Like the Sun Bear, the Sloth Bear rarely attacks man unless provoked, but, like it, is, when attacked, a most dangerous antagonist, always making for the face, and especially the eyes. Both in Ceylon and in India the natives have a very wholesome dread of the animal, and, indeed, fear his onslaught more than that of any other beast. “Among the Singhalese there is a belief that certain charms are efficacious in protecting them from the violence of Bears, and those whose avocations expose them to encounters of this kind are accustomed to carry a talisman, either attached to their neck or enveloped in the folds of their luxuriant hair. A friend of mine, writing of an adventure which occurred at Anarajapoora, thus describes an occasion on which a Moorman, who attended him, was somewhat rudely disabused of his belief in the efficacy of charms upon Bears:--‘Desiring to change the position of a herd of Deer, the Moorman (with his charm) was sent across some swampy land to disturb them. As he was proceeding, we saw him suddenly turn from an old tree and run back with all speed, his hair becoming unfastened, and, like his clothes, streaming in the wind. It soon became evident that he was flying from a terrific object, for he had thrown down his gun, and, in his panic, he was taking the shortest line towards us, which lay across a swamp covered with sedge and rushes, that greatly impeded his progress, and prevented us approaching him or seeing what was the cause of his flight. Missing his steps from one hard spot to another, he repeatedly fell into the water, but he rose and resumed his flight. I advanced as far as the sods would bear my weight, but to go further was impracticable. Just within ball range there was an open space, and as the man gained it, I saw that he was pursued by a Bear and two cubs. As the person of the fugitive covered the Bear, it was impossible to fire without risk. At last he fell exhausted, and the Bear being close upon him, I discharged both barrels. The first broke the Bear’s shoulder; but this only made her more savage, and rising on her hind legs, she advanced with ferocious growls, when the second barrel--though I do not think it took effect--served to frighten her, for turning round she retreated, followed by her cubs. Some natives then waded through the mud to the Moorman, who was just exhausted, and would have been drowned but that he fell with his head upon a tuft of grass. The poor man was unable to speak, and for several weeks his intellect seemed confused. The adventure sufficed to satisfy him that he could not again depend upon a charm to protect him from Bears, though he always insisted that but for its having fallen from his hair, where he had fastened it under his turban, the Bear would not have ventured to attack him.’”[149] THE SPECTACLED BEAR.[150]