nteresting incidents, and striking adventures which happened to our
heroes.

We may here state that it was in the early part of spring that they
arrived in Lapland, or rather in the latter part of winter, when the
ground is still covered with deep snow. At this season the bears are
hidden away in their caves--in crevices of the rocks or hollow trees--
from which they only issue forth when the spring sun makes itself felt,
and the snow begins to disappear from the sides of the hills.

Every one has heard of this _winter sleep_ of the bears; and it has been
attributed to bears of all species. This, however, is a mistake, as it
is only indulged in by a few kinds; and the climate and nature of the
country which the bear inhabits has more to do with his _hybernation_
than any natural instinct of the animal: since it has been observed that
bears will go to sleep, or _hybernate_, as it is termed, in one part of
a country, while individuals of the same species, in another region,
will be found roaming about all the winter through. The state of torpor
seems to be voluntary with these animals: since it is generally in
districts where food could not be procured, that they submit themselves
to this prolonged _siesta_.

However this may be, the brown bears of Lapland certainly indulge in a
period of slumber--during which they are difficult to find. Never
issuing from their places of concealment, they make no track in the snow
by which they might be followed. At such seasons it is only by
accident, or by the aid of his dog, that the Lap hunter chances to
discover the retreat of a bear; and, when one is thus discovered,
various methods are adopted for securing the valuable skin and carcass
of the animal.

It so chanced that, previous to the arrival of the young Russians upon
their hunting-ground, there had been a show of spring--that is, a few
days of warm sun--but this had been succeeded by a return of the cold
weather, with a fresh fall of snow. The spell of warmth, however, had
aroused many bears from their lethargy--some of which had ventured out
of their caves, and made short excursions among the hills--in search, no
doubt, of the berries, that, preserved all winter by the snow, are sweet
and mellow at this season, and a favourite food of the bears.

This casual occurrence of the spring having made a promise and not kept
it, was just the chance for our hunters; since it enabled them in a
_very_ short time to track a be