KILLING A BEAR. 353 



strove to wrench it from the wound, generally however 

 breaking it short : then would it turn fiercely on its 

 persecutor, who, skilfully manoeuvring his light boat, 

 hung at two or three yards' distance only on his rear ; 

 so close were they indeed that the man deliberately 

 splashed water with his double-bladed paddle into 

 poor Bruin's face, just backing gently to be clear of 

 his paws, a single stroke from which would quite have 

 reversed the fortune of the combat: when, after a 

 hunt, which lasted about four hours, the animal 

 received its final death stroke by a ball through the 

 brain from the " Logan : " he was stuck all over with 

 arrows, and looked like a barbecued pig. By the 

 laws of savage venery, first blood always decides the 

 captor, and the Esquimaux readily recognised the rule 

 in the present instance, indicating that the prize 

 belonged to the Kabloonan. Of com*se the carcase 

 was divided, but I stipulated for, and obtained, the 

 skin, which I still possess as a trophy. An hour 

 afterwards I ate a bear steak. The Esquimaux who 

 had so importantly contributed to the capture was 

 rewarded with a large broad dagger (a very awkward 

 weapon in his hands) and some other trifling presents, 

 and was delighted with his good fortune. This little 

 episode served to while away part of the time of our 

 vexatious delay ; the Esquimaux were constantly with 



