50 BEARS. 



gaining on him, the captain had the honour of 

 striking the first blow with the spear, which pierced 

 his entrails. 



They might have redoubled their blows, but as it was 

 his skin they most wanted, and they were fearful of 

 damaging it, they resolved to give him time to die 

 of that first wound, which could not be long. 



Nevertheless, the animal continued to swim, reached 

 a little island which arose only about five feet above 

 the water, and began to climb up, to the astonishment 

 of the sailors, who could not believe him capable of 

 making such an effort ; he squatted himself down 

 there, with his muzzle on his fore-paws. 



Then the captain became impatient. He steered on 

 to the island, landed, and with a long lance he prepared 

 to strike a second blow. The bear, which he thought 

 was nearly dead, roared, and making a gigantic bound, 

 fell on him, and placing one paw on his side and the 

 other on his breast, showed him two rows of white teeth. 



He remained in that position, which a painter would 

 have paid dear to see, looking at the man as if he de- 

 sired (says the report from which we quote) to give 

 him time to consider all the horror of the punishment, 

 and to lengthen out his cruel vengeance. 



The crew (continues the report) no sooner saw the 

 imminent danger of their chief, than they shouted with 

 all their might towards the ship for more help. But a 



