66 Hunting the Grizzly 



into the opening, where we, lying in wait, 

 might obtain a good shot. 



By this time one third of the month of May 

 had passed, but bear were only beginning to 

 come out from hibernation. It seems they do 

 not leave their winter-quarters at any regular 

 period, even if the spring is advanced ; but the 

 coming out is regulated by some unknown 

 conditions with which the wisest of the many 

 bear hunters and trappers of the lands fre- 

 quented by " Old Ephriam " are not familiar. 

 We were evidently too early for the hunt. 



The return trip back to civilization was ex- 

 citing and interesting. 



By means of poling and lining, many rapids 

 were ascended whilst at others too swift the 

 whole outfit had to be portaged. The largest 

 portage was through a dense forest of fir and 

 cedar, but every step was inspiring and thrill- 

 ing. In the dead stillness the old logcock 

 made the forest ring with the thud, thud of 

 his bill as he hammered away at an old dead 

 tree-top, his scarlet crest moving backward 

 and forward with lightning-like rapidity in 

 his quest for his morning meal. Filled with 



