VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
131 
the solitary and dreary aspect of this icy continent 
produced upon our minds, from its situation beyond 
the limits of the habitable globe, from the profound 
silence that prevailed upon this domain of desolation, 
and, more particularly, from its opposing defiance 
to our proceeding. 
While we were indulging in these gloomy re 
flections, an immense bear, {Ursus Albus,) made its 
appearance at about half a mile distant from us, 
from behind one of the large hummocks that were 
resting upon the margin of the ice. 
I instantly seized my gun, jumped into a boat with 
its crew, was lowered down, and went after it; 
but in vain, as it took the hint, and moved off* 
across the ice, which was so thickly covered with 
the most rugged hummocks that it was impossible 
to overtake it. I could not help feeling astonished 
at the rapidity with which this animal travelled, as 
well as the extraordinary size of the tracks which 
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