A BEAR HUNT. 171 



to abandon. The poor beast was in agony. Her cries 

 were piteous to hear. The little one jogged on by 

 her side, frightened and anxious ; and, although it 

 greatly retarded her progress, yet, in full view of the 

 danger, she would not abandon it. Fear and mater- 

 nal affection appeared alternately to govern her reso- 

 lution ; but still she held firm to her dependent off- 

 spring. One moment she would rush forward toward 

 th^ open water, as if intent only upon her own safety, 

 — then she would wheel round and push on the strug- 

 gling cub with her snout ; and then again she would 

 run beside it as if coaxingly encouraging it to greater 

 speed. Meanwhile her enemies were rushing on and 

 steadily nearing the game. The dogs, forgetting their 

 own fatigue in the prospect of a speedy encounter, 

 pressed harder and harder into their collars. The 

 critical moment was rapidly approaching ; and, to add 

 to the embarrassments of the bruin family, the little 

 bear was giving out. 



At length the sledges were within fifty yards of the 

 struggling animals. Leaning forward, each hunter 

 now seized the end of the line which bound the traces 

 together in one fastening, and slipped the knot. The 

 sledges stopped, and the dogs, freed from the load 

 which they had been dragging, bounded fiercely for 

 their prey. The old bear heard the rush of her com- 

 ing enemies, and, halting, squared herself to meet the 

 assault, while the little one ran frightened round her, 

 and then crouched for shelter between her legs. 



The old and experienced leader, Oosisoak, led the 

 attack. Queen Arkadik was close beside him, and the 

 other twenty wolfish beasts followed in order of their 

 speed. The formidable front and defiant roar of the 

 infuriated monster split the pack, and they passed to 



