84 LULKAN LAPLAND. 



Laplander by this means discovers on whicfi 

 side the bear is stationed, he advances m 

 such a direction that the wind may blow 

 trom the bear to him, and not the contrarj; 

 for otherwise the animal would by the scent 

 be aware of his approach, though not able 

 to see an enemy at any considerable di- 

 stance, beino- half blinded by the sunshine. 

 When he has gradually advanced to within 

 gunshot of the bear, he fires upon him ; 

 and this is the more easily accomplished in 

 autumn, as the bear is then more fearless, 

 and is continually prowling about for ber- 

 ries of different kinds, on which he feeds 

 at that season of the year. Should the 

 man chance to miss his aim, the furious 

 beast will directly turn upon him in a rage, 

 and the little Laplander is obliged to take 

 to his heels with all possible speed, leaving 

 his knapsack behind him on the spot. The 

 bearcomingupv/ith this, seizes uponit, biting 

 and tearing it into a thousand pieces. While 

 he is thus venting his fury, and bestowing all 

 his attention, upon the knapsack, the Lap.- 



