Part 6 (1/2)
”How did that help you?”
”Why, I just happened to recollect a fact related by Captain Ross in his voyages He states that they pierced a plank, an inch thick, with a bullet made of mercury Oil would even have suited my purpose, for, he adds, that a ball of frozen al in pieces”
”It is quite incredible!”
”But it is a fact, Johnson Well, come now, this bit of metal may save our lives We'll leave it exposed to the air a little while, and go and have a look for the bear”
Just then Hatteras made his appearance, and the
Doctor told hirasped his hand silently, and the three hunters went off in quest of their game
[Illustration: ]
The weather was very clear, and Hatteras, as a little ahead of the others, speedily discovered the bear about three hundred yards distant, sitting on his hind quarters sniffing the air, evidently scenting the intruders on his domains
”There he is!” he exclaimed
”Hush!+” cried the Doctor
But the enoronists, never stirred, and displayed neither fear nor anger It would not be easy to get near him, however, and Hatteras said--
”Friends, this is no idle sport, our very existence is at stake; we must act prudently”
”Yes,” replied the Doctor, ”for we have but the one shot to depend upon We must not miss, for if Away they went, while the old boatswain slipped behind a hummock, which completely hid him from the bear, who continued still in the same place and in the same position
CHAPTER V
THE SEAL AND THE BEAR
”You know, Doctor,” said Hatteras, as they returned to the hut, ”the polar bears subsist almost entirely on seals They'll lie in wait for thele them the moment their heads appear above the surface It is not likely, then, that a bear will be frightened of a seal”
”I think I see what you are after, but it is dangerous”
”Yes, but there isany other plan, so Ito dressthe ice Coive it , for he would have done the sae, taking with him a couple of hatchets for his own and Johnson's use
Hatteras soonenough to cover hiun,” he said, ”and you be off to Johnson I e, Hatteras!” said the Doctor, handing him the weapon, which he had carefully loaded meanwhile
”Never fear! but be sure you don't show yourselves till I fire”