334 A BEAK IN THE RIVER. 



prostrated as to be powerless ; at length balmy sleep 

 stole over me, and the sun was hours above the 

 horizon before I awoke. But that I had contracted 

 fever and ague previously, I do not believe I should 

 have now suffered from it ; where we are is too far 

 to the north, and too pure and clear in atmosphere 

 to engender it. in those who have not previously 

 suffered from this complaint. 



' A stern chase is a long chase/ Evidently the 

 persons who leave behind them indications of their 

 presence are pursuing the same route as ourselves, 

 and as the current is our and their motive power, we 

 have not overtaken them. The scenery still con- 

 tinues lovely, more beautiful possibly than hereto- 

 fore, for the mellowed tints of autumn are commenc- 

 ing to show themselves. 



Soon after the sun had ceased to be due south, 

 when near the entrance to a rapid that terminated a 

 long stretch of smooth water, we perceived a bear 

 enter the river, evidently intent on traversing to the 

 opposite shore. As my companion wanted his hide, 

 I applied additional force to my paddle. The dis- 

 tance between pursuer and pursued was not great, so 

 soon we were within shooting distance. Again and 

 again I asked my comrade to fire ; closer and closer 

 we approached to Bruin, who only acknowledged con- 

 sciousness of our vicinity by curling his upper lip. 



At length not more than ten feet severed us, the 

 ponderous rifle of the old man came slowly to his 

 shoulder, and he fired, but his aim was faulty or the 



