BEAR HUNTING A SKALL. 183 



the last two, when I obtained a horse, either on skidor or 

 on foot. But for a long time subsequently I suffered much 

 from my wounds and weakness, arising from loss of blood ; 

 not sufficiently so, however, as to prevent me (though it 

 was certainly a great effort) from taking the field again four 

 days afterwards." 



So it will appear from the foregoing account, that the 

 chase of the bear is not altogether unattended with danger ; 

 and all I hope is, that should any of my readers be placed 

 in a like position, he will have " as safe a deliverance." 



The chase of the bear, however, in winter, in these 

 forests is not a boy's game ; and Mr. Lloyd declared to me 

 himself that he has gone through as many hardships and 

 perils in the course of his bear-hunting life as any of our 

 mighty Nimrods in the wilds of Africa. 



If ever I went bear-hunting I should like to see a " skall; " 

 but this game will not suit the real bear-hunter, who wishes 

 to keep all the profit as well as all the adventure to himself. 

 These skalls, or hunts, take place when a certain number of 

 peasants are called together by the authorities of the district 

 in which any mischief has been done by bears or wolves at a 

 certain station, to encircle the forests, and drive all the game 

 within the limits of the cordon, or beaters, up to the guns. 

 They are, in fact, battues on a large scale, carried on under 

 certain rules laid down by the Crown huntsman, or other 

 head man who has the management of the affair. I have 

 no space here to describe the arrangement of a skall, nor 

 would it be at all interesting to the reader. I can only say, 

 that if any British sportsman who was residing in Wermland 

 wished to join one, he would have no difficulty, on applying 

 to Mr. Falk, of Rysater, the head jagare, or huntsman of the 

 province. Due notice of the skall is always given in the 

 churches, for it is compulsory on the peasants to attend 

 without pay, and even to bring their own provisions 

 with them, and many come to the meet from a long 

 distance. The summer skalls are the largest ; but as game 

 is always afoot at this time of year, and wandering about 

 more than in the winter, they are not always successful. 



