American Big-Game Hunting 
almost touching them in fact, I made out the 
indistinct forms of three bears all standing on 
their hind legs. Oh, what a chance it was if 
it had not been so dark! I could not even 
see the end of my rifle; but I knew I could 
hit them, they were so close. But to hit 
fatally? Well, there is no use thinking about 
it now the bears are here. Trust to luck and 
shoot ! 
Hardly daring’ (to (breathe, 1 fired; ihe 
scuffing on the ground, and the short, sharp 
snorting, told me I had not missed; but I 
could see nothing, and could only hear the 
bear rolling over and over and growling 
angrily. Presently there was quiet, and then 
with angry, furious champing of jaws the 
wounded animal charged back directly under 
me; but I could not see to shoot again, worse 
luck. From sundry sounds I gathered the 
bear was not far off, but had lain down ina 
thicket which was about one hundred yards 
from my tree. I could hear an occasional 
growl, and the snap of dead branches, broken 
as she turned uneasily. I did not know 
exactly what to do. To descend was awk- 
ward, and to stay where I was, wet and 
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