76 HUNTERS AND HUNTING IN THE ARCTIC 



shoot a swimming bear from the deck of a ship 

 steaming at full speed. The only vulnerable 

 point it presents in the water is the back of its 

 head. A bear, when swimming, keeps its head 

 in constant motion, and when diving is yet more 

 provoking ; for, impelled by some indefinable 

 instinct, it shows no more than its hind paws 

 at the precise moment the marksman feels 

 confident of being able to plant a shot behind its 

 ear. A bullet fired too low ricochets over the 

 surface of the water, committing no more damage 

 than perhaps to tear and spoil the skin. 



During the afternoon Swensen shouted that 

 he saw a second bear in the water, the mist 

 having risen a little. As there was practically 

 no ice in sight, the bear's chance of escaping 

 was very remote. I therefore permitted the 

 photographers to mount the forecastle with 

 their cameras, while I remained on the bridge. 

 The animal, to me, appeared to be a large 

 one. 



I fired when it was within range, aiming 

 between the shoulders. My rifle was an Ameri- 

 can one of very small calibre, it is true, but 

 none the less very deadly. The bear roared and 

 turned towards the ship, its fore-paws spas- 

 modically beating the water, which became 

 dyed with blood. I felt confident that I had 



