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POLAR BEARS. 197 



As I was about to fire again he disappeared, and a 

 moment later reappeared at the side of the boat, threw 

 one paw over the gunwale, and with open blood-thirsty 

 jaws, made a lunge for my leg. Fortunately for me his 

 reach was a little too short, and the result was he got 

 the worst of the scuffle. Putting my revolver up to the 

 side of his head, I gave him the contents of the five 

 chambers before he could retire. These shots, however, 

 lid not penetrate the skull, and beyond causing a with- 

 drawal, only had the effect of further enraging him. 



Hostilities having been commenced at close quarters, 



e continued the fight until I had fired my last cart- 

 ridge and bruin's scalp was riddled with lead. But the 

 wounded fury still swam powerfully, and with ammuni- 

 tion now exhausted it appeared as if we would not be 

 able to complete the task we had undertaken. For a 

 short time we watched his movements, and observing 

 that he seemed inclined to go ashore, we decided upon a 

 new plan of action. Steaming away around the point 

 we beached the boat, and armed with axe, ice-gaff and 

 knife, we climbed the farther side of the cliff, and there 

 concealed ourselves in such a position that we were able 

 to watch the enemy's movements. 



We had not long to wait, for, thinking himself unob- 

 served, he swam ashore at the foot of the bluff and hid 

 among the broken rocks. Feeling that our opportunity 

 had now arrived, we descended stealthily from ledge to 

 ledge and from rock to rock, taking care that we should 

 not be scented or observed. Step by step we drew 

 nearer, until close to the foot of the cliff, and almost at 

 our feet, w r e came upon the wounded bear. He was 

 much out of humor, and feeling sore enough from his 



