In the Aretic Regions. 175 
, 
The main stream was then about three hundred yards 
wide, and generally deep, though, in one part, the 
channel was interrupted by several sandy banks, and 
low alluvial islands covered with willows. It flows 
between banks of sdnd thinly wooded, and as we ad- 
vanced the barren hills approached the water’s edge. 
At ten we rejoined our hunters, who had killed a 
deer, and halted to breakfast. Wesent them forward ; 
one of them, who was walking along the shore after- 
wards, fired upon two brown bears, and wounded one 
of them, which instantly turned and pursued him. 
His companions in the canoes put ashore to his ‘as- 
sistance, but did not succeed in killing the bears, 
which fled upon the. reinforcement. coming up. 
During the delay thus occasioned we overtook them, 
and they continued with us during the rest of the day. 
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