A BEAR FOND OF GRAPES. 159 



either from association or the power of controlling 

 their feelings. My gun lay at my side loaded with 

 iiumher six; if Bruin found me out and became 

 aggressive, at close quarters, say eight or ten yards, I 

 was prepared to risk the issue ; if he would only move 

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

 might improve my opportunity by substituting a brace 

 of bullets. Under any circumstances my gun would 

 be required, so watching the first opportunity when 

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

 close by my side and cocked each lock. Many may 

 laugh when I say I did not feel nervous ; but I did not, 

 and remained watching with special pleasure the en- 

 joyment that my foe appeared to take in crunching up 

 whole bunches of the luscious fruit. As he worked 

 farther from me my dog became less demonstrative, 

 only occasionally giving way to a suppressed growl, 

 which his feelings were unable to control. 



Deeming myself comparatively safe from the dis- 

 tance that intervened between us, I uncocked my gun ; 

 then first one barrel was unloaded, and the heavier 

 missile substituted, then the next underwent the same 

 operation, Bruin being now out of sight, still within 

 hearing ; but the tables were turned ; if formerly I was 

 prepared to leave him alone, I now felt equal to acting 

 on the aggressive. Giving Prince a little encourage- 

 ment, he again rushed to the attack, and it is wonder- 

 ful with how much more ardour, knowing that his 

 master's eye was on him. Soon I knew the dog had 

 nipped him, for I heard a rush, and dogs will retreat 

 towards their masters, which brought Bruin in full 

 view. As the distance was greater than I liked, I 

 hesitated to fire, but the bear had seen me, and dis- 



