The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bruin, by Mayne Reid
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Title: Bruin
The Grand Bear Hunt
Author: Mayne Reid
Illustrator: Zwecker
Release Date: February 4, 2009 [EBook #27993]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRUIN ***
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Bruin, by Captain Mayne Reid.
________________________________________________________________________
The story told is quite good one, but is rather spoilt by the author's
insistence on showing how clever he is by calling the animals and plants
that appear in the story, by their Latin names.
Two young brothers, the sons of a Russian nobleman, ask their father if
they may spend a while travelling the world. He agrees, but lays down
two conditions: one, that they should bring back the skins, in good
condition, of every species of bear there is; two, that they should
proceed from east to west, or from west to east, without doubling back
on their tracks, except, of course, while actually engaged in the chase.
The boys, for they are still in their teens, accept the conditions, and
set off westward, visiting all sorts of interesting places in Europe and
elsewhere, and gathering numerous bearskin trophies on the way. Oddly
enough they never go to Australia, but maybe the Koala bear is not a
bear, within the definition of the word.
They take with them an old retired guardsman, Pouchskin, who looks after
them generally, and takes a lot of the knocks of the journey.
Eventually they return home, where the boys are lauded as heroes,
and Pouchskin returns to obscurity.
________________________________________________________________________
BRUIN, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.
CHAPTER ONE.
THE PALACE GRODONOFF.
On the banks of the Neva, near the great city of Saint Petersburg,
stands a splendid palace, known as the Palace Grodonoff. It is the
property of a Russian nobleman of that name, as it is also his place of
residence. Were you to drive up to the front gate of this grand palace,
you would see a coat-of-arms sculptured in granite over the entrance.
In this piece of sculpture, the principal and most striking figure is a
bear, with the blade of a knife buried in his breast, the haft being
clutched by a human hand! Open the gate, and enter the spacious
courtyard. Inside, on the right and left, you will observe two live
bears--both of chestnut-brown colour, and each of them as big as a
buffalo. You cannot fail to notice them, for, ten chances to one, they
will rush towards you with fierce growls; and were it not that a strong
chain hinders them from reaching you, you might have reason to repent
having entered the courtyard of the palace Grodonoff. Look around you
in the courtyard and over the different doors that open upon it; you
will again see the crest of the bear, sculptured in stone; you will see
it over the stables, the coach-house, the granary, the kitchens,--
everywhere. You may know by all this, that it is the coat-of-arms of
the Baron Grodonoff, whose crest is a bear with a blade buried in its
breast, and a human band clutching the haft.
You will naturally conclude that there is some history connected with
this singular tableau--that it is the commemoration of some deed done by
a Grodonoff, entitling him to use the bear as his heraldic device. This
is quite true; and if you enter the picture-gallery of the palace, you
will there behold the deed more explicitly represented, in a large
oil-painting hung conspicuously in the centre of the wall. The scene of
this painting is a forest of old trees, whose grey, gnarled trunks stand
thickly over the ground. There is only a little open space or glade in
the middle; and this is occupied by three figures, two men and a bear.
The bear is between the two men; or, rather, one of the men is prostrate
upon the ground--where he has been struck down by a blow from Bruin's
paw--while the huge animal stands over him reared up on his hind
quarters. The other man is upon his feet, apparently engaged in a
desperate wrestle with the fierce brute, and likely to prove the
conqueror--as he has already buried the blade of a large hunting-knife
in the animal's breast, and directly over the region of its heart.
Indeed, the shaggy monster already shows signs of succumbing. His paw
has dropped from the shoulder of his antagonist, his long tongue lolls
out, the blood rushes from his mouth and nostrils, and it is evident
that his strength is fast forsaking him, and that he will soon sink
lifeless upon the earth. You will notice that the two men who figure in
the painting are very dissimilar in appearance. Both are young men, and
both are in hunting costume; but so unlike in their dress, that you
could not fancy they followed the same occupation. He upon the ground
is richly attired. He wears a tunic of finest green cloth slashed with
sable fur on the skirt, collar, and sleeves; his limbs are encased in
breeches of white doeskin; and his boots, reaching nearly to his thighs,
are of soft russet leather, ample at the tops. A belt around his waist
is richly embroidered; and the hilt of a short hunting-sword, protruding
from the sheath, appears chased and studded with jewels. A light plumed
hat lies upon the ground near his head--evidently tossed off in the
struggle--and beside it is a boar-spear that has been jerked out of his
fingers as he fell. The whole costume is similar to that used upon the
stage--when some young German or Sclavonian prince is represented as
hunting the wild boar in the forests of Lithuania.
In reality it is a prince who is depicted in the group of the gallery
Grodonoff--but not a German prince. He is a Russian, and the bear is
the Russian bear.
The other hunter--he who had given its death-blow to the fierce
quadruped--is dressed in a style entirely different. It is the costume
of a fur-hunter--a trapper of sables--and consists of skin coat and cap,
with a strong leathern belt round his waist, and rough boots of untanned
hide upon his legs and feet. The costume is rude, and bespeaks him a
peasant; but his face, as the painter has represented it, is neither
common nor ill-looking. It is not so handsome as that of the prince:
for he would be an unskilful artist--one utterly reckless of his own
fortune--who should paint the features of a peasant as handsome as those
of a prince. In Russia, as elsewhere, such an imprudent painter would
be a _rara avis_ indeed.
The picture of which we are speaking is the _piece de resistance_ of the
Grodonoff gallery. Its size and conspicuous position declare the fact;
and the story attached to it will show that it merits the distinction.
But for that picture, or rather the scene which it represents, there
would be no Grodonoff gallery--no palace--no baron of the name.
Paintings, palace, title, all have their origin in the incident there
represented--the battle with the bear.
The story is simple and may be briefly told. As, already stated, he
upon his back, hat off, and spear detached from his grasp, is a Russian
prince--or rather was one, for at the time when our history commences he
is an emperor. He had been hunting the wild boar; and, as often happens
to sporting princes, had become separated from his courtier attendants.
The enthusiasm of the chase had led him on, into the fastnesses of the
forest, where he came suddenly face to face with a bear. Princes have
their hunter ambition as well as other men; and, in hopes of tailing a
trophy, this one attacked the bear with his boar-spear. But the thrust
that might have penetrated the flesh of a wild boar, had no effect upon
the tough thick hide of Bruin. It only irritated him; and as the brown
bear will often do, he sprang savagely upon his assailant, and with his
huge paw gave the prince such a "pat" upon the shoulder, as not only
sent the spear shivering from his grasp, but stretched his royal
highness at full length upon the grass.
Following up his advantage, the bear had bounded forward upon the
prostrate body; and, no doubt, in the twinkling of a bedpost would have
made a corpse of it--either squeezing the breath out of it by one of his
formidable "hugs," or tearing it to pieces with his trenchant teeth. In
another moment the hope of Russia would have been extinguished; but,
just at this crisis, a third figure appeared upon the scene--in the
person of a young hunter--a _real_ one--who had already been in pursuit
of the bear, and had tracked him up to the spot.
On coming upon the ground, the hunter fired his gun; but, seeing that
the shot was insufficient, he drew his knife and rushed upon the bear.
A desperate struggle ensued, in which, as may be already anticipated,
the young hunter proved victorious--having succeeded in sheathing his
blade in the heart of the bear, and causing the savage quadruped to
"bite the dust."
Neither the prince nor the peasant came scathless out of the encounter.
Both were well scratched; but neither had received any wound of a
serious nature; and the amateur hunter rose once more to his feet,
conscious of having made a very narrow escape.
I need not add that the prince was profuse in his expressions of
gratitude to him who had saved his life. The young hunter was not one
of his own party, but a stranger to him, whose home was in the forest
where the incident occurred. But their acquaintance did not end with
the adventure. The prince became an emperor--the peasant hunter a
lieutenant in the Imperial Guard, afterwards a captain, a colonel, a
general, and finally a baron of the empire!
His name?
Grodonoff,--he in whose palace hangs the picture we have described.
CHAPTER TWO.
THE BARON GRODONOFF.
In one of the apartments of the palace Grodonoff, behold its proprietor,
the baron himself! He is seated in an old oak chair, with a heavy table
of the same material in front of him. On the table is spread out a map
of the world; and by the side of the chair stands a large terrestrial
globe. Several shelves standing against the wails contain books; and
yet the apartment is not a library in the proper sense of the word:
rather is it a large oblong saloon; having three of its sides occupied
by spacious glass cases, in which are exhibited objects of natural
history,--birds, quadrupeds, reptiles, and insects,--all mounted in
proper form and arranged in due order. It is, in fact, a museum,--a
private collection--made by the baron himself; and the books that fill
the shelves are works relating to natural history alone.
In a man of military aspect--an old veteran with snow-white hair, and
grand moustaches of like hue--such as he who is seated at the table--you
would scarce expect to meet the lover of a study so pacific in its
character as that of natural history? Rather would you look to find him
pouring over plans of fortifications, with the pages of Yauban spread
open before him; or some history detailing the campaigns of Suwarrow,
Diebitsch, Paskiewitch or Potemkin? In this instance, however,
appearances were deceptive. Though the baron had proved an excellent
military officer, and seen service, he was a student of Nature. His
early years, spent as a hunter, had begot within him a taste for natural
history; which, as soon as the opportunity offered, had become developed
by study and research. It was now no longer a predilection, but a
passion; and in his retirement nearly the whole of his time was devoted
to his favourite study. A vast fortune, which his grateful sovereign
had bestowed upon him, enabled him to command the means for gratifying
his taste; and the magnificent collection by which he was surrounded
gave evidence that no expense was spared in its gratification.
It was a map and globe of the world that now occupied his attention.
Could these have reference to a question of natural history?
In an indirect manner they had,--and what follows will account for their
presence.
A hand-bell stood upon the table. The baron rang it; and before its
tingling had ceased, the door opened, and a servant entered the
apartment.
"Summon my sons to attend me!"
The servant bowed, and retired.
A few minutes after, two youths entered the apartment. They appeared to
be of the respective ages of sixteen and eighteen. One, the elder and
taller, was of a darkish complexion, with brown waving hair, and hazel
eyes. The expression of his countenance was that of a youth of firm and
rather serious character; while the style of his dress, or rather his
manner of wearing it, showed that he was altogether without vanity in
matters of personal appearance. He was handsome withal, having that
aristocratic air common to the nobility of Russia. This was Alexis.
The younger brother differed from him as much as if no kinship existed
between them. He was more the son of his mother, the baroness; while
Alexis inherited the features and a good deal of the disposition of his
father. Ivan was a fair-haired lad, with golden locks curling over a
forehead of bright blonde complexion, and cheeks that exhibited the hue
of the rose. His eyes were of a deep azure-blue--such as is often seen
among the Sclavonic races--and their quick sparkle told that in the
breast of Ivan there beat a heart brimming with bright thoughts, and
ever ready for mischief and merriment, but without any admixture of
malice.
Both approached their father with a serious expression of countenance.
That of Alexis bespoke sincerity; while Ivan stole forward with the air
of one who had been recently engaged in some sly mischief, and who was
assuming a demure deportment with the design of concealing it.
A word about these two youths, and the object for which their father had
summoned them into his presence. They had now been each of them more
than ten years engaged in the study of books, under some of the ablest
teachers that Russia could furnish. Their father himself had given much
time to their instruction; and, of course, an inclination to their minds
similar to that which characterised his own, but chiefly to the mind of
Alexis.
The latter had imbibed a fondness for the study of nature, while Ivan
was more given to admire the records of stirring events, with a strong
_penchant_ for the splendours of the world, in which he felt longing to
bear a part. The nature of the books which had passed through their
hands--a great number of them being books of travel--had begotten within
these youths a wish to see the world, which, increasing each day, had
grown into an eager desire. This desire had been often expressed in
hints to their father; but at length, in a more formal manner, by means
of a written petition, which the boys, after much deliberation, had
drawn up and presented to him, and which was now seen lying open before
him upon the table.
The petition was simply their united request, that their father would be
so good as to allow them to travel and see foreign countries--where, and
how, to be left to his wise guidance and discretion.
It was to receive an answer to this petition, that his sons were now
summoned into his presence.
CHAPTER THREE.
THE SEALED ORDERS.
"So, my youngsters!" said the baron, directing his glance upon them,
"you have a desire to to travel? You wish to see the world, do you?"
"True, papa!" modestly answered Alexis; "our tutor tells us that we are
sufficiently educated to go abroad; and, if you have no objection, we
should very much like to make a tour."
"What! before going to the University!"
"Why, papa! I thought you were not going to send us to the University
for some time to come? Did you not say, that a year of travelling was
worth ten at a University?"
"Perhaps I may have said so; but that depends upon _how_ one travels.
If you travel merely to amuse yourselves, you may go over all the world,
and come back no wiser than when you started! I have known many a man
return from a circumnavigation of the globe, without bringing with him
the knowledge of a single fact that he might not have obtained at home.
You would expect to travel in snug railway-carriages, and comfortable
steam-ships, and sleep in splendid hotels--is that your expectation?"
"Oh no, papa! whatever way you may direct, that will be agreeable to
me," said Alexis.
"As for me," rejoined Ivan, "I'm not particular. I can rough it, I'm
sure."
There was a little flavour of _bravado_ in the manner of Ivan's speech,
that showed he was scarce inclined to the roughing system, and that he
merely assumed the swaggering air, because he had no belief that he
would be called upon to make trial of it.
"If I permit you to travel," continued the baron, "where would you like
to go? You, Alexis! to what part of the world would your inclination
lead you?"
"I should like to see the new world of America--its noble rivers, and
forests, and mountains. I should certainly visit America, if it were
left to my choice; but I shall be guided by you, papa, and do as you
direct."
"You, Ivan?"
"Paris, for me, of all places in the world!" replied Ivan, without any
suspicion that the answer would be displeasing to the father.
"I might have known so," muttered the baron, with a slight frown
clouding his forehead.
"O papa!" added Ivan, noticing the shade of displeasure which his answer
had produced; "I don't care particularly about Paris. I'll go
anywhere--to America, if Alexis likes it best--_all round the world_ for
that matter."
"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the baron; "that sounds better, Ivan; and, since
you offer no objection to it, _all round the world you shall go_."
"Indeed? I'm glad to hear it," said Alexis.
"What! visit all the great cities of the world?" exclaimed Ivan, whose
mind was evidently occupied with the delights of great cities.
"_So_" replied his father; "it is just that which I do not intend you
shall do. There is a great deal to be learnt in cities, but much that
would be better not learnt at all. I have no objection to your passing
through cities--for you must needs do so on your journey--but one of the
conditions which I shall prescribe is, that you make stay in no city,
longer than you can arrange for getting out of it. It is through
_countries_ I wish you to travel--amidst the scenes of nature--and not
in towns and cities, where you would see very little more than you can
in Saint Petersburg itself. It is Nature I wish you to become
acquainted with, and you must see it in its most primitive forms. There
only can you appreciate Nature in all its sublimity and grandeur."
"Agreed, papa!" exclaimed both the boys at once. "Which way do you wish
us to go?"
"All round the world, as Ivan has suggested."
"Oh, what a long voyage! I suppose we shall cross the Atlantic, and
then by the isthmus of Panama to the Pacific; or shall we go as Magellan
went, around Cape Horn?"
"Neither way--I wish you to make great journeys by land, rather than
voyages by sea. The former will be more instructive, though they may
cost more time and toil. Remember, my sons! I do not send you forth to
risk your lives without a purpose. I have more than one purpose.
First, I wish you to complete your studies of natural science, of which
I have taught you the elements. The best school for this is the field
of Nature herself, which you shall explore in your travels. Secondly,
as you both know, I am fond of all natural objects, but especially those
that have life--the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; these
you must observe in their native haunts, with their habits and modes of
existence. You will keep a journal of all facts and events that may be
worth noting down, and write out in detail such adventures as may occur
to you upon your route, and you think may prove interesting to me to
read on your return. I shall provide you with ample means to accomplish
your journey; but no money is to be wasted by idly sojourning in large
cities: it must be used only for the necessary expenses of your travels.
The emperor has been kind enough to give you a circular letter, which
will get you funds and such other assistance as you may require from his
agents in all parts of the world."
"We promise, dear father, strictly to adhere to your instructions. But
whither do you desire us to go?" Alexis asked the question.
The baron paused for some time before making reply. Then, drawing from
his desk a sealed paper, which showed signs of having been but recently
folded, he gravely said as he held it towards them--
"In this document you will find the conditions upon which I give you
permission to travel. I do not ask you to agree to them, until you have
carefully examined and reflected upon them. You will therefore retire
to your room, read this document over, and, having given its contents
due consideration, return, and signify whether you accept the terms; for
if not, there is to be no travelling."
"_By the Great Peter_!" whispered Ivan to Alexis, "they will be hard
indeed if we don't accept them."
Alexis took the paper, and both, bowing to their father, retired to
their own apartment.
The seal was immediately broken and not without some surprise did they
peruse the contents of the document. It was in the form of an epistle,
and ran thus:--
"My sons Alexis and Ivan!--You have expressed a desire to travel, and
have requested me to give you my permission. I accede to your request,
but only upon the following conditions: You must procure for me a skin
of every variety of bear known upon the earth. I do not mean such
varieties as are termed `accidental,' arising from albinism or like
circumstances, but every species or variety known to naturalists and
acknowledged as `permanent.' The bears from which these skins are to be
taken must be killed in their native haunts, and by your own hands--with
no other assistance than that of an attendant whom I shall appoint to
accompany you. In order to accomplish the task which I have imposed
upon you, it will be necessary for you to go `round the world;' but I
add the further condition, that you are to go _only once round it_. In
_latitude_, I leave you free to range--from pole to pole, if it so
please you [this was a stretch of liberty at which both boys laughed];
but _longitudinally_, no. You must not cross the same meridian twice
before returning to Saint Petersburg. I do not intend this condition to
apply to such traverses as you may be compelled to make, while actually
engaged in the chase of a bear, or in tracking the animal to his den:
only when you are _en route_ upon your journey. You will take your
departure from Saint Petersburg, and go east or west, which you please.
From the conditions I have imposed upon you, I hope you will have skill
enough to discover that a route is traced out for you, and, that, on
starting, you _can_ follow it either eastward or westward. This, with
all matters relating to your means and mode of travelling, I leave to
your own choice; and I trust that the practical education you have
received will enable you to make your tour with proper judgment.
[`Tour, indeed!' exclaimed Ivan.] Once out of my palace, I take no
farther charge of you. You may be some years older before I see you
again; but I trust the time will not be mis-spent; and that upon your
return you may be able to give a proper account of yourselves, is the
earnest hope and wish of your affectionate father, Michael Grodonoff."
CHAPTER FOUR.
DISCUSSING THE CONDITIONS.
The two youths were no little astonished by the contents of this
singular epistle; but, for all that, the terms imposed did not seem to
them either harsh or unreasonable, and they were only too pleased to
accede to them. They partly guessed their father's motive. They knew
that he loved both of them with a true paternal love; but his affection
was not of that kind to pet and pamper them within the precincts of his
luxurious palace. He had a different idea of what would be beneficial
to their future interests. He believed in the education which is
acquired in the rude school of toil and travel, more than in the
book-lore of classic universities; and he was determined that they
should have a full measure of this sort of training. He had resolved
that they _should_ see the world; not according to the ordinary
understanding of this hackneyed phrase--not the world of towns and great
cities, with their empty shows and vices--but the _world of Nature_;
and, in order that they should have the opportunity of becoming
thoroughly acquainted with this sort of world, he had traced out for
them a route that would lead them into its very wildest scenes, and
disclose to them its rarest and most primitive forms.
"By my word, brother!" exclaimed Ivan as soon as Alexis had finished
reading the letter, "we shall have travelling to our hearts' content.
Certainly, papa has adopted a strange plan to keep us out of the walls
of great cities."
"Yes," quietly answered Alexis; "there are not many cities where bears
abound."
"Such strange conditions!" added Ivan, "I wonder what father can mean by
imposing them upon us."
"Indeed, I hardly know myself. One thing only seems to explain it."
"What is that, brother?"
"You are aware, Ivan, of the interest that papa takes in all matters
relating to bears. As people say, it is almost a mania with him."
"Oh! the great picture in the gallery will account for that," said Ivan,
laughing. "But for a _bear_, you know, our papa would never have been a
_baron_."
"True: that may have been what first led him to take an interest in
these animals."
"And yet to impose upon us these queer conditions!" continued Ivan; "it
certainly does seem a little eccentric?"
"No doubt papa has his purpose," said Alexis. "Who knows that he may
not be intending to write a _monograph_ of the bears; and it is for this
he wishes to have full set of their skins--the complete costume of each
individual member of Monsieur Bruin's family? Well, we must do our
best, and procure them for him. It is not for us to inquire into the
motives of our dear father. It is our duty to obey his orders--even
though the task be ever so irksome or difficult."
"Oh, certainly, brother! I admit that; and I am ready to yield
obedience and perform any task dear papa may think proper to impose on
us."
Certainly there was some reason for the surprise with which the youths
had read the letter. Its contents might have appeared still more
whimsical to them, had it not been their father that had written it;
and, but for the fact that he had already given them a thorough training
in the natural sciences, they would have found it difficult, if not
altogether impossible, to carry out his instructions. A bear of every
known variety was to be killed and skinned--killed, too, in its own
haunts and by their own hands; which, of course, meant that they were to
visit every country where bears are to be found, and obtain a skin of
each kind. Notwithstanding their youth both boys were skilled hunters,
and excellent marksmen. Himself brought up to the calling, their father
had early initiated them into the hunter's craft; and, in addition to
the knowledge of natural history, which he had imparted, he had taught
them habits of self-reliance--such as are only acquired by ordinary
individuals at the full age of manhood. Both were already inured to
such perils and hardships as are incidental to a hunter's life; both
could endure to go a day or two without food or drink--could sleep in
the open air, with no other tent than the canopy of heaven, and no other
couch than the grassy covering of the earth. All this sort of
experience they had already gone through, in the cold climate of their
own country; and it was not likely they would meet with one much more
rigorous anywhere on the earth. The young Grodonoffs had been submitted
to a training of almost Spartan severity--a perfect _Cyropoedia_--and
dreaded neither hardships nor dangers. They were just the youths to
carry out that singular programme which had been traced for them by the
paternal hand.
Was it possible, however to do so? This was their first query. There
were some very nice points in that brief chapter of instructions.
_Latitudinally_ they might traverse as circumstances required, but not
_longitudinally_. Under these limitations would it be possible to visit
the haunts of all the bears,--to cover, as it were, the whole area of
Bruin's geographical distribution?
That it was possible might be inferred, from the fact of their father
having issued the orders; but it was necessary for the young
expeditionists to set out with caution: else might they take a wrong
route, and be altogether unable to fulfil his injunctions. They must
_not twice cross the same meridian_. It was this quaint condition that
puzzled them, and rendered it necessary to guard against making a false
start.
Lucky it was that Alexis was an accomplished zoologist, and thoroughly
understood the geographical distribution of the genus _ursus_. But for
this knowledge, they would certainly have been puzzled as to the route
they were to take.
"Well, brother Ivan!" said Alexis with a smile, "had these orders been
issued when the great Swede published his _Systema Naturae_, our task
would have been easily accomplished. How far do you suppose our travels
need to have extended?"
"I don't quite comprehend you, Alexis. How far?"
"Why, simply into the courtyard of our palace. It would have been only
necessary to kill and skin one of the great bears chained by the gate,
and that would have fulfilled all the conditions papa has imposed upon
us."
"And yet, I don't understand you," rejoined Ivan, with a puzzled look.
"How obtuse you are, brother! Read the letter again; note well its
terms!"
"Well, I understand them. We are to travel on, and not come home again
till we have killed a bear of every variety known."
"There--just so. Of course papa means every variety known to
naturalists,--that is, to the `scientific world,' as it is termed. Now
you comprehend my meaning?"
"Oh, yes!" answered Ivan; "you mean that when Linnaeus published his
`System of Nature,' only our own brown bear of Europe was known to
naturalists?"
"Precisely so--only the _ursus arctos_; and consequently we should have
had but a very short journey to make, compared with what is before us
now. It is true that previous to his death, the Swedish naturalist had
made the acquaintance of the `Polar' bear (_ursus maritimus_); but,
strange enough, he regarded this as a mere variety of the _ursus
arctos_--an error that one may wonder Linnaeus could have made.
"Oh, they are very different. I could tell that myself. To say nothing
of the colour, they are unlike in shape; and, as everybody knows, their
habits are very dissimilar. Why, one lives in forests, and feeds
chiefly upon fruits; while the other dwells amidst fields of snow and
ice, and subsists almost exclusively on flesh, or fish. Variety,
indeed! no, they are surely different species."
"Undoubtedly," answered Alexis; "but we shall have an opportunity of
comparing them hereafter. For the present we must drop the subject, and
find out the route of travel which papa has traced out for us."
"But he has not indicated any route--has he? He gives us permission to
go where we please, so long as we get the bearskins, and do not return
upon our meridian. We are not to take the _backtrack_--ha! ha! ha!"
"Of course not; but you will find, to avoid doing this, we shall have to
go by a definite course, and can take no other."
"By my word! brother, I don't see what you mean. I shall trust all to
you: so take me where you please--which way, then?"
"Ah! that has yet to be determined. I cannot tell myself; and it will
take me some time before I can make quite sure as to what direction we
are to take on starting out--whether east, west, north, or south. It
will be necessary for me to examine a map of the world, and trace out
the boundaries of the different countries in which King Bruin holds
sovereignty."
"Ah! that will be an interesting lesson for me. Here is the map; let me
spread it out, and do what I can to assist you in finding our way."
As Ivan said this, he drew a large travelling map of the world from its
case, and opening it out, laid it upon the table. Both the youths sat
down; and, running their eyes over the chart, proceeded to discuss the
direction which, by the conditions imposed upon them, they must
necessarily take.
CHAPTER FIVE.
TRACING THE ROUTE.
"In the first place," said Alexis, "there is the brown bear (_ursus
arctos_). Him we might find in many parts of our own country--since he
is emphatically our `Russian bear'; but there is also a black bear,
which some naturalists say is a variety of the _ursus arctos_, while
others believe it to be a separate species, having given to it the
specific name of _ursus niger_--_ursus ator_ it is sometimes called.
Now, whether it be a species or only a variety, we must get a skin of it
all the same--since papa has definitely expressed it so."
"This black bear is to be found in our own northern forests, is it not?"
"Yes; it has been observed there; but more frequently in the mountains
of Scandinavia: and, as we might wander through all the north of Russia
without finding one, our best plan will be to proceed at once to Norway
or Lapland. There we shall be certain also of finding the brown bear,
and thus kill two birds with one stone."
"Say Lapland: I should like to see the little Laps, but where next? To
North America, I suppose?"
"By no means. There is a bear in the Pyrenees, and other mountains of
Spain--in the Asturias especially. It is also deemed by most
naturalists to be only a variety of the _ursus arctos_, but it is
certainly a distinct species; and papa thinks so. Some naturalists
would have it that there are only three or four distinct species in the
whole world. They might just as well say there was but _one_. I think
it better to follow papa's views upon this subject, and regard all those
bears which have permanent marks of distinction--whether it be in size,
colour, or otherwise--as being so many separate species, however much
they may approximate in habits or disposition. Why, some naturalists
even call the American black bear merely a variety of our brown; and, as
I said a moment ago, Linnaeus himself believed the Polar to be the same
species. This is now known to be an erroneous theory. Since papa has
given as much time to the study of the bears as perhaps any one else, I
shall follow his theory, and regard the Spanish bear (_ursus pyrenaicus_
it is called) a distinct species."
"You propose, then, to go next to Spain, and kill the Spanish bear?"
"We _must_. Having started in a westerly course by going to Lapland, we
must keep on in that direction."
"But how about the white bear of the Alps?"
"You mean the _ursus albus_ of Lesson?"
"Yes. To reach the Alps, where it is said to be found, we should have
to recross a meridian of longitude?"
"We should, if there were such an animal to be found in the Alps; but
there is not. The white bear of Buffon and Lesson (_ursus albus_) was
only a mere accidental variety or _albino_ of the brown bear; and papa
does not mean that we should collect the skins of such as these. He has
said so. Indeed, Ivan, were that task imposed on us, we should both be
old men before we could complete it, and return home again. It is only
the skins of the _permanent_ varieties we are to procure, and therefore
the _ursus albus_ is scratched out of our list."
"Out with him then! where go we next? To North America, then no doubt?"
"No."
"Perhaps to Africa?"
"No."
"Are there no bears in Africa?"
"That is a disputed point among writers, and has been so since the days
of Pliny. Bears are mentioned as having been exhibited in the Roman
circus, under the name of _Numidian_ bears; and Herodotus, Virgil,
Juvenal, and Martial all mention _Libyan_ bears in their writings.
Pliny, however, stoutly denies that there were any of these animals in
Africa; but it must be remembered that he equally denies that stags,
goats, and boars existed on the African continent: therefore his
statement about the non-existence of the Numidian bears is not worth a
straw. Strange enough, the point is as much disputed now as in the days
of Pliny. The English traveller Bruce, states positively that there are
no bears in Africa. Another English traveller to Abyssinia, Salt, makes
no mention of them; while the German, Ehrenberg, says that he has seen
them in the mountains of Abyssinia, and heard of them also in Arabia
Felix! Several French and English travellers (Dapper, Shaw, Poncet, and
Poiret), bear testimony to the existence of bears in different parts of
Africa--in Nubia, Babur, and Congo. In the Atlas mountains, between
Algiers and Morocco, according to Poiret, bears are common enough; and
this writer even gives some details as to their habits. He says that
they are exceedingly fierce and carnivorous, and that the Arabs believe
they can lift stones in their paws and fling them at those who may be in
pursuit of them! He relates that an Arab hunter brought him the skin of
one of those bears; and also showed him a wound in his leg, which he had
received by the animal having launched a stone at him while he was
pursuing it! Monsieur Poiret, however, does not vouch for the truth of
the stone-throwing, though he stoutly maintains the existence of African
bears."
"What does papa think about it?" inquired Ivan.
"That there are bears in Africa--perhaps in all the mountainous parts of
Africa--but certainly in the Atlas and Tetuan ranges. Indeed, an
English traveller of veracity has put the question beyond a doubt, by
giving some points in the description of these African bears.
Naturalists thought that if such an animal existed in Africa, it would
be the same species as the Syrian; but although the bears reported in
the Arabian and Abyssinian mountains are likely enough to be of that
species, those of the Atlas are evidently not only distinct from the
Syrian bear, but from all other known kinds. One that was killed near
Tetuan, about twenty-five miles from the Atlas mountains, was a female,
and less in size than the American black bear. It was black also, or
rather brownish black, and without any white marking about the muzzle,
but under the belly its fur was of a reddish orange. The hair was
shaggy and four or five inches long, while the snout, toes, and claws
were all shorter than in the American black bear, and the body was of
thicker and stouter make. The Englishman had learnt something of its
habits too. The Arabs said it was rarely met with near Tetuan; that it
fed on roots, acorns, and fruits, but was only an indifferent climber.
Indeed it would be very improbable," continued Alexis, "that the great
ranges of the Atlas and Abyssinian mountains should be without these
mammalia, since they exist in nearly all the other mountains of the
globe. Moreover, it should be remembered that it is only a few years
since the bears of the Himalayas, of the Great Andes of America, and
those of the East-Indian islands--and even the bear of Mount Lebanon--
became known to the scientific world. Why, then, should there not be a
species in Africa--perhaps more than one--though civilised people are
yet unacquainted with it?"
"But you say we are not going to Africa?"
"No; our instructions relate only to every variety of bear known to
naturalists; and the African bear does not come under this category--
since it has not yet been described by any naturalist. For that reason
we shall have no errand into Africa."
"Then, surely North America is our next stage?"
"Certainly not--you are aware that there is a South American bear."
"Yes, the `spectacled bear,' as he is called."
"Just so--the _ursus ornatus_. I think we shall find two species in
South America, though that is also a disputed point."
"Well, brother, what if we should?"
"Why, both will be found in the Andes of Chili and Peru, and not in the
eastern parts of South America."
"And how should that affect our route of travel?"
"Very essentially indeed. Were we to go first to North America, we
should find no less than five species, or four species and one
well-marked variety. To reach the native haunt of one of these--I mean
the grizzly (_ursus ferox_)--we should have to go farther west than any
part of the South American Andes: how, then, could we afterwards reach
the spectacled bear without doubling back on our meridian?"
"True, brother--I see that, by looking on the map. You propose, then,
steering first to South America, and afterwards to the northern division
of the American continent?"
"We are compelled to do so, by the very nature of our contract. Having
procured the skins of _ursus ornatus_ and another variety we shall find
in the Andes, we can then travel almost due north. On the Mississippi
we shall be able to pick up a skin of the American black bear (_ursus
americanus_), and by the help of the Hudson's Bay _voyageurs_ we shall
reach the shores of the great gulf in which that territory takes its
name. There the `polar bear' (_ursus maritimus_) can be found. Farther
westward and northward we may hope to capture the `barren ground bear,'
which the English traveller Sir John Richardson thinks is only a variety
of our European brown bear, but which papa--and good reasons he has--
believes to be nothing of the kind. Crossing the Rocky Mountains, we
shall be able, I hope, to knock over the famed and formidable grizzly
(_ursus ferox_), and in Oregon, or British Columbia, we shall strip his
hide from the `cinnamon bear' (_ursus cinnamonus_), believed to be a
variety of the American black. That will finish with the bears of
America."
"Asia next, I suppose?"
"Yes, straight across to Kamschatka. There we shall meet with the
`Siberian,' or `collared bear' (_ursus collaris_). Of these, two
varieties are said to exist, one of which, specified by the name _ursus
sibiricus_, is also found in Lapland and Siberia."
"Go on, brother! Where next?"
"From Kamschatka we shall make a long traverse to the south-west. Our
best hunting-ground will be Borneo."
"Ah! the beautiful little bear with the orange-coloured breast!"
"Yes; that is the `Bornean bear' (_ursus euryspilus_), or `Bruang,' as
he is called by the Malays."
"But there is another Bruang?"
"Yes--the `Malayan sun-bear' (_ursus malagenus_). This we shall
encounter in Sumatra or Java, whichever we choose to visit."
"Well, the list is much larger than I expected; certainly it has been
wonderfully lengthened since the days of the good old Linnaeus."
"We have not reached the end yet."
"Where next, brother?"
"Up the Bay of Bengal, and on to the Himalayas. First in the foot-hills
of these mountains we shall have to search for the curious `sloth bear,'
or `juggler's bear' (_ours de jongleurs_) as the French writers term
him. He is the _ursus labiatus_ of naturalists; and we may find him in
the plains of India, before reaching the Himalayas. Having skinned him,
we shall proceed to climb the great mountains, and higher up we are
certain to come across the `Thibet bear' (_ursus thibetanus_)--by some
very erroneously described as being one of the numerous varieties of the
European brown bear! Still higher up we shall, I hope, have the good
luck to encounter and kill a specimen of the `Isabella bear' (_ursus
isabelinus_), so called from his colour, but termed by Anglo-Indian
sportsmen the `snow bear,' because he frequents the declivities near the
snow-line of these stupendous mountains."
"That is all, is it not?"
"_No_, Ivan--one more, and that will be the last."
"What is he?"
"The `Syrian' (_ursus syriacus_); and though the last in our catalogue,
this is the very first on record: for they were bears of this species
that came out of the wood and `tare forty and two' of the mockers of the
prophet Elisha. We shall have to visit Syria, to procure a skin of the
_ursus syriacus_."
"Well, I hope their ferociousness has been tamed down since Elisha's
time, else we may stand a fair chance of being served in a similar
fashion."
"No doubt we shall have many a scratch before we encounter the bears of
Mount Lebanon. When we have obtained a robe from one of them, there
will be nothing more for us to do but take the most direct route home.
We shall then have gone _once round the world_."
"Ah, that we shall!" said Ivan, laughing; "and all over it too. Great
Czar! I think by the time we have captured one of Elisha's bears, we
shall have had a surfeit of travel."
"No doubt of it; but now, brother, that we know where we are going, let
us waste no more time, but signify our acceptance of the conditions, and
be off at once."
"Agreed," said Ivan; and both returning into the presence of the baron,
announced their readiness to take the road.
"Are we to travel alone, papa?" inquired Ivan; "I think you spoke of an
attendant?"
"Yes, one attendant. You must not be encumbered with too many servants
to wait upon you. One will be quite sufficient."
"Who is it to be?" asked Ivan.
The baron rang the bell, and a servant entered.
"Send Corporal Pouchskin to me!"
Shortly after, the door reopened, and a man of about fifty appeared.
The tall well-balanced form and erect attitude--the close-cropped hair
and enormous grizzled moustache--combined with great gravity of
features, denoted a veteran of the Imperial Guard,--one of those grand
and redoubtable soldiers who have seen service in the presence of an
emperor. Though no longer wearing the military uniform, but dressed
somewhat as a park or game keeper, the silent salute and attitude of
"attention" were sufficiently indicative of the profession which
Pouchskin had followed: for it was the veritable Pouchskin who had
entered the apartment. He said not a word, nor did he look either to
the right or left,--only directly forward, and at the baron.
"Corporal Pouchskin!"
"General!"
"I wish you to make a journey."
"I am ready."
"Not quite, corporal. I will give you an hour to prepare."
"Where does the general wish me to go?"
"Round the world."
"Half an hour will suffice."
"So much the better, then. Prepare to start in half an hour."
Pouchskin bowed and retired.
CHAPTER SIX.
TO THE TORNEA.
We shall not detail the parting interview between the Baron Grodonoff
and his sons; there was the usual interchange of affectionate
expressions, with as much feeling as is common on such occasions.
Neither need we relate the ordinary incidents of travel which befell our
expeditionists, on their way to the mountains of Lapland. Suffice it to
say that they journeyed by post from Saint Petersburg direct to Tornea,
at the head of the Great Bothnian Gulf. Thence they proceeded northward
up this river Tornea--till they had reached the mountainous region in
which this stream takes its rise. They were amply furnished with the
means of travelling in the most expeditious manner, and were not
encumbered with any great amount of luggage. A bag of roubles, which
Pouchskin carried in a safe pocket, proved the most convenient article
they could have taken along with them; since it enabled them to supply
their wants from day to day, without troubling themselves with any
cumbersome baggage. There are few parts of the world in which ready
money will not command the necessaries of life; and as this was all our
hunters cared for, they had no difficulty in obtaining supplies--even in
the remote regions of uncivilised Lapland. The wild, half-savage Lap
perfectly comprehends the value of a coin; and will exchange for it his
reindeer flesh and milk, or anything else that may be asked from him.
Our young hunters therefore travelled lightly--with little else in the
shape of baggage than a pair of knapsacks which they carried on their
backs, and which contained only a change or two of linen, and such
toilet articles as were absolutely necessary to their comfort. A
knapsack of much larger dimensions formed the chief care of Pouchskin;
and although this, with its contents, would have been a heavy load for
an ordinary man, the veteran of the Imperial Guard thought no more of it
than if it had been a bag of feathers. Each in addition carried an
ample fur cloak; which, on the march, was folded up and strapped to
their backs on top of the knapsack, but at night was wrapped around
their bodies, and served both as bed and bedclothes. All three were
armed and equipped, in the most substantial manner. They carried guns,
though differing in kind. The piece of Alexis was a handsome Jager
rifle; Ivan's was a double-barrelled shot-gun or fowling-piece; while
Pouchskin balanced over his shoulder an immense fusil, the bullet of
which weighed a good ounce avoirdupois. All were provided with a knife
of one fashion or another.
In such guise did our young hunters enter the mountains of Lapland; and
commence their search after the "old man in the fur coat," as the
Laplanders term the bear.
They had taken proper measures to secure success. They had secured the
services of a guide, who engaged to conduct them to a district where
bears existed in great plenty, and where he himself lived in a state
almost as savage as the bears--for he was a true Laplander and lived in
a tent in the very heart of the mountains. He was one of those who had
no reindeer; and was therefore forced to depend on the chase for his
subsistence. He trapped the ermine and beaver--killed the wild reindeer
when he could--spent his whole life in battling with wolves and bears;
and with the skins of these animals--which he sold to the fur-traders--
he was able to supply himself with the few necessaries which such a
state of existence called for.
Under his tent of coarse _wadmal_ cloth the travellers found shelter,
and such rude hospitality as the poor Lap could afford them--in return
for which they had to live in the midst of a smoke that nearly put out
their eyes. But they knew they had entered upon an expedition, in which
many hardships were to be expected; and they bore the inconvenience with
becoming fortitude.
It is not my intention to give the details of the everyday life of the
young hunters, nor yet an account of the very many curious incidents,
which occurred to them during their sojourn in Lapland. Much was noted
down in their journal--from which this narrative has been drawn--
interesting only to themselves, or perhaps still more to their father
the baron. For him they wrote an account of everything peculiar that
they observed--such as the odd customs of the Laplanders--their mode of
travelling in sledges with reindeer--their snow-skating on the _skidors_
and _skabargers_--and, in short, a full account of the habits and
manners of these singular people. Especially, however, did Alexis
describe the objects of natural history which came under his notice--
giving such details as he drew from personal observation, or derived
from the native hunters, many of whom they encountered while engaged in
the chase of the bear.
These details, were they given in full, would fill a book of themselves.
We must content ourselves, therefore, with relating only the more
interesting incidents, and striking adventures which happened to our
heroes.
We may here state that it was in the early part of spring that they
arrived in Lapland, or rather in the latter part of winter, when the
ground is still covered with deep snow. At this season the bears are
hidden away in their caves--in crevices of the rocks or hollow trees--
from which they only issue forth when the spring sun makes itself felt,
and the snow begins to disappear from the sides of the hills.
Every one has heard of this _winter sleep_ of the bears; and it has been
attributed to bears of all species. This, however, is a mistake, as it
is only indulged in by a few kinds; and the climate and nature of the
country which the bear inhabits has more to do with his _hybernation_
than any natural instinct of the animal: since it has been observed that
bears will go to sleep, or _hybernate_, as it is termed, in one part of
a country, while individuals of the same species, in another region,
will be found roaming about all the winter through. The state of torpor
seems to be voluntary with these animals: since it is generally in
districts where food could not be procured, that they submit themselves
to this prolonged _siesta_.
However this may be, the brown bears of Lapland certainly indulge in a
period of slumber--during which they are difficult to find. Never
issuing from their places of concealment, they make no track in the snow
by which they might be followed. At such seasons it is only by
accident, or by the aid of his dog, that the Lap hunter chances to
discover the retreat of a bear; and, when one is thus discovered,
various methods are adopted for securing the valuable skin and carcass
of the animal.
It so chanced that, previous to the arrival of the young Russians upon
their hunting-ground, there had been a show of spring--that is, a few
days of warm sun--but this had been succeeded by a return of the cold
weather, with a fresh fall of snow. The spell of warmth, however, had
aroused many bears from their lethargy--some of which had ventured out
of their caves, and made short excursions among the hills--in search, no
doubt, of the berries, that, preserved all winter by the snow, are sweet
and mellow at this season, and a favourite food of the bears.
This casual occurrence of the spring having made a promise and not kept
it, was just the chance for our hunters; since it enabled them in a
_very_ short time to track a bear to his den.
A few days after their arrival upon the hunting-ground, they were able
to do this--having come upon the footmarks of a bear, that, followed for
a mile or so through the snow, led them to the animal's lair. It led
them also to an adventure, which was the first they had yet encountered;
and which came very near being the last that Pouchskin was ever to have
in the world. Pouchskin was certainly in great peril; and how he
escaped from it will be learnt, by reading an account of the adventure.
CHAPTER SEVEN.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX.
It was early in the morning, shortly after leaving the tent of the
Laplander, they had chanced upon the track of the bear.
After following it for nearly a mile, it conducted them to a narrow
gorge or ravine, lying between two rocky ridges. The ravine itself was
not more than ten or a dozen yards in width, and its bottom was filled
with snow to the depth of several feet. Along the sides the snow lay
sparsely; and in fact there had been scarce any in that place before the
fall the preceding night. This had only covered the ground to the depth
of a few inches: but it was sufficient to show the footmarks of the
bear; and they were able to follow the _spar_--so the Scandinavian
hunters call the tracks of an animal--as fast as they chose to go.
Following it up, then, our hunters entered the ravine. They kept for
some distance along one side--just by the edge of the deep snow; but at
length, the track indicated where the bear had crossed to the other
side; and of course they were compelled to cross likewise.
This deep snow was the accumulated deposits of different storms that had
occurred during the winter; and, shadowed from the sun by the long
branches of evergreen pines from both sides stretching outward over the
ravine, it had remained without melting. There was a crust over it--
strong enough to carry a man on _skidors_, but not without them, unless
he proceeded with care and caution. The bear had gone over it; but
these animals, notwithstanding their enormous weight and bulk, can pass
over ice or crusted snow that will not carry a man. Their weight rests
upon four points instead of two; and as they need only lift one foot at
a time, they still have three points of support. A man must also lift
one foot, which leaves him only one to stand upon; and therefore his
whole weight presses upon a single point, and so endangers his breaking
through. The great length of a bear's body, moreover, and the vast
stretch between his fore and hind legs give him an additional
advantage--enabling him to distribute his weight over a large surface--
and this is why he can shuffle over ice or snow-crust, that may be too
weak to carry a human being. Every boy knows--at least every boy who
has skated or ventured upon a frozen pond--that by creeping on hands and
knees, or, more certain still, by sprawling along on the breast, ice may
be passed over, that would not bear the same boy in an erect attitude.
Such advantage, then, had the bear which our young hunters were tracking
up; and it would have been well for them--at least for Pouchskin--had
they thought of it. They did not. They supposed that where a great
heavy animal like a bear had gone they might go too; and, without
further reflection, they stepped out upon the deep bed of snow.
Alexis and Ivan being light weights passed over the snow safely enough;
but Pouchskin, weighing nearly as much as both of them--and further
loaded with a ponderous wood-axe and his huge gun, to say nothing of
sundry well-filled pockets and pouches--was more than the crust would
carry. Just when he had got about halfway across, there was heard a
tearing crash; and before the boys could turn to inquire the cause,
Pouchskin had disappeared, and all his _paraphernalia_ along with him!
No, not quite all. There was seen about two feet of the barrel of his
gun above the surface; and as that still pointed upward--while it moved
around the circular hole through which the old guardsman had fallen--the
boys concluded that the piece was in his hands, and that Pouchskin was
still upon his feet.
At the same instant a voice reached their ears--in a hollow sepulchral
tone, like that of a man speaking from the bottom of a well, or through
the bung-hole of an empty cask!
Notwithstanding its _baritone_ notes, the boys perceived that the
exclamations made by the voice were not those of terror, but rather of
surprise, followed by a slight laugh. Of course, therefore, their
attendant had received no injury, nor was he in any danger; and, assured
of this, Ivan first, and then Alexis, broke out into yells of laughter.
On cautiously approaching the trap-like hole, through which Pouchskin
had disappeared, their merriment burst forth afresh, at the ludicrous
spectacle. There stood the old guardsman, like a jack-in-the-box in the
centre of a hollow funnel-shaped cylinder which he had made in the snow.
But what was strangest of all, there was no snow among his feet: on the
contrary, he was up to his knees in water, and not stagnant water
either, but a current, that ran rapidly underneath the snow, and had
swished the crusted fragments from the spot where he was standing!
A stream, in fact, ran down the ravine; and, although the snow
completely hid it from view, there it was, rushing along underneath
through a tunnel which it had melted out for itself--the snow forming a
continuous bridge above it.
The boys did not know all this--for they could only just see the top of
Pouchskin's head, with his long arms holding the gun--but they could
hear the rushing noise of the water, and Pouchskin reported the rest.
It did not appear so easy to extricate him from his unpleasant
predicament; for the resemblance between his situation, and that of
jack-in-the-box, went no further. There was no jerking machinery by
which the ex-guardsman could be jumped out of his box; and, since his
head was full three feet below the crust of the snow, how he was to be
raised to the surface required some consideration.
Neither of the young hunters dared to approach the circumference of the
circular hole through which Pouchskin had sunk. They might have broken
through themselves, and then all three would have been in the same fix.
Of course, under this apprehension, they dared not go near enough to
pull him out with their hands--even had they been able to reach down to
him.
It is true he might have got out, after some time, by breaking the snow
before him, and working his way at right angles to the course of the
stream: for it was evident that the ground sloped sharply up in that
direction, and the snow became shallower. Except above the water, it
was firm enough to have borne his weight, and after a time he might have
scrambled out; but a more expeditious plan of relieving him, and one far
less troublesome to Pouchskin, suggested itself to Alexis.
One of the _impedimenta_, which the old guardsman carried on his
shoulders, was a coil of stout cord--almost a rope. This they had
brought with them, in the anticipation of being successful in their
hunt; and, with the idea of its being required at the skinning of the
bear--as also for packing the hide, or any similar purpose.
It was the presence of this cord that suggested to Alexis the scheme he
had conceived, for relieving his faithful follower from his unhappy
position; and the plan itself will be understood by our describing its
execution, which took place on the instant.
Alexis called to Pouchskin to tie one end of the rope round his body,
and then fling the other out upon the snow--as far as he could cast it.
This request was instantly complied with; and the end of the rope made
its appearance at the feet of Alexis.
The latter taking it in his hand, ran up the bank to the nearest tree;
and, giving it a turn or two round the trunk, he handed it to Ivan, with
the direction to hold it fast and keep it from slipping. A knot would
have served the same purpose; but the whole thing was the work of only a
few moments; and as Ivan was standing by doing nothing, his brother
thought he might just as well take hold of the rope and save time.
Alexis now crept back, as near to the edge of the trap as it was safe to
go. He took with him a long pole, which by a lucky chance, he had found
lying under the trees. Slipping this under the rope, and placing it
crosswise, he shoved it still nearer to the circumference of the broken
circle--his object being to give support to the cord, and keep it from
cutting into the snow.
The contrivance was perfectly correct; and as soon as Alexis had got all
ready, he shouted to Pouchskin to haul upon the rope, and help himself.
Meanwhile, the old guardsman had slung his fusil upon his back; and,
immediately on receiving the signal, commenced his ascent--pulling hand
over hand upon the rope, and assisting his arms by working his feet
against the wall of snow.
The moment his head appeared above the surface, the laughter of his
young masters, that had been for a while suspended, burst forth afresh.
And it was no wonder: for the expression upon the old soldier's visage,
as it rose above the white crust, his bent attitude, and the desperate
exertions he was making to clamber upward, all combined to form a most
ludicrous picture.
Ivan screamed till the tears ran down his cheeks. So overcome was he
with mirth, that it is possible he would have let go, and permitted
Pouchskin to tumble back into his trap; but the more sober Alexis,
foreseeing such a contingency, ran up and took hold of the rope.
By this means, Pouchskin was at length landed safely on the surface of
the snow; but even his tall boots of Russia leather had not saved his
legs and feet from getting well soaked; and he was now dripping with
muddy water from the thighs downwards.
There was no time, however, to kindle a fire and dry him. They did not
think of such a thing. So eager were all three in the chase of the
bear, that they only waited to coil up the cord, and then continued
onward.
CHAPTER EIGHT.
THE SCANDINAVIAN BEARS.
"Really, now," said Ivan, pointing to one of the tracks, "if it wasn't
that I see the marks of claws instead of toes, I should fancy we were
tracking a man instead of a bear--some barefooted Laplander, for
instance. How very like these tracks are to those of a human foot!"
"That is quite true," rejoined Alexis; "there is a very remarkable
resemblance between the footprints of the bear and those of a human
being--especially when the trades have stood a while. As it is, now,
you can see clearly the marks of the claws; but in a day or two, when
the sun or the rain has fallen upon the snow, and melted it a little,
the claw marks will then be filled up with the thaw, and, losing their
sharp outlines, will look much more like the tracks of toes. For that
reason, an old bear-track is, indeed, as you say, very like that of a
human foot."
"And quite as large too?"
"Quite as large: the tracks of some kinds even larger than those of most
men. As, for instance, the white and grizzly species--many individuals
of both having paws over twelve inches in length!"
"The bear does not tread upon his toes in walking, but lays the whole
sole of his foot along the ground--does he not?" asked Ivan.
"Precisely so," replied Alexis; "and hence he is termed a _plantigrade_
animal, to distinguish him from those other kinds, as horses, oxen,
swine, dogs, cats, and so forth, that all, in reality, step upon their
toes."
"There are some other plantigrade animals besides bears?" said Ivan,
interrogatively; "our badger and glutton, for instance?"
"Yes," answered the naturalist. "These are plantigrade; and for this
reason they have been classed along with the bears under the general
name _ursidae_; but in father's opinion, and mine too," added Alexis,
with a slight sparkle of scientific conceit, "this classification is
altogether an erroneous one, and rests upon the very insignificant
support of the plantigrade feet. In all other respects the different
genera of small animals, that have thus been introduced into the family
of the bears are, as unlike the latter almost bears as are to blue
bottles."
