strongest marks of devotion with which I ever met.

"When my companions saw the boat sailing away, they were in despair, and
I had great difficulty in preventing them from throwing themselves into
the sea, and in restoring their spirits. Certainly, an iceberg is not
the pleasantest spot for a location. At length, one day, I saw
something like a ship's longboat in the distance. It approached the
iceberg in the most mysterious manner. We watched it eagerly. It was
not a boat after all, but a log of timber, and--you need not believe me
if you'd rather not, but it's a fact--there was our pet bear Bruin
towing the timber at the rate of six knots an hour. I hurried down to
the bottom of the berg to receive him. Poor fellow! he was so tired
with his exertions that he could scarcely climb up out of the water, and
when, to exhibit his affection, he attempted to embrace us, he fell
forward on all fours, and very nearly rolled over into the sea again.
As we sat by his side, all he had strength to do was to lick our hands
and moan mournfully. Talk of the affection of a dog! I should think
that was as strong a mark of affection and sagacity as any dog could
give. Let others beat it if they can. Having loosed Bruin from the
ropes and secured the log of timber, which was the one, it must be
understood, to which we had secured him in the hut, and which he had
dragged out with main force, we set to work to catch him a dinner of
fish. This was the least we could do, and we were so fortunate in our
sport that we were able to give him an abundant meal. He enjoyed it
much, and quickly revived. To show his gratitude he soon began to play
off his usual extraordinary antics for our amusement, such as dancing a
jig, standing on his head, or rolling himself up into a ball. Suddenly
it struck me that he had brought the log of timber to enable us to
escape from our perilous situation. I consulted with my companions, and
they agreed with me that if we harnessed Bruin to the log, he would
undoubtedly tow us to a place of safety. We made signs to him, and he
evidently understood our purpose, for he allowed the ropes to be thrown
over his shoulders and secured to the log of timber, and when we had
placed our stores on it and taken our seats, he slipped gently into the
water, and, I holding the reins, off he bravely swam with his snout to
the southward. It was far from agreeable work, for our feet were wet,
and we were obliged to sit p