204 FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 



lake, carrying a bear on its shoulders, and at once strucl 

 out into deep water. The two were soon separated, an< 

 the Indian at the same time launching his canoe, succeeded 

 in wounding the bear, which, seeing the man, had turned 

 back for the shore. The moose escaped on the opposite 

 side. 



In the spring the old she bear, accompanied by her 

 brace of little whining cubs, is almost sure to turn on a 

 human being if suddenly disturbed, though, if made aware 

 of coming danger in time, she will always conduct them 

 out of the way. I have known many instances of settlers, 

 out trouting by the lakes near home, being chased out of 

 the woods and nearly run into, by the she bear in spring- 

 time. 



In June, likewise, in the running season, it is not safe 

 to be back in the woods unarmed or alone. A whole 

 gang will go together, making the forest resound with 

 their hideous snarling and loud moaning cries. Hearing 

 the approach of such a procession, the sojourner in camp 

 piles fuel on the fire, and keeps watch with loaded 

 gun. In old times, before they acquired the dread of 

 fire-arms, the Indians say these animals were much 

 bolder. 



The bear is readily taken in a dead-fall trap with a bait 

 composed of almost anything : a bundle of birch-bark 

 tied up, and smeared over with a little honey, molasses, 

 or tallow, answers very well. 



They travel through the woods and along the water- 

 side in well defined paths, which afford excellent walking 

 to the hunter. Bear-traps are placed at intervals in the 

 vicinity of their roads, and many a rascal loses his jacket 

 to the settlers in summer time in return for his audacious 



