"Don't know. I think it will begin to run. Be ready. It is sure to charge when it is wounded. We'll take it then on the spears." At that moment there was a diversion, and the bear raised its head a little to look beyond them. Steve glanced sharply round to see what the animal was looking at, and became aware of the fact that Andrew McByle was stealing away on tip-toe. This raised Steve's ire, for the thought flashed through his brain that if anybody had a right to run it was he, the boy of the party; and he wanted to make off very badly, but, paradoxical as it may sound, he at the same time did not want to run, but to help shoot the bear. "Here! hi! Stop!" he shouted angrily; "don't run off with that gun!" "Ahm only going to tak' oop a fresh poseetion ahint the stanes," said Andrew hurriedly. No more was said, for the bear now shook itself, making the beautiful thick hair stand out, and giving the huge animal the appearance of growing rapidly in size. It uttered a low, fierce growl now, and its eyes flashed in the sunshine. "You'll have to fire, Handscombe," said the captain in a low voice; "it's going to charge. No, stop!" For just then the bear swung its head round to the right and glanced toward the ice, as if looking out for a way of retreat. "It's going to run," said Jakobsen. Hardly had the words left his lips than the bear made a rush right at the centre of their line. _Bang_--_bang_--_bang_! Three shots were fired almost simultaneously, but they did not have the slightest effect, the bear rushing on, and the next minute the doctor was gathering himself up, and the bear was shuffling along the shore, apparently in pursuit of Andrew McByle, who ran on yelling, and fired twice in the air, as if sending the charges of the gun he carried right ahead, where he wished to be. "Hurt?" cried the captain anxiously, as he held out his hand to the doctor. "Only the wind knocked out of me," was the panting reply. "Come on." They re-loaded as they followed the bear at a trot, and to Steve's great delight, there was a sharp barking, for Skene leaped up as the bear passed him, and, apparently without much the matter, followed the great beast. "I don't think we touched him," cried the captain. "Yes," said Johannes simply, as he ran by Steve's side with his spear at the trail. "Blood." He pointed to the ground, but Steve said nothing as, full of excitement now, he kept pace with the others in the pursuit. "Quick!" cried the captain; "fire anywhere now, or the brute will overtake that man." "Serve him right for being such a coward," muttered the doctor. The bear was some fifty yards before them, and Andrew McByle another fifty, but with the bear gaining upon him fast, it being astonishing how rapidly the great unwieldy animal could shuffle over the rough ground. Just then Andrew looked back over his shoulder at his pursuer, uttered a wild yell, threw away the rifle, and with his hands in the air ran on faster.