158 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



some idea of our feelings. We were all bear-killers, 

 and knew well enough the danger we were encountering 

 m a space almost too narrow to admit of any movement. 

 But at all events there we were, and there was the bear 

 and no one even hinted at a retreat. 



I examined my rifle closely to see that all was right, 

 and as we slowly worked our way forwards, the elder 

 Conwell warned me to make sure of my shot, adding 

 drily, by way of comfort, that it would be all the better 

 for me ; for if I missed I should be the first to suffer 

 from the animal's fury. 



We came nearer and nearer to the growling bear, who 

 certainly must long since have heard us; and was now 

 listening with all her might. At length the mingled 

 whining and growling appeared to be quite close, and 

 holding the torch behind my head, I plainly saw fiery 

 eyeballs. I now halted, cleared the sight of the rifle, 

 which had got clogged with the clay, refreshed my 

 torch, and crept as silently as possible towards the dark 

 mass. 



The decisive moment was come ; and as I could now 

 distinguish the animal's head through the surrounding 

 darkness, I put myself in an attitude to take aim. The 

 bear had risen on her hind legs, and sat with their usual 

 swinging motion ; as I was trying to fix one of her eyes 

 with the rifle, she suddenly disappeared through the al- 

 most palpable darkness. 



Following her up, we came upon three cubs, nice little 

 things, which roared lustily when for the first time they 

 saw a light. These sounds were by no means agreeable 

 to us, for we had reason to fear that the cries of the cubs 



