198 ACROSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OFsCAyZae 
many wounds, but before he had time to demonstrate 
his displeasure, Mac. had thrust the gaff through his 
skull, Con. had cleft his head with the axe, and my 
knife had spilled his heart’s blood upon the rocks. 
In the animal world the polar bear is admittedly the 
monarch of the north. He is the bear of bears, being 
described by all Arctic travellers as possessing enor- 
mous strength and great voracity. Of the score of 
polars whose more or less intimate acquaintance I have 
had occasion to make, I have seen at least two whose 
tracks in the snow measured fifteen by eighteen inches, 
whose length measured over nine feet, and whose slain 
carcases tipped the steelyard at from fifteen to sixteen 
hundred pounds. 
Consequently I have always had great respect for 
the sentiments expressed in the following lines by an 
author whose name I regret being unable to recall :— 
‘* Of the black bear you need not be afraid, 
But killing white ones is a dangerous trade. 
In this be cool, and well direct your lead, 
And take your aim at either heart or head; 
For struck elsewhere, your piece not level’d true, 
Not long you'll live your erring hand to rue.” 
