men, the bear
seemed to think that it was extremely undignified and cowardly to run
from a fierce little animal something like the dogs it had probably seen
in the Esquimaux sledges, and, stopping short, it faced round to look
wonderingly at its pursuer.

This was the opportunity the collie sought, and without hesitation it
sprang right at the bear's muzzle, but so quickly that the act was
hardly perceptible; the bear raised one paw, gave a tap with it, and
poor Skene went flying, rolling over and over, and then lay for a few
moments motionless, with the bear walking slowly toward him, but
stopping short as it became aware of the presence of the party from the
ship.

CHAPTER TEN.

URSA MAJOR AT HOME.

Those were exciting moments, as in the perfect silence which reigned the
sharp clicking of the gun-locks sounded loud and strange. Directly
after a low whine was uttered by the dog, which lay as if half stunned,
what seemed like a light pat from the bear having been a tremendous
blow. In answer, as it were, began a chorus of wailing cries, screams,
and snapping sounds from the birds which came now wheeling round, a few
at a time, till there was a perfect cloud.

The captain, doctor, and Steve held their pieces ready waiting to fire,
but the two former hesitated, thinking that they could get a better
opportunity; while Steve wondered whether he would be able to hold the
heavy double gun steady, for it was visibly describing all kinds of
figures with the muzzle, and felt moment by moment more weighty. The
two Norsemen stood ready with their great spears levelled; and the bear,
there in front, remained watching them, its head lowered and swung up
and down, from side to side, with its nose at times almost touching the
ground.

"Take care, Steve," said the captain, without taking his eye from the
bear. "Be ready to get behind one of the rocks. You, Johannes, stay by
him."

"Yes," said the Norseman in a low tone.

"Shall we fire?" said the doctor huskily, as the bear stayed in its
place, swinging its head about, making no sign of either attack or
retreat.

"Not yet," replied the captain. "Wait till we can get a shot at the
shoulder; a head shot is bad."

But the bear did not seem disposed to offer the side for the purpose of
being shot, and turned first one eye and then the other to them--strange
reddish-looking eyes, which looked them over in a furtive way, as the
regular swinging motion of the head was