tlH^ 



204 FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 







lake, ciiriying a bear on its shoulders, and at once striiek 

 jj;; out into deep water. The two were soon separated, and 



p^, the Indian at the same time launching his canoe, succeeded 



in wounding the bear, which, seeing the man, had turned 

 back for the shore. The moose escaped on the opposite 

 side. 



In the spring the old she bear, a(3companied by her 

 brace of little whining cubs, is almost sure to turn on a 

 human being if suddenly disturbed, though, if made aware 

 [''.r of coming danger in time, she will always conduct them 



out of the way. I have known many instances of settlers, 

 out trouting by the lakes near home, l)eing chased out of 

 the woods and nearly run into, by the she bear in spring- 

 time. 



In June, likewise, in tlie running season, it is not safe 

 to be back in the woods unarmed or alone. A whole 

 gang will go together, makmg the forest resound with 

 their hideous snarlino; and loud moaning cries. Hearing 



o in o 



the approach of such a procession, the sojournei' in camj) 

 piles fuel on the lire, and keeps watch witli loaded 

 gan. In old times, before they accpiired the dread of 

 fire-arms, the India- • -iay these animals were much 

 Ixjlder. 



The bear is readily taken in a dead-fall trap with a bai t 

 composed of almost anything : a bundle of birch-bark 

 tied up, and smeared over with a little honey, molasses, 

 or tallow, answers very well. 



They travel through the woods and along the water- 

 side in well defined paths, which afibrd excellent walking 

 to the hunter. Bear-traps are placed at intervals in the 

 vicinity of tlieir roads, and many a rascal loses his jacket 

 to the settlers in summer time in return for his audacious 



