222 A Day of Adventure. 



myself. His retreat being* thus cut off, he jumped 

 into the water, when, risking* a long shot, I sent a 

 bullet through his body. This apparently had little 

 or no effect upon him, except to dye the water with 

 his blood. Seeing the dingy coming* up behind, 

 he jumped on the ice, which gave me a better mark, 

 and I fired again, striking him just abaft the fore 

 shoulder, and rolling him completely over; he soon, 

 however, picked himself up, and rushed towards 

 me ; but another bullet at about fifteen yards put 

 an end to any evil designs he might have enter- 

 tained towards me. Bear shooting alone on the 

 floe is hardly a desirable or pleasant amusement, 

 unless armed with a breech-loader. Whilst the 

 others were employed flinching* our game I walked 

 some distance, and caught sight of another bear; 

 but though I did my best to imitate a seal lying on 

 the ice, I failed to allure my intended victim within 

 range, and at last, suddenly taking fright, he turned 

 round and scampered off. 



We were just shoving off to return, when we 

 heard the blast, and eventually saw the crown, of a 

 large whale. Double banking* our oars, we pulled 

 with all speed to the ship to make known the wel- 

 come intelligence, reaching her at about 4 p. m., when 

 two boats were soon sent away in the direction we 

 had indicated. Dinner was scarcely over before a fish 

 was seen close to the ship, and all hands were 

 called. He rose close alongside. Tom Webster 



