HE CHARGES. 421 



as yet, at all changed his position ; but, from the ac- 

 tion of his head, he was evidently on the point of moving 

 off. 



Being perfectly prepared, and my gun on the full-cock, I, 

 as soon as I caught sight of the beast, levelled at the centre 

 of his skull; but some boughs intervening, which it was 

 to be feared might intercept the ball, caused me to desist 

 from firing. The next instant, however, I took rather a 

 snap-shot at the outer side of his head, beyond the boughs 

 in question. But the momentary delay caused by shifting 

 my aim was very unfortunate; for in the interim he had 

 seen me, and as I pulled the trigger he was in the very 

 act of bolting from his couch ; and my aim in consequence 

 was very uncertain. Indeed, I am inclined to believe I 

 missed him altogether. 



Be that as it may, on the discharge of my gun the 

 beast at once rushed towards me. I had still left my second 

 barrel, with which I ought, no doubt, to have destroyed 

 him ; but owing to his undulatory motion I could not, 

 though I attempted more than once, catch a satisfactory 

 sight; and it was not until he was within three or four 

 paces that I fired, and then somewhat at random. Though 

 my ball in this or the former instance (for in the one or 

 the other, as subsequently ascertained, it went wide of the 

 mark) wounded him very desperately, it having entered 

 his neck near the shoulder, and passed into his body; 

 yet it was not sufficient, unfortunately, to stop his course, 

 for in a second or two he was upon me not on his 

 hind legs (the way in which it is commonly supposed the 

 bear makes his attacks), but on all-fours, like a dog; and 

 in spite of a slight blow that I gave him on the head 



