158 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



powder was up in the nipples ; but when we reached 

 Watch, what was our disgust to find that he had treed 

 a covey of Canadian grouse ? Unwillingly we went 

 to work and decimated this unhappy and unconscious 

 brood, nor could all our efforts afterwards induce the 

 unfailing bear-dog to take up the desired track. 



The scene of the subsequent narrative was between 

 Lake St. John and Mud Lake, near the most northern 

 extremity of Lake Simcoe, Canada West, in which my 

 efforts for Bruin's destruction were more successful. 



In following a flight of ruffled grouse, which had 

 risen so far beyond range as to have prevented my 

 getting a shot at them, I came across a perfect brake 

 of wild grape vines loaded with fruit. I could not 

 withstand the temptation of halting for a feed, for they 

 had been touched with frost, which changes them from 

 the most unpalatable to the most delightfully flavoured 

 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, induced me to lie down, 

 and, as might be expected under the circumstances, I 

 fell asleep. How long I might have been in a state of 

 oblivion I cannot say, but I was awaked by my com- 

 panion, a mongrel English terrier, barking vociferously 

 at some intruder. After a stretch, a yawn, and the 

 usual awakening actions, I turned in the direction of 

 Prince to see what on earth had raised his ire and dis- 

 turbed my siesta, when, judge my astonishment, I 

 beheld a large bear erect, pulling down the vines not 

 twenty yards off, ignorant of my presence, but occa- 

 sionally 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, 



