164 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



covered her, and found out the reason why the cubs had 

 so suddenly ceased their cry. When we stopped, uncer- 

 tain what to do, old C. had dashed their heads against 

 the rock, and thus, most likely, saved our lives ; for a 

 cry from the cubs when our torches had gone out, would 

 have enraged the wounded animal so much, that she 

 would certainly have attacked us, and we should have 

 been either killed, or so dreadfully crippled, that we 

 must have perished miserably in the cave. 



At about a hundred paces from the lair, I stopped to 

 listen again, but could hear nothing. I now called to 

 the others to wait for me, and when we came to a more 

 roomy place, which had also been the retreat of a bear, 

 we held a consultation. Old C. thought that the bear 

 had lain down by her dead cubs, and that one of us had 

 better return to the mouth of the cave, and fetch ano- 

 ther rifle, as it was out of the question trying to pass 

 the furious animal to get at mine. However, before at- 

 tempting the long and difficult way back to the entrance, 

 I resolved to creep again to the lair, and see if she was 

 not dead, for I could not but think that my ball must 

 have had some effect.' When I got there I could see 

 nothing of her. My shout brought the others to the 

 spot ; so, advancing a little, and examining closely, we 

 saw thick dark blood, and found, that instead of return- 

 ing to her lair, she had taken the left-hand passage. I 

 instantly proceeded to regain my rifle, which I found 

 covered with blood and slime, about three hundred 

 yards off. I returned as fast as I possibly could, cleaned 

 it, and reloaded, when we all started again for a fresh 

 attack. 



