A BEAE FOND OF GBAPES. 165 



of Lake Simcoe, Canada West, in which my efforts for 

 Bruin's destruction were more successful. 



In following a flight of ruffled grouse, which' had risen 

 so far beyond range as to have prevented my getting a 

 shot at them, I came across a perfect brake of wild grape 

 vines loaded with fruit. I could not withstand the tempta- 

 tion of halting for a feed, for they had been touched with 

 frost, which changes them from the most unpalatable to 

 the most delightfully-flavoured fruit. The day had been 

 warm for the end of autumn, and I suppose the fatigue 

 of my tramp, together with the delightful shade afforded, 

 induced me to lie down, and as might be expected under 

 the circumstances, I fell asleep. How long I might have 

 been in a state of oblivion I cannot say, but I was 

 awakened by my companion, a mongrel English terrier, 

 barking vociferously at some intruder. After a stretch, a 

 yawn, and the usual awakening actions, I turned in the 

 direction of Prince to see what on earth had raised his 

 ire and disturbed my siesta, when, judge my astonishment, 

 I beheld a large bear erect, pulling down the vines not 

 twenty yards off, ignorant of my presence, but occasion- 

 ally casting a furtive glance back at his angry assailant, 

 who took precious good care to keep beyond arm's length. 

 Men become cool in such situations, either from association 

 or the power of controlling their feelings. My gun lay at 

 my side loaded with number six ; if Bruin found me out 

 and became aggressive, at close quarters, say eight or ten 

 yards, I was prepared to risk the issue ; if he would only 

 move off a little way, still keeping to windward, I thought 

 I might improve iny opportunity by substituting a brace 



