66 VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 



cannot, however, be denied, that, when attacked, 

 or hungry, they are extremely dangerous to man. 

 Many well authenticated instances are to be met 

 with of the courage with which they have attack- 

 ed the crews of boats, or even of ships. The fol- 

 lowing is one of the many : " A few years since, 

 the crew of a boat belonging to a ship in the 

 whale fishery, shot at a bear at a short distance, 

 and wounded it. The animal immediately set up 

 the most dreadful yells, and ran along the ice 

 towards the boat. Before it reached it, a second 

 shot was fired, and hit it. This served to in- 

 crease its fury. It presently swam to the boat; 

 and in attempting to get on board, reached its 

 fore foot upon the gunwale ; but one of the crew 

 having a hatchet, cut it off. The animal still 

 however, continued to swim after them, till they 

 arrived at the ship, and several shots were fired at 

 it, which also took effect ; but on reaching the ship 

 it immediately ascended the deck ; and the crew 

 having fled into the shrouds, it was pursuing them 

 thither, when a shot from one of them laid it dead 

 upon the deck." Vid. Bewick's Hist. Quadrup. 

 6th edit. p. 296. 



The walrus is the most dangerous enemy the 

 bear has to contend with, and his immense tusks 



