THE WHITE BEAR. 44I 
carrying some rigging upon sledges, Barentz saw behind the 
ship three bears coming towards them. They all shouted 
hallooed, but the bears were not to be so easily frightened, 
and 
and 
the sailors made up ‘their minds to fight. Fortunately, they found 
two halberds; Barentz took one, and Girard de Veer the other. 
They all ran towards the ship; but, in crossing the ice, one of 
the men fell into a crevasse; this accident made them tremble 
for him, for they felt sure he would be the first devoured. But 
the bears followed those who were running to the ship. Barentz 
and De Veer made a circuit, in order to enter on the other side. 
The sailor who had fallen, got up and joined the crew, and all 
reached the ship safely. The bears furiously tried to climb up to the 
deck. This was prevented by throwing pieces of wood and various 
utensils at their heads; as each thing was thrown, they rushed 
at it, as dogs do when stones are flung at them. There were 
no weapons on board except the two lances before mentioned. 
Some one proposed to light a fire, and let off a few handfuls 
of powder. But in the confusion nothing that was suggested 
could be done. In the meanwhile, the bears returning to the 
assault with renewed fury, there were no longer any pieces of 
wood or anything to divert them. The Dutch owed their safety 
to the most unexpected good fortune. Barentz, reduced to 
extremity and acting in despair rather than with prudence, hurled 
his lance against the largest of the animals. The bear was struck 
on the nose, and so much hurt that he gave a loud cry, and 
retreated. The two others followed him, though with slower 
steps. The bears did not appear again until day-break, when 
they found the sailors prepared to receive them. On the 6th 
of April, one came up to the door of the hut which stood 
open. It was immediately shut and held tightly, and the bear 
departed. But he returned two hours afterwards, and mounting 
on the top of the hut, made a frightful noise. He tried to knock 
down the chimney, and the poor men thought he was master 
of the situation. He tore the sail with which the hut was 
surrounded, and left at last after doing irreparable damage. The 
following month, when the ship was being prepared for sea, 
an enormous bear appeared. The sailors instantly shut them- 
selves up in their hut, and the most skilful shots placed themselves 
