us
spirit.

The bear made no reply, but turned to examine the contents of the
ice-cave. First he went to the hatchet and smelt it. In doing so he
cut his nose. With a growl he gave the weapon an angry pat, and in so
doing cut his toes. We fear that Benjy rejoiced at the sight of blood,
for he chuckled and made the sarcastic remark, "That comes of losing
your temper, old fellow!"

That bear either understood English, or the very sound of the human
voice caused it irritation, for it turned and rushed at the ice-ledge
with such fury that Benjy's heart again leaped into his throat. He had,
however, recovered sufficiently to enable him to act with promptitude
and discretion. Sitting down with his right foot ready, and his hands
resting firmly on the ice behind him, he prepared to receive the charge
in the only available manner. So fierce was the onset that the monster
ran up the ice-cliff like a cat, and succeeded in fixing the terrible
claws of both feet on the edge of the shelf, but the boy delivered his
right heel with such force that the left paw slipped off. The left heel
followed like lightning, and the right paw also slipped, letting the
bear again fall heavily on the ice below.

This was more than even a bear could bear. He rushed savagely about the
cavern, growling hideously, dashing the sledge about as if it had been a
mere toy, and doing all the mischief he could, yet always avoiding the
axe with particular care--thus showing that polar bears, not less than
men, are quite awake to personal danger, even when supposed to be blind
with rage! At last he lay down to recover himself, and lick his bloody
nose and paw.

While Benjy sat contemplating this creature, and wondering what was to
be the end of it all, a bright idea occurred to him. He rose quickly,
took the electrical machine out of its box, and happily found it to be
in good working order--thanks to Alf, who had special charge of the
scientific instruments, and prided himself on the care with which he
attended to them. The bear watched him narrowly with its wicked little
eyes, though it did not see fit to cease its paw-licking.

Having arranged the machine, Benjy took the two handles in his left
hand, pressed his knee on the board of the instrument to hold it steady,
and with his right hand caused it to revolve. Then he held down the
handles as if inviting the bear to come and take them.

The challenge was accepted at once. Bruin cantered u