136 TIE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA. 
Manby, in his “ Voyage to Spitzbergen,” relates several in- 
teresting examples of his ferocity and daring. Having perceived 
an ice-bear swimming in the sea, a boat went after him to cut 
him off; when suddenly the monster changed his route, faced 
the boat, and approached it, keeping up a continued growling, 
with other indications of rage, such as showing his frightful 
teeth, and elevating his head and much of his body out of the 
water. Being desirous to preserve the head, Manby let him 
come within twelve yards, when he fired a ball through his 
shoulder, which deprived him of the use of a fore-leg. Roaring 
hideously, the infuriated animal pressed towards the boat in the 
most ferocious manner, endeavouring to board or upset it, but 
failed from the loss of his leg. He was then attacked by the 
crew with lances, the thrusts of some of which he avoided with 
astonishing dexterity, and, in the most resolute manner, again 
made several attempts to reach the boat; but bemg repulsed 
by the overpowering thrust of a lance from the harpooner on his 
flank, he was unable longer to continue the contest. He had 
bitten a lance, in the heat of the combat, with such exasperated 
rage, as to break one of his long tusks; but finding his efforts 
fruitless, he retreated towards the ice, swimming most astonish- 
ingly fast, considering the great propelling power he had lost, 
and finally ascended it with great difficulty, having only one 
fore-paw to assist him, when, exhausted by the effort, he fell 
down dead, uttering a tremendous growl. 
Captain Lewis, with a party of five hunters, attacked a bear, 
and when at a distance of forty yards, four of them fired, and 
each lodged a musket ball in its body, two of which passed 
directly through the lungs. The enraged animal ran at them 
with open mouth, and as it came near, the two men who 
had reserved their fire gave it two wounds, and broke its 
shoulder, which retarded its motion fora moment. But before 
they could reload, it was so near that they were obliged to run, 
and before they reached the shore the bear had almost overtaken 
them. Two jumped into the canoe, the other four separated, 
concealed themselves behind ice blocks, and firing as fast as 
they could lead, struck the bear several times. But although 
eight balls had passed through its Lody, the bear pursued two 
of them so closely, that they were obliged to leap down a per- 
pendicular bank of twenty feet into the water. The dying 
