THIRTY TEAKS A HUNTER. 165 



he is on the way to his hole. In very open winters 

 they remain but a week or two in their holes. In 

 more severe winters when they lie long in their holes 

 the usual method is to smoke them out. After 

 ascertaining by the tracks, or by entering the holes, 

 that they are within, a cloth is covered with a mix- 

 ture of lard and sulphur, ignited and inserted on a 

 pole as far possible. The fumes of the burning 

 sulphur will soon drive forth any bears that may be 

 concealed there, two or three, sometimes taking up 

 their quarters in one den. It is well to have a dog 

 along, as in case of there being more than one bear 

 the dog will prove useful in driving one of them up 

 a tree. I have mentioned this manner of hunting 

 bears in another place, but as I am about explaining 

 their nature and habits, it might not be out of place 

 to repeat it here. Many suppose that the bear is 

 constantly on the move, because seldom seen at rest. 

 The reason of this is that when one who is not a 

 hunter finds a bear, the animal has seen him first, 

 and moves off, while he supposes that the bear was in 

 motion before discovered The truth is that from 

 the middle of May until the same time in August, 

 the bear sleeps as much as any other animal. 1 

 have seen them during the day sleeping by a log or 

 among the brakes, and occasionally I have surprised 

 and killed a bear while asleep, but not often, as they 

 are worthless at this season. They are very vora- 

 cious, and this often tempts them into the settle- 

 ments for forage, and renders them an easy prey to 

 traps and bear-houses. When he obtains sight or 



