THE GRIZZLY BEAR. 223 



" I made one or two attempts to reload my rifle, 

 but directl}' I moved my hand the brute raised its 

 head and growled, as much as to say, ' none of that, 

 my friend.' He was a terribly big bear, one of the 

 largest I ever saw, with a shaggy grey fur, and small 

 piercing eyes, looking as cunning as only an old bear 

 can look. Evidentl}^ he understood that the rifle 

 was some kind of offensive weapon, and he did not 

 forget the vicinity of my men, for every now and 

 then he cast a look of inquiry in the direction of 

 the encampment. My heart now began to beat 

 violently with terror, and I was covered with a cold 

 sweat. 



" A herd of deer came by, and directly they 

 caught sight of the bear they turned and fled. He 

 rose to his feet for some minutes, and seemed to 

 debate whether he should pursue them. For a 

 brief space I hoped he would do so, for the grizzly 

 bear is very fond of venison ; but, after a short time 

 he seemed to make up his mind that a certainty was 

 preferable to an uncertainty, for he sat down again, 

 looking at me, as much as to say, ' You see, I've 

 refused a haunch of venison on your account ; so 

 you may be sure I don't mean to let you go.' 



" Shortly after this, the bear, who had been 

 casting very disturbed glances towards the encamp- 

 ment, rose again, and began growling furiously, 

 showing his teeth, as if he saw something which 

 was the reverse of agreeable to him. I learnt after- 



