e berg.

Up to this point what may be termed the northern island-ice continued
unbroken, but beyond the berg it was broken up into floes, and, not six
hundred yards out, it tailed away to the southward in what whalers term
stream-ice. The berg itself was obviously aground.

The first object that met Benjy's eyes, after coming to a halt, was an
enormous polar bear. This was no strange sight to the boy by that time,
but it was awkward in the circumstances, for he had neither gun nor
spear. Even if he had possessed the latter he was too young and light
to cope successfully with the shaggy white king of Arctic beasts.

From the attitude of the animal it appeared to be watching something.
In truth, it was so intently engaged with a sleeping seal that it had
not observed the approach of the sledge. Profiting by this, Benjy
quietly moved away round a colossal buttress of the berg, and took
refuge in an ice-cave. But such refuge, he knew, could avail him
nothing if the bear should scent him out and search for him. Looking
hastily round and up into the dark blue cavern, he espied a projecting
ledge of ice about thirteen feet above the level of the floor. On this
he resolved to perch himself.

His first care was to examine the contents of the sledge. We have said
it had been lightly laden at starting, which was the reason of the
tremendous pace at which it travelled. Although there was neither spear
nor gun, the anxious boy was somewhat comforted to find an axe strapped
in its accustomed place; also a blanket, sleeping-bag, and musk-ox skin,
besides a mass of frozen blubber, but there was nothing else of an
eatable nature. There was, however, a box containing the captain's
sextant, the electrical machine, and a packet of dynamite cartridges.

Regarding these latter objects with a sigh of disappointment, Benjy
seized the axe and hastened towards the ledge of ice, muttering to
himself in a confidential tone--

"You see, old boy, if that bear takes a fancy to call on you, it will be
as well to be able to say, `Not at home,' for he could make short work
of you, much though you think of yourself. Yes, this ledge is high
enough to bid you defiance, mister bear, and it's long and broad enough
to hold me and my belongings. The knobs by which to climb to it, too,
are easy--too easy--but I'll soon rectify that. Now, then, look alive,
Benjy, boy, for if that bear don't catch that seal he'll be sure to look
you up."

Cea