 

 off in tlie direction the young ones had taken, probably to 

 ascertain whether they were safe. During this momentary 

 absence, I drew from my gun the small shot with which 1 

 had been firing at ducks during the morning, and which, 1 

 was well aware, would avail me nothing against so large and 

 powerful a creature, and replaced it with ball. The bear 

 meanwhile, had advanced and retreated two or three times, 

 apparently more furious than ever; halting at each interval 

 within a shorter and shorter distance of me, always raising 

 herself on her hind legs, and growling a horrible defiance, 

 and at length approaching to within the length of my g"° 

 from me. Now was my time to fire : but judge of my alarm 

 and mortification, when I found that my gun would not 

 go off! The morning had been wet, and the damp ^^^ 



J 



