HEUREKA ! 



187 



scented the bear, but they knew that there was something in the 

 wind, and went like mad. 



Things went splendidly for a little way. But south in the 

 sound we came across some very high snowdrifts, and then 

 matters were not so pleasurable. We had got on a very respectable 

 pace by this time, and when we set off down, the sides of the 

 drifts we ran into the dogs and fouled our ' ski ' among their 

 traces. The pride of the 'tow-drivers' ended in a fall. But 



AT SMORGRAUTBERGET. J901. 



little the dogs cared for this ; when they found a weight behind 

 them they merely hauled the harder; the snow spun up in clouds 

 for yards above us, and I was glad enough to let the whole thing 

 go, and saw that the others did the same. 



But as I said before, the dogs had not winded the bear, and no 

 sooner were they free than they straightway made for the island 

 in the south-east. 



We accordingly set off alone for the bear, but if it was not 

 a miracle-bear I know not what is. The animal lay blinking 

 at us, as much as to say, 'There is life in me yet!' The mate 

 opined that it ' wasn't ready for flaying/ and most certainly it 



