226 THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



intended to supply our wants for only twenty-four hours. 

 Should we now attempt to trail this bear to his den, or 

 return to our camp and procure an additional supply of 

 provisions and then establish a watch on his path ? The 

 captain reminded me of the fact that if we even succeeded 

 in trailing the bear to his den, we were not now provided 

 with either axe or spade with which to bring him from his 

 cover. The force of this argument was fully appreciated, 

 and, furthermore, it was by no means certain that old bruin 

 would be so obliging as to conduct us direct to his resi- 

 dence. In many instances sportsmen have had reason to 

 regret this hasty conclusion, — viz., that if they followed old 

 bruin's trail he would lead them to his home ; but instead 

 of doing this he has conducted them a score of miles away 

 from it. It is true that the conditions for trailing are un- 

 usually favorable this morning, owing to the presence of 

 the fresh snow, which faithfully records every impression 

 made in it. The real question is, What shall we do under 

 these circumstances? This brings up for consideration 

 the other side of the question. It should be remembered 

 that the bear has been started from his cover in the 

 thicket, and that we have been tramping about the dead 

 moose and along bruin's path. Bruin may have sighted 

 us, and it is very certain that he has already scented us. 

 Therefore it may be very properly questioned whether or 

 not he will return to his present food-supply. It is gener- 

 ally believed that this animal is not easily frightened away 

 from his food, or rather, that he will return time and again 

 after he has been driven away from it, especially when 

 the supply is not abundant. Furthermore, this inclina- 



