A CHANCE TO BE TRIED. 25/ way beneath its weight, and it had often considerable difficulty in regaining its feet. The monster made its way thus for about a quarter of a mile across the ice, and then, its farther progress being barred, it turned round and advanced towards the spot where Mrs Barnett and the Lieutenant stood. Hobson seized the gun which was slung over his shoulder and l)reseuted it at the animal, but almost immediately lowering the weapon, he said to Mrs Barnett — " A bear, madam, only ^ bear, the size of which has been greatly magnified by refraction." It was, in fact, a Polar bear, and Mrs Barnett drew a long breath of relief as she understood the optical illusion of which she had been the victim. Then an idea struck her. "It is my bear ! " she exclaimed, " the bear with the devotion ol a Newfoundland dog ! Probably the only one still on the island. But what is he doing here '^ " " He is trying to get away," replied Hobson, shaking his head. " He is trying to escape from this doomed island, and he cannot do so ! He is proving to us that we cannot pass where he has had to turn back ! " Hobson was right, the imprisoned animal had tried to leave the island and to get to the continent, and having failed it was return- ing to the coast. Shaking its head and growling, it passed some twenty paces from the two watchers, and, either not seeing them or disdaining to take any notice of them, it walked heavily on towards Cape Michael, and soon disappeared behind the rising ground. Lieutenant Hobson and Mrs Barnett returned sadly and silently to the fort. The preparations for departure went on as rapidly, however, as if it were possible to leave the island. Nothing was neglected to pro- mote the success of the undertaking, every possible danger had to be foreseen, and not only had the ordinary difficulties and dangers of a journey across the ice to be allowed for, but also the sudden changes of weather peculiar to the Polar regions, which so obstin- ately resist every attempt to explore them. The teams of dogs required special attention. They were allowed to run about near the fort, that they might regain the activity R
