166 ATTEMPT TO SMOKE BRUIN OUT. 



the inflammable material within reach. Several 

 birches were stripped of their handsome, silvery, 

 paper-like bark, and a quantity of decayed wood was 

 collected. During this operation we did not dare to 

 wander far from our arms, for our prey might be 

 abroad, or, if in his dwelling, might sally forth, not with 

 the intention of fighting, but of avoiding the enemy. 



Having gathered sufficient dried vegetable matter 

 for our purpose, we formed torches out of birch-bark, 

 with which we fired the heap. 



The bright flames soon leaped aloft ; damp wood 

 and turf being piled on when they ceased to imperil 

 the life of the blaze. The glowing embers were 

 then shoved back into the orifice by aid of poles, 

 and when this portion of our work was performed, 

 the opening was partially closed. 



When a boy, I had often resorted to smoke as a 

 means of bolting a recusant ferret, but I do not think 

 I can state with great success. The rabbit-burrow was 

 at first watched silently, that the truants might not be 

 aware of our presence, and prevented coming forth ; but 

 impatience from delay generally loosened our tongues, 

 and we vented our spleen at the loss of time. So it 

 was with us in the present case. For half an hour 

 not a word was spoken ; then, broken sentences, 

 meaning looks, monosyllabic answers, afterwards a 

 drooping conversation succeeded, followed ultimately 

 by the removal of all restraint on our tongues, when 

 we freely expressed doubts whether there was any- 

 thing inside to come forth. 



