SNUG QUAETEKS. 233 



Hard work we found it following the track, 

 toiling up a steep hill side covered with 

 large forest trees, and an almost impervious 

 underwood, on which the snow was lying 

 nearly as deep as on the ground. After 

 several hours of this trying walk, dui'ing 

 which we may have perhaps got over a 

 couple of miles, the track led us to the 

 foot of a hollow tree, in which it was 

 evident that the bear was quietly ensconced. 

 Had it not been proved by the footprints 

 beyond a doubt, I could never have believed 

 that the animal could by any possibility 

 have got into the hollow trunk through the 

 only hole we could see, which was close to 

 the ground, and to all appearance not half 

 large enough for the entrance of an animal 

 of that size ; but there could be no doubting 

 the fact, that there he was. 



The hole was closed with grass and 

 leaves, and we could neither hear nor see 

 anything of the occupant of this snug 

 dormitory. One of the men carried a 

 hatchet in his belt, and I wanted him to 



