rdly
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 on