140 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 



retire late in the fall, and they seldom venture out until 

 awakened by the genial warmth of spring. Sometimes 

 two occupy one cave, but this is not often the case, as 

 the unsociability of the animal is proverbial, it preferring 

 to be solitary and alone. 



A knowledge of the forests, and an occasional trail- 

 ing for bear, informs the hunter of these caves ; and the 

 only habit of the grizzly bear that can with certainty be 

 taken advantage of, is the one of his being in his cave at 

 the proper season. And the hunter has the terrible 

 liberty of entering this den single-handed, and there 

 destroying him. Of this only method of hunting the 

 grijzzly bear we would attempt a description. 



The thought of entering a cave, inhabited by one of 

 the most powerful beasts of prey, is calculated to try the 

 strength of the stoutest nerves ; and when it is con- 

 sidered that the least trepidation, the slightest mistake, 

 may cause, and probably will result, in the instant death 

 of the hunter, it certainly exhibits the highest demon- 

 stration of physical courage to pursue such a method of 

 hunting. Yet there are many persons in the forests of 

 North America who engage in such perilous adventures 

 with no other object in view than the " sport " or a 



hearty meal. 



The hunter's preparations to "beard the lion in his 

 den," commence with examining the mouth of the cave 

 he is about to enter. Upon the signs there exhibited, 

 he decides whether the bear be alone ; for if there be 



