172 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 
at some intruder. After a stretch, a yawn, and the usual 
awakening actions, I turned in the direction of Prince to 
see what on earth had raised his ire and disturbed my si- 
esta, when—judge my astonishment !—I beheld a large bear 
erect, pulling down the vines, not twenty yards off, ignorant 
of my presence, but occasionally casting a furtive glance 
back at his angry assailant, who took precious good care 
to keep beyond arms-length. Men become cool in such sit- 
uations, either from association or the power of controlling 
their feelings. My gun lay at my side loaded with No. 6; 
if Bruin found me out and became aggressive, at close quar- 
ters, say eight or ten yards, I was prepared to risk the is- 
sue; if he would only move off a little way, still keeping to 
windward, I thought I might improve my opportunity by 
substituting a brace of bullets. Under any circumstances ° 
my gun would be required, so watching the first opportuni- 
ty when the bear’s back was turned, I brought my double- 
barrel close by my side and cocked each lock. Many may 
laugh when I say I did not feel nervous; but I did not, and 
remained watching with special pleasure the enjoyment that 
my. foe appeared to take in crunching up whole bunches of 
the luscious fruit. As he worked farther from me my dog 
became less demonstrative, only occasionally giving way to 
a suppressed growl, which his feelings were unable to con- 
trol. 
Deeming myself comparatively safe from the distance 
that intervened between us, I uncocked my gun; then first 
one barrel was unloaded, and the heavier missile substi- 
tuted, then the next underwent the same operation, Bruin 
being now out of sight, still within hearing; but the tables 
were turned: if formerly I was prepared to leave him alone, 
I now felt equal to acting on the aggressive. Giving Prince 
‘a little encouragement, he again rushed to the attack, and 
it is wonderful with how much more ardor, knowing that 
