151 
BEAR HUNTING, 
balls., although more troublesome to carry 
through the woods, as they inflict much more 
destructive wounds than the others, and game 
seldom escapes after being wounded by them. 
Dogs of a large size are chosen for bear hunt¬ 
ing: those most generally preferred seem to 
be of a breed between the blood hound and 
mastiff; they will follow the scent of tha 
bear, as indeed most held dogs will, but their 
chief use is to keep the bear at bay when 
wounded, or to follow him if be attempt to 
make off' whilst the hunter is reloading his gum 
Bears will never attempt to attack a man or a 
dog while they can make their escape, but 
once wounded or closely hemmed in they will 
fight most furiously. The young ones, at 
•sight of a dog, generally take to a tree; but 
the old ones, as if conscious of their ability to 
fight a dog, and at the same time that they 
cannot fail of becoming the prey of the hun¬ 
ter if they ascend a tree, never do so, unless 
indeed they see a hunter coming towards them 
on horseback* a sight which terrifies them 
b greatly. 
The Indians generally go in large parties to 
hunt bears, and on coming to the place where 
they suppose these animals are lurking, they 
form themselves into a large circle, and a§ 
they advance endeavour to rouse them. It is 
seldom that the white hunters muster to- 
/ 
