306 THE BAR A SING. 



deep narrow gorges, united ; and following up the course 

 of that on our right hand, high up above it, we wound 

 along many a bend and turn. The mountains on 

 our left were now well clothed with birch woods stretching 

 downwards. Rich heavy growth of vegetation is now 

 general from rocky summit to base, and the watercourses 

 are distinguishable by the bright emerald tint of their 

 grasses, diminishing in brilliancy outwardly, the colour- 

 ing gradually assuming a yellowish hue as it recedes from 

 the water. The foliage, generally, has now assumed a 

 yellow hue from the effects of the severe frosts ; and 

 some of the more sensitive shrubs already glow in the 

 deepest tints of orange, portions here and there showing 

 like broad red stripes down the mountain ; so vivid is the 

 colour, and the whole effect of outline and detail is en- 

 chanting. Feasting my eyes on these lovely scenes, I 

 suddenly became aware of an unusual object on one of 

 those emerald slopes. A moment for the eye to dwell, 

 and I was convinced, and shouted, "Balloo, balloo." 

 There was the first bear. He was far away high up on 

 the other side the river. 



Now descending a bit, we came to three stone huts at 

 the foot of an enormous glacier, whence issued a torrent 

 from eastward. Our further route lay up the prolonga- 

 tion of the valley we were ascending, southward. But 

 our day's march was terminated. The bear was on the 

 opposite mountain- side, straight across ; and lying down 

 I watched its movements, not thinking it worth while to 

 undergo the fatigue of an attempt on him, from the open 

 character of the ground, and the extreme probability of 

 his soon returning satiated to his lair. Still he grubbed, 

 and now and again ascending a rise to reconnoitre re- 

 turned to his repast. I dozed : woke up, and there he 

 was still. And so the parties remained till the arrival of 



