296 
A VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 
to the S.E. there was ice ; and to the South and S.E. 
they saw an appearance like land, hut could not ascer¬ 
tain whether it was land or clouds. 
In the night of April the 6th, during a thick fog, a 
hear came to the hut and endeavoured to force in the 
door. The Hollanders tried to shoot him, hut, from the 
dampness of the weather, it was with much difficulty 
they could get one of their arquebuses to go off, which 
made the bear retire; but he returned in about two 
hours after, and mounting the roof of the hut, shook 
the chimney with all his might, endeavouring to pull it 
down, makitig at the same time a terrible roaring or 
noise. After much ineffectual trial, he went quietly 
away. 
Towards the end of May, they began to prepare 
their two boats, both open, with washboard, sails, &c., 
for their departure, as the only means for their escape 
from this desolate country. It was proposed to repass 
round the north end of Nova Zembla, in preference to 
seeking a passage southward on the East side, and 
that way through the Waigatz Strait. On the morn¬ 
ing of June the 14th, they embarked in the two boats, 
with the remains of their provisions and some small 
packets of their best merchandise, and quitted the 
place where they had passed a winter of more than 
eight months* continuance. 
Barentsz had been some time ill. One of the sea- 
