SKETCHES FROM S2ETERSDAL. 227 



the summer to see them sitting by the roadside, so 

 seldom are they scared by the chase ! 



Bears are very numerous. In Saetersdal Bruin lives 

 as a private gentleman in undisturbed possession of his 

 estate, respected if not beloved by his neighbours ; but 

 like other " Majesties by the grace of God," he cares 

 little about affection, so long as he is respected, and this 

 he certainly is in Saetersdal ; for the genuine Saeters- 

 dalian is too indolent and lazy, and perhaps also too 

 cowardly, to meddle with a bear, even when . it is the 

 attacker, and, by way of amusement or pastime, sticks 

 its claws into a cow or cow-boy. 



On the whole, the bear is a remarkably good-tem- 

 pered animal. One day a few summers ago, Bruin took 

 it into his head, by way of a little change, to have a 

 short walk along the high road. Now, the Lensmand 

 (sheriff's officer) was also out in the discharge of his 

 duties, and meeting his highness in Fandsklev (Devil's 

 Cliff), endeavoured to inform him in the politest way 

 possible by a gentle shower of small stones that he 

 should at least give half the road to the official autho- 

 rities. Bruin, however, without allowing himself to be 

 imposed on by a display of gold cord, gave him to 

 understand by a majestic and significant growl that he 

 had a desire to remain quiet, and that he did not parti- 

 cularly approve of small stones. The Lensmand, there- 

 fore, was compelled to turn back, and leave his majesty 



