22 A FATAL AWAKENING. 



instinct of burying bodies is so strong with these bears, 

 that they will cover hunters who fall into their power and 

 feign death, with grass, and bark, and leaves. If the men 

 attempt to move, they will put them down again and cover 

 them as before, finally leaving them comparatively uninjured. 

 When winter approaches, the grizzly retires to his cave, 

 where he lies during the cold season in a torpid condition. 

 A bold and experienced hunter will sometimes take advan- 

 tage of this circumstance. Having scrutinized the ap- 

 proach to the cave, he prepares a candle made of wax from 

 the comb of wild bees, softened with bear-grease. The 

 wick is large, and it burns with a strong flame. Carrying 

 this before him, with his rifle slung to his side, he pene- 

 trates into the recess of the cave, when he fixes the candle 

 on the ground, and ignites it. The cavern is soon vividly 

 illuminated. Then the hunter lies down on his face, with 

 the candle between the bear and himself; and in this 

 position, with the muzzle of his rifle full in front of him, 

 he bides his time. Grizzly is soon roused by the light ; he 

 yawns ; he stretches himself, like a person wakened from 

 a profound slumber. The hunter cocks his rifle, and 

 watches the bear turn his head, and with slow and wad- 

 dling steps approach the candle. This, says our authority, 

 is a trying moment ; for the grizzly is so tenacious of life 

 that a sure aim is essential. He reaches the candle, and 

 as he raises his paw to strike it, the hunter fires ; and with 

 a hea\^ thud the bear falls to the ground, pierced through 

 the eye or the heart. 



The Black Bear is found farther north than the grizzly, 



