n. BRUIN THE BEAR. 29 



is done by following the tracks of the creatures in the 

 snow. So long as they continue in a straightforward 

 course the hunter knows that the bear had no immediate 

 intention of lying down ; but when the course becomes 

 crooked and shows that the bear had doubled on his track, 

 he infers that Bruin has taken up his abode somewhere 

 near. He then leaves the track and makes an extended 

 ring or detour round the suspected part of the forest. If 

 he completes the circle without again meeting the track 

 he knows that he has ringed his bear. If not, he com- 

 mences another ring ; and thus he continues until he has 

 accomplished his object. This being done, a skall or 

 great hunt is then proclaimed, a notification thereof being 

 given out from the pulpit after divine service, for every 

 good and loyal subject is expected to attend at church ; 

 and by the laws of Sweden every house in the district 

 where cattle are kept is bound, after such notification, to 

 furnish at least one man to take part in the skall. Several 

 hundred men may thus be got together, armed with axes, 

 pikes, and guns. They are divided into two parties. A 

 certain number, and among them some of the best shots, 

 form a stationary division in a more open part of the 

 forest. The others constitute a driving division. The 

 members of the two parties thus form an environing 

 cordon round the space in which the bears are ringed. 

 It is then the duty of the members of the driving division 

 gradually to close in, beating the bush, and shouting. As 

 the circle grows narrower and narrower the work becomes 

 exciting. The bears are roused from their repose, and 

 charge hither and thither, sometimes attempting to break 

 through the cordon with violence, but generally retreating 

 before the noise and firing. At last, if they have not 

 already succumbed, they are driven to the more open 

 space, and fall before the rifles of the more experienced 



