DEATH OF THE OLD BEAR. 401 



was duly arranged, we again moved forward, though this 

 time very slowly, and in compact order. For a while we saw 

 nothing of the remaining beast, and I therefore began to 

 think she also might have given us the slip ; but on the Dref 

 arriving near to the foot of the hill, where there was an 

 almost impervious brake, outside of which the Hall was 

 stationed, she became visible at several points, and was 

 assailed with shots from all sides. From the closeness of 

 the underwood, however, and the want of skill in the marks- 

 men, she still kept her legs. Fearing that if the circle 

 were more contracted than at present, casualties, through 

 stray bullets, might occur a general halt was ordered. As 

 yet I myself had seen nothing of the bear, attributable 

 probably to my attention having been much occupied in keep- 

 ing order amongst the people. Being desirous of a shot, as 

 also of putting an end to the fusillade, from which I dreaded 

 mischief, I proceeded alone some forty to fifty paces into the 

 thicket to that part of it for which, judging by the shots, 

 the beast was making and I chose my ground well, for a 

 minute afterwards she advanced directly towards the spot 

 where I was ambushed. Allowing her to approach to within 

 ten to twelve paces, I fired, when she immediately fell ; but 

 life was, nevertheless, not extinct, for she again rose upon 

 her legs, and staggered a pace or two forward, when closing 

 with her, I, with my remaining barrel, shot her through the 

 head. 



When the Skall was over, Elg started to ring the cubs, 

 which, after breaking the line, had taken different directions ; 

 but subsequently, as seen by their tracks, had joined com- 

 pany. Owing, however, to their tracks not being visible 

 everywhere, and to the forest thereabouts being much inter- 



VOL. I. D D 



