r the time at least, from the bear's assaults; but
"Caleb" is a patient creature, and will often wait at the foot of the
tree for many hours for his victim.

The average length of his body is about nine feet, but he sometimes
attains to a still larger growth. Caleb is more carnivorous in his
habits than other bears; but, like them, he does not object to indulge
occasionally in vegetable diet, being partial to the bird-cherry, the
choke-berry, and various shrubs. He has a sweet tooth, too, and revels
in honey--when he can get it.

The instant the grizzly bear beheld Dick Varley standing in his path, he
rose on his hind-legs, and made a loud hissing noise, like a man
breathing quick, but much harsher. To this Crusoe replied by a deep
growl, and showing the utmost extent of his teeth, gums and all; and
Dick cocked both barrels of his rifle.

To say that Dick Varley felt no fear would be simply to make him out
that sort of hero which does not exist in nature, namely a _perfect_
hero. He _did_ feel a sensation as if his bowels had suddenly melted
into water! Let not our reader think the worse of Dick for this. There
is not a man living who, having met with a huge grizzly bear for the
first time in his life, in a wild, solitary place, all alone, has not
experienced some such sensation. There was no cowardice in this
feeling. Fear is not cowardice. Acting in a wrong and contemptible
manner because of our fear, is cowardice.

It is said that Wellington or Napoleon, we forget which, once stood
watching the muster of the men who were to form the forlorn hope in
storming a citadel. There were many brave, strong, stalwart men there,
in the prime of life, and flushed with the blood of high health and
courage. There were also there a few stern-browed men of riper years,
who stood perfectly silent, with lips compressed, and as pale as death.
"Yonder veterans," said the general, pointing to these soldiers, "are
men whose courage I can depend on; they _know_ what they are going to,
the others _don't_!" Yes, these young soldiers _very probably_ were
brave; the others _certainly_ were.

Dick Varley stood for a few seconds as if thunderstruck, while the bear
stood hissing at him. Then the liquefaction of his interior ceased, and
he felt a glow of fire gush through his veins. Now, Dick knew well
enough that to fly from a grizzly bear was the sure and certain way of
being torn to pieces, as when taken thus by surprise they