V.] 
CHASE OF A POLAR BEAR. 
233 
northerly direction, and two days afterwards reached the 
latitude of 75° 54' north. On the f®th July there was a re¬ 
markable chase of a Polar bear. The bear was fallen in with 
on land and was pierced by a bullet, but notwithstanding this 
he threw himself into the water, and swam with a vigour 
‘'that surpassed all that had been heard of the lion or other 
wild animal.” Some of the crew pursued him in a boat, and 
succeeded in casting a noose round his neck in order to catch 
CAPTURE OF A POLAR BEAR. 
After G. de Veer. 
him living, with a view to carry him to Holland. But when 
the bear knew that he was caught “ he roared and threw him¬ 
self about so violently that it can scarcely be described in 
words.’’ In order to tire him they gave him a little longer line, 
rowing forward slowly the while, and Barents at intervals struck 
him with a rope. Enraged at this treatment, the bear swam to 
the boat, and caught it with one of his forepaws, on which 
Barents said: ‘ •he wishes to rest himself a little.” But the 
