290 THE BEAR AND THE HUNTER. 



is very thick, and able to give forth a steady flame. 

 Armed only with his rifle, for a knife is generally use- 

 less, a body-to-body encounter with the animal being seldom 

 possible, the Indian lights his steps by means of his taper, 

 and advances without knowing in what direction the 

 grisly bear may rush to attack his aggressor. Soon he 

 places his brilliant light in one of the crevices of the rock, 

 and lies down on his belly, so as to conceal himself from 

 view, and to be ready to fire at the animal the moment he 

 shows himself. 



Do you hear that terrible growl] It is the bear 

 awakening. See, he raises himself ; he stands erect ; he 

 shakes his shaggy hair, which is like that of a New- 

 foundland dog, and yawning, like one just aroused from 

 slumber, he makes a few steps in advance. The trapper 

 remains immovable, and, with his rifle ready to fire, 

 waits with anxiety until the bear comes in sight and 

 within, range. What emotion stirs the nerves of the 

 daring adventurer, for whom retreat is impossible, and 

 whose life depends on the accuracy of his eye and the 

 dryness of the powder with which his gun is loaded. 

 Should the bullet miss its aim, he is a dead man ! The 

 common bear is tenacious of life, and frequently, after 

 being too severely wounded for flight, will sustain a com- 

 bat for several hours ; but the grisly bear is still more 

 terrible: the thickness of his fur, the strength of his 

 bones, serve to shelter his heart from the bullets, and his 

 brain is encased in a skull whose bones are as hard as 

 granite. A shot striking the grisly bear in the middle of 

 his forehead will be flattened against it as against a plate 

 of iron ; it is therefore in the eye-ball that the Indian 

 endeavours to hit the animal ; this is the only road by 



