should steal together from the ship, and endeavour to obtain a
bear's skin. The clearness of the nights in those high latitudes
rendered the accomplishment of this object extremely difficult:
they, however, seem to have taken advantage of the haze of an
approaching fog, and thus to have escaped unnoticed. Nelson in
high spirits led the way over the frightful chasms in the ice,
armed with a rusty musket. It was not, however, long before the
adventurers were missed by those on board; and, as the fog had
come on very thick, the anxiety of Captain Lutwidge and his
officers was very great. Between three and four in the morning
the mist somewhat dispersed, and the hunters were discovered at
a considerable distance, attacking a large bear. The signal was
instantly made for their return; but it was in vain that
Nelson's companion urged him to obey it. He was at this time
divided by a chasm in the ice from his shaggy antagonist, which
probably saved his life; for the musket had flashed in the pan,
and their ammunition was expended. 'Never mind,' exclaimed
Horatio, 'do but let me get a blow at this devil with the
but-end of my musket, and we shall have him.' His companion,
finding that entreaty was in vain, regained the ship. The
captain, seeing the young man's danger, ordered a gun to be
fired to terrify the enraged animal. This had the desired
effect; but Nelson was obliged to return without his bear,
somewhat agitated with the apprehension of the consequence of
this adventure. Captain Lutwidge, though he could not but admire
so daring a disposition, reprimanded him rather sternly for such
rashness, and for conduct so unworthy of the situation he
occupied; and desired to know what motive he could have for
hunting a bear? Being thought by his captain to have acted in a
manner unworthy of his situation, made a deep impression on the