262 SPORT, TRAVEL, AND ADVENTURE 



made a plunge for the stern of the boat, where the 

 doctor was seated, and seized the gunwale in what were 

 afterwards described as her * devilish-looking jaws.' 



To say that this sudden turn of events was a surprise 

 to us all but feebly describes the expressions depicted 

 upon the faces of our party. With the other occupants 

 and the engines between us and the bear, Mac and 

 I were unable to fire a shot. Con. came to the rescue, 

 and with several desperate thrusts of the iron-pointed 

 gaff he persuaded the bear to release her hold, when, 

 with the engine again running, the separation was 

 effected, but not before we had learned an interesting 

 lesson regarding the habits of the polar bear. 



As a matter of discretion, the lesson of experience, 

 the boat was now kept at a safe distance from the 

 bears. Several shots were fired, one or two slight 

 wounds being inflicted on the mother ; but as fast as 

 the little one could travel, though no faster, they main- 

 tained a steady course for the nearest point of land. 

 Apparently nothing would induce the mother to forsake 

 her little one, and though wounded herself her whole 

 anxiety seemed to be for her offspring. Sometimes she 

 would swim a short distance in advance, but only to 

 return in a moment, as if to urge on the little creature 

 to greater exertion. 



The shore was soon gained by the swimmers, who 

 then beat a rapid retreat up the rocky cliffs and dis- 

 appeared among the distant hills. As they fled the 

 exhibition of motherly affection shown by the old bear 

 was very remarkable and pleasing. She would never 

 allow the cub to be separated more than a few feet 

 from her, and would govern her own pace to suit that 

 of her ' bairn.' " 



