3°6 
A VOYAGE TO 
*779* other feafon in which it is dangerous to come in their way, 
September. . ^ . c _ . , . ° , J 7 
c.—is at the time or their copulation, which is generally about 
this time of the year. 
An extraordinary inftance of natural affedtion in thefe 
animals hath been already mentioned. The chace affords a 
variety of a fimilar nature, and not lefs affedting ; many of 
which were related to me. The Kamtfchadales derive great 
advantage in hunting, from this circumftance. They never 
venture to fire upon a young bear, when the mother is near: 
for, if the cub drop, fhe becomes enraged to a degree little 
fhort of madnefs ; and if fhe get fight of the enemy, will 
only quit her revenge with her life. On the contrary, if 
the dam be fhot, the cubs will not leave her fide, even af¬ 
ter fhe has been dead a long time; but continue about her, 
fliewing, by a variety of affecting actions and geftures, 
marks of the deepefl affliction, and thus become an eafy 
prey to the hunters. 
Nor is the fagacity of the bears, if the Kamtfchadales are 
to be credited, lefs extraordinary, or lefs worthy to be re¬ 
marked, than their natural affedtion. Of this they have a 
thoufand ftories to relate. I fliall content myfelf with men¬ 
tioning one inftance, which the natives fpeak of as a well- 
known fadt; and that is, the firatagem they have recourfe 
to, in order to catch the bareins, which are confiderably 
too fwift of foot for them. Thefe animals keep together in 
large herds; they frequent moftly the low grounds, and 
love to browfe at the feet of rocks and precipices. The 
bear hunts them by fcent, till he come in fight; when he 
advances warily, keeping above them, and concealing him- 
felf amongft the rocks, as he makes his approaches, till he 
gets immediately over them, and nigh enough for his pur- 
pofe. 
