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POLAR BEARS. 195 



would swim a short distance in advance, but only to 

 return in a moment, as if to urge on the little creature 

 to greater exertion. 



The shore, was soon gained by the swimmers, who then 

 beat a rapid retreat up the rocky cliffs and disappeared 

 .among the distant hills. As they fled, the exhibition of 

 motherly affection shown by the old bear was very 

 remarkable and pleasing. She would never allow the 

 <3ub to be separated more than a few feet from her, 

 -and would govern her own pace to suit that of her 

 bairn." 



As the bears made good their escape, self-reproach and 

 disappointment filled our souls, and more than one em- 

 phasized denunciation was heaped upon our commander's 

 head because we had been prevented from having our 

 ifles with us. 



After a few moments of bitter reflection as to what 

 ' might have been," our thoughts reverted to surveying 

 -arid the obtaining of fresh water, but before thought 

 could be followed by action, strange to say, two other 

 large bears were sighted ahead. They were near the 

 shore, and not very far from the foot of the falls for 

 which we had been steering. 



A brief consultation was held, and it was decided to 

 -advance cautiously upon the game. Mac. with his rifle 

 and but a half-dozen remaining cartridges, again took 

 his position in the bow of the boat, but prompted by 

 recent experience I remained at the stern with my re- 

 volver, while Con. stood amidships armed with the gaff. 

 The bears, observing us, landed upon a high point of 

 broken cliffs close by, and as they did so, Mac. gave them 

 .a couple of slugs, which evidently took effect, but caused 



