UNEARTHING HER. 417 



shown by the dogs, that now came up, was nevertheless 

 snugly ensconced ; and cuhs also, as we knew by their very 

 audible cries. 



When in the early part of the autumn the bear took 

 possession of this den, the entrance to it was no doubt not 

 only easy of access, but quite visible. What with a barricade 

 of moss, similar to that recently spoken of, and some three 

 feet of snow, which then covered the ground, it was now 

 hardly perceptible; and had it not been for the dogs, and 

 for some marks made by the beast in the surrounding 

 trees, we might have passed the spot fifty times over with- 

 out noticing it. 



In the then state of the aperture, it was quite impossible 

 for the bear to leave the den. Taking off our Skidor, there- 

 fore, we proceeded to unearth her. But this was no easy 

 matter, and only to be effected by hewing away, with 

 the axe, the embankment in front. Whilst the men were 

 thus occupied, and to guard against the possibility of her 

 making a sudden rush, two stout stakes were driven cross- 

 wise in front of the orifice; though this precaution was 

 perhaps needless, as she made no effort to escape. 



It must have taken an hour or more, nevertheless, before 

 a passage sufficiently large to admitTof the egress of the bear 

 was cleared. When this was accomplished, the peasants were 

 ordered to the rear that they might be out of harm's way, 

 and Elg directed to withdraw the cross stakes, and after- 

 wards to stir up the beast with a long pole, previously pre- 

 pared for the purpose. 



In the meanwhile I stationed myself immediately above, and 

 within a few paces of the den, armed not only with my own 

 gun, but with Elg's, which was lying in readiness at my feet ; 



VOL. i. E E 



