POLAR BEAR. 



taking hold of the adjoining one, in apparent 

 consultation, as to what bargains they had made, 

 and what articles they possessed, till a canoe 

 was observed to break off from the group, 

 which they all followed for their haunts along 

 the shores of Terra Neiva, and the Savage 

 Islands. Having a copy of the Esquimaux 

 Gospels from the British and Foreign Bible 

 Society, it was my wish to have read part of a 

 chapter to them, with a view to ascertain, if 

 possible, whether they knew of the Moravian 

 Missionary establishment at Nain, on the Labra- 

 dor coast ; but such was the haste, bustle, and 

 noise of their intercourse with us, that I lost 

 the opportunity. Though they have exchanged 

 articles in barter for many years, it is not 

 known whether they are from the Labrador 

 shore on a summer excursion for killing seals, 

 and the whale fishery, or from the East main 

 coast, where they return and winter. 



The highest point of latitude we reached 

 in our course, was 62° 44' — longitude 74° 16", 

 and when off Cape Digges we parted company 

 with the Prince of Wales, as bound to James's 

 Bay. We stood on direct for York Factory, 

 and when about fifty miles from Cary Swan's 

 Nest, the chief mate pointed out to me a 

 polar bear, with her two cubs swimming 



