278 JAN FINNE. 



out the whole line ; and this was the arrangement in the 

 present instance. 



After the people had been drawn up in two lines, and their 

 hats numbered with chalk in the usual manner, and every- 

 thing was in readiness, we marched off in silence to the scene 

 of action, which was not far distant. 



The Ring was fortunately of rather confined extent ; and 

 though our numbers were few, yet as the forest was open 

 in places, and required in consequence the fewer men, we 

 were enabled to encompass it in a pretty effectual manner. 

 The Dref was in this instance entrusted to the management 

 of Jan Finne, whilst I myself, together with several super- 

 numeraries, took post in the centre of the Hall, where there 

 was a dense brake, which required to be specially well guarded. 

 The gentlemen of our party stationed themselves for the 

 most part to the right and left of me. 



Every one being at his post, Jan Finne discharged his 

 gun, the signal for the men of his division to advance. We 

 at the Hall were now all attention, and looking out with 

 intense anxiety for the bears, which were momentarily ex- 

 pected to make their appearance. Such was the profound 

 silence where I stood, that a pin might almost have been 

 heard to drop on the ground. 



But some little time elapsed before any one was aware of 

 the bears. At length, loud and continued shouting to the 

 left told us they had been seen by some of the party ; but no 

 shots were fired, and presently all was still again. On a 

 sudden, however, I perceived the three beasts rushing through 

 the brake directly towards me. They were not more than about 

 forty paces distant ; and had I waited a little, as I ought 

 to have done, they doubtless would have approached much 



