224 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



wards that the men, urged on by Sambo, had armed 

 themselves and came to the top of the hill ; but 

 directly they saw the bear turn round and look 

 at them, they took to their heels in mortal terror. 

 Once more the bear resumed his position opposite 

 to me, blinked his eyes, and seemed as if he was 

 going to sleep. 



" As the day advanced, I heard a roar coming 

 from the distance, and the noise seemed to disturb 

 my friend. It sounded like the roar of a female 

 bear seeking for her mate. The bear rose, sniffed, 

 and walked about as if he were troubled ; but he 

 kept silent, and the lady's voice grew fainter and 

 fainter, as if she were retreating. The prospect of 

 her approach had put me in a mortal fright, for it 

 struck me at once that if she came \\p and hap- 

 pened to be hungry, the feast would commence 

 without further delay. Very likely this idea oc- 

 curred to the old rascal himself, and he judged it 

 better to keep the treat all to himself, for he gave 

 her no indication of his whereabouts. 



"At length night drew on. There were stars, 

 but no moon. I could only perceive objects at a 

 short distance, the bear itself looking like a heap of 

 fur in front of me. That he was not asleep, but 

 was watching every movement, I felt quite certain, 

 for his eyes Avere turned towards me, and shone like 

 live coals. I had but one hope of deliverance, and 

 that was that weariness might put him to sleep 



