Hunting in Many Lands 



upon a sheep during that interval, and by the 

 time he reached this place, which may have 

 been in his mind from the start, was feeling 

 comfortably lazy and inclined to the refresh- 

 ment of sleep. Behind that tree, so admirably 

 suited for the purpose, I trusted that he might 

 still remain. The big end would protect a 

 cool space from the heat of the morning sun, 

 and we might yet be so lucky as to find him in 

 his lair beneath its shelter. A signal to Leon- 

 ard was enough, and we proceeded to circle 

 the fallen timber, which fortunately the wind 

 permitted, with all the caution of which we 

 were capable. Had the gentleman we were 

 after been our dearest friend at the crisis of a 

 fever, we could not have tiptoed about his bed 

 with more solicitude lest we disturb sweet 

 slumber. The big tree lay in front of us ; by 

 this we crept at a respectful distance, and then 

 approached the further end of the tree lying 

 across it. With great care I sneaked up until 

 I could look over its trunk at the desired 

 point. Alas ! no bear had made his nest 

 there. 



Sorrowfully, but without a sound, I crawled 

 upon the intervening log and slowly stood 

 erect. There, directly beneath me, where I 



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