128 NEWFOUNDLAND 



movement. But nothing stirred, so I advanced to find that 

 the remains of the first stag had been carried by bears about 

 twenty yards up the hill. 



From a ridge about fifty yards up the hill I could see 

 the marsh and the remains of the other deer, about half a 

 mile below to the east. The telescope showed that the carcase 

 was untouched, and in the same position as that in which 

 we had left it. I sat some time after the sun had sunk, 

 and was just thinking of returning to camp when my eye 

 detected a black spot to the right of the marsh, away in the 

 valley below. The glass lay beside me, and as I raised it 

 the dark object, a large bear, suddenly moved and galloped 

 out into the open. At first I thought something must have 

 scared him — he lolloped along so steadily and with such 

 decision. Presently he took a turn, and I saw that he was 

 circling round the carcase of the dead stag, to see if any one 

 had been there recently. Twice he stopped, stood up on his 

 hind legs, and tried the wind. Then he again dropped on 

 the fore-paws and resumed his lumbering gait. The black 

 bear gallops in a most peculiar manner. He looks like some 

 ridiculous pantomime animal playing the buffoon. Nearly 

 all large creatures hold the head and neck out or up in 

 accelerated locomotion, but the black bear, which is the only 

 member of the genus I have seen actually gallop, puts his 

 head down and swings it clumsily from side to side as if he 

 were enjoying some huge joke. Presently Mr. Bruin stopped 

 and remained motionless for two or three minutes directly 

 down-wind from the carcase. I think he was enjoying the 

 delicious prospect of a hearty meal, and wondering whether 

 it would be safe to approach. Then just as I thought it 

 time to be making my approach, he set off" on another circuit 

 of inspection. 



