196 ACROSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANADA. 



them no particular inconvenience. A moment later they 

 were lost to sight among the rocks. Resolved upon pre- 

 venting their escape if we possibly could, Mac. and Con. 

 the latter armed with the axe were allowed to go- 

 ashore and head off the retreat, while we in the boat 

 skirted along the shore where the bears might be most 

 likely to take to the water. Our land party had no sooner 

 reached the summit of the first ridge of rock than " bang" 

 went Mac.'s rifle, and a moment later, as he crammed in 

 another cartridge, there appeared over the ridge, not 

 more than five yards from his feet, the blood -bespattered 

 heads of the two furies. 



It was a critical moment for our two sportsmen, and 

 one of breathless suspense for those of us who looked 

 on. Con. stood with uplifted axe ready to strike as 

 Mac., again levelling, fired into the face of the foremost 

 bear, now almost at his feet, and sent a slug boring 

 through his head. To ordinary bears this would have 

 been received as sufficient intimation to drop dead, but 

 it seemed only to " rattle" this polar, so that instead of 

 proceeding to demolish Mac. and Con., he plunged over 

 the steep cliff into the sea and there terminated his 

 career. 



The other bear, seeing the fate of his comrade, re- 

 treated and took to the water, and as he did so, leaving 

 a trail of blood upon the rocks, Mac. sent his last slug 

 after him. He and Con. then, descending to the shore, 

 came on board, and with us gave chase to the wounded 

 animal, who was swimming off at a rapid pace. Our 

 launch, however, soon overtook him, and as we passed I 

 gave him a volley from my revolver, which appeared to 

 have little more effect than to increase his rage. 



