200 LETTERS FROM HIGH LATITUDES. [XI. 



round once or twice upon his pursuers. The honour of 

 having given him his death wound rests between the steward 

 and Mr. Wyse ; both contend for it. The evidence is con- 

 flicting, as at least half-a-dozen mortal wounds were found 

 in the animal's body; each maybe considered to have had 

 a share in his death. Mr. Grant rests his claim principally 

 upon the fact of his having put two bullets in my new rifle — 

 which must have greatly improved the bore of that instru- 

 ment. On the strength of this precaution, he now wears as 

 an ornament about his person one of the bullets extracted 

 from the gizzard of our prize. 



All this time, Wilson was at the tent, busily occupied in 

 taking photographs. As soon as the bear was observed, a 

 signal was made to him from the ship, to warn him of the 

 visitor he might shortly expect on shore. Naturally con- 

 cluding that the bear would in all probability make for the 

 tent as soon as he reached land, it became a subject of con- 

 sideration with him what course he should pursue. Weapons 

 he had none, unless the chemicals he was using might be so 

 regarded. Should he try the influence of chloroform on his 

 enemy ; or launch the whole photographic apparatus at 

 his grisly head, and take to his heels ? Thought is rapid, 

 but the bear's progress seemed equally expeditious ; it was 

 necessary to arrive at some speedy conclusion. To fly — 

 was to desert his post and leave the camp in possession 

 of the spoiler ; life and honour were equally dear to him. 

 Suddenly a bright idea struck him. 



At the time the goat had been disembarked to take her 

 pleasure on terra Jirma, our crow's-nest barrel had been 

 landed with her. At this moment it was standing unoccupied 

 by the side of the tent. By creeping into it, and turning its 

 mouth downward on the ground, Wilson perceived that he 

 should convert it into a tower of strength for himself against 

 the enemy, while its legitimate occupant, becoming at once 

 a victim to the bear's voracity, would probably prevent the 

 monster from investigating too curiously its contents. It wr s 

 quite a pity that the interposition of the boats prevented h. • 



