THE LAPPS. 



163 



the greatest hardships with equanimity, desiring only not to be disturbed in the 

 enjoyment of the httle that is his — not to be interfered Avith in his old customs 

 and habits. 



Yet this same peaceful Laplander, who has so easily submitted to a foreign 

 yoke, is one of the boldest hunters, and not only pursues the elk or the wild 

 reindeer, but engages in single combat with the bear. Like all the other Arctic 

 nations of Russia and Siberia, he has strange notions about this animal, which 

 in his ojjinion is the most cunning and gifted of all created beings. Thus he 

 supposes that the bear knows and hears all that is said about him, and for this 

 reason he takes good care never to speak of him disrespectfully. It may seem 

 strange that he should venture to slay an animal which ranks so high in his es- 

 teem ; but the temptation is too strong, as its flesh has an excellent flavor, and 

 its fui-, though not near so valuable as that of the American black bear, is still 

 worth from fifteen to twenty dollars. 



At the beginning of winter, the bear, as is well known, retires either into a 

 rocky cave, or under a cover of branches, leaves, and moss, and remains there 

 without food, and plunged in sleep until the next spring recalls him to a more 

 active existence. After the first fall of snow, the Lapp hunters go into the foi'- 

 est and look out for traces of the bear. Having found them, they carefully 

 mark the spot, and returning after a few weeks disturb the slumbering brute, 

 and excite him to an attack. It is not considered honorable to shoot him 

 while sleeping; and in many parts of Lapland the hunter who would kill a bear 

 with any other weapon but a lance would be universally despised. Hogguer 

 accompanied two Lapps, well-armed with axes and stout lances with barbed 

 points, on one of these bear-hunts. When about a hundred paces from the 

 lair the company halted, while one of the Lapps advanced shouting, telling his 

 comrades to make as much noise as they could. When about twenty paces 

 from the cavern, he stood still and flung several stones into it. Foi* some time 

 all was quiet, so that Hogguer began to fear that the lair was deserted, ^vdien 

 suddenly an angry growl was heard. The hunters now redoubled their clamor, 

 until slowly, like an honest citizen disturbed in his noonday slumbers, the bear 

 came out of his cavern. But this tranquillity did not last long, for the brute, as 

 soon as he perceived his nearest enemy, uttered a short roar and rushed upon 

 him. The Lapp coolly awaited the onset with his lance in rest, until the bear, 

 coming quite near, raised himself on his haunches and began to strike at him 

 with his fore paw^s. The hunter bent down to avoid the strokes, and then sud- 

 denly rising, with a sure eye and with all his might, plunged his lance into the 

 heart of the bear. During this short conflict the Lapp had received a slight 

 wound on the hand, but the marks of the bear's teeth were found deeply im- 

 pressed upon the iron of the lance. According to an ancient custom, the wives 

 of the hunters assemble in the hut of one of them ; and as soon as they hear the 

 returning sportsmen, begin chanting or howling a song in praise of the bear. 

 When the men, laden with the skin and flesh of the animal, approach, they are re- 

 ceived by the women with opprobrious epithets, and forbidden ingress through 

 the door ; so that they are obliged to make a hole in the wall, through which 

 they enter with their spoils. This comedy, which is meant to pacify the manes 



