ce
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 enca