It was well they had the izzard-hunter for a guide, for without him they
might have searched a long time without finding a bear. These animals,
although plenteous enough in the Pyrenees some half-century ago, are now
only to be met with in the most remote and solitary places. Such
forest-tracts, as lie well into the interior gorges of the mountains,
and where the lumberer's axe never sounds in his ears, are the winter
haunts of the Pyrenean bear; while in summer he roams to a higher
elevation--along the lower edge of the snowfields and glaciers, where he
finds the roots and bulbs of many Alpine plants, and even lichens,
congenial to his taste. He sometimes steals into the lower valleys,
where these are but sparsely cultivated; and gathers a meal of young
maize, or potatoes, where such are grown. Of truffles he is as fond as
a Parisian sybarite,--scenting them with a keenness far excelling that
of the regular truffle dog, and "rooting" them out from under the shade
of the great oak trees, where these rare delicacies are inexplicably
produced.
Like his near congener, the brown bear, he is frugivorous; and, like
most other members of their common family, he possesses a sweet tooth,
and will rob bees of their honey whenever he can find a hive. He is
carnivorous at times, and not unfrequently makes havoc among the flocks
that in summer are fed far up on the declivities of the mountains; but
it has been observed by the shepherds, that only odd individuals are
given to this sanguinary practice, and, as a general rule, the bear will
not molest their sheep. On this account, a belief exists among the
mountaineers that there are two kinds of bears in the Pyrenees; one, an
eater of fruits, roots, and _larvae_,--the other, of more carnivorous
habits, that eats flesh, and preys upon such animals as he can catch.
The latter they allege to be larger, of more fierce disposition, and
when assailed, caring not to avoid an encounter with man. The facts may
be true, but the deduction erroneous. The izzard-hunter's opinion was
that the Pyrenean bears were all of one species; and that, if there were
two kinds, one was a younger and more unsophisticated sort, the other a
bear whom greater age has rendered more savage in disposition. The same
remark will apply to the Pyrenean bear that is true of the _ursus
arctos_,--viz., having once eaten flesh, he acquires a taste for it; and
to gratify this, of course the fiercest passions of his nature are
called into play. Hunger may have driven him to his first meal of
flesh-meat; and afterwards he seeks it from choice.
The izzard-hunter's father remembered when bears were common enough in
the lower valleys; and then not only did the flocks of sheep and goats
suffer severely, but the larger kinds of cattle were often dragged down
by the ravenous brutes--even men lost their lives in encounters with
them! In modern times, such occurrences were rare, as the bears kept
high up the mountains, where cattle were never taken, and where men went
very seldom. The hunter stated, that the bears were much sought after
by hunters like himself, as their skins were greatly prized, and fetched
a good price; that the young bears were also very valuable, and to
capture a den, of cubs was esteemed a bit of rare good luck: since these
were brought up to be used in the sports of bear-baiting and
bear-dancing, spectacles greatly relished in the frontier towns of
France.
He knew of no particular mode for taking bears. Their chase was too
precarious to make it worth while; and they were only encountered
accidentally by the izzard-hunters, when in pursuit of their own regular
game. Then they were killed by being shot, if old ones; and if young,
they captured them by the aid of their dogs.
"So scarce are they," added the hunter, "that I have killed only three
this whole season; but I know where there's a fourth--a fine fellow too;
and if you feel inclined--"
The young Russians understood the hint. Money is all-powerful
everywhere; and a gold coin will conduct to the den of a Pyrenean bear,
where the keenest-scented hound or the sharpest-sighted hunter would
fail to find it. In an instant almost, the bargain was made. Ten
dollars for the haunt of the bear!
The _Pic du Midi d'Ossau_ was now in sight; and, leaving the beaten path
that passed near its base, our hunters turned off up a lateral ravine.
The sides and bottom of this ravine were covered with a stunted growth
of pine-trees; but as they advanced further into it, the trees assumed
greater dimensions--until at length they were riding through a tall and
stately forest. It was, to all _appearance_, as wild and primitive as
if it had been on the banks of the Amazon or amid the Cordilleras of the
Andes. Neither track nor trail was seen--only the paths made by wild
beasts, or such small rodent animals as had their home there.
The izzard-hunter said that he had killed lynxes in this forest; and at
night he would not care to be alone in it, as it was a favourite haunt
of the black wolves. With, such company, however, he had no fear: as
they could kindle fires and keep the wolves at bay.
The neighbourhood, in which he expected to find the bear, was more than
two miles from the place where they had entered the forest. He knew the
exact spot where the animal was at that moment lying--that is, he knew
its cave. He had seen it only a few days before going into this cave;
but as he had no dogs with him, and no means of getting the bear out, he
had only marked the place, intending to return, with a comrade to help
him. Some business had kept him at Eaux Bonnes, till the arrival of the
strangers; and learning their intentions, he had reserved the prize for
them. He had now brought his dogs--two great creatures they were,
evidently of lupine descent--and with these Bruin might be baited till
he should come forth from his cave. But that plan was only to be tried
as a last resource. The better way would be to wait till the bear
started out on his midnight ramble,--a thing he would be sure to do,--
then close up the mouth of the cave, and lie in ambush for his return.
He would "not come home till morning," said the izzard-hunter; and they
would have light to take aim, and fire at him from their different
stations.
It seemed a feasible plan, and as our adventurers now placed themselves
in the hands of the native hunter, it was decided they should halt where
they were, kindle a fire, and make themselves as comfortable as they
could, until the hour when Bruin might be expected to go out upon his
midnight prowl.
A roaring fire was kindled; and Pouchskin's capacious haversack being
turned inside out, all four were soon enjoying their dinner-supper with
that zest well-known to those who have ridden twenty miles up a steep
mountain-road.