318 WILD SPORTS IX THE FAR WEST. 



a spring, which had worn itself a cliannel of about 

 eighteen inches deep, and eight or nine wide. After 

 working our way through another difficult pass, as I 

 was in the act of drawing a long breath, I heard a deep 

 growl very near me. Although I had been listening 

 for this sound every foot of the way for several hours, 

 yet, on hearing it so suddenly and so close, I was rather 

 startled, and nearly let fall the torch ; but quickly 

 recovering, and raising the torch as high as possible, to 

 the discomfort and horror of several innocent bats, I 

 could make out Mrs. Bruin, about ten yards off, sitting 

 upright, gnashing her teeth, digging into the ground 

 with her sharp claws, and apparently in the worst pos- 

 sible humor. 



Young Conwell, who was close behind me, laid his 

 hand lightly on my foot, and whispered that he heard 

 the bear. As I had obtained this intelligence for 

 myself, I whispered to him to be quiet, and creeping 

 forward a couple of paces, I came to a place from whence 

 I thought I could fire with effect. I placed my right 

 foot in the channel of the stream, raised myself as well 

 as I could on my left knee, and brought up the rifle. 

 Young Conwell, who was anxiously w^atching all my 

 motions, whispered me for God's sake to aim carefully, for 

 if I made a bad shot we were both done for. Although 

 I was nearer the danger than he was, I would not have 

 changed plaees with him, as he could not see what was 

 going on, and must naturally fear the worst ; and in 

 such cases, it is preferable to be in the post of danger, 

 than to remain in a state of suspense. 



The bear, by no means pleased with our intrusion, 

 laid back her ears, snapped her teeth, and kept con- 