"What animals have been included in this family _ursidae_?"
"The European glutton and American wolverine (_gulo_), the badgers of
both continents, and of Asia (_meles_), the raccoon (_procyon_), the
Cape ratel (_mellivora_), the panda (_ailurus_), the benturong
(_ictides_), the coati (_nasua_), the paradoxure (_paradoxurus_), and
even the curious little teledu of Java (_mydaus_). It was Linnaeus
himself who first entered these animals under the heading of _bears_--at
least, such of them as were known in his day; and the French anatomist,
Cuvier, extended this incongruous list to the others. To distinguish
them from the true bears, they divided the family into two branches--the
_ursinae_, or bears properly so called, and the _subursinae_, or little
bears. Now, in my opinion," continued Alexis, "there is not the
slightest necessity for calling these numerous species of animals even
`_little bears_.' They are not bears in any sense of the word: having
scarce any other resemblance to the noble Bruin than their plantigrade
feet. All these animals--the Javanese teledu excepted--have long tails;
some of them, in fact, being very long and very bushy--a characteristic
altogether wanting to the bears, that can hardly be said to have tails
at all. But there are other peculiarities that still more widely
separate the bears from the so called `little bears;' and indeed so many
essential points of difference, that the fact of their being classed
together might easily be shown to be little better than mere anatomical
nonsense. It is an outrage upon common sense," continued Alexis,
warming with his subject, "to regard a raccoon as a bear,--an animal
that is ten times more like a fox, and certainly far nearer to the genus
_canis_ than that of _ursus_. On the other hand, it is equally absurd
to break up the true bears into different _genera_--as these same
anatomists have done; for if there be a family in the world the
individual members of which bear a close family likeness to one another,
that is the family of Master Bruin. Indeed, so like are the different
species, that other learned anatomists have gone to the opposite extreme
of absurdity, and asserted that they are all one and the same! However,
we shall see as we become acquainted with the different members of this
distinguished family, in what respects they differ from each other, and
in what they are alike."
"I have heard," said Ivan, "that here, in Norway and Lapland, there are
two distinct species of the brown bear, besides the black variety, which
is so rare; and I have also heard say that the hunters sometimes capture
a variety of a greyish colour, which they call the `silver bear.' I
think papa mentioned these facts."
"Just so," replied Alexis; "it has been the belief among Swedish
naturalists that there are two species, or at least permanent varieties,
of the brown bear in Northern Europe. They have even gone so far as to
give them separate specific names. One is the _ursus arctos major_,
while the other is _ursas arctos minor_. The former is the larger
animal--more fierce in its nature, and more carnivorous in its food.
The other, or smaller kind, is of a gentler disposition--or at all
events more timid--and instead of preying upon oxen and other domestic
animals, confines itself to eating grubs, ants, roots, berries, and
vegetable substances. In their colour there is no perceptible
difference between the two supposed varieties--more than may be often
found between two individuals notedly of the same kind; and it is only
in size and habits that a distinction has been observed. The latest and
most accurate writers upon this subject believe that the great and
little brown bears are not even varieties; and that the distinctive
characteristics are merely the effects of age, sex, or other accidental
circumstances. It is but natural to suppose that the younger bears
would not be so carnivorous as those of greater age. It is well-known
that preying upon other animals and feeding upon their flesh, is not a
natural instinct of the brown bear; it is a habit that has its origin,
first in the scarcity of other food, but which, once entered upon, soon
develops itself into a strong propensity--almost equalling that of the
_felidae_.
"As to the black bear being a distinct species, that is a question also
much debated among both hunters and naturalists. The hunters say that
the fur of the black European bear is never of that jetty blackness
which characterises the real black bears of American and Asiatic
countries, but only a very dark shade of brown; and they believe that it
is nothing more than the brown fur itself, grown darker in old age.
Certainly they have reason for this belief: since it is a well-known
fact that the brown bears do become darker as they grow older."
"Ha!" said Ivan, with a laugh, "that is just the reverse with us. Look
at Pouchskin there! Your hair was once black, wasn't it, old Pouchy?"
"Yes, Master Ivan, black as a crow's feathers."
"And now you're as grey as a badger. Some day, before long--before we
get home again may be--your moustache, old fellow, will be as white as
an ermine."
"Very like, master, very like--we'll all be a bit older by that time."
"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Ivan; "you're right there, Pouchy; but go on,
brother!" he added, turning to Alexis, "let us hear all about these
Scandinavian bears. You have not spoken yet of the `silver' ones."
"No," said Alexis; "nor of another kind that is found in these
countries, and that some naturalists have elevated into a different
species--the `ringed bear.'"
"You mean the bears with a white ring round their necks? Yes, I have
heard of them too."
"Just so," rejoined Alexis.
"Well, brother, what do _you_ think? is it a distinct species, or a
permanent variety?"
"Neither one nor the other. It is merely an accidental marking which
some young individuals of the brown bear chance to have, and it scarcely
ever remains beyond the age of _cubhood_. It is only very young bears
that are met with of this colour; and the white ring disappears as they
get older. It is true that hunters now and then meet with an odd ringed
bear of tolerable size and age; but all agree that he is the brown bear,
and not a distinct kind. The same remarks apply to the `silver' bear;
and hunters say that in a litter of three cubs they have found all three
colours--the common brown, the `ringed,' and the `silver,'--while the
old mother herself was a true _ursus arctos_."
"Well, since papa only binds us to the brown and black, it will be a
nice thing if we could fall in with a skin of the ringed and silver
varieties. It would please him all the better. I wonder now what sort
is this fellow we are following? By the size of his tracks he must be a
wopper!"
"No doubt an old male," rejoined Alexis; "but if I am not mistaken, we
shall soon be able to determine that point. The _spar_ gets fresher and
fresher. He must have passed here but a very short while ago; and I
should not wonder if we were to find him in this very ravine."
"See!" exclaimed Ivan, whose eyes had been lifted from the trail, and
bent impatiently forward;--"see! by the great Peter! yonder's a hole,
under the root of that tree. Why might it not be his cave?"
"It looks like enough. Hush! let us keep to the trail, and go up to it
with caution--not a word!"
All three, now scarce breathing--lest the sound should be heard--stole
silently along the trail. The fresh-fallen snow, still soft as
eider-down, enabled them to proceed without making the slightest noise;
and without making any, they crept up, till within half-a-dozen paces of
the tree.
Ivan's conjecture was likely to prove correct. There was a line of
tracks leading up the bank; and around the orifice of the cavity the
snow was considerably trampled down--as if the bear had turned himself
two or three times before entering. That he had entered, the hunters
did not entertain a doubt: there were no return tracks visible in the
snow--only the single line that led up to the mouth of the cave, and
this seemed to prove conclusively that Bruin was "at home."
CHAPTER NINE.
HYBERNATION OF BEARS.
As already stated, it is the custom of the brown bear, as well as of
several other species, to go to sleep for a period of several months
every winter,--in other words, to _hybernate_. When about to take this
long nap, the bear seeks for himself a cave or den, in which he makes
his bed with such soft substances as may be most convenient--dry leaves,
grass, moss, or rushes. He collects no great store of these however--
his thick matted fur serving him alike for bed and coverlet; and very
often he makes no further ado about the matter than to creep into the
hole he has chosen, lie down, snugly couch his head among the thickets
of long hair that cover his hams, and thus go to sleep.
Some naturalists have asserted that this sleep is a state of torpidity--
from which the animal is incapable of awaking himself or of being
awakened, until the regular period of indulgence in it may have passed.
This, however, is not the case; for bears are often surprised in their
sleep, and when aroused by the hunters act just as is usual with them at
other times.
It must be observed, however, that the retirement of the bear into
winter quarters is not to be regarded as of the same nature as the
hybernation of marmots, squirrels, and other species of rodent animals.
These creatures merely shut themselves up from the cold; and to meet the
exigencies of their voluntary imprisonment, they have already collected
in their cells a large store of their usual food. Bees and many other
insects do precisely same thing. Not so with the bear. Whether it be
that he is not gifted with an instinct of providence it is difficult to
say; but certain it is, that he lays up no store for these long dark
days, but goes to sleep without thought of the morrow.
How he is maintained for several months without eating is one of
nature's mysteries. Every one has heard the absurd theory: that he does
so by "sucking his paws," and the ingenious Buffon has not only given
credence to this story, but endeavours to support it, by stating that
the paws when cut open yield a substance of a milky nature!
It is a curious fact that this story is to be found scattered all over
the world--wherever bears hybernate. The people of Kamschatka have it;
so also the Indians, and Esquimaux of the Hudson's Bay territory, and
the Norwegian and Lap hunters of Europe. Whence did these
widely-distributed races of men derive this common idea of a habit
which, if the story be a true one, must be common to bears of very
different species?
This question can be answered. In northern Europe the idea first
originated--among the hunters of Scandinavia. But the odd story once
told was too good to be lost; and every traveller, since the first
teller of it, has taken care to embellish his narrative about bears with
this selfsame conceit; so that, like the tale of the Amazon women in
South America, the natives have learnt it from the travellers, and not
the travellers from the natives!
How absurd to suppose that a huge quadruped, whose daily food would be
several pounds weight of animal or vegetable matter--a bear who can
devour the carcass of a calf at a single meal--could possibly subsist
for two months on the _paw-milk_ which Monsieur Buffon has described!
How then can we account for his keeping alive? There need be no
difficulty in doing so. It is quite possible that during this long
sleep the digestive power or process is suspended, or only carried on at
a rate infinitesimally small; that, moreover, life is sustained and the
blood kept in action by means of the large amount of fat which the bear
has collected previous to his _going to bed_. It is certain that, just
at their annual _bed time_, bears are fatter than at any other season of
the year. The ripening of the forest fruits, and the falling of various
seeds of mast-worts, upon which, during the autumn, bears principally
subsist, then supply them with abundance, and nothing hinders them to
get fat and go to sleep upon it. They would have no object in keeping
awake: were they to do so, in those countries where they practise
hybernation, they would certainly starve, for, the ground being then
frozen hard, they could not dig for roots, and under the deep covering
of snow they might search in vain for their masts and berries. As to
foraging on birds or other quadrupeds, bears are not fitted for that.
They are not agile enough for such a purpose.
They will eat both when they can catch them; but they cannot always
catch them; and if they had no other resource in the snowy season the
bears would certainly starve. To provide them against this time of
scarcity, nature has furnished them with the singular power of
somnolence. Indeed, that this is the purpose is easily proved. It is
proved by the simple fact that those bears belonging to warm latitudes,
as the Bornean, Malayan, and even the black American of the Southern
States, do not hybernate at all. There is no need for them to do so.
Their unfrozen forests furnish them with food all the year round; and
all the year round are they seen roaming about in search of it. Even in
the Arctic lands the polar bear keeps afoot all the year; his diet not
being vegetable, and therefore not snowed up in winter. The female of
this species hides herself away; but that is done for another purpose,
and not merely to save herself from starvation.
That the stock of fat, which the bear lays in before going to sleep, has
something to do with subsisting him, is very evident from the fact that
it is all gone by the time he awakes. Then or shortly afterwards,
master Bruin finds himself as thin as a rail; and were he to look in a
glass just then, he would scarce recognise himself, so very different is
his long emaciated carcass from that huge plump round body, that two
months before he could scarce squeeze through the entrance to his cave!
Another great change comes over him during his prolonged sleep. On
going to bed, he is not only very fat, but also very lazy; so much so
that the merest tyro of a hunter can then circumvent and slay him.
Naturally a well-disposed animal--we are speaking only of the brown bear
(_ursus arctos_) though the remark will hold good of several other
species--he is at this period more than usually civil and soft-tempered.
He has found a sufficiency of vegetable food which is more congenial to
his taste than animal substances; and he will not molest living creature
just then, if living creature will only let him alone. Aroused from his
sleep, however, he shows a different disposition. He appears as if he
had got up "wrong side foremost." His head aches, his belly hungers,
and he is disposed to believe that some one has stolen upon him while
asleep, and robbed him of his suet. Under this impression he issues
from his dark chamber in very ill humour indeed. This disposition
clings to him for a length of time; and if at this period, during his
morning rambles, he should encounter any one who does not get speedily
out of his way, the party thus meeting him will find him a very awkward
customer. It is then that he makes havoc among the flocks and herds of
the Scandinavian shepherd--for he actually does commit such ravages--and
even the hunter who meets him at this season will do well to "ware
bear."
And so does the hunter; and so did Alexis, and Ivan, and Pouchskin. All
three of them were well enough acquainted with the habits of the bear--
their own Russian bear--to know that they should act with caution in
approaching him.
And in this wise they acted; for instead of rushing up to the mouth of
the hole, and making a great riot, they stole forward in perfect
silence, each holding his gun cocked, and ready to give Bruin a salute,
the moment he should show his snout beyond the portals of his den.
Had they not tracked him to his cave, they would have acted quite
differently. Had they found a bear's den--within which they knew that
the animal was indulging in his winter sleep--they would not have cared
so much how they approached it. Then he would have required a good deal
of stirring up to induce him to show himself, so that they could get a
shot at him; but the track told them that this one had been up and
abroad--perhaps for several days--and as the new snow, in all
likelihood, had hindered him from picking up much to eat, he would be as
"savage as a meat axe."
Expecting him to spring out almost on the instant, the three took stand
at some distance from the mouth of the cave; and, with arms in
readiness, awaited his coming forth.
CHAPTER TEN.
BRUIN AT HOME?
The entrance to the cave, if cave it was, was an aperture of no great
dimensions--about large enough to admit the body of a full-grown bear,
and no bigger. It appeared to be a hole or burrow, rather than a cave,
and ran under a great pine-tree, among whose roots, no doubt, was the
den of the bear. The tree itself grew up out of the sloping bank; and
its great rhizomes stretched over a large space, many of them appearing
above the surface soil. In front of the aperture was a little ledge,
where the snow was hacked by the bear's paws, but below this ledge the
bank trended steeply down--its slope terminating in the bed of deeper
snow already described.
As stated, the three hunters had taken their stand, but not all
together. Directly in front of the cave was Pouchskin, and below it, of
course, on account of the sloping bank. He was some six paces from the
aperture. On the right side Ivan had been placed, while Alexis had
passed on, and now stood upon the left. The three formed a sort of
isosceles triangle, of which Pouchskin was the apex, and the line of the
bank the base. A perpendicular dropped from the muzzle of Pouchskin's
gun would have entered the aperture of the cave. Of course Pouchskin's
was the post of danger; but that was to be expected.
They stood a good while in silence. No signs of Bruin--neither by sight
nor hearing.
It was then resolved that some stir should be made--a noise of any kind,
that might bring the beast forth. They coughed and talked loudly, but
all to no purpose. They shouted at length with like fruitless result--
Bruin would not stir!
That he was inside none of them doubted. How could they? The tracks
going to the cave, and none coming from it, set that question at rest.
Certainly he was in his den? but whether asleep or not, it was evident
he took no heed of their shouting.
Some other means must be adopted to get him out. He must be stirred up
with a pole! This was the plan that suggested itself, and the one
determined upon.
Pouchskin started off to procure a pole. The others kept guard--still
holding their guns in readiness, lest the bear might make a rush in
Pouchskin's absence. But Bruin had no such intention; nor was his
presence betrayed by sight or sound, until Pouchskin came back. He had
cut a pole with his axe, and had taken the precaution to select a long
one. A young sapling it was, that when cleared of its branches appeared
as long as a hop-pole. Pouchskin knew the advantage of its length. He
had no particular wish to come to close quarters with the bear.
Creeping back pretty nearly into his old place, he inserted the end of
the sapling into the aperture--then rattled it against the sides, and
waited a bit. No response from Bruin! Once more the pole was pushed
in, this time a little further, and again accompanied with similar noisy
demonstrations. Bruin neither moves nor makes sound!
"He must be asleep! Try a little further, Pouchskin!"
This suggestion came from the impatient Ivan.
Encouraged by the words of his young master, Pouchskin approached,
nearer to the aperture, and buried half of the pole inside. He then
turned the stick and poked it all about, but could touch nothing that
felt like a bear. Growing more confident, he crept yet nearer, and
pushed the pole up till he could touch the bottom of the cave--once more
feeling with its point in all directions, against the further end, along
the sides, upwards and downwards, and everywhere. Still he touched
nothing soft--nothing that felt as the shaggy hide of a bear should do--
nothing, in fact, but hard rocks, against which the stick could be heard
rattling wherever he pushed it!
This was very mysterious. Pouchskin was an old bear-hunter. He had
poked his pole into many a burrow of Bruin, and he knew well enough when
he had touched bottom. He could tell moreover that the cave he was now
exploring was all in one piece--a single-roomed house. Had there been
any second or inner chamber he would have found the aperture that led to
it; but there appeared to be none.
To make sure of this, he now approached quite near to the entrance, and
continued to guage the cavity with his stick. Alexis and Ivan also drew
near--one on each side of him--and the exploration continued.
In a short while, however, Pouchskin became nearly satisfied that _there
was no bear in the den_! He had groped with his stick all round and
round it, and had come in contact with nothing softer than a rock or a
root of the tree. As a last _resource_ he lay down on the ground to
listen--placing his ear close to the mouth of the cave; and, cautioning
his young masters to keep silent, in this position he remained for some
seconds of time.
Perhaps it was fortunate for them, if not for him, that they attended to
his caution. Their silence enabled them to hear what Pouchskin could
not--placed as he now was--and that was a sound that caused the young
bear-hunters to start back and look upwards, instead of into the cave.
As they did so, a sight met their eyes that drew from both a
simultaneous cry, while both at the same instant retreated several paces
from the spot, elevating their guns as they went backward.
Slowly moving down the trunk of the great pine-tree appeared an animal
of enormous size. Had they not been expecting something of the kind
neither could have told that this moving object was an animal: since at
first sight neither a head nor limbs could be distinguished--only an
immense shapeless mass of brown shaggy hair.
The instant after a huge hairy limb was protruded below, and then
another both terminating in broad ungulated paws, that in succession
griped the rough bark of the tree, causing it to rattle and scale off.
Singular as its shape was there was no mistaking the animal that was
making this retrograde movement. It was Bruin himself, descending the
tree buttocks downward!
CHAPTER ELEVEN.
HAND TO HAND.
Alexis and Ivan, as they started back, simultaneously screamed out a
shout of warning to Pouchskin. Both, almost at the same instant, raised
their guns, and fired into the buttocks of the bear.
Pouchskin had heard their cries, but not the preliminary "sniff" which
the animal had uttered: he had been too eager in _listening inside of
the cave_, to hear aught that was passing without. He heard their
warning cry however, and the reports of their guns; but not in time to
get out of the way. Just as the shots were fired, he had half risen
from his recumbent attitude; but the bear at that moment dropped down
from the tree, and coming "_co-thump_" on the back of the old guardsman,
once more flattened him out upon his face!
Perhaps it would have been as well for Pouchskin, if he had quietly
remained in that attitude: for the bear had already turned from him, and
showed signs of an intention to retreat; but Pouchskin, deeming that he
was in the worst position he could well be in, scrambled suddenly to his
feet, and made a "grab" at his gun.
This show of fight on the part of his antagonist--and the belief,
perhaps, that it was Pouchskin that had so rudely tickled his
posteriors--roused the fury of the bear; and instead of exposing his
hind quarters to a second assault, he charged mouth open upon the
ex-guardsman. By this time, the latter had recovered his gun, and
promptly brought the piece to his shoulder; but, alas! the gun snapped!
The lock had been wetted in the snow-trap. It was a flint lock, and the
priming had got damped.
The failure only increased the fury of the animal; and a charge of
swan-shot, which Ivan at the same instant fired from his second barrel,
still further irritated him.
Pouchskin drew his long-bladed knife. It was the only weapon he could
lay his hand upon, for the axe, which might have served him better, had
been left above on the bank, where he had lopped the sapling.
He drew his knife, therefore, and prepared to defend himself in a _hand
to paw_ struggle.
He might still have retreated, though not with a certainty of safety--
for in the hurry of the moment the bear had got on the bank above him:
and had he turned his back, the fierce quadruped might have overtaken,
and knocked him down at his will. Pouchskin thought it better to face
the bear, and receive his onslaught at arm's length.
There was but one way in which he could have retreated, and that was
backward down the slope. He might make ground in that direction; and it
occurred to him to do so, in order to get footing on a more level
surface.
The bear having paused a moment to bite the place where the rifle bullet
had stung him, gave Pouchskin time to gain some ground backwards; but
only a few paces--since the whole affair did not occupy a tenth of the
time taken in describing it.
Just as Pouchskin had reached the bottom of the slope, his angry
assailant, with a terrific growl, rushed forth from the smoke, and
galloped directly towards him. When about three feet distant from the
hunter, Bruin reared upon his hind legs, in the attitude of a
prize-fighter!
Pouchskin was seen to lunge forward with his right arm--the one which
carried his knife; and, the moment after, both man and beast appeared
closed together, "in grips."
In this fashion they went waltzing over the snow, the spray of which
rose in a cloud around them; and for a while they were seen only as one
dark upright form, in confused and violent motion!
Ivan was uttering cries of fear--fear for the safety of his dearly-loved
Pouchskin; while Alexis, more cool, was rapidly reloading his rifle,--
knowing that the surest means of saving the life of their faithful
attendant, was to encompass the death of the bear.
It was a moment of real peril for Pouchskin. The bear was one of the
largest and fiercest he had ever encountered; and, perhaps, had he
examined the brute more minutely before the conflict commenced, he would
have thought twice before facing him. But the smoke from the guns was
still over and around the spot, hanging upon the damp air. Up to the
time when Pouchskin resolved to make stand, he had not yet had a clear
view of his shaggy antagonist. When at length he perceived the
formidable proportions of the animal, it was too late to retreat; and
the struggle began as described.
In brief time Alexis--who at loading was quick as a tirailleur--had
recharged his piece, and was now hastening up to the rescue.
Without going quite close he dared not fire: for in the way that man and
bear were dancing about, there would be as much danger of killing the
one as the other.
All at once, however, they appeared to separate. Pouchskin had torn
himself out of the bear's clutches, and, evidently disinclined to a
renewal of the embrace, was retreating backward, over the snow, still
hotly pursued by the animal.
At this moment Alexis would have fired; but, unfortunately, the
direction in which Pouchskin was going, kept his body nearly in a line
with that of the animal; and Alexis could not fire without danger of
hitting him.
The chase led across the ravine, and of course over the bed of snow.
The pursued was doing his best to escape. But the pursuer had the
advantage--for while the man was breaking through at every step, the
broad-pawed quadruped glided over the frozen crust without sinking an
inch.
Pouchskin had got a little the start, but his pursuer was fast gaining
upon him. Once or twice, indeed, the bear was close enough to touch
Pouchskin's skirts with his extended snout; but the necessity of rearing
up, before making a stroke with his paw, required him to get still
nearer, and Bruin knew that.
He had, however, got near enough even for this; and had risen on his
hind feet, with the intention of clawing down his victim. Ivan and
Alexis simultaneously uttered a cry of dismay; but before the dangerous
stroke could descend, he for whom it was intended had sunk out of sight!
At first, the young hunters believed the blow had been struck, and that
Pouchskin had fallen prostrate under it. They saw the bear spring
forward as if to cover the fallen man; but the next moment their terror
was mingled with astonishment on seeing, or rather _not_ seeing, either
man or bear: both had suddenly disappeared!
CHAPTER TWELVE.
A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
The sudden disappearance of both man and bear would no doubt have sadly
perplexed our young hunters, had it not been for Pouchskin's previous
adventure. With that still fresh in their memory, they were at no loss
to comprehend what had occurred. While eagerly endeavouring to escape
from his antagonist, Pouchskin had, no doubt, forgotten the dangerous
snow-bridge; and, just as before, he had broken through it.
This time, however, it was no laughing matter. Pouchskin was no longer
playing a solitary Jack-in-the-box, but, in all likelihood, he was under
the huge body of the savage monster, in the act of being torn to pieces
by his teeth, or perhaps drowned in the _subnivean_ stream. Whether the
bear had sprung voluntarily after him, or, in the impetus of charging,
had been himself precipitated into the snow chasm without the power of
preventing it, could not for the moment be known. The young hunters
suspected that the bear had fallen in rather against his will; for
certainly he had been seen to go down in rather an awkward and
blundering manner, his hind legs pitching upwards as he broke through.
Whether the plunge had been voluntary or against his will could matter
but little. He must be now upon top of the ex-guardsman; and, knowing
the implacable fury of these animals when roused to resentment, his
young masters had no other idea but that their attendant would be either
drowned or torn to pieces.
As a last hope, however, Alexis rushed on over the snow, holding his
ride before him, and prepared to fire its contents into the bear the
moment he should get sight of the animal.
As he advanced, he could hear a plunging and splashing of water, with
other noises,--as the snorting and growling of the bear, and the
crashing of frozen snow, all mixed up in confusion of sounds.
Concluding that these noises were caused by the struggle still going on
between the man and the bear, he hurried forward. Strange! there came
no voice from Pouchskin!
When within about three paces of the broken edge, an object came under
his eyes, that caused him to halt in his track. That object was the
snout of the bear, that was projected upward above the surface of the
snow. The eyes of the animal were not visible, nor any other part of
it, except the aforesaid snout, and about six inches of the muzzle.
The thought instantly occurred to Alexis, that the bear had reared upon
his hind feet, and was endeavouring to clamber out; and this was true
enough, for the instant after, he was seen to spring perpendicularly
upward, until his whole head and part of his neck became visible. Only
for an instant, however; for Bruin, who now appeared to be playing
Jack-in-the-box, sank once more out of sight, snout and all.
The young hunter was just regretting that he had not taken a snap shot
at the animal's head; but before ten seconds of time had elapsed, the
snout was again popped up by the edge of the hole. In all probability
the bear would make a second attempt to spring out.
Alexis was therefore waiting till the whole head should show itself; but
quick as a flash of lightning, it occurred to him that the brute might
at the second effort succeed in reaching the surface of the snow, and
then he would himself be in danger. To avoid this contingency, he
resolved to fire at once; not at the snout, for, although he could not
have failed to send his bullet through it, he knew that that would not
kill the bear, but only render him more desperately furious, if such a
thing had been possible.
It was the bear's skull he meant to take aim at. From the position of
the animal's snout, of course he could tell exactly where the head must
be, though he could not see it.
Had Alexis been an unskilled marksman, he would have stood his ground;
and, guessing the position of the bear's head, would have fired at it
through the snow. But he did not act in this manner. He had scientific
knowledge sufficient to tell him that his bullet, sent in a slanting
direction, might glance off the frozen crust, and miss the mark
altogether. To ensure its direction, therefore, he instantly glided two
steps forward, poked the barrel of his piece through the snow, until the
muzzle almost touched the head of the bear--and then fired!
For some seconds he saw nothing. The smoke of the gunpowder, as well as
the snow-dust blown up before the muzzle of the gun, formed a dense
cloud over the spot. But though Alexis could not see the effect of his
shot, he could tell by what he heard that his bullet had done good work.
A loud "swattering" at the bottom of the hole proclaimed that the bear
was struggling in the water; while his piteous whines and faint grunting
told that his fierce strength was fast passing away.
As soon as the smoke had cleared off, Alexis upon his knees crept
forward to the edge, and looked over it. There was blood upon the snow;
the side against which the bear had stood was crimsoned with streams of
it; and below, in the water, among the clumps of broken snow-crust,
appeared a dark-brown mass, which Alexis knew to be the body of the
animal.
It was still in motion; but as it was in a prostrate attitude, and
making only feeble efforts, the young hunter knew that the life was
nearly out of it.
It was not this that was now causing him to look down with such an
anxious and troubled countenance. It was his apprehensions for
Pouchskin. Where was he? At the bottom of the crater-like pit Alexis
could see the body of the animal, but nothing of a man--neither arms,
legs, nor body. Could he be under the bear, concealed by the shaggy
hair? Was he hidden under the black water that filled the bottom of the
ravine?--or, horrible thought! was he dead, and had his body been
carried off by the current that rushed rapidly under the snow?
This was not improbable, for Alexis could see that there was a sort of
arched tunnel between the snow and the water, quite large enough to have
admitted the body of a man!
In agony he cried out, calling Pouchskin by name. He was repeating his
despairing invocation, when all at once a loud laugh echoed in his ears,
uttered close behind him. In the laughter he recognised the voice of
Ivan.
Alexis suddenly leaped to his feet, wondering what on earth could be the
cause of this ill-timed merriment. He turned towards Ivan with the
intention of chiding him; but at that moment an object fell under his
eye, that hindered him from carrying his intention into effect. On the
contrary, the sight he saw caused him such joy, that he could not
restrain himself from joining Ivan in his laughter. No wonder. The
sight was odd enough to have drawn a smile from a dying man. A
spectacle more ludicrous could scarce have been conceived.
A little further down the ravine, and about ten paces from where the
boys were standing, an object was seen protruding above the snow. It
was about ten inches in vertical diameter, something less horizontally,
and of a roundish or oval shape. In colour it was almost white as the
snow itself: for, indeed, it was sprinkled over with this material out
of the bosom of which it had just emerged. A stranger coming upon the
ground might have been sorely puzzled to make out what it was; but not
so Ivan, who, on first beholding it, as it popped upward through the
frozen crust, recognised it as the head of Pouchskin. Alexis also made
it out at the first glance; and it was the comic twinkle of Pouchskin's
eyes--denoting that no great damage had happened to him--that led Alexis
to join his brother in the laughter.
Their merriment, however, was of short continuance--only an involuntary
burst, for a moment's reflection told them that Pouchskin, although they
saw him alive, might nevertheless have sustained some serious injury;
and both at the thought hastened up towards the head.
On getting close to it, however, Ivan was unable to control himself, and
once more gave way to a fit of involuntary laughter. The head of the
old guardsman, standing up like a sphinx above the frozen surface,--his
grizzled hair powdered all over with snow like the poll of some grand
flunkey,--his long moustache loaded with it,--his eyes sparkling and
twinkling, and his features set in a serio-comic expression,--all
combined to form a picture that it was difficult to contemplate with
seriousness.
Alexis, however, anxious to ascertain as to whether Pouchskin had
received any dangerous wound, did _not_ this time join in his brother's
mirth; and, as soon as they came near enough, his inquiries were
directed to that end.
"Only scratched a bit, masters!" answered the old guardsman,--"only
scratched a bit--nothing much; but the bear--the bear! where has the
brute gone?"
"To his long home," answered Alexis; "you need be under no further
apprehension about him. I think your knife must have well-nigh settled
his account, for he was unable to get out of the hole again; but,
fortunately, I have finished him with a bullet, and it only remains for
us to haul his carcass up and take the skin off it. First, however, let
us endeavour to extricate you, my good Pouchskin; and then you can tell
us by what means you have managed to make an escape that certainly
appears miraculous!"
So saying, Alexis, assisted by Ivan, commenced digging away the hard
crust that surrounded the neck of Pouchskin; and kept on at it, until
they had uncovered his shoulders. Then seizing him by the arms--one on
each side--they drew him up, till his feet once more rested on the
surface of the snow.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
A SUBNIVEAN ESCAPE.
Pouchskin proceeded to describe the manner of his escape--his young
masters listening to him with great interest--although they already
guessed pretty nearly how it had been accomplished. Still there were
some points not so clear to them, which the old guardsman detailed.
In the first place, he had retreated from the bear, not because he
believed himself vanquished, but because he had lost his knife. Its
handle, wet with blood, had slipped from his grasp; and he could not
tell what had become of it! Finding himself unarmed, of course his next
thought was to get out of Bruin's way, for what could an unarmed man do
in the embrace of a bear--and such a bear?
He then turned and ran; but he had quite forgotten the dangerous
character of the snow-bed--the bridge that had refused to carry him
before; though, indeed, over it was the only direction he could have
taken. Had he attempted to run to the right or left, his course must
have been up-hill; and the bear would have been certain to overhaul him
in a couple of leaps. After all, he had taken the proper direction;
and, as it proved in the end, his breaking through was the most
fortunate accident that could possibly have happened to him. Had it not
chanced so, he would, in all probability, have fallen into the clutches
of the bear, and been torn to shreds by the infuriated animal.
Well, on touching bottom, he felt the water among his feet, and just
then remembered how it had been before. He remembered the hollow
archway under the snow, and, seeing the bear above, and in the act of
being precipitated on top of him, he suddenly ducked his head, and
pushed himself into the tunnel. He could feel the bear falling upon him
behind, and the weight of the animal's body, as it was precipitated
downwards, forced him still further under the snow-bridge.
Once in, he continued on down the stream, working both with head and
arms, and clearing a space that would allow his body to pass. The soft
snow was easily pressed out of the way; and, after going as far as he
deemed necessary, he turned to the right, and worked his way upward to
the surface.
It was while he was thus engaged that Alexis had been squaring accounts
with the bear. The fierce creature had not followed Pouchskin under the
snow. In all probability, his sudden "souse" into the water had
astonished Bruin himself;--from that moment all his thoughts were to
provide for his own safety, and, with this intention, he was
endeavouring to get back to the surface of the snowdrift, when Alexis
first caught sight of his snout.
At the moment that Alexis fired the final shot, or just a little after
it, Pouchskin had popped up his head through the congealed crust of the
snow, and elicited from Ivan those peals of laughter that had so much
astonished his brother. Pouchskin, however, had not come unscathed out
of the "scrimmage." On examining the old guardsman, it was found that
the bear had clawed him severely; and a piece of skin, of several inches
square was peeled from his left shoulder. The flesh, too, was rather
badly lacerated.
Alexis was not without some surgical skill; and, without suffering a
moment to be lost, he dressed the wound in the best manner possible
under the circumstances. A clean handkerchief, which Ivan chanced to
have, served as a covering for the scar; and this being tied on
securely, with a strip torn from the sleeve of Pouchskin's own shirt,
left the wounded guardsman in a condition to recover, as soon as it
might please nature to permit. Nothing more could have been done by the
most "skilful practitioner."
Their next business was to look after the bear. On going back to the
hole, and, gazing into it, the animal, as Alexis had anticipated, was
quite dead; and the water, partially dammed up by the huge carcass, was
flowing over it.
Ivan, who had hitherto done least of all to secure the prize, now became
the most active of the three; and, leaping down upon the body of the
great brute, he looped the rope around one of its hind legs, and then
stood on one side to help the rest in raising it upward.
Alexis and Pouchskin commenced hauling on the other end of the rope, and
the vast mass slowly ascended upward, Ivan pushing from below, and
guiding it past the inequalities of the snow. It would have been a
different sort of a task, to have hauled Bruin out of such a hole three
months earlier in the season; that is, about the time he had lain down
for his winter _siesta_. Then he would have turned six or seven hundred
pounds upon the scales, whereas at this time he was not more than half
the weight. His skin, however, was in just as good condition as if he
had been fat; and it was this, and not his carcass, that our hunters
cared for.
After some tough pulling, accompanied by a good deal of shouting from
Ivan at the bottom of the hole, the huge carcass was dragged forth, and
lay at full length along the frozen snow. It was still necessary to
raise it to the branch of a tree, in order that it might be skinned in a
proper manner. This however, could be easily accomplished by means of
the rope.
Up to this time Pouchskin had been puzzled about the loss of his knife.
Everywhere he looked for it; but it was nowhere to be found. All the
surface _over_ which he had danced with the bear was carefully examined,
and the snow scraped up to the depth of several inches. There was the
blood of the bear, and some of Pouchskin's own too, but no knife! Could
it have got into the water? No. Pouchskin declared that he had dropped
it near the edge of the snow-bed: for this accident, as already stated,
had been the cause of his retreat from the conflict.
It was only when the great carcass was being hauled up to the branch,
that the lost knife made its appearance. Then, to the astonishment of
the young hunters, as well as to Pouchskin himself, the knife was seen
sticking in the shoulder of the bear! There it had been when the haft
slipped from his hands, and there had it remained. No doubt that stab
would have given the bear his death-blow; but still more fatal had been
the bullet from the rifle of Alexis, which had passed through Bruin's
brain, crushing his skull like a shell!
The skinning of the animal was accomplished with great care; for the
coat was one of the finest, and the boys knew with what interest it
would be regarded on its arrival at the palace Grodonoff. They spared
no pains, therefore, in removing it from the carcass; and after the work
was finished, it was neatly folded up, tied with the rope, and placed
like a knapsack on Pouchskin's shoulders.
Of the carcass they took no heed; but leaving it to the wolves, the
gluttons, or any other carnivorous creatures that might chance to stray
that way, they turned back up the ravine; and, striking off on a path
that led towards the tent of the Laplander, reached their smoky quarters
in good time for dinner.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
RINGING THE BEAR.
The bear thus killed was the true _ursus arctos_, or brown bear--the
latter name being given to him from the colour of his fur, which, in
ninety-nine cases out of every hundred, is a uniform brown. The name,
however, is not appropriate, since there are other brown bears belonging
to very different species.
Having secured his robe, as we have seen, the next call of our hunters
was to obtain a skin from the body of his black brother. They were well
aware that this would not be so easy of accomplishment, from the simple
fact, that the _ursus niger_, or "European black bear," is one of the
rarest of animals--indeed, so few of them are obtained, that out of a
thousand skins of the European bear that pass through the hands of the
furriers, not more than two or three will be found to be of the black
variety.
It is true that they were just in the country where they would be most
likely to fall in with one; for it is only in the northern zone of
Europe (and Asia also) where the black ones are found. This variety is
not encountered in the southern ranges of mountains in the Alps,
Pyrenees, and Carpathians. Whether this black bear is a distinct
species was not a question with them. They knew that by most
naturalists he is recognised as a variety--by some a permanent one. It
was therefore certainly included in the conditions of their father's
letter; and a skin must be procured _coute qui coute_. This done, they
would have no further business in Lapland, but might proceed at once to
the Pyrenees.
It was not necessary to procure skins of the grey or silver bear, nor
that with the white ring round its neck--known as the ringed or collared
bear. As Alexis had said, it is acknowledged by all who know the _ursus
arctos_ his native haunts, that these are mere accidental varieties.
The true "collared bear" (_ursus collaris_) is not found in Lapland,--
only in northern Asia and Kamschatka, and it is he that is known as the
"Siberian bear." The boys therefore were not "bound" by their covenant
to procure these varieties; but for all that, they were gratified at
going beyond the strict letter of their agreement, which good luck
enabled them to do; for while scouring the country in search of the
_ursus niger_, they chanced upon another brown bear, a female, with
three cubs, one of which was brown, like the mother; the second had the
white ring round its neck, and the third was as grey as a little badger!
All four were taken; and the young hunters not only had the
gratification of being able to send the different varieties of skins to
their father's museum, but an additional satisfaction was afforded to
Alexis, the naturalist, by this grand family capture. It proved
incontestably, what he already suspected, and what, moreover, the native
peasants and hunters had told him, that the "silver" and "ringed" bears
were identical with the _ursus arctos_.
Notwithstanding their joy at the capture of the old she, and her
parti-coloured pets, they were yet very anxious about the black bear.
They had hunted all the forests and mountains for miles around, and had
even succeeded in killing several other specimens of "Brownie," but no
"Blackie" was to be met with.
It had now got known among the native hunters what they were in search
of; and, as they had offered a liberal reward to any one who could guide
them to the haunt or den of a real black bear, it was not unlikely they
should soon hear of one.
In this expectation they were not deceived. About a week after the
offer had been proclaimed, a Finnish peasant (one of the Quans, as they
are called) made his appearance at their headquarters, add announced
that he had "ringed" a black bear. It was welcome tidings; and the
young Russians at once proceeded to the indicated place.
It may be necessary to explain what the man meant when he told them he
had "ringed" the bear; since that is a phrase of specific meaning
throughout the countries of Scandinavia. In these countries, when the
track of a bear is observed in the snow, it is followed up by the person
who has discovered it, with the intention of "ringing" the animal--that
is, ascertaining as near as maybe, the locality in which it may have
halted from its rambles, and lain down to rest. Of course, if the
person thus trailing the bear be a hunter--or if it be a party of
hunters actually engaged in the chase, they will keep on until they have
found the bear in his den. But in nine cases out of ten, bears are not
pursued in this fashion. Generally, their haunt--whether temporary or
otherwise--has been ascertained beforehand, by some shepherd or
woodcutter, and a party of hunters then proceeds to the spot, and makes
a surround of the animal before rousing him from his lair.
This "surround," however, has nothing whatever to do with the "ringing"
of the bear, which is an operation of a different character, and is
performed by the party who has first chanced upon the tracks. The mode
of proceeding is simply to follow the trail, or _spar_, of the bear as
silently as possible--until the tracker has reason to believe that the
animal is not far off. This he discovers by observing that the _spar_
no longer trends in a direct line, but doubles about in zigzags, and
backward turnings, upon itself; for when a bear intends to lie down, it
is his habit to quarter the ground in every direction, precisely as does
the hare before squatting in her form.
Many other animals observe a similar caution before going to rest.
The bear-tracker having reached this point, then leaves the track
altogether, and makes a circuit round that part of the forest within
which he suspects Bruin to have couched himself. This circuit is of
greater or less diameter, according to circumstances--depending on the
season of the year, nature of the ground, and a variety of other
considerations. While going round this circle, if it should be seen
that the track of the bear leads beyond it, then that "ring" is given
up, and another commenced further forward. If, on the other hand, the
tracker gets round to the place whence he first started, without again
coming upon the _spar_, he concludes that the bear must be lying
somewhere within the circumference which he has traced, and will there
be found. This, then, is termed "ringing" the bear.
You may wonder why the man does not follow up the _spar_ until he
actually reaches the den or lair of the animal. That is easily
explained. The tracker is not always a bear-hunter, and even if he
were, it would not be prudent for him to approach a bear without
assistants, who, by surrounding the animal, should cut off its retreat.
Were he to go forward direct to the bear's hiding-place, Bruin would, in
all probability, discover him before he could approach within shot; and,
making a bolt, might carry him a chase of ten or twelve miles before
stopping. The brown bear often does so.
The tracker, having ascertained the circle within which the animal has
made its temporary resting-place, next proceeds to warn the hunters of
his village or settlement; and then a large party go out for the
destruction of the common enemy. They deploy around the ring, and
closing inward, are pretty sure to find the bear either asleep in his
den, or just starting out of it, and trying to get off. The "ring" will
usually keep for several days--sometimes for weeks--for the bear,
especially in winter time, will remain in the vicinity of his lair for
long spells at a time. Frequently several days will elapse before any
hunters arrive on the ground; but, if the bear should have strayed off
in the mean time, his tracks in the snow will still enable them to
follow and find him. If, however, fresh snow should have fallen, after
the bear has made his exit from the marked circle, then, of course, the
search will prove a blank, and Bruin make his escape--at least out of
that "ring."
One of the most singular features of this custom is, that he who has
succeeded in "ringing" a bear, is regarded as the lawful proprietor of
the animal--or rather of the "ring"--and can dispose of his right to any
hunting party he pleases. Of course he cannot guarantee the killing of
the bear: that is left to the skill of the hunters, who must take their
chance. The tracker only answers for a bear being found within a
prescribed circle, of which he gives proof by pointing out the _spar_.
With such conditions, established by long and well-observed custom, it
will easily be believed that the woodcutters and other peasants make a
market by ringing bears, frequently disposing of the "ring" to the more
ardent hunters for a very considerable price! It was just with this
view that the Finnish peasant had put himself in communication with our
young Russians; and as the bounty they had already offered far exceeded
the usual purchase-money in such cases, the Quan at once closed with
their offer, and conducted them to the "ring."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
OLD NALLE.
While proceeding towards the ground where they expected to find the
bear, their guide informed them that he had not only ringed the animal,
but actually knew the den in which it was lying. This was still better:
it would not only save them a search, but enable them to encompass the
beast on all sides and cut off his retreat--should he attempt to bolt
before they could get near.
On approaching the place, therefore, Pouchskin proposed that the three
should separate, and, after having deployed into a circle, proceed
inward from different directions.
But the guide opposed this suggestion--saying, with a significant smile,
that there was no need of such precautions, as he would answer for the
bear not leaving his den, until they had all got up as near as they
might wish to be.
The hunters wondered at this confidence on the part of their guide, but
in a few minutes' time they had an explanation of it. Going up to a
sort of cliff that formed the side of a little stony knoll, the Quan
pointed to a hole in the rocks, saying, as he did so:--
"Old _nalle_ is in there."
Now "nalle" is the nickname of the bear throughout the Scandinavian
countries, and our Russian hunters knew this well enough; but that a
bear could be inside the little hole, to which their guide had pointed,
appeared utterly incredible, and Ivan and Alexis burst into a loud
laugh, while Pouchskin was rather inclined to show a little anger about
the matter.
The hole which the Quan had pointed out was a crevice between two great
boulders of rock. It was about a yard above the ground, upon which they
stood; and was certainly not more than six or eight inches in diameter.
All round the orifice the rocks were thickly coated with ice; and from
the top of the cliff on both sides huge icicles projected downwards,
until their tips touched the earth, looking like enormous trunks of
elephants, or such as even mammoths might have carried. One of these
immense icicles was directly in front of the aperture; while on the
ground just below its point stood up a huge mass of an irregular conical
shape, the convex surface of which was coated with snow that had lately
fallen.
The first impression of the hunters was, that they had been deceived by
the cunning Quan. Pouchskin declared that they would not stand being
tricked; and at once demanded back the ten rix-dollars which his young
masters had paid for the "ring" of the bear.
"It was all nonsense," he said; "even if there was a cave, no bear could
be inside, for the simple reason that none, even the smallest, could
possibly have squeezed his carcass through a hole like that;--a cat
could hardly have crept into such an aperture. Besides, where were the
tracks of the bear? There were none to be seen--neither by the mouth of
the hole, nor in the snow outside."
There were old tracks of the peasant himself and of a dog, but not of a
bear.
"It's a decided take-in," grumbled Pouchskin.
"Patience, master!" said the Quan. "There is a bear inside for all
that; and I'll prove it, or else return you your money. See my little
dog! he'll tell you old _nalle_ is there. It was he that told me."
As the Quan said this he let slip a diminutive cur, which he had
hitherto held in the leash. The animal, on being set free, rushed up to
the hole, and commenced scratching at the ice, and barking in the most
furious and excited manner. It certainly proved there was some living
creature inside; but how could the Quan tell it was a bear? and, above
all, a black bear!
He was interrogated on this point.
"By it," replied the peasant, taking from his pouch a tuft of long black
fur, which was evidently that of a bear; "that is how I know that old
_nalle's_ in the cave, and the colour of the hair tells me that it's
_black nalle_ who's inside."
"But how came you by that?" inquired all three in a breath, as the man
held the tuft before their eyes.
"Well, masters!" answered the Quan, "you see some jaggy points on the
rock, at the top of the hole, there. I found it sticking there, where
the bear must have left it, as he was squeezing himself into his cave--
that's how it was."
"But surely," said Alexis, "you don't mean to assert that a bear could
pass through such a hole as that? Why, a badger couldn't get in there,
my man!"
"Not _now_," said the Quan, "I admit; it's three months since he went
in. The hole was bigger then."
"Bigger _then_?"
"Certainly, masters! the heap you see below is only ice. It's the drip
of that great icicle that has frozen up as it fell, and if it were not
there you'd see a place big enough for a bear to get in. Ah! sirs! he's
there, I can assure you."
"Why, he couldn't get out of himself?"
"That is very true," replied the peasant; "he'd be safe enough there
till a good bit on in the spring. If we hadn't found him, he would have
been obliged to stay in his cave till the sun had thawed that great heap
out of his way. It often happens so with the bears in these parts,"
added the Quan, without seeming to think there was anything unusual
about the circumstance.
What the man said was literally true. The bear had gone into this cleft
or cave to take his winter nap, and during the long weeks, while he was
thus hybernating, the water, of rain and melting snow, dripping from the
top of the cliff, had formed enormous stalactites of ice, with
stalagmites as well: since it was one of the latter that had closed up
the entrance to the den, and fairly shut him up in his own house!
Not only does this curious accident often occur to Scandinavian bears,
but these animals, notwithstanding their proverbial sagacity, frequently
become their own jailers. They have a habit of collecting large
quantities of moss and grass in front of their caves, which they place
right in the aperture; and not inside as a bed to lie upon. Why they do
so is not clearly understood. The Scandinavian hunters allege that it
is for the purpose of sheltering them from the cold wind, that would
otherwise blow up into their chamber; and in the absence of any better
explanation this has been generally adopted. The heap soon gets
saturated by rain and melting snow, and congeals into a solid mass, so
hard that it requires to be cut with an axe before it can be got out of
the way; and the bear himself is totally incapable of removing it. The
consequence is that it often shuts up the entrance to his winter
chamber; and Bruin, on awakening from his sleep, finds himself caught in
a trap of his own construction. He has then no other resource but to
remain inside till the spring heats have thawed the mass, so that he can
tear it to pieces with his claws, and thus effect an exit. On such
occasions, he issues forth in a state of extreme weakness and
emaciation. Not unfrequently he is altogether unable to clear away the
obstacle, and perishes in his den.
On hearing these explanations from the Quan, who appeared to be well
acquainted with Bruin's habits, the young hunters were satisfied that a
bear was really in the cave. Indeed, they were not long upon the spot,
till they had still more satisfactory evidence of this fact; for they
could hear the "sniffing" of the animal, with an occasional querulous
growl, as if uttered in answer to the barking of the dog. Beyond doubt,
there was a bear inside.
How was he to be got out? That now became the important question.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
THE STAKED ENCLOSURE.
They waited, for a time, in hopes that he might show his snout at the
little aperture, and all three stood watching it, with guns cocked and
ready. A good while passed, however, and, as no snout made its
appearance, they came to the conclusion that the bear was not to be
caught in that simple way. By the snorting growl they could tell that
he was at no great distance from the entrance, and they thought a pole
might reach him. They tried this, but found that it could be inserted
only in a diagonal direction; and although Pouchskin poised in the pole,
and bent it round like a rattan, he could not touch wool anywhere; while
the bear, though he gave tongue now and then, still kept his place at
the further end of the cave.
No other plan offered, except to cut away the icy mass, and set open the
mouth of the cavity. If this were done, would Bruin be then likely to
come forth? The Quan was confident he would; alleging as his reason,
that, in consequence of the spell of warm weather there had been, the
bear must have fully shaken off his winter drowsiness, and would no
doubt have been abroad long ago, but for the ice preventing his egress
from the den. As soon as that should be removed, he would be pretty
sure to sally out--for hunger, said the peasant, will bring him forth,
if not just at the moment, certainly within an hour or so. At the worst
they could wait a while. Moreover, were the ice removed, they might be
able to reach him with a pole; and that would be certain to put him in
such a rage as would at once tempt him to make a _sortie_.
With this idea, Pouchskin seized his axe, knocked the great icicle into
"smithereens," and was about going to work upon the huge _stalagmite_
that blocked up the entrance, when he was interrupted by the Quan.
"With your leave, master!" said the latter, as he laid his hand upon
Pouchskin's arm to restrain him. "Not so fast, if you please?"
"Why?" asked the ex-guardsman, "don't you intend to unearth the brute?"
"Yes, master," replied the Quan; "but something must be done first.
This is a black bear, you must know."
"Well, and what of a black one more than any other?" demanded Pouchskin,
somewhat surprised, for in the forests of Russia, where he had hunted
bears, there were no black ones.
"Don't you know," said the Finn, "that Black Nalle is always bigger and
fiercer than his brown brother? Besides, just at this time he will be
so savage with hunger, that he would eat one of us up the moment he got
out. If that ice was away, I shouldn't like to stand here. Take your
time, master! I think I can show you a better plan, at all events it is
a safer one. It's a way we practise here--when we are sure that a bear
is asleep, and won't interrupt us while we're making ready for him."
"Oh, well," replied Pouchskin, "I'm agreeable to anything you propose.
I'm not particularly desirous of risking another wrestle--not I--I had
enough of that the other day." And as the old guardsman made the
remark, he gave a significant shrug of his shoulders, the wounds upon
which not being yet quite cicatrised, feelingly reminded him of the
rough handling he had received.
"Well then," said the Quan, "if you will help me to cut some strong
stakes, I shall show you a plan by which you may knock old _nalle_ upon
the skull without danger to any of us, or send your bullets through his
brain, if you like better to kill him in that way."
All, of course, agreed to the Quan's proposal; for if the black bear was
as he represented him, fiercer than his brown brethren, it would be no
pleasant prospect to have him loose among them; and in case of their not
being able to shoot him dead on the spot as he rushed out, they might
not only be in danger of getting mauled, but in danger of what they
dreaded almost as much--losing him altogether. He might get off into
the forest; and as there were tracts along the hill-sides, now quite
clear of snow, he might steal away from them beyond recovery. This
would be a disappointment of no ordinary kind. In fact, it might be the
means of keeping them for weeks, or perhaps months, from proceeding on
their journey: since it might be weeks or months before they should fall
in with another chance of obtaining a black bearskin; and until that was
procured they could not turn their faces towards Spain.
