CHAPTER XIV.
POLAR BEARS.
As it was impossible to launch until the return of the
tide, Pierre and Louis were given our rifles and sent off
to try their fortunes. As they departed and left us
lying in the shelter of a rock we sincerely wished them
success. We had done our utmost and had failed; if
they also should fail it was too apparent what must
soon be the result. Two of the other men were sent off
with shot-guns; then anxious hours of waiting followed.
No shots were heard, but towards evening Pierre and
Louis, and afterwards the other men, could be seen
returning in the distance. None of them appeared to
be bringing any game, as we had hoped they might, and
at the sight I confess my heart grew sick. As they
came nearer, however, Louis, holding up something in
his hand, exclaimed, "I got him." It was the claw of
a polar bear, and we soon learned with joy that, sure
enough, he had killed a bear, which he had unexpectedly
come upon at the edge of a lake while following
the deer.
The encounter had taken place about six miles inland, and Louis was alone at the time, his brother having gone off on a diverging track. The meeting was a mutual surprise, for the bear, which was lying on the
