"The  considerable  ravages  committed  by  wild  beasts  in
this  district,  rendered  a  summer  Skall  necessary,  and  one
accordingly  took  place.  But  when  the  circle  was  contracted
to  within  the  smallest  possible  compass  consistent  with  the
safety  of  the  men,  without  a  bear  showing  himself,  I
almost  came  to  the  conclusion  there  were  none  within
the  Ring,  and  was  therefore  about  dismissing  the  people  to
their  homes.  Whilst  this  point  was  under  discussion,  how-
ever, two  of  those  beasts — both  of  very  large  size — ^suddenly
rushed  upon  us.  One  of  them  I  was  so  lucky  as  to
shoot  myself.  The  other  bear  headed  about  and  dashed  at
the  opposite  line,  where  he  was  immediately  received  with  a
very  heavy  fire,  and  badly  wounded :  to  that  degree,  indeed,
that  a  Jagare  was  enabled  to  follow  him  along  the  line  so
very  closely,  that  the  muzzle  of  his  gun,  which  he  made


SKALL   NEAR  TO   GILLERMYREN.  309

various  ineffectual  attempts  to  discharge,  all  but  touched  the
breech  of  the  beast.  Nalle,  becoming  at  length  enraged,
turned  on  his  assailant,  whom  he  seized  by  the  calf  of  the
leg,  and  threw  to  the  groimd,  and  then  laid  himself  at
length,  and  with  all  his  weight,  on  the  body  of  his  victim.
