BEAR FIGHT. 79 



You know that a bear always sleeps through the 

 winter. Curled up in a cavern, or under a fallen tree, 

 in some warm pk.ce, he composes himself to rest, 

 and, Rip-Yan-Winkle-like, snoozes away the season. 

 True, he is somewhat thin when he thaws out in the 

 spring, and looks voracious about the jaws, making 

 it rather dangerous to come in contact with him. 

 Cheney told me, that one day, while hunting on snow 

 shoes, he suddenly broke through the crust, and came 

 upon a bear taking his winter's nap. The spot this 

 fellow had chosen, was the cavity made by the roots 

 of an upturned tree. It was a warm, snug place ; 

 and the snow having fallen several feet deep over him, 

 protected him from frosts and winds. The uncere- 

 monious thrust of Cheney's leg against his carcass, 

 roused up Bruin, and with a growl that made the 

 hunter withdraw his foot somewhat hastily, he leaped 

 forth on the snow. Cheney had just given his knife 

 to his companion, who had gone to the other side of 

 the mountain to meet him farther on ; and hence, had 

 nothing but his pistol to defend himself with. He 

 had barely time to get ready before the huge creature 

 was close upon him. Unterrified, however, he took 

 deliberate aim right between the fellow's eyes, and 



