A PROTRACTED CHASE 107 



just opposite us, rocky ground on our left, 

 and a strip of birch forest running down to 

 the valley on our right. In the grass oppo- 

 site, and only a few yards away from the 

 wood, stood a lonely oak, round ,which a 

 small thicket of brambles and a few saplings 

 had sprung up. When we reached the 

 rocky end of our ridge we found ourselves 

 in a most convenient place, for, hidden by 

 the rocks, we could get a clear view of 

 Bruin, and remain ourselves unseen. He 

 was quite unconscious of danger, so that 

 we had only to wait till he presented the 

 best possible target, and then bag him. 

 Just now he was right opposite to us, and 

 on our level, feeding with his head down 

 hill. He wandered about peacefully grazing, 

 like a cow, sitting down on his haunches 

 at times, and turning about in the peculiar 

 way bears do. While we waited for a clear 

 chance at him he got up and walked 

 straight towards the solitary oak tree, be- 

 hind which he disappeared. We looked 

 for him to come out on the other side, but 



