Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-05-02
IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS.

1t was in the summer of 1869, said old
skipper Johnson, addressing knot of boys
who were seated on the grass in front OF
| him, =" | and half dozen other fellows,
under command of Captain Langdon, L. S.
| n, were making explorations away up near
| Hudson Straits.
It's powerful cold up there, even during
July and August, and l reckon there wasn't
one of our party that didn't wish himself
| home many a time before our work was
| finished.
We met with quite number of advent
ures while we were in those regions, but
about the closest shave we had was with n
polar bear that paid us a visit one night.
You see, We had great deal of work to
perform on shore, frequently being absent
from our vessel-the brig Morning Star
for week at stretch, and, as we generally
didn't have time to erect a snow hut, or
igtoe, as the Esquimaux style it, every night.
we carried a small shelter tent with US,
which could be put up or taken down in
less than five minutes
" One night we camped at the foot of an
enormous rock, and after disposing of a
hearty supper, turned in.
" don't know just how long | had been
asleep, when was suddenly awakened by
a great racket, and jumping to my feet |
soon discovered the cause of it,
" We had small lantern suspended from
the ridge-pole, and by its feeble rays |
deserted an immense polar bear standing
with his head and shoulders inside the tent
regarding us with a mingled gaze of curl
osity and anger
Ny mates were searching frantically for
their weapons, but they had all been left
outside, as We afterwards learned so, of
course, their search was in vain TWAS an
extremely careless trick, not bringing those
guns into the tent, and came near costing
some of us our lives.
While the sailors were searching for
their arms the bear had satisfied his curl
osity, and with n low growl lie began to
advance toward us.
Look out " cried Captain Langdon.
He's coming
The words were scarcely out of his
mouth when the animal came tumbling in
making straight for US.
Something's got to be done, muttered |
young Jack Barlow, in low tone. and |
could hardly keep from laughing, even |
though our lives were in deadly peril, at /
the words of this 16-year. old
- But Jack proved to be the bravest one |
in the crowd, for as he spoke he made a |
quick dash forward, and, Selling a brand !
from the fire, plunged it right into the ewes
of the bear, which was compelled to retreat.
s. Jack followed it outside the tent, beat
ing the animals snOut with his novel !
weapon until the lighted end was entirely !
eXtinguished.
" Meanwhile the rest Of us had secured
our guns, which were leaning against the
the huge rock before spoken of and, rum
ming toward the bear, we delivered yoley
" Some Of our shots must have taken
effect, for he uttered 4 loud cry Of rage and
pain, and disregarding the blows that Jack
showered upon him and the savage at
tacks Of our dogs, which had Joined in the
ARRAY, he charged upon US.
" The bear presented a frightful appear
lnce as he came toward lis. His eyes had
a bright and angry flash; his mouth was
open. displaying fearful array of large.
lgly, sharp-loOkiug teeth while his snow
white coat was spattered with drops of
blood.
On he came, and as he neared the Cap
lain he raised himself on his hind legs and
prepared to give one of those terrible hugs
or which his species are so noted.
Captain LangdOn was armed with a fine
and having discharged one
If his loads be had only one remaining;
ull, he was a good shot, and we had no
ioubt that he would kill, or at least disa-
DE, the animal at such short range.
But something must have interfered
Nlui Ills ann titdt night. IefnapS the very
proximity of the huge beast made him
nervous, for he only clipped the skin from
he top OF the bears skull
All now expected to see our brave Cap
ain pulled down and killed, for we were
n no position to aid him, being simply
rmed with old muskcts which, once dis
harged, could not be reloaded in less than !
wo or three minutes. But at this critical J
Jack again came to the rescue
. The day before we had found an old ;
arpoon in the snow, and Jack persisted 7
b carrying it with him, saying That it {
light be of some use to US in the future
Armed with this weapon, he now came
unning forward. and just as the bear was
eaching his great paw toward the Captain,
lunged the harpoon into the beasts body. !
made one or two staggering steps. and l
len fell dead at his feet.
" You may be sure that, when we re- t
armed home i'll the fall, Captain Langdon q
id not forget Jack. He used all his infu- r
nee in his behalf, and had the satisfaction
f placing him in the Naval Academy at y
nnapoliS. And when | visited Captain c
ohm Barlow, commander Of one of Uncle }
ans finest revenue cutters, some years 4
20 noticed that old harpoon hanging t
yer mis- desk in the cabin. y Golden DAYS a
Mrs. Caldwell, the lady who has given
cry large sum toward q Roman Catholic