CHAP. XXI 11 THE FAMILY OF BEARS 419 



which was probably the male, was some distance ahead 

 of the others, in the bottom immediately below us, while 

 the other three, which were obviously a she-bear and 

 cubs, were descending the hillside opposite. The she- 

 bear every now and then stopped under a large bush, and 

 standing up, pulled down branches of berries into her 

 mouth, the young ones closely imitating her actions, and 

 evidently well acquainted with the method of feeding 

 themselves on forest produce. It was quite pretty to 

 watch them throug^h the sflass. The male was nearest to 

 us, and we went downwards to intercept him if possible, 

 but as it was only occasionally we could catch sight 

 of him, I was afraid the bushes below would be too 

 thick. When we got down into the hollow we advanced 

 cautiously, stopping to listen every minute or so. Pre- 

 sently we heard rustling not very far off, and felt sure it 

 was the bear. We had then halted in a small open space, 

 and as the rustling was approaching us, stayed where we 

 were. The animal, whatever it was, came to the edge of 

 the opening ; but instead of coming on, a course which 

 would have brought him out ten yards in front of me, 

 moved round the open patch just inside the jungle. As 

 it passed a spot where the bushes were thin, I caught 

 sight of the dark form of a black bear, but the view was 

 not long enough to give me a shot. The undergrowth 

 consisted here, and indeed all over the Reserve, of grass 

 and thorn, A minute later the animal showed itself 

 plainly, shuffling across a small opening, and the next 

 moment was out of sight again. 



I jumped up and followed as silently as I could, but 

 it was impossible to avoid making some noise, and the 



