their way through this cold sea to a warmer climate. But next morning, what a disappointment! The sea was full of immense blocks of ice, as hard as steel, a dense fog prevented them from seeing each other, a strong wind began to blow, and they were at their wits' end which way to turn. For three days they tried their utmost to sail in the direction indicated by the Samoyedes, but the ice was too strong for them. On the 6th of September the sailors on Heemskerk's ship asked permission to land on the island they were passing, to gather some beautiful crystals; and about thirty of them set out in a boat for that purpose. Now these crystals were only to be found in the crevices and splits of the rock, wherefore it was necessary for the sailors to throw themselves down and insert their hands in the opening. While two of them were thus engaged, talking of home, and how pleasant it would be to sell the crystals for a large sum of money, one of them suddenly uttered a sharp cry. The other pulled his hand back out of the rock, and looked at his mate in astonishment, when to his horror he found him in the grasp of a terrific animal, twice as big as himself, whose powerful limbs were crushing his comrade to death. Half dead himself with fright, the sailor ran down the rock to where he had left his comrades, shouting to them all the while. Hearing the cries of their mate, the others ran towards him, wondering what could be the matter. Breathless with excitement and terror the poor fellow told his story, pointing at the same time towards the rock where he had lately

been; and there sure enough a huge animal was doing something they could not make out. In an instant everybody was ready to go to the rescue. Some ran to the boat and got out the heavy oars, others seized the boat-hooks, others, again, had brought spears with them, some had swords, some axes, everybody was armed somehow, and eager to save their comrade. They divided in three groups, and approached the rock. As they drew nearer they saw with horror that the monster was sitting on his haunches, sucking the poor fellow's blood. They gave a yell. The bear looked up quietly, and, having eyed his enemies, went on with his occupation. This gave the party courage, and they approached from different sides. Suddenly the bear jumped up. He was a gigantic animal, and his jaws when he opened them were full of strong teeth. He uttered a low growl, and ran towards the strongest party. A panic seized them, and they fled towards the boat. The others followed, trying to attack the bear; but he suddenly turned round, and rushed at them, growling all the time. They too were seized with fear, and bolted for the ship, while the third party, who were now left alone, dodged him and got out of his way as well as they could. One of them, however, who could not run very fast, stumbled, fell, and before he could get up and escape the bear had seized him with his terrific claws, and killed him. The party returned to shore as soon as they could fetch their muskets, and managed to shoot the monster, after a combat of

half-an-hour, when he was found to be larger than the largest ox, with terrific jaws and teeth. They skinned him, and took the hide to Amsterdam; but the death of the two poor fellows was always remembered with great sorrow. It may have been this untoward circumstance which determined them to give up the attempt for that year at least. At all events two days afterwards there was a council of war, and although both Barends and Heemskerk urged that two of the ships should remain for the winter, nobody seemed to like the notion; and what with the ice, the fogs, the bears, the tempests, and the coming winter, it was resolved to return to Amsterdam, whither they arrived in the end of October, bringing with them no Chinese tea or silks, but a bear-skin and a few bright crystals.

Although this result was certainly not very encouraging, Heemskerk and Barends were resolved that they would not allow the scheme to drop before they had made one more effort. Almost everybody was against them. The merchants said they did not like to lose their money and their ships. The StatesGeneral said they could not support the enterprise, there being so little chance of success; and the sailors said they did not care to go because they might be eaten up by the bears. During the winter Heemskerk, who had resolved to make another trial, went from one person to another, and spoke so hopefully and bravely that people began to have faith in the young and handsome captain, who was willing to