352 THE COMMON BEAR. 



for fuel, in the midst of a whole drove of Bears, arc 

 never disturbed by them in their employment ; and 

 if any of one of these animals comes up to them, 

 it is only to eat something out of their hands. They 

 have never been known to attack a man, except 

 when roused on a sudden from sleep ; and they very 

 seldom turn upon the marksman, whether they be hit 

 or not. — This humane character of the Kamtscha- 

 dale Bear, who herein differs so remarkably from his 

 brethren of most other countries, procures him how- 

 ever, no exemption from the persecutions of man- 

 kind. His great utility is a sufficient instigation to 

 the avarice of Man, to declare eternal war against 

 him. Armed with a spear, or club, the Kamtscha- 

 dale goes in quest of the peaceful animal, in his 

 calm retreat ; who, meditating no attack, and in- 

 tent only on defence, gravely takes the faggots which 

 his persecutor brings him, and with them, himself 

 chokes up the entrance to his den. The mouth 

 of the cavern being thus closed, the hunter bores 

 a hole through the top, and transfixes with the 

 greatest security his defenceless foe *. 



They are sometimes cruel enough to lay a board 

 driven full of iron hooks, in the Bear's track ; placing 

 neaj- it something heavy, which the- animal must throw 

 down as he passes. Alarmed by this, he runs upon 



* A method nearly similar is practised by aoine of tlie North Ame- 

 rican Indians, with the Bears of that country. They block up the 

 dens with logs of wood: and then break in at the top, and either kill 

 the animal with a spear or gun; or else put. a snare about his neck, 

 and, drawing his head close to the hole, dispatch him with their hat- 

 chets, llcarnc, 370. 



