TRIUMPHANT RETURN. 281 



to hobble to a neighbouring cottage, whence he was subse- 

 quently conveyed home in a cart.* 



As a partial set-off to these disasters, I learnt that the old 

 bear had a minute or two before been seen within the Ring, 

 which was joyful news, as from not having heard either 

 shouts or shots for some little time, I greatly feared she 

 might also have escaped us. 



To ensure as far as possible her destruction, the circle 

 (with the exception of the people at the centre of the Hall), 

 was now gradually contracted, until the opposing lines were 

 in as near proximity as prudence would permit. But still 

 the bear did not show herself, which was perhaps well, for 

 had she danced about the Ring, as in the first instance, and 

 there had been much firing, accidents from stray bullets 

 might easily have occurred. 



At length, however, a peasant viewed the beast in a thicket, 

 rocking to and fro in a dying state, when pointing her out 

 to Jan Finne, he immediately shot her through the head. 



During this little Skall, eighty to ninety shots must have 

 been fired, and the greater portion within the first few 

 minutes. This sharp practice, coupled with the shouts of 

 the people, and the frequent transitory views one or other of 

 us had of the bears, rendered it as animated and interesting 

 an affair of the kind as it has fallen to my lot to witness. 



The bears were now borne to a glade in the forest, that the 

 peasants might gratify their curiosity. The mother was large 

 and fat, and the cub seemingly three years old. Afterwards 

 they were slung on poles, supported by several men, and with 



* Though invalided for a considerable time afterwards, yet by the skilful 

 treatment of a medical gentleman, who by our desire attended upon him 

 constantly from the evening of the accident, he eventually recovered. 



