74 BEAR AND WALRUS CAPTURED. [August, 



in the direction of Leopold Island. Many were the con- 

 jectures; for under some aspect, totally inexplicable to 

 us, did this stranger present herself distorted by mirage. 

 The black pendant soon informed us of her moving power, 

 but the ' Pioneer' it was not ; our suspense was not of 

 long duration, for the ' Intrepid' made her pendant, and 

 soon took us in tow, when I learned that our consorts 

 had reached Beechey Island, and not having called at 

 our places of rendezvous, the ' Intrepid' had been sent 

 to look for us. 



August 11. On the morning of the llth, intending 

 to visit the cairns en route, by pulling ahead in the gig, 

 I went on board the ' Intrepid ;' but almost at the same 

 instant, noticed a large bear about to visit the very cairn 

 to which I was proceeding. A very short signal to the 

 ship sent her sportsmen to my aid ; and landing full in 

 front of the cairn, whilst the officers took it in flank, 

 Bruin came down to meet me, and was duly compli- 

 mented by both barrels. He scattered along in-shore, 

 and fell under the accumulated wounds of those who 

 met him in retreat. This animal was towed on board, 

 weighed 7571bs., and measured eight feet seven inches 

 from snout to tail. Having examined the records left at 

 Cape Hurd by Captain Austin and the American Ex- 

 pedition, we moved forward ; however, adventures never 

 happen singly. Shortly after noon two walruses were 

 noticed on a floe-piece in our course, and the harpoon- 

 gun put into requisition. The effect was beautiful ; pass- 

 ing the harpoon through the monster, and that without 

 leaving him power to get off the floe : it was a dead shot. 

 His companion made a great fuss about it, was treated 