With such a prospect then, they were only too ready to agree to any
conditions by which the bear might be safely secured.
The Quan was not long in disclosing his plan; and as soon as he had
communicated it, all three set to work to aid him in its execution.
A number of stout stakes were cut--each about six feet in length, and
pointed at one end. These were driven into the earth around the outer
edge of the icy mass, in a sort of semicircular row; and so as to
enclose a small space in front of the aperture. To hold the stakes all
the more firmly, large stones were piled up against them, and the
uprights themselves were closely wattled together by the broad flat
branches of the spruce pines that grew near. In this way was
constructed a fence that a cat could not have crawled through, much less
a bear. One aperture only was left in it, and that was directly in
front--a hole at about the height of a man's knee from the ground, and
just big enough to admit the head of a bear--for that was the purpose
for which it was intended.
The next thing done was to roof the whole of this stockade enclosure;
and that was accomplished by resting long poles horizontally over it,
tying them at the ends to the tops of the uprights, and then covering
them thickly with _granris_ (the spray lopped from the branches of the
evergreen pines).
It now only remained to get the ice cut of the way, and allow the bear
to come forth. That would not have been so easy of accomplishment, had
it not been already partially removed. Before closing up the top,
Pouchskin, directed by the Finnish peasant, had cut away most of the
mass, leaving only a shell; which, although filling up the entrance as
before, could be easily beaten down, or driven in from the outside of
the enclosure.
During the time that the ex-guardsman had been sapping away the ice, he
had been keeping a sharp lookout. He was admonished to do this by
certain noises that, now and then, came rumbling out of the cave; and
not very certain that he was in perfect safety, he had been under some
apprehension. The bear, by throwing all his weight against the reduced
mass of ice, _might_ break his way out; and as by the constant
chiselling the wall grew weaker and thinner, Pouchskin's fears increased
in proportion. He was only too happy, when, having picked the congealed
mass to what was thought a sufficient thinness, he desisted from his
work, and crept out of the enclosure, through the space that had been
kept open for him.
This was now fenced up as securely as the rest; and it only remained to
knock away the icy barricade, and tempt Bruin to come forth.
The icy wall could be broken in by means of a long boar-spear with which
the Finnish peasant had provided himself. It was headed with a heavy
piece of iron, edged and tipped with the best Swedish steel, and this
being jobbed against the ice, and kept constantly at work, soon
splintered the shell into pieces.
As soon as the Quan saw that he had opened a hole large enough to pass
the body of the bear, he drew back his spear, telling the hunter to look
out.
During the operation, all three had kept watch through crevices in the
stockade-wall, holding their guns pointed towards the aperture, and
ready to give the bear a volley the moment he should show his snout.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
THE SPITTING-DEVIL.
To their disappointment, however, the bear refused to exhibit even as
much as the tip of his nose, not only while his door was being opened,
but afterwards; and they began to think that he might not come forth
after all.
The Quan assured them that he would be certain to do so in time; but
perhaps not for a few hours, till after they should have remained quiet
a while, and old _nalle_ should fancy they had gone away.
"He has been a long time without his breakfast," added the Quan, "and
his stomach will now be talking loudly to him; that will tell him to
steal out for something to eat. No fear of it, masters!"
"But for what purpose have you designed this hole?" inquired Ivan,
pointing to the little aperture that had been left in the wattled
enclosure.
"Oh," replied the peasant, "that is how we kill bears sometimes;
especially if we are not rich enough to have a gun. As soon as old
_nalle_ rushes out from his den, the first thing he does is to run all
round, looking for a chance to break through the fence. Of course he
finds the hole, and pokes his head through it. One of us stands
outside, as you see me now, with a hatchet ready; and we would be
clumsy, indeed, if we could not cleave in his skull, or give him such a
crack upon it, as would turn him back downwards. You shall see how the
bear will rush to this hole the moment he comes out, and then, masters!
you shall see!"
Here the Quan gave a significant shake to his hatchet, twirling it with
the dexterity peculiar to his craft, for it so chanced that he was a
woodcutter by trade.
Our hunters, however, saw that this would never do. According to the
conditions under which they travelled, the bear must be killed by one of
themselves; and, therefore, after a little explanation, the Quan
resigned his intention and stepped aside. His post, however, was
supplied by the ex-guardsman, who, poising his ponderous axe, stood
ready to deal a far heavier, and deadlier, blow than could be given by
any woodcutter in Scandinavia. Alexis took charge of Pouchskin's gun,
determined to fire it as soon as he had discharged his own rifle; and as
Ivan had one barrel loaded with ball and the other with slugs, it was
not likely, against such a formidable battery as was thus prepared for
him, that Bruin could manage to live much longer.
It now became a question whether they should wait patiently till the
bear came out, or whether they might not adopt some mode of tempting him
forth, that would act upon him more rapidly than the cravings of his
stomach.
There could be no harm in trying to reach and stir him up with a pole;
and for this purpose the woodcutter stepped aside to find one.
He very soon succeeded in procuring a long birch sapling--as long as an
ordinary fishing-rod; and having cleared this of its spray, he inserted
it into the cave. To the gratification of the party it was found long
enough for the purpose; for by the muffled feel it could only be Bruin's
fur that its point was buried in. It was just as far, however, as the
pole would reach; and as it was a slender sapling without any stiffness
in it, they were unable to do anything in the way of giving him a poke.
No doubt, had the entrance to his den been wider, even the tickling of
the pole would have caused him to "turn out;" for a bear, unless badly
wounded, will not stand much badgering. It was possible, in this case,
that Bruin suspected there was some trap set for him outside--indeed,
the noises he had been listening to for more than an hour, must have
admonished him that all was not as it ought to be; and this perhaps
rendered him more wary than was his wont. He might not yet be aware
that his door was open; for the roofed enclosure still kept out the
light as much as the _stalagmite_ had done; and although he might have
heard the icy mass giving way before the axe and spear, he might not
understand all that. It was necessary, therefore, to coax him as far as
the threshold--so that he might discover that the door of his chamber
had been opened for him.
The tickling of the pole, however, proved of no service; for, although
it drew from the huge brute a sniff or two, he still kept to his bed.
What was to be done? Must they retire, and wait patiently till the
calls of hunger should urge him forth? The day was piercingly cold, and
to remain there long would have been unpleasant enough. They might,
indeed, have to stay by the cave all day and all night too: for the
enclosure had been only slightly put up--merely to check the bear for a
few minutes--and if they were to leave him all night to himself, he
could easily tear down the stakes and get off.
They could not think of deserting the spot for an instant; but to avoid
a long vigil they set about considering some plan by which Bruin might
be induced to come forth from his inaccessible retreat.
A thought occurred to Ivan, who was a quick conceiver--a plan which
promised well--and that was to make a "spitting-devil," and send it up
into the cave. It appeared a good idea--at all events, it would not be
difficult to give it a trial. Gunpowder was not scarce with them--since
Russian roubles were plenty; and Pouchskin, pouring out nearly a quarter
of a pound into the palm of his broad hand, commenced spitting upon it
and working the powder into a paste. Ivan, who directed this operation,
was determined his plan should not fail by any stinginess in regard to
the materials required for carrying it out.
After a short space of time the plastic fingers of Pouchskin had
elaborated the powder paste into a roll as large as a regalia cigar; and
this being dried slightly near a fire--which they had long before
kindled--was ready for the touch. To the old grenadier was intrusted
the management of the miniature rocket; and, while the young hunters
once more stood to their guns, he proceeded to carry out the design.
Having thrust his head through the hole intended for the bear, and his
arm through another which he had made for himself, he held the "devil"
at arm's length between his finger and thumb. The Quan now took a
blazing faggot from the fire, and passing it between the wattles,
ignited the _fuse_ which the old grenadier had ingeniously placed in the
"devil's" tail.
As soon as Pouchskin perceived that it was fairly on fire, with an
adroit jerk he sent the little rocket up into the cave, as far as he
could throw it; and then jerking himself backward, he seized hold of his
axe.
There was a moment of suspense; not long: for almost on the instant a
brilliant light shone within the cave, accompanied with a sputtering and
whizzing and cracking, as if half a dozen alarm-clocks had been set
going at the same time! In the midst of this confusion of noises, and
louder far than any, could be heard a number of sharp wild shrieks, and
before the rocket had half burnt out, Bruin was seen bolting forth over
the broken fragments of ice. Two shots were fired, almost
simultaneously; but both failed to check his onward rush; and with a
mighty force he came "bump" against the palisades, causing them to crash
and swag as if they would give way. It was fortunate for the hunters
that the stakes stood the shock: for such a set of teeth as that bear
exhibited they had never before seen. A single stroke from those paws
would have been enough to crack the thickest skull in creation.
Ivan gave him his second barrel--the one loaded with slugs,--but it only
served to increase his fury; and now rearing up, and then going on
all-fours, he kept rushing backward and forward through the enclosure,
all the while uttering fierce growls.
Alexis, meanwhile, had dropped his rifle and taken up the fusil of
Pouchskin. His place was at one side of the enclosure. He had already
got the barrel through the wattles, and was endeavouring to level it
upon the bear--seeking for a mortal part at which he might aim. The
darkness, however,--for the roofed stockade rendered it dark--combined
with the quick movements of the animal, hindered him from getting a
sight to his satisfaction. He knew the importance of making this a
killing shot. Should the bear, wounded as he now was, retreat back into
his den, there would be no chance whatever of getting him out again.
Alexis thought of this; and therefore resolved not to fire at random, as
he had done before. He knew that a full-grown bear, unless shot in the
brain or heart, can accommodate a score of bullets without being much
inconvenienced by them.
Knowing this, Alexis was biding his time, when all at once he perceived
the bear make halt on the front side of the enclosure. He now aimed at
the heart of the huge animal, but before he could pull trigger, a loud
crash sounded in his ear, and Bruin was seen dropping to the ground,
where he continued to lie, almost without giving a kick!
It was the axe of Pouchskin that had caused the crash, as its edge of
steel descended upon the bear's cranium, smashing it in as if it had
been an eggshell. As the Quan predicted, the animal had imprudently
poked his head through the aperture where Pouchskin was standing ready
for him.
This, of course, finished the affair. It was only necessary to remove
the palisades, sling the bear to a tree, and then strip him of his
much-coveted skin. All this in due time was accomplished; and with the
robe once more packed on the shoulders of Pouchskin, the hunters
returned to their headquarters.
It proved--as the Quan had promised them--to be a black bear; not that
his fur was altogether black, as is the case with the _ursus americanus_
and the black bears of India. On the contrary, the hair was brown near
the roots, and only black at the tips, which, however, gave it the
appearance of being black all over the surface; and Alexis knew that
this was the variety of bear they were in search of.
Satisfied that they had obtained the skin of the _ursus niger_, it only
remained for our hunters to pack up their travelling traps, bid adieu to
the cold climate of Scandinavia, and start for the sunny south--for the
far-famed Pyrenees of Spain.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
THE PALOMBIERE.
It is not intended to detail the many incidents that befell them on the
way, the chit-chat of steamboats, railroads, and hotels. Their father
cared not to hear of these trifles; he could read enough of such
delightful stuff in the books of whole legions of travellers; and, as
they did not note anything of this kind in their journal, we are left to
suppose that they encountered the usual pleasures and _desagremens_
which all travellers must experience on similar journeys. As money was
no object, they travelled with expedition--making only a short stay in
the great capitals through which they passed, in order to have their
passports _vised_, and sometimes for the purpose of using the great
emperor's letter for the replenishment of their exchequer. This magic
document proved all-powerful everywhere they went; and as they knew it
would be so in all corners of the habitable globe, they could rely upon
it with perfect confidence. Pouchskin's leathers bag was always well
weighted with the yellow metal,--and _specie_, whatever stamp it may
bear, is current all over the world.
Their journal merely mentions the route followed. From their
hunting-ground they returned down the Tornea river, which, running due
north and south, of course did not compromise the terms of their
covenant; neither were the conditions infringed by their taking at any
time the backtrack when engaged in the chase, for, as already known,
there was a specification in the baron's letter, that allowed of this
deviation. All that was required of them was that they should not
recross a meridian when on their actual route of travel.
A ship carried them from Tornea to Dantzic. Hence they passed to
Berlin, and on through Frankfort, Stutgard, and Strasbourg, to Paris.
Paris, it is true, was a little out of their way; but what Russian could
travel across Europe without paying a visit to Paris? Pouchskin cared
little about it. The old grenadier had been there before--in 1815--when
he was far from being welcome to the Parisians; and Alexis would rather
have gone by another and more direct route, that is, through
Switzerland; but the gay Ivan would not hear of such a thing. To see
Paris he was determined; and see it he did; though what he or they did
there is not mentioned in the book of the chronicles of our young
bear-hunters.
From Paris they travelled by rail, almost directly south--though still
slightly westward--to the celebrated baths of Bagneres. Here they found
themselves not only within sight, but actually among the _foot-hills_ of
those mountains, for the tourist scarce second in interest to the Alps
themselves, but perhaps for the naturalist even more interesting than
these.
At Bagneres they made but a short stay, only long enough to recruit
their strength by bathing in its thermal springs, and to witness a
spectacle which is regarded as the grand lion of the place--the
_Palombiere_.
As you, young reader, may not have heard of the _Palombiere_, and may be
curious to know what it is, I give the account of it, which I find
recorded in the journal of Alexis.
About two miles from Bagneres rises a ridge of considerable elevation--
running parallel with the general direction of the Pyrenees, of which it
may be considered an outlying step, or "foot hill" (_pied mont_). Along
the crest of this hill stands a row of very tall trees, from which the
branches have been carefully lopped, leaving only a little bunch at the
top of each. On coming close to these trees--provided it be in the
months of September or October--you will observe a something between
them that resembles a thin gauzy veil of a greyish colour. On getting
still nearer, you will perceive that this veil is a net--or rather a
series of nets--extended from tree to tree, and filling up all the
spaces between them--from the highest point to which the branches have
been lopped down to within three feet of the ground.
Another singular object, or series of objects, will long ere this have
attracted your attention. You will see standing, at certain intervals
apart, and about thirty yards in front of the trees, a row of tall
tapering sticks--so tall that their tops are fifty yards from the
ground! They might remind you of the masts of a ship; but that there
are in each case two of them together,--the one standing vertically, and
the other bending over to it, with a slight curve. On this account you
may be more struck with their resemblance to the "shears" seen in
shipyards, by which the masts are "stepped" into their places. These
masts, as we may call them, are not all of one stick of wood, but of
several pieces spliced together; and notwithstanding their prodigious
length--fifty yards, you will remember--they are of no great thickness.
In fact, although the two are joined together at the top--as we shall
presently have occasion to show--when a strong wind blows, both bend,
and vibrate back and forward like an elastic trout rod. At their bases
they are only five feet apart; and the curving one is intended to act as
a stay to the other. Both, as already stated, meet at the top, and
looking up you will see--while the sight makes you dizzy--a little
roundish object at the point of the junction. It is a basket set there
firmly, and just big enough to hold the body of a man. If you look
carefully you will see a man actually within it; but, to quote
Shakespeare's quaint simile, he will appear to your eyes not half as
gross as a beetle! In all likelihood he is not a man, but only a boy;
for it is boys who are selected to perform this elevated and apparently
dangerous service.
How did the boy get there? will probably be your next question. By
running your eye along the curved pole, you will perceive a row of
projecting pegs extending from bottom to top. They are quite two feet
apart; but had you been present while that youth was making the ascent--
which he did by the help of these pegs--you would have seen him scramble
up as rapidly, and with as little concern, as a sailor would ascend the
ratlines of a ship! It is his trade to do so, and practice has made him
as nimble as he is intrepid; but you, who are unaccustomed to witness
such tall gymnastics, cannot help again recalling Shakespeare, and
exclaiming, with the great dramatic poet, "Fearful trade!" Quite as
fearful, indeed, as the gathering of "samphire."
But what is this trade? What is all this contrivance for--these nets
and tall masts, with "crows' nests" at their tops? What are the boys
doing up there? And what are they about below--those men, women, and
children--a crowd composed of all ages and all sexes? What are they
doing?
_Pigeon-catching_. That is what they are doing, or rather what they are
aiming to do, as soon as the opportunity offers. These people are
simply pigeon-catchers.
What sort of pigeons? and where do they come from? These questions must
be answered.
To the first, then, the answer is the common European wild pigeon
(_columba palumbis_). It is well-known in England by the name of
"wood-pigeon," and in France it is called _ramier_. In England the
wood-pigeon is not migratory. In that country there is a much milder
winter than is experienced in the same or even a more southerly latitude
on the Continent. This enables the pigeon to find food throughout all
the year, and it therefore remains in England. In continental
countries--Prance among the number--the severity of the winter forces it
southward; and it annually migrates into Africa--the supposed limit of
its flight being the chain of the Atlas mountains. Of course the
wood-pigeon is only one of many birds that make this annual tour,
taking, as the rest do, a "return ticket."
Now the _ramiers_ of France, in passing southward, must ply their wings
a little more strenuously to mount over the snowy summits of the
Pyrenees; but they only commence ascending to this higher elevation when
near the mountains. The ridge at Bagneres chances to lie in the line of
their flight--of course, not of all of them, but such as may be sweeping
along in that particular meridian; and, passing between the tall trees
already mentioned, they get caught in the meshes of the nets. The
moment they strike these--several of them coming "butt" against one at
the same instant,--a trigger is pulled by the men--who are below
concealed under screens--and this trigger, acting on a string, causes
the net to drop, with the fluttering victims safely secured in its
meshes.
When the flight has passed, the women, girls, boys, and even the
children, rush forth from their hiding-places; and, seizing the
struggling birds, put a quick termination to their fruitless efforts, by
biting each of them in the neck. Old, half-toothless crones--for this
is especially their part of the performance--will be seen thus giving
the final _coup_ to the beautiful but unfortunate wanderers!
And still we have not explained what the boys are doing up yonder.
Well, we shall now announce their _metier_. Each has taken up with him
a number of little billets of wood, fashioned something like the letter
T, and about six inches in length. When this billet is flung into the
air, and twirls about in its descent, it exhibits some resemblance--
though not a very close one--to a flying pigeon-hawk. The resemblance,
however, is near enough to "do" the pigeons; for when they are within
about one hundred yards of the crows' nest, the boy launches his billet
into the air, and the birds, believing it to be a hawk, immediately dip
several yards in their flight--as they may be seen to do when a real
hawk makes his appearance. This descent usually brings them low enough
to pass between the trees; and of course the old women soon get their
teeth upon them.
The pigeon-catching is not free to every one who may take a "fancy" to
it. There are pigeon-catchers by trade; who, with their families,
follow it as a regular calling during the season, while it lasts; and
this, as already stated, is in the months of September and October. The
_Palombiere_, or pigeon-ridge, belongs to the communal authorities, who
let it out in sections to the people that follow the calling of
pigeon-netting; and these, in their turn, dispose of the produce of
their nets in the markets of Bagneres and other neighbouring towns.
Every one knows how excellent for the table is the flesh of this
beautiful bird: so much is it esteemed, that even at Bagneres, in the
season of their greatest plenty, a pair will fetch a market price of
from twelve to twenty sous.
CHAPTER NINETEEN.
THE PYRENEES.
Speaking geologically, the Pyrenees extend along the whole north of
Spain, from the Mediterranean to the province of Galicia on the
Atlantic; and in this sense the chain may be regarded as between six and
seven hundred miles in length.
More properly, however, the term "Pyrenees" is limited to that portion
of the range which lies directly between France and Spain; in other
words, along the neck or isthmus of the Spanish peninsula. Thus
limited, the range is less than half the above length, or about three
hundred miles; while its average breadth is fifty.
Though less elevated than the Alps, the Pyrenees mountains are no
molehills. Their highest peak, Maladetta, towers above 11,000 feet; and
several others are of nearly equal height--while more than forty summits
reach the elevation of 9,000!
The most elevated peaks are near the centre of the Pyrenees, the range
gradually dipping downward as the extremities are approached. For this
reason the most practicable passes are found near the eastern and
western ends; though many also exist in the central part of the chain.
In all, there are fifty passes or "ports," as they are called, leading
from the French to the Spanish side; but only five of these are
practicable for wheeled vehicles; and a large number are only known (or
at all events only travelled) by the smugglers--_contrabandistas_--a
class of gentry who swarm on both sides of the Pyrenean frontier.
The superficial extent of these mountains is about 11,000 or 12,000
square miles. Part of this is French, and the remainder Spanish
territory. As a general rule, the "divide," or main axis of the ridge
forms the boundary line; but in the eastern section, the French
territory has been extended beyond the natural frontier.
The geological formation of the Pyrenees consists both of primitive and
secondary rocks--the latter being greater in mass, and composed of
argillaceous schist, grauwacke (schistose and common), and limestone.
Mines of lead, iron, and copper are found in this formation--the lead
containing a proportion of silver. The primitive rocks are granite; and
run in zones or belts, extended lengthwise in the direction of the
chain; and it is in the rupture between these and the transition strata,
that the chemical springs, for which the Pyrenees are so famous, gush
forth. Of these remarkable fountains--many of them almost at boiling
heat--no less than 253 have been discovered in different parts of the
range. A great number of them are celebrated for their medicinal
virtues, and are the favourite summer resorts of invalids, as well as
the votaries of pleasure, from all parts of the world--but more
especially from France and Spain.
The botany of the Pyrenees is full of interest. It may be regarded as
an epitome of the whole European _flora_: since scarcely a plant exists,
from the Mediterranean to the Arctic sea, that has not a representative
species in some part of this mountain chain. In the valleys and lower
slopes of the mountains the forest is chiefly composed of Lombardy
poplars and sycamores; a little higher, the Spanish chestnut, oaks,
hazels, and alders, the mountain ash and birch trees abound; and still
farther up you enter the region of the pines--the _pinus sylvestris_
growing in dense continuous forests, while the more graceful "stone
pine" is seen only in isolated groups or scattered trees. Everywhere a
rich _flora_ meets the eye; flowers of the most lovely hues reflected in
crystal rivulets--for the waters of the Pyrenees are pure beyond
comparison, such a thing as a turbid stream being unknown throughout the
whole range.
Above the pine forests the mountains exhibit a zone of naked
declivities, stretching upward to the line of congelation--which in the
Pyrenees is higher than upon the Alps. The former has been variously
estimated: some fixing it at 8,300 feet, while others raise it as high
as 9,000; but, indeed, it would be more just to say that the snow-line
depends greatly upon the locality of the particular mountain, and its
southern or northern exposure.
In any case, it is more than 1,000 feet higher than on the Alps; the
superior elevation being accounted for, by the more southern latitude of
the Franco-Spanish chain. Perhaps the proximity of the sea has more to
do with this phenomenon than the trifling difference of latitude?
Upon the higher declivities and summits, snowfields and glaciers abound,
as in the Alps; and even in some of the passes these phenomena are
encountered. Most of the passes are higher than those of the Alps; but
in consequence of the greater elevation of the snow-line, they remain
open throughout the winter. At all seasons, however, they are by no
means easy to traverse; and the cold winds that whistle through them are
scarce to be endured. The Spaniards, who have a proverbial expression
for almost every idea, have not neglected this one. In the ports
(_puertos_) of the Pyrenees, say they, "the father waits not for his
son, nor the son for his father."
If the passes across these mountains are higher than those of the Alps,
the transverse valleys are the reverse; those of the Pyrenees being in
general much lower. The consequence is, that from the bottom of these
valleys the mountains themselves appear far loftier than any of the
Alpine peaks,--the eye taking in at one view a greater angle of
elevation.
The _fauna_ of the Pyrenean chain, though less full and varied than its
_flora_, is nevertheless of great interest. In the more densely wooded
solitudes, and higher declivities of the mountains, a large bear is
found, whose light fulvous-coloured body and black paws pronounce him a
different animal from the _ursus arctos_. If he be the same species, as
naturalists assert, he claims at least to be a permanent variety, and
deserves his distinctive appellation of _ursus pyrenaicus_.
Wolves abound; Spanish wolves, long famed for their fierceness; the
common whitish-brown wolf (_canis lupus_), and a darker and still larger
variety--in short, a black wolf, designated the "wolf of the Pyrenees,"
though it is equally a denizen of the other mountain _sierras_ of
Portugal and Spain.
The European lynx (_felis lynx_), and the wild cat, both skulk through
the Pyrenean forests; the former now only rarely seen. Along the naked
cliffs leaps the "izzard," which is identical with the chamois of the
Alps (_antelope rupicapra_); and in the same localities, but more rarely
seen, the "bouquetin," or "tur" (_aigocerus pyrenaicus_)--a species of
ibex, _not_ identical with the _capra ibex_ of Linnaeus and the Alpine
mountains.
Birds of many European species frequent the lower forests of the
Pyrenees, or fill the sheltered valleys with their vocal music; while,
soaring above the mountain summits, may be seen the great vulture-eagle,
or "lammergeyer," watching with greedy eye the feeble lambkin, or the
new-born kid of the ibex and izzard.
With such knowledge of their natural history, it was with feelings of no
ordinary interest that our young hunters turned their faces towards that
vast serried rampart that separates the land of the Gaul from the
country of the Iberian.
It was by the Val d'Ossau, literally the "valley of the bear," that they
made their approach to the mountains,--that valley celebrated as the
residence and hunting-ground of Henri of Navarre: but now, in modern
days, noted for its valuable thermal springs of _Eaux Bonnes_ and _Eaux
Chaudes_.
Up this mountain gorge went our heroes, their faces turned southward,
and their eyes carried high up to the Pic du Midi d'Ossau--the mountain
of the bears--an appropriate name for that beacon which was now
directing their course.
CHAPTER TWENTY.
AN ODD AVALANCHE.
It is needless to say that the young Russians were delighted with the
scenes that met their eyes in this fair southern land; and many of them
are found faithfully described in their journal. They noted the
picturesque dresses of the Pyrenean peasantry--so different from the
eternal blue blouse which they had met in northern and central France.
Here was worn the "barret," of scarlet or white, the rich brown jacket
and red sash of the peculiar costumes of the Basque and Bearnais
peasants--a fine race of men, and one, too, historically noble. They
saw carts drawn by large limbed cream-coloured oxen; and passed flocks
of sheep and milch goats, tended by shepherds in picturesque dresses,
and guarded by numbers of large Pyrenean dogs, whose chief duty was to
protect their charge from the wolves. They saw men standing knee-deep
in the water, surrounded by droves of pigs--the latter voluntarily
submitting themselves to a process of washing, which resulted in
producing over their skins a roseate, pinky appearance. It could be
seen, too, that these _pachyderms_ not only submitted voluntarily to the
operation, but with a keen sense of enjoyment, as evinced by their
contented grunts, and by their long tails, hanging "kinkless" while the
large calabashes of water were poured over their backs. Perhaps to this
careful management of the Pyrenean pigs are the beautiful "Bayonne hams"
indebted for their celebrity.
Further on, our travellers passed a _plumire_, or "hen-bath." Here was
a tank--another thermal spring--in which the water was something more
than "tepid." In fact, it was almost on the boil; and yet in this tank
a number of women were ducking their hens--not, as might be supposed,
dead ones, in order to scald off their feathers, but live fowls, to rid
them, as they said, of parasitical insects, and make them feel more
comfortable! As the water was almost hot enough to _parboil_ the poor
birds, and as the women held them in it immersed to the necks, the
_comfort_ of the thing--so thought our travellers--was rather a doubtful
question.
A little further on, another "custom" of the French Pyrenees came under
the eyes of the party. Their ears were assailed by a singular medley of
sounds, that rose from a little valley near the side of the road. On
looking into the valley, they saw a crowd of forty or fifty women, all
engaged in the same operation, which was that of flax-hackling. They
learnt from this that; in the Pyrenean countries the women are the
hacklers of flax; and that, instead of each staying at her own home to
perform the operation, a large number of them meet together in some
shaded spot, bringing their unhackled flax along with them; and there,
amidst jesting and laughing and singing, the rough staple is reduced to
its shining and silky fineness.
Still another curious custom was observed; but this was further on, and
higher up the sides of the mountains. Their observation of it was
attended with some degree of danger, and therefore came very close on
being an "adventure." For this reason it found a place among the events
recorded in their journal.
It should be remarked, that all three were mounted--Alexis and Ivan upon
stout, active ponies, of that race for which the Pyrenees,--especially
the western section of them,--are celebrated. Pouchskin's mount was not
of the genus _equus_, nor yet an _asinus_, but a hybrid of both
genera,--in short, a mule.
It was a French mule, and a very large one: for it required a good-sized
quadruped of the kind to make an appropriate roadster for the
ex-grenadier of the Imperial guard. It was not a very fat mule,
however, but raw-boned and gaunt as a Pyrenean wolf.
Of course these animals were all hired ones--obtained at Eaux Bonnes,
and engaged for the trip across the Pyrenees to the Spanish side--as
also to be used in any deviations that the hunters should think proper
to make, while engaged in the pursuit of the bear.
From the nearest village on the Spanish side, the animals were to be
sent back to their owner; for it was not the intention of our travellers
to return to the French territory.
Having crossed the mountains, and accomplishing the object for which
they had visited them, their course would then be continued southward,
through Spain.
Along with them--also mounted on muleback--was a fourth individual,
whose services they had secured. His _metier_ was manifold--on this
occasion combining in his single person at least three purposes. First,
he was to serve them as guide; secondly, he was to bring back the hired
horses; and, thirdly, he was to aid them in the "chasse" of the bear:
for it so happened that this man-of-all-work was one of the most noted
"izzard-hunters" of the Pyrenees. It is scarcely correct to say it
_happened_ so. Rather was it a thing of design than chance; for it was
on account of his fame as a hunter, that he had been engaged for the
triple duty he was now called upon to fulfil.
The four travellers, then, all mounted as we have described, were
ascending a very steep declivity. They had left the last hamlet--and
even the last house--behind them; and were now climbing one of the
outlying spurs that project many miles from the main axis of the
mountains. The road they were following scarcely deserved the name;
being a pack-road, or mere bridle-path; and so sleep was the ascent,
that it was necessary to zigzag nearly a dozen times, before the summit
of the ridge could be attained.
While entering upon this path, and near the base of the ridge, they had
noticed the forms of men far above them, moving about the summit, as if
engaged in some work. Their guide told them that these men were
faggot-cutters, whose business was to procure firewood for the towns in
the valley.
There was nothing in this bit of information to produce astonishment.
What _did_ astonish our travellers, however, was the mode in which these
men transported their firewood down the mountain, of which, shortly
after, they were treated to an exhibition. As they were zigzagging up
the mountain-path, their ears were all at once saluted by a noise that
resembled a crashing of stones, mingled with a crackling of sticks. The
noise appeared to proceed from above; and, on looking up, they beheld a
number of dark objects coming in full rush down the declivity. These
objects were of rounded form--in fact, they were bundles of faggots--and
so rapidly did they roll over, and make way down the mountain, that had
our travellers chanced to be in their track, they might have found some
difficulty in getting out of the way. Such was their reflection at the
moment; and they were even thanking their stars that they had escaped
the danger, when all at once a fresh avalanche of faggots was launched
from above; and these were evidently bounding straight towards the
party! It was impossible to tell which way to go--whether to rush
forward or draw back: for what with the inequality of the mountain-side,
and the irregular rolling of the bundles, they could not tell the exact
direction they would take. All therefore drew up, and waited the result
in silent apprehension. Of course they had not long to wait--scarce a
second--for the huge bundles bounding on, each moment with increased
impetus, came down with the suddenness of a thunderclap; and before the
words "Jack Robinson" could have been pronounced, they went whizzing
past with the velocity of aerolites, and with such a force, that had one
of them struck either mule or pony it would have hurled both the
quadruped and its rider to the bottom of the mountain. It was only
their good fortune that saved them: for in such a place it would have
been impossible for the most adroit equestrian to have got out of the
way. The path was not the two breadths of a horse; and to have wheeled
round, or even drawn back upon it, would have been a risk of itself.
They rode on, again congratulating themselves on their escape; but fancy
their consternation when they found themselves once more, and for the
third time, exposed to the very same danger! Again came a set of
bundles rolling and tearing down the slope, the billets rattling and
crackling as they rolled; again they went swishing by; again, by the
merest accident, did they miss the travellers, as they stood upon the
path.
Now, it might be supposed that the faggots were being launched all along
the ridge of the hill; and that, go which way they might, our party
would still be exposed to the danger. Not so. The bundles were all
rolled down at one particular place--where the slope was most favourable
for this purpose--but it was the zigzag path, which every now and then
obliqued across the line of the wood-avalanche, that had thus repeatedly
placed them in peril.
As they had yet to "quarter" the declivity several times before they
could reach the summit, they were more careful about approaching the
line of descent; and whenever they drew near it, they put their ponies
and mules to as good a speed as they could take out of them.
Though all four succeeded in reaching the summit in safety, it did not
hinder Pouchskin from pouring out his vial of wrath on the heads of the
offending woodcutters; and if they could have only understood his
Russian, they would have heard themselves called by a good many hard
names, and threatened with a second pursuit of Moscow. "Frog-eating
Frenchmen!" was the very mildest title which the ex-guardsman bestowed
upon them; but as his Russian was not translated, of course the phrase
fell harmless--else it would have undoubtedly been retaliated by a taunt
about "tallow."
The "izzard-hunter" swore at them to more purpose; for he, too, having
undergone equal risk with the rest of the party, had equally good
reasons for being angry; and giving utterance to a long string of
execrations with all the volubility of a Bearnais, he further threatened
them with the terrors of the law.
As the woodcutters, slightly stupefied by this unexpected attack,
submitted with tolerable grace, and said nothing in reply, the
izzard-hunter at length cooled down, and the party proceeded on their
way; Pouchskin, as he rode off, shaking his clenched fist at the staring
log-choppers, and hissing out in angry aspirate another Russian
shibboleth, which neither could nor should be translated.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
A MEETING WITH MULETEERS.
A little beyond the scene of their encounter with the woodcutters, the
path entered among the gorges of the mountains, and the level plains of
France were for a time lost to their view. The route they were
following was a mere bridle-track, quite impracticable for carriages,
but leading to one of the "ports" already mentioned, by which they could
pass through to the Spanish side. Through this port a considerable
traffic is carried on between the two countries--most of the carrying
being done by Spanish muleteers, who cross the mountains conducting
large trains of mules--all, except those upon which they themselves
ride, laden with packs and bales of merchandise.
That such a traffic was carried over this route, our Russian travellers
needed no other evidence than what came under their own eyes; for
shortly after, on rounding a point of rock, they saw before them a large
drove of mules, gaily caparisoned with red cloth and stamped leather,
and each carrying its pack. The gang had halted on a platform of no
great breadth; and the drivers--about a dozen men in all--were seen
seated upon the rocks, a little way in advance of the animals. Each
wore a capacious cloak of brown cloth--a favourite colour among the
Pyrenean Spaniards; and what with their swarthy complexions, bearded
lips, and wild attire, it would have been pardonable enough to have
mistaken them for a band of brigands, or, at all events, a party of
_contrabandistas_.
They were neither one nor the other, however; but honest Spanish
muleteers, on their way to a French market, with commodities produced on
the southern side of the mountains.
As our travellers came up, they were in the act of discussing a
luncheon, which consisted simply of black bread, tough goat's-milk
cheese, and thin Malaga wine--the last carried in a skin bag, out of
which each individual drank in his turn, simply holding up the bag and
pouring the wine by a small jet down his throat.
They were good-humoured fellows, and invited our travellers to taste
their wine; which invitation it would have been ill-mannered to refuse.
Ivan and Alexis emptied some out into their silver cups--which they
carried slung conveniently to their belts; but Pouchskin not having his
can so ready, essayed to drink the wine after the fashion of the
muleteers. But the goat-skin bag, clumsily manipulated in the hands of
the old guardsman, instead of sending the stream into his mouth, jetted
it all over his face and into his eyes, blinding and half-choking him!
As he stood in his stultified attitude, wine-skin in hand, the precious
fluid running down his nose, and dripping from the tips of his grand
mustachios, he presented a picture that caused the muleteers to laugh
till the tears ran down their cheeks; shouting out their _bravos_ and
other exclamations, as if they were applauding some exquisite piece of
performance in a theatre.
Pouchskin took it all in good part, and the muleteers pressed him to try
again; but, not caring to expose himself to a fresh burst of ridicule,
the old grenadier borrowed the cup of one of his young masters; and by
the help of this managed matters a little more to his mind. As the wine
tasted good to the old soldier's palate, and as the hospitable muleteers
invited him to drink as much as he pleased, it was not until the
goat-skin bag exhibited symptoms of collapse, that he returned it to its
owners.
Perhaps had Pouchskin not indulged so freely in the seducing Malaga
tipple, he might have avoided a very perilous adventure which befell him
almost on the instant, and which we shall now relate.
Our travellers, after exchanging some further civilities with the
muleteers, had once more mounted, and were about proceeding on their
way. Pouchskin, riding his great French jennet, had started in the
advance. Just in front of him, however, the pack mules were standing in
a cluster--not only blocking up the path, but barring the way on both
sides--so that to get beyond them it would be necessary to pass through
their midst. The animals all seemed tranquil enough--some picking at
the bushes that were within their reach, but most of them standing
perfectly still, occasionally shaking their long ears, or changing one
leg to throw the weight upon another. Pouchskin saw that it was
necessary to pass among them; and, probably, had he squeezed quietly
through, they might have remained still, and taken no notice of him.
But, elated with the wine he had drunk, the ex-grenadier, instead of
following this moderate course, drove his spurs into his great French
hybrid, and with a loud charging yell--such as might have issued from
the throat of a Cossack--he dashed right into the midst of the drove.
Whether it was because the animal he bestrode was French, or whether
something in Pouchskin's voice had sounded ill in their ears, it is not
possible to say, but all, at once the whole Spanish _mulada_ was
perceived to be in motion--each individual mule rushing towards
Pouchskin with pricked ears, open mouth, and tail elevated in the air!
It was too late for him to hear the cry of the izzard-hunter,
"_prenez-garde_!" or the synonym, "_guarda te_!" of the muleteers. He
may have heard both these cautionary exclamations, but they reached him
too late to be of any service to him: for before he could have counted
six, at least twice that number of mules had closed round him, and with
a simultaneous scream commenced snapping and biting at both him and his
French roadster with all the fury of famished wolves! In vain did the
stalwart jennet defend itself with its shod hoofs, in vain did its rider
lay round him with his whip: for not only did the Spanish mules assail
him with their teeth, but, turning tail as well, they sent their heels
whistling around his head, and now and then thumping against his legs,
until his leather boots and breeches cracked under their kicks!
Of course the muleteers, on perceiving Pouchskin's dilemma, had rushed
instantaneously to the rescue; and with loud cries and cracking of their
whips--as muleteers alone can crack them--were endeavouring to beat off
the assailants. But, with all their exertions, backed by their
authority over the animals, Pouchskin might have fared badly enough, had
not an opportunity offered for extricating himself. His animal, fleeing
from the persecution of its Spanish enemies, had rushed in among some
boulders of rock. Thither it was hotly pursued; and Pouchskin would
again have been overtaken, had he not made a very skilful and extensive
leap out of the saddle, and landed himself on a ledge of rock. From
this he was able to clamber still higher, until he had reached a point
that entirely cleared him of the danger.
The French jennet, however, had still to sustain the attack of the
infuriated mules; but, now that it was relieved from the encumbrance of
its heavy rider, it gained fresh confidence in its long legs; and making
a dash through the midst of the _mulada_, it struck off up the
mountain-path, and galloped clear out of sight. The mules, encumbered
with their packs, did not show any inclination to follow, and the drama
was thus brought to a termination.
The woe-begone look of the old guardsman, as he stood perched upon the
high pinnacle of rock, was again too much for the muleteers; and one and
all of them gave utterance to fresh peals of laughter. His young
masters were too much concerned about their faithful Pouchskin to give
way to mirth; but on ascertaining that he had only received a few
insignificant bruises,--thanks to the Spanish mules not being shod,--
they, too, were very much disposed to have a laugh at his expense.
Alexis was of opinion that their follower had made rather free with the
wine-skin; and therefore regarded the chastisement rather in the light
of a just retribution.
It cost the izzard-hunter a chase before Pouchskin's runaway could be
recovered; but the capture of the jennet was at length effected; and,
all things being set to-rights, a parting salute was once more exchanged
with the muleteers, and the travellers proceeded on their way.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
THE PYRENEAN BEARS.
It was well they had the izzard-hunter for a guide, for without him they
might have searched a long time without finding a bear. These animals,
although plenteous enough in the Pyrenees some half-century ago, are now
only to be met with in the most remote and solitary places. Such
forest-tracts, as lie well into the interior gorges of the mountains,
and where the lumberer's axe never sounds in his ears, are the winter
haunts of the Pyrenean bear; while in summer he roams to a higher
elevation--along the lower edge of the snowfields and glaciers, where he
finds the roots and bulbs of many Alpine plants, and even lichens,
congenial to his taste. He sometimes steals into the lower valleys,
where these are but sparsely cultivated; and gathers a meal of young
maize, or potatoes, where such are grown. Of truffles he is as fond as
a Parisian sybarite,--scenting them with a keenness far excelling that
of the regular truffle dog, and "rooting" them out from under the shade
of the great oak trees, where these rare delicacies are inexplicably
produced.
Like his near congener, the brown bear, he is frugivorous; and, like
most other members of their common family, he possesses a sweet tooth,
and will rob bees of their honey whenever he can find a hive. He is
carnivorous at times, and not unfrequently makes havoc among the flocks
that in summer are fed far up on the declivities of the mountains; but
it has been observed by the shepherds, that only odd individuals are
given to this sanguinary practice, and, as a general rule, the bear will
not molest their sheep. On this account, a belief exists among the
mountaineers that there are two kinds of bears in the Pyrenees; one, an
eater of fruits, roots, and _larvae_,--the other, of more carnivorous
habits, that eats flesh, and preys upon such animals as he can catch.
The latter they allege to be larger, of more fierce disposition, and
when assailed, caring not to avoid an encounter with man. The facts may
be true, but the deduction erroneous. The izzard-hunter's opinion was
that the Pyrenean bears were all of one species; and that, if there were
two kinds, one was a younger and more unsophisticated sort, the other a
bear whom greater age has rendered more savage in disposition. The same
remark will apply to the Pyrenean bear that is true of the _ursus
arctos_,--viz., having once eaten flesh, he acquires a taste for it; and
to gratify this, of course the fiercest passions of his nature are
called into play. Hunger may have driven him to his first meal of
flesh-meat; and afterwards he seeks it from choice.
The izzard-hunter's father remembered when bears were common enough in
the lower valleys; and then not only did the flocks of sheep and goats
suffer severely, but the larger kinds of cattle were often dragged down
by the ravenous brutes--even men lost their lives in encounters with
them! In modern times, such occurrences were rare, as the bears kept
high up the mountains, where cattle were never taken, and where men went
very seldom. The hunter stated, that the bears were much sought after
by hunters like himself, as their skins were greatly prized, and fetched
a good price; that the young bears were also very valuable, and to
capture a den, of cubs was esteemed a bit of rare good luck: since these
were brought up to be used in the sports of bear-baiting and
bear-dancing, spectacles greatly relished in the frontier towns of
France.
He knew of no particular mode for taking bears. Their chase was too
precarious to make it worth while; and they were only encountered
accidentally by the izzard-hunters, when in pursuit of their own regular
game. Then they were killed by being shot, if old ones; and if young,
they captured them by the aid of their dogs.
"So scarce are they," added the hunter, "that I have killed only three
this whole season; but I know where there's a fourth--a fine fellow too;
and if you feel inclined--"
The young Russians understood the hint. Money is all-powerful
everywhere; and a gold coin will conduct to the den of a Pyrenean bear,
where the keenest-scented hound or the sharpest-sighted hunter would
fail to find it. In an instant almost, the bargain was made. Ten
dollars for the haunt of the bear!
The _Pic du Midi d'Ossau_ was now in sight; and, leaving the beaten path
that passed near its base, our hunters turned off up a lateral ravine.
The sides and bottom of this ravine were covered with a stunted growth
of pine-trees; but as they advanced further into it, the trees assumed
greater dimensions--until at length they were riding through a tall and
stately forest. It was, to all _appearance_, as wild and primitive as
if it had been on the banks of the Amazon or amid the Cordilleras of the
Andes. Neither track nor trail was seen--only the paths made by wild
beasts, or such small rodent animals as had their home there.
The izzard-hunter said that he had killed lynxes in this forest; and at
night he would not care to be alone in it, as it was a favourite haunt
of the black wolves. With, such company, however, he had no fear: as
they could kindle fires and keep the wolves at bay.
The neighbourhood, in which he expected to find the bear, was more than
two miles from the place where they had entered the forest. He knew the
exact spot where the animal was at that moment lying--that is, he knew
its cave. He had seen it only a few days before going into this cave;
but as he had no dogs with him, and no means of getting the bear out, he
had only marked the place, intending to return, with a comrade to help
him. Some business had kept him at Eaux Bonnes, till the arrival of the
strangers; and learning their intentions, he had reserved the prize for
them. He had now brought his dogs--two great creatures they were,
evidently of lupine descent--and with these Bruin might be baited till
he should come forth from his cave. But that plan was only to be tried
as a last resource. The better way would be to wait till the bear
started out on his midnight ramble,--a thing he would be sure to do,--
then close up the mouth of the cave, and lie in ambush for his return.
He would "not come home till morning," said the izzard-hunter; and they
would have light to take aim, and fire at him from their different
stations.
It seemed a feasible plan, and as our adventurers now placed themselves
in the hands of the native hunter, it was decided they should halt where
they were, kindle a fire, and make themselves as comfortable as they
could, until the hour when Bruin might be expected to go out upon his
midnight prowl.
A roaring fire was kindled; and Pouchskin's capacious haversack being
turned inside out, all four were soon enjoying their dinner-supper with
that zest well-known to those who have ridden twenty miles up a steep
mountain-road.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
THE IZZARD-HUNTER.
They passed the time pleasantly enough, listening to the stories of the
izzard-hunter, who related to them much of the lore current among the
peasantry of the mountains--tales of the chase, and of the contraband
trade carried on between Spain and France, besides many anecdotes about
the Peninsular war, when the French and English armies were campaigning
in the Pyrenees. In this conversation Pouchskin took part: for nothing
was of greater interest to the old soldier than _souvenirs_ of those
grand times, when Pouchskin entered Paris. The conversation of the
izzard-hunter related chiefly to his own calling, and upon this theme he
was enthusiastic. He told them of all the curious habits of the izzard;
and among others that of its using its hooked horns to let itself down
from the cliffs--a fancy which is equally in vogue among the chamois
hunters of the Alps, but which Alexis did not believe, although he did
not say so--not wishing to throw a doubt on the veracity of their guide.
The latter, however, when closely questioned upon the point, admitted
that he had never himself been an eye-witness of this little bit of goat
gymnastics; he had only heard of it from other hunters, who said they
had seen it; and similar, no doubt, would be the answer of every one who
spoke the truth about this alleged habit of the chamois. The fact is,
that this active creature needs no help from its horns. Its hoofs are
sufficient to carry it along the very narrowest ledges; and the immense
leaps it can take either upward or downward, can be compared to nothing
but the flight of some creature furnished with wings. Its hoof, too, is
sure, as its eye is unerring. The chamois never slips upon the
smoothest rocks--any more than would a squirrel upon the branch of a
tree.
Our travellers questioned the izzard-hunter about the profits of his
calling. They were surprised to find that the emolument was so
trifling. For the carcass of an izzard he received only ten francs; and
for the skins two or three more! The flesh or venison was chiefly
purchased by the landlords of the hotels--of which there are hundreds at
the different watering-places on the French side of the Pyrenees. The
visitors were fond of izzard, and called for it at the table. Perhaps
they did not relish it so much as they pretended to do; but coming from
great cities, and places where they never saw a chamois, they wished to
be able to say they had eaten of its flesh. In this conjecture the
izzard-hunter was, perhaps, not far out. A considerable quantity of
game of other kinds is masticated from a like motive.
It was suggested by Ivan, that, with such a demand for the flesh, the
izzard should fetch a better price. Ten francs was nothing?
"Ah!" replied the hunter with a sigh, "that is easily explained,
monsieur! The hotel-keepers are too cunning, both for us and their
guests. If we were to charge more, they would not take it off our
hands."
"But they would be under the necessity of having it, since their guests
call for it."
"So they do; and if there were no _goats_, our izzard-venison would sell
at a higher price."
"How?" demanded Ivan, puzzled to make out the connection between goats
and izzard-venison.
"Goats and izzards are too much alike, monsieur--that is, after being
skinned and cut up. The hotel-keeper knows this, and often makes
`Nanny' do duty for izzard. Many a hotel traveller at Eaux Bonnes may
be heard praising our izzard's flesh, when it is only a quarter of young
kid he's been dining upon. Ha! ha! ha!"
And the hunter laughed at the cheat--though he well knew that its
practice seriously affected the income of his own calling.
But, indeed, if the truth had been told, the man followed the chase far
less from a belief in its being a remunerative profession, than from an
innate love for the hunter's life. So enthusiastic was he upon the
theme, that it was easy to see he would not have exchanged his calling
for any other--even had the change promised him a fortune! It is so
with professional hunters in all parts of the world, who submit to
hardships, and often the greatest privations, for that still sweeter
privilege of roaming the woods and wilds at will, and being free from
the cares and trammels that too often attach themselves to social life.
Conversing on such topics, the party sat around the bivouac fire until
after sunset, when their guide admonished them that they would do well
to take a few hours of sleep. There was no necessity for going after
the bear until a very late hour--that is, until near morning--for then
the beast would be most likely to be abroad. If they went too soon, and
found him still in his cave, it was not so certain that even the dogs
could prevail on him to turn out. It might be a large cavern. He might
give battle to the dogs inside; and big as they were, they would be
worsted in an encounter of that sort: since a single blow from the paw
of a bear is sufficient to silence the noisiest individual of the canine
kind. The dogs--as the hunter again repeated--should only be used as a
last resource. The other plan promised better; as the bear, once shut
out of his cave, would be compelled to take to the woods. The dogs
could then follow him up by the fresh scent; and unless he should
succeed in finding some other cavern in which to ensconce himself, they
might count upon coming up with him. It was not uncommon for the
Pyrenean bear, when pursued by dogs and men, to take to a tree; and this
would be all that their hearts could desire: since in a tree the bear
would be easily reached by the bullets of their guns. Besides, they
might have a chance, when he returned to his closed cave, to shoot him
down at once; and that would end the matter without further trouble.
It was not necessary to go to the cave until near morning--just early
enough to give them time to close up the entrance, and set themselves in
ambush before day broke. On this account the guide recommended them to
take some sleep. He would answer for it that they should be waked up in
time.
This advice was cheerfully accepted and followed. Even Pouchskin
required repose, after the rough handling he had received at the mouths
of the mules; and he was now quite as ready as his young masters to wrap
himself up in his ample grenadier great-coat, and surrender himself into
the arms of the Pyrenean Morpheus.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
THE AMBUSCADE.
True to his promise, the izzard-hunter awoke them about an hour before
dawn; and having saddled and bridled their animals, they mounted and
rode off. Among the great tree trunks it was very dark; but the hunter
knew the ground; and, after groping along for half a mile farther, and
somewhat slowly, they arrived at the base of a cliff. Keeping along
this for some distance farther, they came at length to the place of
their destination--the mouth of the cave. Even through the gloom, they
could see a darker spot upon the face of the rock, which indicated the
entrance. It was of no great size--about large enough to admit the body
of a man in a stooping attitude--but the hunter was under the impression
that it widened inward, and led to a grand cavern. He drew his
inference, not from having ever explored this particular cave, but from
knowing that there were many others of a similar kind in that part of
the mountains, where the limestone formation was favourable to such
cavities. Had it been only a hole just big enough for the den of a
bear, he would have acted very differently--then there would have been a
hope of drawing Bruin out with the dogs; but if the place was an actual
cavern, where the beast might range freely about, she hunter knew there
would be no chance of getting him out. Their presence outside once
suspected, the bear might remain for days within his secure fortress;
and a siege would have to be laid, which would be a tedious affair, and
might prove fruitless in the end.
For this reason, great caution had been observed as they drew near the
cave. They feared that they might come upon the bear, by chance
wandering about in the woods,--that he might hear them, and, taking the
alarm, scamper back to his cavern.
Acting under this apprehension, they had left their animals a good way
off--having tied them to the trees--and had approached the cave on foot,
without making the slightest noise, and talking to each other only in
whispers.
The izzard-hunter now proceeded to put his designs into execution.
