from his cavern. T he moment he fees the peafant, he rears him-
fe lf upon his two hind legs ready to tear him to pieces. T he Finlander
inftantly puts himfelf in the attitude which is reprefented
in the annexed plate; that is to fay, he brings back the iron lance
clofe to his breaft, concealing from the bear the length o f the
pole, in order that he may not have time to be upon his guard,
and confequently to parry with his paws the mortal blow which
the hunter means to aim at his vitals. T he Finlander then advances
boldly towards the bear, nor does he {trike the blow till
they are fo near each other, that the animal itretches out his paws
to tear his antagonift limb from limb. A t that inilant the peafant
pierces his heart with the lance, which, but for the crofs-bar,
would come out at his ih o u ld e rn o r could he otherwiie prevent
the bear from falling upon him, an accident which might be
highly dangerous. B y means o f the crofs-bar the animal is kept
upright, and ultimately thrown upon his back ; but what may
feem to fome very extraordinary, is, the bear, feeling himfelf
wounded, inftead o f attempting with his paws to pull out the
lance, holds it fail, and preffes it more deeply into the wound.
When the bear, after rolling upon the fnow, ceafes from the laft
flruggles o f death, the Finlander lays hold o f him, and calls for
the afiiftance o f his friends, who drag the carcafe to his h u t ; and
this triumph terminates in a fort o f feftival, where the poet afiills,
and fings the exploits o f the hunter.
T he Finlanders are employed in fummer in cutting down their
hay and co rn ; the laft they threih out in winter ; they build their
>■ Vox.. I. P P boats,