198 ACROSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANADA. 



many wounds, but before he had time to demonstrate 

 his displeasure, Mac. had th *ust the gaff through his 

 skull, Con. had cleft his h ad with the axe, and my 

 knife had spilled his heart's 1 iOod upon the rocks. 



In the animal world the ^ olar bear is admittedly the 

 monarch of the north. He 3 the bear of bears, being 

 described by all Arctic tr sellers as possessing enor- 

 mous strength and great oracity. Of the score of 

 polars whose more or less intimate acquaintance I have 

 had occasion to make, I have seen at least two whose 

 tracks in the snow measured fifteen by eighteen inches, 

 whose length measured over nine feet, and whose slain 

 carcases tipped the steelyard at from fifteen to sixteen 

 hundred pounds. 



Consequently I have always had great respect for 

 the sentiments expressed in the following lines by an 

 author whose name I regret being unable to recall : 



" Of the black bear you need not be afraid, 

 But killing white ones is a dangerous trade. 

 In this be cool, and well direct your lead, 

 And take your aim at either heart or head; 

 For struck elsewhere, your piece not level'd true, 

 Not long you'll live your erring hand to rue." 



