. The life and habits of wild animals . n, savethe bones and entrails, which however would have consoled them for the loss of themore savory portions. As a general rule the Bear is a slow moving animal, and shuffles awkwardlyalong, advancing both legs on the same side at a time, and is never known to can, on emergencies, make very rapid progress ; and when endeavouring toescape, or when aroused to wrath, a good horse cannot outstrip him in speed for ashort distance. Usually peaceable in disposition, the Bear does not often molest otheranimals of the forest, and is not interfered with b
. The life and habits of wild animals . n, savethe bones and entrails, which however would have consoled them for the loss of themore savory portions. As a general rule the Bear is a slow moving animal, and shuffles awkwardlyalong, advancing both legs on the same side at a time, and is never known to can, on emergencies, make very rapid progress ; and when endeavouring toescape, or when aroused to wrath, a good horse cannot outstrip him in speed for ashort distance. Usually peaceable in disposition, the Bear does not often molest otheranimals of the forest, and is not interfered with by them. The following incidentwill shew, however, that he does sometimes get himself into serious difficulty. A hunter after pursuing his game for the greater part of a day, in a wilddistrict of North America, wearied with his long journey, on arriving at a small lake,lying like a sheet of silver in the midst of its forest setting, laid himself down uponthe shore to rest. He had not remained long, when suddenly the silence of the PLA^E. BRUIN AT BAY. BRUIN AT BAY. 17 woods was broken by angry howlings, that grew louder and louder, as if someenraged animals were approaching the water. All at once, from a bank but a shortdistance off, a bear shuffled out of the bushes on to the shore, and, evidently in greattribulation, looked around as if seeking an outlet for escape, more congenial to it thanthe deep waters of the lake. Almost immediately it was followed by a large panther,which with fearful screams and outstretched claws, sprang upon the back of itsshaggy foe, and the conflict that ensued was fearful to witness. Only a portionof their bodies could be seen at a time, so rapid were the evolutions of the com-batants, and from the midst of the whirling mass of fur, the most hideous growlingand snarling continually issued. Soon the struggle became less violent and theBear fell dead, torn almost to pieces by its savage adversary; while the Cougar,after quenching its thirst in the la
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectani, booksubjectbirds
