THE WHITE J3EAB. 47 



selves into the boats, landed on the island, and went 

 straight to the bear gloating on his prey. 



The bear saw them approach without moving and 

 without discontinuing his repast ; and when they had 

 approached near him, he started up, and rushing upon 

 them, seized one by the middle of his body, and 

 throwing him down, dragged him away in sight of 

 his stupefied companions, and tore him to pieces with 

 his teeth! 



At this sight a panic arose amongst the sailors, 

 and they ran away much faster than they came, threw 

 themselves into their boats, and, full of terror, 

 scrambled into the vessel. 



Once in safety, courage returned to them ; and feel- 

 ing ashamed of themselves, and intensely excited, the 

 proposition was made to return in a body to land, and 

 attack the ferocious animal, wherever they might en- 

 counter him. 



Notwithstanding, some of them protested ; and their 

 sage discourse is worthy of being transcribed as the 

 historian gives it : 



" Our comrades are dead," said they ; "we cannot 

 bring them to life again ; there is no longer any hope 

 of saving them. We shall not go to encounter their 

 murderer, but to see their limbs scattered hither and 

 thither, and to renew our grief at sight of their broken 

 bones and torn flesh. What honour can there be in 



