A GOOD SHOT. 155 



forsook him, and as both landlord and self had followed as 

 olose in rear as advisable, we were witnesses of a proceeding 

 almost incredible. Bruin was evidently in a magnanimous 

 frame of mind, or was overcome by his natural politeness, 

 for without worrying or mauling, never for a moment using 

 his teeth, he picked up the poor sheep between his paws, 

 placed it on the top of the rails, then pushed it over, and 

 with the agility of a greyhound cleared the fence himself. 

 The shock had roused the victim and reanimated him, for 

 both walked off into the bush, the one satisfied to be 

 driven, the other apparently a not over-exacting shepherd. 

 Following up the duo as rapidly and silently as circum- 

 stances would permit, we again came on both ; but the bear 

 had been annoyed, or the sheep could or would not do 

 what was wanted, for Bruin had seized the unfortunate 

 and dragged him on a log, and was using both teeth and 

 claws with animosity and purpose. Making a stalk I got 

 within twenty yards of both; the sheep's head had already 

 been almost severed from the body, and the hot and 

 liquid gore was evidently giving intense satisfaction to the 

 slayer. With a long steady aim I covered the white 

 horseshoe on the bear's breast ; the gun was a large and 

 heavy one, the necessary pressure of the trigger was given, 

 and without a moan, almost without a kick, the would-be 

 despoiler and his prey fell to the earth together. The 

 shot was a good one; the results [on dissection proved 

 with what precision and force a solid bullet can be fired 

 from a common shot-gun. This bear weighed four 

 hundred pounds, and, from the decayed and worn teeth, 

 must have been an old stager; in fact, I think age is 



