A BAD SHOT. 279 



nearer ; but instead of so doing, I at once let fly right and 

 left, though, to my shame, with no apparent effect; for 

 wheeling about on the instant, they were off again as if 

 nothing had happened. Those standing near to me did not 

 fire, because, as they said, their view of the animals was too 

 indistinct. 



The beasts now dashed along the line to the left, and for 

 a minute or two the firing was heavy ; but shortly all was 

 quiet again, from which circumstance we were led to infer 

 that they had either been killed, or had given us the slip 

 altogether. 



But in this matter we were mistaken, for several dropping 

 shots immediately opposite, gave us to understand that one 

 or more of the bears were attempting to break through the 

 driving division. 



By this time I was reloaded, and on the look-out. My 

 patience was not long put to the test, however, for shortly 

 afterwards I got a glimpse of one of the young bears as he 

 was rapidly approaching our position, and was in the very 

 act of shooting, when a ball from the rifle of a friend near 

 me stretched the animal lifeless on the ground. 



No hard firing took place subsequently, but shots were 

 still occasionally heard at various parts of the Ring. Soon 

 again I saw the outline of the large bear as she was crashing 

 through the brake, and had just time to fire one barrel before 

 she was lost to view ; but though the ball did not bring her 

 down, yet from the reel she gave, it evidently took effect. 



A few seconds afterwards we heard several shots to the 

 right, the direction taken by the beast, and at the same time 

 the people thereabouts shouted lustily as if for aid. 



Apprehensive of an accident, and without having had time 



