THE WORLD OF ICE. 287

Their provisions were getting low now, and it was
felt that if they did not soon fall in with walruses or
bears they must return as quickly as possible to the
ship in order to avoid starving. It was therefore a
inatter of no small satisfaction that, on turning the
edge of an iceberg, they discovered a large bear walk-
ing leisurely towards them. To drop their sledge-
lines and seize theix muskets was the work of a
moment. But, unfortunately, long travelling had
filled the pans with snow, and it required some time
to pick the touch-holes clear. In this extremity Peter
Grim seized a hatchet and ran towards the bear, while
O'Riley charged it with a spear. Grim delivered a
tremendous blow at its head with his weapon; but his
intention was better than his aim, for he missed the
bear and smashed the corner of a hummock of ice.
O’Riley was more successful. He thrust the spear
into the animal’s shoulder; but the shoulder-blade
turned the head of the weapon, and caused it to run
along at least three feet just under the skin. The
wound, although not fatal, was so painful that Bruin
uttered a loud roar of disapproval, wheeled round, and
an act of cowardice so unusual on the

 

yan away!
part of a Polar bear that the whole party were taken
by surprise. Several shots were fired after him, but
he soon disappeared among the ice-hummocks, having
fairly made off with O’Riley’s spear.

The disappointment caused by this was great, but
they had little time to think of it, for soon after a
stiff breeze of wind sprang up, which freshened into a