BRUIN AT BAY. 17 



woods was broken by angry howlings, that grew louder and louder, as if some 

 enraged animals were approaching the water. All at once, from a bank but a short 

 distance off, a bear shuffled out of the bushes on to the shore, and, evidently in great 

 tribulation, looked around as if seeking an outlet for escape, more congenial to it than 

 the deep waters of the lake. Almost immediately it was followed by a large panther, 

 which with fearful screams and outstretched claws, sprang upon the back of its 

 shaggy foe, and the conflict that ensued was fearful to witness. Only a portion 

 of their bodies could be seen at a time, so rapid were the evolutions of the com- 

 batants, and from the midst of the whirling mass of fur, the most hideous growling 

 and snarling continually issued. Soon the struggle became less violent and the 

 Bear fell dead, torn almost to pieces by its savage adversary ; while the Cougar, 

 after quenching its thirst in the lake, began to move away into the woods, when 

 the hunter by a well-directed shot from his rifle laid it lifeless. It proved to be 

 a female, and the only explanation of so strange an occurrence as two animals so 

 opposite in habits engaging in conflict is that the panther, which evidently was a 

 mother, might possibly have been robbed of its young, and her maternal instinct 

 at once urged her to take revenge upon the Bear for the injury he had done. 



The illustration that accompanies this article is founded upon an event which 

 happened to a gentleman in Norway, who started out one winter morning with some 

 companions in pursuit of Bear, accompanied by a number of dogs of all degrees. They 

 soon came upon the winter quarters of a large animal, and after repeated efforts 

 Bruin was dislodged from his warm berth and wounded. Forced to defend himself, 

 he soon became the aggressor, and rushing upon the narrator of the occurrence, 

 struck him down, and lay upon him. Fortunately the snow was deep, and, knowing 

 his only chance was to lie perfectly still, the gentleman buried himself as much as 

 possible in the snow and feigned to be dead. The Bear was very old, and his 

 teeth were worn down so close to the gums, that they continually slipped off, and 

 did no injury when he seized the hunter's head in his mouth. Whilst this was 

 going on, the Bear was attacked by the dogs, which set upon him from all sides, 

 and prevented him from attending to the man beneath him. While thus engaged 

 the other hunters arrived upon the scene, and, quickly despatching the animal, freed 

 their companion from his disagreeable and perilous position, and enabled him to 

 arise uninjured, even from the embraces of Bruin at Bay. 



