WILSON AND THE BEAK. 
319 
between the island and the main being about five miles. 
Some said it was a bird, others a whale, and the cook 
suggested a mermaid. When the fact was ascertained 
that it was a bond fide bear, a gun was fired as a signal 
for us to return; but it was evident that unless at 
once intercepted, Bruin would get ashore. Mr. Wyse, 
therefore, very properly determined to make sure 
of him. This was a matter of no difficulty: the poor 
beast showed very little fight. His first impulse was to 
swim away from the boat; and even after he had been 
wounded, he only turned round once or twice upon his 
pursuers. The honour of having given him his death 
wound rests between the steward and Mr. Wyse; both 
contend for it. The evidence is conflicting—as at least 
half-a-dozen mortal wounds were found in the animal’s 
body; each may be considered to have had a share in his 
death. Mr. Grant rests his claim principally upon the 
fact of his having put two bullets in my new rifle— 
which must have greatly improved the bore of that 
instrument. On the strength of this precaution, he now 
wears as an ornament about his person—one of the 
bullets extracted from the gizzard of our prize. 
All this time, Wilson had been on shore, busily 
