A deep blush now spreads along the heavens, and
shortly afterwards, the fiery orb of the sun shoots
aloft, and gilds the mingled landscape of moun-
tain, lake, and forest ; while the roUing mists of
night slowly retreat at his presence."

It was just such an evening, when the pastor
hastened through the forest, which separated him
from his home. As he walked along, with the
tired Charles by his side, he met a number of
peasants assembled in a line, who uttered loud
shrieks, and occasionally fired their guns. Lin-
naeus waited to see their success in hunting, (for
in this manner they conduct a bear-hunt in Swe-
den,) and before many minutes, they had frightened
three bears from their coverts, and collecting their
whole force, they soon surrounded them, and
commenced a general fire on the infuriated ani-
mals. Two of them were quickly despatched ;
but the third, although wounded in the side, rushed
furiously towards his aggressors, and took exactly
the direction leading to the minister. There was
not one moment to be lost, for the wounded bear
roared hideously, and the fire flashed from its red
eye-balls, as, tearing down the small shrubs in its
course, it plunged towards the narrow road that
led to the forest. " God help me now !" mur-
mured Linnaeus, as, lifting his little Charles in his
arms, he darted behind a huge pine-tree, and bard-
ie drew breath, before the savage animal rushed



THE TOUNG BOTANIST. 59

closely foy him, at full speed, in pursuit of its
foes.
" A good Providence has delivered rae from
a fearful death," exclaimed the grateful pastor;
and he poured from his devout soul a fervent
thanksgiving to that ever-present God, who watches
so unceasingly over his creatures.
