82 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



days to prepare themselves for launching their boats in 

 order to reach the southern fleet. We assisted them three 

 or four miles on their journey, and when parting gave them 

 three cheers. Three of the Gipsy's men preferred staying 

 with us. 



Being now left alone, our thoughts were naturally sad, but it 

 does not do to look upon the dark side. We had a number 

 of sledges with us. The runners were made of African oak, 

 which does not splinter or tear, but becomes smoother with 

 constant wear. To keep the men employed, each watch 

 took one of the sledges and an empty cask to seek water 

 from the neighbouring bergs. From some we got a few 

 buckets, from others a larger quantity. Sometimes it was a 

 good four hours' work to fill one cask. Bears were often 

 seen, and several shot. An officer always accompanied 

 each sledge with a rifle and a couple of lances. On one 

 occasion a bear came boldly up within ten yards of us, 

 when I fired and shot it through the head, fortunately 

 killing it. Some of the men were already on their way 

 to the ship, which lay five miles off. In such a case it is of 

 no use attempting to run, because Bruin's legs will carry 

 him much faster over the ice than ours will, therefore it is 

 better to reserve your strength to meet the emergency. 

 Another time I was sent along the floe edge at one 

 particular place to see if there was any movement in the ice. 

 The weather at the time was very foggy. Whilst walking I 

 jumped off a hummock of ice alongside a full-grown bear, 

 lying asleep. It was awake in a moment, evidently as much 

 surprised as I was. There was neither time nor room to 

 take a deliberate aim, but I fired, and the bullet entered its 

 brain. I thought this adventure quite sufficient for one 

 day, and retraced my steps to the ship, as there were so 

 many bears' footprints in the snow, that it was not safe 

 to be alone. I returned with some men to drag the carcase 

 to the ship, after seeing that the ice was stationary. 



