The evening times., 1898-07-09
A CzAR AND A BEAR.

1
to the hibernating den of a big bear and
| again with the help Of the huntsman,
though Won Holstein did not dwell on this
| point-had succeeded in Staying the brute
"What-they make a house. as. 1t were,
for the Winter, and shut themselves up
| there?" said the Gar, incredulously.
Exactly so, Majesty" said Holstein;
"a very convenient arrangement for the
| sportsman"
But stop-what do they do-how do
they live? They must eat, I suppose, in
Winter as in, Summer"
They sleep, Majesty, and their stom-
achs rest, no doubt"
Come, come, Hoistefn, said Paul. 81
| wish to know how you killed this bear.
| Speak seriously. for I am serious
Pardon me, Your Majesty, I am very
| Serious" protested the Prussian attache.
1t Is marvellous dispensation of nature,
ordained for the comfort of bears, that
these brutes require no food during the
Winter season, but sleep during the whole
period. existing upon their. own fat"
We'll. then, what? You found this
den"
"Arnheim's men knew, of it," said the
attache, ''and =
And you attacked, the bear in his den
and killed him-devil take it, / see there
is danger inithe sport!'
Very little. Your Majesty; the beast
- toc siSSpg " De uHltSS IL ndppcu
to be q female with newly-born cubs.
Well, then the men and the dogs laid
seige to the den and drove the animal
out, as l say. Well, there stood I, with
Arnheim at my side, holding second
gun and also bear spear. 7 The bear was
not fierce one. though large. He did not
attack us; on the contrary, he attempted
to make OFF through the forest. l shot
-batz! / shot again-batz. AT the sec
ond explosion down. fell the bear and roll
ed over. Arnheim handed me both guns.
Load them quickly! he shouted, while
l keep him fighting.' And with that he
sprang after the bear with his spear"
by st. Methodist calculated the Car,
'Arnheim is brave man. l will remem-
Der it. Well, and them"
Then l quickly loaded the guns and
went close to Arnheim, who fought with
the bear. Arnheim's spear was well
stuck into the bears stomach, and the
bear stood and pushed at one end of 1t
and Arnheim at the other. By the saints
1t was sight for Your Majesty yourself!
lordship, for this ones too heavy for
me" l shot, putting the nose of my gun
Shoot cried Arnheim, and don't miss.
close to the brute's ear, and fired. He
gave a etrrible roar. and pushed like a
thousand furies at the spear and in an
instant both him and Arnheim were both
rolling together in the snow. but Arnheim
beneath" -' -.'' -t-
Lord have mercy on us" muttered the
Gar. crossing himself. "Well-Arnheim
is dead no doubt? And how did you es-
cape? You ran faster than the wounded
bear, / doubt not .7a"l..r, -.-.
There was no need Majesty; 1t was
the bear that was dead. aud .Arlneim
unhurt.''
The Gar crossed himself a second
time -.
And you tell me there is little danger
in it?' he said. reproachfully. >-r 81
Il protest, Majesty. by your favor, I
was never in danger"
Devil take it, Holstein, ! think / will
shoot bear myself! l have nerve. / tell
you-unusual nerve and. courage. Yes.
devil take it, l will shoot Il pear-that
is. If you will accompany M. Arnhei:n
shall come also. of course. What say
you-shall We kill a bear together
ut IS a justitabie risk for me Majesty,
who am insignificant; but for Your Ma
jesty the question is different. 1 would
not have II said that i was rarty to
any enterprise which endangered your
sacred person. -
NO no, + am determined. l will shoot
bear. You shall accompany me. See
here. We will take two good men. and
each shall hold two guns besides our
own, for it seems to me there should be
no reloading at the critical moment. Be
here tomorrow at 8. Holstein. and We
shall shoot bear together Now send
me Arnheim."
Won Holstein was quite pleased to ac-
company the Gar upon a second bear
hunting expedition, because there was
just the chance of glory, while-since His
Majesty would pay all expcnses-the econ
omy of the days sport was assured. He
therefore retired in right good humor. and
sent Arnheim to the CZar, as requested.
'Arnheim.'' he said, His Majesty
wishes to shoot bear. Go TO him at once
and make arrangements"
Good Lord calculated Arnheim. But
the Gar has never pulled trigger in his
life
Never mind. Arnheim," said the diplo-
mat, go to His Majesty. Wen pull the
triggers: and, who knows, we may save
the Gar, in which case we shall be dec
Grated
So Arnheim went to receive his orders,
which were that His Majesty would so
shooting at the next morning. II must
not be she bear with cubs, explained the
Gar, because he was informed that these
are very dangerous. Moreover, Arnheim
must find his bear close TO the palace, be-
cause the Gar desired to be back at u
Twelve on the following day? That
will be difficult, Majesty exclaimed Arm
helm. Bears do not
Twelve on the same day, fool, said
the Gar.
But. Majesty, where am to find bear
so close at hand that it can be reached
and shot within a couple of hours? The
bears haunt wild. distant places"
"Fool!' said the Gar, growing angry,
81 tell you. there is a parade of the
Guards at Il. l will shoot this bear and
be back in time for the parade
But, Majesty
Go, fool, and find the bear. See that
all is ready for start at 9. Do not force
me to drive further than is absolutely
necessary; and, mind. no she-bears, with
cubsi"
Five minutes later Arnheim appeared
before Won Holstein. The huntsman was
in tears, and declared that he was lost;
he was a dead man; he was off to ST.
IBERIA.
why? What's the matter?" asked
Holstein.
Arnheim explained that the Gar re-
quired a ready-made bear in den-a
quiet one. warranted to show no resist
ance when attacked-by 9 in the morn
ing.
well. man alive, ride round the near
est village and inquire whether some
peasant doesn't know of a berloga (den.)
You still have six or seven hours of the
day, and then there's the night