t of them; but it looked as if it had a
hunch upon its back; and altogether more like a shapeless mass of white
bristly hair than a regularly-formed quadruped. It must be an animal,
however, as its motions testified; for it was seen to be turning round
and round, and at intervals darting forward a pace or two, as if working
its way in the direction of the river.

Whatever the animal was, it soon became clear that it was battling with
the wolves that surrounded it; and this accounted for the singular
movements that these last were making, as well as for their fierce
barking and growling that, in confused chorus, filled the air. At
intervals, and still louder, could be heard a different sort of cry--
shrill and plaintive, like the hinny of a mule--and evidently proceeding
not from the wolves, but from the huge white animal which they were
assailing.

The voyageurs at once recognised the cry.

"A bear!--a sea bear!" exclaimed both together.

One of them stood up, and looked over the plain.

"Yes," said he, confirming his first assertion. "An old she it is,
surrounded by wolves. Ha! it's her cubs they're after! _Voila,
messieurs_! She's got one of them on her back. _Enfant de garce_, how
the old beldam keeps them at bay! She's fighting her way to the water!"

Guided by the words of the voyageur, our hunters now perceived clearly
enough that the white object appearing over the backs of the wolves was
neither more nor less than a large bear; and that which they had taken
for a hunch upon its shoulders was another bear--a young one, stretched
out at full length along the back of its mother, and clinging there,
with its forearms clasped around her neck.

It was evident, also, as the voyageur had said, that the old she was
endeavouring to work her way towards the river--in hopes, no doubt, of
retreating to the water, where she knew the wolves would not dare to
follow her. This was evidently her design: for, while they stood
watching, she advanced several yards of ground in the direction of the
stream.

Notwithstanding the fierce eagerness with which the wolves kept up the
attack, they were observing considerable caution in the conflict. They
had good reason: since before their eyes was an example of what they
might expect, if they came to _very_ close quarters. Upon the ground
over which the fight had been raging, three or four of their number were
seen lying apparently dead--while others were limping around,