132 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



initiated at that time and I believe the eye has a 

 trick of dealing in the marvellous with unaccustomed 

 objects and, to my horror, Bruin was coming directly 

 towards me. My first feeling was to fly ; next, to 

 ascend a tree ; thirdly, to disappear into my boots. 

 The second glance gave me more assurance. Mr. 

 Bear was evidently on urgent private affairs ; his 

 whole manner bespoke this ; and he did not see me ; 

 so I determined to stand still, hoping he would 

 remain ignorant of my presence, or, at least, give me 

 a fair show, if compelled to fight. Onward advanced 

 Bruin ; closer and closer he came, and the nearer 

 he approached the farther my heart went into my 

 mouth. Still he was fifty yards off, and had plenty 

 of time to change his course ; but no such change 

 took place ; for if he had been a ball bowled at a 

 wicket the precision of his course could not have 

 been truer. Twenty yards could not have intervened 

 between us when my presence became known, and the 

 manner of welcome I received was far from encourag- 

 ing, for he halted, sniffed in the air, and gave an angry 

 growl. I wished myself at home in bed, or at the 

 antipodes, or in any place but my present stand- 

 point. For remember, reader, my gun was only 

 loaded with duck shot ; and I was green, and, I fear, 

 very soft. It was evident that my appearance was 



