142 A Young Bear shot. 



most unlikely that they would be used as barter, 

 unless in the last extremity. If the news regarding 

 the " Polaris " that we heard at Lievely be true, it 

 is more than probable that she has been abandoned 

 by her crew and plundered by the natives. It is a 

 great pity that the "Erik" did not attempt to obtain 

 fuller and more complete information, as open water 

 was reported as far as they could see to the north- 

 ward. 



In the afternoon, whilst steaming along the edge 

 of a large floe, a bear was observed on the ice. 

 Rifles were immediately in requisition. As we 

 approached, Master Bruin, who had been watching 

 us intently for some time, stood up on his hind legs 

 and surveyed us with great attention ; then, shaking 

 his head, scampered off at full speed. A ball from 

 my little rifle, however, stopped his career, passing 

 through his skull, and killing him instantaneously. 

 He was a young bear, measuring about seven feet 

 from tip to tail ; and the fact of his being clothed 

 in his winter coat, makes his skin more valuable 

 than it otherwise would be. 



Saturday, June 21st. — The wind has literally 

 been making sport of us all day ; at one time blow- 

 ing furiously from the N.W., the ship staggering 

 under close-reefed topsails ; at another nearly calm, 

 the sails furled, and the ship under steam ; and this 

 has been going on for the last twenty-four hours. 

 At noon to-day, during a violent gust, we made fast 



