Page:Polar Exploration - Bruce - 1911.djvu/117

Rh the lane and had our backs to him. We could see by the trail how it had crept over a small ridge just behind us under cover of a mound by Johansen's kayak. While the latter, without suspecting anything or looking round, went back and stooped down to pick up the hauling rope, he suddenly caught sight of an animal crouched up at the end of the kayak, but thought it was 'Suggen.'" Fancy taking a bear for a dog, a couple of yards off! Yet I know how possible this is, having myself at various times mistaken a dog, a gull, and a flag for a bear!—"Before he had time to realise that it was so big, he received a cuff on the ear which made him see fireworks, and then, as I mentioned before, over he went on his back. He tried to defend himself as best he could with his fists: with one hand he seized the throat of the animal, and held fast, clenching it with all his might. It was just as the bear was about to bite Johansen on the head that he uttered the memorable words, 'Look sharp!' The bear kept glancing at me continually, speculating, no doubt, as to what I was going to do; but then caught sight of the dog and turned towards it. Johansen let go as quick as thought and wriggled himself away, while the bear gave Suggen a cuff which made him howl lustily, just as he does when we thrash him. Then Kaifas got a slap on the