CHASE AND DEATH OF A BEAR. 3? 5 



across which are several transverse bars of the same metal. 

 They are fastened to the fetlock-joint with leathern thongs. 

 Thus equipped, those animals necessarily straggle a little in 

 their gait ; but they are then enabled to traverse the forest 

 in all directions. 



The snow was now near three feet- in depth ; but as much 

 of it had only recently fallen, it was loose, and in a rather 

 indifferent state for the Skidor, which at every step sunk 

 many inches below the surface. Our pace, as a consequence, 

 was rather slow, though somewhat faster than that of the 

 peasant, of whom we presently lost sight. The ground, 

 moreover, was for the most part rising, and the forest thick 

 and tangled, so that although the bear was lying at not 

 more than six to seven miles from our quarters, it must 

 have been upwards of two hours before we reached the Ring. 



This embraced an extensive and very dense brake. As 

 the beast had been so recently disturbed, there was little 

 probability, even were we to attempt it, of being able to .steal 

 upon her in such close cover, and it was thought best, there- 

 fore, to start her at once, and take the chance of running 

 her down. The dogs were accordingly uncoupled, when, 

 winding her in the distance, they dashed into the thicket, 

 and in a very few minutes, as they let us know by their 

 challenges, she was on foot and away. 



Fortunately the course of the bear was somewhat tor- 

 tuous ; so that, directed by the dogs, we were enabled to 

 make sundry short cuts, and thereby gained on her rapidly. 

 In a short time, indeed, we viewed her in the distance, 

 and a few minutes afterwards had approached to within 

 easy range, when my first barrel brought her to the ground, 

 and the second terminated her existence. 



