44 A BEAR AND HER CUBS. 



Pierre made out the figure of a tall animal standing be- 

 tween two trees which grew very close together at one 

 end of the open space. After a careful inspection, he 

 perceived that it was a bear seated on its haunches, and 

 apparently engaged in taking a reconnaissance of the 

 intruder on its domains. For some moments the ani- 

 mal continued this inspection, and then, suddenly drop- 

 ping on all fours, advanced towards Pierre, uttering 

 harsh snarling growls. The young hunter now for the 

 first time perceived that two smaller animals followed 

 close to the old one. It was evidently a female bear 

 and her cubs. The presence of the latter explained the 

 boldness of the parent. Usually the black bear avoids 

 man, and will only attack when obliged to do so in self- 

 defence. To this rule there are, of course, exceptions, 

 as te'nper varies in bears as well as in human beings. 

 In the rutting season, and when accompanied by its 

 young, the bear becomes very aggressive, and at these 

 seasons is a dangerous antagonist, if it can get to close 

 quarters with the hunter. 



On the present occasion Pierre was well aware that 

 he would have either to fight or to run ; and as he felt 

 it beneath his manhood to retreat, he braced his nerves 

 for the encounter. 



The twilight had thickened considerably, and a 

 dusky gloom, which seemed to advance from the sur- 

 rounding forest, rendered objects indistinct at a few 

 yards' distance. Pierre, however, advanced towards 

 his assailant, whose attention was somewhat divided 



