418 
THE BEAR. 
the conflict, relaxed all their muscles as 
they fell and rose to their feet in an instant, 
ready for a fresh attack. Should a single 
Esquimaux, travelling over the ice, come 
upon the traces of a bear, he follows them 
without hesitation, knowing that his well- 
trained dogs will, by diverting the animal’s 
attention, cause it to turn to one side and 
thus expose the other to a fatal thrust with 
the spear. They often receive severe wounds 
in these encounters; but, owing to their 
great caution, but few lives are lost.” 
“ Do Polar bears sleep during the win¬ 
ter V” asked Annie. 
“ It is said that some of the females do 
so, and only awake when the sun is tole¬ 
rably high, bringing forth their young in 
their snug retreats. Other females roam 
abroad all winter, and are then very dan¬ 
gerous.” 
