THE WHITE BEAR. 51 



sailor, who did not expect that the bear would have 

 the complaisance to await the arrival of assistance, 

 scrambled on to the island, and, armed with a boat- 

 hook, ran to the defence of the captain, and attacked 

 the bear. The boat-hook was a weapon very badly 

 chosen. Happily, at sight of this new adversary, the 

 animal took flight. The captain had not even a 

 scratch. 



A reinforcement arrived from the ship, and they took 

 counsel together. 



The bear had not gone far, and was sitting on an ice- 

 bank. They attacked him at first with their guns, and 

 then with spears, until at length he succumbed, but 

 not until the whole crew had joined in the attack. 



