" i didn't do it, ma ! 



107 



through the mouth which a bear makes ; stepping lightly 

 forward we came to more open ground, when Atley pointed 

 to an old bear and cub crossing about forty yards above us. 

 I waited for the old lady to pass a tree, but at that moment 

 I think she must have winded me, for with a sudden 

 exclamation of alarm, she sat up, turning round towards us, 

 her body being partly hidden by the tree, but as there 



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MJ^ytf**: 



'/ DIDN'T DO IT, MA!" 



was no time to be lost, I at once fired. On receiving the 

 shot, with a ferocious roar she rushed upon the youngster, 

 and how she did pitch into it. The little brute kept scream- 

 ing out as if it said, " I didn't do it, Ma " : after a bit it 

 got away, and as she turned round, I gave her another 

 shot which rolled her over ; a very old she bear with all 

 her teeth quite worn down. 



