CHAPTER XIV. 



M. FALK ON THE BEAR TWO KINDS COLOUR LIMITS FABULOUS STORIES 

 SAGACITY HORSES DEFEND THEMSELVES CURIOUS NOTION SELF- 

 DESTRUCTION HIBERNATION THE TAPP AFFECTION FOR YOUNG TAME 

 BEARS RAPID GROWTH BEAR LEADER STEEL-TRAPS SNARES THE 

 GALL. 



THERE were a few bears in the country about Ronnum 

 an occasional straggler, indeed, within five to six miles of 

 the house. 



" The bear," says M. Falk and I quote his words, as 

 showing the spirit of the true sportsman " is a majestic 

 animal. He instils fear and respect as well into mankind as 

 the brute creation. People may say what they please about 

 his rapacity, and the ravages he commits ; but I for my part 

 never wish to see him disappear altogether from amongst our 

 beasts of chase. As a hunter, I chime in with the words 

 of King Frederick I. of Sweden, to the famous Schonberg, 

 that * he should so limit the number of his Skalls as not to 

 root him out/ 



