444 HUNTING WITH THE ESKIMOS 



top of the bear, which immediately turned down the 

 hill-side, making for the sea. I sent five shots after 

 it, and the fifth took effect just forward of the hind- 

 quarters. It fell, but in an instant was upon its feet 

 again, gained a slide and reached the water. It swam 

 but a short distance, however, dropped its head and 

 was dead. The boat picked me up, and after much 

 trouble, owing to the swell, the bear's carcass was 

 secured and towed to the ship. 



Fuller was nowhere to be seen when we left the 

 land, and a strong tide compelled us to go without 

 him. We had just gained the ship when he appeared 

 on the side of the hill, and when he was finally brought 

 aboard he declared he would not climb another moun- 

 tain like that for a dozen bears. This was his first 

 experience bear hunting. 



The Jeanie was getting under way when the Arctic, 

 all sails set and engines pulsating, passed to the south- 

 ward, and was soon swallowed up by the horizon. 

 We followed her continuing to hug the shore, and 

 had gone less than six miles when the Eskimo sighted 

 another bear. Heavy breakers were rolling in all 

 along the shore, however, rendering an attempt to 

 land too hazardous, and we did not molest it. Two 

 hours later the keen-eyed Kidlobber called me again 

 from the cabin, to point out two more bears upon 

 the land. These he told us we could reach by land- 

 ing the rowboat in a sheltered cove a little below the 

 game. The bears were plainly visible a few hun- 

 dred yards from shore, walking leisurely northward. 



We made the landing with little difficulty and a 



