58 



The Black Bear. 



THE INDIAN. 



much more extensive plateau of rock immediately under the den. 

 We reached the platform safely, and, selecting a spot where we were 

 sheltered and concealed by bowlders, we called a halt and lighted 

 our pipes. A slight tap on the shoulder caused me to turn around, 

 and, looking in the direction indicated by the guide, I saw a large 

 bear seated on his haunches and looking intently at something. 

 Farther away I saw another bear, crossing a chasm on an old pine- 

 log that bridged it, and which afterward helped us out of our dilemma. 

 Another tap on the shoulder, and another surprise in store for me ; 

 for, up the hill-side, above the den, sat another bear with his head 

 partly turned to one side, and looking in an inquiring manner at the 

 two bears below him. By this time the one on the log had nearly 

 crossed over, and the one sitting on his haunches growled frightfully. 

 We were not fifty yards from him, and he might at any moment de- 

 tect our presence ; fortunately, we were well to leeward of him. We 

 had been exploring a stream connecting a string of lakes, to exam- 



