WARY CONDUCT OF THE WALRUS. 83 



began to roll about also, but apparently more 

 with design than amusement, as he progressively- 

 lessened the distance that intervened between 

 him and his prey. The walrus, suspicious of 

 his advances, drew himself up, preparatory to a 

 precipitate retreat into the water, in case of a 

 nearer acquaintance with his playful, but trea- 

 cherous visitor ; on which the bear was instantly 

 motionless, as if in the act of sleep ; but after 

 a time began to lick his paws, and clean him- 

 self, and occasionally to encroach a little more 

 upon his intended prey. But even this artifice 

 did not succeed ; the wary walrus was far too 

 cunning to allow himself to be entrapped, and 

 suddenly plunged into the pool ; which the bear 

 no sooner observed than he threw off all dis- 

 guise, rushed toward the spot, and followed him 

 in an instant into the water, where I fear he 

 was as much disappointed in his meal as we 

 were of the pleasure of witnessing a very in- 

 teresting encounter. 



On the sixth day after the ships became 

 hampered in the ice, they were drifted to the 

 westward so much that the open sea was again 

 in view from the mast-head. " The ice, however, 

 continued too closely packed to allow of our at- 

 tempting the liberation of the vessels with any 

 probability of success ; and a most fortunate cir- 



g2 



