Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-03-23
ANCHORING A BEAR.
BY ROGER sTARBUCK.

One clear morning in July th
English sloop-of war Dover was pass
ing within league of certain pa,
of the Arctic coast, upon which wer
number of broken-down log-hut:
evidently the remains of an oil
Dutch whaling station.
The captain. backing his mai
yard, lowered his cutter to take
look at the place.
His daughter Bertha, a beautiful
| girl, who had accompanied her fathe
for the voyage, was, at her reques
permitted to go with him.
His first lieutenant, William GRAY
son, to whom Bertha was engaged
made one of the party.
The cutter soon reached the shore
While the captain and his lieuten.
ant-the latter with his betrothet
leaning on his arm-were walking
about the station, they noticed thai
the officer left in charge of the ship
was too closely ''hugging" field Of
ice between him and the land.
"Confound itw said the captain
angrily. Il must 20 and see to it.
You, Grayson, can remain here with
Bertha, until come back
Don't be gone long, papa" said
the Young girl.
"Oh, no; it is only q mile to the
ship. | will soon be back
A few minutes later, away went
the boat with its occupant. while the
lieutenant and Bertha remained
ashore.
Scarcely had the cutter touched
the sloop's side, when a sudden ter
rife gale pounced on the vessel, dri-
wing her dead before it, far away
from the vicinity of the station.
The craft, in such blow, could
not be brought round, no--eotsld any
buut be headed for the land against
the wind and sea now raging.
AS consequence, the girl and her
companion were left there on that
wild Arctic coast, while the ship re-
ceding further and further from them
every moment, at length faded from
their sight in the rack and mist.
"Do not be afraid said Grayson
to his trembling companion, cling
ing to him. 'As soon as the gale
subsidies, the ship will return for u.s."
He found a shelter for her in one of
the huts. and, in spite of her remon-
strances, put his own cloak abont her
to keep her warm.
The gale ragged all day long.
As night approached the lieuten-
ant contrived to kindle fire with
some wood he found, and which he
lighted with matches taken from a
box in his pocket.
Hours passed, and at last, with her
head on her lovers breast. the girl
fell asleep.
At dawn Grayson, who had remain
ed awake all night, saw her eyes
open.
"Oh, William she cried, sis the
gale over yetT'
"Yes, was his reply. 81 can see
the ship far in the distance. She is
this way, under full sail, but
the tide is running strong against
her, and she will not arrive for many
hours
"Hark! What noise is that?'
A barking sound, and now and
then growl were heard in the dis
tance.
"They are wolves and bears" an
swered Grayson, quietly, while he re-
gretted he had brought no arms with
him. "But fear not; I can keep I
them off if them come here, with the
fire."
"No, noT gasped Bertha; 81
would not trust to that. Is there no
way to leave this coast and go to
meet the ship?'
The young man rose and looked
about him.
Alongside the beach lie beheld an
old but strong raft. which had evi-
IDENTIFY been used by the Dutch wha-
lers to carry heavy goods.
Attached to the raft there was a
rusty chain, one end of which, fasten-
ed to heavy stone on the beach,
Kept the floating platform from
drifting away.
Grayson led Bertha to the raft;
helped her upon it; then, standing
upon the edge, he succeeded by great
effort of strength, in drawing the
stone upon the rough support of
logs.
The chain was long one, and he
resolved to keep it with him, as he
might possibly be obliged to anchor
before he had finished his voyage.
The moment he hauled in the
stone the raft drifted from the beach
some distance, and then caught by
,he full force of the current, it was
along toward the ship, then
visible about five miles off.
"Oh, how nice" exclaimed Bertha,
,lapping her hands.
On went the raft, the two voyagers
N high spirits, until they were sud
1enly startled by deep growl be-
hind them.
Turning they then beheld white
bear standing on the edge of broad
cake of ice about fifteen feet distant,
and in the center of which rose fan
,astic looking crystal mass, having q