“Yes, by following them as closely as possible we shall learn their fate or reach the place of safety they have gained.”
It was decided to prepare for a long journey.
Jack built a better sled and selected various articles of food which he made into compact packages.
They were two days on the ship when some startling incidents occurred to hasten their journey from the place.
Tracks of various animals had been seen in the snow, and the boys had been allowed to visit the shore.
Will had constructed a trap out of two iron hoops found in the hold of the ship, and had set it at a spot where these tracks in the snow were most numerous.
It was the ensuing morning that he and Tom, visiting the vicinity, to their delight saw some kind of an animal struggling in the trap they had set.
They got near enough to observe it closely.
It proved to be an animal of a strange color, with bushy tail and thickly furred feet, even to the soles.
Will made a slip-knot on a rope they carried and flung it over the fox’s head.
He pulled at the animal while Tom released it from the trap.
The first movement of the fox was to start on a run. Will held on to the rope, slipped, fell and went clear over an icy ledge ten feet below.
The fox had disappeared, carrying the rope away.
Will was half disposed to laugh. He looked up to see how he would regain the ledge, when he heard Tom utter a frightened cry.
At the same moment an immense white object loomed up before his vision.
It was a white polar bear, and with eyes fixed on Will it was advancing straight towards him.
Will turned pale and began to retreat slowly. He could hear Tom’s cry die out in the distance, and knew that he was deserted.
Will found that he had one advantage over the bear. The place where he was had a narrow path leading towards the sea, was deep with snow, and the bear made but slow progress.
Still it kept following him, and he could not run.
He grew terrified as he came to an abrupt halt.
The path he had been following was blocked by a projecting mass of ice.
He must either retrace his way or leap down a steep incline at the risk of his life.
The bear, after floundering around for some moments, glared at him fiercely.
It kept advancing in a cautious, stealthy manner.