524 ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 



were often in danger from them, but always succeed- 

 ed either in conquering or repelling them. Another 

 party was less fortunate. Two of the crew of a ves- 

 sel which had anchored near Nova Zembla, landed 

 on an island at the mouth of the Weigats, and, im- 

 pelled by curiosity, Vv^andered some distance from 

 the beach ; but, while unconscious of danger, one of 

 them was suddenly seized on the back by a bear, 

 and brought to the earth. His companion ran off 

 and gave the alarm, and a party of his shipmates 

 came to their assistance. The bear stood over its 

 prey during their approach, without the least ap- 

 pearance of fear ; and, on their attack, sprung upon 

 one of their number, and made him also a victim to 

 its ferocity and power. The rest now fled in con- 

 fusion, and could not be induced to renew the con- 

 flict. Three sailors only among the crew had suf- 

 ficient courage to combat with this formidable ani- 

 mal ; they attacked it, and after a dangerous strug- 

 gle, killed it, and rescued the mangled bodies of 

 their two unfortunate shipmates. 



Captain Cook, of the Archangel of Lynn, being 

 near the coast of Spitzbergen in the year 1788, 

 landed, accompanied by his surgeon and mate. 

 While traversing the shore, the captain was unex- 

 pectedly attacked by a bear, which seized him in an 

 instant between its paws. At this awful juncture, 

 when a moment's pause must have been fatal to 

 him, he called to his surgeon to fire ; who, with ad- 

 mirable resolution and steadiness, discharged his 



