Acoupleofdrab-coloredwhisky-jacks，withboldmienandfearlessbrighteyes，hoppedandflutteredround，pickingupthescraps，andutteringanextraordinaryvarietyofnotes，mostlydiscordant；sotameweretheythatoneofthemlitonmyoutstretchedarmasIhalfdozed，baskinginthesunshine。
Whentheshadowsbegantolengthen，Ishoulderedmyrifleandplungedintothewoods。Atfirstmyroutelayalongamountainside；thenforhalfamileoverawindfall，thedeadtimberpiledaboutincrazyconfusion。AfterthatIwentupthebottomofavalleybyalittlebrook，thegroundbeingcarpetedwithaspongeofsoakedmoss。Attheheadofthisbrookwasapondcoveredwithwater-lilies；andascramblethrougharockypasstookmeintoahigh，wetvalley，wherethethickgrowthofsprucewasbrokenbyoccasionalstripsofmeadow。
Inthisvalleythemoosecarcasslay，wellattheupperend。
InmoccasinedfeetItrodsoftlythroughthesoundlesswoods。Underthedarkbranchesitwasalreadydusk，andtheairhadthecoolchillofevening。AsInearedtheclumpwherethebodylay，Iwalkedwithredoubledcaution，watchingandlisteningwithstrainedalertness。
ThenIheardatwigsnap；andmybloodleaped，forIknewthebearwasathissupper。InanothermomentIsawhisshaggy，brownform。Hewasworkingwithallhisawkwardgiantstrength，tryingtoburythecarcass，twistingittoonesideandtheotherwithwonderfulease。