While the others had been sleeping, he had prepared a large torch, out
of dry splinters of the stone pine; and now quietly igniting this, set
it in the ground near the base of the cliff. The moment the bright
flame illuminated the entrance to the cave, all stood with their guns in
hand ready to fire. They were not sure that Bruin had gone out at all.
He might still be a-bed. If so, the light of the torch might wake him
up and tempt him forth; therefore it was best to be prepared for such a
contingency.
The izzard-hunter now slipped his dogs, which up to this time he had
held securely in the leash. As soon as they were free, the well-trained
animals, knowing what was expected of them, rushed right into the care.
For some seconds the dogs kept up a quick continuous yelping, and their
excited manner told that they at least scented a bear: but the question
to be determined was, whether the brute was still in his den.
The hunter had surmised correctly. The aperture conducted to a real
cavern, and a very large one--as could be told by the distance at which
the yelping of the dogs was heard. Out of such a place it would have
been hopeless to have thought of starting a bear--unless it should
please Bruin to make a voluntary exit. It was, therefore, with no
little anxiety that the hunters listened to the "tongue" of the dogs, as
it echoed within the cavernous hollow.
They all knew that if the bear should prove to be inside, the dogs would
soon announce the fact by their barking, and other fierce sounds
characteristic of canine strife.
They were not kept long in suspense; for, after an interval of less than
a minute, both dogs came running out, with that air of disappointment
that told of their having made an idle exploration.
Their excited movements, however, proved that the scent of the bear was
fresh--that he had only recently forsaken his den--for the dogs had been
heard scratching among the sticks and grass that composed it; but this
only showed clearly that his habitation was untenanted, and Bruin was
"not at home."
This was just what the izzard-hunter desired; and all of them laying
aside their guns, proceeded to close up the entrance. This was an easy
task. Loose boulders lay around, and with these a battery was soon
built across the mouth of the cavern, through which no animal could
possibly have made an entrance.
The hunters now breathed freely. They felt certain they had cut off the
retreat of the bear; and unless he should suspect something wrong, and
fail to return to his cave, they would be pretty sure of having a shot
at him.
Nothing remained but to place themselves in ambush, and wait for his
coming. How to conceal themselves became the next consideration. It
was a question, too, of some importance. They knew not which way the
bear might come. He might see them while approaching, and trot off
again before a shot could be fired? To prevent this some extraordinary
measure must be adopted.
A plan soon presented itself to the practised hunter of the Pyrenees.
Directly in front of the cliff grew several large trees. They were of
the _pinus sylvestris_, and thickly covered with bunches of long
needle-shaped leaves. If they should climb into these trees, the leaves
and branches would sufficiently conceal them, and the bear would hardly
suspect their presence in such a situation.
The suggestion of their guide was at once acted upon. Ivan and
Pouchskin got into one tree, while the izzard-hunter and Alexis chose
another; and all having secured places where they could command a view
of the walled-up entrance without being themselves seen, they waited for
daylight and the coming back of the bear.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
A BEAR IN A BIRD'S NEST.
For the light they had not long to wait. The day broke almost as soon
as they had got well settled in their places; but the bear was likely to
delay them a little longer--though how long it was impossible to guess,
since his return to his sleeping quarters might depend on many
contingencies.
Formerly the Pyrenean bears--so the izzard-hunter said--were often met
with ranging about in the day-time; but that was when they were more
numerous, and less hunted. Now that they were scarce, and their skins
so highly prized--which, of course, led to their becoming scarcer every
day, and more shy too--they rarely ever left their hiding-place except
during the night, and in this way they contrived to escape the vigilance
of the hunters. As to the one they were waiting for, the hunter said he
might return earlier or later, according to whether he had been much
chased of late.
The exact time of his return, however, was soon after ascertained, by
the bear himself making his appearance right under their noses.
All at once, and in the most unexpected manner, the great quadruped came
shuffling up to the mouth of the cave. He was evidently moving under
some excitement, as if pursued, or alarmed by something he had seen in
the woods. It was perhaps the sight of the horses, or else the scent of
the hunters themselves--on whose track he appeared to have come.
Whatever it was, the party in the trees did not take time to consider,
or rather the bear did not give them time; for, the moment he reached
the entrance to his cave, and saw that it was blocked up, he gave
utterance to a terrific scream expressing disappointment, and turning in
his tracks, bounded off, as rapidly as he had come up!
The volley of four shots, fired from the trees, caused some of his fur
to fly off; and he was seen to stagger, as if about to fall. The
hunters raised a shout of triumph, thinking they had been successful;
but their satisfaction was short-lived: for, before the echoes of their
voices died along the cliff, the bear seemed once more to recover his
equilibrium, and ran steadily on.
Once or twice he was seen to stop, and face round to the trees--as if
threatening to charge towards them; but again resigning the intention,
he increased his speed, went off at a lumbering gallop, and was soon
lost to their sight.
The disappointed hunters rapidly descended from their perch; and letting
loose the dogs, started off on the trail. Somewhat to their surprise,
as well as gratification, it led near the place where they had left
their animals; and as they came up to these, they had proofs of the bear
having passed that way, by seeing all four, both ponies and mules,
dancing about, as if suddenly smitten with madness. The ponies were
"whighering," and the mules squealing, so that their owners had heard
them long before coming in sight of them. Fortunately the animals had
been securely fastened--else there was no knowing whither they would
have galloped, so panic-stricken did they appear.
Our hunters believed it a fortunate circumstance that the bear had gone
that way; for the guide assured them that there was no telling where he
would now stop; and as the chase might carry them for miles through the
mountains, they would have been compelled to take to their saddles
before starting upon it. The direction the bear had taken, therefore,
was just the one most convenient for his pursuers.
Staying no longer than to untie their animals, they once more mounted,
and kept after the dogs, whose yelping they could hear already some
distance in the advance.
As the izzard-hunter said, the Pyrenean bear, like his Norwegian cousin,
when started from his lair, often scours the country to a great distance
before making halt--not unfrequently deserting the ravine or
mountain-side, where he habitually dwells, and making for some other
place, where he anticipates finding greater security.
In this way he often puts his pursuers at fault--by passing over rocky
shingle, along ledges of cliffs, or up precipitous slopes, where neither
men nor dogs can safely follow him. This was just what they now had to
fear; for the guide well knew that the forest they were in was
surrounded on almost every side by rocky cliffs; and if the bear should
get up these, and make to the bald mountains above, they would stand a
good chance of losing him altogether.
But one hope the hunter had. He had perceived--as indeed they all had--
that several of their shots had hit the bear--and that he must be
severely wounded to have staggered as he had done. For this reason he
might seek a hiding-place in the forest, or perchance take to a tree.
Cheered by this hope, the pursuers pushed onward.
The conjecture proved to be a just one; for before they had gone half a
mile farther, a continuous barking sounded on their ears, which they
knew to be that of the dogs. They knew, moreover, by this sign, that
the bear had done one of three things--either taken to a tree, retreated
into a cave, or come to a stand in the open ground, and was keeping the
dogs at bay. Of the three conjectures, they desired that the first
should prove the correct one; and from the manner in which the dogs were
giving tongue, they had reason to hope that it would.
In effect, so it did; for, on getting a little closer, the two dogs were
seen bounding about the roots of an enormous tree, at intervals
springing up against its trunk, and barking at some object that had
taken refuge in the branches above.
Of course, this object could only be the bear; and under this belief,
the pursuers approached the tree--each holding his gun cocked and ready
to fire.
When they had got quite up to the tree, and stood under it, no bear was
to be seen! A large black mass was visible among the topmost branches;
but this was not the body of a bear: it was something altogether
different. The tree was one of gigantic size--the very largest they had
seen in the whole forest; it was a pine, of the species _sylvestris_,
with huge spreading limbs, and branches thickly covered with fascicles
of long leaves. In many places the foliage was dark and dense enough to
have afforded concealment to an animal of considerable size; but not one
so bulky as a bear; and had there been nothing else but the leaves and
branches to conceal him, a bear could not have found shelter in that
tree without being visible from below. And yet a bear was actually in
it--the very same bear they were in pursuit of--though not a bit of his
body--not even the tip of his snout, was visible to the eyes of the
hunters!
He was certainly there: for the dogs, who were not trusting to their
eyes, but to that in which they placed far more confidence--their
scent,--by their movements and behaviour, showed their positive belief
that Bruin was in the tree.
Perhaps you will fancy that the pine was a hollow one, and that the bear
had crept inside. Nothing of the kind: the tree was perfectly sound--
not even a knot-hole was visible either in its trunk or limbs. It was
not in a cavity that Bruin had been able to conceal himself.
There was no mystery whatever about their not seeing him: for as soon as
the hunters got fairly under the tree, and looked up, they perceived,
amidst its topmost branches, the dark object already mentioned; and as
the bear could be seen nowhere else in the tree, this object accounted
for his being invisible.
You will be wondering what it was; and so wondered our young hunters
when they first raised their eyes to it. It looked more like a stack of
faggots than aught else; and, indeed, very good faggots would it have
made: since it consisted of a large mass of dry sticks and branches,
resting in an elevated fork of the tree, and matted together into a
solid mass. There were enough to have made a load for an ordinary cart,
and so densely packed together, that only around the edges could the sky
be seen through them; towards the centre, and for a diameter as large as
a millstone, the mass appeared quite solid and black, not a ray of light
passing through the interwoven sticks.
"The nest of a lammergeyer!" exclaimed the izzard-hunter, the moment his
eye glanced up to it. "Just so!--my dogs are right: the bear has taken
shelter in the nest of the birds!"
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
THE LAMMERGEYERS.
This was evident to all. Bruin had climbed the tree, and was now snugly
ensconced in the great nest of the vulture-eagles, though not a hair of
his shaggy hide could be visible from below.
The hunters had no doubt about his being there. The _chasseur_ was too
confident in the instinct of his well-trained dogs to doubt them for a
moment, and his companions had no reason to question a fact so very
probable. Had there been any doubt, it would soon have been set aside,
by an incident that occurred the moment after their arrival under the
tree. As they stood looking upward, two great birds were seen upon the
wing, rapidly swooping downward from on high. They were _lammergeyers_,
and evidently the owners of the invaded nest. That the intruder was not
welcome there, became apparent in the next moment; for both the birds
were seen shooting in quick curves around the top branches of the tree,
flapping their wings over the nest, and screaming with all the
concentrated rage of creatures in the act of being plundered. Whether
Bruin, in addition to his unwelcome presence, had also committed
burglary, and robbed the eagles of their eggs or young, could not be
told. If he had done so, he could not have received greater objurgation
from the infuriated birds, that continued their noisy demonstrations,
until a shot fired from below admonished them of the presence of that
biped enemy far more dreaded than the bear. Then did they only widen
the circle of their flight, still continuing to swoop down over the nest
at intervals, and uttering their mingled cries of rage and lamentation.
The shot was from the gun of the izzard-hunter; but it was not till
after he had been some time upon the ground that he had fired it. All
four had previously dismounted and fastened their animals to the
surrounding trees. They knew that the bear was in the nest; but
although his retreat was now cut off, it was still not so certain that
they should succeed in making a capture. Had the bear taken refuge in a
fork, or even among thick branches, where their bullets might have
reached him, it would have been a very different thing. They might then
have brought him down at their pleasure, for if killed, or severely
wounded, he must have fallen to the ground; but now--ah, now! what was
to be done? The broad platform of the nest not only gave him a surface
on which he could recline at his ease, but its thick mass formed a
rampart through which not even a bullet would be likely to penetrate to
his body!
How were they to reach him with their bullets? That was the next
question that came under consideration. The odd shot had been fired as
an experiment. It was fired in the hope that it might startle the bear,
and cause him to shift his quarters--if only a little--so that some part
of his body might be exposed; and while the izzard-hunter was
discharging his piece, the others had stood watching for a chance. None
was given to them, however. The bullet was heard striking the sticks,
and caused the dust to puff out, but it produced no further effect--not
a move was made by the occupant of that elevated eyrie.
Two or three more shots were fired with like effect; and the fusil of
Pouchskin was next called into requisition, and brought to bear upon the
nest. The large bullet crashed up among the dry sticks, scattering the
fragments on all sides, and raising a cloud of dust that enveloped the
whole top of the tree. But not a sign came from Bruin, to tell that it
had disturbed him; not even a growl, to reward Pouchskin for the
expenditure of his powder and lead. It was evident that this mode of
proceeding could be of no service; and the firing was at once
discontinued--in order that they might take into consideration some
other plan of attack.
At first there appeared to be no way by which the bear might be ousted
from his secure quarters. They might fire away until they should empty
both their powder-horns and pouches, and all to no purpose. They might
just as well fire their shots into the air. So far as their bullets
were concerned, the bear might bid them defiance--a cannon shot alone
could have gone through his strong rampart of sticks.
What could they do to get at him? To climb up and assail him where he
lay was not to be thought of--even could they have climbed into the
nest. On the firm ground, none of them would have liked to risk an
encounter with the enemy, much less upon such insecure footing as a nest
of rotten sticks. But they could not have got into the nest, however
bent upon such a thing. Its wide rim extended far beyond the supporting
branches; and only a monkey, or the bear himself, could have clambered
over its edge. To a human being, ascent to the nest would have been not
only difficult, but impossible; and no doubt the instinct of the eagles
guided them to this while they were constructing it. Not for a moment,
then, did our hunters think of climbing up to their eyrie.
What, then, were they to do? The only thing they could think of was to
cut down the tree. It would be a great undertaking: for the trunk was
several feet in diameter; and as they had only one axe, and that not a
very sharp one, it would be a work of time. They might be days in
felling that gigantic pine; and even when down, the bear might still
escape from them--for it did not follow that the fall of the tree would
result in the consummation of his capture. It might swing over
gradually and easily, or, striking against others, let the bear down
without doing him the slightest damage; and in the confusion consequent
on its fall, he would have a good chance of getting off.
These considerations caused them to hesitate about cutting down the
tree, and reflect whether there might not be some easier and more
effective method for securing the skin of the bear.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
FIRING THE EYRIE.
After beating their brains, for some time to no purpose, an exclamation
from the izzard-hunter at length announced that some happy idea had
occurred to him. All eyes were at once turned towards him; while the
voice of Ivan was quickly heard, interrogating him as to the object of
his exclamation.
"I've got a plan, young monsieur!" replied the hunter, "by which I'll
either force the bear to come down, or roast him up yonder where he
lies. _Parbleu_! I've got an excellent idea!"
"What is it? what is it?" eagerly inquired Ivan; though from what the
izzard-hunter had said, he already half comprehended the design.
"Patience, young monsieur! in a minute you shall see!"
All three now gathered around the chasseur, and watched his movements.
They saw him pour a quantity of gunpowder into the palm of his hand; and
then tear a strip of cotton rag from a large piece which he had drawn
out of his pouch. This he saturated with saliva and then coated it over
with the powder. He next proceeded to rub both rag and powder
together--until, after a considerable friction between the palms of his
hands, the cotton became once more dry, and was now thoroughly saturated
with the powder, and quite blackened with it.
The next proceeding on the part of the chasseur was to procure a small
quantity of dead moss, which was easily obtained from the trunks of the
surrounding trees; and this, mixed with a handful or two of dry grass,
he rolled up into a sort of irregular clew.
The man now felt in his pouch; and, after a little fumbling there,
brought forth a small box that was seen to contain lucifer-matches.
Seemingly satisfied with their inspection, he returned the box to its
place, and then made known the object for which all these preliminary
manoeuvres had been practised. Our young hunters had already more than
half divined it, and it only confirmed their anticipations when the
hunter declared his intention to climb the tree and _set fire to the
nest_. It is needless to say that one and all of them approved of the
scheme, while they admired its originality and cunning. Its boldness,
too, did not escape their admiration, for it was clearly a feat of
daring and danger. The bottom of the nest might be reached easily
enough; for though a tall tree, it was by no means a difficult one to
climb. There were branches all along its trunk from bottom to top; and
to a Pyrenean hunter, who, when a boy, as he told them, had played
pigeon vidette in one of the "crows' nests" they had seen, the climbing
of such a tree was nothing. It was not in this that the danger lay, but
in something very different. It was in the contingency, that, while up
in the branches, and before he could effect his purpose, the bear might
take a fancy to come down. Should he do so, then, indeed, would the
life of the venturesome hunter be in deadly peril.
He made light of the matter, however, and, warning the others to get
their guns ready and stand upon their guard, he sprang forward to the
trunk, and commenced "swarming" upward.
Almost as rapidly as a bear itself could have ascended, the
izzard-hunter glided up the tree, swinging himself from branch to
branch, and resting his naked feet--for he had thrown off his shoes--on
knots and other inequalities, where no branch offered. In this way he
at length got so close to the nest, that he could without difficulty
thrust his hand into the bottom of it.
He was now seen drawing forth a number of the dry sticks, and forming a
cavity near the lower part of the huge mass. He operated with great
silence and circumspection--taking all the care he could not to make his
presence known to the bear, nor in any way disturb whatever dreams or
reflections Bruin might then be indulging in.
In a short time he had hollowed out a little chamber among the sticks--
just large enough for his purpose,--and, taking the ball of dry grass
out of his pouch, he loosened it a little, and then placed it within the
cavity.
It was but the work of another minute to light a lucifer-match, and set
fire to the long strips of tinder rag that hung downwards from the
grass.
This done, the izzard-hunter swung himself to the next branch below;
and, even faster than he had gone up, he came scrambling down the trunk.
Just as he reached the ground, the grass was seen catching; and amidst
the blue smoke that was oozing thickly out of the little chamber, and
slowly curling up around the edges of the nest, a red blaze could be
distinguished--accompanied with that crackling noise that announces the
kindling of a fire.
The four hunters stood ready, watching the progress of the little
flame--at the same time directing their glances around the rim of the
nest.
They had not long to wait for the _denouement_. The smoke had already
caught the attention of the bear; and the snapping of the dry faggots,
as they came in contact with the blazing grass, had awakened him to a
sense of his dangerous situation.
Long before the blaze had mounted near him, he was seen craning his neck
over the edge of the nest; first on one side, then on another, and
evidently not liking what he saw. Once or twice he came very near
having a bullet sent at his head; but his restlessness hindered them
from getting a good aim, and for the time he was left alone.
Not for long, however: for he did not much longer remain upon his
elevated perch. Whether it was the smoke that he was unable longer to
endure, or whether he knew that the conflagration was at hand, does not
clearly appear; but from his movements it was evident the nest was
getting too hot to hold him.
And no doubt it was too hot at that crisis. Had he remained in it but
two minutes longer, an event would have occurred that would have ruined
everything. The bear would either have been roasted to a cinder; or, at
all events, his skin would have been singed, and, of course, completely
spoilt for the purpose for which it was required!
Up to this moment that thought had never occurred to the young hunters;
and now that it did occur, they stood watching the movements of the bear
with feelings of keen apprehension. A shout of joy was heard both from
Alexis and Ivan as the great quadruped was seen springing out from the
smoke, and clutching to a thick branch that traversed upward near the
nest. Embracing the branch with his paws, he commenced descending stern
foremost along the limb; but a more rapid descent was in store for him.
Out of the four bullets fired into his body, one at least must have
reached a mortal part; for his forearms were seen to relax their hold,
his limbs slipped from the bark, and his huge body came "bump" to the
ground, where it lay motionless as a log and just as lifeless.
Meanwhile the flames enveloped the nest, and in five minutes more the
whole mass was on fire, blazing upward like a beacon. The dry sticks
snapped and crackled--the pitchy branches of the pine hissed and
spurted--the red cinders shot out like stars, and came showering down to
the earth--while high overhead could be heard the vengeful cries of the
vultures, as they saw the destruction of their aerial habitation.
But the hunters took no heed of all this. Their task was accomplished,
or nearly so. It only remained to divest Bruin of his much-coveted
skin; and, having done this in a skilful and proper manner, they mounted
their roadsters, and once more took their route across the mountains.
On reaching the first village on the Spanish side, they parted with the
expert izzard-hunter and his hired charge--having well remunerated him
for his threefold service, each branch of which he had performed to
their entire satisfaction.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
SOUTH AMERICAN BEARS.
Our travellers passed southward to Madrid, where they only remained long
enough to witness that exciting but not very gentle spectacle, a
bull-fight.
Thence proceeding to Lisbon, they took passage direct for Para, or "Gran
Para," as it is called--a thriving Brazilian settlement at the mouth of
the Amazon river, and destined at no very distant day to become a great
city.
The design of our hunters was to ascend the Amazon, and reach, by one of
its numerous head waters, the eastern slope of the Andes mountains--
which they knew to be the habitat of the "spectacled bear."
On arriving at Para, they were not only surprised, but delighted, to
find that the Amazon river was actually navigated by steamboats; and
that, instead of having to spend six months in ascending to the upper
part of this mighty river--as in the olden time--they could now
accomplish the journey in less than a score of days! These steamers are
the property of the Brazilian Government, that owns the greater part of
the Amazon valley, and that has shown considerable enterprise in
developing its resources--much more than any of the Spano-American
States, which possess the regions lying upon the upper tributaries of
the Amazon. It is but fair to state, however, that the Peruvians have
also made an attempt to introduce steam upon the Amazon river; and that
they have been unsuccessful, from causes over which they could scarce be
expected to have control. The chief of these causes appears to have
been the dishonesty of certain American contractors, who provided them
with the steamers--three of them--which, on being taken to the head of
steam navigation on the Amazon, were found to be utterly worthless, and
had to be laid up! This bit of jobbery is to be regretted the more,
since its bad effects do not alone concern the people of Peru, but the
whole civilised world: for there is not a country on the globe that
would not receive benefit by a development of the resources of this
mighty river.
Our young Russians had been under the belief, as most people are, that
the banks of the Amazon were entirely without civilised settlements--
that the great river had scarcely been explored--that only a few
travellers had descended this mighty stream; and that altogether it was
still as much of a _terra incognita_ as in the days of Orellana. They
found that these notions were quite incorrect; that not only is there
the large town of Para near the mouth of the Amazon, but there are other
considerable settlements upon its banks, at different distances from
each other, all the way up to Peru. Even upon some of its tributaries--
as the Rio Negro and Madeira--there are villages and plantations of some
importance. Barra, on the former stream, is of itself a town of 2,000
inhabitants.
In that part of the Amazonian territory which lies within the boundaries
of Brazil, the settlements are, of course, Brazilian--the settlers being
a mixture of Portuguese negroes and Christianised Indians. The portion
of the great valley higher up towards the Cordilleras of the Andes,
belongs to the Spanish-American governments--chiefly to Peru. There are
also settlements of a missionary character, the population of which
consists almost entirely of Indians, who have submitted themselves to
the rule of the Spanish priests. Years ago many of these missionary
settlements were in a flourishing condition; but at present they are in
a complete state of decay.
Our young Russians found, then, that the great South American river was
by no means unknown or unexplored--though as yet no great observer has
given an account of it. The different travellers who have descended the
Amazon, and written books about it, have all been men of slight
capacity, and lacking powers of scientific observation; and one cannot
help feeling regret, that Humboldt did not choose the Amazon, instead of
the Orinoco, as the medium of his valuable researches into the
cosmography of South America. Such a grand subject was worthy of such a
man.
In ascending the Amazon--which our party did by the Brazilian steamer--
they were fortunate in finding on board a very intelligent travelling
companion; who gave them much information of the great valley and its
resources. This man was an old Portuguese trader, who had spent nearly
a lifetime in navigating not only the Amazon itself, but many of its
larger tributaries. His business was to collect from the different
Indian tribes the indigenous products of the forest--or _montana_, as it
is called--which stretches almost without interruption from the Andes to
the Atlantic. In this vast tropical forest there are many productions
that have found their way into the channels of commerce; and many others
yet unknown or unregarded. The principal articles obtained by the
traders are sarsaparilla, Peruvian bark, annatto, and other dyes,
vanilla, Brazil nuts, Tonka beans, hammocks, palm fibre, and several
other kinds of spontaneous vegetable productions. Monkeys, toucans,
macaws, parrots, and other beautiful birds, also enter into the list of
Amazonian exports; while the imports consist of such manufactured
articles as may tempt the cupidity of the savage, or the weapons
necessary to him either in war or for the chase.
In this trade their travelling companion had spent thirty years of his
life; and being a man of intelligence he had not only acquired a
consider able fortune, but laid in a stock of geographical knowledge, of
which the young Russians were not slow to take advantage. In the
natural history of the _montana_ he was well versed; and knew the
different animals and their habits from actual observation--for which
thirty years of adventure had given him a splendid opportunity. It was
a rich store, and our travellers, especially the naturalist Alexis, did
not fail to draw largely from it.
From the information given by this intelligent trader, Alexis was
enabled to determine several facts about the bears of South America,
that had hitherto been doubtful. He learnt that there are at least two
very distinct varieties of them--one, the "spectacled bear" (_ursus
ornatus_)--so called, on account of the whitish rings around his eyes,
suggesting the idea of spectacles; and another without these white eye
markings, and which has been lately named by a distinguished German
naturalist _ursus frugilegus_.
The former kind is known throughout the Peruvian countries as the
"Hucumari," and although it inhabits the Cordilleras, it does not ascend
to the very cold elevations known as the "paramos" and "puna." On the
contrary, it affects a warmer climate, and is not unfrequently found
straying into the cultivated valleys termed generally the "Sierra." The
_ursus frugilegus_ chiefly frequents the tangled woods that cover the
eastern spurs of the Andes, ranging often as far down as the montana,
and never so high as the declivities that border on the region of snow.
Both of these species are black bears, and termed "oso negro" by the
Spanish-Americans; but the Hucumari is distinguished by a white list
under the throat, a white breast, a muzzle of a greyish buff colour, and
the crescent-like eye markings already mentioned. It is also of a
gentler disposition than its congener, smaller in size, and never preys
upon other animals. The other does so--frequently making havoc among
the flocks of sheep, and even attacking the cattle and horses of the
_haciendas_. The _ursus frugilegus_ will give battle even to man
himself--when baited, or rendered furious by being chased.
Both these species are supposed to be confined to the Chilian and
Peruvian Andes. This is an erroneous supposition. They are equally
common in Bolivia, and in the sierras of New Grenada and Venezuela.
They are found on both sides of Lake Maracaibo--in the sierras Perija
and Merida. One of them, at least, has also been observed in the
mountains of Guiana--though naturalists have not met with it there.
Humboldt, it is true, saw the tracks of what the natives told him was a
bear on the Upper Orinoco; and, reasoning from their size, he drew the
inference that it must have been a much smaller species than the _ursus
americanus_; but in this matter the great philosopher was led into an
error by a misapplied name. He was informed that the animal was the
"oso carnero," or flesh-eating bear--a title given by the Mission
Indians to distinguish it from two other animals, which they also
erroneously term bears--the "oso palmero," or great ant-eater
(_tamanoir_), and the "oso hormiguero" (_tamandua_). The animal by
whose tracks Humboldt was misled, was, no doubt, one of the smaller
plantigrade animals (_coatis_ or _grisons_), of which there are several
species in the forests of South America.
Our hunters learnt enough from their travelling acquaintance to convince
them that, in whatever latitude they might approach the Andes from the
east, they would be certain to find both varieties of the South American
black bear; but that the best route they could take would be up the
great Napo river, which rises not very far from the old Peruvian capital
of Quito. In the wild provinces of Quixos and Macas, lying to the east
of Quito--and to which the Napo river would conduct them--they would be
certain to meet with the animals they were in search of.
They would have been equally sure of meeting bears in the territory of
Jean de Bracamoros; and this would have been more easily reached; but
Alexis knew that by taking that route across the Cordilleras, they would
be thrown too far to the west for the isthmus of Panama--which it was
necessary they should cross on their way to the northern division of the
American continent.
By keeping up the Napo to its source, and then crossing the Cordilleras
of New Granada, they would still be enabled to make westerly as far as
Panama--to which port they could get passage in one of the Grenadian
coasting-vessels.
On arriving at the mouth of the Napo, therefore, they engaged a
_periagua_, with its Indian crew, and continued their journey up this
stream towards the still-distant Cordilleras of Quito.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
THE AMAZONIAN FOREST.
The river Napo is one of the largest of the head waters of the Amazon,
and one of the most interesting--since, by it, most of the early
expeditionists descended in search of the country of the gilded kings,
and the gold-roofed temples of Manoa. Though these proved to be
fabulous, yet the existence of gold dust among the Indians of the Napo
was true enough, and is true to the present hour. On this river, and
its numerous branches, gold washings, or _placers_, are quite common;
and occasionally the savages, who roam over this region, collect the
dust, and exchange it with the traders who venture among them. The
Indians, however, are of too idle a habit to follow this industry with
any degree of energy; and whenever they have obtained a quill full of
the metallic sand--just enough to purchase them some coveted nick-knack
of civilised manufacture--they leave off work, and the precious ingots
are permitted to sleep undiscovered in their beds.
Notwithstanding the length of their journey up the Napo, our travellers
did not deem it tedious. The lovely tropical scenery, ever under their
eyes, together with the numerous little incidents which were constantly
occurring, relieved the monotony of their daily life, and kept them in a
constant state of interested excitement. At every bend of the river
appeared some object, new and worthy of admiration--some grand tropical
plant or tree, some strange quadruped, or some bird of glorious plumage.
The craft in which they travelled was that in general use on the upper
tributaries of the Amazon: a large canoe--hollowed out from the gigantic
_bombax ceiba_, or silk-cotton tree--and usually known as a _periagua_.
Over the stern part, or quarter-deck, a little "round house" is erected,
resembling the tilt of a wagon; but, instead of ash hoops and canvas, it
is constructed of bamboos and leaves of trees. The leaves form a thatch
to shade the sun from the little cabin inside, and they are generally
the large leaves of the _vihai_, a species of _heliconia_, which grows
abundantly in the tropical forests of South America. Leaves of the
_musacaae_ (_plantains_ and _bananas_) serve for a similar purpose; and
both kinds are equally employed in thatching the huts in which the
natives dwell.
The little cabin thus constructed is called a _toldo_. Inside it is
high enough for a man to sit upright, though not to stand; and generally
it is only used for sleeping in, or as a shelter during rain. At other
times the traveller prefers the open air; and sits or reclines upon the
roof of the toldo, which is constructed of sufficient strength to bear
his weight. The forward part of the periagua is left quite open; and
here the rowers take their stations, so that their movements do not
interfere with the comfort of the travellers.
Through the influence of the Portuguese trader, our party had the good
fortune to obtain a proper periagua and crew. They were Christianised
Indians, belonging to one of the Spanish missions situated far up the
Napo. They had descended this river with a cargo of the products of the
mission; and were just about starting to go back, as our travellers
arrived at the river's mouth. An agreement was easily entered into with
the _capataz_, or chief of the periagua; and as our travellers always
paid liberally for such service, and kept the crew well fed, they
received as good attendance and accommodation as circumstances would
admit of. Here and there on the banks of the river--though at very long
intervals apart--were settlements of the wild Indians of the forest; and
as nearly all the tribes of Amazonia do less or more in the way of
cultivation and commerce, our travellers were enabled from time to time
to replenish their larder. Their guns, too, helped materially to keep
up the supply: since almost every day game of one kind or another was
procured along the banks. For bread they had _farinha_, a good stock of
which they had brought with them on the steamer from Paru. This is the
grated root of the manioc plant (_jatropha manihot_), and forms the
staple food of all classes throughout the countries of Amazonia.
Alexis was particularly interested in what they saw. Never had
naturalist a finer field for observation. Here was nature presented to
the eye in its most normal condition. Here could be observed the
tropical forest in all its primeval virginity, unbroken by the axe of
the lumberer, and in many places untrodden even by the foot of the
hunter. Here its denizens--quadrupeds, _quadrumana_, birds, reptiles,
and insects--might be seen following out their various habits of life,
obedient only to the passions or instincts that had been implanted in
them by Nature herself, but little modified by the presence of man. Now
would appear a flock of _capivaras_--or _chiguires_, as they are also
called--the largest of rodent animals, basking upon some sunny bank,
raising their great rabbit-like heads, and gazing curiously at the
passing _periagua_. Perhaps before the travellers had lost sight of
them, the whole gang would be seen suddenly starting from their
attitudes of repose, and in desperate rush making for the water. Behind
them would appear the yellow-spotted body of the jaguar--the true tyrant
of the Amazonian forest, who, with a single blow of his powerful paw
would stretch a _chiguire_ upon the grass, and then, couching over his
fallen victim, would tear its body to pieces, drink its warm blood, and
devour its flesh at his leisure.
If by good fortune the flock might all escape, and reach the water, the
jaguar, conscious of their superior adroitness in that element, would at
once abandon the pursuit; and returning to his ambush, lie waiting for a
fresh opportunity. But for all that, the poor chiguires would not be
certain of safety; for even in the water they might encounter another
enemy, equally formidable and cruel, in the gigantic _jacare_--the
crocodile of the Amazonian waters. Thus assailed in either element, the
poor innocent rodents are driven from land to water, and from the water
back again to the land; and so kept in a state of continual fear and
trembling. The puma, too, assails them, and the _jaguarundi_, and the
fierce _coatimundi_; and not unfrequently the enormous _anaconda_
enfolds them in its deadly embrace; for the innocuous creatures can make
no defence against their numerous enemies; and but for that fecundity
which characterises the family to which they belong--the so called
"Guinea pigs"--their race would be in danger of total extirpation.
The chiguires were not the only gregarious animals observed by our
travellers in their ascent of the Napo. Others of a very different
order appeared in the _peccaries_, or wild pigs of the _montana_. These
are true pachyderms, and in reality pigs; though naturalists have seen
fit to separate them from the genus _Sus_, and constitute for them a
genus of their own. It is hardly necessary to say that this is a very
useless proceeding--since the peccaries are neither more nor less than
true wild hogs, the indigenous representatives of the _suidae_, on the
American continent. Their classification into a separate genus has been
productive of no good purpose, but the very contrary: since it has added
to the number of zoological names, thereby rendering still more
difficult the study of that interesting science. For such an endless
vocabulary, we are chiefly indebted to the speculations of anatomic
naturalists, who, lacking opportunities of actual observation, endeavour
to make up for it by guesses and conjectures, founded upon some little
tubercle upon a tooth! Notwithstanding their learned treatises, it
often proves--and very often too--that these tubercles tell most
abominable stories; in plainer terms, that the animals "lie in their
teeth."
The peccary--which the old writers were content to regard as a wild pig,
and very properly placed under the genus _sus_--is now termed
_dicotyles_. Two species only are yet known to naturalists--the
"white-lipped" and "collared" (_dicotyles labritus_ and _dicotyles
collaris_); and although they are rarely found frequenting the same
district of country, either one or the other kind can be encountered in
all the wilder parts of America--from California on the north, to the
latitude of the La Plata on the south. Both are nearly of one form and
colour--a sort of speckled greyish-brown; the collared species being so
named from a whitish list running up in front of its shoulders, and
forming the semblance of a collar; while the white-lipped derives its
specific title from having lips of a greyish-white colour. In size,
however, there is a great difference between the two: the white-lipped
peccary weighing 100 pounds, or nearly twice the weight of the collared
species. The former, too, is proportionably stouter in build, and
altogether a stronger and fiercer animal; for although fierceness is not
a characteristic of their nature, like other animals of the hog family,
when, roused, they exhibit a ferocity and fearlessness equalling that of
the true _carnivora_.
Both kinds of peccary are preyed upon by the jaguar; but this tyrant of
the wilds approaches them with more caution and far less confidence,
than when he makes his onslaught on the helpless chiguires; and not
unfrequently in conflicts with the peccary, the jaguar comes off only
second best. Of this fact our travellers had ample proofs--having
frequently witnessed, while ascending the Napo, encounters between the
peccaries and the jaguars. One of these encounters they had watched
with an interest more than common: for in its result their own safety
was concerned; and the very position of peril in which they were placed,
enabled them to have a full and perfect view of the whole spectacle; an
account of which we find recorded in the journal of Alexis.
CHAPTER THIRTY.
THE PERUVIAN CINNAMON-TREE.
They had reacted a district which lies between two great branches of the
Napo river, and which bears the name of _Canelos_, or the "cinnamon
country." The name was given to it by the Spanish discoverers of Peru--
from the fact of their finding trees in this region, the bark of which
bears a considerable resemblance to the celebrated spice of the East
Indies. _Canela_ is the Spanish name for cinnamon; and the rude
adventurers Pineda and Gonzalez Pizarro, fancying it was the real
cinnamon-tree itself, so called it; and the district in which they found
it most abundant thenceforward took the name of Canelos.
The tree, afterwards identified and described by the Spanish botanist
Mutis, is not the _Laurus cinnamomum_ of Ceylon; but a species of
_laurus_ peculiar to the American continent--to which this botanist has
given the name _laurus cinnamomoides_. It is not, however, confined to
the region around the Rio Napo, but grows in many parts of the Great
_Montana_, as well as in other countries of tropical America. Bonpland
identified it on the Upper Orinoco, and again in the county of Caraccas;
though nowhere does it appear to be in such plenty as to the east of the
Cordilleras of Ecuador and Peru--throughout the provinces of Quixos,
Macas, and Jean de Bracamoros. In these provinces it is found forming
extensive woods, and filling the air with the delicious aroma of its
flowers. The bark of the _laurus cinnamomoides_ is not considered equal
in delicate flavour to that of the Oriental cinnamon. It is hotter and
more pungent to the taste--otherwise the resemblance between the two
trees is very considerable, their foliage being much alike, and the bark
peeling off of nearly equal thickness. The American, however, becomes
more brownish when dried; and, though it is not equal to the cinnamon
bark of Ceylon, large quantities of it are collected, both for use in
the Spanish-American countries and for export to Europe--where it is
often passed off for the true cinnamon. Were it not that the province
of anelos is rather inaccessible to commerce, no doubt a great deal more
of it would find its way into the European markets; but there are perils
and hardships in the collecting of this bark, which make it unprofitable
to deal in, even at the full price of the true cinnamon. The Peruvians
believe that, were the tree cultivated in a proper manner, as the
Oriental cinnamon is, its bark would prove equal in quality to the
latter; and perhaps this may be true, since occasionally specimens of it
have been procured, having all the rich aroma of the spice of Ceylon.
These have been taken from trees that grew in favourable situations--
that is, standing alone, and where the sun had free access to the leaves
and flowers. The leaves themselves have the peculiar cinnamon flavour,
and the flowers also; but in a much stronger degree. Indeed, the
flowers are even more aromatic than those of the _laurus cinnamomum_.
It is said that the wild pigs (_peccaries_) are very fond of these
flowers, as well as the seeds, when ripe; and a singular habit of these
animals is related by some of the early Peruvian travellers--the Jesuit
Ovalle for one. The old father states that when a flock of the
peccaries go in search of the flowers of the canela-tree, they separate
into two divisions, of about nearly equal numbers. The individuals of
one division place their shoulders to the different trees; and, by
shaking them violently, cause the flowers to fall down to the earth.
While thus employed, the peccaries of the other party stand under the
shower, and eat undisturbedly until they have quite filled their
bellies, or otherwise satisfied themselves. These last then take the
place of the hungry hogs; and reciprocating the service by shaking the
trees, leave the former to enjoy themselves in their turn!
It is not easy to swallow this story of the Jesuit, though he was
himself a native of the country where the scene is laid. That part of
it which relates to the hogs shaking the trees for one another, is not
likely to be true, though it is possible all the other particulars are
correct.
It may be true enough that the animals shake the trees to bring down the
flowers: for this would exhibit a sagacity not greater than hogs of
other species are capable of; but it is not according to the laws of
their moral nature to perform the service for one another. That they
roam in great flocks through the canela forests, and devour with avidity
the blossoms of these trees, is undoubtedly a fact--of which our
travellers had the evidence of their own eyes while on their journey up
the river Napo.
They were passing a place where these wild cinnamon-trees lined the
banks of the stream; and, in order to make a closer examination of such
an interesting species, Alexis landed from the _periagua_, Ivan went
along with him--taking his double-barrelled gun, in hopes of getting a
shot at something. In one barrel he had a bullet, while the other was
loaded with shot--so that he was prepared for any sort of game that
might turn up, either beasts or birds. Alexis, as usual, carried his
rifle.
It was their intention to walk for some distance up the bank. There was
a sandy strip between the water and the trees--which would enable them
to make way without difficulty--and it is only where this occurs that
the banks of the Amazonian rivers can be followed on foot. Generally,
the thick forest comes down to the very water's edge; and there is no
pathway except an occasional track followed by the chiguires, tapirs,
and other animals; but, as these creatures only open the underwood to
the height of their own bodies, all above that is a matted labyrinth of
leaves and llanos, that form an impenetrable barrier to the passage of
anything so tall as a man. The Indians themselves rarely follow these
paths, but keep to their canoes or periaguas.
Seeing this fine open sand-bar, which appeared to stretch for miles
above them, our young travellers, tired of sitting upon the _toldo_,
determined to stretch their legs in a walk; and, directing the capataz
to keep up the river and take them in above, they set out along the
bank--now and then dipping into the woods, wherever an opening showed
itself, and examining such rare natural objects as attracted their
attention.
Pouchskin did not go with them; and the reason was that, some days
before, Pouchskin had encountered a mishap, by which he was laid up
lame. The cause of his lameness was simply that some _chigas_ had got
between his toes; and not having been extracted in time, had there laid
their eggs, and caused a terrible inflammation to his feet. A
misfortune that frequently happens in tropical countries. The wound
caused by the _chiga_, though not absolutely of fatal consequences, is
very dangerous to be trifled with--often leading to the necessity of
amputating the part attacked by these diminutive insects. Pouchskin,
sneering at the insignificance of the enemy, had neglected taking proper
precautions--notwithstanding that the Indian canoe-men had warned him of
the danger. The consequence was a swelling of the parts and an
inflammation, that lamed the old grenadier as completely as if his leg
had been carried off by a bomb-shell; and he was now reclining along the
top of the toldo, unable to stand upon his feet.
For this reason, being in no condition to join his young masters on
their pedestrian excursions, he was necessarily left behind. It was,
perhaps, just as well for him: since it was the means of keeping him
clear of a scrape into which both of the young hunters chanced to fall
very soon after; and which, perhaps, had Pouchskin been with them, might
have ended worse than it did: since it could not have ended much better.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
A SKURRY OVER A SAND-BAR.
Journeying along the bank, as we have described, Alexis and Ivan had
gone some two or three miles up the river. They were beginning to get
tired of their walk: as the sand was rather soft, and sank under their
feet at every step. Just then they descried, a little ahead of them, a
long bar, or "spit" of the bank, running out nearly to the middle of the
river. They made up their minds to go on until they should reach this
bar. At its end appeared a proper place for the periagua to come to,
and take them aboard.
The craft was still working up stream, and had got nearly opposite them,
so that they could hail it. They did so--desiring the _popero_, or
steersman, to put in at the extremity of the sand-bar. This matter
having been arranged, they continued on up the bank, going at their
leisure.
On arriving at that part of the bank where the sand-spit projected into
the river, they were about stepping out upon it, when the quick ear of
Ivan caught the sound of some animals moving among the underwood. All
was game that came to Ivan's gun; and as he had seen nothing worth
wasting a charge upon, during their long walk, he was very desirous to
have a shot at something before returning to the periagua.
What he heard was a rustling of leaves. It did not appear to proceed
from any particular spot, but rather from all parts of the forest. Now
and then the sound was varied by a sort of half-squeaking, half-grunting
noise, that indicated the presence of animals, and a great many of them
too: since at times, several scores of these squeaks and grunts could be
heard uttered simultaneously. Alexis heard the sounds too; but being
less of a keen sportsman than his brother, cared less to go after the
creatures that were making them. He had no objection to Ivan straying a
little out of his way; and promised to wait for him on the open bank.
Had he known what sort of game it was that his brother was going after--
that is, had he been acquainted with the habits of the animals that were
making themselves heard, he would either have gone along with Ivan, or,
what is more likely, would have hindered him from going at all. Alexis,
however, was under the impression that monkeys of some kind were making
the strange noises--for not only are there many species of these in the
forests of the Napo, but some that can imitate the voices of other
animals. Of course, with monkeys, there could be no danger: since none
of the American quadrumana are large enough or strong enough to attempt
an attack upon man.
Ivan had not left the spot more than five minutes, when a loud report,
reverberating among the trees, announced that he had fired his gun; and,
almost in the same instant, a second crack told that both barrels were
now empty.
Alexis was about proceeding to the place to see what his brother had
shot, when all at once his ears were assailed by a loud chorus of
noises--a screaming, and snorting, and grunting,--that seemed to come
from all parts of the wood; while the cracking of sticks, and the
"swishing" of branches, announced a singular commotion--as if some
hundreds of creatures were rushing to and fro through the jungle. At
the same instant was heard the voice of Ivan, crying out in accents of
alarm; while the boy was himself seen breaking his way through the
bushes, and running with all his might in the direction of his brother.
His looks betokened terror, as if some dreaded pursuer was behind him.
"Run! brother--run!" cried he, as he got clear of the underwood; "run
for your life!--they're after me--they're after me!"
It was no time to inquire what pursuers were after him. Evidently, they
were of a sort to be shunned: since they had caused to the courageous
Ivan such serious alarm; and Alexis, without staying for an explanation,
turned, and joined in his brother's flight. Both directed themselves
towards the open sand-spit, in hopes of being able to reach the
periagua--which could be seen just drawing up to its point of the bar.
They had not made a dozen steps into the open ground, when the bushes
from which they had just parted were seen to vibrate, and from out their
trembling cover rushed a host of strange creatures: literally a host,
for, in a few seconds' time, not less than two hundred of them made
their appearance.
They were quadrupeds of a greyish-brown colour, not larger than
half-grown pigs; and pigs they were--that is to say, they were
_peccaries_. They were those of the species _labiatus_--as could be
seen by their white lips. These lips were especially conspicuous, for
each individual was rushing on open-mouthed, with snout raised aloft--
all of them cracking their teeth like castanets, uttering, as they ran,
a confused chorus of short, sharp grunts and squeaks expressive of
anger.
As soon as Alexis saw them, he recognised the peril of the situation in
which he and his brother were placed. He had read, and heard moreover
from the Portuguese trader--as well as from the Indian canoe-men--of the
danger to be apprehended from an attack of these fierce little animals;
and how the hunter, to escape from them, is often compelled to take to a
tree. Had he and Ivan reflected for a moment, they would probably have
made for the woods, instead of running out on the open sand-bar as they
had done. It was now too late, however. The peccaries covered the
whole line of beach behind them; and no tree could have been reached,
without passing back again through the midst of the drove. Their
retreat in the direction of the woods was completely cut off; and there
appeared no alternative, but to make the best use they could of their
heels, and if possible get on board the periagua.
With this determination they rushed on over the sandbank, closely
pursued by the peccaries.
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
PURSUED BY PECCARIES.
It is needless to say that our young hunters took as long strides as the
nature of the ground would permit; but, unfortunately, they were not
long enough. The sand was soft and heavy, and in places so full of
holes, where the turtles had had their eggs--now empty--that the
fugitives could make but slow progress, though fear was urging them to
do their utmost. The pursuers themselves did not make as good speed as
they would have made on firmer ground, but they were going faster than
the pursued; and the boys were beginning to fear that they would never
be able to reach the periagua in time. To be overtaken meant the same
as to be dragged down upon the sand, and torn to pieces by the sharp
tusks of the peccaries. The periagua was still three hundred yards
distant. The Indians saw the chase, and knew the danger--knew it so
well, that it was not likely they would venture ashore to the rescue;
and as for Pouchskin, he was unable to budge an inch--even had there
been no other means of saving his young masters. It was a moment of
fearful apprehension for the faithful Pouchskin. He had seized his
fusil, and wriggled his body into an erect attitude; but he felt
powerless to do more.
In this moment of peril an object came under the eyes of Alexis that
promised safety. At least it held out the prospect of a temporary
retreat from the danger--though whether they might succeed in reaching
this retreat was not certain.
This object was a tree--not standing and growing, but a fallen tree--
dead, and divested of its leaves, its bark, and most of its branches.
It lay upon the sand-spit--where it had, no doubt, been deposited during
the season of floods--not exactly in the line of their flight, but some
paces to the right of the track they would have followed in keeping on
to the periagua. It was nearer them than the boat, by full two hundred
yards; and Alexis observing this, suddenly conceived a hope that they
might yet reach the tree, and find shelter, either upon its trunk or
among its branches. Of these the larger ones still remained--rising
many feet above the surface of the sand, and shrouded under masses of
weeds and withered grass, which had been there deposited at the falling
of the flood. Indeed, Alexis scarce looked to the capabilities the tree
afforded for giving them a secure retreat. There was no alternative.
It was like the drowning man catching at straws. He only cast a look
behind him, to see what time they might have to spare; and by a quick
glance calculating their distance from the pursuers, he shouted to Ivan
to follow him, and turned obliquely towards the tree.
They had noticed the tree when first starting to run, but had not
thought of it as a place of retreat. Indeed, they had thought of
nothing except getting back to the boat; and it was only now, when this
had proved clearly impossible, that they determined on taking to the
tree.
As they faced full towards it, they were able to note the chances it
offered for their safety. They saw that they were not so bad; and,
encouraged by hope, they made efforts more energetic than ever--both of
them straining every nerve and muscle in their legs and bodies.
The effort was needed; but fortunately it proved sufficient to save
them. Just sufficient: for scarce had they succeeded in getting upon
the log, and drawing their limbs up after them, when the infuriated host
arrived upon the ground, and in a few seconds surrounded them on all
sides. Lucky it was that the log was a large one. It was the dead-wood
of a gigantic silk-cotton--the _bombax ceiba_ of the tropical forests;
and its trunk, being full five feet in diameter, gave them that
elevation above the surface of the sand. Notwithstanding this, they saw
that their safety was not yet quite assured: for the spiteful peccaries,
instead of desisting in their attacks, commenced leaping up against the
log, endeavouring to reach its top, and there assail them. Now and then
one more active than the rest actually succeeded in getting its fore
feet over the ridge of the dead-wood: and, had it not been for the quick
use which our hunters made of the butts of their guns, undoubtedly they
would have been reached. Both stood with their barrels grasped firmly--
now threatening the assailing host, and now punching in the head such of
them as sprang within reach--the peccaries all the while uttering their
angry grunts, and chattering their teeth, as if a hundred strings of
Christmas crackers were being let off at the same time!
In this way the conflict was carried on--the hunters bit by bit working
themselves along the log towards the top branches, which, projecting
higher, appeared to offer a more secure place of retreat. But at
intervals as they advanced, they were compelled to make halt, and deal a
fresh shower of blows to their assailants, who still kept leaping up
from below.
At length the boys succeeded in reaching the projecting limbs of the
tree; and each choosing one strong enough to carry him, they scrambled
up towards their tops. This placed them in a position where they could
set the peccaries at defiance; for although the creatures could now
spring up on the main trunk--which several of them had already done--the
more slender limbs baffled all their efforts at climbing; and such of
them as attempted it were seen to roll off and tumble back upon the
sandbank.
The hunters, now feeling secure, could not refrain from a shout of joy,
which was answered by a cheer from the periagua, in which the baritone
of Pouchskin bore a conspicuous part.
Our heroes now believing themselves in for a siege, began to consider
the best means of raising it; when all at once a spectacle came under
their eyes, that guided their thoughts into a far different channel.
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS.
Their retreat upward upon the slanting limbs of the tree had brought a
large band of their assailants round to that side; and, just as they
raised their triumphant cry, they saw the peccaries dancing among the
branches that lay extended along the sand-bar. Many of these were
hidden by the flakes of hanging grass already mentioned; but another
fearful creature chanced to have been hidden there also; who now
displayed himself in all his shining majesty--not only to the eyes of
the besieged, but likewise to those of the besiegers. The creature was
a quadruped--one of fearful mien, and dimensions far exceeding that of
the Lilliputian peccaries. It was their natural enemy--the jaguar!
Whether it was the shout that had startled him, or the peccaries had
trodden him out of his lair, or both, certain it was that he now sprang
suddenly out, and with one bound launched himself upon the log. For a
moment he stood cowering on its top, turning his eyes first upon the
branches where the boys had taken refuge, and then in the opposite
direction, towards the woods. He seemed irresolute as to which course
he would take; and this irresolution, so long as it lasted, produced an
unpleasant effect upon our young hunters. Should the jaguar also attack
them, their destruction might be accounted as certain; for the great cat
would either strike them down from their unstable porch, or claw them to
death if they continued to cling to it. Of course, to fall down among
the peccaries would be death, equally certain and terrible.
By good fortune, however, the jaguar at the moment of showing himself
was eagerly assailed by the wild pigs; and it was to escape from their
assault, that he had sprung upward to the log. Thither the peccaries
had pursued him, and were now endeavouring to reach the top of the
dead-wood, just as they had done while after the hunters. The jaguar no
longer stood silent and irresolute; but, uttering loud screams, he
commenced defending himself against the assailing host, striking them
with his broad ungulated paws, and flinging one after another back to
the ground, where they lay kicking in the throes of death.
