on.

So lots were drawn, and it fell to Bobby himself to entertain the
company.

'Start away at once, old chap. I'm tired of talking, and longing for a
nap,' laughed Denison. 'If he makes it too long, Teddy, have we the
right to ask him to finish it "in our next?" He might go on all night.'

'Certainly, any story may be split; if any fellow can entertain us for
two nights on end, why, so much the better!'

'Off you go then, Bobby,' said Denison--"once upon a time"--fire ahead!'

Bobby Oakfield sat silent for a few minutes.

'I believe you are inventing,' said the irrepressible Ralph: 'is that
allowed, Mr. President?'

'_Real_ experiences, as far as possible!' Vandeleur decided.

'Oh, it's real all right,' said Bobby; 'I was wondering whether to tell
you first of a wolf adventure or a little meeting with a bear I once
had--think I'll begin with the bear.'

* * * * *

This is the story of my first bear (began Bobby); the first I ever went
out to hunt, I mean, though as a matter of fact he had more right to
call me 'his first man,' than I to dub him 'my first bear,' for I fancy
he was nearer getting me than I him. Which of us was most frightened, I
hardly care to say! He must have been terribly alarmed if he suffered
more than I did!

It was during one of my visits to Russia, and the season was early
autumn. I was staying with a cousin, who was either part or sole
proprietor, I forget which, of a big 'shoot,' some twenty miles out of
town; and one day he received a letter which we both thought rather
funny. It was from the head-keeper of the shooting club, and read
something like this:--

'Most merciful lord' (my cousin was not a lord, but that's a detail; he
would have made a very good one, I dare say), 'if your lordship's heart
contains pity for humble fellow-creatures who are in distress, listen
and be merciful. A bear has appeared here and is eating the uncut corn
of the peasants. We have tried him with the usual methods, but they have
proved useless. Come down and save us, merciful, for the appetite of the
beast is very large; there is room in him for the whole of our harvest,
therefore come quickly.'

'What are the usual methods?' I asked my cousin, and he replied with a
laugh that probably the man meant that the elders of the village had
pronounced a curse against the animal, or perhaps the _guaharka_ of the
district, the 'wise woman,' had woven a spell, for these pagan