294 PRESENCE OF MIND. 



in the body, at length succeeded in despatching his assailant. 

 He lost, however, one eye in the conflict." 



Nor are instances wanting wherein considerable presence 

 of mind has been displayed by individuals, when assaulted 

 by the bear. 



During the summer of 1851, so we are told, the bears 

 committed great ravages in the vicinity of Vserran, in the 

 bishopric of Drontheim in Norway. In the early part of 

 September, one of these beasts attacked, unawares, a herd of 

 cattle, of which it killed an ox, and maimed several of the 

 cows ; and in consequence, gillrade gevar that is, fire-arms 

 arranged in the manner of a spring-gun were forthwith 

 set in the forest near to the slaughtered animal. 



On the following morning six men proceeded to the 

 spot to ascertain the fate of the depredator. Five of the 

 number were armed with guns, but the sixth, a small pro- 

 prietor, named Peter Vennes, was only provided with an axe. 

 This man, from some cause or other, separated from his 

 companions ; and when in a densely thick brake, came 

 suddenly upon the bear, which rushed upon him before he 

 had time to defend himself, otherwise than by thrusting the 

 handle of his axe between the open jaws of his assailant. 

 The bear bit this in two ; but the man, who had the 

 presence of mind to seize hold of his distended tongue, 

 managed to keep him at arm's-length until such time as his 

 own strength was exhausted ; when the enraged beast, fasten- 

 ing his fangs in one of the poor fellow's hands, lacerated it 

 most cruelly. At length, however, one of the man's compa- 

 nions reached the scene of action, and gave fire, which caused 

 the bear to retreat ; though this was not until, in addition to 

 other injuries, he had torn open the thigh of his victim. 



