Page:The white czar; a story of a polar bear (IA whiteczarstoryof00hawk).pdf/154

 him. But he had given his word to help, and he could do nothing.

Finally the motor boat towed the nearly lifeless Czar along side The Spray, and the men quickly lifted him to the deck. This was after several ropes had been passed about his great, almost lifeless bulk. Then he was lifted by a fearful and wondering crew into the cage that had been prepared for him. There for hours he lay in the bottom of his cage with his great head between his paws, moaning and groaning, his spirit broken and seemingly near to death.

Meanwhile Eiseeyou walked the deck of the great boat, his simple soul wracked in devilish torment. Occasionally he would come and stand by the cage and look at The White Czar. Then he would remember what a lovable little chap he had been as a cub, and how little Oumauk had loved him. Then he would go away to pace the deck again.

Thus the first night of the White Czar's captivity wore away; but whether it was longer for the great beast or for the agonized man, who shall say?