392 FARTHEST NORTH 



when we did get there, it would be more than doubtful 

 if, before the winter set in, there would be time to build 

 a house and also gather stores for the winter. It was 

 undoubtedly the safest plan to begin at once to prepare 

 for wintering while there was still plenty of game to 

 be had; and this was a good spot to winter in. The 

 first thing I should like to have done was to have shot 

 the walruses that had been lying on the ice during the 

 first day or two ; but now, of course, they were gone. 

 The sea, however, was swarming with them ; they bel- 

 lowed and blew niglit and day, and, in order to be ready 

 for an encounter with them, we emptied our kayaks to 

 make them more easy of manipulation in this some- 

 w^hat dangerous chase. While thus engaged, Johansen 

 caught sight of two bears — a she-bear and her cub — 

 comino- alono- the ed^e of the ice from the south. We 

 lost no time in getting our guns and setting off towards 

 them. By the time they reached the shore they were 

 within range, and Johansen sent a bullet through the 

 mother's chest. She roared, bit at the wound, staggered 

 a few steps, and fell. The young one cotild not make 

 out what was the matter with its mother, and ran round, 

 suiting at her. When we approached, it went off a 

 little way up the slope, but soon came back again and 

 took up a position over its mother, as if to defend her 

 against us. A charge of small shot put an end to its 

 life. 



This was a good beginning to our winter store. As 



