northern latitudes, young Nelson, notwithstanding the extreme severity
of the cold, was missing from the ship. Diligent search being
immediately made after him in vain, he was given up for lost. As the
rays of the rising sun, however, began to open the horizon, the
adventurous youth was discovered, with astonishment, on the ice, at a
considerable distance, anxiously pursuing a huge polar bear. He carried
a musket in his hand; but, the lock being injured, the piece would not
go off: he was, therefore, endeavouring to weary the animal, that he
might be able to effect his purpose with the butt-end. Captain Lutwidge,
who had been extremely uneasy during his absence, reprimanded him, on
his return, for quitting the ship without leave; and asked, in a severe
tone, what motive could possibly induce him to commit so rash an action?
All the manliness of the hero now subsiding into the simplicity of the
child--"I wished, Sir," replied the ingenuous youth, "to get the skin
for my father!" An answer which, doubtless, not only obtained him the
pardon, but the praise, of Captain Lutwidge; and confirmed that ardent
friendship which ever after subsisted between them.

Captain Phipps, too, had seen enough of the young adventurer, during
this voyage, to form a high opinion of his character; but he had, under
his own more particular care, another youth of much promise, the present
Rear-Admiral Philip D'Auvergne, Prince of Bouillon, who made several of
the original drawings which were afterwards engraved and published in
his celebrated Journal of the Voyage. Though this young gentleman, who
had been placed under Captain Phipps's protection by his noble patron,
Lord Howe, possessed the advantage of having received instructions in
the arts and sciences to which Horatio was, at that time, almost a
stranger, the latter had liberality enough not only to admire, but to
applaud, the ingenuity which he witnessed in a youth four years older
than himself. He was present when some of these sketches were taken, and