400 
BEAR AND FOX. 
bear-tracks. There was a fox evidently following 
them, ( G. lagopus.)” 
There are fables about the relation between these 
two animals which I once thought my observations 
had confirmed. They are very often found together: 
the bear striding on ahead with his prey; the fox 
behind gathering in the crumbs as they fall; and I 
have often seen the parasite licking at the traces of 
a wounded seal which his champion had borne off 
over the snow. The story is that the two hunt in 
couples. I doubt this now, though it is certain that 
the inferior animal rejoices in his association with the 
superior, at least for the profits, if not the sympathy it 
brings to him. I once wounded a bear when I was out 
with Morton during our former voyage, and followed 
him for twelve miles over the ice. A miserable little 
fox travelled close behind his patron, and licked up 
the blood wherever he lay down. The bear at last 
made the water; and, as we returned from our fruitless 
chase, we saw the fox running at full speed along the 
edge of the thin ice, as if to rejoin him. It is a mis¬ 
take to suppose he cannot swim: he does, and that 
boldly. 
“October 19, Thursday.—Our black dog Erebus has 
come back to the brig. Morton has perhaps released 
him, but he has more probably broken loose. 
“I have no doubt. Morton is making the best of his 
way after the Esquimaux. These trips are valuable to 
us, even when they fail of their immediate object. 
They keep the natives in wholesome respect for us. 
i 
