232 SPORT IN NORWAY. 



princes of the forest, determined to go out in quest of him. 

 One fine day, then, throwing his single-barrelled rifle 

 over his shoulder, he started out. He had been gone but 

 a short time, and had snuffed about in the wood, when 

 suddenly, on emerging from a moderately thick copse, 

 he perceived the " horse bear " making straight for him. 

 Taking aim, he fired, but whether the unexpected meet- 

 ing had made his hand shake a little, or whether there 

 was any other reason, it is certain that the shot did not 

 take effect where it was intended. The bear was 

 wounded, but not mortally. Furious, it raised itself 

 upon its hind legs, and attacked the man. As he was 

 only armed with his single-barrelled rifle, there was no 

 possibility of reloading. His position, therefore, was 

 critical ; for if he attempted to fly he was irretrievably 

 lost, and if he remained standing the prospect was not 

 much better. He did not take long to reflect. "With a 

 determined look, and grasping the ban-el of his rifle 

 firmly in the right hand, he awaited the approach of his 

 terrible opponent, determined to sell his life as dearly as 

 possible. But the furious brute, perplexed, and un- 

 doubtedly awed by the steady gaze and firm mien of 

 the hunter, after having advanced a few steps towards 

 him, suddenly disappeared in the thicket. Thus the 

 "horse bear" escaped again, but was shot not long 

 after. 



A short time back a bear had taken his annual trip 



