seen together. It is not that they are
_gregarious_; but simply, that, being in considerable numbers in a
particular neighbourhood, accident thus brings them together. To see
troops of four associating together is very common; but these are merely
the members of one family--male, female, and yearling cubs--for two is
the number of the progeny--the grizzly bear in this respect resembling
his congener of the _ursus maritimus_, and differing as essentially from
the black and brown bears--with whom three is the usual number of cubs
at a birth.

There are good reasons why the grizzly bears are not in much danger of
being exterminated. In the first place, their flesh is of inferior
quality. Even the Indians will not eat it; while they relish that of
the black species. Secondly, their robe is of scarce any value, and
fetches but a trifling price in the fur-market. Thirdly--and perhaps
the most powerful reason of all--is that the hunter cares not to risk
his life in an encounter with these animals, knowing that there is no
adequate reward for such risk. For this reason "Old Ephraim"--as the
trappers jocosely style the grizzly--is usually permitted to go his way
without molestation, and, therefore, instead of being thinned off by an
exterminating chase--such as is pursued against the buffalo, or even the
black bear, whose robe is marketable--the grizzly maintains his
numerical strength in most places where he is found.

At Fort Halkett--in consequence of a scarcity of hands, and the great
pressure of business, in forwarding the brigade onward to the Pelly
Station--our young hunters were unable to obtain a guide; and therefore
started out for the chase alone--Pouchskin, of course, being one of the
party.

The trading post of Fort Halkett being situated in the midst of the
wildest region--without any cultivated ground or other settlement around
it--they would not have far to go before finding a grizzly. Indeed,
they were as likely to meet with one within sight of the Port as
anywhere else; and from the moment of passing through the gate of the
stockade they were on the lookout.

They had not the good fortune, however, to meet with one so very easily,
for although they came upon the traces of bears, and saw numerous signs
of them, they could not set eyes upon them; and returned from their
first excursion rather disheartened with their day's work.

In one thing, however, they had their reward. They had succeeded in
s