hat they had got hold of
a black bear, who had doubtless been attracted to our wigwam by a pot of
sugar which had been left at the entrance, into which he was putting his
paw when Rockets discovered him. The noise brought a number of the
other men from the huts. They thought we were attacked by Indians or
the rebels, I believe. The poor beast made a good fight of it; but
before I could come to his rescue, he had been somewhat severely
handled. We, however, easily secured him, and kept him prisoner till we
settled what should be done with him. He was, we learned from old Nobs,
of a species not at all ferocious, and very easily tamed. We therefore
determined, instead of killing him in order to turn him into ham, to
carry him on board as a pet. He very soon became reconciled to his lot,
and at once ate willingly from our hands any mess we offered,
particularly if sweetened with sugar. Rockets considered him as his own
prize, and took him under his especial care. The men gave him the name
of Sugar-lips, and as Tom stood his sponsor he was known on board as
Tommy Sugar-lips.

However, I must not spend more time on my shore adventures, as I have
matter of so much greater interest to describe. In about five days we
had cut down and trimmed a sufficient number of trees for our purpose.
The greatest labour was to drag them over the snow to the harbour; but
at length that was accomplished, and we returned once more on board.

Shortly after this the frost set in harder than ever, but in consequence
of the rapidity of the tides the ice, though fully four feet thick, did
not form a consistent body in the harbour. In some places it was hard,
but the chief quantity round the ship was like a mass of wet snow, too
soft and too rotten to walk on, and yet too thick to allow a boat of any
size to be impelled through it. Thus all communication with the town
was suddenly cut off. At this time we had a gang of men on the opposite
shore, fitting the rigging at a spot where they could procure no
provisions. They were getting very hard up for food, when Captain
Hudson sent for me.

"Mr Hurry," said he, "I wish to send some provisions to the people on
shore. It will be a service of difficulty, and perhaps danger, but I
can entrust it confidently to you; you must take a couple of hands and a
light boat, and you may be able to force her either over or through the
ice."

"Ay, ay, sir," I answered; "I'll do it if it is to be done."