CAPTURING A RED BEAR 101 



had to suffer much in their childhood and youth, 

 but now they are all the more sure of their ground, 

 and their power of resistance is all the greater for 

 the hardships endured. 



Wrapped in mist, and very indistinct, white cliffs 

 rise up in the far distance. In the clefts and crevices 

 the last decaying winter snow is dragging out a 

 miserable existence, dropping big, dirty tears over 

 its sad fate. Cheerful little streams trickle gently 

 over the stones, and miniature avalanches slide mis- 

 chievously down into the valleys below. Head over 

 heels they go, their silvery bodies mirrored in a 

 thousand glistening reflections ; for the sky, yester- 

 day so deeply veiled, has once more opened its big 

 blue eyes. 



About five o'clock in the afternoon we catch sight 

 of a dark object at some distance off. It seems to 

 be moving. 



" Upon my word, if it isn't a bear ! " 



"We shall have to be awfully careful how we 

 approach the old chap, for it can only be a red bear 

 at this height." 



We let a little powdery snow trickle through our 

 fingers to get the direction of the wind. The bear 

 is digging hard in the snow, quite unsuspecting. 



" I expect he is digging out the carcase of an ibex 

 that died in the winter, and that'll keep him busy 

 for several hours. It's just possible that we shall be 

 able to get within shooting distance of him." 



