THE BIVOUAC. 355 



taking part in the Chasse. But under any circumstances the 

 peasants were ready to aid us, as well for the reason that the 

 hear in question was an inconvenient neighbour, as that they 

 owed him a special grudge, he having, during the preceding 

 summer, severely maltreated a poor young woman as 

 somewhat humorously depicted by M. von Dardel who, in 

 her courageous endeavours to protect some cattle under her 

 charge, had indeed nearly fallen a victim to the beast's 

 ferocity. 



On the appointed day we mustered at an early hour in 

 the morning ; and though only twelve in number, the 

 men were for the most part Finnar, and from their local 

 knowledge, &c., twice as valuable therefore as inexperienced 

 hands. Every one was provided with a sufficiency of pro- 

 visions to pass a couple of nights in the forest, as likewise 

 with Skidor, which indeed were indispensable : the snow 

 being deep and loose, we should otherwise have sunk to the 

 knee, or beyond it, at every step. 



The bear was supposed to be couched in the face of a lofty 

 hill called the Fjall, so designated probably from its summit 

 being divested, or nearly so, of wood of any kind a rather 

 unusual circumstance in this part of Sweden ; whence it is 

 a sort of landmark for all the surrounding country. 



On reaching the ground we formed line, and beat the 

 forest before us in the usual manner. But that day all our 

 efforts to find the beast proved fruitless. 



At dusk, therefore, we prepared a bivouac in the manner 

 mentioned in my former work. The weather was fine, and 

 not too cold ; and having a magnificent watch-fire, as also an 

 abundance of good things on which to regale ourselves, we 

 were enabled to pass the night with tolerable comfort. 



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