Perhaps it was the presence of mind exhibited by Alexis that brought
matters to a climax, and saved the lives of himself and his brother.
His rifle was still loaded--for it had appeared useless firing into the
midst of two hundred assailants. He knew he could kill only one or two;
and this, instead of frightening them off, would but render the others
more implacable in their resentment. Partly for this reason, and partly
that he had all along held the piece "clubbed" in his hands, he had
reserved his fire. Now was the time to deliver it. The jaguar was even
more to be dreaded than the peccaries--for they were now secure from the
attacks of the latter, whereas they were not only within reach of the
former, but in the very place to which the brute might fancy retreating.
To prevent this contingency, Alexis resolved to give the jaguar his
bullet.
It was but a moment's work to turn the gun in his hand and take aim.
The crack followed quickly; and, on the instant, the hunters had the
gratification to see the great tawny quadruped spring out from the log,
and alight upon the sand--where, in a second's time, he was surrounded
by the dark drove, that from all sides rushed screaming towards him.
It was a bit of good fortune that the bullet of Alexis had only wounded
the jaguar, instead of killing him on the spot. Had he been shot dead,
the peccaries would have torn his beautiful skin to ribbons, and reduced
his quivering flesh to mincemeat, and that within the space of a score
of seconds; but luckily it chanced that the jaguar was only wounded--had
only received a broken leg; and, availing himself of the three that
remained sound, he commenced retreating towards the timber. Thither he
was followed by his thick-skinned assailants; who, transferring their
spite to this new enemy, seemed to forget all about their original
adversaries, who remained quietly perched upon the limbs of the tree!
For some time nothing could be seen but a confused crowd, writhing over
the sand--a dark mass, in the midst of which now and then a bright
yellow object appeared conspicuous, and was then for a time out of
sight; and thus, like a rolling wave, the great drove went surging on,
amidst grunting and screaming, and growling, and chattering of teeth,
till it swept up to the edge of the underwood, and then suddenly
disappeared from the eyes of the spectators!
Whether the peccaries eventually succeeded in destroying the jaguar, or
whether the wounded tyrant of the forest escaped from their terrible
teeth, could never be told. Our young hunters had no curiosity to
follow and witness the _denouement_ of this strange encounter. Neither
cared they to take up the bodies of the slain. Ivan was completely
cured of any _penchant_ he might have had for peccary pork; and, as soon
as their late assailants were fairly out of sight, both leaped down from
the limbs of the tree, and made all haste towards the boat. This they
reached without further molestation; and the canoe-men, rapidly plying
their paddles, soon shot the craft out upon the bosom of the broad
river--where they were safe from the attack either of wild pigs or wild
cats.
It was likely the jaguar betook himself to a tree--his usual mode of
escape when surrounded by a herd of infuriated peccaries--and, as a
proof that he had done so, our travellers could hear the wild hogs still
uttering their fierce grunts long after the boat had rounded the
sand-spit, and was passing up the bend of the river.
CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
THE OLD MISSIONS.
Passing many scenes of interest, and meeting with several other strange
incidents, our travellers at length arrived at Archidona--a small town
at the head of boat navigation upon the Napo, and the usual port of
embarkation for persons proceeding from the country around Quito to the
regions upon the Amazon. Up to this place they had been journeying
through a complete wilderness--the only exceptions being some missionary
stations, in each of which a monkish priest holds a sort of control over
two or three hundred half christianised Indians. It would be absurd to
call these missions civilised settlements: since they are in no degree
more advanced, either in civilisation or prosperity, than the
_maloccas_, or villages of the wild Indians--the "infidels," as it
pleases the monks to call those tribes who have not submitted to their
puerile teachings. Whatever difference exists between the two kinds of
Indians, is decidedly in favour of the unconverted tribes, who display
at least the virtues of valour and a love of liberty, while the poor
neophytes of the missions have suffered a positive debasement, by their
conversion to this so called "Christian religion." All these monkish
settlements--not only on the Napo, but on the other tributaries of the
Amazon--were at one time in a state of considerable prosperity. The
missionary padres, backed by a little soldier help from the Spanish
Government, were more able to control their Indian converts, and compel
them to work--so that a certain amount of prosperity was visible in the
mission settlements, and some of them had even attained to a degree of
wealth. This, however, was but an apparent civilisation; and its
benefits only extended to the monks themselves. The Indian neophytes
were in no way bettered by the wealth they created. Their condition was
one of pure slavery--the monks being their masters, and very often hard
taskmasters they proved themselves--living in fine conventual style upon
the sweat and labour of their brown-skinned converts. The only return
made by them to the Indians was to teach the latter those trades, by the
practice of which they themselves might be benefited, and that was their
sole motive for civilising them. On the other hand, instead of
endeavouring to cultivate their intellectual nature, they strove in
every way to restrain it--inculcating those doctrines of duty and
obedience, so popular among the priests and princes of the world. They
taught them a religion of the lips, and not of the heart--a religion of
mere idle ceremonies, of the most showy kind; and above all a religion,
whose every observance required to be paid for by toll and tithe. In
this manner they continued to filch from the poor aboriginal every hour
of his work--and keep him to all intents and purposes an abject slave.
No wonder, that when the Spanish power declined, and the soldier could
no longer be spared to secure the authority of the priest--no wonder
that the whole system gave way, and the missions of Spanish America--
from California to the Patagonian plains--sank into decay. Hundreds of
these establishments have been altogether abandoned--their pseudo
converts having returned once more to the savage state--and the ruins of
convents and churches alone remain to attest that they ever existed.
Those still in existence exhibit the mere remnants of their former
prosperity, and are only kept together by the exertions of the monks
themselves--backed by a slight thread of authority, which they derive
from the superstitions they have been able to inculcate. In fact, in
the missions now existing, the monks have no other power than that which
they wield through the terrors of the Church; and in most cases, these
_padres_ constitute a sort of hierarch chieftaincy, which has supplanted
the old system of the _curacas_, or caciques.
At one period the missions of the Napo were both numerous and powerful.
That was while they were under the superintendence of those active
apostles, the Jesuit fathers; but most of their settlements have long
ago disappeared; and now only a few sparse stations exist along the
borders of the great _Montana_.
In ascending the Napo, our travellers had an opportunity of visiting
some of these old missionary establishments; and observing the odd
rigmarole of superstitions there practised under the guise, and in the
name of religion--a queer commingling of pagan rites with Christian
ceremonies--not unlike those Buddhistic forms from which these same
ceremonies have been borrowed.
One advantage our travellers derived from the existence of these
stations: they were enabled to obtain from them the provisions required
upon their long riverine voyage; and without this assistance they would
have found it much more difficult to accomplish such a journey.
Beyond Archidona the rest of the journey to Quito would have to be
performed on horseback, or rather muleback; but they were not going
direct to Quito. Between them and the old Peruvian capital lay the
eastern Cordillera of the Andes, and it was along its declivities, and
in the valleys between its transverse spurs, facing the Montana, they
would have to search for the haunts of the bear.
On the Napo itself, still higher up than Archidona--where the stream,
fed by the snows of the grand volcano of Cotopaxi, issues from the spurs
of the Andes--there were they most likely to accomplish the object of
their expedition, and thither determined they to go.
Having procured mules and a guide, they proceeded onward; and after a
journey of three days--in which, from the difficulty of the roads, they
had travelled less than fifty miles--they found themselves among the
foot-hills of the Andes--the giant Cotopaxi with his snowy cone towering
stupendous above their heads.
Here they were in the proper range of the bears--a part of the country
famous for the great numbers of these animals--and it only remained for
them to fix their headquarters in some village, and make arrangements
for prosecuting the chase.
The little town of Napo, called after the river, and situated as it is
in the midst of a forest wilderness, offered all the advantages they
required; and, choosing it as their temporary residence, they were soon
engaged in searching for the black bear of the Cordilleras.
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
EATING A NEGRO'S HEAD.
According to their usual practice, they had hired one of the native
hunters of the district to act as a guide, and assist them in finding
the haunts of Bruin. In Napo they were fortunate in meeting with the
very man in the person of a _mestizo_, or half-blood Indian, who
followed hunting for his sole calling. He was what is termed a
"tigrero," or tiger-hunter--which title he derived from the fact that
the jaguar was the principal object of his pursuit. Among all
Spanish-Americans--Mexicans included--the beautiful spotted jaguar is
erroneously termed _tigre_ (tiger), as the puma or couguar is called
_leon_ (lion). A hunter of the jaguar is therefore denominated a
"tiger-hunter," or _tigrero_.
There are no puma or lion-hunters by profession--as there is nothing
about this brute to make it worth while--but hunting the jaguar is, in
many parts of Spanish America, a specific calling; and men make their
living solely by following this occupation. One inducement is to obtain
the skin, which, in common with those of the great spotted cats of the
Old World, is an article of commerce, and from its superior beauty
commands a good price. But the _tigrero_ could scarce make out to live
upon the sale of the skins alone; for although a London furrier will
charge from two to three guineas for a jaguar's robe, the poor hunter in
his remote wilderness market can obtain little more than a tenth part of
this price--notwithstanding that he has to risk his life, before he can
strip the fair mantle from the shoulders of its original wearer.
It is evident, therefore, that jaguar-hunting would not pay, if there
was only the pelt to depend upon; but the _tigrero_ looks to another
source of profit--the _bounty_.
In the hotter regions of Spanish America,--the Brazils as well--there
are many settlements to which the jaguar is not only a pest, but a
terror. Cattle in hundreds are destroyed by these great predatory
animals; even full-grown horses are killed and dragged away by them!
But is this all? Are the people themselves left unmolested? No. On
the contrary, great numbers of human beings every year fall victims to
the rapacity of the jaguars. Settlements attempted on the edge of the
great Montana--in the very country where our young hunters had now
arrived--have, after a time, been abandoned from this cause alone. It
is a well-known fact, that where a settlement has been formed, the
jaguars soon become more plentiful in that neighbourhood: the increased
facility of obtaining food--by preying on the cattle of the settlers, or
upon the owners themselves--accounting for this augmentation in their
numbers. It is precisely the same with the royal tiger of India, as is
instanced in the history of the modern settlement of Singapore.
To prevent the increase of the jaguars then, a bounty is offered for
their destruction. This bounty is sometimes the gift of the government
of the country, and sometimes of the municipal authorities of the
district. Not unfrequently private individuals, who own large herds of
cattle, give a bounty out of their private purses for every jaguar
killed within the limits of their estates. Indeed, it is not an
uncommon thing for the wealthy proprietor of a cattle-estate (_hacienda
de ganados_) to maintain one or more "tigreros" in his service--just as
gamekeepers are kept by European grandees--whose sole business consists
in hunting and destroying the jaguar. These men are sometimes pure
Indians, but, as a general thing, they are of the mixed, or _mestizo_
race. It need hardly be said that they are hunters of the greatest
courage. They require to be so: since an encounter with a full-grown
jaguar is but little less dangerous than with his striped congener of
the Indian jungles. In these conflicts, the tigreros often receive
severe wounds from the teeth and claws of their terrible adversary; and,
not unfrequently, the hunter himself becomes the victim.
You may wonder that men are found to follow such a perilous calling, and
with such slight inducement--for even the bounty is only a trifle of a
dollar or two--differing in amount in different districts, and according
to the liberality of the bestower. But it is in this matter as with all
others of a like kind--where the very danger itself seems to be the
lure.
The tigrero usually depends upon fire-arms for destroying his noble
game; but where his shot fails, and it is necessary to come to close
quarters, he will even attack the jaguar with his _machete_--a species
of half-knife half-sword, to be found in every Spanish-American cottage
from California to Chili.
Very often the jaguar is hunted without the gun. The tigrero, in this
case, arms himself with a short spear, the shaft of which is made of a
strong hard wood, either a _guaiacum_, or a piece of the split trunk of
one of the hardwood palms.
The point of this spear is frequently without iron--only sharpened and
hardened by being held in the fire--and with this in his left hand, and
his short sword in the right, the hunter advances with confidence upon
his formidable adversary. This confidence has been fortified by a
contrivance which he has had the precaution to adopt--that is, of
enveloping his left arm in the ample folds of his blanket--_serape,
roana_, or _poncho_, according to the country to which he belongs--and
using this as a shield.
The left arm is held well forward, so that the woollen mass may cover
his body against the bound of the animal, and thus is the attack
received. The jaguar, like all feline quadrupeds, springs directly
forward upon his prey. The tigrero prepared for this, and, with every
nerve braced, receives the assailant upon the point of his short spear.
Should the jaguar strike with its claws it only clutches the woollen
cloth; and while tearing at this--which it believes to be the body of
its intended victim--the right arm of the hunter is left free, and with
the sharp blade of his _machete_ he can either make cut or thrust at his
pleasure. It is not always that the tigrero succeeds in destroying his
enemy without receiving a scratch or two in return; but a daring hunter
makes light of such wounds--for these scars become badges of
distinction, and give him _eclat_ among the villages of the Montana.
Just such a man was the guide whom our young hunters had engaged, and
who, though a tiger-hunter by profession, was equally expert at the
capturing of a bear--when one of these animals chanced to stray down
from the higher slopes of the mountains, into the warmer country
frequented by the jaguars. It was not always that bears could be found
in these lower regions; but there is a particular season of the year
when the black bear (_ursus frugilegus_) descends far below his usual
range, and even wanders far out into the forests of the Montana.
Of course there must be some inducement for his making this annual
migration from his mountain home; for the _ursus frugilegus_, though
here dwelling within the tropics, does not affect a tropical climate.
Neither is he a denizen of the very cold plains--the _paramos_--that
extend among the summits of eternal snow. A medium temperature is his
choice; and this, as we have already stated, he finds among the
foot-hills, forming the lower zone of the Eastern Andes. It is there he
spends most of his life, and that is his place of birth, and
consequently his true home. At a particular season of the year,
corresponding to the summer of our own country, he makes a roving
expedition to the lower regions; and for what purpose? This was the
very question which Alexis put to the tigrero. The answer was as
curious as laconic:
"_Comer la cabeza del negro_." (To eat the negro's head!)
"Ha, ha! to eat the negro's head!" repeated Ivan, with an incredulous
laugh.
"Just so, senorito!" rejoined the man; "that is what brings him down
here."
"Why, the voracious brute!" said Ivan; "you don't mean to say that he
makes food of the heads of the poor negroes?"
"Oh no!" replied the tigrero, smiling in his turn; "it is not that."
"What then?" impatiently inquired Ivan. "I've heard of negro-head
tobacco. He's not a tobacco chewer, is he?"
"_Carrambo_! no, senorito," replied the tiger-hunter, now laughing
outright; "that's not the sort of food the fellow is fond of. You'll
see it presently. By good luck, it's just in season now--just as the
bears fancy it--or else we needn't look to start them here. We should
have to go further up the mountains: where they are more difficult both
to find and follow. But no doubt we'll soon stir one up, when we get
among the _cabezas del negro_. The nuts are just now full of their
sweet milky paste, of which the bears are so fond, and about a mile from
here there are whole acres of the trees. I warrant we find a bear among
them."
Though still puzzled with this half-explanation, our young hunters
followed the guide--confident that they would soon come in sight of the
"negro's head."
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.
THE TAGUA TREE.
After going about a mile further, as their guide had forewarned them,
they came within sight of a level valley, or rather a plain, covered
with a singular vegetation. It looked as if it had been a forest of
palms--the trunks of which had sunk down into the earth, and left only
the heads, with their great radiating fronds above the ground! Some of
them stood a foot or two above the surface; but most appeared as if
their stems had been completely buried! They were growing all the same,
however; and, at the bottom of each great bunch of pinnate leaves, could
be seen a number of large, roundish objects--which were evidently the
fruits of the plant.
There was no mystery about the stems being buried underground. There
were no stems, and never had been any--except those that were seen
rising a yard or so above the surface. Neither was there any longer a
mystery about the "negro's head;" for the rounded fruit, with its
wrinkled coriaceous pericarp--suggesting a resemblance to the little
curly knots of wool on the head of an African--was evidently the object
to which the tigrero had applied the ambiguous appellation.
What our hunters saw was neither more nor less than a grove of _Tagua_
trees--better known as the "vegetable ivory."
This singular tree was for a long time regarded as a plant of the
_Oycas_ family; and by some botanists it has been classed among the
_Pandanaceae_, or screw-pines. Growing, as its leaves do, almost out of
the earth, or with only a short trunk, it bears a very marked
resemblance to the cycads; but for all this, it is a true palm. Its not
having a tall trunk is no reason why it should not be a palm, since many
other species of _palmaceae_ are equally destitute of a visible stem.
It is now, however, acknowledged by the most expert botanists, that the
"Tagua"--or "Cabeza del Negro," as the Peruvians style it--is a palm;
and it has been honoured as the representative of a genus
(_Phytelephas_), of which there are but two species known--the great
fruited and little fruited (_macrocarpa_ and _microcarpa_). Both are
natives of the hot valleys of the Andes, and differ very little from
each other; but it is the species with the larger fruit that is
distinguished by the figurative title of "negro's head."
The Peruvian Indians use the pinnate fronds of both species for
thatching their huts; but it is the nuts of the larger one that have
given its great celebrity to the tree. These are of an oblong
triangular shape; and a great number of them are enclosed in the
pericarp, already described. When young, they are filled with a watery
liquid that has no particular taste; though regarded by the Indians as a
most refreshing beverage. A little older, this crystal-like fluid turns
of a milky colour and consistence; and still later it becomes a white
paste. When fully ripe, it congeals to the whiteness and hardness of
ivory itself; and, if kept out of water, is even more beautiful in
texture than, the tusks of the elephant. It has been employed by the
Indians from time immemorial in the construction of buttons, heads for
their pipes, and many other purposes. Of late years it has found its
way into the hands of civilised artisans; and, since it can be procured
at a cheaper rate, and is quite equal to the real ivory for many useful
and ornamental articles, it has become an important item of commerce.
But however much the vegetable ivory may be esteemed by the Indians, or
by bipeds of any kind, there is one quadruped who thinks quite as much
of it as they, and that is the black bear of the Andes (_ursus
frugilegus_). It is not, however, when it has reached the condition of
ivory that Bruin cares for it. Then the nut would be too hard, even for
his powerful jaws to crack. It is when it is in the milky state--or
rather after it has become coagulated to a paste--that he relishes it;
and with so much avidity does he devour the sweet pulp, that at this
season he is easily discovered in the midst of his depredations, and
will scarce move away from his meal even upon the appearance of the
hunter! While engaged in devouring his favourite negro-head, he appears
indifferent to any danger that may threaten him.
Of this our hunters had proof, and very shortly after entering among the
tagua trees. As the tigrero had predicted, they soon came upon the
"sign" of a bear, and almost in the same instant discovered Bruin
himself browsing upon the fruit.
The young hunters, and Pouchskin too, were about getting ready to fire
upon him; when, to their surprise, they saw the tigrero, who was mounted
on a prancing little horse, spur out in front of them, and gallop
towards the bear. They knew that the killing of the animal should have
been left to them; but, as they had given their guide no notice of this,
they said nothing, but looked on--leaving the tigrero to manage matters
after his own way.
It was evident that he intended to attack the bear, and in a peculiar
fashion. They knew this by seeing that he carried a coil of raw-hide
rope over his arm, on one end of which there was a ring and loop. They
knew, moreover, that this was a celebrated weapon of the South
Americans--the _lazo_, in short; but never having witnessed an
exhibition of its use, they were curious to do so; and this also
influenced them to keep their places.
In a few minutes the horseman had galloped within some twenty paces of
the bear. The latter took the alarm, and commenced trotting off; but
with a sullen reluctance, which showed that he had no great disposition
to shun the encounter.
The ground was tolerably clear, the taguas standing far apart, and many
of them not rising higher than the bear's back. This gave the
spectators an opportunity of witnessing the chase.
It was not a long one. The bear perceiving that the horseman was
gaining upon him, turned suddenly in his tracks, and, with an angry
growl, rose erect upon his hind legs, and stood facing his pursuer in an
attitude of defiance. As the horseman drew near, however, he appeared
to become cowed, and once more turning tail, shambled off through the
bushes. This time he only ran a few lengths: for the shouts of the
hunter provoking him to a fresh fit of fury, caused him to halt again,
and raise himself erect as before.
This was just the opportunity of which the hunter was in expectation;
and before the bear could lower himself on all-fours--to charge forward
upon the horse, the long rope went spinning through the air, and its
noose was seen settling over the shoulders of the bear. The huge
quadruped, puzzled by this mode of attack, endeavoured to seize hold of
the rope; but so thin was the raw-hide thong, that he could not clutch
it with his great unwieldy paws; and by his efforts he only drew the
noose tighter around his neck.
Meanwhile, the hunter, on projecting the lazo, had wheeled, with the
quickness of thought; and, driving his sharp spurs into the ribs of his
horse, caused the latter to gallop in the opposite direction. One might
have supposed that he had taken fright at the bear, and was endeavouring
to get out of the way. Not so. His object was very different. The
lazo still formed a link of connection between the hunter and his game.
One end of it was fast to a staple firmly imbedded in the wood of the
saddle-tree, while the other, as we have seen, was noosed around the
bear. As the horse stretched off, the rope was seen to tighten with a
sudden jerk; and Bruin was not only floored from his erect attitude, but
plucked clear off his feet, and laid sprawling along the earth. In that
position he was not permitted to remain: for the horse continuing his
gallop, he was dragged along the ground at the end of the lazo--his huge
body now bounding several feet from the earth, and now breaking through
the bushes with a crackling, crashing noise, such as he had himself
never made in his most impetuous charges.
In this way went horse and bear for half a mile over the plain; the
spectators following after to witness the ending of the affair. About
that there was nothing particular: for when the tigrero at length
halted, and the party got up to the ground, they saw only an immobile
mass of shaggy hair--so coated with dust as to resemble a heap of earth.
It was the bear without a particle of breath in his body; but, lest he
might recover it again, the tigrero leaped from his horse, stepped up to
the prostrate bear, and buried his _machete_ between the ribs of the
unconscious animal.
That, he said, was the way they captured bears in his part of the
country. They did not employ the same plan with the jaguars: because
these animals, crouching, as they do, offered no opportunity for casting
the noose over them; and, besides, the jaguars haunt only among thick
woods, where the lazo could not be used to advantage.
Of course, the skin of this particular bear was not suitable for the
purpose for which one was required; and the tigrero kept it for his own
profit. But that did not signify: another bear was soon discovered
among the tagua trees; and this being despatched by a shot from the
rifle of Alexis,--supplemented, perhaps, by a bullet from the fusil of
the ex-guardsman,--supplied them with a skin according to contract; and
so far as the _ursus frugilegus_ was concerned, their bear-hunting in
that neighbourhood was at an end. To find his cousin with the "goggle
eyes," they would have to journey onward and upward; and adopting for
their motto the spirit-stirring symbol "Excelsior!" they proceeded to
climb the stupendous Cordilleras of the Andes.
In one of the higher valleys, known among Peruvians as the "Sierra,"
they obtained a specimen of the "Hucumari." They chanced upon this
creature while he was engaged in plundering a field of Indian corn--
quite close to a "tambo," or traveller's shed, where they had put up for
the night. It was very early in the morning when the corn-stealer was
discovered; but being caught in the act, and his whole attention taken
up with the sweet milky ears of maize, his "spectacled" eyes did not
avail him. Our hunters, approaching with due caution, were able to get
so near, that the first shot tumbled him over among the stalks.
Having secured his skin, they mounted their mules, and by the great
Cordillera road proceeded onward to the ancient capital of northern
Peru.
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.
NORTHWARD!
After resting some days in the old capital of Quito, our travellers
proceeded to the small port of Barbacoas, on the west coast of Equador;
and thence took passage for Panama. Crossing the famous isthmus to
Porto Bello, they shipped again for New Orleans, on the Mississippi. Of
course, their next aim was to procure the North American bears--
including the Polar, which is equally an inhabitant of northern Asia,
but which, by the conditions of their route, would be more conveniently
reached on the continent of North America. Alexis knew that the black
bear (_ursus americanus_) might be met with anywhere on that continent
from the shores of Hudson's Bay to the isthmus of Panama, and from the
seaboard of the Atlantic to the coast of the Pacific Ocean. No other
has so wide a range as this species--with the exception, perhaps, of the
brown bear of Europe--which, as we have said, is also an Asiatic animal.
Throughout the whole extent of country above defined, the black bear
may be encountered, not specially confining himself to mountain-ranges.
True, in the more settled districts he has been driven to these--as
affording him a refuge from the hunter; but in his normal condition he
is by no means a mountain-dwelling animal. On the contrary, he affects
equally the low-wooded bottoms of ravines, and is as much at home in a
climate of tropical or sub-tropical character, as in the cold forests of
the Canadas.
Mr Spencer Baird--the naturalist intrusted by the American Government
to describe the _fauna_ of their territory, and furnished for his text
with one of the most splendid collections ever made--in speaking of the
genus _ursus_, makes the following remarks:--
"The species of bears are not numerous, nor are they to be found except
in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. North America
possesses more species than any other part of the world, having at least
four, and perhaps five."
With the exception of the very idle assertion that "the species of bears
are not numerous," every idea put forth in the above categorical
declaration is the very reverse of what is true.
Is the polar bear found only in the temperate regions of the northern
hemisphere? Is the _ursus arctos_ of Europe confined to these limits?
Are the bears of South America?--the sloth bear of India and Ceylon?--
the bruang of Borneo?--and his near congener, the bruang of Java and
Sumatra? Why, these last are actually dwellers among palm-trees--as the
cocoa-planters know to their cost! Even Mr Baird's own American black
bear is not so "temperate" in his habits; but loves the half-tropical
climate of Florida and Texas quite as much as the cold declivities of
the Alleghanies.
And how does North America possess more species than any other part of
the world? Even admitting the doubtful fifth, on the continent of Asia
there are six species at the very least; and, if we are allowed to
include the Oriental islands, we make eight Asiatic. There are three
species in the Himalaya mountains alone--unquestionably distinct,
dwelling in separate zones of altitude, but with the territory of all
three visible at a single _coup d'oeil_.
Mr Baird is a naturalist of great celebrity in America. He is a
secretary of the Smithsonian Institution: he should make better use of
the books which its fine library can afford him.
The United States' Government is extremely unfortunate in the selection
of its scientific _employes_--more especially in the departments of
natural history. Perhaps the most liberal appropriation ever made for
ethnological purposes--that for collecting a complete account of the
North American Indians--has been spent without purpose, the "job" having
fallen into the hands of a "placeman," or "old hunker," as the Americans
term it--a man neither learned nor intellectual. With the exception of
the statistics furnished by Indian agents, the voluminous work of
Schoolcraft is absolutely worthless; and students of ethnology cannot
contemplate such a misappropriation without feelings of regret.
Fortunately, the American aboriginal had already found a true portrayer
and historian. Private enterprise, as is not unfrequently the case, has
outstripped Government patronage in the performance of its task. In the
unpretending volumes of George Catlin we find the most complete
ethnological monograph ever given to the world; but just for that
reason, Catlin, not Schoolcraft, should have been chosen for the "job."
Knowing the range of the black bear to be thus grandly extended, our
young hunters had a choice of places in which to look for one; but, as
there is no place where these animals are more common than in Louisiana
itself, they concluded that they could not do better than there choose
their hunting-ground. In the great forests, which still cover a large
portion of Louisiana, and especially upon the banks of the sluggish
_bayous_, where the marshy soil and the huge cypress trees, festooned
with Spanish moss, bid defiance to all attempts at cultivation, the
black bear still roams at will. There he is found in sufficient numbers
to ensure the procuring of a specimen without much difficulty.
The hunters of these parts have various modes of capturing him. The
log-trap is a common plan; but the planters enjoy the sport of running
him down with dogs; or rather should it be termed running him up; since
the chase usually ends by Bruin taking to a tree, and thus unconsciously
putting himself within reach of the unerring rifle.
It was by this means that our young hunters determined to try their
luck; and they had no difficulty in procuring the necessary adjuncts to
ensure success. The great Czar, powerful everywhere, was not without
his agent at New Orleans. From him a letter of introduction was
obtained to a planter living on one of the interior _bayous_; and our
heroes, having repaired thither, were at once set in train for the
sport--the planter placing himself, his house, his hounds, and his
horses at their disposal.
CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.
THE NORTHERN FORESTS.
On their arrival, the hospitable planter sent to his neighbours, and
arranged a grand hunt, to come off at an early day specified in the
invitation. Each was to bring with him such hounds as he was possessed
of--and in this way a large pack might be got together, so that a wide
extent of forest could be driven.
Among the planters of the Southern states this is a very common
practice: only a few of them keeping what might be called a regular
kennel of hounds, but many of them having five or six couples. In a
neighbourhood favourable to the chase, by uniting a number of these
little bands together, a pack may be got up large enough for any
purpose.
The usual game hunted in the Southern states is the American fallow-deer
(_cervus virginianus_), which is still found in considerable plenty in
the more solitary tracts of forest all over the United States. It is
the only species of deer indigenous to Louisiana: since, the noble stag
or "elk," as he is erroneously called (_cervus canadensis_), does not
range so far to the south. On the Pacific coast this animal is found in
much lower latitudes than on that of the Atlantic.
Besides the fallow-deer, the fox gives sport to the Louisiana hunter.
This is the grey fox (_vulpes virginianus_). The bay lynx also--or wild
cat, as it is called (_lynx rufus_)--and now and then, but more rarely,
the cougar (_felis concolor_), give the hounds a run before taking to
the tree.
Racoons, opossums, and skunks are common enough in the forests of
Louisiana; but these are regarded as "vermin," and are not permitted to
lead the dogs astray.
With regard to the other animals mentioned, they all rank as noble
game--especially the cougar, called "panther" by the backwoodsman--and
the pack may follow whichever is first "scared up."
The grand game, however, is the bear; and the capture of Bruin is not a
feat of everyday occurrence. To find his haunts it is necessary to make
an excursion into the more unfrequented and inaccessible solitudes of
the forest--in places often many miles from a settlement. Not
unfrequently, however, the old gentleman wanders abroad from his unknown
retreat, and seeks the plantations--where in the night-time he skulks
round the edges of the fields, and commits serious depredations on the
young maize plants, or the succulent stalks of the sugar-cane, of which
he is immoderately fond. Like his brown congener of Europe he has a
sweet tooth, and is greatly given to honey. To get at it he climbs the
bee-trees, and robs the hive of its stores. In all these respects he is
like the brown bear; but otherwise he differs greatly from the latter
species, so much indeed, that it is matter of surprise how any
naturalist should have been led to regard them as the same.
Not only in colour, but in shape and other respects, are they totally
unlike. While the fur of the brown bear is tossed and tufty--having
that appearance usually termed _shaggy_--that of the American black bear
is of uniform length, and all lying, or rather standing, in one
direction, presenting a smooth surface corresponding to the contour of
his body. In this respect he is far more akin to the bears of the
Asiatic islands, than to the _ursus arctos_. In shape, too, he differs
essentially from the latter. His body is more slender, his muzzle
longer and sharper, and his profile is a curve with its convexity
upward. This last characteristic, which is constant, proclaims him
indubitably a distinct species from the brown bear of Europe; and he is
altogether a smaller and more mild-tempered animal.
As the grand "chasse" had been arranged to come off on the third day
after their arrival, our young hunters determined to employ the interval
in ranging the neighbouring woods; not with any expectation of finding a
bear--as their host did not believe there was any so near--but rather
for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the character of the North
American _sylva_.
That of South America Alexis had carefully observed and studied in their
long journey across that continent. He had noted the grand tropical
trees--the palms and _pothos_ plants--the _mimosas_ and _musaceae_--the
magnificent forms of the _lombax_ and _bertholletia_--the curious
_cecropias_ and fig-trees--the giant _cedrelas_ and the gum-yielding
_siphonias_. On the Andes he had observed the agaves, the cycads, and
cactaceae--all strange to the eye of a Russian. He was now desirous of
making himself familiar with the forests of North America; which, though
of a sub-tropical character in Louisiana, contained forms altogether
different from those of the Amazonian regions. Here he would meet with
the famed magnolia, and its relative the tulip-tree; the catalpa and
flowering cornel, the giant cypress and sycamore, the evergreen oak, the
water-loving tupelo, and the curious fan-like palmetto. Of these, and
many other beautiful trees belonging to the North American _sylva_,
Alexis had read--in fact, knew them botanically; but he wished to
cultivate a still pleasanter acquaintance with them, by visiting them in
their own native home.
For this purpose he and Ivan set out alone, with only a negro for their
guide; the planter being engaged, visiting his different friends, and
warning them for the grand hunt.
Pouchskin remained behind. He had been left at the house--to do some
necessary repairs to the travelling traps both of himself and his young
masters, which, after their long South American expedition, needed
looking to. At this work had Pouchskin been left, surrounded by a
circle of grinning darkies, in whose company the old grenadier would
find material to interest and amuse him.
It was only for a stroll that our young hunters had sallied forth, and
without any design of entering upon the chase; but they had become so
accustomed to carrying their guns everywhere, that these were taken
along with them. Some curious bird or quadruped might be started--whose
fur or feathers they might fancy to make an examination of. For that
reason, both shouldered their guns.
CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.
THE LONE LAGOON.
They were soon beyond the bounds of the plantation, and walking under
the dark majestic woods--the darkey guiding them on their way. They had
heard of a curious lake or lagoon, that lay about a mile from the
plantation. There they would be likely to witness a spectacle
characteristic of the swamps of Louisiana; and thither they directed
their steps.
Sure enough, on arriving at the borders of the lagoon, a singular scene
was presented to their eyes. The whole surface of the lake appeared
alive with various forms of birds and reptiles. Hundreds of alligators
were seen, lying like dead trees upon the water, their corrugated backs
appearing above the surface. Most of them, however, were in motion,
swimming to and fro, or darting rapidly from point to point, as if in
pursuit of prey. Now and then their huge tails could be seen curling
high up in air, and then striking down upon the water, causing a
concussion that echoed far through the forest. At intervals a shining
object, flung upward by their tails, could be seen for a moment in the
air, amidst the showery spray that was raised along with it. It was
easy to see that the glittering forms thus projected were fishes, and
that it was the pursuit of these that was causing the commotion among
the huge reptiles. Aquatic birds, of a great number of kinds, were
equally busy in the pursuit of the fish. Huge pelicans stood up to
their tibia in the water--now and then immersing their long mandibles
and tossing their finny victims high into the air. Cranes and herons
too were there--among others the tall Louisiana crane--conspicuous among
the smaller species--snow-white egrets, the wood ibis, and others of
white and roseate hue--the snake-darter, with long pointed beak and
crouching serpent-like neck--the qua-bird, of lugubrious note and
melancholy aspect--and, fairest of all, the scarlet flamingo.
Other birds besides those of aquatic habits took part in the odd
spectacle. Hovering in the air were black vultures--the carrion crow
and the turkey-buzzard--and upon the tops of tall dead trees could be
seen the king of the feathered multitude, the great white-headed eagle.
His congener, the osprey, soared craftily above--at intervals swooping
down, and striking his talons into the fish, which the alligators had
tossed into the air--thus robbing the reptiles of their prey, to be
robbed in turn by his watchful cousin-german upon the tree. The
spectacle was far from being a silent one: on the contrary, the confused
chorus of sounds was deafening to the ears of the spectators. The
hoarse bellowing of the alligators--the concussions made by their great
tails striking the water--the croaking of the pelicans, and the
clattering of their huge mandibles--the doleful screaming of the herons,
cranes, and qua-birds--the shrieks of the osprey--and the shrill maniac
laughter of the white-headed eagle, piercing through all other sounds--
formed a medley of voices as unearthly as inharmonious.
A shot from the gun of Ivan, that brought down a splendid specimen of
the white-headed eagle--together with the appearance of the hunters by
the edge of the water--put a sudden termination to this grand drama of
the wilderness. The birds flew up into the air, and went soaring off in
different directions over the tops of the tall trees; while the huge
reptiles, that had been taught by the alligator hunters to fear the
presence of man, desisted for a while from their predatory prey, and
retreated to the reeds upon the opposite shore.
The spectacle was one well worthy of being seen, and one that cannot be
witnessed every day--even in the swamps of Louisiana. Its occurrence at
that time was accounted for by the drying up of the lake, which left the
fish at the mercy of their numerous enemies.
Having taken up the eagle which Ivan had shot, the young hunters
continued their excursion along the edge of the lagoon.
They had not gone far when they came upon a bank of mud, that had
formerly been covered with water. So recently had the water dried from
it, that, in spite of the hot sun shining down upon it, the mud was
still soft. They had not gone many steps further, when they perceived
upon its surface, what at first they supposed to be the tracks of a man.
On getting a little closer, however, they doubted this; and, now
recollecting the resemblance which they had noticed in the snows of
Lapland--between the footsteps of a human being and those of a bear--it
occurred to them that these might also be bear-tracks--though they knew
that the tracks of the American bear would be slightly different from
those of his European cousin.
To satisfy themselves, they hastened forward to examine the tracks; but
their negro guide had anticipated them, and now called out, with the
whites of his eyes considerably enlarged--
"Golly, young mass'rs! dat be de tracks ob um ba!"
"A bear!"
"Ya, ya, mass'rs! a big ba--dis child know um track--see'd um many de
time--de ole coon he be arter de fish too--all ob dem a-doin' a bit ob
fishin' dis mornin'--yaw, yaw, yaw!"
And the darkey laughed at what he appeared to consider an excellent
joke.
On closely scrutinising the tracks, Alexis and Ivan saw that they were
in reality the tracks of a bear--though much smaller than those they had
followed in Lapland. They were quite fresh--in fact, so recently did
they appear to have been made, that both at the same time, and by an
involuntary impulse, raised their eyes from the ground and glanced
around them; as if they expected to see the bear himself.
No such animal was in sight, however. It was quite probable he had been
on the ground, at their first coming up to the lake; but the report of
Ivan's gun had alarmed him, and he had made off into the woods. This
was quite probable.
"What a pity," reflected Ivan, "that I didn't leave the eagle alone! We
might have got sight of Master Bruin, and given him the shot instead.
And now," added he, "what's to be done? There's no snow,--therefore we
can't track the brute. The mud bank ends here, and he's gone off it,
the way he came? Of course he wouldn't be out yonder among those logs?
He wouldn't have taken shelter there, would he?"
As Ivan spoke, he pointed to a little peninsula that jutted out into the
lake, some twenty or thirty yards beyond the spot where they were
standing. It was joined to the mainland by a narrow neck or isthmus of
mud; but at the end towards the water there was a space of several yards
covered with dead trees--that had been floated thither in the floods,
and now lay high and dry, piled irregularly upon one another.
Alexis looked in the direction of this pile as Ivan pointed it out.
"I'm not so sure of that," he answered, after scrutinising the logs.
"It's a likely enough place for an animal to lurk. He might be there?"
"Let us go and see, then!" said Ivan. "If he's there he can't escape
us, without our having a shot at him; and you say that these American
bears are much easier killed than ours. The South Americans were so,
certainly. I hope their northern brothers may die as easy."
"Not all," rejoined Alexis. "We may expect some tough struggles when we
come to the great grizzly, and to him of the polar regions; but the
black bears are, as you conjecture, not so difficult to deal with. If
wounded, however, they will show fight; and, though their teeth and
claws are less dangerous than the others, they can give a man a most
uncomfortable hug, I have heard. But let us go, as you say. If not
yonder, he must have taken to the woods. In that case there is no way
of following him up, except by dogs; and for these we must go back to
the house."
As they continued talking, they advanced towards the narrow isthmus that
connected the little peninsula with the mainland.
"What a pity," remarked Ivan, "that that great log is there! But for it
we might have seen his track in the mud crossing over."
Ivan referred to a prostrate trunk that traversed the isthmus
longitudinally--extending from the mainland to the higher ground of the
peninsula, to which it formed a kind of bridge or causeway. Certainly,
had it not been there, either the bear's tracks would have been seen in
the mud or not; and if not, then no bear could have passed over to the
peninsula, and their exploration would have been unnecessary. But,
although they saw no tracks, they had started to examine the wood pile;
and they continued on, climbing up to the log, and walking along its
top.
All at once, Alexis was seen to pause and bend his body forward and
downward.
"What is it?" inquired Ivan, who was behind, on seeing his brother in
the bent attitude, as if he looked at something on the log.
"The bear's tracks!" answered Alexis, in a low but earnest tone.
"Ha! you think so? Where?"
Alexis pointed to the dead-wood under his eyes--upon the bark of which
were visible, not the tracks of a bear, but dabs of mud, that must have
been recently deposited there, either by the feet of a bear, or some
other animal.
"By the Great Peter!" said Ivan, speaking cautiously, notwithstanding
his innocent adjuration; "that must be his tracks? It's the same sort
of mud as that in which we've just been tracing him--black as ink
nearly. It has come off his great paws--not a doubt of it, brother?"
"I think it is likely," assented Alexis, at the same time that both
looked to the locks of their guns, and saw that the caps were on the
nipples.
A little further along the log, the bark was smoother, and there the
track was still more conspicuous. The print was better denned, and
answered well for the footmark of a bear. There was the naked paw, and
the balls of the five toes, all complete. They no longer doubted that
it was the track of a bear.
It was just a question whether the animal had gone over the log and
returned again. But this was set at rest, or nearly so, by a closer
scrutiny. There was no sign of a return track. True, he might have
washed his paws in the interval, or cleaned them on the dead-wood; but
that was scarce probable, and our hunters did not think so. They felt
perfectly sure that the bear was before them; and, acting upon this
belief, they cocked their guns, and continued their approach towards the
wood pile.
CHAPTER FORTY.
A DARKEY ON BEAR-BACK.
Both the young hunters succeeded in passing over the log, and had set
foot on the peninsula; while the negro, who was following a little
behind, was still upon the prostrate trunk. Just at that moment a noise
was heard--very similar to that made by a pig when suddenly started from
its bed of straw--a sort of half snort, half grunt; and along with the
noise a huge black body was seen springing up from under the loose pile
of dead trees, causing several of them to shake and rattle under its
weight. Our hunters saw at a glance that it was the bear; and levelled
their guns upon it with the intention of firing.
The animal had reared itself on its hind legs--as if to reconnoitre the
ground--and while in this attitude both the hunters had sighted it, and
were on the eve of pulling their triggers. Before they could do so,
however, the bear dropped back on all-fours. So sudden was the
movement, that the aim of both was quite disconcerted, and they both
lowered their guns to get a fresh one. The delay, however, proved fatal
to their intention. Before either had got a satisfactory sight upon the
body of the bear, the latter sprang forward with a fierce growl, and
rushed right between the two, so near that it was impossible for either
of them to fire otherwise than at random. Ivan did fire, but to no
purpose; for his bullet went quite wide of the bear, striking the log
behind it, and causing the bark to splinter out in all directions. The
bear made no attempt to charge towards them, but rushed straight on--
evidently with no other design than to make his escape to the woods.
Alexis wheeled round to fire after him; but, as he was raising his gun,
his eye fell upon the negro, who was coming on over the log, and who had
just got about halfway across it. The bear had by this time leaped up
on the other end, and in a hurried gallop--that had been quickened by
the report of Ivan's piece--was going right in the opposite direction.
The negro, who saw the huge shaggy quadruped coming straight towards
him, at once set up a loud "hulla-balloo," and, with his eyes almost
starting from their sockets, was endeavouring to retreat backwards, and
get out of the way.
His efforts proved fruitless: for before he had made three steps to the
rear, the bear--more frightened at the two adversaries behind him than
the one in front--rushed right on, and in the next instant pushed his
snout, head, and neck between the darkey's legs!
Long before this the negro had lost his senses, but now came the loss of
his legs: for as the thick body of the bear passed between them, both
were lifted clear up from the log, and hung dangling in the air. For
several feet along the log was the negro carried upon the bear's back,
his face turned to the tail; and no doubt, had he preserved his
equilibrium, he might have continued his ride for some distance further.
But as the darkey had no desire for such a feat of equestrianism, he
kept struggling to clear himself from his involuntary mount. His body
was at length thrown heavily to one side, and its weight acting like a
lever upon the bear, caused the latter to lose his balance, and tumbling
off the log, both man and bear fell "slap-dash" into the mud.
For a moment there was a confused scrambling, and spattering, and
splashing, through the soft mire--a growling on the part of the bear,
and the wildest screeching from the throat of the affrighted negro--all
of which came to an end by Bruin--whose body was now bedaubed all over
with black mud--once more regaining his feet, and shuffling off up the
bank, as fast as his legs could carry him.
Alexis now fired, and hit the bear behind; but the shot, so far from
staying his flight, only quickened his pace; and before the darkey had
got to his feet, the shaggy brute had loped off among the trees, and
disappeared from the sight of everybody upon the ground.
The grotesque appearance of the negro, as he rose out of the mire in
which he had been wallowing, coated all over with black mud--which was a
shade lighter than his natural hue--was too ludicrous for Ivan to resist
laughing at; and even the more serious Alexis was compelled to give way
to mirth. So overcome were both, that it was some minutes before they
thought of reloading their guns, and giving chase to the bear.
After a time, however, they charged again; and crossing back over the
log, proceeded in the direction in which Bruin had made his retreat.
They had no idea of being able to follow him without dogs; and it was
their intention to send for one or two to the house, when they perceived
that the bear's trace could be made out--at least, for some distance--
without them. The inky water, that had copiously saturated his long
fur, had been constantly dripping as he trotted onward in his flight;
and this could easily be seen upon the herbage over which he had passed.
They determined, therefore, to follow this trail as far as they could;
and when it should give out, it would be time enough to send for the
dogs.
They had not proceeded more than a hundred yards; when all at once the
trail trended up to the bottom of a big tree. They might have examined
the ground further, but there was no need; for, on looking up to the
trunk, they perceived large blotches of mud, and several scratches upon
the bark, evidently made by the claws of a bear. These scratches were,
most of them, of old date; but there were one or two of them quite
freshly done; besides, the wet mud was of itself sufficient proof that
the bear had gone up the tree, and must still be somewhere in its top.
The tree was a sycamore, and therefore only sparsely covered with
leaves; but from its branches hung long festoons of Spanish moss
(_tillandsia usneoides_), that grew in large bunches in the forks--in
several of which it was possible even for a bear to have stowed himself
away in concealment.
After going round the tree, however, and viewing it from all sides, our
hunters perceived that the bear was not anywhere among the moss; but
must have taken refuge in a hollow in the trunk--the mouth of which
could be seen only from one particular place; since it was hidden on all
other sides by two great limbs that led out from it, and between which
the cavity had been formed by the decaying of the heart-wood.
There could be no doubt that Bruin had entered this tree-cave; for all
around the aperture the bark was scraped and worn; and the wet mud,
lately deposited there, was visible from below.
CHAPTER FORTY ONE.
CUTTING OUT THE BEAR.
The question was, how he was to be got out? Perhaps by making a noise
he might issue forth?
This plan was at once tried, but without success. While the negro
rasped the bark with a pole, and struck the stick at intervals against
the trunk, the hunters stood, with guns cocked, watching the hole, and
ready to give the bear a reception, the moment he should show himself
outside.
It was all to no purpose. Bruin was too cunning for them, and did not
protrude even the tip of his snout out of his secure cavity.
After continuing the rasping, and repeating the blows, till the woods
echoed the sonorous concussions, they became convinced that this plan
would not serve their purpose, and desisted from it.
On examining the track more closely, they now perceived spots of blood
mixed among the mud which the bear had rubbed off upon the bark. This
convinced them that the animal was wounded, and therefore there would be
no chance of starting him out from his hole. It was no doubt the wound
that had led him to retreat to this tree, so near the place where he had
been attacked, otherwise he would have led them a longer chase through
the woods before attempting to hide himself. When, severely wounded,
the black bear betakes himself to the first hollow log or tree he can
find; and taking refuge in it, will there remain--even to die in his
den, if the wound has been a fatal one.
Knowing this habit of the animal, our hunters perceived that they had no
chance of again setting their eyes upon the bear, except by cutting down
the tree; and they resolved to adopt this method, and fell the great
sycamore to the ground.
The darkey was despatched to the plantation; and soon returned with half
a dozen of his brethren, armed with axes--Pouchskin heading the sable
band. Without further delay the chopping began; and the white chips
flew out from the great trunk in all directions.
In about an hour's time the sycamore came crashing down, carrying a
number of smaller trees along with it. The hunters, who expected that
the bear would at once spring forth, had taken their position to cover
the mouth of the cavity with their guns; but, to their surprise, the
tree fell, and lay as it had fallen, without any signs of Bruin. This
was strange enough; for, as the negroes alleged, in all similar cases
the bear is certain to charge out upon the fall of a tree that contains
him!
A sapling was now obtained, and inserted into the cavity--at first with
caution, but after a time it was punched in with all the force that
Pouchskin could put into his arm. He could feel the bear quite
distinctly; but poke the animal as he might, it would not stir.
It was suggested that they should cut into the trunk--at a place
opposite to where the bear was encased--and then they could drag him out
at will; and, although this would cost a good deal of trouble, it
appeared to be the only mode of reaching the obstinate animal.
This course was followed, therefore; and a cross section being made of
the hollow trunk, the shaggy hair was at length reached, and then the
body of Bruin, who was found to be dead as a nail!
They no longer wondered that he had paid no heed to the punching of the
pole. The bullet of Alexis had traversed his huge body in a
longitudinal direction, until it had lodged in a vital part, and, of
course, it was this that had deprived him of life. He would, therefore,
have died all the same, and in his tree-den, too, whether they had
pursued him or not.
Our hunters learnt from their negro assistants a singular fact in
relation to the black bear: and that is, that the tree-cavity in which
the animal often takes shelter, or goes to sleep, is rarely of greater
width than his own body! In most cases it is so narrow, that he cannot
turn round in it, nor has it any lair at the bottom wide enough for him
to lie down upon. It follows, therefore, that he must sleep in a
standing position, or squatted upon his hams. It is in this attitude he
makes his descent into the cavity, and in the same way comes down the
trunk of the tree, when at any time making his departure from his den.
From this it would appear that the upright attitude is as natural to
this animal, as that of resting on all-fours, or even lying prostrate on
the ground; for it is well-known that, farther to the north--where the
winters are more severe, and where the black bear hybernates for a short
season--he often takes his nap in a tree-cavity, which his body
completely fills, without the possibility of his turning round in it!
One precaution he takes, and that is, to scrape off all the rotten wood
around the sides of the cavity; but for what purpose he exercises this
curious instinct, neither hunter nor naturalist can tell. Perhaps it is
that the projections may not press against his body, and thus render his
couch uncomfortable?
Our young hunters found this bear one of the largest of his species, and
his skin, after the mud had been washed off, proved to be an excellent
specimen.
Of course, they coveted no other; but for all that, they had the
pleasure of being present at the death of several bears, killed in the
great hunt that came off on the appointed day.
A deer-chase was also got up for their special entertainment--during
which a cougar was "treed" and killed--an event of rarer occurrence than
even the death of a bear; for the cougar is now one of the scarcest
quadrupeds to be met with in the forests of North America.
Another entertainment which the planter provided for his guests was a
"_barbecue_"--a species of festival peculiar to the backwoods of
America, and which, on account of its peculiarity, deserves a word or
two of description.
CHAPTER FORTY TWO.
THE SQUATTER'S BARGAIN.
As we have just said, the barbecue is a festival which especially
belongs to the backwoods settlements, although it has now become known
even in the older States, and often forms a feature in the great
political meetings of an election campaign--losing, however, much of its
true character in the elaborate adornments and improvements sometimes
bestowed upon it.
When Alexis and Ivan strolled down in the early morning to the quiet
glade which had been selected as the scene of this rural festivity, they
found there a noisy and bustling crowd. A monstrous fire of logs,
enough to roast not only a single ox, but a hecatomb of oxen, was
blazing near the edge of the glade, while a half-dozen chattering
negroes were busy digging a great pit close by. This pit, when entirely
excavated, measured some ten or twelve feet in length, by five or six in
width, and perhaps three in depth; and was lined with smooth flat
stones. As soon as the logs had ceased to flame and smoke, and were
fast falling into a mighty heap of glowing ruddy coals, they were
shovelled hastily into the pit. Another party of negroes had been busy
in the woods, searching out the tall slender saplings of the pawpaw
(_asimina triloba_), and now returned, bringing their spoil with them.
The saplings were laid across the top of the pit, thus extemporising
over it a huge gridiron. The ox, which was to form the staple of the
day's feast, had been killed and dressed; and, having been split in
halves after the fashion of the barbecue, was laid upon the bars to
roast. Proudly presiding over the operation was the major-domo of the
planter's household, assisted by several celebrated cooks of the
neighbourhood, and a score of chosen farm-hands, whose strength was ever
and anon invoked to turn the beef; while the _chef_ ordered a fresh
basting, or himself sprinkled the browning surface with the savoury
dressing of pepper, salt, and fine herbs, for the composition of which
he had attained a grand reputation.
