estion
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 ha