140 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 
retire late in the fall, and they seldom venture out until 
awakened by the genial warmth of spring. Sometimes 
two occupy one cave, but this is not often the case, as 
the unsociability of the animal is proverbial, it preferring 
to be solitary and alone. 
A knowledge of the forests, and an occasional trail- 
ing for bear, informs the hunter of these caves; and the 
only habit of the grizzly bear that can with certainty be 
taken advantage of, is the one of his being in his cave at 
the proper season. And the hunter has the terrible 
liberty of entering this den single-handed, and there 
destroying him. Of this only method of hunting the 
grizzly bear we would attempt a description. 
The thought of entering a cave, inhabited by one of 
the most powerful beasts of prey, is calculated to try the 
streneth of the stoutest nerves; and when it is con- 
sidered that the least trepidation, the slightest mistake, 
may cause, and probably will result, in the instant death 
of the hunter, it certainly exhibits the highest demon- 
stration of physical courage to pursue such a method of 
hunting. Yet there are many persons in the forests of 
North America who engage in such perilous adventures 
with no other object in view than the “ sport” or a 
hearty meal. 
The hunter’s preparations to ‘beard the lion in his 
den,” commence with examining the mouth of the cave 
he is about to enter. Upon the signs there exhibited, 
he decides whether the bear be alone; for if there be 
a 
