SKETCHES FROM S^ETEESDAL. 233 



from Saetersdal into Bygdelag, in order to visit his old 

 haunts. He had been seen one day in the spring in 

 Evje parish on the eastern side of the river Otter, sitting 

 in a most philosophical manner on its bank, and pro- 

 bably cogitating whether he should venture an expedi- 

 tion across or not. After having gazed at the water in 

 this manner for a considerable period, he seemed at last 

 to have come to the conclusion that it was not quite 

 convenient, for presently, with a " right-about-face," he 

 disappeared. A short time after, a bear was noticed 

 wandering about in Iveland, near the river Otter. It 

 had been seen about there in several places, and seemed 

 especially to keep about the neighbourhood of the farms 

 Kless and Ivedt. It was in one of the outlying fields 

 of this last-mentioned farm that it attacked a cow-boy, 

 who endeavoured to keep it away from the mash-tub by 

 shouting and throwing stones at it. Getting, probably, 

 tired of this racket, or being struck by some of the 

 stones, he at last flew upon the cow-boy, and tore his 

 clothes to pieces. Matters seemed becoming serious for 

 the poor lad, who was far away from any human assist- 

 ance, and quite unarmed. The bear would soon have 

 made short work of him had not a courageous heifer, 

 who had hitherto prudently kept neutral, now that 

 matters were going beyond a joke, thought it high time 

 to interfere. Without long reflection, and only waiting 

 for a favourable opportunity, it attacked the unbidden 



