62 BEARS. 



hope that a reward will be offered them to 

 proceed; but if they find that the person is 

 aware of their tricks, they try to get a present,, 

 by amusing him with a song, in which they 

 imitate the bear. 



Bears will often continue on the road in front 

 of the palanquin for a mile or two, tumbling 

 and playing all sorts of antics, as if they were 

 taught to do so ; I believe it is their natural 

 disposition, for they certainly are the most 

 amusing creatures imaginable in their wild 

 state. It is no wonder that with monkeys 

 they are led about to amuse mankind. It is 

 astonishing as well as ludicrous to see them 

 climb rocks and tumble, or rather roll down 

 precipices. If they are attacked by any per- 

 son on horse-back, they stand erect on their 

 hind legs, shewing a fine set of white 

 teeth, and making* a cackling kind of noise : 

 If the horse comes near them, they try to 

 catch him by the legs, and if they miss him 

 they tumble over and over several times. 

 They are easily speared by a person mount- 



