THE WHITE BEAR. , '49 



who first struck him; it measured thirteen feet in 

 length. 



Here is another story to show that the white bear 



dies a hard death : 



"We are on board the ship of Captain Jonge Kees. 

 It is evening. They had been cutting up a large 

 quantity of whale blubber during the evening. The 

 captain and crew, overcome by fatigue, had retired to 

 rest. No one remained on deck but the ordinary 

 watch. The ship was made fast to a bank of ice. On 

 that bank the men on duty saw a bear lying down, 

 and apparently asleep. 



"Let us go and surprise him," said they; and off 

 they went, as quietly as possible, in order not to 

 awake any one. But they could not avoid making 

 some noise in detaching the boat. The captain, who 

 only slept with one ear, heard them : he had just 

 been dreaming of a whale, and thinking they had 

 discovered one, he arose, went on deck, and learning 

 what was the matter, and having verified the fact with 

 his telescope, and judging that one boat would not 

 suffice, he armed another, and started off with his men. 



The bear saw this little army approaching without 

 at first showing any disquietude ; but when the boats 

 were close upon the bank, without waiting longer, he 

 quitted his place and plunged into the water. 



They followed him with the utmost speed, and soon 



