BEAR AND LYNX HUNTING, ETC. 183 
services of an honest and clever hunter, and his bear- 
dog, why then he may), by great good luck, get a 
sight, at least, of a bear. I say an “honest” hunter, 
because there are many who, knowing the bear-loving 
propensities of ‘‘ those mad English,” profess to be able 
to find a bear for you on the shortest notice, without 
the slightest positive knowledge of their whereabouts. 
A stranger, therefore, who has had no previous ac- 
quaintance with the country and the habits of the 
peasants, stands an extremely good chance of being 
egregiously taken in, and of passing an uncommonly 
unprofitable summer. 
To any one whose main object it is to kill a bear, the 
early spring is unquestionably the best time; but, then, 
as a friend has very justly asked me, ‘‘ Would there be 
full satisfaction in the prize, lean and ragged as he 
then would be ?” 
I heard last year in Norway an amusing account of a 
bear-hunter, or rather two bear-hunters; and as it 
happens to be a true one I will give it. 
Two men, who knew nothing at all about hunting or 
shooting, managed to find outa hie. Feeling diffident 
of their own success they imparted the secret to a 
regular hunter, but cautiously kept the whereabouts of 
the cave dark till they had struck a bargain. They 
offered the man five dollars as his share if he 
would kill the beast for them. Now, as a bear’s skin is 
