American Big-Game Hunting 



almost touching them in fact, I made out the 

 indistinct forms of three bears all standing on 

 their hind legs. Oh, what a chance it was if 

 it had not been so dark! I could not even 

 see the end of my rifle ; but I knew I could 

 hit them, they were so close. But to hit 

 fatally? Well, there is no use thinking about 

 it now the bears are here. Trust to luck and 

 shoot ! 



Hardly daring to breathe, I fired ; the 

 scuffling on the ground, and the short, sharp 

 snorting, told me I had not missed; but I 

 could see nothing, and could only hear the 

 bear rolling over and over and growling 

 angrily. Presently there was quiet, and then 

 with angry, furious champing of jaws the 

 wounded animal charged back directly under 

 me; but I could not see to shoot again, worse 

 luck. From sundry sounds I gathered the 

 bear was not far off, but had lain down in a 

 thicket which was about one hundred yards 

 from my tree. I could hear an occasional 

 growl, and the snap of dead branches, broken 

 as she turned uneasily. I did not know 

 exactly what to do. To descend was awk- 

 ward, and to stay where I was, wet and 



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