broad _lanes_ extended from these in divers
directions towards us, although, without retracing our steps, there was
at present no direct road for us into this water.

Captain Penny, however, being astern, had struck to seaward, and was
fast passing our position.

On the islands there were recent traces of both reindeer and bears; and
I amused myself picking some pretty arctic flowers, such as anemones,
poppies, and saxifrage, which grew in sheltered nooks amongst the
rocks.

[Headnote: _A BEAR HUNT._]

Before leaving the vessel, a boat had been despatched to the headland
where so many "loons" had been seen, to shoot for the ship's company's
use: the other ships did likewise: they returned at about four o'clock
next morning, and I was annoyed at being informed, without any birds,
although all the powder and shot had been expended.

I sent for the captain of the forecastle, who had been away in charge
of the sportsmen, and, with astonishment, asked how he had contrived to
fire away one pound of powder and four of small shot, without bringing
home some loons? Hanging his head, and looking uncommonly bashful, he
answered, "If you please, sir, we fired it all into a bear!" "Into a
bear?" I exclaimed, "what! shoot a bear with No. 4 shot?" "Yes, sir,"
replied Abbot; "and if it hadn't have been for two or three who were
afeard of him, we would have brought him aboard, too." Sending my
bear-hunting friend about his business for neglecting my orders to
obtain fresh food for the crew, I afterward found out that on passing a
small island between the "Pioneer" and the Loon Head, as the cliff was
called, my boat's crew had observed a bear watching some seals, and it
was voted immediately, that to be the first to bring a bear home, would
immortalize the "Pioneer."

A determined onslaught was therefore made on Bruin: No. 4 shot being
poured into him most ruthlessly, he growled and snapped his teeth,
trotted round the island, and was still followed and fired at, until,
finding the fun all on one side, the brute plunged into the water, and
swam for some broken-up ice; my heroes followed, and, for lack of ball,
fired at him a waistcoat button and the blade of a knife, which, by
great ingenuity, they had contrived to cram down one of their muskets;
this very naturally, as they described it, "made the beast jump again!"
he reached the ice, however, bleeding all over, but not severely
injured; and whilst the bear was endeavouring to