Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-03-03
From Hildsrbrands winter in Spitzbergon.
A CONTEST WITH POLAR BEARS.

CONTEST WITH POLAR BEARS.
They were resting, tired of work; on
their beds, when Ivan heard an unusual
noise and growing, mingled with yells.
He rose up, and he believed he had been
dreaming, when he heard it anew and
more plainly than before. Immediately
he walked up the others.
believe we are going to have another
change of Weather, said he. Only lis.
ten to the storm
"A fine storm, said the old pilot. get
up and take your gun it is the bears
which are trying to break in Z
They quickly sprang up, seized their
loaded guns, and hurried from the cave
into the hut, Gregory carefully opened
the little window. The air was as cold
as possible but clear and shining from
the fiery northern lights, lay the valley
covered with the dazzling snow before
him. But what sight what horror
Five great white bears that had become
rNvenous from hunger, snufiing and howl
ing, were trying to break into the door
of the hut, which happily was fast
bolted Perhaps in few moments the
decAycd timber would have been crushed
in by their pressure, and our friends
would have been lost, without rescue, if
they had awakened few minutes later.
Ivan Immediately shot at the nearest bear
and hit him SO well that he staggered.
The shot rcechoed through the rocky
wall some wolves which were lurking
in the distance, to sec if they might not
also obtain thci prey, raised frightful
veil and ran OFF. But the bears became
thc more furious, stood their ground all
the more firmly. They were indeed at
fl rst somewhat startled at the flash of the
powder, and the report Of the gun re-
sounding through the rocks. but soon fell
into a still greater rage, which they at
once vented upon their brother that mad
sunk under the shot, and pitched upon
Nhim turiously and tore him dreadfully.-
From the pain of this tearing and rendiug,
the almost lifelcss animal was reused
again, and now his rage being excited
by the wound from the ball, and the
mode of cure his friends had adopted
with him, was raised to the highest de-
gree. He fell furiously on the nearest of
his neighbors, and in a short time they
were biting and tearing each other
However great was the noise OF the
tearing and biting, however those inside
might have looked on it when they were
no more troubled with their enemies in
the besicged hut. yet they were in con-
tinual fear lest tho four might again mus
ter and venture on a new attack, and
very probably a moro successful one
against their door.
Ivan and Gregory, in the meantime
were not idle spectators of the dreadful
fight they kept up y firing among them
but not single bear fell. Probably in
the confusion in which the bears all were,
they could get no sure aim. 1t is possi-
bic also, that the bears in their fury did
no. mind wounds, which else would have
BEEN severe and painful.
The fray is becoming doubtful ! said
the pilot this noise may call here more
of them, and thus add to the strength Of
the besieging force We must resort to
another method T. he added after short
reflection. Keep at your posts till l
come back
With these words he fastened to the
cavern, and caught up a package OF
squibs. He set fire to one of them and
threw it among the bears, and it was fine
sport to see how the thing jumped about
among the hard frozen snow, like will
o-thc wisp, scattering sparks and how
with every reportit made a side jump,
and sometimes lighted on a bears head
and then again ON snother'S shaggy coat
They had never experienced such an
hQ4or; ~ InrT ~ were startled, put their
paws growing up to their heads when
the souib struck their faces, or they wal
lowed in the snow when itcome into closer
intercourse with their thick furs.
Not to let it all go off in ajoke, Grcgo-
ry and Ivan shot continually at them,
while the old pilot threw some more
squt6s, and the enemy at last drew otf,
growing, and limping, and greatly dis
pleased, leaving one of their dead behind
,them. After the besieging force had
withdrawn, our friends took possession of
the enemy left, n monstrous white bear.
With the greatest exertious, they sue
seeded in bringing him at first only into
tho hut, and bolted the door. They could
aot aov think Of trying to skin him and,
cut up his flesh. There was something
else to be done
Atfrighted by the dreadful cold. oU oUv1
friends had spent almost whole month
in the close heavy cavern, without gong
out into the open air. Now, as during the
fight they had felt the beneficial effect
OF an almost intolerable but eRliYenlng
fresh air, they concluded to sopeR the
window of the hut, in order to give free
access to the pure air. The walls were
At once coated with ice and frost, and
the yaDor Of the cabin and h,it wat