my legs behind to support the wings of the other. This had the desired
effect, and we descended very safe on a mountain of ice, which I
supposed to be about three miles above the level of the sea.

I dismounted, unloaded the eagles, opened one of the bladders,
and administered some of the liquor to each of them, without once
considering that the horrors of destruction seemed to have conspired
against me. The roaring of waves, crashing of ice, and the howling of
bears, conspired to form a scene the most awful and tremendous: but
notwithstanding this, my concern for the recovery of the eagles was
so great, that I was insensible of the danger to which I was exposed.
Having rendered them every assistance in my power, I stood over them in
painful anxiety, fully sensible that it was only by means of them that I
could possibly be delivered from these abodes of despair.

But suddenly a monstrous bear began to roar behind me, with a voice like
thunder. I turned round, and seeing the creature just ready to devour
me, having the bladder of liquor in my hands, through fear I squeezed it
so hard, that it burst, and the liquor flying in the eyes of the animal,
totally deprived it of sight. It instantly turned from me, ran away in
a state of distraction, and soon fell over a precipice of ice into the
sea, where I saw it no more.

The danger being over, I again turned my attention to the eagles, whom I
found in a fair way of recovery, and suspecting that they were faint
for want of victuals, I took one of the beef fruit, cut it into small
slices, and presented them with it, which they devoured with avidity.

Having given them plenty to eat and drink, and disposed of the remainder
of my provision, I took possession of my seat as before. After composing