CLEAEING THE WAY. 263 



with the same results after each, and we now 

 saw, that she was endeavouring to induce the 

 young one to follow her down, which it 

 appeared afraid to do, often coming a little 

 way, and then returning. 



The anxiety of the bear, to shield her 

 offspring from danger, and to inspire it with 

 courage to follow her, were truly affectmg. 

 At last, after a great many shots had been 

 fired, not one of which I believe took effect, 

 the youngster was persuaded to face the 

 danger, and they came down upon us like a 

 shot. Fortunately for them, it was whilst I 

 was reloading the rifle, and they were upon 

 us, before I was ready. The gidly was not 

 more than ten yards wide, so they had to 

 pass quite close ; we jumped on one side to 

 give them room, and the old lady did not 

 attempt to molest us, but went down hill as 

 hard as ever she could go, with her cub by 

 her side. Before I had the rifle capped and 

 i-eady, they were far enough out of our reach. 



The mighty hunters and sportsmen of the 

 plains, may talk of the charge of a tiger, or 



