Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-06
A Battle with q Bear.

A Battle with Bear.
| never like bears, and polar bears less
than any other bears; SO when I think of
my little escapade when was cup
North'' last year, a cold SILVER runs
through my frame.
Who am or what am doesn't much
matter, SO l need not explain myself any
farther than to say that last year had
the most singular adventure with polar
that ever creature Of this unhappy
world had.
Well, during the long winter months
that we were shut in by the Ice, we had
constructed some snow huts, or sscairns''
as we call them, for it was warmer to sleep
in them than it was to sleep on aboard
Ship, so we used to nestle in them for
the night.
One day when we had returned from an
unsuccessful hunt, we repaired to the
ship, and INDUCED in a hearty meal
while praying for the speedy termination
of the winter
suppose that I must have had glass
too much, or that the cold air had affect
ed my head, for began to talk, thing
that | don't generally do.
Now, they all knew of my hatred for
'polars," and used occasionally to chaff
me with it, and on this particular day
they began with avengence.
8 Killed any 'polars' to-day, Blinkey2"
"Polars'' says I in loud voice. ssNow,
look you here; you fellers are always
chatting me about spolars' but 1 amt
scared of any polar livin'. So put that
In your pipe and smoke it,
ooh, you amt, amt you?" says the
bo's'n.
"No, amt, says I; s'and what's more,
one of these mornings you will see me
bring in big polar for breakfast"
"Bet you won't!" shouted twenty voic-
"Bet dol" I yelled back again; and
carried away by my Unnatural ardor, I
made bets in all directions.
When returned to my cairn that night,
| bitterly repented my folly, and mental
ly speculated on the improbability Of
polar being generous enough to allow
me to shoot him.
In this melancholy state of mind, I
crawled into my cairn-the openings are
only large enough to admit your entrance
in an excessively low position-and, as I
composed myself to sleep, I vowed
solemn VOW never to bet on s'polars"
again.
At about three o'clock the next morn
ing was reused from the arms of Nor
pheus by hearing low, granting sound
at the door ofmy cairn.
Hastily removing the bundles with
which I had closed the Office, I seized
my rifle, and crawled to the entrance to
interview my early morning visitor.
reached the opening, put my head
out, but could not see anything; but re-
solving to make sure, I ventured nv
shoulders out also, when, on turning nv
head a little to the left, what was my
horror and dismay to see an enormous
polar looking me full in the face.
To draw myself in again, like a fright
ened snail into its shell, was the work of
a second, but not second too soon either,
for my unlimited visitor showed his muz-
zle into the opening and greeted me with
a loud roar, to which answered with
blow on the snout from the butt of nv n
file, causing the retreat of the enemy in
dismay.
Here was golden opportunity to dis
tinguish myself. On, if I could only get
fair shot at the sspolar!n Suddenly a
bright idea flashed across my frettul brain.
Why not tunnel out at the other end, and
take him in the rear?
Nosooner said than done: Ratchet in
hand, I cut my way through the back of
the cairn, resolving to steal march on
the "polar." It was hard Job in two
senses, for the snow Of the hut had been
converted into solid, firm substance,
and it was tough work to burrow through.
At last, by dint of superhuman exertions,
l contrived to make hole of about the
same size as the one serving as an en-
trance to my abode.
Selling my rifle, peered cautiously
out. Whack!
! had scarcely got my head out, when>a
heavy blow knocked my face down
against the hard snow, causing nv claret
to run, and adjoining me with beauti-
full pair OF black eyes.
I need scarcely say that was soon in
my shell again.
After holdlng short counsel OF war
with myself, I resolved to try another at
tack. this time choosing the other exit.
Creeping as slowly and as cautiously
as possible to the entrance, I put my head
out. No"polar." I put my shoulder out.
Still no s'polar." d ii
Screwing my bead round, saw the
gentleman intentlY watching the outlet
at which he had so unceremoniously salu-
ted me.
In second 1 was out of my hut, nd,
rifle in hand, I crept up behind him.
Up goes, the rifle 0 my shoulder. Crackl1
and thes'polar'' rolls over, with 1.-THE top
of his head blown off. Ssas ,qsss sas
! Immediately executed wild dance
of triumph above my, fallen. enemy, and
when I had exhausted my strength, rushed
in every direction, awaking my comrades
and calling them to view my sspolar.''
Ineed scarcely say that I won my bets,
and from that day to this they have re-
trained from chatting me.
Of course. I made as much as possible
of my adventure: indeed, every one firm
" believed me an intrepid hunter from
that time henceforth and forever.