THE POLAR BEAR AND HER CUBS. 111

Night after night the brave old lady watched, but no ghosts
came.

In honour of her victory, she invited a number of friends
to dinner, and resolved to open a cask of wine which had
been long hoarded. With keys in hand, attended by the
butler, she entered the cellar. The peg was pulled out from
the cask, but no wine came. The butler tapped ; a hollow sound
was the return. On the cask being examined with a light,
teeth-marks were seen at the very lowest part of the staves.

By rats alone could such marks have been made. What
a band of thirsty drinkers must have been employed in the
theft! No doubt it was the rats, made drunk by such
unusual draughts, that had caused. the strange sounds. Be
that as it may, the lady lost her wine; and the cask was
placed in the museum of Mr. Buckland, who tells the tale;
and there it stands to prove its truth.

It is said that rats will insert their tails into oil-flasks,
and allow each other in turn to suck off the liquid thus
obtained.

 

THE POLAR BEAR AND HER CUBS.

THE monarch of the Arctic regions, the great white bear there
reigns supreme. Though his mate is as savage as he is, she shows
the utmost affection for her young. I have a sad tale to tell.

The crew of a vessel exploring in the Arctic Seas had
killed a walrus, and had made a fire with part of the blubber.
The steam cf the flesh drew from afar towards it a she bear
and her two cubs. Putting their noses to the tempting mess,
they began to eat it eagerly. The seamen, seeing this, threw