112 
GREENLAND VOYAGE. 
ed by an artificial courage, derived from the 
free use of his rum, which, in his economy, he 
had stored for special occasions, undertook to pur¬ 
sue and attack the hear that was within view. 
Armed only with a whale-lance, he resolutely, 
and against all persuasion, set out on his adven¬ 
turous exploit. A fatiguing journey of about half 
a league, over a surface of yielding snow, and 
rugged hummocks, brought him within a few 
yards of the enemy, which, to his surprise, un¬ 
dauntedly faced him, and seemed to invite him 
to the combat. His courage being by this time 
greatly subdued, partly by the evaporation of 
the stimulus he had employed, and partly by 
the undismayed, and even threatening aspect 
of the bear, he levelled his lance in an attitude 
suited either for offensive or defensive action, and 
stopped. The bear also stood still. In vain the 
adventurer tried to rally courage to make the at¬ 
tack ; his enemy was too formidable, and his ap¬ 
pearance too imposing. In vain also he shouted,— 
advanced his lance,—and made feints of attack ; 
the enemy either not understanding them, or de¬ 
spising such unmanliness, obstinately stood his 
ground. Already the limbs of the sailor began to 
shake,—the lance trembled in the rest,—and his 
gaze, which had hitherto been stedfast, began to 
quiver; but the fear of ridicule from his messmates 
