364 THE POLAR BEAR. 



self to be rowed along. It is probable that the 

 Greenlander is never very fond of his unwieldy guest ; 

 however, he makes a virtue of necessity, and hos- 

 pitably rows him to shore. 



The Polar Bears arc animals of tremendous fierce- 

 ness. Barcntz, in his voyage in search of a North 

 East Passage to Ciiina, had the most horrid proofs 

 of their ferocity in the Island of Nova Zembla ; 

 where they attacked his seamen, seizing them in their 

 m.ouths, carrying them off with the utmost ease, 

 and devouring them even in the sight of their com- 

 rades *. 



Not many years ago, the crew of a boat belong- 

 ino- to a ship in tlie Whale-fiyhery, shot at a Bear 

 at a little distance, and wounded it. The animal 

 imm.ediately set up the most dreadful howl, and ran 

 along the ice towards the boat. Before he reached 

 it, a second shot was fired, which hit him. This 

 served but to increase his fury. He presently swam 

 to the boat, and in attcmptmg to get on board, 

 ])laced one of his fore feet upon the gunnel ; but a 

 sailor, having a hatchet in his hand, cut it off. 

 The animal still, however, continued to swim after 

 them, til] they ariive.d at the ship ; and several shots 

 were hred at him, which took effect : but on reach- 

 jno; the ship, he immediately ascended the deck ; 

 aiid the crew having fled into the shrouds, he was 

 pursuing tlieni thitlier, when a shot laid him dead 

 upon the deck -}-. 



The usual food of these animals consists of Seals, 



* Ilceur.kiik'sVovasc, \U t Be^v■ Qiuul. 209- 



