BEARS FOR A CHANGE 231 



He called a boat's crew and lowered, taking 

 his place in the bow with his rifle, while Long 

 John sat at the tiller. He had got only a short 

 distance from the ship when Captain Shorey 

 ordered Gabriel after him, 



" Killing that bear may be a bigger job than 

 he thinks," he said. " Lower a boat, Mr. Ga- 

 briel, and lend a hand. It may be needed." 



In a few minutes Gabriel was heading after 

 the mate's boat. Neither boat hoisted sail. With 

 four men at the sweeps, it was as much as the 

 boats could do to gain on the brute. If the bear 

 was not making fifteen miles an hour, I'm no 

 judge. 



Mr. Winchester kept pegging away, his bul- 

 lets knocking up water all around the animal. 

 One ball struck the bear in the back. That de- 

 cided the animal to change its tactics. It iquit 

 running away and turned and made directly for 

 its enemies. 



" Avast rowing," sang but the mate. 



The men peaked their oars, turned on the 

 thwarts, and had their first chance to watch de- 

 velopments, which came thick and fast. Rabid 



