cave. Even through the gloom, they
could see a darker spot upon the face of the rock, which indicated the
entrance. It was of no great size--about large enough to admit the body
of a man in a stooping attitude--but the hunter was under the impression
that it widened inward, and led to a grand cavern. He drew his
inference, not from having ever explored this particular cave, but from
knowing that there were many others of a similar kind in that part of
the mountains, where the limestone formation was favourable to such
cavities. Had it been only a hole just big enough for the den of a
bear, he would have acted very differently--then there would have been a
hope of drawing Bruin out with the dogs; but if the place was an actual
cavern, where the beast might range freely about, she hunter knew there
would be no chance of getting him out. Their presence outside once
suspected, the bear might remain for days within his secure fortress;
and a siege would have to be laid, which would be a tedious affair, and
might prove fruitless in the end.

For this reason, great caution had been observed as they drew near the
cave. They feared that they might come upon the bear, by chance
wandering about in the woods,--that he might hear them, and, taking the
alarm, scamper back to his cavern.

Acting under this apprehension, they had left their animals a good way
off--having tied them to the trees--and had approached the cave on foot,
without making the slightest noise, and talking to each other only in
whispers.

The izzard-hunter now proceeded to put his designs into execution.
While the others had been sleeping, he had prepared a large torch, out
of dry splinters of the stone pine; and now quietly igniting this, set
it in the ground near the base of the cliff. The moment the bright
flame illuminated the entrance to the cave, all stood with their guns in
hand ready to fire. They were not sure that Bruin had gone out at all.
He might still be a-bed. If so, the light of the torch might wake him
up and tempt him forth; therefore it was best to be prepared for such a
contingency.

The izzard-hunter now slipped his dogs, which up to this time he had
held securely in the leash. As soon as they were free, the well-trained
animals, knowing what was expected of them, rushed right into the care.

For some seconds the dogs kept up a quick continuous yelping, and their
excited manner told that they at least scented a bear: but the qu