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 disturban