The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-12-31
Written for THE RECORD
"REMINISCENCES OF A VOYAGE TO
THE NORTHERN SEAS.
BY GEO. c. WESTON, N.
No. s..

excepting few scratches about the face,
he informed us in as few words as was
necessary how he came in such a tight
place. We were all dressed by this time
and set about arming ourselves with what
weapons of defense we could lay hands
upon. Two of the crew gloried in the
possession of breech- loading rifles, while
two more of us had revolvers. Seeing
that our weapons were all in order, we
silently assembled the companionway-th
the two with rifles taking the lead-the
reyolyers next, both being backed by the
balance of the crew, armed with sheath
knives, billets of wood, etc., all eager to
be sin at the DEATH" The wolf was seen
by the two advance guards of our par
ty, (who opened the door at the head of
the companionway slightly, and peered
OUT standing on the vessels rail, and
swapping at some seal meat, which had
been hung up in the rigging. 1t was
bright moonlight night, and we could
plainly see the long, gaunt body of the
wolf, as he vainly endeavored to seize the
piece of meat that was suspended in the
rigging, just beyond his reach. The two
rifiemeu knelt on the steps so as to enable
those with revolvcrs to fire over their
heads. AT given signal the door was
thrown wide open, and a broadside was
fired, which brought down the enemy, as
we'll it might, considering our distance
from him, being not over thirty feet. All
hands rushed out ON deck, and in less
time than it takes to tell it, the wolf was
"total wreck" The Captain aud Of
ficors being awakened by the shots, came
running up on deck to learn the cause of
the firing, and seemed rather dsap-
pointed to find that the crew were able
to kill one wolf, without any of their as
sistance.
Wolves we're often seen at other times
prowling around, but never came aboard
any more, at least not to our knowledge.
Perhaps the reason why, was on account
of team of dogs, which before had slept
in the vessels hold, now being made to
take up their quarters on deck. The
Esquimaux dogs, or as the natives call
them, liking. micks," are large power
full animals, much resembling the wolf,
only being not SO long in body and
heavier. They rarely bark like most dogs
do, but it is very common for lot of
them to get together and set up a chorus
of such dismal howls as to make ones
blood run cold.
Our monotonous Winter was gradually
drawing to close, Chat is, the last month
of Winter,) but the weather was still
much colder than is usual in the Middle
States. We could once more see the sun,
by ascending an adjacent mountain, al
though our vessel was still out of the
reach of his rays. Our faces having not
been exposed to any sun for over three
months, were bleaehed as white as the
snow about us, nearly, but VIC were all
enjoying good health. Indeed, our crew
had passed through the Winter very
creditably, there having been but little
sickness among us. Two cases of the
scurvy, "a disease of the blood much
dreaded i'll the far north), was all the
sickness of serious nature that any OF
the crew were attacked with. These two
cases soon succumbed to raw-meat diet,
and no one else had tho misfortune to be ILL.,
As Spring advanced, the ice commenced
to thaw and break off along the edge oil
the open sea. Ono day when the ice had
broken off up to within four or five miles
of whore our vessel was frozen in, We
hitched the dogs to our sledge, the Cap
tain and four of tho crew intending tc
drive out to the edge of the ice and look
for seals. Each of us was armed with
breech- loading rifles, the Captain having
Winchester repeating rifle. In the fore.
noon we shot few seals and then repair
ed to the sledge to eat our dinners, which
we had brought along with us. In the
midst of our frugal repast, one of the men
saw Polar bear como floating along on
a large cake of ice. Our dinner was in.
stantly forgotten, as we hastily prepared
to give him battle. We saw from tho di-
rection in which he was floating, that the
ice cake on which he was, would strike on
a long peninsula of ice, which extended
out from the solid ice, a short distance
below us. The dogs were embarrassed
aud SGT at liberty by two of us, while the
others started for tho place where the
bear would be apt to land. The instant
he landed the dogs were upon him. lie
raised one paw and dealt the nearest one
such blow upon the head, as to kill him
instantly. Another blow lacerated the flesh
of two more dogs, so badly, as to render
them helpless. AT this, the balance kept
off respectful distance. Our Captain
told us not to fire unless the bear came
too close for comfort, and then stepping
forward, dropped on one knee, and level
ing his rife opened fire. Seven shots
were fired in rapid succession before the
bear fell. Upon examination, the whole
seven shots were found to have entered
the skull of the animal, any one of which
would have been sufficient to have caused
instant death to an animal of less vita
tenacity.
The western "Grizzly" is reputed tc
be about the toughest animal in his line
but the Polar bear could, l believe, give
him points which he had never dreamed
of before. After finishing our victim, the
carcass was loaded on the sled and con
veyed to the vessel, where the skin was
carefully removed, as the Captain wished
ty have it preserved whole, in order that
he might have it stuffed and exhibit it az
trophy, upon bis return home.
Soon after our bear hunt, we received
orders to 60 ashore and dig our boats gu,
of the snow, where they had lain all
Winter. They were then brought to the
vessel, where they underwent thorough
| insDection and renairs vera mazda whan.