3OO A BEAR ADVENTURE. 



frost, which changes them from the most unpalatable 

 to the most delightful fruit. 



The day had been warm for the end of autumn, 

 and I suppose the fatigue of my tramp, together 

 with the delightful shade afforded by the adjacent 

 trees, induced me to lie down, and, as might be ex- 

 pected under the circumstances, I fell asleep. How 

 long I had been in a state of oblivion I cannot say, 

 but I was awoke by my companion a mongrel 

 terrier barking vociferously at some intruder. After 

 a stretch, a yawn, and the usual awakening action, I 

 turned in the direction of my dog, to learn what on 

 earth had raised his ire and disturbed my siesta, 

 when, to my astonishment, I beheld a large bear 

 erect, pulling down the vines not twenty yards off, 

 ignorant of my presence, but occasionally casting a 

 furtive glance back at his angry assailant, who took 

 precious good care to keep beyond arm's length. 

 Men become cool in such situations, either from ex- 

 perience or the power of controlling their feelings. 

 My gun lay at my side loaded with No. 6 shot. If 

 Bruin found me out and became aggressive at close 

 quarters, say eight or ten yards, I was prepared to 

 risk the issue ; but if the beast would only move off 

 a little way, still keeping to windward, I thought I 

 would improve my opportunity by substituting a 

 brace of bullets. Under any circumstances my gun 

 would be required, so watching the first chance when 

 the bear's back was turned, I brought my double 

 barrel close by my side. Many may laugh when I 

 say that I did not feel nervous ; but I did not : on 

 the other hand, I remained watching with great 

 pleasure the enjoyment that my foe appeared to 

 take in crunching up whole bunches of the luscious 

 fruit. As the bear worked further from me my dog 

 became less demonstrative, only occasionally giving 

 vent to his feelings by a suppressed growl. 



A change of ammunition was soon effected, and 



