THE BEAR. 
411 
“ ‘ The first cache, which I had relied so 
much upon, was entirely destroyed. It had 
been built with extreme care of rocks which 
had been assembled by very heavy labour 
and adjusted often with much aid from 
capstan-bars as levers. The entire construc¬ 
tion was, so far as our means permitted, 
effective and resisting. Yet these tigers of 
the ice seemed to have encountered scarce 
an obstacle. Yot a morsel of pemmican re¬ 
mained, except in the iron cases, which, 
being round with conical ends, defied both 
their claws and teeth. They had rolled and 
pawed them in every direction, tossing them 
about like footballs, although more than 
eighty pounds in weight. An alcohol-can, 
strongly iron bound, was dashed into frag¬ 
ments, and a tin can of liquor crunched 
and twisted about into a ball. The claws 
of the beast had perforated the metal, and 
torn it up as with a cold chisel. They were 
too dainty for salt meats. Ground coffee 
they had an evident relish for; old canvas 
was a favourite for some reason or other; 
even our flag, which had been reared to take 
possession of the waste, was gnawed down 
to the very staff. They had made a regular 
