150 BULLETIN NO. VII. 



in two directions. While pondering what to do under such cir- 

 cumstances, a warning cry came from his little son, who was 

 perched upon the top of the bowlder, and the next instant the 

 old bear rushed into the tunnel, and came into violent con- 

 tact with the Indian, the shock causing the tunnel to cave in. 

 The Indian, after dealing the bear one blow, lost his knife in 

 the snow, and seized the bear with his hands; but she proved 

 too strong for him, and was the first to struggle out of the 

 drift, when, unfortunately, she met the little Indian boy, who 

 had climbed down to come to his father's rescue. He received 

 a tremendous blow on the thigh from the bear's paw as she 

 passed, which crippled him for life." 



Among the native superstitions worthy of mention are the feel- 

 ings of supernatural reverence with which the bear is regarded 

 by the red man. Solemn and curious ceremonies are necessary 

 to appease the spirit of the slain hero. The severed head is placed 

 in a conspicuous position and is decorated with charms and or- 

 naments of all sorts, and a formal speech is made in which, 

 graced by all manner of compliments, the bear's pardon is asked 

 for the rude method by which his life was sacrificed, and the 

 hunter deferentially trusts the excuses offered may be accepted 

 by the animal and his gens. After this, tobacco smoke is 

 blown into the nostrils and the celebration takes on a more 

 practical character. 



Nor is this respect peculiar to Indian tribes. The northern 

 races of Europe have like superstitions. 



During the pairing season, the males congregate in troops 

 and scour the forest, growling, snarling, and fighting. On 

 such occasions all prudent hunters avoid an encounter with 

 them. 



