284 FINDING THE BEAR. 



as only to cover the ground to the depth of a few inches. 

 The day following I proceeded to the hamlet of Radane, 

 situated at about twenty miles to the north-west of Weners- 

 borg, in search of the lost bears ; but though I searched the 

 forest far and wide, with about twenty men, for three days, 

 all our endeavours to get the beasts on foot were unavailing ; 

 not a track or other indication of them was to be seen 

 anywhere. 



On the fourth day, however, when we were beginning to 

 despair, the dogs fortunately roused a large bear, one of 

 those that had escaped us at the Skalls, as was known by 

 its bed being of recent construction. The beast went off 

 at speed, and chase was immediately given ; but from the 

 very difficult nature of the ground we were very soon 

 distanced, and after a short run, farther pursuit was given 

 up for the time. Coupling up the dogs, we set about 

 ringing the beast, which operation was partly accomplished, 

 as the evening closed in, when we returned to our quarters at 

 Radane. 



The following morning, accompanied by an intelligent 

 guide, I started off with the intention of completing the Ring ; 

 but some snow having fallen during the night, it was only in 

 places that the track of the bear was visible, and in conse- 

 quence we were soon at fault. But shortly afterwards a 

 peasant, whom we accidentally met, gave us the agreeable 

 intelligence that an hour before he had seen the fresh track 

 of the beast, which it appeared had been on foot subsequent 

 to the recent snow-storm. 



On reaching the spot indicated, we, in the usual manner, 

 set about ringing the bear; but had not been so occupied 

 more than an hour, when on reaching the brow of a some- 



