174 THE OPEN WATER. 



she was beset with other enemies than the dogs. 

 Hans's rifle had missed fire, and he was advancing 

 with a native spear to a hand-to-hand encounter. See- 

 ing him approach, the infuriated monster cleared away 

 the dogs with a vigorous dash, and charged him. He 

 threw his weapon and wheeled in flight. The bear 

 bounded after him, and in an instant more neither 

 speed nor dogs could have saved him. Fortunately, 

 Sonntag and Jensen had by this time reloaded their 

 rifles, and, with well-directed shots, they stopped her 

 mad career. A ball, penetrating the spine at the base 

 of the skull, rolled her over on the blood-stained snow. 



The skins being removed, and a portion of the flesh 

 of the young bear prepared for carrying home, the 

 dogs were allowed to gorge themselves, and the party 

 jDitched their tent and camped. The next run brought 

 them to the vessel. 



The frost has nipped Jensen a little on the nose, 

 and Hans is touched on the cheeks ; but Sonntag has 

 come off" without a scratch. They have had a very 

 hard journey. Every thing conspired against them ; 

 and if they did not reach their destination, they are 

 none the less entitled to great credit for their perse- 

 vering efforts, continued as they were against such 

 odds. 



The existence of this open water greatly puzzles 

 me. No such phenomenon was witnessed in 1853-55 

 from Van Rensselaer Harbor. Whether it extends 

 across the Sound, or how far to the north or south, I 

 am unable to judge. It is probably merely local, — 

 dependent upon the currents and winds. 



November 7 th. 

 The wind is blowing fiercely from the northeast, 



