82 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



bear followed slowly ; if he began to run, the bear did 

 the same. Thus the two had gone some distance, and 

 Klentzer thought seriously of saving himself, as the bear, 

 finding the chase somewhat wearisome, might press close 

 upon his heels. He therefore uttered a loud shout, but 

 the bear, only disconcerted for a moment, seemed to get 

 more angry and approached quicker, so that he seemed 

 to feel the hot breath of the monster. At this dreadful 

 moment — and it was most likely his preservation — he 

 remembered the stories he had heard, and while running, 

 pulled off his jacket, throwing it behind him. And see ! 

 the trick answers : the bear stops and begins to examine 

 the jacket. Klentzer gains courage, rushes on down the 

 mountain, sending out a shout for help, which resounds 

 through the silent region. But soon the bear is again 

 at his heels, and he must throw away cap and waistcoat, 

 by which he gains a little. Now Klentzer sees help 

 approaching — several friends hurrying over the ice. 

 Collecting his last strength, he shouts and runs on. But 

 help seems in vain, for the pursuer hurries too, and he is 

 obliged to take the last thing he has, his shawl, which 

 he throws exactly over the monster's snout, who, more 

 excited still by renewed shouting, throws it back again 

 contemptuously with a toss of the head, and presses 

 forward upon the defenceless man, who feels his cold black 

 snout touch his hand. Klentzer now gave himself up 

 for lost ; he could do no more ; but the wonderful thought 

 struck him of fastening up the bear's throat with the 

 leather belt which he wore round his body. Fixedly he 

 stared into the merciless eyes of the beast — one short 

 moment of doubt — the bear was startled, his attention 

 seemed drawn aside, and the next moment he was off at 

 a gallop." 



Another bear incident had a more serious ending : — 

 " We were sitting (writes Lieutenant Payer) fortunately 



