36 CANADIAN WILDS. 



blanket and fell asleep. With me it was dif- 

 ferent. I lay back half-reclining, half-sitting, 

 enjoying the congenial heat and wondering what 

 luck we would have from the traps when we 

 made our first visit. My rifle lay alongside of 

 me on the balsam brush, with the muzzle point- 

 ing toward the fire, and, unconsciously my hand 

 grasped the stock and my fore finger toyed with 

 the trigger. I mention all these details to show 

 how easy what followed came to pass. 



The sparks had all gone out of the wood and 

 only a bright glow remained, enough, however, 

 to light up the trunk of the pine log and a con- 

 siderable distance each side of the fireplace. All 

 at once I heard the crushing of dried leaves and 

 the breaking of twigs, at some little distance off 

 in the forest. The sounds were evidently made 

 by some large animal, and I soon realized it was 

 coming slowly with steady steps toward the 

 camp. 



My first thought was to chuck on some fresh 

 fuel to scare whatever it was away; but the 

 next moment I decided to keep quiet and await 

 developments. 



With my thumb I drew back the hammer of 

 the rifle and waited. I kept my eyes steadfast 

 in the direction whence the sounds came, and in 

 a minute (it appeared an hour to me) I saw the 

 head and forequarters of an immense black 



