Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/63

 Without doubt the "King of the North" is the great white Polar Bear. This animal is famous for its great bulk, its strength and its magnificent fur. It is a terrible fighter and allows no enemy to encroach upon its domains.

The only other animal that can be said to pretend to rule in the north is the mighty walrus.

The story is told of a trial of strength between two bears and an odd bull walrus. Now the walrus is easily twice the size and weight of a polar bear and is armed with two enormous tusks. A number of cows and calves were out sunning themselves upon the ice when two polar bears approached and decided that one of the little walrus calves would make a nice dinner. The cows became and the old bull shuffled from side to side and bellowed warnings to the two intruders. At length the cows got the calves into the water and swam away but the old bull was not to be beaten off so easily and stood its ground.

The bears seemed disgusted at seeing their prey get away and made up their minds to be revenged on the old bull. They slowly advanced from opposite directions as though by agreed plan. When one bear was within striking distance it rushed upon the walrus, but the latter was ready to meet the attack. Rearing up to its full height, it came down upon its enemy with all its great weight. It tried to drive its tusks through the bear's back but it slipped and missed its blow. The second bear now joined the struggle and sprang upon the back of the walrus, but the latter's skin was so thick that its teeth and claws did it but little harm.

The three floundered about in ponderous battle and the ice was soon running with blood. The cows were much excited and drew nearer to see the fight, and they swam around the trio in threatening fashion. Neither side seemed to be getting much the best of it.

An unexpected turn came however. The combatants in the course of their struggles had worked towards the edge of the ice when suddenly it broke beneath their weight. The two polar bears sprang away in an instant and scrambled on to solid ice, while the walrus slid off into the water. This was a lucky turn for the bears for had they gone into the water there is no doubt but that the old walrus and his family would have killed them in short order.

The old bull now rose to the surface bellowing furiously, and seemed to be anxious to continue the fight for it tried to climb out onto the ice again and get at its enemies, but the polar bears had had enough of it and beat a hasty retreat growling angrily.