X 
THE BEAR 
381 
bear; you were then to follow it up on foot, until 
you should arrive at the secluded spot where the 
bear slept during the daytime, in the recesses of 
the forest. It would of course jump out of its bed 
when disturbed, and this was termed “jumping a 
bear.” Of course you incurred the chance of the 
animal’s attack, when thus suddenly intruded upon 
at close quarters. 
I agreed to start with Bob upon such an 
excursion ; but I found that this kind of sport was 
more adapted for his light weight than my own, 
and that his moccasins were far superior to my 
boots, for running along the stems of fallen spruce 
trees at all kinds of angles, and for jumping from 
one prostrate trunk to another, in a squirrel-like 
fashion, more in harmony with a man of 9 stone 
than one of 15. We started together. Bob mounted 
upon his little mare, while I rode my best horse, 
“ Buckskin,” who was trained, like many of these 
useful animals, to stand alone, and graze, without 
moving away from his position for hours ; should 
it be necessary to dismount, and leave him. The 
horses thus tutored are invaluable for shooting 
purposes, as it is frequently necessary to stalk an 
animal on foot; in which case, the bridle is simply 
arranged by drawing the reins over the head, 
and throwing them in his front, to fall upon the 
ground before his fore-feet. When thus managed, 
the horse will feed, but he will never move away 
from his position, and he will wait for hours for the 
return of his master. 
