THE THIRD SUMMER 689 



ured alive, but had to kill later on, as it made a fearful noise on 

 board. 



One night in the beginning of June, when Henriksen was on 

 his way to the observation-house to take the readings of the 

 instruments, a bear suddenly came upon him. Before starting 

 on his scientific quest he had been prudent enough to go up on 

 the bridge to have a look around and see whether the coast was 

 clear, but he did not observe anything suspicious. When he 

 approached the observation-house he suddenly heard a hissing 

 sound close by, and caught sight of a grinning bear, which was 

 standing at a pressure-ridge staring at him. Naturally Henrik- 

 sen felt anything but comfortable at this unexpected meeting, 

 unarmed as he was. He at first considered whether he should 

 beat a dignified retreat, or whether he should fly at the top of 

 his speed. Both parties were equally far from the vessel, and 

 if the bear had evil intentions it might be advisable to retreat 

 without delay before he approached any nearer. He started off 

 as fast as he could, and was not sure whether the beast was not 

 at his heels; but he reached the vessel safely and seized his gun, 

 which was standing ready on deck. Before he came out upon 

 the ice again the dogs had scented the bear, and at once at- 

 tacked him. The bear at first jumped up on the observation- 

 house, but the dogs followed, so down he went again, and with 

 such alacrity, too, that Henriksen had no time to fire. The bear 

 started off to the nearest channel, where he disappeared both 

 from the dogs and the hunter. In his eagerness " Gorm " 

 jumped out upon some pieces of ice which were floating in the 

 thick brash in the channel, and now he was afraid to jump back 

 again. There he sat howling. I heard the wailing, and soon 

 caught sight of him from the ci'ovv's-nest, whereupon Scott- 

 Hansen and I started off and rescued him. 



Some days later, at about 10 o'clock in the morning, we 

 heard Nordahl crying, " Bear !" and all hurried on deck with our 

 rifles. But the dogs had had the start of us, and had already 

 put the bears to flight. Mogstad perceived, however, from the 

 crow's-nest, that the dogs had come up with them at a small 

 lane, where the>' had taken the water, and he then came down 

 11.-44 



