292 SUPERSTITIOUS NOTION. 



wears a knife suspended by a belt about the waist. Such 

 was the case with our little hero, who forthwith attempted 

 to draw the weapon; but owing to rain that had fallen in 

 the morning, the wooden handle of the knife stuck fast 

 in the scabbard, and his efforts to disengage it proved 

 unsuccessful. Nothing daunted, however, and armed only 

 with his stick, he went straight up to the bear, and com- 

 menced belabouring her hind-quarters. Thus unceremo- 

 niously attacked, the beast, uttering a deep growl, sprung 

 to her feet, and strange to say, moved sullenly off, without 

 offering him any kind of molestation. 



" As soon as she had left her victim, and whilst making 

 a second dash at the identical sheep previously chased (which, 

 owing to the rest of the flock having run off in an opposite 

 direction, stood stock still, as if bewildered), the little fellow 

 drew his knife the attempt in this instance having proved 

 successful and brandishing the shining blade, he with 

 menacing gestures thus addressed the bear : 'Be off with 

 you ! make yourself scarce, or you shall see how I will serve 

 you !' A form of words, coupled with a display of bright 

 steel, of which that beast, according to the superstitious 

 notions of the peasantry, is mortally afraid. 



" The wounded boy having by this time risen to his feet, pre- 

 sently joined his comrade; and whilst the two little fellows thus 

 battled with the bear, the hunted sheep, benefiting by the oppor- 

 tune diversion in its favour, succeeded in effecting its escape. 



" The bears now retreated, when the lads hastened home 

 with the cattle, leaving the beasts no other trophy than the 

 cap of the elder, that they had carried off; and which, riven 

 nearly in pieces, was afterwards found at some distance from 

 the scene of conflict. 



