262 
A RIVAL SE AL-IIU NTER. 
and suddenly lifted his head. The movement was 
evidently independent of me, for he strained his neck 
in nearly the opposite direction. Then, for the first 
time, I found that I had a rival seal-hunter in a large 
bear, who was, on his belly like myself, waiting with 
THE ATLUK, OR SEAL-HOLE. 
commendable patience and cold leet for a chance of 
nearer approach. 
What should I do?—the bear was doubtless worth 
more to me than the seal: hut the seal was now within 
shot, and the bear “a bird in the bush.” Besides, 
my bullet once invested in the seal would leave me 
defenceless. I might be giving a dinner to the bear 
