SMOKING THE BEAE. 171 



the hollow. Xever you fear, boys, I'll make the var- 

 mint show.' 



And Uncle Ben soon showed himself fully equal to 

 the task. The tree was found to be hollow riofht do'WTi 

 to the ground, and where the large roots branched off 

 there was a slight opening. Round this the hunters 

 built a pile of dry sticks and moss, to which a light 

 was applied ; this, being fanned with their broad som- 

 breros, soon burst out into a splendid fire. Before 

 long, faint wreaths of smoke were seen to ascend from 

 the hole between the forks of the branches where the 

 bear had entered, and the bear could be heard moving 

 about within the tree, and grunting in evident disap- 

 probation of the method adopted by the hunters. 



The flame, fanned by hats, soon communicated with 

 the rotten touchwood inside the hollow trunk. Heaps 

 of damp green moss were piled up, and clouds of 

 dense smoke driven by the wind up through the hol- 

 low tree, which formed a capital chimney, till it at 

 length compelled poor Cuffy to ' fly to ills he knew not 

 of than bear with those he had.' Accordingly, he 

 made his appearance at the mouth of the hole, the 

 very impersonation of impotent rage and terror. His 

 once glossy black coat was singed to a rusty bro^^^l 

 colour, his eyes were blinded by the smoke, and his 

 jaws were covered with foam. 



' I told you he'd have to show out, lads,' cried Uncle 

 Ben, as he deliberately raised his rifle. 



