142 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 
the imagination as being founded on the unerring sim. 
plicity and certainty of nature. 
It may be asked, how is it that the grizzly bear is so 
formidable to numbers when met in the forest, but when 
in a cave can be assailed successfully by a single man? 
In answer to this, we must recollect that the bear is 
only attacked in his cave when he is in total darkness, 
and suffering from surprise and the torpidity of the 
season. | 
These three things are in this method of hunting 
taken advantage of ; and but for these advantages, no 
quickness of eye, steadiness of nerve or forest expe- 
rience, would protect for an instant, the intruder to the 
cave of the grizzly bear. 
The hunter, having satisfied himself about the cave, 
prepares a candle, which he makes out of the wax taken 
from the comb of wild bees, softened by the grease of 
the bear. This candle has a large wick, and emits a 
brilliant flame. Nothing else is needed but the rifle. 
The knife and the belt are useless; for if a struggle 
should ensue that would make it available, the foe is toe 
powerful to mind its thrusts before the hand using it 
would be dead. Hs 
Bearing the candle before him, with the rifle in a 
convenient position, the hunter fearlessly enters the 
cave. He is soon surrounded by darkness, and is to- 
tally unconscious where his enemy will reveal himself, 
Having fixed the candle in the ground in firm position, 