The morning wore swiftly on in the observation of these novel
manoeuvres; and with the noon came the guests in numbers from the
neighbouring plantations and settlements. Even the determined
resistance of the toughest beef must have failed before the hot attack
of such an army of live coals, as had lain intrenched in the deep
fireplace; and the tender joints of the enormous _boeuf roti_ were ready
to bear their share in the festivities almost as soon as the invited
company. Separated with great cleavers, and laid into white button-wood
trays hollowed out for the purpose, they were borne rapidly to the shady
nook selected for the dining-place, followed by vast supplies of sweet
potatoes, roasted in the ashes, and of rich, golden maize bread. A
barrel of rare cider was broached; while good old-fashioned puddings,
and the luscious fruits of the region completed the bill of fare in
honour of the day. Of course "joy was unconfined." Everybody
pronounced the roast a grand success; and the young Russians thought
that they had never tasted so appetising a meal. With the exhilaration
of the fresh, clear air, the encouragement of hearty appetite, and the
full flavour of the meat--for it is well-known that the sap which exudes
from the pawpaw, when thus exposed to fire, adds a new relish to
whatever is cooked upon it--combined to make a dinner fit for the Czar
himself; and they determined to attempt, at some time, an imitation of
the Southern barbecue under the colder sky of Russia.
Merriment was unbounded; healths were drunk, songs sung, odd speeches
made, and stories told.
One of the last in particular made an impression upon our heroes;
partly, because it was a bear story, and partly because it illustrated a
very characteristic phase of squatter life and practical humour. In
fact, Alexis made a sketch of it in his journal, and from his notes we
now reconstruct it.
Two squatters had occupied lands not far from each other, and within
some eight or ten miles of a small town. Busied in clearing off the
woodland, each bethought himself of a source of revenue beyond the
produce of his tilled ground. He would occupy an occasional leisure day
in hauling to the town, the logs which he cut from time to time, and
then selling them as firewood. This unity of purpose naturally brought
the two men into competition with one another for the limited custom of
the settlement; and a rivalry sprang up between them, which was fast
ripening into jealousy and ill-will, when a curious coincidence
occurred.
Each owned a single yoke of oxen, which he used regularly in his farm
labour, and also in dragging his wood to market. Within a week each
lost an ox; one dying of some bovine distemper,--the other being so
injured by the fall of a tree, that his owner had been obliged to kill
him.
As one ox could not draw a wood-wagon, the occupation of both squatters
as wood merchants was gone--and even farm operations were likely to
suffer. Each soon heard of his neighbour's predicament; and proposed to
himself to make a bargain for the remaining ox, that he might be the
possessor of the pair, continue his clearing prosperously, and command
the wood-hauling business. But, as one might suppose, where both
parties were so fully bent upon accomplishing their own ends, the trade
was no nearer a conclusion when a dozen negotiations had taken place
than at first. So matters stood in _statu quo_, the days rolled by, and
our two squatters found their condition waxing desperate.
One fine morning, squatter the first started off to make a last
attempt--determined to close the bargain peaceably if he could, forcibly
if he must. Revolving project upon project in his mind, he had
traversed the two or three miles of woodland which lay between him and
his neighbour's clearing, and was just entering it, when a sudden rustle
and significant growl coming from behind broke in upon his reverie.
Turning hastily, he saw almost at his heels a bear of the most
unprepossessing aspect. To reach the cabin before Bruin could overtake
him was impossible; and to turn upon the creature would be folly: for,
in the depth of his deliberation, he had forgotten on leaving home to
take any kind of weapon with him. Some dead trees had been left
standing in the field, and to one of these he sped with flying steps,
hoping to find shelter behind it till help could come. He did not hope
in vain for this protection. He found that by pretty active dodging, he
could keep the trunk of the tree between himself and the bear--whose
brain could hardly follow the numerous shifts made by the squatter to
escape the frequent clutches of his claws. Rising indignantly upon his
hind legs, the bear made a fierce rush at the squatter, but hugged only
the tough old tree, in whose bark he buried deep his pointed claws. An
inspiration flashed through the squatter's mind, as he saw the bear
slowly and with some difficulty dragging out his nails; and seizing
Bruin's shanks just above the paws, he braced himself against the tree,
resolved to try and hold the claws into their woody sockets until his
neighbour could respond to his halloos for help.
The other squatter heard his cries; but instead of hastening to the
rescue, he came slowly along, carelessly shouldering his axe.
Perceiving his neighbour's difficulty, a new solution of the ox question
had entered his mind; and to the redoubled appeals for assistance, he
calmly replied--
"On one condition, neighbour!"
"What is it?" anxiously inquired the other.
"If I let you loose from the bar, you'll gi' me up your odd steer."
There was no help for it, and with a heavy sigh, the prisoner consented.
"Stop!" cried he, ere the axe could fall; "this old brute has half
plagued the life out o' me, and I'd like nothing better'n the
satisfaction o' killin' him myself. Jest you ketch hold here, and let
me give him his death-blow."
The second squatter, rejoicing beyond measure at having accomplished his
long-desired purpose, unsuspiciously agreed, dropped the axe, cautiously
grasped the sinewy shanks, and bent his strength to the momentary
struggle. To his utter dismay, he beheld his neighbour quietly shoulder
the axe, and walk away from the ground!
"Hold on!" he shouted; "ain't ye goin' to kill the bar?"
"Wal, not jest now, I fancy; I thought you might like to hang on a
while?"
The tables thus turned, the deluded squatter had no resource but to make
terms with his grimly gleeful neighbour, who at last consented to put an
end to the wild beast's life, if he might not only be released from the
bargain he had just made, but, in addition, be himself the recipient of
the odd ox. Sorely chagrined, the second squatter consented. But he
was a little comforted at the idea of a slight _revanche_ that had just
entered his head. Watching his chance, as the other approached to deal
the fatal blow, with a desperate effort he tore out the bear's claws
from the bark--setting the infuriated animal free--and then fled at full
speed to his cabin, leaving the two original combatants to fight it out
between themselves.
The particulars of the contest even tradition has not preserved--the
sequel to the narrative only telling that half an hour later the first
squatter, scratched and bloody, hobbled slowly up to the cabin,
remarking satirically as he threw down the broken axe:--
"Thar, neighbour; I'm afraid I've spiled yer axe, but I'm sure I've
spiled the bar. Prehaps you'd let one o' your leetle boys drive that
ere ox over to my house?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
After enjoying the hospitality of their planter friend for a few days
longer, our travellers once more resumed their journey; and proceeded up
the great Mississippi, towards the cold countries of the North.
CHAPTER FORTY THREE.
THE POLAR BEAR.
A few weeks after leaving the Louisiana planter, our hunters were
receiving hospitality from a very different kind of host, a
"fur-trader." Their headquarters was Fort Churchill, on the western
shore of Hudson's Bay, and once the chief entrepot of the famous company
who have so long directed the destinies of that extensive region--
sometimes styled Prince Rupert's Land, but more generally known as the
"Hudson's Bay Territory."
To Fort Churchill they had travelled almost due north--first up the
Mississippi, then across land to Lake Superior, and direct over the lake
to one of the Company's posts on its northern shore. Thence by a chain
of lakes, rivers, and "portages" to York factory, and on northward to
Fort Churchill. Of course, at Fort Churchill they had arrived within
the range of the great white or Polar bear (_ursus maritimus_), who was
to be the _next_ object of their "chasse." In the neighbourhood of York
factory, and even further to the south, they might have found bears of
this species: for the _ursus maritimus_ extends his wanderings all round
the shores of Hudson's Bay--though not to those of James' Bay further
south. The latitude of 55 degrees is his southern limit upon the
continent of America; but this only refers to the shores of Labrador and
those of Hudson's Bay. On the western coast Behring's Straits appears
to form his boundary southward; and even within these, for some distance
along both the Asiatic and American shores, he is one of the rarest of
wanderers. His favourite range is among the vast conglomeration of
islands and peninsulas that extend around Hudson's and Baffin's Bays--
including the icebound coasts of Greenland and Labrador--while going
westward to Behring's Straits, although the great quadruped is
occasionally met with, he is much more rare. Somewhat in a similar
manner, are the white bears distributed in the eastern hemisphere.
While found in great plenty in the Frozen Ocean, in its central and
eastern parts, towards the west, on the northern coasts of Russia and
Lapland, they are never seen--except when by chance they have strayed
thither, or been drifted upon masses of floating ice.
It is unnecessary to remark that this species of bear lives almost
exclusively near the sea, and _by_ the sea. He may be almost said to
dwell upon it: since out of the twelve months in the year, ten of them
at least are passed by him upon the fields of ice. During the short
summer of the Arctic regions, he makes a trip inland--rarely extending
it above fifty miles, and never over a hundred--guided in his excursions
by the courses of rivers that fall into the sea. His purpose in making
these inland expeditions, is to pick up the freshwater fish; which he
finds it convenient to catch in the numerous falls or shallows of the
streams. He also varies his fish diet at this season, by making an
occasional meal on such roots and berries as he may find growing along
the banks. At other times of the year, when all inland water is frozen
up, and even the sea to a great distance from land, he then keeps along
the extreme edge of the frozen surface, and finds his food in the open
water of the sea. Sea-fish of different species, seals, the young
walrus, and even at times the young of the great whale itself, become
his prevail of which he hunts and captures with a skill and cunning,
that appears more the result of a reasoning process than a mere
instinct.
His natatory powers appear to have no limit: at all events, he has been
met with swimming about in open water full twenty miles from either ice
or land. He has been often seen much further from shore, drifting upon
masses of ice; but it is doubtful whether he cared much for the footing
thus afforded him. It is quite possible he can swim as long as it
pleases him, or until his strength may become exhausted by hunger.
While going through the water, it does not appear necessary for him to
make the slightest effort; and he can even spring up above the surface,
and bound forward after the manner of porpoises or other _cetaceae_.
If any quadruped has ever reached the pole, it is the polar bear; and it
is quite probable that his range extends to this remarkable point on the
earth's surface. Most certainly it may, if we suppose that there is
open water around the pole--a supposition that, by analogical reasoning,
may be proved to be correct. The daring Parry found white bears at 82
degrees; and there is no reason why they should not traverse the
intervening zone of 500 odd miles, almost as easily as the fowls of the
air or the fish of the sea. No doubt there are polar bears around the
pole; though it may be assumed for certain that none of them ever
attempts to "swarm" up it, as the white bear is not the best climber of
his kind. The female of the polar bear is not so much addicted to a
maritime life as her liege lord. The former, unless when barren, keeps
upon the land; and it is upon the land that she brings forth her young.
When pregnant, she wanders off to some distance from the shore; and
choosing her bed, she lies down, goes to sleep, and there remains until
spring. She does not, like other hybernating bears, seek out a cave or
hollow tree; for in the desolate land she inhabits, ofttimes neither one
nor the other could be found. She merely waits for the setting-in of a
great snow-storm--which her instinct warns her of--and then, stretching
herself under the lee of a rock--or other inequality, where the snow
will be likely to form a deep drift--she remains motionless till it has
"smoored" her quite up, often covering her body to the depth of several
feet. There she remains throughout the winter, completely motionless,
and apparently in a state of torpor. The heat of her body thawing the
snow that comes immediately in contact with it, together with some
warmth from her limited breathing, in time enlarges the space around
her, so that she reclines inside a sort of icy shell. It is fortunate
that circumstances provide her with this extra room: since in due course
of time she will stand in need of it for the company she expects.
And in process of time it is called into use. When the spring sun
begins to melt the snow outside, the bear becomes a mother, and a brace
of little white cubs make their appearance, each about as big as a
rabbit.
The mother does not immediately lead them forth from their snowy
chamber; but continues to suckle them there until they are of the size
of Arctic foxes, and ready to take the road. Then she makes an effort,
breaks through the icy crust that forms the dome of her dwelling, and
commences her journey towards the sea.
There are times when the snow around her has become so firmly caked,
that, with her strength exhausted by the suckling of her cubs, the bear
is unable to break through it. In a case of this kind, she is compelled
to remain in an involuntary durance--until the sun gradually melts the
ice around her and sets her free. Then she issues from her prolonged
imprisonment, only the shadow of her former self, and scarce able to
keep her feet.
The Northern Indians and Eskimos capture hundreds of these hybernating
bears every season--taking both them and their cubs at the same time.
They find the retreat in various ways: sometimes by their dogs scraping
to get into it, and sometimes by observing the white hoar that hangs
over a little hole which the warmth of the bear's breath has kept open
in the snow.
The hunters, having ascertained the exact position of the animal's body,
either dig from above, and spear the old she in her bed; or they make a
tunnel in a horizontal direction, and, getting a noose around the head
or one of the paws of the bear, drag her forth in that way.
To give an account of the many interesting habits peculiar to the polar
bear--with others which this species shares in common with the Bruin
family--would require a volume to itself. These habits are well
described by many writers of veracity,--such as Lyon, Hearne,
Richardson, and a long array of other Arctic explorers. It is therefore
unnecessary to dwell on them here--where we have only space to narrate
an adventure which occurred to our young bear-hunters, while procuring
the skin of this interesting quadruped.
CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.
THE OLD SHE SURROUNDED.
They had been for some days on the lookout for a white bear; and had
made several excursions from the Port--going as far as the mouth of the
Seal river, which runs into Hudson's Bay a little farther to the north.
On all these excursions they had been unsuccessful; for, although they
had several times come upon the track of the bears, and had even seen
them at a distance, they were unable in a single instance to get within
shot. The difficulty arose from the level nature of the ground, and its
being quite destitute of trees or other cover, under which they might
approach the animals. The country around Fort Churchill is of this
character--and indeed along the whole western shore of Hudson's Bay,
where the soil is a low alluviom, without either rocks or hills. This
formation runs landward for about a hundred miles--constituting a strip
of marshy soil, which separates the sea from a parallel limestone
formation further inward. Then succeed the primitive rocks, which cover
a large interior tract of country, known as the "Barren Grounds."
It is only on the low belt adjoining the coast that the polar bear is
found; but the females range quite across to the skirts of the woods
which cover the limestone formation. Our hunters therefore knew that
either upon the shore itself, or upon the low alluvial tract adjoining
it, they would have to search for their game; and to this district they
confined their search.
On the fifth day they made a more extended excursion towards the
interior. It was now the season of midsummer, when the old males range
up the banks of the streams: partly with the design of catching a few
freshwater fish, partly to nibble at the sweet berries, but above all to
meet the females, who just then, with their half-grown cubs, come coyly
seaward to meet their old friends of the previous year, and introduce
their offspring to their fathers, who up to this hour have not set eyes
on them.
On the present excursion our hunters were more fortunate than before:
since they not only witnessed a reunion of this sort, but succeeded in
making a capture of the whole family,--father, mother, and cubs.
They had on this occasion gone up the Churchill river, and were
ascending a branch stream that runs into the latter, some miles above
the fort. Their mode of travelling was in a birch-bark canoe: for
horses are almost unknown in the territory of the Hudson's Bay Company,
excepting in those parts of it that consist of prairie. Throughout most
of this region the only means of travelling is by canoes and boats,
which are managed by men who follow it as a calling, and who are styled
"voyageurs." They are nearly all of Canadian origin--many of them
half-breeds, and extremely skilful in the navigation of the lakes and
rivers of this untrodden wilderness. Of course most of them are in the
employ of the Hudson's Bay Company; and when not actually engaged in
"voyaging" do a little hunting and trapping on their own account.
Two of these voyageurs--kindly furnished by the chief factor at the
fort--propelled the canoe which carried our young hunters; so that with
Pouchskin there were five men in the little craft. This was nothing,
however, as birch-bark canoes are used in the Territory of a much larger
kind--some that will even carry tons of merchandise and a great many
men. Along the bank of the stream into which they had now entered grew
a selvage of willows--here and there forming leafy thickets that were
impenetrable to the eye; but in other places standing so thinly, that
the plains beyond them could be seen out of the canoe.
It was a likely enough place for white bears to be found in--especially
at this season, when, as already stated, the old males go inland to meet
the females, as well as to indulge in a little vegetable diet, after
having confined themselves all the rest of the year to fish and
seal-flesh. The voyageurs said that there were many bulbous roots
growing in those low meadows of which the bears are very fond; and also
_larvae_ of certain insects, found in heaps, like anthills--which by
Bruin are esteemed a delicacy of the rarest kind.
For this reason our hunters were regarding the land on both sides of the
stream, occasionally standing up in the canoe to reconnoitre over the
tops of the willows, or peering through them where they grew thinly.
While passing opposite one of the breaks in the willow-grove, a
spectacle came before their eyes that caused them to order the canoe to
be stopped, and the voyageurs to rest on their oars.
Alexis, who had been upon the lookout, at first did not know what to
make of the spectacle: so odd was the grouping of the figures that
composed it. He could see a large number of animals of _quadrupedal_
form, but of different colours. Some were nearly white, others brown or
reddish-brown, and several were quite black. All appeared to have long
shaggy hair, cocked ears, and large bushy tails. They were not standing
at rest, but moving about--now running rapidly from point to point, now
leaping up in the air, while some were rushing round in circles! In all
there appeared to be thirty or forty of them; and they covered a space
of ground about as large as a drawing-room floor.
There was a slight haze or mist hanging over the meadow, which hindered
Alexis from having a clear view of these animals; and, through the
magnifying influence of this sort of atmosphere, they appeared as large
as young oxen. Their form, however, was very different from these; and
from their pointed ears, long muzzles, and full bunching tails, Alexis
could think of nothing else to compare them to but wolves. Their varied
colours signified nothing: since in these northern lands there are
wolves of many varieties from white to black; and wolves they really
were--only magnified by the mist into gigantic proportions.
Alexis had not viewed them long before perceiving that they were not
_all_ wolves. In their midst was an animal of a very different kind--
much larger than any of them; but what sort of a creature it was the
young hunter could not make out.
Ivan, who had risen to his feet, was equally puzzled to tell.
It appeared as large as half a dozen of the wolves rolled up into one,
and was whiter than the whitest of them; but it looked as if it had a
hunch upon its back; and altogether more like a shapeless mass of white
bristly hair than a regularly-formed quadruped. It must be an animal,
however, as its motions testified; for it was seen to be turning round
and round, and at intervals darting forward a pace or two, as if working
its way in the direction of the river.
Whatever the animal was, it soon became clear that it was battling with
the wolves that surrounded it; and this accounted for the singular
movements that these last were making, as well as for their fierce
barking and growling that, in confused chorus, filled the air. At
intervals, and still louder, could be heard a different sort of cry--
shrill and plaintive, like the hinny of a mule--and evidently proceeding
not from the wolves, but from the huge white animal which they were
assailing.
The voyageurs at once recognised the cry.
"A bear!--a sea bear!" exclaimed both together.
One of them stood up, and looked over the plain.
"Yes," said he, confirming his first assertion. "An old she it is,
surrounded by wolves. Ha! it's her cubs they're after! _Voila,
messieurs_! She's got one of them on her back. _Enfant de garce_, how
the old beldam keeps them at bay! She's fighting her way to the water!"
Guided by the words of the voyageur, our hunters now perceived clearly
enough that the white object appearing over the backs of the wolves was
neither more nor less than a large bear; and that which they had taken
for a hunch upon its shoulders was another bear--a young one, stretched
out at full length along the back of its mother, and clinging there,
with its forearms clasped around her neck.
It was evident, also, as the voyageur had said, that the old she was
endeavouring to work her way towards the river--in hopes, no doubt, of
retreating to the water, where she knew the wolves would not dare to
follow her. This was evidently her design: for, while they stood
watching, she advanced several yards of ground in the direction of the
stream.
Notwithstanding the fierce eagerness with which the wolves kept up the
attack, they were observing considerable caution in the conflict. They
had good reason: since before their eyes was an example of what they
might expect, if they came to _very_ close quarters. Upon the ground
over which the fight had been raging, three or four of their number were
seen lying apparently dead--while others were limping around, or sneaked
off with whining cries, licking the wounds they had received from the
long claws of their powerful adversary.
It was rather an odd circumstance for the wolves to have thus attacked a
polar bear--an antagonist of which they stand in the utmost dread. The
thing, however, was explained by one of the voyageurs; who said that the
bear in question was a weak one--half-famished, perhaps, and feeble from
having suckled her young; and it was the cubs, and not the old bear
herself, that the wolves were after--thinking to separate these from
their mother, and so destroy and devour them. Perhaps one of them had
been eaten up already: since only one could be seen; and there are
always two cubs in a litter.
Our young hunters did not think of staying longer to watch the strange
encounter. Their sole idea was to get possession of the bear and her
cub; and with this intent they ordered the voyageurs to paddle close up
to the shore and land them. As soon as the canoe touched the bank, both
leaped out; and, followed by Pouchskin, proceeded towards the scene of
the conflict,--the voyageurs remaining in the canoe.
CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.
A WHOLE FAMILY CAPTURED.
The party had not gone more than a dozen steps from the water's edge,
when a new object coming under their eyes caused them to halt. This was
another quadruped that at that moment was seen dashing out from the
willows, and rushing onward towards the scene of the strife. There was
no mistaking the character of the creature. Our hunters saw at a glance
that it was a large white bear--much larger than the one surrounded by
the wolves. It was, in fact, the male; who, wandering in the thicket of
willows--or, more likely, lying there asleep--had not till that moment
been aware of what was going on, or that his wife and children were in
such deadly danger. Perhaps it was the noise that had awaked him; and
he was just in the act of hastening forward to the rescue.
With a shuffling gallop he glided over the plain--as fast as a horse
could have gone; and in a few seconds he was close up to the scene of
the conflict--to which his presence put an end right on the instant.
The wolves, seeing him rush open-mouthed towards them, one and all
bolted off; and ran at full speed over the plain, their long tails
streaming out behind them. Those that were wounded, however, could not
get clear so easily; and the enraged bear, charging upon these, rushed
from one to the other, knocking the breath out of each as he came up to
it, with a single "pat" of his heavy paws.
In less than ten seconds the ground was quite cleared of the ravenous
wolves. Only the dead ones remained on it; while the others, having got
off to a safe distance, halted in straggling groups; and, with their
tails drooping upon the grass, stood gazing back with looks of
melancholy disappointment.
Bruin, meanwhile, having settled his affair with the wounded wolves, ran
up to his mate; and, throwing his paws around her neck, appeared to
congratulate her upon her escape! And now did our hunters perceive that
there were two cubs instead of one--that which still clung fast upon the
mother's back, and another which was seen under her belly, and which she
had been equally protecting against the crowd of assailants that
surrounded her.
Both the little fellows--about as large as foxes they were--now
perceived that they were out of a danger--which, no doubt, they had
perfectly comprehended. That upon the shoulders of the dam leaped down
to the earth; while the other crawled out "from under;" and both coming
together began tumbling about over the grass, and rolling over one
another in play, the parents watching with interest their uncouth
gambols.
Notwithstanding the well-known ferocity of these animals, there was
something so tender in the spectacle, that our hunters hesitated about
advancing. Alexis, in particular, whose disposition was a shade more
gentle than that of his companions, felt certain qualms of compassion,
as he looked upon this exhibition of feelings and affections that
appeared almost human. Ivan was even touched; and certainly neither he
nor his brother would have slain these creatures out of mere wanton
sport. They would not have thought of such a thing under ordinary
circumstances; and it was only from the necessity they were under of
procuring the skin that they thought of it at all. Perhaps they would
even have passed this group; and taken their chances of finding another,
that might make a less powerful appeal to their compassion; but in this
they were overruled by Pouchskin. The old grenadier was afflicted by no
such tender sentiments; and throwing aside all scruple, before his young
masters could interfere to prevent him, he advanced a few paces forward,
and discharged his fusil, broadside at the biggest of the bears.
Whether he hit the bear or not, was not then known. Certain it was that
he in no way crippled the animal; for, as soon as the smoke had cleared
out of his eyes, he saw the huge quadruped part from the side of his
mate, and come charging down upon him.
Pouchskin hesitated for a moment whether to withstand the attack, and
had drawn his knife to be ready; but the formidable appearance of the
antagonist, his immense size, and fierce aspect, admonished Pouchskin
that in this case discretion might be the better part of valour, and he
yielded to the suggestion. Indeed, the two voyageurs in the canoe were
already shouting to all three to run for it--warning them of the danger
they were in by the most earnest speech and gesture.
Ivan and Alexis stood their ground till Pouchskin had returned to where
they were, and then both fired upon the bear. They may have hit him or
not; but the huge monster showed no sign, and only appeared to charge
forward the faster.
All three together now ran for the boat. It was their only refuge; for
had it been a trial of speed, and much ground to go over, the bear would
certainly have overtaken them; and a few wipes from his paw would have
ended the life of one or the other--perhaps of the whole trio.
It was fortunate they had the boat to flee to: else Pouchskin's
imprudence, in provoking the bear, might have led to a fatal
termination.
Quick as their legs could carry them they made for the canoe; and one
after the other leaped into it. Without even waiting for them to seat
themselves, the two voyageurs pushed off from the bank, suddenly
shooting the craft out into the middle of the stream.
But this did not stay the pursuit of the infuriated bear, nor even delay
him for a moment.
On reaching the bank, he did not make halt; but, launching out, sprang
down with a plunge upon the water. Then, stretching his body at full
length, he swam direct after the canoe.
The craft had been turned head down the stream; and, what with the help
of the current and the impulse of the oars, it swept onward with
arrow-like rapidity. But for all that it soon became apparent that the
bear was gaining upon it--his broad paws enabling him to swim with the
velocity of a fish--while every now and then he rose above the surface,
and bounded forward to a distance of several feet through the air!
The voyageurs plied their paddles with all their skill and energy; there
was the dread of death to stimulate them to the utmost exertion of their
strength. They knew well, that, if the bear should succeed in coming up
with the canoe, he would either mount into it, and drive all of them
into the water; or, what was more probable, he would upset the craft,
and spill the whole party out of it. In either case, there would be the
danger of coming in contact with his claws; and that, they knew, was the
danger of death itself.
The hunters were all three busy reloading their guns; and getting ready
to fire before the enemy should be up to them.
They were not in time, however. With the motion of the boat, and the
constrained attitudes in which it placed them, the loading was a slow
process; and, before any of the three had a bullet down, the bear was
close astern. Only Ivan had a barrel loaded; and this, unfortunately,
was with small shot, which he had been keeping for waterfowl. He fired
it, nevertheless, right into the teeth of the pursuer; but, instead of
stopping him, it only increased his rage, and roused him to make still
greater efforts to overtake the canoe.
Pouchskin, in despair, threw down his gun, and seized upon an axe, that
by good luck had been brought in the boat. With this firmly grasped in
his hands, and kneeling in the stern, he waited the approach of the
infuriated swimmer.
The bear had got close up to the boat--in fact was within the length of
his own body of touching it. Believing himself now near enough, he made
one of his prodigious bounds, and launched himself forward. His sharp
claws rattled against the birch-bark, tearing a large flake from the
craft. Had this not given way, his hold would have been complete; and
the boat would, in all likelihood, have been dragged, stern foremost,
under water. But the failure of his clutch brought the head of the
monster once more on a level with the surface; and before he could raise
it to make a second spring, the great wedge of steel descended upon his
crown, and went crashing through his skull.
Almost in the same instant, he was seen to turn over in the water; his
limbs moved only with a spasmodic action; he gave a feeble kick or two
with his long hind legs; and then his carcass floated along the surface,
like a mass of white foam.
It was soon secured, and drawn out upon the bank--for the purpose of
being stripped of its snow-white robe.
Our young hunters would have been contented to have left the others
alone--neither the female nor her cubs being required by them. But the
voyageurs--who were desirous of obtaining the skins of all three on
their own account--proposed returning to effect their destruction; and
in this proposal they were backed by Pouchskin, who had a natural
antipathy to all bears.
It ended in the killing of the dam, and the capturing of her cubs alive;
for, encumbered as the old she was with her offspring, she was soon
overtaken, and fell an easy victim to the volley of bullets that were
poured into her from all sides at once.
With the skins of the old bears, and the cubs tied in the bottom of the
canoe, our hunters started back down stream; but they had scarce parted
from the place, before the ravenous wolves returned--not only to devour
the carcases of the bears, but also those of their own comrades that had
fallen in the encounter!
CHAPTER FORTY SIX.
THE BARREN GROUNDS.
The "Barren Ground bear" was next to be sought for; but to reach the
haunts of this animal, a long and toilsome journey must be made. That
tract of the Hudson's Bay territory known as the "Barren Grounds,"
extends from the shores of the Arctic Sea as far south as the latitude
of the Churchill river; bounded eastward by Hudson's Bay itself, and
westward by a chain of lakes, of which the Great Slave and Athapescow
are the principal.
This immense territory is almost unexplored to the present hour. Even
the Hudson's Bay trappers have a very imperfect knowledge of it. It has
been crossed in one or two places, and skirted by exploring parties, but
it is still almost a _terra ignota_, except to the four or five tribes
of Indians who dwell around its borders, and the Esquimaux, who venture
a little way into it along the coast of the Arctic Sea.
Before proceeding to hunt the Barren Ground bear, let us say a word
about his species. By writers, both old and modern, he has been
variously classed. Even the ablest naturalist who has written about him
is puzzled as to his species. We speak of Sir John Richardson, the
companion of the lamented Franklin, and himself one of the great men of
the earth. Sir John first regarded this bear, though very doubtfully,
as a variety of the _ursus americanus_, or American black bear. Later
observations influenced him to change this opinion; and again with
modest doubtfulness--characteristic of the man--he suggests his being a
variety of the _ursus arctos_.
We shall make bold to affirm that he is a variety of neither; but a
distinct species of bear.
We shall give our reasons--and first, as to his distinctness from the
_ursus americanus_. He is not like the latter, either in colour, shape
of body, bulk, profile, physiognomy, length of feet or tail. In all
these respects he bears a greater resemblance to the _ursus arctos_, or
even to his nearer neighbour, the grizzly (_ursus ferox_). He differs
from both these, however, in other points--as will presently be seen.
Again, he is of a fiercer disposition than the black bear, and more
dangerous to the hunter--almost as much so as the grizzly, and quite as
much as the brown. Moreover, he dwells in a country in which the black
bear could not make his home. To the existence of the latter, the
forest is essential; and he is never found far out of it. It is not the
higher latitude that keeps him out of the Barren Grounds, but the
absence of timber. This is proved by the fact of his being found quits
as far northward as any part of the Barren Grounds, but where the
limestone formation favours the growth of trees; whereas, among the
primitive rocks to the north of Nelson river, the black bear does not
exist--the very region that appears most favourable to the existence of
the Barren Ground species--who cares not for trees, and cannot climb
them.
Still another material difference may be pointed out. The black bear,
in his normal state, is altogether frugivorous--a true vegetable feeder.
The other is carnivorous and piscivorous--at one season killing and
eating marmots and mice, at another frequenting the sea coast and
subsisting upon fish. In a word, the two bears are as unlike as may
be--they are distinct species.
To compare the Barren Ground bear with the _ursus arctos_. The former
is certainly much more like this species, than he is to the _ursus
americanus_; but again we _encounter_ notable points of difference; and
were it not for a certain resemblance in colour, it is possible the two
kinds would never have been brought into comparison. It is easy,
however, to prove them also distinct species--by simply observing that
their habits are altogether unlike. The _ursus arctos_ is a
_tree-climbing wood bear_: the Barren Ground species is not. The former
prefers a vegetable diet--the latter likes better fish, flesh, and
insects--though he will also fill his stomach with a farrago of
vegetable matters.
But to say nothing of the very different habits of the two animals,
there is a yellowish tinge over the fur of the American species, that is
not observed in the brown bears of European countries--except, perhaps,
in those of the Pyrenees--and at certain seasons this tinge turns so
pale, as to give a whitish appearance to the animal: hence, by the
Indians, they are often termed "white bears."
It is, besides, altogether improbable, that the brown bear of Europe
should turn up in the "Barren Grounds" of the Hudson's Bay territory--an
isolated, treeless tract--quite unlike his habitat in the Old World; and
to which no line of migration could be traced with much probability. We
might suppose such a migration through Siberia and Russian America; and
certainly there is some probability in this view: for although it has
been hitherto stated that the Barren Ground bear is only found within
the limits of the peculiar district so called, it is very certain that
his range extends beyond these boundaries. The brown bear of Russian
America and the Aleutian Islands appears to be identical with this
species; and there is a suspicion, that the brown species of Kamschatka
is no other than the Barren Ground bear of the Hudson's Bay. The
fishing habits of the former go some ways towards an identification of
the two species--at the same time separating both from the _ursus
arctos_ of Scandinavia.
It needs hardly to be argued, that the Barren Ground bear is quite a
distinct animal from the grizzly though writers have often confounded
them. They are different in size and colour. Though the grizzly is
sometimes brown, it is always with a mixture of white tipped hairs; but
the most essential distinction is to be found in the greater ferocity of
the latter, and his far longer and more curving claws. Many other
points might be mentioned--showing them to be animals of two separate
species--besides, their range is altogether distinct.
The Barren Ground bear, then, is not the _ursus arctos, americanus_, or
_ferox_. What then? Has he received no specific name from the
naturalists? Not yet. Alexis, however, bestowed one upon him. He
named him after the man who has given the clearest account of his
country and his habits; and whom Alexis deemed most worthy of the
honour. In his journal we find the record. There it is written, that
the Barren Ground bear is the _ursus Richardsonii_.
CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.
BRUIN TAKING A BATH.
To seek the haunts of this new species of bear, I have said that our
hunters would have a long journey to make--even so far as the Great
Slave Lake--for although the Barren Grounds extend many degrees to the
south of this water, the _ursus Richardsonii_; rarely wanders to a lower
latitude. Upon the shores of the Slave Lake, however, they would be
certain to encounter him; and thither they repaired.
They were fortunate in the time of the year. The annual "brigade" of
boats belonging to the Great Fur Company was just setting out from York
Factory, for Norway House on Lake Winnipeg; and thence a division of it
would proceed to the posts still further northward--on Lake Athapescow
and the waters of the Mackenzie River--passing through the Slave Lake
itself. Their object, of course, in their annual journey is to
distribute at the fur stations, the goods, brought from England by the
Company's ships, and in return bring back the peltries collected
throughout the winter.
With the brigade, then, went our hunters; and after enduring, in common
with the others, the hardships and perils incidental to such a long
inland voyage, they at length found themselves at the point of their
destination--Fort Resolution, on the Great Slave Lake, near the mouth of
the river bearing the same appellation. The canoe of an Indian
fisherman--of which there are many dwelling around the shores of this
great inland sea--was soon pressed into service; and with the fisherman
(who of course was a hunter also) for their guide and companion, they
could make convenient excursions along the shores of the lake, land
whenever they pleased, and search for Bruin in the localities where he
was most likely to be encountered. In this they were assisted by their
hired guide; who was not long in putting them upon the trail of a bear.
In fact, in the very first excursion which they made, one of the true
breed was discovered and captured.
The circumstances attending his capture were of no very particular
interest; but as they illustrate one of the habits of this species, we
shall give them as recorded in the journal of Alexis.
They were paddling gently along the shore--through water that was as
calm as a pond--when, at a great distance ahead of them, the Indian
observed a slight rippling upon the surface, and pointed it out. It was
not caused by the wind; for there was not a breath stirring at the time;
and it was not like the whitish curl which a breeze casts upon the
surface of water. It resembled more a series of little wavelets, such
as proceed from a stone plunged into a deep pool, or from a disturbance
of the water caused by the movements of some animal. The Indian said
that it was a bear: though there was no bear, nor any living thing in
sight!
As the canoe moved nearer, our hunters perceived that there was an
indentation on the shore--a little creek or bay out of which the ripples
were proceeding. The guide knew that there was such a bay; and believed
that the bear would be found somewhere within it, swimming about in the
water.
The hunters did not stay to inquire the reason why Bruin should be thus
bathing himself? There was no time: for just at that instant the Indian
beached his canoe; and desired them all to disembark and follow such
further instructions as he might give them. Without hesitation they
accepted his invitation; resolved to act according to his counsel.
The Indian, after making his boat fast, took the route inland, followed
by the other three. After going some three or four hundred yards, he
turned to the left, and conducted the party around the shore of the
bay--which trended in a semicircular or horse-shoe shape. He did not
take all of them around; but only one, whom he stationed on the opposite
side. This was Pouchskin. Ivan he had already placed on the nearer
side, and Alexis at the bottom--so that they were thus set at the three
angles of a triangle, nearly equilateral.
On assigning to each of them his station, the Indian further instructed
them to creep forward among the bushes--which still separated them from
the water--and to do so without making any noise, till they should hear
a "whoop" from himself. This would be the signal for them to show
themselves around the edge of the bay--in the water of which the Indian
hunter was confident a bear was bathing himself. He himself returned to
his canoe.
Agreeably to his instructions, the three hunters crawled forward--each
on his own line of approach, and all observing the greatest caution and
silence. As soon as their eyes rested upon the water, they perceived
the correctness of the Indian's conjecture. A bear there was, sure
enough!
They saw only his head; but this was sufficient for Bruin's
identification: since no similar cranium could have been encountered in
such a place.
As the Indian had apprised them, the bear was swimming about in the bay;
but for what purpose it was at first difficult to make out. To their
astonishment, he swam with his mouth wide open--so that they could see
the interior of his great encarmined palate, while his long tongue
flapped out at intervals, and appeared to sweep the surface of the
water. At intervals, too, he was seen to close his mouth--the huge jaws
coming together with a "clap-clap," the noise of which could be heard
echoing far over the lake!
He did not go long in one course; but ever and anon kept turning
himself, and quartering the bay in every direction.
It was a long time before the spectators could find any explanation of
these odd manoeuvres on the part of the bear. They might have fancied
he was merely taking a cool bath to refresh himself: for the day was
exceedingly hot, and the air was filled with mosquitoes--as our hunters
had already learnt to their great discomfort. It might have been to get
rid of these tormentors that Bruin had submerged his body in the water;
and so Pouchskin concluded, and also Ivan--though both were puzzled by
the odd behaviour of the bear, in swimming open-mouthed, and at
intervals snapping his jaws as he did. Alexis, however, was a better
reasoner; and soon discovered the why and the wherefore of these
mysterious demonstrations. Alexis saw that the surface of the water was
thickly coated with something; and, on scrutinising it more closely, he
made out this something to be a swarm of insects. There appeared to be
more than one species of them--two indeed there were--both about the
size of ordinary gadflies; but altogether different from each other in
colour and habits. One was a sort of water-beetle that swam near the
surface; while the other was a winged insect that occasionally rose into
the air, but more generally crawled along the water--making short runs
from place to place, then stopping a moment, and then darting on again.
The whole surface of the bay--and even out for some distance into the
lake--fairly swarmed with these creatures; and it was in pursuit of them
that Bruin was whisking his tongue so rapidly about, and bringing his
jaws together in such sonorous concussion. The animal was simply
indulging in a favourite meal--which in summer is furnished him not only
on the shores of the Great Slave Lake, but most of the smaller lakes
throughout the Barren Grounds.
Alexis had scarce finished making the observation, when a loud "whoop"
was heard from the direction of the lake; and almost at the same instant
the canoe of the Indian was seen shooting through the water, right for
the entrance of the bay!
Obedient to the signal, the three hunters rushed out from their cover,
and ran forward upon the beech--each holding his gun in readiness to
fire. The bear, seeing himself thus suddenly and unexpectedly
surrounded, at once gave over his fly-trapping; but, irresolute in which
direction to retreat, he turned round and round in the water, first
swimming a bit one way and then another. At length, rearing himself
high above the surface, and showing his sharp teeth, he uttered a deep
growl of rage, and dashed recklessly towards the shore.
It was to Ivan's side he first directed himself; but Ivan was upon the
watch; and, advancing close to the edge of the water, he took aim and
fired.
His bullet struck the bear right upon the snout, and it appeared to have
spun him round--so quickly was he seen heading in the opposite
direction.
It was now Pouchskin's turn; and in a second after the loud report of
the grenadier's gun went booming over the lake, while the ball splashed
the water right into the eyes of the bear. Though it did not hit any
part of his body, it had the effect of half-turning him--so that he now
swam towards Alexis, stationed at the bottom of the bay.
Alexis took the matter more coolly. There was a convenient tree
behind--to which he intended to retreat in case of missing--and this
influenced him to hold his ground, till the bear should come near enough
to ensure a certain aim.
The bear swam straight on, until within some ten yards of where Alexis
was standing; when all at once he appeared to take the rue, and was
turning off to one side. This was just what Alexis desired: it brought
the head of the animal broadside towards him, and, taking steady aim, he
planted his bullet a little under the left ear.
It was a dead shot. The huge creature, loaded with fat, sank instantly
to the bottom; but fortunately the water was shallow; and the Indian now
coming in with his canoe, soon fished up the carcass, and towed it out
upon the beach--where its fur coat was stripped off in a trice.
CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.
THE GREAT GRIZZLY.
The grizzly bear (_ursus ferox_), the fiercest and most formidable of
the ursine family, was the next to be captured and skinned.
The range of the grizzly, though wider than that of the Barren Ground
bear, is still not so extensive as that of the _ursus americanus_. The
great chain or cordillera of the Rocky Mountains may be taken as the
_axis_ of his range--since he is found throughout its whole extent, from
Mexico to its declension near the shores of the Arctic Sea. Some
writers have asserted that he is confined to these mountains, but that
is an error. To the west of them he is encountered throughout all the
countries lying between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific coast--
wherever circumstances are favourable to his existence; and to the east
he extends his wanderings for a considerable distance into the great
plains--though nowhere so far as to the wooded countries near the
meridian of the Mississippi. In these the black bear is the only
forest-ranger of the family.
Woods are not the favourite haunt of the grizzly bear; and although in
youth he can make a sort of scramble up a tree, when full-grown his
enormous claws--always blunted at the tips--hinder him from climbing.
Low bushy thickets, with open glades intervening--and especially where
the underwood consists of berry-bearing bushes--are his chosen retreats.
He often sallies out into the open ground; and on those prairies where
grows the _pomme blanche_, or "Indian turnip" (_psoralea esculenta_), he
may be seen tearing up the earth with his claws, and leaving it turned
into furrows--as if a drove of hogs had been "rooting" the ground. On
the bottoms of the streams he also digs up the "kamas" root (_camassia
esculenta_), the "yampah," (_anethum graveolens_), the "kooyah"
(_Valeriana edulis_), and the root of a species of thistle (_circium
virginianum_). Many species of fruits and berries furnish him with an
occasional meal; and the sweet pods of the mesquites (species of
_acacia_), and the cones of the pinon tree (_pinus edulis_) form
portions of his varied larder.
He does not, however, confine himself to a vegetable diet. Like most of
his kind, he is also carnivorous, and will dine off the carcass of a
horse or buffalo. The latter animal, notwithstanding its enormous bulk
and strength, frequently falls a prey to the grizzly bear. The long
masses of hair that hang over the eyes of the buffalo, hinder it from
perceiving the presence of an enemy; and, unless warned by the scent, it
is easily approached. The bear, knowing this, steals up against the
wind; and, when within safe distance, springs upon the hind quarters of
the ruminant, and cramping it in his great claws, succeeds in dragging
it to the ground. He is even able to transport the huge carcass to a
considerable distance--for the purpose of concealing it in some thicket,
and devouring it at his leisure.
The grizzly bear is more like to the brown bear of Europe than to any
other species of the genus. His fur is long and shaggy--not presenting
the even surface which characterises the coat of the black bear. It is
generally of a dark-brown colour--the hair being whitish at the tips,
more especially during the summer season, when it becomes
lighter-coloured. The head is always of a grizzled grey; and it is this
appearance that has obtained for the animal its specific name. There
are brown, reddish-brown, bay or cinnamon--coloured, and white-breasted
varieties of the black bear; but the Indians can distinguish all these
from the true grizzly at a glance. In all of the latter, where there
are white hairs intermingled with the fur, it is always observable that
these odd hairs are white to the roots; whereas the hoary appearance of
the grizzly is caused by only the tips of the hair being white. This
characteristic is constant; and would of itself justify a distinction
being made between the species; but there are many other points of
greater importance. The ears of the grizzly are shorter, more conical,
and set wider apart than in either the _ursus americanus_ or _arctos_.
His claws are white, arched, far longer, and broader than those of the
other bears--their greatest breadth being across their upper surface.
Underneath they are chamfered away to a sharp edge; and projecting far
beyond the hair of the foot, they cut like chisels when the animal
strikes a blow with them. His huge paw is both broader and longer than
that of other bears; while his tail, on the other hand, is short and
inconspicuous--being completely buried under the fur of his buttocks.
So characteristic is this appendage for its extreme shortness, that it
is a standing joke among the Indians--when they have killed a grizzly
bear--to desire any one unacquainted with the animal, to take hold of
its tail!
This appendage in the _ursus americanus_ and _ursus arctos_ is
conspicuous enough; and in the Barren Ground bear is still longer than
in either.
There could be no possibility of mistaking an old or full-grown grizzly
for any of the kindred species. Both in size and aspect he is
different. It is only in the case of young or half-grown specimens
where a mistake of this kind is likely to be made. The enormous size of
the old males--often weighing 1,000 pounds, and quite equalling the
largest individuals of the _ursus maritimus_--renders them easy of
identification; though it is certain that under favourable circumstances
the _ursus arctos_ often attains to a similar bulk.
In ferocity of disposition, however, in carnivorous inclination, and in
strength and power to carry out his mischievous propensities, no bear,
not even the _ursus maritimus_, appears to be a match for this monster
of the Rocky Mountains. The hunter never thinks of attacking him,
unless when assisted by a number of his comrades; and even then it may
be a fatal encounter for one or more of them. Were it not for the
advantage obtained by their being mounted on horseback, the grizzly
would always have a wide berth given him: but fortunately this fierce
quadruped is unable to overtake the mounted hunter--although he can
easily come up with a man on foot.
As to fearing or running away from a human antagonist, the younger
grizzlies may sometimes do so; but when an old male has been attacked
the case is quite different. A full-grown individual will stand his
ground against a crowd of assailants--charging from one to the other,
and showing fight so long as there is breath in his body.
The number of Indian and white hunters, who have either been killed or
badly mutilated by grizzly bears, is almost incredible. Were it not
that these men are usually mounted on good horses the list would have
been still greater; and his intended victims often find another means of
escaping from his claws--by taking to a tree.
Fortunate it is that nature has not bestowed upon the grizzly the power
of tree-climbing; else many a pursued hunter, who has succeeded in
gaining the branches of a friendly cottonwood, might have found his
refuge anything but a secure one.
In fact, climbing into a tree--when one can be reached--is the common
resource of all persons pursued by the grizzly bear; and by this means
did our hunters themselves escape from a brace of infuriated grizzlies,
while engaged in hunting these formidable animals.
CHAPTER FORTY NINE.
A FUR-TRADER'S FORT.
Having settled their accounts with Bruin of the Barren Grounds, our
travellers proceeded down the Mackenzie river to the Hudson's Bay post
of Fort Simpson. Thence they ascended a large tributary of the
Mackenzie, known as the "River of the Mountains,"--or as the Canadian
voyagers call it, _Riviere aux Liards_. This large stream has its
sources far beyond the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains: thus
exhibiting the curious phenomenon of a river, breaking through a chain
of mountains in a transverse direction; though the same occurs in
several other parts of the Rocky Mountain range, and also in the Andes
of South America. On the _Riviere aux Liards_ the Hudson's Bay Company
have several posts--as Forts Simpson, Liard, and Halkett--the
last-mentioned being far up among the mountains. Westward again, upon
the Pacific side, they have other trading stations--the most important
of which is that of Pellyss Banks, situated at the junction of Lewis and
Pelly rivers. These rivers, after joining, run into the Pacific, not
far from Mount Saint Elios--long noted as a landmark to the navigators
of the North Pacific ocean.
From Fort Halkett, a route has been established to the post at Pelly's
Banks by means of Dease's river--which is one of the effluents of the
_Riviere aux Liards_--and partly by canoe navigation and partly by
"portage;" the continent can be crossed in this northern latitude. From
Pelly's Banks to the Pacific coast the route is still easier--for not
only do the Russians visit these parts, but there are native Indian
traders who go twice every year from Pelly's Banks to Sitka--the
entrepot of the Russian Fur Company--and the Lynn channel, a little to
the north of Sitka, is also visited by the steamers of the Hudson's Bay
Company itself.
Our travellers would therefore have no difficulty in reaching Sitka; and
thence crossing to the peninsula of Kamschatka, on the Asiatic coast.
On their way over the Rocky Mountains, they would be certain to fall in
with the grizzly; and in the countries lying along the Pacific, they
could obtain that variety of the _ursus americanus_, known as the
"cinnamon bear"--for it is to the west of the Rocky Mountains--in
California, Oregon, British Columbia, and Russian America--that this
spice-coloured species is most frequently met with.
A party of fur-traders and trappers were just starting from Fort Simpson
to carry supplies up to the posts of Liard and Halkett; and along with
them our travellers went.
On reaching the last-named station, they came to a halt, for the purpose
of hunting the grizzly.
They were not long in starting their game--for this fierce monster of
the mountains is far from being a scarce animal. In fact, in those
districts which they choose for their "beat," the grizzly bears are more
numerous than most other quadrupeds; and not unfrequently half a dozen
or more of them may be seen together. It is not that they are
_gregarious_; but simply, that, being in considerable numbers in a
particular neighbourhood, accident thus brings them together. To see
troops of four associating together is very common; but these are merely
the members of one family--male, female, and yearling cubs--for two is
the number of the progeny--the grizzly bear in this respect resembling
his congener of the _ursus maritimus_, and differing as essentially from
the black and brown bears--with whom three is the usual number of cubs
at a birth.
There are good reasons why the grizzly bears are not in much danger of
being exterminated. In the first place, their flesh is of inferior
quality. Even the Indians will not eat it; while they relish that of
the black species. Secondly, their robe is of scarce any value, and
fetches but a trifling price in the fur-market. Thirdly--and perhaps
the most powerful reason of all--is that the hunter cares not to risk
his life in an encounter with these animals, knowing that there is no
adequate reward for such risk. For this reason "Old Ephraim"--as the
trappers jocosely style the grizzly--is usually permitted to go his way
without molestation, and, therefore, instead of being thinned off by an
exterminating chase--such as is pursued against the buffalo, or even the
black bear, whose robe is marketable--the grizzly maintains his
numerical strength in most places where he is found.
At Fort Halkett--in consequence of a scarcity of hands, and the great
pressure of business, in forwarding the brigade onward to the Pelly
Station--our young hunters were unable to obtain a guide; and therefore
started out for the chase alone--Pouchskin, of course, being one of the
party.
The trading post of Fort Halkett being situated in the midst of the
wildest region--without any cultivated ground or other settlement around
it--they would not have far to go before finding a grizzly. Indeed,
they were as likely to meet with one within sight of the Port as
anywhere else; and from the moment of passing through the gate of the
stockade they were on the lookout.
They had not the good fortune, however, to meet with one so very easily,
for although they came upon the traces of bears, and saw numerous signs
of them, they could not set eyes upon them; and returned from their
first excursion rather disheartened with their day's work.
In one thing, however, they had their reward. They had succeeded in
shooting one of the rarest animals of America, a creature only met with
in the more northern districts of the Rocky Mountains--that is, the
"Rocky Mountain goat" (_capra americana_). This rare quadruped--whose
long, snow-white, silky hair renders it one of the most attractive of
animals--is a true wild goat; and the only species of the genus
indigenous to America. It is about the size of the common domestic
breeds, and horned as they; but the shining hair over its flanks and
body is frequently so long as to hang down almost to its hoofs--giving
the animal the appearance of having a much heavier body and much shorter
legs than it really has. Like the ibex of Europe, it is only met with
on the loftiest summits of the mountains, upon peaks and cliffs
inaccessible to almost every other quadruped--the mountain sheep alone
excepted. It is much shyer than the latter, and far more difficult of
approach--the consequence being, that its beautiful skin, though highly
prized, and commanding a good price, is but rarely obtained, even by the
most expert hunters.
Having succeeded in bringing down one of these precious animals, our
young hunters were satisfied with their day's work--almost as well as if
it had been a grizzly they had killed.
On their second day's excursion, however, this feat was also
accomplished--as we shall now proceed to relate.
CHAPTER FIFTY.
TREED BY OLD EPHRAIM.
They had got about a mile from the Fort; and were proceeding cautiously
along through a hilly country, where thicket-like groves grew
interspersed with patches of open ground, forming park-like scenery.
