POLAE BEAES 



than five yards from his feet, the blood-bespattered heads of 

 the two furies. 



It was a critical moment for our two sportsmen, and one 

 of breathless suspense- for those of us who looked on. Con. 

 stood with uplifted axe ready to strike as Mac, again level- 

 ling, fired into the face of the foremost bear, now almost at 

 his feet, and sent a slug boring through his head. By ordinary 

 bears this would have been received as sufiicient intimation 

 to drop dead, but it seemed only to " rattle " this polar, sO 

 that, instead of proceeding to demolish Mae. and Con., he 

 plunged over the steep cliff into the sea and there terminated 

 his career. 



The other bear, seeing the fate of his comrade, retreated 

 and took to the water, and as he did so, leaving a trail of 

 blood upon the rocks, Mac. sent his last slug after him. He 

 and Con. then, descending to the shore, came on board, and 

 with us gave chase to the wounded animal, who was swim- 

 ming off at a rapid pace. Our launch, however, soon over- 

 took him, and as we passed I gave him a volley from my 

 revolver, which appeared to have little more effect than to 

 increase his rage. 



As I was about to fire again he disappeared, and a moment 

 later reappeared at the side of the boat, threw one paw over 

 the gunwale, and with open, blood-thirsty jaws made a lunge 

 for my leg. Fortunately for me his reach was a little too 

 short, and the result was he got the worst of . the scuffle. 

 Putting my revolver up to the side of his head, I gave him 

 the contents of the five chambers before he could retire. 

 These shots, however, did not penetrate the skull, and beyond 

 causing a withdrawal, only had the effect of further enraging 

 him. 



Hostilities having been commenced at close quarters, we 

 continued the fight until I had fired my last cartridge and 

 bruin's scalp was riddled with lead. But the wounded fury 

 still swam powerfully, and with ammunition now exhausted 

 it appeared as if we would not be able to complete the task 



183 



