THE KING OP THE WILDERNESS. 201 



a ferocioas disposition, and his growls are few and 

 far between. Xot so when he is on the rampage in 

 the forest during the rutting season ; at tliat time he 

 scours the wilderness with a number of his fellows, 

 indulging in continual snarling and fighting. The 

 collision of two such creatures in a regular up-and- 

 down fight is a sight which impels one to keep at a 

 respectful distance. I recollect a certain bear fight 

 in a "Zoo," one time, which demoralized the whole 

 establishment for the space of several minutes ; dur- 

 ing that time the earth trembled, and what with the 

 blood-curdling growls and thumping blows of the 

 hulking creatures, the rest of the animals concluded 

 the end of all things was at hand, and their cries were 

 proportionally energetic. 



The flesli of the bear is quite good in flavor if the 

 animal happens to be in prime condition, otherwise it 

 is rather tough. I can testify, however, to the un- 

 qualified excellence of bear steak taken from a young 

 and fat animal. 



