THE WINTER NIGHT 261 



little, and I gave it a ball in the neck. Without moving 

 a limb, it sank slowly to the ice. I now let loose some 

 of the dogs, to accustom them to this sort of sport, but 

 they showed a lamentable want of interest in it; and 

 ' Kvik,' on whom all our hope in the matter of bear- 

 hunting rested, bristled up and approached the dead 

 animal very slowly and carefully, with her tail between 

 her legs — a sorry spectacle. 



" I must now give the story of the others who made the 

 bear's acquaintance first. Hansen had to-day begun to 

 set up his observatory tent a little ahead of the ship, on 

 the starboard bow. In the afternoon he got Blessing 

 and Johansen to help him. While they were hard at 

 work they caught sight of the bear not far from them, 

 just off the bow of the Frani. 



" ' Hush ! Keep quiet, in case we frighten him,' says 

 Hansen. 



" ' Yes, yes !' And they crouch together and look at 

 him. 



" ' I think I'd better try to slip on board and announce 

 him,' says Blessing. 



" ' I think you should,' says Hansen. 



" And off steals Blessing on tiptoe, so as not to fright- 

 en the bear. By this time Bruin has seen and scented 

 them, and comes jogging along, following his nose, tow- 

 ards them. 



" Hansen now began to get over his fear of startling 

 him. The bear caught sight of Blessing slinking off to the 



