AN ARCTIC BEAR HUNT 



Looking back it seems incredible, but I actually went 

 ten miles in the circle followed to head off the bear. I 

 knew that when he got over his fright he would stop run- 

 ning, and it was of the most vital importance to keep well 

 out of sight. Of those ten miles little was covered on the 

 run; most of it was gained by crawling, two and a half 

 hours of stumbling, slipping, falling and struggling to one's 

 feet again. But it never entered my head to give up; I 

 had started out to get the bear and I thought of the dis- 

 appointed and soul-sick men who were awaiting my return. 



Finally the long chase drew near an ending; I had 

 climbed a little hill and, having fallen, was struggling to 

 my feet, when looking ahead I saw bruin not a thousand 

 yard away. He was sitting on his haunches within thirty 

 yards of the open water. 



We were not yet sure of him, but his back was toward 

 me and the Eskimo was approaching from the left. With 

 the utmost care we crawled forward over the ice, approach- 

 ing nearer and nearer to our prey. Suddenly, when we 

 had gone half the distance, the Eskimo raised his rifle and 

 fired; it was poor judgment, for the bear was still many 

 yards away and I doubt if the bullet touched him. I did 

 not wait to see; it was the last chance, and throwing cau- 

 tion to the winds I dashed recklessly forward straight at 

 the animal. He, in turn, got upon his legs, wheeled half- 

 around and seemed to hesitate whether to run, or to stand 

 and show fight. 



Excitement gave me strength and I ran harder than 

 I had done for months; it took all my resolution to resist 

 firing while the bear was yet far off. He did not run, 

 only turned his head and blinked at me and continued 

 doing so until I came within about two hundred yards. 

 Then I stopped, threw off my cap, hurled my mittens upon 

 the ice, and took a long deliberate aim; T have shot at a 

 target and been less cool. 



The echo of my shot went rolling over the ice-field; over 

 the barrel of the gun I saw the bear rise upon his haunches, 

 his fore paws tore the air, then with a great lurch he swayed 

 and went down, a furry heap of dirty white upon the ice. 

 Jens uttered a shout of triumph and ran forward, but I 

 took the precaution to put two more bullets into the beast's 

 head before laying aside mv rifle. 

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