314 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS, 
ridicule from bis mess-mates had its influence, and yet he 
scarcely dared to retreat, Bruin however possessing less reflection 
or being regardless of the consequences, began with audacious 
boldness to advance ; his nigh approach and unshaken step sub¬ 
dued the spark of bravery and that dread of ridicule, that had 
hitherto upheld our adventurer; he turned and fled: but now 
Was the time of danger; the sailors flight encouraged the bear 
in turn to pursue, and being better practised in snow travelling 
and better provided for it, he gained rapidly upon the fugitive; 
the whale lance, his only defence, encumbering him in his 
retreat, he threw it down and kept on, this fortunately excited 
the bear’s attention; he stopped, pawed it, bit it, and then 
renewed the chase. Again he was at the heels of the panting 
seaman, who conscious of the favourable effects of the lance, 
dropped one of his mittens ; the stratagem succeeded, and while 
Bruin again stopped to examine it, the fugitive, improving the 
interval, made considerable progress ahead; still the bear 
resumed the pursuit with a most provoking perseverance, except 
when arrested by another mitten, and finally, by a hat, which 
he tore to shreds between his fore teeth and paws, and would 
no doubt soon have made the incautious adventurer his victim, 
who was now rapidly losing strength, but for the prompt and well 
timed assistance of his shipmates, w r ho observing that the affair 
had assumed a dangerous aspect, sallied out to his rescue. The 
little phalanx opened him a passage, and then closed to receive 
the bold assailant. Though now beyond the reach of his adver¬ 
sary, the dismayed fugitive continued onwards impelled by his 
fears, and never relaxed his exertions until he fairly reached the 
shelter of his ship. The bear once more came to a stand, and 
for a moment seemed to survey his enemies with all the con¬ 
sideration of an experienced general when finding them too 
numerous for any hope of success, he very wisely wheeled about, 
and succeeded in making a safe and honorable retreat. 
We shall have occasion in a subsequent part of this work, to 
relate a singular adventure of a bear, who very unceremoniously 
paid a visit to Capt. Ross in his tent, but it was not the destiny 
of the gallant captain, to contribute by his own person to the 
