“‘Tis a strange place t’ be in th’ rocks,” he commented.  “I’m thinkin’ I’ll have a look at un.”

Kicking off his snow-shoes and standing his gun outside he proceeded to crawl in on all fours.  When he reached the point of broadening he found the cavern within so dark that he could see nothing of its interior, and he advanced cautiously, extending one arm in front of him that he might not strike his head against protruding rocks.  All at once his hand came in contact with something soft and warm.  He drew it back with a jerk, and his heart stood still.  He had touched the shaggy coat of a bear.  He was in a bear’s den and within two feet of the sleeping animal.  He expected the next moment to be crushed under the paws of the angry beast, and was quite astonished when he found that it had not been aroused.

Cautiously and noiselessly Bob backed quickly out of the dangerous place.  The moment he was out and found himself on his feet again with his gun in his hands his courage returned, and he began to make plans for the capture of the animal.

“‘Twould be fine now t’ kill un an’ ‘twould please th’ Injuns wonderful t’ get th’ meat,” he said.  “I’m wonderin’ could I get un—­if ’tis a bear.”

He stooped and looked into the cave again, but it was as dark as night in there, and he could see nothing of the bear.  Then he cut a long pole with his knife and reached in with it until he felt the soft body.  A strong prod brought forth a protesting growl.  Bruin did not like to have his slumbers disturbed.

“Sure ‘tis a bear an’ that’s wakenin’ un,” he commented.

Bob prodded harder and the growls grew louder and angrier.

“He’s not wantin’ t’ get out o’ bed,” said Bob prodding vigorously.

Finally there was a movement within the den, and Bob sprang back and made ready with his gun.  He had barely time to get into position when the head of an enormous black bear appeared in the cave entrance, its eyes flashing fire and showing fight.  Bob’s heart beat excitedly, but he kept his nerve and took a steady aim.  The animal was not six feet away from him when he fired.  Then he turned and ran down the hill, never looking behind until he was fully two hundred yards from the den and realized that there was no sound in the rear.

The bear was not in sight and he cautiously retraced his steps until he saw the animal lying where it had fallen.  The bullet had taken it squarely between the eyes and killed it instantly.  This was the first bear that Bob had ever killed unaided and he was highly elated at his success.

It was not an easy task to get the carcass out of the rock crevice, but he finally accomplished it and outside quickly skinned the bear and cut the meat into pieces of convenient size to haul away on a toboggan when he should return for it.  Then, with the skin as a trophy, he triumphantly turned towards camp.