What then?
Should they climb into a tree?
That, thought they, would be of just as little use; and they gave up the idea.
They resolved, at length, to remain where they were, until they should either be assailed by their mysterious neighbours, or the clearer light might enable them to make out who and what these were.
As it grew clearer, however, their awe was not diminished; for they now saw that the upright figure had two thick strong-looking arms, which it held out horizontally, manoeuvring with them in a singular manner.

Its colour, too, appeared reddish, while that of the small animals was deep black! Had they been in the forests of Africa, or _South_ instead of _North_ America, they would have taken the larger figure for that of a gigantic ape.

As it was, they knew it could not be that.
The light suddenly became brighter--a cloud having passed off the eastern sky.

Objects could be seen more distinctly, and then the mystery, that had so long held the young hunters in torturing suspense, was solved.

The large animal reared up and stood with its side towards them; and its long pointed snout, its short erect ears, its thick body and shaggy coat of hair, showed that it was no Indian nor human creature of any sort, but _a huge bear standing upright on its hams_.
"A she-bear and her cubs!" exclaimed Francois; "but see!" he continued, "_she_ is red, while the cubs are jet-black!" Basil did not stop for any observation of that kind.