172 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



at some intruder. After a stretch, a yawn, and the usual 

 awakening actions, I turned in the direction of Prince to 

 see what on earth had raised his ire and disturbed my si- 

 esta, when judge my astonishment ! I beheld a large bear 

 erect, pulling down the vines, not twenty yards off, ignorant 

 of my presence, but occasionally casting a furtive glance 

 back at his angry assailant, who took precious good care 

 to keep beyond arms-length. Men become cool in such sit- 

 uations, either from association or the power of controlling 

 their feelings. My gun lay at my side loaded with No. 6 ; 

 if Bruin found me out and became aggressive, at close quar- 

 ters, say eight or ten yards, I was prepared to risk the is- 

 sue ; if he would only move off a little way, still keeping to 

 windward, I thought I might improve my opportunity by 

 substituting a brace of bullets. Under any circumstances 

 my gun would be required, so watching the first opportuni- 

 ty when the bear's back was turned, I brought my double- 

 barrel close by my side and cocked each lock. Many may 

 laugh when I say I did not feel nervous ; but I did not, and 

 remained watching with special pleasure the enjoyment that 

 my foe appeared to take in crunching up whole bunches of 

 the luscious fruit. As he worked farther from me my dog 

 became less demonstrative, only occasionally giving Way to 

 a suppressed growl, which his feelings were unable to con- 

 trol. 



Deeming myself comparatively safe from the distance 

 that intervened between us, I uncocked my gun ; then first 

 one barrel was unloaded, and the heavier missile substi- 

 tuted, then the next underwent the same operation, Bruin 

 being now out of sight, still within hearing ; but the tables 

 were turned : if formerly I was prepared to leave him alone, 

 .1 now felt equal to acting on the aggressive. Giving Prince 

 a little encouragement, he again rushed to the attack, and 

 it is wonderful with how much more ardor, knowing that 



