FIRST EXPERIENCES 63 
whenever it came on to blow, shelter could always 
be got there on one side or the other. 
It was whilst lying on the eastern side of this 
bay that I bagged my first bear. Rears at this time 
were very numerous on Yetorup. The species is 
the same as that found on Yezo. Siebold, in his 
44 Fauna Japonica, 55 calls it IJrsus ferox, as also 
does Professor Rein in his work on Japan; whilst 
Wallace, in his 44 Island Life, 55 gives it as Ursus arctus . 
It happened in this way. The weather being fine, 
we lowered boats and started out hunting towards 
the east point of the bay, where the high land 
approaches to within a few yards of the beach, which 
here consists of large and small boulders. On nearing 
the point, I saw a large bear some 200 or 300 feet 
up the steep slope of the mountain, apparently feeding 
on berries or roots. It being impossible to land 
near him, on account of the heavy surf, I pulled back 
into the bay and landed near the vessel, about two 
miles from the point, taking my rifle (a handsome 
sporting Snider, of which I was very proud) and 
a dozen cartridges. Making my way along the 
beach towards the place where I had seen the bear, 
in my hurried eagerness I fell several times over 
boulders, and, much to my sorrow, succeeded in 
scratching and somewhat spoiling the spick-and-span 
appearance of my rifle. At last, much out of breath, 
I sighted Bruin at just about the place I had first 
located him. When I was within about 80 yards 
or so, he turned his head, offering a broadside shot. 
I was somewhat excited and very much blown, and 
was afraid I could not hold my rifle steady on him. 
However, I inhaled deeply, and held my breath 
as I pointed for his shoulder and fired. Down he 
