Leonard thought at first that the bear had returned within the deadly circle drawn for him by our beaters, till, all at once, on reaching a steep slope covered with reeds, he again heard a growling and perceived the savage beast trying to scale the slope.

The place was too steep for a man to climb, but a bear with the help of his long strong claws can scale it like a fly climbing up a wall.

Leonard soon saw that he would be unable to get a close shot at the bear, so he resolved to fire down from where he was at random.

But the experienced old brute, guessing this good idea, instantly executed one of those surprising feats which only fall within the observation of veteran hunters.

While Leonard was taking aim, the bear rolled rapidly down the steep incline by means of a series of clever somersaults and rushed upon Leonard with a sort of swift shamble.