There are many scenes of this character in the valleys of the Rocky
Mountains; and in the more northern latitudes these groves often consist
of berry-bearing bushes--such as wild currants, bird and choke cherries,
the _amelanchier_ and _hippophae canadensis_. Of all these fruits the
grizzly bear is known to be exceedingly fond; and as the thickets among
which our hunters had entered contained many trees of the above kinds--
at that season drooping under their ripe fruit--it was but reasonable to
expect they might find some of the grizzlies engaged in gathering them.
They had been told at the fort that this was a favourite browsing-place
of the bear; and, as they passed along they had evidence of the
correctness of the information by seeing the cherry-trees with their
branches broken--and some of the stems pulled down into a slanting
position,--evidently done by the bears to enable them to get
conveniently at the fruit. From the trees that had been treated in this
rough manner all the fruit had been stripped off as clean as if a party
of "cherry-pickers" had passed that way.
The ravages exhibited a very recent sign. Most of them must have been
done within a week; and one tree looked as freshly torn, as if it had
been pulled about that very morning.
Of course, with such indications before their eyes, our hunters were
advancing on the _qui vive_.--not knowing the instant that Bruin might
break out.
It would not be correct to say that they were proceeding with caution.
Had they been sufficiently cautious, they would not have been there
_afoot_. Of course they were on foot--since no horses could be procured
in these parts. To go afoot in pursuit of such game as grizzly bears
was the height of indiscretion; and the traders had told them so; but
they made light of what they had been told, for two reasons,--first,
because it was absolutely necessary they should kill a grizzly and strip
him of his skin; and secondly, because our young hunters, Pouchskin as
well, had but a very indefinite idea of the risk they were running.
They had heard that the grizzly was one of the fiercest of its kind; but
because it was called a bear, and they had now hunted and killed so many
other bears, they fancied this one might be as easily conquered as any
of its congeners. They had heard that these animals often turn tail and
run away at sight of man; but these stories are deceptive. The bears
that do so are either juvenile grizzlies or brown individuals of the
_versus americanus_--which are often mistaken for the grizzly.
With "old Ephraim" himself the case is quite different, as we have
already said. On sight of a human enemy, instead of running away, the
grizzly more frequently runs towards him, charging forward with open
mouth, and often without having received the slightest provocation.
Of this fact our hunters had proof almost upon the instant. They had
entered a wide tract, sparsely covered with trees; but such small trees,
and so thinly standing over the ground, that the hunters might have
fancied them to have been planted; and that they were entering within
the boundaries of some old orchard. The tract thus characterised was
about five or six acres in superficial extent; and surrounded by the
same kind of coppice that covered most of the face of the country.
Under the thin trees there was neither underwood, nor long grass; and
they could see between their trunks in every direction, to the edge of
the jungle that grew around.
While walking quietly along, a singular noise reached their ears, that
caused them suddenly to halt in their tracks. It caused them to turn
also: for the noise appeared to come from behind them. It resembled the
hurried breathing of a person badly afflicted with asthma; but so much
louder, that if it had proceeded from human lungs, they could only have
been those of an asthmatic giant!
It was, in reality, a gigantic creature that produced the noise: since
it was neither more nor less than a grizzly bear. Not one alone, but a
brace of these monstrous animals--a male and female, no doubt--were seen
at that moment by the edge of the thicket, out of which the hunters had
just emerged. Both were standing on their hind limbs, and both uttering
the strange snuffing noise that had attracted attention to them. Other
noises were now mingled with these--sharp querulous grunts--and, by the
gestures which the bears were making, it was evident they not only saw
the three hunters in the open ground, but were reconnoitring them
perhaps with an intention to make an attack upon them!
Our hunters were quite taken aback. They had expected, at least, to
have been allowed the initiative in any conflict that might occur; but
they now saw that, instead of being the assailing party, they were
likely to be the assailed!
They had no time for deliberation; for the brace of bears, apparently
having satisfied themselves with their threatening demonstrations,
dropped down on all-fours, and came galloping onward--almost as fast as
horses could have done!
The three hunters fired at once; and not with out effect: for one of the
bears fell to their shots. It was the smaller one, and that which had
been foremost. Acting without concert, they had all aimed at the same
animal--choosing that which was nearest; and this was unfortunate, for
had some one of them sighted the other and bigger bear, they might have
given him a wound that would have, at least, crippled him.
As it was, he had neither been shot at, nor touched; and the fall of his
mate--for it was the male who survived--now so completely exasperated
him, that he rushed on with the full determination to deal death among
the enemies who had bereaved him.
It was fortunate that he stopped a moment over his fallen companion. He
did so as if to convince himself that she was dead. It was only for an
instant; but a precious instant that was to all three of the hunters.
It gave them sufficient time to take to a tree--each springing up to the
one that was most convenient. Alexis and Ivan being young and nimble,
easily accomplished this feat; but it cost Pouchskin an effort; and he
came very near making it in vain. He had got his arms over a branch,
and was drawing his great booted legs after him; but, before he could
raise them to a sufficient height, the bear had arrived upon the ground,
and reared upward to seize him.
Ivan and Alexis uttered a simultaneous shout of alarm. They saw the
shaggy forearms of the quadruped doubled around the legs of their
faithful follower; and were looking to see Pouchskin in another moment
pulled down from the tree. What was their delight, as well as
astonishment, on seeing the bear fall "slap" back to the earth--with one
of the ex-grenadier's great boots fast clutched between his paws--while
Pouchskin himself was seen gliding upward to the top branches of the
tree!
A shout of joy followed the cry of alarm, to which they had just given
utterance; and without another word all three hastened to reload their
guns.
Meanwhile the disappointed bear appeared determined to revenge himself
on the boot; and for some seconds continued to tear it--both with teeth
and claws--till nothing of its original shape remained. Then,
scattering the fragments over the ground, he desisted from this idle
employment; and rushed back to the trunk of the tree up which Pouchskin
had climbed. He knew--from having often made the experiment--that he
could not climb it; nor did he attempt to do so; but seizing the slender
trunk in his powerful grasp, he shook the tree backward and forward, as
if endeavouring to drag it up by the roots or throw it to the ground.
For some time our hunters were not without apprehensions that he might
succeed. The tree was not bigger than an ordinary pear-tree; and its
trunk vibrated from side to side, and bent over to such an extent, that
its roots could be heard cracking beneath the ground.
Pouchskin, far up in the top, was tossed backward and forward--as if he
had been a shuttlecock between two battledores--and it was just as much
as he could do to keep his hold among the branches, much less finish the
loading of his fusil, which he had only half accomplished when the
rocking began. Had he been alone, his position would have been one of
great danger: for no doubt, in process of time, the bear would have torn
down the tree. But the efforts of Bruin were brought to a sudden
termination; for Ivan and Alexis, having now reloaded, took careful aim,
and sent both their bullets into the body of the beast. One of the
shots must have hit him in a mortal part: since, on receiving it, the
bear let go his hold, dropped down from his erect attitude, and doubling
himself up at the bottom of the tree, looked as if he had suddenly gone
to sleep! But the red stream, pouring out from his still distended
jaws, told that it was the sleep of death that had overtaken him.
Our hunters, assured that both bears were dead, now descended from their
respective perches; but the sight of Pouchskin, with one leg in
stocking, and the other buried up to the thigh in a great horse-skin
boot, would have been too much for the gravity of a judge, and his young
masters were once more merry at his expense.
Having skinned the bears, they returned to the fort with their spoils--
to the no slight astonishment of some of the old trappers stationed
there. They could scarce believe that these young strangers were
capable of accomplishing such a feat as the conquest of a couple of
full-grown grizzlies. The thing had been done, however--as the trophies
testified--and it is needless to say that our hunters, by this gallant
action, gained golden opinions from the "mountain men."
They had no desire, however, to try another contest of the kind. They
had become perfectly satisfied of the great peril to be expected in an
encounter with "Old Ephraim;" and were only too well pleased of having
it in their power, on all future occasions, to imitate the example of
other travellers, and give the grizzly a "wide berth."
Indeed, they would have had no opportunity, had they desired it, to hunt
the bear any longer in that neighbourhood: for the "boat" brigade, with
which they were travelling, started the next day for Fort Pelly; and it
was necessary for them to accompany it, as the journey could not
otherwise be accomplished.
They arrived at this last-named place in safety; and, with some native
traders, that chanced to be at the fort, they were enabled to proceed
onward to the Russian settlement of Sitka--where the magic cipher which
Alexis carried in his pocket procured them the most hospitable treatment
that such a wild, out-of-the-way place could afford.
They had been fortunate, upon their route, to procure a skin of the
"cinnamon" bear--as well as one of black colour with a white breast,
both of which Alexis was able to identify as mere varieties of the
_ursus americanus_. These varieties are sometimes seen to the east of
the Rocky Mountains; but they are far more common throughout the
countries along the Pacific--and especially in Russian America, where
the cinnamon-coloured kind is usually termed the "red bear." They
occur, moreover, in the Aleutian islands; and very probably in Japan and
Kamschatka--in which country bears are exceedingly numerous--evidently
of several species, confusedly described and ill identified.
Unfortunately, the Russian naturalists--whose special duty it has been
to make known the natural history of the countries lying around the
North Pacific--have done their work in a slovenly and childlike manner.
Bruin--by Captain Mayne Reid
CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.
THE KAMSCHATDALES.
The bear of Kamschatka had to be skinned next. But it was necessary to
catch one before he could be skinned; and also necessary to go to
Kamschatka before he could be caught. To get to Kamschatka was not so
difficult as it may sound to the ear. Our travellers were just in the
place, from which it was possible to, proceed direct to this Asiatic
peninsula. Vessels belonging to the Russian Fur Company every year
collect the furs along the north-west coast of America, and among the
Fox and Aleutian islands--Sitka being their port of rendezvous. Thence
proceeding to the harbour of Saint Peter and Saint Paul
(Petropaulouski), on the coast of Kamschatka, they complete their
cargoes with the "skin crop" that during the winter has been collected
throughout the peninsula. Thence to China a portion of these furs are
taken--especially skins of the sable, which the Chinese mandarins use
extensively for trimming their costly robes; and for which, teas, silk,
lacquer-ware, and other articles of Chinese manufacture are given in
exchange.
The Japanese also, and other wealthy Oriental nations, buy up quantities
of costly furs; but by far the greater portion of this produce is
consumed by the Russians themselves--in whose cold climate some sort of
a fur coat is almost a necessity. Even most of the furs collected by
the Hudson's Bay Company find their way into Russia: for the consumption
of these goods in Great Britain is extremely limited, compared with that
of many other articles _de luxe_.
In the fur ship our travellers proceeded from Sitka to the port of
Petropaulouski, which is situated on Avatcha bay, near the southern end
of the peninsula.
As Avatcha bay is nearly land-locked, it forms one of the most sheltered
harbours on that side of the Pacific; but unfortunately during winter
the bay freezes over; and then ships can neither get into nor out of it.
The vessel which carried our adventurers arrived at Petropaulouski late
in the spring; but, as the winter had been unusually prolonged, the bay
was still blocked up with ice, and the ship could not get up to the
little town. This did not hinder them from landing. Dog-sledges were
brought out upon the ice by the inhabitants; and upon these our
travellers were carried to the town, or "ostrog" as it is called--such
being the name given to the villages of Kamschatka.
In Petropaulouski, many curious objects and customs came under the
observation of our travellers. They saw no less than three kinds of
houses--first, the "isbas," built of logs, and not unlike the log-cabins
of America. These are the best sort of dwellings; and belong to the
Russian merchants and officials, who reside there--as well as to the
Cossack soldiers, who are kept by the Russian Government in Kamschatka.
The native Kamschatdales have two kinds of houses of indigenous
architecture--one for summer, the "balagan," and another to which they
retire during the winter, called the "jourt." The balagan is
constructed of poles and thatch upon a raised platform--to which the
Kamschatdale climbs up by means of a notched trunk of a tree. There is
only one story of the house itself--which is merely the sloping thatched
roof--with a hole in the top to give passage to the smoke--and resembles
a rough tent or hayrick set upon an elevated stand. The space under the
platform is left open; and serves as a store-house for the dried fish,
that forms the staple food of all sorts of people in Kamschatka. Here,
too, the sledges and sledge harness are kept; and the dogs, of which
every family owns a large pack, use this lower story as a sleeping
place.
The winter-house or "jourt," is constructed very differently. It is a
great hole sunk in the ground to the depth of eight or ten feet, lined
round the sides with pieces of timber, and roofed over above the surface
of the ground--so as to look like the rounded dome of a large bake-oven.
A hole at the apex is intended for the chimney, but it is also the
door: Since there is no other mode of entrance into the jourt, and the
interior is reached by descending a notched tree trunk--similar to that
used in climbing up to the balagan.
The curious fur dresses of the Kamschatdales; their thin yellowish white
dogs, resembling the Pomeranian breed; their dog-sledges, which they use
for travelling in winter; the customs and habits of these singular
people; all formed an interesting study to our travellers, and enriched
their journal with notes and observations. We find it recorded there,
how these people spend their time and obtain their subsistence. Very
little agriculture is practised by them--the climate being unfavourable
to the growth of the cereals. In some parts barley and rye are
cultivated; but only to a _very_ limited extent. Cattle are scarce--a
few only being kept by the Russian and Cossack settlers; and horses are
equally rare, such as there are belonging to the officials of the
Government, and used for Government purposes. The common or "native"
people subsist almost entirely on a fish diet--their lakes and rivers
furnishing them with abundance of fish; and the whole of the summer is
spent in catching and drying these for their winter provision. Several
wild vegetable productions are added--roots and berries, and even the
bark of trees--all of which are eaten along with the dried fish. Wild
animals also furnish part of their subsistence; and it is by the skins
of these--especially the sable--that the people pay their annual tax, or
tribute, to the Russian Government. From animals, too, their clothing
is chiefly manufactured; and many other articles used in their domestic
economy. The peninsula is rich in the fur-bearing quadrupeds, and some
of these furnish the very best quality of furs that are known to
commerce. The sable of Kamschatka is of a superior kind as also the
many varieties of the fox. They have, besides, the wolverine and wolf,
the ermine and Arctic fox, the marmot and polar hare, and several
smaller animals that yield furs of commercial value. The sea otter is
common upon the coasts of Kamschatka; and this is also an object of the
chase--its skin being among the costliest of "peltries." The great
_argali_, or wild sheep, and the reindeer, furnish them both with flesh
and skins; but one of the chief objects of the chase is that great
quadruped for which our young hunters had come all the way to
Kamschatka, the bear. Into his presence they would find no difficulty
in introducing themselves: for perhaps in no country in the world does
master Bruin's family muster so strongly as in this very peninsula.
CHAPTER FIFTY TWO.
FISHING-BEARS.
Previous to starting forth in search of the Kamschatkan bear, our
hunters collected all the particulars they could in regard to the haunts
and habits of this animal.
They learnt that there were at least two varieties known to the Kurilski
and Koriac hunters. One of them was the more common kind--a brown bear,
closely resembling the _ursus arctos_; and the other also a brown bear;
but with a whitish list running up from the under part of his throat,
and meeting like a collar over the tops of his shoulders. This latter
kind was undoubtedly the species known as the "Siberian bear" (_ursus
collaris_); and which has an extensive range throughout most of the
countries of Northern Asia. The native hunters alleged that the two
kinds were of nearly similar habits. Both went to sleep during the
winter--concealing themselves cunningly in caves and crevices among
rocks, or among fallen timber, where such could be found in sufficient
quantity to afford them shelter.
One remarkable habit of these bears indicates a very marked difference
between them and the _ursus arctos_, with which they have been usually
classed; and that is, that they are _fishing-bears_--subsisting almost
exclusively on fish, which they catch for themselves. During their
winter sleep, of course they eat nothing; but in spring, as soon as they
emerge from their retreats, they at once betake themselves to the
numerous streams and lakes, with which the country abounds; and roaming
along the banks of these, or wading in the water itself, they spend the
whole of their time in angling about after trout and salmon. There,
fish, thanks to their immense numbers, and the shallowness of the water
in most of the lakes and streams, the bears are enabled to catch almost
at discretion. They wade into the water, and getting among the shoals
of the fish as they are passing to and fro, strike them dead with their
paws. The fish are killed as instantaneously as if impaled upon a
fishing spear; and in such numbers do the bears capture them, at certain
seasons, that the captors grow dainty, and only eat a portion of each
fish! They show a strange preference for that part, which is usually
considered refuse, the head,--leaving the tail, with a considerable
portion of the body, untouched. The rejected portions, however, are not
lost; for another animal, still hungrier than the bears, and less
skilful in the piscatory art, is at this time also in search of a meal
of fish.
This creature is the Kamschatkan dog--not a wild species, as you may
suppose, but the trained sledge-dogs of the Kamschatdales themselves;
which at this season forsake the "ostrogs," or villages, and betake
themselves to the borders of the lakes and rivers. There they remain
during the whole period of summer, feeding upon fish--which they also
know how to capture--and eating up such portions as have been refused by
the bears. In fact, this is the only food which these poor dogs can
get; and, as they are not needed during the summer season, they do not
think of returning home until frost sets in. Then, strange to say, one
and all of them go voluntarily back, and surrender themselves up to
their old masters--hard taskmasters too, who not only work them like
slaves, but half starve them throughout the whole winter. This
voluntary submission to their "yoke" has been quoted as an illustration
of the high training and faithful disposition of the Kamschatkan dogs;
but it has its origin in a fur different motive than that of mere
fidelity. Their return to the snug shelter of the _balagan_ is simply
an instinct of self-preservation: for the sagacious animals well know,
that in winter the lakes and streams will be completely frozen over, and
were they to remain abroad, they would absolutely perish either from
hunger or cold. Even the wretched winter allowance of heads and
entrails of fish--the only crumbs that fall to their share--is better
than nothing at all; which would be their portion were they to remain
abroad among the bare snow-clad hills and valleys of Kamschatka. The
Kamschatdales have various modes of taking the bear. In early winter
they sometimes find his track in the snow; and then pursue him with a
gun and a bear-spear, killing him as they best can. Later still, when
he has gone to sleep in his den, he is often found--by similar
indications as those which guide the Laplanders, North American Indians,
and Esquimaux--such as the hoar caused by his breath showing over the
spot, or by their hunting-dogs scenting him out, and barking at the
entrance. The log-trap, or dead-fall, is also in use among the
Kamschatkan hunters; and the penn formed around the mouth of the bear's
cave, shutting him up, until an entrance can be dug into it from above.
In the summer time the mode is different. Then the hunter lies in
ambush, with his loaded rifle--for the Kamschatdale carries this
weapon--in such places as he expects the bear to pass. These are on the
banks of the streams and lakes that abound in fish; and as the bears
ramble along the edge of the water, or are even seen swimming or wading
into it, the patient hunter is pretty sure of getting a shot. Should he
fail to bring down Bruin at the first fire, the game becomes uncertain;
and sometimes dangerous: since the animal often charges upon the hunter.
Even though the latter may be concealed among the long reeds and
bushes, the sagacious bear, guided by the smoke and blaze of the powder
easily finds out his assailant. The hunter, however, never fires
without taking a deliberate aim. He carries a forked stick, over which
he rests his piece, and never fires off-hand. To miss would not only
endanger his life and the loss of his game, but what is also of
consequence to a Kamschatdale, the loss of his powder and bullet--costly
articles in this remote corner of the earth. In case of missing, he has
still his bear-spear and a long-bladed knife to fall back upon; and with
these he defends himself as well as he can--though not unfrequently
Bruin proves the victor, and the hunter the victim.
There are certain times when the Siberian bears become exceedingly
dangerous to approach. The season of rut--which occurs in the latter
part of the summer--is one of those; but there is another period of
danger--which, however, does not happen every year. When the spring
chances to be late--on account of a prolonged winter--and when the lakes
and streams remain frozen over, after the bears have come forth from
their hiding-places, then "ware Bruin" is a caution which it is prudent
to observe. The fierce animals, half-famished for want of their usual
diet of fish, roam over the country in all directions; and fearlessly
approach the "ostrogs," roaming around the balagans and jourts in search
of something to eat. Woe to the Kamschatdale that gets in their tray at
such a time--for the bear, instead of waiting to be attached, becomes
himself the assailant; and, as great numbers of these quadrupeds often
troop about together, of course the encounter is all the more perilous.
It was just in such a spring that our young hunters had arrived at
Petropaulouski; and stories of numerous bear conflicts, that had
recently occurred in the neighbourhood, were rife in the village; while
the number of fresh skies every day brought in by the Kurilski hunters,
showed that bears could not be otherwise than plentiful in the country
adjacent.
Guided by one of these hunters, our party set forth upon a search. The
snow still covered the ground; and, of course, they travelled in
sledges--each having one to himself, drawn by five dogs, as is the
custom of the country. The dogs are harnessed two and two abreast, with
the odd one in front. Each has his collar of bearskin, with a leather
thong for a trace; and five of them are sufficient to draw the little
sledge with a man in it. The sledge, called _saunka_, is less than four
feet long; and, being made of the lightest birch wood, is of very little
weight.
A curved stick, called the _oschtol_--with an iron point, and little
bells at the other end--is used to direct the dogs; and, urged on by
this and by well-known exclamations of their driver, they will go at a
speed of many miles an hour.
In this slight vehicle, hills, valleys, lakes, and rivers are crossed,
without such a thing as a road being thought of; and when the dogs are
good, and have been well cared for, an immense distance may be passed
over in a day.
In less than an hour after their departure from Petropaulouski, our
hunters had entered amid the wildest scenery--where not the slightest
sign of either cultivation or human habitation was to be seen, and where
at any moment they might expect to come in sight of their great game.
CHAPTER FIFTY THREE.
DOG-DRIVING.
The guide was conducting them to a stream that ran into the bay some ten
or twelve miles from the "ostrog." On that stream, he said, they would
be pretty certain to find a bear, if not several: since at a place he
knew of the water was not frozen, and the bears might be there trying to
catch fish. When questioned as to why this particular stream was not
frozen like the others, he said that some distance up it there were warm
springs--a phenomenon of frequent occurrence in the peninsula of
Kamschatka--that these springs supplied most of the water of the stream;
and that for several hundred yards below where they gushed forth, the
river was kept open by their warmth during the severest winters. Not
throughout its whole course, however. Farther down, where the water
became cool, it froze like in other streams; and that this was the case,
was evident to our hunters, who had entered the mouth of the rivers from
the icy surface of the bay, and were gliding in their sledges up its
frozen channel.
After having gone three or four miles up this icebound stream, which ran
through a narrow valley with steep sloping sides, the guide warned our
hunters that they were close to the place where the water would be found
open. At this point a low ridge ran transversely across the valley--
through which the stream had, in process of time, cut a channel; but the
ridge occasioned a dam or lake of some half-dozen acres in superficial
extent, which lay just above it. The dam itself was rarely frozen over;
and it was by the water remaining in it, or flowing sluggishly through
it--and thus giving it time to cool--that the stream immediately below
got frozen over.
The lake lay just on the other side of the ridge, and was now only
hidden from their view by the rise of the ground. If not frozen over,
as the guide conjectured, there was likely to be a bear roaming around
its edge; and therefore they resolved to observe caution in approaching
it.
The sledges were to be taken no further. Our hunters had learnt how to
manage both dog-sledges and dogs. Their experience in Finland, as well
as in the countries of the Hudson's Bay territory, had taught them that;
and made them skilful in the handling of these animals--else they would
have made but poor work in travelling as they did now. In fact, they
could not have managed at all: since it requires a great deal of
training to be able to drive a dog-sledge. This, however, they had
received--both the boys and Pouchskin--and fortunate it had been so; for
very shortly after they were placed in a predicament, in which their
lives depended on their skill as sledge drivers.
The dogs were left under cover of the ridge, near the bottom of the
little slope; a sign was given to them to keep their places--which these
well-trained creatures perfectly comprehended; and the hunters--the
Kurilski with the rest--holding their guns in readiness, ascended
towards the summit of the slope.
There was no cover, except what was afforded by the inequality of the
ground. There were no trees in the valley--only stunted bushes, not
half the height of a man's body, and these nearly buried to their tops
in the snow. A few, however, appeared growing along the crest of the
ridge.
The hunters crawled up to these on all-fours, and peeped cautiously
through their branches.
It was the impatient Ivan that looked first; and what he saw so
surprised him, as almost to deprive him of the power of speech! Indeed,
he was not able to explain what he saw--till the other three had got
forward, and became equally eye-witnesses of the spectacle that had
astonished him.
As the guide had conjectured, the lake was not frozen. There was some
loose snow floating over its surface; but most of the water was open;
and the stream that flowed slowly in on the opposite side was quite
clear of either ice or snow.
The guide had also predicted hypothetically that they might see a bear--
perhaps two. It had not occurred to this man of moderate pretensions
that they might see _twelve_--and yet no less than twelve bears were in
sight!
Yes, twelve bears--they were as easily counted as oxen--were around the
shores of this secluded lake, and on the banks of the little stream that
ran into it--all within five hundred yards of each other. Indeed, it
would have been easy to have mistaken them for a herd of brown heifers
or oxen; had it not been for the various attitudes in which they were
seen: some upon all-fours--some standing erect, like human beings, or
squatted on their hams like gigantic squirrels--others in the water,
their bodies half submerged--others swimming about, their backs and
heads only visible above the surface; and still others, prowling
leisurely along the banks, or over the strip of level meadow-land that
bordered the lake.
Such a sight our bear-hunters had never witnessed before, and might
never witness again, in any other country, save Kamschatka itself.
There it is by no means uncommon; and twenty bears instead of twelve
have been often seen in a single drove--at that season when they descend
from their mountain retreats to their favourite fishing-grounds upon the
lakes and streams.
Our hunters were perplexed by so unexpected a sight; and for some
moments unresolved as to how they should act. Fortunately, the bushes
already mentioned served to conceal them from the bears; and the wind
was blowing towards the hunters--otherwise the bears, who are keen of
scent, would soon have discovered their presence. As it was, not one of
them--though several were close to the ridge--seemed to have any
suspicion that an enemy was so near. The huge quadrupeds appeared to be
too busy about their own affairs--endeavouring to capture the fish--some
of them greedily devouring those they had already taken, and others
wandering restlessly about, or eagerly observing the movements of the
fish in the water. One and all of them looked fierce and famished,
their bodies showing gaunt and flaky, and their enormous limbs having a
lank angular appearance, that gave them a still greater resemblance to
heifers--only heifers that had been half starved!
CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR.
A SLEDGE-CHASE.
I have said that our hunters were for some time irresolute about how to
act. The Kurilski was inclined to withdraw from the spot and leave the
bears alone; and this of course was his advice to the others. He said
there might be danger in disturbing them--so many clustered together,
and in such a mood as they appeared to be. He had known them to attack
a large party of men under such circumstances, and give chase to them.
They might do the same now?
Our hunters, however, did not give full credit to this story of their
guide--thinking it might have its origin in the fears of the Kurilski,
whom they knew to be of a timid race; and therefore they determined not
to back out. The chance was too tempting to be surrendered for so
slight a reason, and without a struggle. There were several bears
within easy shot of the ground where they were kneeling!
It would never do to let such an opportunity pass. They might not meet
with so good a chance again; or, at all events, they might be delayed a
good long time before another would turn up; and a residence in
Petropaulouski, even in the "isba" of the governor--who was himself only
a sergeant of Cossacks, and his dwelling a mere hut--was not so pleasant
as that they should wish to prolong it. They had now been a great while
journeying through countries covered with frost and snow; and they were
longing to reach those tropical isles--famed for their spices and their
loveliness--which were to be the next stage in their grand tour round
the globe.
Influenced by these thoughts, then, they resolved to run all hazard, and
try a shot at the bears.
The Kurilski, seeing them determined, gave in; and, joining his gun to
theirs, a volley of four shots was simultaneously discharged through the
bushes.
Two bears were seen to drop over and lie kicking upon the snow; but
whether they continued their kicking for any considerable length of
time, was a question about which our hunters could give no definite
information. They did not stay to see: for the moment the smoke had
cleared off, they saw the whole gang of bears in motion, and rushing
towards them from all sides of the lake. The shrill fierce screaming of
the animals, and the hurried pace in which they were making towards the
ridge, declared their intentions. They were charging forward to the
attack.
The hunters saw this at a glance; and thought only of retreating. But
whither could they fly? There were no trees; and if there had been, the
bears could have climbed them even better than themselves. There were
steep rocky cliffs on both sides of the ravine; but these would afford
them no security--even had their ice-coated slope permitted of their
being scaled. But it did not, and if it had, the bears could have
scaled the rocks too!
Our Russian hunters were in a complete state of perplexity, and perhaps
would not have known how to save themselves, had it not been for their
Kurilski comrade. He, however, had conceived an idea--or, rather, had
drawn it from old experience; and just at this moment he rushed down the
slope, as he did so calling to the others to take to their sledges, and
warning them that it was their only chance of escape.
Of course none of them thought of disputing his advice, or even calling
it in question; but one and all of them yielded obedience on the
instant. Without saying a word, each rushed to his sledge, leaped upon
the runners, seated himself in double quick time upon the little
crescent-like cradle, seized the "ribbons," and straightened his team to
the road.
Had the dogs not been well-trained, and their drivers equally well used
to the management of a sledge, their peril would have been extreme. As
it was--though all came into their places in good style, and without
confusion--they had not a second to spare. The bears were already
galloping down the slope; and as the last sledge--which was
Pouchskin's--moved off from the bottom of the ridge, the foremost of the
roaring pursuers had got within less than six yards of it!
It was now a trial of speed between bears and sledge-dogs--for the
latter knew that they were in as much danger as their masters; and
needed neither the exclamation _Ah_! nor the _oschtol_ to urge them
forward. On swept they over the frozen crust, as fast as they could
go--handling their limbs and claws with the nimbleness peculiar to their
race.
The bears followed in a sort of lumbering gallop; yet, notwithstanding
their uncouth movements, they kept for a long time close in the rear of
the fugitives.
Fortunately they did not possess the speed of the canine race; and at
length--seeing that they were being distanced--one after another gave up
the chase, and commenced returning towards the lake, slowly, and with
apparent reluctance.
Just at this crisis an accident occurred to Pouchskin--or rather
Pouchskin committed a mistake--which, had it been made five minutes
sooner, would most assuredly have cost him his life. The mistake which
Pouchskin made, was to drop the iron end of his "_oschtol_" on the snowy
crust between his sledge and the two dogs nearest to it--the "wheelers"
as we may call them. The effect of this, with Kamschatkan sledge-dogs,
is to cause the whole team to halt; and so acted the dogs that Pouchskin
was driving--all five suddenly coming to a dead stop! Pouchskin
endeavoured to urge them forward--crying out the usual signal, _Ha_;
but, in his anxious eagerness, Pouchskin placed the accent after the
vowel, instead of before it; and instead of _Ha_! his exclamation
sounded _Ah_! The latter being the command for the dogs to halt, of
course only kept them steady in their places; and they stood without
offering to move a leg. By good fortune, the bears had already given up
the pursuit, and were not witnesses of this interruption: otherwise it
would have gone ill with the ex-grenadier.
In due time the dogs were once more started; and Pouchskin--putting them
to their highest rate of speed--soon overtook the sledge-train; which
did not come to a halt until a good mile of snow-covered country was
between it and the bears.
The hunters only paused then, for a short while, to breathe their
panting dogs; and this done, they resumed their seats on the sledges,
and continued on to the ostrog--without a thought of going back after
the bears.
They had no intention, however, of giving them up entirely. They only
drove home to the village--in order to get assistance; and, as soon as
their report was delivered, all the men of the settlement--Cossacks,
Kurilskis, and half-breeds--turned out armed to the teeth for a grand
battue, and proceeded towards the lake with the Governor himself at
their head.
The bears were still upon the ground--both the living and the dead--for
it was now seen that two of their number had fallen to the shots of our
hunters--and upon the former a general fusillade was at once opened,
which ended in their complete discomfiture. Five more of them were
killed upon the spot; and several others that took to flight were
tracked through the snow, and destroyed in their hiding-places. For a
week after, there was very little fish eaten in the ostrog of
Petropaulouski--which for a long period previous to that time had not
witnessed such a carnival.
Of course our Russian hunters came in for their share of the trophies;
and, choosing the skin of one of the bears they had themselves shot,
they left it with the Governor, to be forwarded _via_ Okhotsk and
Yakoutsk, to the distant capital of Saint Petersburg. Shortly after the
fur ship carried them to Canton,--whence they might expect to find a
passage in a Chinese trading vessel to the grand island of Borneo.
CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.
THE SUN-BEARS.
There are colonies of Chinese settled in different parts of Borneo--
whose principal business there is the working of gold and antimony
mines. These Chinese colonial settlements--along with numerous others
throughout the Oriental islands--are under the protection and direction
of a great Mercantile Company called _Kung Li_--somewhat resembling our
own East India Company. In Borneo, the headquarters of this commercial
association of the Chinese, is the port and river of Sambos, on the
western coast; though they have many other settlements in different
parts of the island. Of course, between these colonies and Canton there
is a regular traffic; and our travellers found no difficulty in
proceeding to Borneo in a Chinese junk which traded direct from Canton
to Sambos. At Sambos there is also a Dutch settlement, or "factory,"
belonging to the Dutch East India Company; and this Company has also two
other stations in the island--all, however, occupying a territory of
limited extent, compared with the large surface of the island itself.
No other European settlements exist in Borneo, if we except an English
"agency" lately established at the little island of Labuan; and a
settlement at Sarawak, under an English adventurer, who styles himself
"Rajah Brooke."
The "rajah" rests his claim to the title and territory of Sarawak on a
grant from the Sultan of Borneo (Bruni); and the _quid pro quo_ which he
professes to have given, was the having assisted the said Sultan in
putting down the "Dyak pirates!" This is the pretence hitherto put
forth to the British public; but on a closer inquiry into the facts of
this transaction, the story assumes quite a different colour; and it
would rather appear, that, instead of assisting to put down piracy in
the Bornean waters, the first act of the philanthropic Englishman was to
assist the Malay Sultan in enslaving several tribes of inoffensive
Dyaks, and forcing them to work without pay in the mines of antimony!
This appears to have been the nature of the services that purchased
Sarawak. It was, in fact, aiding the pirates, instead of putting them
down: since the Bornean Sultan was himself the actual patron and
protector of these sea robbers, instead of being their enemy!
The patriot and statesman Hume endeavoured to procure an inquiry into
these acts of Oriental _filibusterism_; but the underhand influence of
an unprincipled Administration, backed by an interested commercial
clamour, was too strong for him; and the shameful usurpation has been
justified.
Notwithstanding that Europeans have been settled for hundreds of years
in the islands of the Indian Archipelago--ruling them, as we may almost
say--it is astonishing how little is yet known of the great island of
Borneo. Only its coasts have been traced, and these very imperfectly.
The Dutch have made one or two expeditions into the interior; but much
knowledge need not be expected from such trading hucksters as they.
Their energies in the East have been expended throughout a period of two
centuries, with no other apparent object than to promote dissension,
wherever it was possible; and to annihilate every spark of freedom or
nobility among the races who have had the misfortune to come in contact
with them.
Notwithstanding their opportunities, they have done little to add to our
knowledge of Borneo--which was about as well-known a hundred years ago
as it is at the present hour.--Never was a subject more ripe for
illustration than this magnificent island. It courts a monograph--such
as has been given to Sumatra by Marsden, by Tennant to Ceylon, and to
Java by Sir Stamford Raffles. Perhaps some one of my young readers may
become the author of that monograph?
Teeming with the most gorgeous forms of tropical life--so rich in
_fauna_ and _flora_, that it might be almost regarded as a great
zoological and botanical garden combined--it will well repay the
scientific explorer, who may scarce find such another field on the face
of the earth.
Our young hunters, in contemplating the grand tropical scenery of
Borneo, were filled with admiration. The _sylva_ was quite equal to
anything they had witnessed on the Amazon; while the _fauna_--especially
in quadrupeds and _quadrumana_--was far richer.
To one quadruped was their attention more especially directed; and I
need hardly say that this was the Bornean bear--by far the most
beautiful animal of the whole Bruin family. The Bornean bear is also
the smallest of the family--in size, being even less than his near
congener, the Malayan bear; though resembling the latter in many
particulars. His fur is a jet black, with a muzzle of an orange-yellow
colour, and a disc of still deeper orange upon the breast, bearing a
certain resemblance to the figure of a heart. The hair is thickly and
evenly set over his whole body--presenting the same uniform surface
which characterises the black bear of North America, the two species of
South America, and also his Malayan cousin--who inhabits the
neighbouring islands of Sumatra and Java. For the latter, indeed, he is
often taken; and many naturalists consider them as one species--though
this is certainly an error. The Bornean bear is not only much less in
bulk; but the deep orange-colour on his breast offers a permanent mark
of distinction. In the Malayan bear there is also a marking on the
breast; but it is of half-moon shape and whitish colour. Besides, the
colour of the muzzle in the latter species is only _yellowish_, not
_yellow_; and the animal altogether is far from being so handsome as the
bear of Borneo.
Dr Horsfield, who had good opportunities of observing them both, has
pointed out other essential characteristics, which prove conclusively
that they are separate species; but the Doctor, guided by his love for
generic distinctions, could not rest satisfied, without further
ornamenting his task--by constituting for them a new genus, under the
title of _Helarctos_. There is no reason whatever for this inundation
of generic names. It has served no good purpose; but, on the contrary,
renders the study of natural history more complicated and obscure; and
to no family of animals do these remarks more pointedly apply, than to
that of the bears. So similar are all these quadrupeds to one another--
so perfect is the _family likeness_ between them--that to separate them
into different genera is a mere pedantic conceit of the anatomists.
There are about a dozen species in all; and the systematic naturalists--
who do not even admit that number--have formed for the bears nearly as
many genera as there are species,--among which may be mentioned the
ridiculous titles of _Prochilus, Melursus, Helarctos_, and the like.
The Bornean bear is as much a true species of _ursus_ as either the
brown bear of Europe, the black bear of North America, or the black
bears of the Cordilleras; and, indeed, to these last his habits
assimilate him very closely--being, like them, a vegetarian in his diet,
and a great lover of sweets.
Of his _penchant_ for honey our young hunters had proof: for, it was
while actually engaged in plundering a hive they first saw the Bornean
bear. They were at the same time successful in effecting his capture--
which is now to be described.
CHAPTER FIFTY SIX.
THE TALL TAPANG.
On their arrival at Sambos, our young hunters according to their usual
custom, procured a native guide to direct them to the haunts of their
game.
In this case it was a Dyak who became their conductor--one of those who
follow the business of bee-hunters; and who, from the very nature of
their calling, are often brought into contact with the bears as well as
the bees.
Under the direction of the Dyak, our hunters made an excursion to a
range of wooded hills, not far from Sambos, where the sun-bear was known
to exist in great numbers; and where one was likely to be found almost
at any time.
As they were passing through the woods, they observed a very singular
species of tree--indeed many species, that might be styled singular; but
one pre-eminently so, that strongly arrested their attention. These
trees did not grow in any great numbers together; but only two or three
in one place; and more generally they stood singly--apart from any of
their own kind, and surrounded by other trees of the forest. But though
surrounded by other sorts, they were overtopped by none. On the
contrary, their own tops rose above all the others to a vast height;
and, what was most singular, they did not put forth a branch from their
trunks until the latter had shot up to some feet above the "spray" of
the surrounding forest. It was this peculiarity that had drawn the
attention of our hunters. They might not have noticed it, had they kept
on under the trees; but, on crossing a slight eminence--where the ground
was open--they chanced to get a view of a number of these tall trees,
and saw that they towered to a vast height, above all the others.
Even their tops had the appearance of tall trees, standing thinly over
the ground--the ground itself being neither more nor less than the
contiguous heads of the other trees, that formed the forest. Had this
forest been a law jungle, there would have been nothing extraordinary in
what they saw; but our hunters had already observed that it was a true
forest of grand trees--most of them a hundred feet in height. As the
trees which had attracted their admiration rose full fifty feet above
the tops of the others, it may be imagined what tall individuals they
were. They were slender, too, in proportion to their height; and these
stems rising two hundred feet, without a single offshoot or branch upon
them, gave the trees the appearance of being still taller than they
actually were--just as a thin clean spar, set upright, looks much taller
than a hill or a house of the same elevation.
We have said that there were no branches for the first hundred feet or
so up the stem. Beyond that there were many and large limbs; which,
diverging only slightly, and in a fastigiate manner, carried the tree
nearly as much higher. These branches were regularly set; and covered
with small, light, green leaves, forming a beautiful round head.
The bark of this tree was white, and by piercing it with a knife, our
hunters perceived that it was soft and milky. The wood, too, for some
inches below the periphery was so spongy, that the blade of the knife
penetrated into it almost as easily as into the stalk of a cabbage.
The wood near the bark was of a white colour. Inwards it became harder;
and had they been able to reach the heart, they would have found it very
hard, and of a dark chocolate colour. On exposure to the air, this
heart-wood turns black as ebony; and is used for similar purposes by the
native Dyaks and Malays, who manufacture from it bracelets and other
_bijouterie_.
On asking their Dyak guide the name of this remarkable tree, he said it
was called the _tapang_. This, however, gave no information regarding
its species; but Alexis, shortly after, in passing under one, observed
some flowers that had fallen from its top; and having examined one of
these, pronounced the tree a species of _ficus_--a very common genus in
the islands of the Indian Archipelago.
If our young hunters were filled with admiration at sight of this
beautiful tree itself, they shortly after observed something that
changed their admiration into wonder. On advancing towards one of the
tapangs, they were struck with a singular serrated appearance that
showed along the edge of its trunk--from the ground up to the base of
its branching head. It looked as if a tall ladder was laid edgeways
along the trunk of the tree--one side of it bidden under the bark! On
drawing nearer, this appearance was explained. A ladder in reality it
was; but one of rare construction; and which could not have been removed
from the tree, without taking it entirely to pieces. On closer
examination, this ladder proved to be a series of bamboo spikes--driven
into the soft trunk in a slightly slanting direction, and about two feet
apart, one above the other. The spikes themselves forming the rounds,
were each about a foot in length; and held firmly in their places by a
bamboo rail--to which their outer ends were attached by means of thin
strips of rattan. This rail extended the whole way from the ground to
the commencement of the branches.
It was evident that this extemporised ladder had been constructed for
the purpose of climbing the tree, but with what object? Upon this head
their Dyak guide was the very man to enlighten them: since it was he
himself who had made the ladder. The construction of such ladders, and
afterwards the climbing of them, were the most essential branches of his
calling--which, as already stated, was that of a bee-hunter. His
account of the matter was as follows. A large wasp-like bee, which is
called _lanyeh_, builds its nests upon these tall tapangs. The nest
consists of an accumulation of pale yellowish wax--which the bees attach
to the under-side of the thick branches, so that these may shelter the
hive from the rain. To reach these nests, the bamboo ladder is
constructed, and the ascent is made--not for the purpose of obtaining
the honey alone--but more on account of the wax, out of which the combs
are formed. The lanyeh being as much _wasp_ as _bee_, produces a very
small quantity of honey; and that, too, of inferior quality; but the wax
is a valuable article, and of this several dollars' worth may be
procured from a single hive.
It is dearly earned money--very dearly earned, indeed; but the poor Dyak
bee-hunter follows the calling from motives not easily understood--since
almost any other would afford him a living, with less labour and
certainly with less _pain_. Pain, indeed! he never succeeds in
plundering the store of the _lanyeh_, without being severely stung by
the insects; and though their sting is quite as painful as that of the
common wasp, experience seems to have rendered the Dyak almost
indifferent to it. He ascends the flimsy ladder without fear--carrying
a blazing torch in his hand, and a cane basket on his back. By means of
the torch, he ejects the bees from their aerial domiciles; and, then
having torn their combs from the branches, he deposits them in his
basket--the incensed insects all the while buzzing around his ears, and
inflicting numerous wounds over his face and throat, as well as upon his
naked arms! Very often he returns to the ground with his head swollen
to twice the size it was previous to his going up! Not a very pleasant
profession is that of a Bornean bee-hunter!
CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN.
THE BRUANG.
As the party proceeded onward, they observed several other tapang-trees,
with ladders attached to them; and at the bottom of one of these--which
was the tallest they had yet seen--the guide made a halt.
Taking off his _kris_, and throwing to the ground an axe, which he had
brought along, he commenced ascending the tree.
Our hunters inquired his object. They knew it could not be either honey
or wax. There had been a bees' nest upon this tree--as the ladder
told--but that had been removed long ago; and there now appeared nothing
among the branches that should make it worth while to climb up to them.
The answer of the bee-hunter explained his purpose. He was merely
ascending to have a lookout over the forest--which in that neighbourhood
could not be obtained by any other means than by the climbing of a
_tapang_.
It was fearful to watch the man ascending to such a dizzy height, and
with such a flimsy, uncertain support beneath his feet. It reminded
them of what they had seen at the Palombiere of the Pyrenees.
The Dyak soon reached the top of the ladder; and for some ten minutes or
more clung there--screwing his head around, and appearing to examine the
forest on all sides. At length his head rested steadily upon his
shoulders; and his gaze appeared to be fixed in one particular
direction. He was too distant for the party at the bottom of the tree
to note the expression upon his countenance; but his attitude told them
that he had made some discovery.
Shortly after he came down; and reported this discovery in laconic
phrase, simply saying:--
"_Bruang_--see him!"
The hunters knew that "bruang" was the Malayan name for bear; and the
coincidence of this word with the _sobriquet_ "Bruin" had already led
them to indulge in the speculation, as to whether the latter might not
have originally come from the East?
They did not stay to think of it then: for the guide, on regaining
_terra firma_, at once started off--telling them to follow him.
After going rapidly about a quarter of a mile through the woods, the
Dyak began to advance more cautiously--carefully examining each of the
trunks of the _tapangs_ that stood thinly scattered among the other
trees.
At one of these he was seen to make an abrupt halt, at the same instant
turning his face upward. The young hunters, who were close behind him,
could see that there were scratches upon the soft succulent bark, as if
caused by the claws of some animal; but, almost as soon as they had made
the observation, their eyes were directed to the animal itself.
Away up on the tall tapang--just where its lowest limbs parted from the
main stem--a black body could be distinguished. At such a distance it
appeared not bigger than a squirrel; but, for all that, it was a Bornean
bear; and the spot of vivid orange upon its breast could be seen shining
like a coal of fire. Close by its snout a whitish mass appeared
attached under the branches. This was the waxen domicile of the
_lanyeh_ bees; and a slight mist-like cloud, which hung over the place,
was the swarm itself--no doubt engaged in angry conflict with the
plunderer of their hive.
The little bear was too busy in the enjoyment of his luscious meal--that
is, if the stings of the _lanyehs_ allowed him to enjoy it--to look
below; and for some minutes the hunters stood regarding him, without
making a movement.
Satisfied with their inspection, they were at length preparing to fire
at him; when they were hindered by the Dyak--who, making signs to them
to be silent, drew them all back from the tree.
When out of sight of the bear, he counselled them to adopt a different
plan. He said--what was true enough--that at such a height they might
miss the bear; or, even if they should hit him, a bullet would scarce
bring him down--unless it should strike him in a vital part. In the
contingency of their missing, or only slightly wounding him, the animal
would at once ascend further up into the tapang; and, hidden behind the
leaves and branches, might defy them. He would there remain till hunger
should force him down; and, since he was just in the act of having his
meal, and had, no doubt, been eating from the time he was first espied--
or longer, perhaps--he would be in a condition to stay in the tree,
until their patience should be more than exhausted.
True, they might fell the tree: they had an axe, and could soon cut the
tree down--as the wood was soft; but the Dyak alleged that the bruang in
such cases usually contrives to escape. The tapang rarely falls all the
way, but only upon the tops of the trees that stand thickly round; and
as the Bornean bear can climb and cling like a monkey, he is never
shaken out of the branches, but springs from them into some other tree--
among the thick leaves of which he may conceal himself; or, by getting
to the ground, manage to steal off.
His advice, therefore, was, that the hunters should conceal themselves
behind the trunks of the surrounding trees; and, observing silence, wait
till the bruang had finished his mellifluous repast, and feel inclined
to come down. The Dyak said he would make his descent stern foremost;
and, if they acted cautiously, they might have him at their mercy, and
almost at the muzzles of their guns.
There was only one of the three who was not agreeable to this plan; and
that was the impatient Ivan; but, overruled by the advice of his
brother, he also gave his consent to it.
The three now took their respective stands behind three trees--that
formed a sort of triangle around the tapang; and the guide, who had no
gun, placed himself apart--holding his kris in readiness to finish off
the bear, should the animal be only wounded.
There was no danger to be dreaded from the encounter. The little bear
of Borneo is only dangerous to the bees and white ants--or other
insects--which he is accustomed to lick up with his long tongue. The
human hunter has nothing to fear from him, any more than from a timid
deer--though he will scratch, and growl, and bite, if too closely
approached.
It was just as the Dyak had predicted. The bruang, having finished his
meal, was seen coming down the tree tail foremost; and in this way would
no doubt have continued on to the ground; but, before he had got halfway
down the trunk, Ivan's impatience got the better of him; and the loud
bang of his fowling-piece filled the forest with its echoes. Of course
it was a bullet that Ivan had fired; and it appeared that he had missed.
It was of little use firing also his shot barrel, though he did so
immediately after.
The effect of his shots was to frighten the bruang back up the tree; and
at the first report he commenced ascending. Almost as rapidly as a cat
he swarmed upward; and for a moment the chances of losing him appeared
as two to one. But Alexis, who had been watching the restless movements
of his brother, had prepared himself for such an issue; and, waiting
till the bruang made a pause just under the branches, he fired his rifle
with deadlier aim. The bear, in clutching to one of the limbs, had
extended his body outward, and this gave the rifleman the chance of
aiming at his head. The bullet must have told: for the bear, instead of
ascending higher, was seen hanging down from the limb, as if he was
clinging to it with enfeebled strength.
At this moment the cannon-like report of Pouchskin's fusil filled the
woods with its booming echoes; and Bruin, suddenly relaxing his grasp,
came bump down among the hunters--missing Pouchskin by about the eighth
part of an inch! Lucky for the old grenadier there was even this much
of a miss. It was as good as a mile to him. Had the bear's body
descended upon his shoulders, falling from such a height, it would have
flattened him out as dead as the bear was himself; and Pouchskin,
perceiving the danger from which he had so narrowly escaped, looked as
perplexed and miserable as if some great misfortune had actually
befallen him!
CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT.
THE CABBAGE-EATER.
Our heroes now, having accomplished their mission to Borneo, were about
to cross over to the island of Sumatra; in which--as well as in Java, or
upon the mainland of Malacca--they would find the other sun-bear, known
as the _ursus malayanus_; but previous to their departure from Sambos,
they obtained information that led them to believe that this species
also inhabited the island of Borneo. It was more rarely met with than
the orange-breasted variety; but the natives, generally better guides
than the anatomists in the matter of specific distinctions, stoutly
maintained that there were two kinds; and the Dyak bee-hunter--whose
interest had been secured by the ample reward already bestowed upon
him--promised them, that if they would go with him to a certain district
of country, he would show them the larger species of bruang. From the
man's description of it Alexis easily recognised the _ursus malayanus_--
the species they had killed being the _ursus euryspilus_.
Indeed, had there been any doubt about this matter, it would have been
set at rest, by what our travellers saw in the streets of Sambos. There
both species were exhibited by the itinerant jugglers--for both the
sun-bears can be easily tamed and trained--and these men stated that
they had procured the "big bruang," in the woods of Borneo.
Since, then, he was there to be found, why go to Sumatra in search of
him? They had still travelling enough before them; and they were
beginning to get tired of it. It was natural that--after so long an
absence and the endurance of so many perils and hardships--they should
be longing for home, and the comforts of that fine palace on the banks
of the Neva.
They resolved, therefore, to accompany the Dyak guide on a new
expedition.
They were a whole day upon the journey; and just before nightfall
reached the place, where the man expected to fall in with the big
bruangs. Of course, they could not commence their search before
morning. They baited, therefore, and formed camp--their Dyak guide
erecting a bamboo hut in less than an hour, and thatching it over with
the huge leaves of the wild _musaceae_.
The place where they had halted was in the midst of a magnificent grove,
or rather a forest, of palms; of that kind called _nibong_ by the
natives, which is a species of the genus _arenga_. It is one of the
"cabbage" palms; that is, its young leaves before expanding are eaten by
the natives as a vegetable after the manner in which Europeans use
cabbage. They are of a delicate whiteness, with a sweet nutty flavour;
and, in point of excellence, are even superior to those of the
cocoa-nut, or even the West India cabbage palm (_areca oleracea_). But
the nibong is put by the Borneans and other natives of the Indian
Archipelago to a great variety of uses. Its round stem is employed as
uprights and rafters for their houses. Split into lathes, it serves for
the flooring. Sugar can be obtained from the saccharine juice of its
spadix, which also ferments into an intoxicating beverage; and sago
exists in abundance within the trunk. Pens and arrows for blow-guns are
also made from the midribs of the side leaves; and, in fact, the _arenga
saccharifera_, like many other palms, serves for an endless variety of
purposes.
