VOLUNTEER SKALL. 403 



Skall, as projected, we should beat up for volunteers. For 

 this purpose M. Geijer kindly lent his assistance, and notices 

 were sent to all the hamlets round about. 



At an early hour on the appointed day, which was in the 

 early part of April, we had the gratification to see nearly 

 three hundred men assembled at Lindforss ; but it unfortu- 

 nately rained, and in consequence we all had dismal fore- 

 bodings. There was no help for it, however; so after the 

 usual forms had been gone through, the people were marched 

 off to the Ring, which might be at four to five miles' distance. 

 But just before the Skall was Kndpt (that is, the lines 

 united), the bears took the alarm, and made their escape 

 through the opening. 



We were sadly annoyed, and no wonder, for the proba- 

 bilities were twenty to one against the beasts being killed 

 that day, or even at all, now that the winter was so very 

 far advanced. It was determined, however, not to throw 

 away a chance ; and Elg, accompanied by two peasants well 

 acquainted with the locality, was therefore directed to use 

 his best endeavours to ring them once more. 



In the meanwhile I marched off the men to a cottage 

 hard by such of them as remained, at least, for many had 

 now left us, and returned to their homes in readiness to act 

 in the event of Elg's succeeding in his object, of which I 

 entertained but faint hopes. 



But my predictions proved incorrect, for some three hours 

 afterwards a messenger arrived with the glad tidings that the 

 bears were again encircled, and at no very great distance from 

 the house. In the course of a few minutes afterwards the 

 people were in a degree organized, and at the pas de charge 

 we made for the Ring, which must have been near three miles 



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