56 Capture of a Bear. 



two of the crew, who are supposed to bring ill-luck, 

 having had the bad fortune to serve of late years in 

 ships which have returned " clean/' or after very 

 poor voyages. Our prize to-day was not what is 

 considered a large one, although regarded as a fair 

 average-sized fish. It will probably yield about 

 thirteen tons of oil ; its bone was 9 ft. 6 in. long ; 

 altogether about the value of £800 ; its length was 

 between forty and fifty feet. The six harpoons, which 

 were taken out of the whale during the process of 

 flinching, were twisted and bent into most extra- 

 ordinary shapes, thereby fully demonstrating the 

 necessity of their being made of soft and pliable 

 iron, so as to yield without snapping, and at the 

 same time to resist the enormous power exerted by 

 the fish in its endeavour to escape from its relent- 

 less enemies. 



Whilst engaged in securing the fish alongside, 

 the steward, who has a remarkably quick eye, 

 espied a bear upon an iceberg about two hundred 

 yards from the ship. Running down for my rifle, 

 I jumped into the dingy, and with the doctor and a 

 couple of hands pulled in the direction it had been 

 seen. On rounding the berg we observed Master 

 Bruin, who trotted down towards us, apparently to 

 make a closer inspection, and satisfy his own 

 curiosity. A bullet from my rifle entering his 

 shoulder caused him to beat a rapid retreat, endea- 

 vouring to effect it by taking to the water, and 