Alexis was greatly interested by the appearance of this beautiful tree;
but it was too late when they arrived on the ground for him to have an
opportunity of examining it. The half-hour before darkness had been
occupied in the construction of the hut--in which all hands had borne
part.
Early in the morning, Alexis--still curious about the arenga-trees--and
desirous of ascertaining to what genus of palms they belonged--strayed
off among them, in hopes of procuring a flower. The others remained by
the hut, preparing breakfast.
Alexis saw none of the trees in flower, their great spathes being yet
unfolded; but, toping to find some one more forward than the rest, he
kept on for a considerable distance through the forest.
As he was walking leisurely along, his eyes at intervals turned upward
to the fronds of the palms, he saw that one of the trunks directly in
front of him was in motion. He stopped and listened. He heard a sound
as of something in the act of being rent, just as if some one was
plucking leaves from the trees. The sound proceeded from the one that
was in motion; but it was only its trunk that he saw; and whatever was
causing the noise and the movement appeared to be up among the great
fronds at its crown.
Alexis regretted that he had left his gun behind him. He had no other
weapon with him but his knife. Not that he was afraid: for the animal
could not be an elephant in the top of a palm-tree, nor a rhinoceros;
and these were the only quadrupeds that need be greatly dreaded in a
Bornean forest: since the royal tiger, though common enough both in Java
and Sumatra, is not an inhabitant of Borneo.
It was not fear that caused him to regret having left his gun behind
him; but simply that he should lose the chance of shooting some animal--
perhaps a rare one. That it was a large one he could tell by the
movement of the tree: since no squirrel or small quadruped could have
caused the stout trunk of the palm to vibrate in such a violent manner.
I need not say how the regret of the young hunter was increased, when he
approached the tree, and looking up, saw what the animal really was--a
bear, and that bear the true _ursus malayanus_! Yes, there was he, with
his black body, yellowish muzzle, and white half-moon upon his breast--
busy gorging himself upon the tender leaflets of the arenga--whose white
fragments, constantly dropping from his jaws, strewed the ground at the
bottom of the tree.
Alexis now remembered that this was a well-known habit of the Malayan
bear--whose favourite food is the "cabbage" of palm-trees, and who often
extends his depredations to the cocoa plantations, destroying hundreds
of trees before he can be detected and destroyed himself. Of course
this wild arenga wood--furnishing the bear with as much "cabbage" as he
might require--was just the place for him; and Alexis now understood the
reason why the Dyak had conducted them thither.
As the naturalist knew that this kind of bear was more rare than the
other species--that is, in Borneo--he now more than ever felt chagrin at
not having his gun with him. To attempt attacking the animal with his
knife would have been absurd, as well as dangerous--for the Malayan bear
can maintain a better fight than his Bornean brother.
But, indeed, even had Alexis desired it, there would have been no chance
to reach the animal with his knife--unless the hunter should himself
climb up the palm; and that was more than he either dared or could.
Of course the bear had long ere this perceived his enemy at the foot of
the tree; and, uttering a series of low querulous cries, had desisted
from his cabbage eating, and placed himself in an attitude of defence.
It was evident from the position he had assumed, that he had no design
of coming down, so long as the hunter remained at the bottom of the
tree; nor did the latter desire him to do so. On the contrary, he
struck the tree with a stick, and made several other demonstrations,
with the design to hinder the bear from attempting a descent. But the
animal did not even meditate such a thing. Though the palm was not one
of the highest, it was tall enough to keep him out of the reach of any
weapon the hunter could lay hands upon; and the bear, seemingly
conscious of this fact, kept his perch with a confident air--that showed
he had no intention of changing his secure position.
Alexis now began to reflect about what he should do. If he could make
the others hear him, that would answer every purpose. Of course they
would come up, bringing with them their guns. This was the most
promising plan; and Alexis hastened to put it into execution, by
hallooing at the top of his voice. But, after he had shouted for nearly
ten minutes, and waited for ten more, no response was given; nor did any
one make an appearance upon the ground.
Once more Alexis raised his voice, and shouted till the woods rang with
echoes. But these echoes were all the reply he could get to his calls.
It was evident he had unconsciously strayed far from the camp, and quite
out of earshot of his companions!
What was to be done? If he should go back to the others, to bring them
and also his gun, the bear would in all probability seize the
opportunity to descend from the tree and take himself off. In that case
he would most certainly escape: since there would be no chance of
tracking him through such a wood. On the other hand, Alexis need not
remain where he was. He might stay there till doomsday, before Bruin
would condescend to come down; and even should he do so, what chance
would there be of effecting his capture?
While reflecting thus, a happy idea occurred to the young hunter; and he
was seen all at once to step a pace or two back, and place himself
behind the broad leaves of a wild _pisang_, where he was hidden from the
eyes of the bear.
As the morning was a little raw he had his cloak around him; and this he
instantly stripped off. He had already in his hands the stout long
stick--with which he had been hammering upon the palm--and this he now
sharpened at one end with his knife. On the other end he placed his
cap, and beneath it his cloak, folding the latter around the stick, and
tying it on in such a fashion as to make of it a rude representation of
the human form.
When he had got the "dummy" rigged out to his satisfaction, he reached
cautiously forward--still keeping the fronds of the pisang between
himself and the bear. In this position, he held the "scarecrow" out at
the full length of his arm; and, giving the stick a punch, set it erect
in the ground. The bruang, from his elevated perch on the tree, could
not fail to see the object--though the hunter himself was still
concealed by the huge leaves that drooped over his head. Alexis, now
cautiously, and without making the slightest noise, stole away from the
spot. When he believed himself well out of hearing of the bear, he
quickened his pace, and retraced his steps to the camp.
It was but the work of a minute for all hands to arm themselves and set
out; and in ten minutes' time they arrived at the bottom of the
_arenga_, and had the gratification of finding that the _ruse_ of Alexis
had proved successful.
The bruang was still crouching upon the crown of the palm; but he did
not stay there much longer, for a volley fired at his white breast
toppled him over from his perch; and he fell to the bottom of the tree
as dead as a stone.
The Dyak was rather chagrined that he had not himself discovered the
game; but, on ascertaining that he would receive the promised bounty all
the same, he soon got the better of his regrets.
Our hunters being on the ground, were determined to make a day of it;
and after breakfast continued their hunt--which resulted in their
finding and killing, not only another _bruang_, but a _rimau dahan_, or
"clouded tiger" (_felis macrocelus_): the most beautiful of all feline
animals, and whose skin they intended should be one of the trophies to
be mounted in the museum of the palace Grodonoff.
This hunt ended their adventures in the Oriental Archipelago; and from
Sambos they proceeded direct through the straits of Malacca, and up the
Bay of Bengal to the great city of Calcutta.
CHAPTER FIFTY NINE.
THE SLOTH BEAR.
_En route_ for the grand mountains of Imaus--the stupendous chain of the
Himalayas!
There our hunters expected to find no less than three species of bears--
each distinct from the others in outline of form, in aspect, in certain
habits, and even in _habitat_; for although all three exist in the
Himalayas, each has its own zone of altitude, in which it ranges almost
exclusively. These three bears are, the "sloth bear" (_ursus labatus_),
the "Thibet bear" (_ursus thibetanus_), and the "snow bear" (_ursus
isabellinus_).
The first-mentioned is the one which has received most notice--both from
naturalists and travellers. It is that species which by certain
wiseacres of the closet school was for a long time regarded as a sloth
(_bradypus_). In redeeming it from this character, other systematists
were not content to leave it where it really belongs--in the genus
_ursus_--but must, forsooth, create a new one for its special
accommodation; and it now figures in zoological catalogues as a
_prochilus_--the _prochilus labiatus_! We shall reject this absurd
title, and call it by its real one--_ursus labiatus_, which, literally
translated, would mean the "lipped bear"--not a very specific
appellation neither. The name has been given in reference to a peculiar
characteristic of the animal--that is, its power of protruding or
extending the lips to seize its food--in which peculiarity it resembles
the tapir, giraffe, and some other animals. Its trivial name of "sloth
bear" is more expressive: for certainly its peculiar aspect--caused by
the long shaggy masses of hair which cover its neck and body--gives it a
very striking resemblance to the sloth. Its long crescent-shaped claws
strengthen this resemblance. A less distinctive name is that by which
it is known to the French naturalists, "ours de jongleurs," or
"juggler's bear." Its grotesque appearance makes it a great favourite
with the Indian mountebanks; but, as many other species are also trained
to dancing and monkey-tricks, the name is not characteristic.
This bear is not quite so large as the _ursus arctos_; though
individuals are sometimes met with approaching the bulk of the latter.
The fur is longer and "shaggier" than in any other species--being upon
the back of the neck full twelve inches in length. In this mass of long
hair there is a curious line of separation running transversely across
the back of the neck. The front division falls forward over the crown,
so as to overhang the eyes--thus imparting to the physiognomy of the
animal a heavy, stupid appearance. The other portion flaps back,
forming a thick mane or hunch upon the shoulders. In old individuals
the hair becomes greatly elongated; and hanging down almost to the
ground on both flanks, and along the neck, imparts to the animal the
strange appearance of being without legs!
The general colour of the coat is black, with here and there a dash of
brown over it. Upon the breast there is a white list of a triangular
shape; and the muzzle is also a dirty yellowish white. There is no
danger of mistaking this species for any other of the black Asiatic
bears, or even any black bears. The long shaggy hair, hanging loosely,
presents an appearance altogether different from the uniform brush-like
surface, which characterises the coats of _ursus malayanus, euryspilus,
americanus, ornatus_, and _frugilegus_.
Perhaps the most peculiar characteristic of the sloth bear is the
capability it possesses of protruding the lips, which it can do to a
length of several inches from its jaws--shooting them out in the form of
a tube, evidently designed for suction. This, together with the long
extensile tongue--which is flat shaped and square at the extremity--
shows a peculiar design, answering to the habits of the animal. No
doubt the extraordinary development of tongue is given to it for the
same purpose as to the _edentata_ of the ant-eating tribe--to enable it
to "lick up" the _termites_.
Its great curved claws, which bear a very striking resemblance to those
of the ant-eaters--especially the large _tamanoir_ of South America--are
used for the same purpose: that of breaking up the glutinous compost
with which the termites construct their curious dwellings.
These insects constitute a portion of the sloth bear's "commissariat of
subsistence;" but he will also eat fruits, and sweet succulent
vegetables; and, it is scarce necessary to add, that he is "wild after"
honey, and a regular robber of bee-hives.
Notwithstanding the comic _role_, which he is often taught to play in
the hands of the jugglers, he not unfrequently enacts a little bit of
tragedy. This occurs when in his wild or natural state. He is not
disposed wantonly to make an attack upon human beings; and if left
unmolested, he will go his way; but, when wounded or otherwise provoked,
he can show fight to about the same degree as the black bear of America.
The natives of India hold him in dread: but chiefly on account of the
damage he occasions to their crops--especially to the plantations of
sugar-cane.
We have stated that the sloth bear is not exclusively confined to the
Himalayas. On the contrary, these mountains are only the northern limit
of his range--which extends over the whole peninsula of Hindostan, and
even beyond it, to the island of Ceylon. He is common in the Deccan,
the country of the Mahrattas, Sylhet, and most probably throughout
Transgangetic India. In the mountains that bound the province of Bengal
to the east and west, and also along the foot-hills of the Himalayas of
Nepaul on its north, the sloth bear is the most common representative of
the Bruin family; but up into the higher ranges he does not extend his
wanderings. His _habitat_ proves that he affects a hot, rather than a
cold climate--notwithstanding the great length of the fur upon his coat.
One peculiarity remains to be mentioned. Instead of hiding himself away
in solitudes, remote from human habitations, he rather seeks the society
of man: not that he is fond of the latter; but simply that he may avail
himself of the results of human industry. For this purpose he always
seeks his haunt near to some settlement--whence he may conveniently make
his depredations upon the crops. He is not, strictly speaking, a forest
animal. The low jungle is his abode; and his lair is a hole under some
overhanging bank--either a natural cavity, or one which has been
hollowed out by some burrowing animal.
Knowing that the sloth bear might be met with in any part of the
country, to the northward of Calcutta, our hunters determined to keep a
lookout for him while on their way to the Himalayas--which mountains
they intended ascending, either through the little state of Sikkim, or
the kingdom of Nepaul.
Their route from Calcutta to the hills lay a little to the west of
north; and at many places on their journey they not only heard of the
sloth bear, but were witnesses of the ravages which this destructive
creature had committed on the crops of the farmers.
There were sugar plantations, on which they saw tall wooden towers
raised in the middle of the field, and carried to a considerable height
above the surrounding vegetation. On inquiring the purpose of these
singular structures, they were informed that they were intended as
watch-towers; and that, during the season, when the crops were
approaching to ripeness, _videttes_ were stationed upon these towers,
both by night and by day, to keep a lookout for the bears, and frighten
them off whenever these plunderers made their appearance within the
boundaries of the fields!
Notwithstanding the many evidences of the sloth bear's presence met with
throughout the province of Bengal, our hunters failed in falling in with
this grotesque gentleman, till they were close up to the foot of the
Himalaya mountains, in that peculiar district known as the _Terai_.
This is a belt of jungle and forest land--of an average width of about
twenty miles, and stretching along the southern base of the Himalaya
range throughout its whole length, from Afghanistan to China. In all
places the Terai is of so unhealthy a character, that it can scarcely be
said to be inhabited--its only human denizens being a few sparse tribes
of native people (Mechs); who, acclimated to its miasmatic atmosphere,
have nothing to fear from it. Woe to the European who makes any
lengthened sojourn in the Terai! He who does will there find his grave.
For all its unhealthiness, it is the favourite haunt of many of the
largest quadrupeds: the elephant, the huge Indian rhinoceros, the lion
and tiger, the jungly ghau or wild ox, the sambur stag, panthers,
leopards, and cheetahs. The sloth bear roams through its thickets and
glades--where his favourite food, the white ants, abounds; and it was
upon reaching this district that our hunters more particularly bent
themselves to search for a specimen of this uncouth creature.
Fortunately they were not long till they found one--else the climate of
the Terai would soon have so enfeebled them, that they might never have
been able to climb the stupendous mountains beyond. Almost upon
entering within the confines of this deadly wilderness, they encountered
the sloth bear; and although the interview was purely accidental, it
ended in Bruin being deprived of his life and his long-haired robe.
The sloth bear did not submit tamely to this double robbery, for he was
himself the assailant--having been the first to cry "stand and deliver!"
Nor was his conquest accomplished without a perilous struggle--that
came very near reducing the number of our heroes from odd to even. But
we shall give the account of the affair, as we find it detailed in the
journal of Alexis.
CHAPTER SIXTY.
BRUIN TAKEN BY THE TONGUE.
The travellers had halted for lunch, and tied their horses to the trees.
While Pouchskin was spreading out the comestibles, and Alexis engaged
in noting down in his journal the events of the day, Ivan--attracted by
a beautiful bird--had taken up his fowling-piece, and followed the bird
through the jungle--in hopes of getting a shot at it. We go along with
Ivan, for it was he who started the "mountebank" bear, that came near
mounting him on the moment of their meeting it.
Ivan was walking cautiously along a bank, that rose to about the height
of his head; but which in places was undermined, as if by the action of
running water--though there was no water to be seen. The ground,
however, upon which he trod was covered with pebbles and coarse gravel--
showing that at some period water must have flowed over it; and, indeed,
it was evidently the bed of a stream that had been full during the rainy
season, but was now completely dried up.
Ivan was not thinking of this; but of the beautiful bird which was
flitting about among the trees--still keeping out of the range of his
gun. He was in a bent attitude, crouching along under the bank--which
he was using as a cover, to enable him to approach the tantalising game.
All at once, a singular noise fell upon his ear. It was a sort of
monotonous purring, like that made by a spinning-machine, or a very
large tom-cat; and like the latter, it was prolonged and continuous.
The sound was not exactly pleasant to Ivan's ear, for it denoted the
proximity of some animal; and, although it was not loud, there was
something about the tone that told him the animal giving utterance to it
was a creature to be feared. In fact, it fell upon Ivan's ear in the
character of a warning; and caused him to desist from his pursuit of the
bird, come suddenly to a stand, and listen with great attention.
For some moments he was unable to make out whence the sound proceeded.
It seemed to fill the space all around him--as if it came out of the air
itself--for the purring sound kept the atmosphere constantly vibrating;
and, as there was no definite concussion, it was all the more difficult
to trace it to its source.
The thought that had entered into Ivan's mind was that it might be the
purring of a tiger he heard; and yet it seemed scarcely so harsh as
that--for he knew the peculiar rattle which frequently proceeds from the
thorax of the royal Bengalese cat.
He quickly reflected, however, that whether it was tiger or not, it
would neither be safe for him to raise an alarm, nor start to rush back
to the bivouac--though this was not twenty yards from the spot. By
making an attempt to retreat, he might draw the animal after him, or
stumble upon it--not knowing its direction. It was to ascertain its
whereabouts that he had stopped and stood listening. That once known,
he might keep his place, or lake to flight--as circumstances should
dictate.
Nearly a minute remained he in this irresolute attitude--looking around
on every side, and over the bank into the contiguous jungle; but he
could see no living thing of any kind--for even the bird had long since
taken its departure from the place. Still the purring continued; and
once or twice the sound increased in volume--till it almost assumed the
character of a "growl."
All at once, however, it came to an end; and was succeeded by a quick
sharp "sniff," several times repeated. This was a more definite sound;
and guided Ivan's eyes in a direction in which he had not before thought
of looking. He had hitherto been reconnoitring around him and _over_
the bank. He had not thought of looking _under_ it.
In this direction were his eyes now turned; and, stooping his body, he
peered into the dark subterraneous excavation which the water had caused
in the alluvial earth. There, to his surprise, he beheld the author of
the baritone performance that had been puzzling him.
At first he saw only a countenance of a dirty-whitish colour, with a
pair of ugly glancing eyes; but, in looking more attentively, this
countenance was seen to protrude out of an immense surrounding of black
shaggy hair, which could be the covering of no other animal than a
bear--and a sloth bear at that?
On making this discovery, Ivan did not know whether to be merry or sad.
He would have been glad enough, had he seen the bear at a distance; but,
situated as he was--with the great brute near enough to reach him at a
single spring,--in fact, almost between his legs--he had little cause to
congratulate himself upon the "find." Nor did he. On the contrary, he
was seized with a quick perception of danger, and only thought of making
his escape. He would have turned upon the instant and fled; but it
occurred to him, that by doing so he would draw the bear after him; and
he knew that, notwithstanding the uncouth shuffle which a bear makes in
running,--and the sloth bear is the greatest "shuffler" of the family,--
he can still go too fast for a man. Should he turn his face, the bear
might spring upon his back, and thus have him at his mercy.
Instead of facing away, therefore, Ivan kept his front to the bank; and
with his eyes fixed upon the animal, commenced gliding backward, slowly
but silently. At the same time he had cautiously raised his gun to the
level--with no intention, however, of firing, but merely to be ready in
case the bear should become the assailant. Otherwise, Ivan was
perfectly agreeable to making it a "draw" between them.
Bruin, however, had no idea of thus giving up the game; for the fierce
growl which just at that moment escaped him, signified anything but
assent. On the contrary, it was the prelude to the play; and declared
his intention of beginning it. Almost simultaneous with the growl, he
was seen starting to his feet; and before Ivan could pull trigger, or
even raise his gun to a proper elevation, a huge mass of black shaggy
hair, like a bundle of sooty rags, came whisking through the air
directly towards him. Men talk of the sudden spring of the tiger, and
the quick, rushing charge of the lion; but strange as it may seem,
neither one nor other of these animals can charge forward on their
intended victim with more celerity than a bear--clumsy and uncouth as
Bruin may appear. His capacity of raising himself erect gives him this
advantage; and from his great plantigrade posterior paws, combined with
his powerful muscular legs, he can pitch forward with a velocity
surprising as it is unexpected. This the regular bear-hunter well
knows; and the knowledge renders him cautious about coming too close to
a _couchant_ bear. Ivan himself knew it; and it was for this very
reason he was endeavouring to widen the distance between himself and
Bruin, before he should turn to run.
Unfortunately he had not succeeded in gaining sufficient ground. He was
still within charging distance of the animal as it rose to its feet; but
another step backward as the bear launched forth, carried him clear of
the spring; and Bruin leaped short. In another instant, however, he
erected himself, and again sprang forward; but this time the impetus
given to his body was not so great; and, although he succeeded in
closing with the young hunter, the latter was enabled to keep his feet
and grapple with him in an erect attitude. Had he fallen to the ground,
the bear would have made short work with him.
Ivan had dropped his gun: for, not having time to raise it or take aim,
the weapon was of no use. His hands were therefore free; and as the
bear pitched up against him, he stretched out his arms, grasped the long
hair that hung over the frontlet of the animal, and with all his might
held back the monster's head with his threatening jaws.
The bear had thrown both his paws around the body of the young hunter;
but a broad thick belt which the latter chanced to have on, protected
his skin from the animal's claws. So long as he could hold back that
open mouth, with its double rows of white sharp teeth, he had not so
much to fear; but his strength could not last long against such a
powerful wrestler. His only hope was that the cries which he was
raising would bring the others to his assistance; and of this he had no
doubt: as he already heard both Pouchskin and Alexis hurrying up towards
the spot.
It was a perilous moment. The extended jaws of the bear were within
twelve inches of the young hunter's face; he could feel the hot breath
steaming against his cheeks, and the long extensile tongue almost
touched his forehead, vibrating about in rapid sweeps, as if the animal
by that means hoped to bring his head within reach!
The struggle was not protracted. It lasted till Alexis and Pouchskin
came upon the ground; but not six seconds longer. The first thing that
Pouchskin did was to grasp the protruding tongue of the bear in his left
hand--making a half curl of it round his fingers--while with his right
he plunged his long knife right between the ribs of the animal. Alexis,
on the other side, dealt a blow in similar fashion; and, before either
of them could draw his blade out of its hair-covered sheath, the huge
mountebank relaxed his hold, and rolled over among the pebbles. There,
after a few grotesque contortions his limbs lay extended and motionless,
making it evident beyond a doubt, that _his_ "dancing days were over."
CHAPTER SIXTY ONE.
AN EXTRA SKIN.
Our hunters did not remain at their bivouac longer than was absolutely
necessary to swallow a hasty meal. They had been warned of the
dangerous climate of the _Terai_, and hurrying on through it, reached
the more elevated hill region before night. Journeying on, they entered
the kingdom of Nepaul, among whose hills they expected to find the
Thibet bear (_ursus thibetanus_). This animal has been usually regarded
as a mere variety of the _ursus arctos_; but without the slightest
reason. It is an animal of more gentle habits, and exclusively a
vegetarian in its diet: in colour it is black, but having a white mark
on its breast shaped like a Y, the branches of the letter coming up in
front of its shoulders, while the limb extends between the fore legs and
halfway along the belly. The claws of the animal are small and weak;
and its profile forms almost a straight line, thus essentially differing
from the _ursus arctos_. It is also a much smaller animal--rarely
attaining to more than half the size of the latter species, and scarce
bigger than the _ursus malayanus_, to which it bears a far greater
resemblance. It is found in the mountains of Sylhet, and throughout
that portion of the Himalayas enclosed within the great bend of the
Brahmapootra, in Thibet, whence it derives its specific appellation. It
is equally an inhabitant of the hill-country of Nepaul; and there our
hunters proceeded in search of their specimen. By the help of a
"Ghoorka" guide, which they had hired, they were not long in finding
one; but as there was no curious or particular incident connected with
its capture, the journal of Alexis is silent upon the affair: it is only
recorded that the animal was started from a thicket of _rhododendron_
bushes, and shot down while endeavouring to make its escape.
Having settled their business with the Thibet bear, our hunters might
have also procured another species within the territory of Nepaul--that
is, the brown, or Isabella bear (_ursus isabellinus_). This they could
have found by ascending to the higher ranges of the great snowy
mountains that overlook Nepaul; but as they knew they should also
encounter this species near the sources of the Ganges, and as they were
desirous of visiting that remarkable locality, they continued on
westward through Nepaul and Delhi, arriving at the health station of
Mussoorie, in the beautiful valley of the Dehra Doon.
After resting here for some days, they proceeded to ascend the
mountains, the lower and middle zone of which they found covered with
forests of magnificent oaks, of several distinct species.
In these oak-forests, greatly to the surprise of Alexis, they heard of
the existence of a large black bear, altogether different from the
_ursus thibetanus_, and equally so from the _ursus isabellinus_--a
distinct species, in fact, which, though well-known to Anglo-Indian
hunters, appears to have escaped the attention of naturalists.
They ascertained, moreover, that he was far from being a scarce animal,
or an insignificant member of the Bruin family; in point of size,
formidable strength, and ferocity of disposition, being only inferior to
_ursus ferox_ and _maritimus_, and in all these qualities quite a match
for the _ursus arctos_. Of his fierce nature, and the capability to do
mischief, our travellers had evidence in almost every village through
which they passed. Numerous instances were brought before their notice
of men who had been scratched and torn by these black bears, and some
most fearfully mutilated. They saw men with their whole skin stripped
from their skulls and faces; their features presenting a most hideous
aspect.
This singular habit of inflicting punishment on their human enemy
appears to be common to the whole bear tribe--I mean, the habit of
scalping their victims, and endeavouring to disfigure the face. Not
only do both the black and brown bears of the Himalayas follow this
habit, but also the _ursus arctos_, the grizzly, and the white. They
always aim at the head, but more especially the face; and with a single
"rake" of their spread claws, usually strip off both skin and flesh.
Having accomplished this, a bear will often desist from further
ill-treatment of his victims; and if the latter will but lie still and
feign dead, the monster will give up mauling him, and shamble off from
the ground, apparently satisfied with having taken the scalp.
This savage habit on the part of the bears our young hunters had long
since noted; and that the black bear of the Himalayas followed the
fashion of his kindred, they had now ample evidence.
In his other habits--which they learnt from the shikkaries, or village
hunters--this bear strongly resembles the _ursus arctos_ of Northern
Europe. On ordinary occasions his food consists of fruits, roots, and
insects of _every_ kind he can catch--even scorpions and beetles--and
where the primeval forest does not afford him full rations, he will
enter the cultivated grounds and make havoc among the crops. Strange
enough, he does not meddle with the wheat; though he will ravage the
fields of buckwheat and barley! At night he enters the gardens
contiguous to the houses, and plunders them of all kinds of fruits and
vegetables. He even approaches still nearer--abstracting their honey
from the tame bees--the hives of which, according to a curious custom of
the hill people, are set in little indentations in the walls of their
dwelling-houses.
The black bear occasionally cools his chops by munching melons and
cucumbers; but he is particularly fond of a dessert of apricots--which
is the most common fruit cultivated throughout the middle ranges of the
Himalayas. The bear enters the apricot orchard at night; and climbing
the trees, will make more havoc in a single visit than a score of
schoolboys. In all the orchards, elevated crows' nests or sentry boxes
are set up, specially intended for watching the bears; and at this
season many of them are killed in the act of robbing.
The Himalayan black bear will eat flesh--either fresh or putrid--and
when once he has got into this habit he never forsakes it, but remains a
carnivorous creature for the rest of his life. He will attack the goats
and sheep on the mountain pastures; and will even make inroads to the
village enclosures, and destroy the animals in their very sheds! When a
flock of sheep falls in his way, unless he is driven off by the
shepherds, he does not content himself by killing only one, but
sometimes converts a score of them into mutton.
Those bears, however, that exhibit an extreme carnivorous propensity,
are certain to bring about their own destruction: as the attention of
the villagers being drawn upon them, snares and baited traps are set
everywhere, and they are also followed by the Shikkaries armed with
their matchlock guns.
These bears often attain to an immense size--in this respect nearly
equalling the _ursus arctos_, of which they cannot, however, be supposed
to be a variety. Eight feet is the usual length of a full-grown
specimen; and, when in a good condition, it requires a whole crowd of
men to raise the carcass of one of them from the ground.
Autumn is their season of greatest fatness; and especially when the
acorns are getting ripe, but previous to their falling from the tree.
Then the black bears are met with in the greatest numbers, coming from
all parts into the oak-forests, and climbing the trees to procure their
favourite food. They do not nibble off the acorns one by one; but first
break the branches which are loaded, and carry them all into one place--
generally into some fork--where, seated like squirrels, on their great
hams, they can discuss the meal at their leisure. In passing through
these oak-forests, large piles of branches may be seen thus collected
together on the tops of the trees--resembling the nests of rooks or
magpies--which have been brought together by the bears for the purpose
above stated.
When the forest lies in a district, where these bears are much hunted,
they usually retire by day; and conceal themselves in their
hiding-places in the thickets; but even in such forests the animals may
be seen prowling about before sunset, and long after daylight in the
morning.
In the higher hills and forests of the _khurso_ oak, remote from the
villages, they do not even take the precaution to hide themselves, but
remain all day "acorn-gathering" among the trees. It is at this season
that they can be hunted with most success: since the hunter is under no
necessity of tracking them, but can find his great game by simply
walking quietly through the woods, and keeping a lookout overhead, just
as if he were searching for squirrels.
It chanced to be the months of October when our hunters arrived at this
part of the Himalayas; and having reached the region of the larger
oak-forests, they commenced their search accordingly. They were
extremely desirous of success; knowing how much their father would be
gratified at obtaining the skin of this black bear, which being an
undescribed variety, might be considered an "extra" one.
CHAPTER SIXTY TWO.
AN UNHAPPY HORSE.
Our young hunters commenced their search in a forest of _khurso_ oaks,
which, interspersed with cedars and other trees, covered a high
round-topped ridge, that rose above the little village where they had
made their headquarters.
On reaching the flat summit of the ridge, they found they could manage
better without their horses: as seated in the saddle they could not so
well reconnoitre the tops of the trees, where they expected to see their
game. They dismounted, therefore, and leaving their animals tied to the
branches of a large spreading cedar-tree (the _deodor_), they proceeded
onward on foot.
On this day the luck seemed to be against them; for although they met
with plenty of "sign"--where the bears had broken the branches of the
oaks--and also saw numbers of freshly-made "rooks' nests," they could
not get their eyes upon Bruin himself, who had left these tokens of his
presence. It might be that this forest was frequently hunted by the
native Shikkaries; and that would account for the absence of the bears
during the day-time. They had gone, no doubt, to their hiding-places.
This was the conclusion at which our hunters arrived--after tramping
about until they were tired; and not having met with a single bear.
It was now the hour of noon; and, as they had been told that the evening
would be the likelier time to find Bruin upon the prowl, they resolved
returning to where they had left their horses, and remaining there until
evening should arrive. They had grown hungry; and, having walked many
miles, were pretty well done up. A bit of dinner, and a few hours' rest
under the great cedar, would recruit their strength; and enable them to
take the field again before sunset with a better prospect of success.
Following their backtrack through the forest, therefore, they proceeded
towards the place where they had left their horses.
Before coming in sight of these animals, they were admonished of their
proximity by hearing them neighing at short intervals; but, what
surprised them still more, they heard a constant pounding--as if the
horses were striking the ground repeatedly and continuously with their
hoofs!
Arriving within view of them, their astonishment was not diminished, on
perceiving that the three horses were rearing and dancing over the
ground, as if endeavouring to break loose from their fastenings! Each
had been tied to a separate branch of the tree--their bridles being
simply noosed over the twigs at the extremities of the branches; and
allowing them to play to the full length of the rein. Consequently, the
three horses were many yards apart from each other; but all were equally
in motion--all neighing and pitching about, as if something had set them
mad!
Could it be horse-flies? thought the hunters. They knew there was a
species of horse-fly in the Himalayas--greatly dreaded by all animals,
and even by man himself. They knew this: for they had already suffered
from its persecuting bite. But this was in the lower valleys; and it
was not likely it should be found at the elevation of this _khurso_
forests--quite 10,000 feet above sea level.
Perhaps bees? There might be a nest of wild bees somewhere near--why
not in the cedar itself--and if so, the horses might be attacked by
them? That would account for the capers they were cutting!
They had almost settled it in their mind that this was the true
explanation; when an object came before their eyes that gave a very
different solution to the mystery.
One of the horses appeared more frightened than the other two--at least
he was squealing and curveting in a much more violent manner. As he
danced around, his eyes appeared to be directed upwards--the great
eye-balls sparkling, and protruded as if about to start from their
sockets. This guided the glances of the hunters; and, looking among the
branches of the cedar, they now perceived a large black mass, of an
oblong shape--extended along one of the lower limbs, and just over the
spot where the horse was tied.
They had hardly time to make out the shape of this dark object, and
become convinced that it was the body of a bear, when the huge creature
was seen to launch itself down from the limb; and then drop like a cat,
all-fours, upon the back of the horse!
The latter uttered a scream of affright; and as if terror had added to
his strength, he now succeeded in breaking the branch--around which the
rein was looped--and bounded off through the forest, the bear still
squatted upon his back!
The trees that stood around were nearly all of slender growth; but, as
their stems grew thickly together, the horse, with his strange rider,
could make but slow way among them; and every now and then the former,
half blind with affright, dashed his sides against the trunks, causing
them to crackle and shiver at each concussion.
All at once the horse was seen coming to a halt, as if brought up by the
power of a Mameluke bit! The spectators saw this with wondering eyes--
enable for the moment to explain it. As they were very near the spot
where the halt had been made, they soon perceived the nature of the
interruption. The bear had thrown one of his great forearms around a
tree; while, with the other, he still clutched the horse, holding him
fast! The design of Bruin was perfectly clear: he had seized the tree
in order to bring the steed to a stand!
In this for a time he was successful. With one arm he was enabled to
retain the tree in his powerful hug; while with the other he held the
horse--his huge paw, with its retentive claws, being firmly fixed under
the pommel of the saddle.
A singular struggle now ensued, which lasted for some seconds of time;
the horse making the meet energetic efforts to escape; while the bear
was equally eager in endeavouring to retain him.
Lucky was it for the steed that his master was not more particular about
the girth of his saddle, and that either the strap or buckle was a bad
one. Whichever of the two it was, one of them gave way; and the horse,
thus freed, was not slow to profit by the fortunate accident. Uttering
a neigh of joy, he sprang onward--leaving both bear and saddle behind
him.
So far as the horse was concerned, his danger was over. Not so with the
bear, whose troubles were just now to begin. While holding the horse in
his muscular arm--and clutching the pine with the other--the tree had
got bent until its top almost touched the saddle. When the girth broke,
therefore, the elastic sapling sprang back like a piece of whalebone;
and with such an impetus as not only to shake Bruin from his hold, but
to pitch him several yards to the opposite side--where he lay stunned,
or at all events so astonished, as, for a moment, to appear as if he had
taken leave of his life!
This moment of the bear's embarrassment was not lost upon the hunters,
who ran rapidly up--till within ten paces of the prostrate animal--and
discharging their guns into his body, prevented him from ever again
getting to his feet. His hide was the only part of him that afterwards
attained the erect attitude; and that was when it was mounted in the
museum of the Palace Grodonoff.
CHAPTER SIXTY THREE.
THE SNOW BEAR.
Higher up the Himalayas dwells the "snow bear." This species has
received from naturalists the very fanciful appellation of the "Isabella
bear" (_ursus isabellinus_)--a title suggested by its colour being that
known as "Isabella colour,"--the type of which was the very dirty gown
worn by Queen Isabella at the siege of Grenada. It is doubtful whether
any living man could exactly tell what is an Isabella colour; and the
use of such a phrase in describing the hue of an animal's skin is
altogether indefinite and, to say the least, absurd.
The "Isabella bears," moreover, are not always of the so called Isabella
colour. On the contrary, there are some of dark-brown, some of a hoary
brown, and others nearly white; and to Himalayan hunters they are known
by the various appellations of brown, red, yellow, white, grey, silver,
and snow, stowing the numerous varieties of colour met with in the
species. Some of these varieties are to be attributed to the different
seasons of the year, and the age of the animal.
Of all these designations, that of "snow bear" appears the most
characteristic, since it avoids the risk of a confusion of names--the
other titles being equally bestowed upon certain varieties of the _ursus
americanus_ and _ursus ferox_. It is also appropriate to the Himalayan
animal: since his favourite haunt is along the line of perpetual snow;
or in the grassy treeless tracts that intervene between the snow-line
and the forest-covered declivities--to which they descend only at
particular times of the year.
In identifying this species, but little reliance can be placed on
colour. In spring their fur is long and shaggy--of various shades of
yellowish brown, sometimes reddish-brown, and not unfrequently of a grey
or silvery hue. In summer this long yellowish fur falls off; and is
replaced by a shorter and darker coat, which gradually grows longer and
lighter as the winter approaches. The females are a shade
lighter-coloured than the males; and the cubs have a broad circle of
white around the neck, which gradually disappears as they grow to their
full size.
The snow bear _hybernates_, hiding himself away in a cave; and he is
only seen abroad when the spring sun begins to melt the snow upon the
grass-covered tracts near the borders of the forest. On these he may be
found throughout the summer--feeding upon grass and roots, with such
reptiles and insects as come in his way. In the autumn he enters the
forests in search of berries and nuts, and at this season--like his
congener, the black bear--he even extends his depredations to the
cultivated grounds and gardens of the villagers, in search of fruit and
grain, buckwheat being a favourite food with him.
Though naturally a vegetarian in his diet, he will eat flesh-meat upon
occasions; and frequently makes havoc among the flocks of sheep and
goats, that in summer are taken up to pasture on the grassy tracts above
mentioned. While thus engaged, he does not regard the presence of man;
but will attack the shepherds who may attempt to drive him off.
Among the many strange items that compose the larder of the snow bear,
grubs and scorpions have a prominent place. He spends much of his time
in searching for these--scratching them out of their holes, and turning
over stones to get at them. Great boulders of rock, that a man could
not move, he will roll over with his muscular arms; and large tracts of
ground may be seen with the stones thus displaced.
It was while engaged in this curious occupation, that our hunters came
upon one of the snow bears; which they succeeded in killing. He was not
the first they had encountered: they had started several, and wounded
two; but both had got off from them. This one, however, fell to their
"bag," and in rather an unexpected fashion.
They were working their toilsome way up a narrow ravine--which, although
the season was autumn, was still filled with snow, that lay in the
bottom of the gorge to a great depth. It was snow that had lain all the
year; and although not frozen, the surface was firm and stiff; and it
was with difficulty they could get support for their feet on it. Here
and there they were compelled to stop and cut steps in the snow--as the
surface sloped upward at an angle of full 50 degrees, and, in fact, they
were rather climbing than walking. Their object, in undertaking this
toilsome ascent, was simply because they had seen a bear going up the
same way but a few minutes before; and the scratches of his claws were
visible on the snow just before their faces.
Making as little noise as possible, they kept onward; and at length
reached the head of the gorge. On peeping cautiously over, they saw a
little table-like tract of level ground, several acres in extent. It
was quite clear of snow; and covered with green herbage. A number of
large boulder stones lay scattered over it--which had evidently rolled
down from the mountain-side that rose still higher above the table.
But the sight that most gratified them was the bear himself--no doubt,
the same they had seen going up the ravine. They now discovered him
upon the level ground, not twenty yards from the spot where they stood.
In a strange attitude they saw him--grasping between his fore paws a
huge boulder stone, almost as large as his own body, and evidently in
the act of rolling it out of its bed!
They were the less astonished at what they saw: for, being already
acquainted with this singular habit of the snow bear, they knew what he
was about. They did not stay, therefore, to watch his herculean
labours; but all three, levelling their guns, pulled trigger
simultaneously. The bullets--some of them, at least--evidently struck
the bear; but, although, he dropped the great boulder--which at once
fell back into its place--he did not himself drop. On the contrary, he
turned suddenly round; and, giving utterance to a savage growl, rushed
direct towards the hunters.
The latter, not having time to reload, had no choice but to run for it.
There was no other way of escape open to them, except by the gorge up
which they had come; as, to attempt ascending to the level ground would
have brought them face to face with the bear. They turned, therefore;
and commenced retreating down the ravine.
But now came the difficulty. They had not made three strides, before
perceiving that they could not keep their feet upon the hard sloping
surface of the snow. They had no time to cut fresh steps, nor pick out
their old ones: as by doing either they would go too slowly, while the
bear could scramble down the snow as rapidly as on bare ground. There
was no alternative, therefore, but to fling themselves on their
posteriors, and slide down the slope.
Quick as came the thought, all three of them dropped down upon their
hams; and using their guns to prevent them from going with too great
velocity, they shot downward to the bottom of the ravine.
On reaching the lower end of the slope, and regaining their feet, they
turned and looked back up the gorge. The bear had arrived at the upper
end; and was standing with his fore feet projected over the edge, and
resting upon the snow. He appeared to be undecided, as to whether he
should come down after them, or give up the pursuit. He was within easy
range of a bullet; and they bethought them of reloading and giving him a
fresh volley; when, to their chagrin, they discovered that the barrels
of their guns were filled with snow--which had got into them during the
descent.
While lamenting this unfortunate accident--in the full belief that they
would now lose the bear--they saw the animal make a strange movement.
It was forward, and towards them--as if he had made up his mind to
charge down the slope; but they soon perceived that this could not be
his intention: for as he came gliding on, sometimes his head, and
sometimes his stern, was foremost; and it was evident that instead of
the movement being a voluntary act on his part, it was quite the
contrary. The fact was, that the bullets which they had fired into him
had drawn the life's blood out of his veins; and having stood too long
on the sloping edge of the snow, he had fallen through feebleness; and
was now tumbling down the ravine, without strength enough to stay his
descent.
In another instant he lay stretched almost at the feet of the hunters;
for the impetus imparted to his huge carcass in the descent, had brought
it with such a "whack" against a large rock, as to deprive him of
whatever either of blood or breath there had been left in his body.
The hunters, however, made sure of this, by drawing their long knives,
and making an additional vent or two between his ribs--thus securing
themselves against all risk of his resuscitation.
They had now finished with the Himalayan bears of known and unknown
kinds; but Alexis learnt enough from hunters, whom they had encountered
during their sojourn in these mountains, to convince him that great
confusion exists among naturalists as to the different species and
varieties that inhabit the Himalayan range. Of the "snow bear" itself,
a variety exists in the mountains of Cashmere; which, as far as Alexis
could learn, was very different from the kind they had killed. The
Cashmirian variety is of a deep reddish-brown colour, much longer in the
muzzle than the "snow bear," and also a more dangerous antagonist to
man--being a brute of eminently carnivorous propensity and savage
disposition.
"It is quite probable," remarks Alexis, in his journal, "that instead of
three kinds of bears inhabiting the Himalayan range, twice that number
of `species'--or at all events, of permanent varieties--may be found
within the extensive area covered by these stupendous mountains."
CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR.
THE LAST CHASE.
Our travellers descended once more to the plains of Hindostan, and
crossed the peninsula by _dak_ to Bombay. From Bombay they sailed
through the Indian Ocean, and up the Persian Gulf to the port of
Bussora, on the Euphrates. Ascending the Tigris branch of this Asiatic
river, they reached the famed city of Bagdad. They were now _en route_
for the haunts of the Syrian bear among the snowy summits of Mount
Lebanon. With a Turkish caravan, therefore, they started from Bagdad;
and after much toil and many hardships, arrived in the city of
Damascus--the scene of so many troubles and massacres caused by the
fanaticism of a false religion.
With these questions our travellers had nothing to do; nor did they stay
any length of time within the walls of the unhappy city. Soon after
their arrival in the place, they obtained all the information they
required of the whereabouts of the Syrian bear; and their steps were now
directed towards the snowy summits of Libanus--better known to
Christians by its Scriptural name of Mount Lebanon.
In these mountains the Syrian bear (_ursus syriacus_) is found; and it
is only a few years since the animal was discovered there. Every
naturalist had doubted the existence of bears in any part of Syria--as
they now deny that there are any in Africa. Those who acknowledge it,
are inclined to regard the Syrian bear as a mere variety of the _ursus
arctos_; but this theory is altogether incorrect. In shape, colour, and
many of his habits, the Syrian bear differs essentially from his brown
congener; and his dwelling-place--instead of being in forest-covered
tracts--is more generally in open ground or among rocks. In fact, his
range upon the Syrian mountains is very similar to that of the "snow
bear" on the Himalayas--near the line of perpetual snow.
The colour of the _ursus syriacus_ is a light ash or fulvous brown,
often--with a hoary or silvery tinge--but the colour varies at times to
lighter and deeper shades. The hair lies close against the skin--in
this respect differing from most of the species, in which the fur stands
erect or perpendicular to the outlines of the body. This gives the
Syrian bear the appearance of being a thinner and smaller animal, than
many bears of upright fur that are no bigger than he.
By one characteristic mark he may be easily identified; and that is, by
his having an erect ridge of fur running from his neck along the spine
of his back, and looking not unlike the mane of a donkey. But, indeed,
the Syrian bear may be easily distinguished from any other member of
this family; and to regard him as a mere variety of the _ursus arctos_,
is only going back to the old system that considers all the bears as one
and the same species.
The Syrian bear does not inhabit the whole range of the mountains that
pass under the general name of Lebanon. Only on the loftier summits is
he found--particularly on that known as Mount Makmel. This summit is
covered with snow; and it is under the snow-line he usually makes his
haunt. Sometimes, however, he descends to a lower elevation; and in the
village gardens--just as does the snow bear in the Himalayas--he makes
sad havoc among fruits and vegetables. He will also kill sheep, goats,
and even larger animals, that come in his way; and when provoked will
attack the hunter without fear. He is most dreaded in the night: for it
is during the darkness he generally makes his plundering expeditions.
Both shepherds and hunters have been killed by him--proving that he
still retains the savage character given to him in the Scriptures; where
several of his kind--she-bears they were--are represented as having torn
"forty and two of the mockers of Elisha."
He appears to have been equally characterised by a ferocity of
disposition in the crusading ages--since it is related that the great
leader Godfrey slew one of these bears, whom he found assaulting a poor
woodcutter of Antioch; and the affair was considered a feat of great
prowess, by those eccentric champions of the Cross.
That the Syrian bear is still as ferocious and savage, as he ever could
have been, our hunters proved by their own experience: for although they
did not get into the power of one, they would certainly have done so--
some one of them at least--had they not been fortunate enough to kill
the bear before he could lay his claws upon them. But we shall briefly
describe the adventure; which was the last our hunters were engaged in--
at least, the last we find recorded in the journal of Alexis.
Bischerre, a little mountain village, situated near the snow-line on
Mount Makmel, had become their temporary headquarters. Its
neighbourhood was celebrated for the great number of bears that frequent
it. These animals descending from the higher ridges surrounding it,
frequently enter the gardens of the villagers, and rob them of their
vegetables and chick peas (_cicer arietinus_)--the latter being a
favourite food of the Syrian bear.
From Bischerre the hunters extended their excursions on foot: since the
nature of the ground would not admit of their using horses; and they had
succeeded in getting several good "bear-chases," and in killing a brace
of these animals. Both, however, were very young ones--cubs, in fact--
and their skins would not do. A better specimen must be procured.
This came into their hands in the following manner:--
They had succeeded in tracing a bear up into a rocky ravine--the
entrance into which was not over ten or twelve feet in width. The
ravine itself was a steep descent leading up to the mountains; and its
bottom, or bed, was covered with a conglomeration of large rounded
boulders, that looked as if they had been rolled into this shape by
water. They resembled the round stones sometimes seen in rivers; and no
doubt there was a torrent there at times; but just then the channel was
dry, and not a drop of water appeared anywhere. There was no snow
either; as the place was below the line of snow; and they had only
traced the bear into it on information given them by some shepherds, who
had seen the animal recently enter it.
Belying upon this information, they kept up the defile, making their way
with difficulty over the loose pebbles. They had a hope that the bear
was still somewhere within the gorge; and that they might find him in
some crevice or cave. On each side rose high cliffs that almost met
over head; and our hunters, as they scrambled up the steep, examined
these cliffs carefully--expecting to perceive the mouth of a cavern.
The place was likely enough, for at every few yards they saw crevices
and deep cavities; but in none of them could they find any traces of
Bruin.
They had got about halfway through the ravine--and were still scrambling
upward--when a loud sniff drew their attention; and, looking in the
direction whence it appeared to have proceeded, there, sure enough, was
the identical animal they were after--Master Bruin himself. They saw
only his snout; which was projected out from the face of the cliff,
about twenty feet above the bed of the ravine. His whole head was
shortly after poked forth, and seen _en profile_ from below, it looked
as if there was a bear's head glued against the flat surface of the
rock, just as stags' heads are seen ornamenting the halls of grand
country mansions. Our hunters, however, knew there must be a cave
behind--in which was the body of the bear, though it was concealed from
their eyes.
The bear, after glancing at the intruders who had disturbed him, drew
back his head so suddenly, that not a shot could be fired in time. The
hunters, in order to get into a better position, hurried past under the
cave; and took stand several paces above it--where they were able to
command a better view of the entrance.
They were now on a level with the hole out of which the head had shown
itself; and without speaking a word, only in whispers, they waited for
the reappearance of the snout.
It was not long before they had the satisfaction of seeing it. Whether
from curiosity to know if they were gone--or with the design of sallying
forth in pursuit of them--the bear once more protruded his muzzle from
the hole. Fearing that he might draw it back again, and not give them
another chance, all three fired, and in such haste that two of them
quite missed the object. Only the bullet of Alexis had been properly
aimed; and this was seen striking the bear right in the teeth--several
of which were shot clean out of his jaws!
As the smoke cleared out of their eyes, the great yellow body of the
bear was observed out upon the little ledge that projected in front of
the cave; and uttering loud screams--expressive both of rage and pain--
the angry animal bounded down among the boulders. Instead of making
down the ravine--as our hunters expected--he turned upwards, and rushed
directly towards them.
Again there was no alternative but flight; and up the steep gorge they
must go. To make downward would be to run right upon the claws of the
infuriated animal; and upward was the only way left open to them.
All three started and ran as fast as they were able; and for a while
were in hopes of distancing their pursuer. But further up, the slope
grew steeper; and the loose stones became more difficult to clamber
over. Their breath, too, was by this time quite gone; and all three
were panting like "winded" horses.
It was impossible for them to go a step farther.
In despair, they halted; and turned to face the pursuer--all of them at
the same instant drawing their knives; and bracing their bodies for the
expected struggle. The bear, still growling and screaming, came on--
making way over the stones much faster than they had done. He would
have been certain of overtaking them, had they continued their race: for
he was scarce six paces behind them when they stopped.
No doubt it would have been a dangerous conflict, had it come off; and,
indeed, breathless as they were, they could never have sustained the
attack. Of course, they had no time to reload their guns, and did not
think of such a thing. Their determination was to defend themselves
with their knives; and perhaps they might have succeeded in doing so,
had there been an occasion. But there was not.
Before the bear could get up to them, a better idea had flashed across
the brain of Pouchskin; which he lost not a moment in carrying into
execution. Stooping suddenly, and flinging his knife out of his hands,
he laid hold of a large boulder--big enough to weigh at least half a
hundred--and, raising this to the height of his shoulder, he hurled it
down upon the bear!
The huge stone struck the animal right upon the breast; and what with
the force by which it had been launched from Pouchskin's powerful arm,
and the impetus it had gained in its descent, it acted on Bruin like a
thunderbolt--not only knocking him over on his back, but carrying his
body along with it full ten paces down the gorge!
When the hunters at length reloaded their guns, and went down to where
Bruin lay among the rocks, they found him lying doubled up as dead as
mutton!
Having stripped him of his fulvous skin, they returned to Bischerre; and
next day packing up their _impedimenta_, they crossed through the passes
of Mount Libanus, and proceeded onward to the shores of the
Mediterranean Sea.
Home was now thy word; and right pleasant was the sound of it in their
ears. The grand bear-hunt was ended. They had accomplished the task
imposed upon them--having kept every condition of their covenant.
Of course they expected a grand welcome upon their return; and in this
expectation they were not disappointed; for many days and nights after
the baronial halls of the Palace Grodonoff echoed the sounds of mirth
and revelry.
In the museum our young hunters met their old acquaintances, from, all
parts of the world. They encountered them standing in different
attitudes--all mounted in the most approved fashion. The Syrian bear
was the only one not among them: as they had themselves brought his
skin--all the others having been sent home by "Parcels Delivery." In a
few days, however, the _ursus syriacus_ was set upon his legs; and the
collection was complete.
The news of the "Grand Bear-Hunt," with its curious conditions, soon got
abroad; and travelled all round the social circle of Saint Petersburgh.
Figuratively speaking, our young hunters were transformed into animals
themselves--they became "lions,"--and remained so for that season; but
even at this hour in the _salons_ of the great Russian capital, you may
often hear introduced, as a favourite topic of conversation--
"The Baron and his Bears." THE END.
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