288 FROM OONALASHKA 



and courageous, that they are sent on horseback 

 into the forests for a bear as we would order a cook 

 to bring a goose from the pen. Three dragoons 

 on horseback, provided only with a noose, are suf- 

 ficient to overpower a bear ; in this kind of chase, 

 they endeavour always to keep him in the middle, 

 and to provoke him. As soon as the furious ani- 

 mal is going to rush on one of the horsemen, the 

 other throws the noose, which is fastened to the 

 saddle by strong thongs, round his fore-leg, and 

 spurs his horse, by which the bear is thrown down j 

 the other takes advantage of this moment, and 

 throws the noose round his hind-leg, and while he 

 lies without being able to move, the third ties all 

 his four feet together, and he is thus carried home 

 without any danger. In this manner, the dragoons 

 had brought a bear to-day, while others had caught 

 a wild bull in the same mode. The cattle, which 

 are left the whole year in the pasture, become wild ; 

 and when one is to be killed, it is caught in the 

 same manner, by a couple of horsemen, with 

 nooses. The combat between these two animals 

 was remarkable, and though the bull often tossed 

 his raging antagonist on his horns into the air, he 

 was at last obliged to yield. 



The 29th. After the Governor had had a con- 

 versation with M. Kuskof, who was come accord- 

 ing to his request, had satisfied all our wishes, and 

 saw the Rurick ready to sail, he departed for 

 Monterey, accompanied by our sincerest thanks. 



