NO PROGRESS. 
95 
low had such a look of life enjoyment that I felt glad 
that I had not fired, although my hand was upon the 
trigger. 
“ Once upon this little hill of ice, he was at home 
again, favoring us with some hear play, snapping at 
the inoffending icicles, rubbing his mouth sideways 
against the snow, and rolling over and over from top 
to bottom. I mention all these as characteristics of 
the animal. Of course we chased him, and of course 
we failed. We had not yet acquired our experience 
as bear hunters. 
‘‘’‘July 21. It rained yesterday, and the ice is per- 
ceptibly affected. These rains, of which we have now 
had several, exercise a very rapid influence upon the 
weaker floes. 
“Heaving, boring, sailing, hut no progress worth 
noting ! 
“July 22. As we were in the act of warping into a 
narrow chasm, the capricious ice closed in upon us, 
nipping us on our counter, and heaping up some two 
feet. 
“ We filled our water casks from a pool in a glued- 
up iceberg, and saw another hear ! We were too wise 
this time to chase him. 
“ Our progress — not to he measured by yards.” 
