My Big Bear of Shuyak 



me, and after a cup of tea we started for the salmon 

 stream, which we followed up beyond where we 

 had watched it the night previous. We were very 

 careful to wade so as not to give our scent to any 

 bears which might approach the stream from be- 

 low. There were many tracks and deep, well-used 

 trails leading in all directions, while every few 

 yards we came upon places where the tall grass 

 was trampled down, showing where bears had been 

 fishing. These bear trails are quite a feature of 

 the Alaskan country, and some of them are two 

 feet wide and over a foot deep, showing that they 

 have been in constant use for many years. 



That night we heard a bear pass within ten 

 yards of us, but could not see it. We returned to 

 camp next morning at five o'clock, and I wrote up 

 my journal, for this night work is extremely con- 

 fusing, and one completely loses track of the days 

 unless careful. 



My men came to me after their mid-day sleep 

 with very cheerful countenances, and assured me 

 that there was no doubt but that I should surely 

 soon meet with success, for the palm of Nikolai's 

 hand had been itching, and he had dreamed of 

 blood and a big dog fighting, while Lofka's eyelid 

 trembled. My hunters told me in all seriousness 

 that these signs never failed. 



167 



