they were
each as large as a well-fed ox: unfortunately, at the very instant I was
presenting my carbine my right foot slipped, I fell upon my back, and
the violence of the blow deprived me totally of my senses for nearly
half an hour; however, when I recovered, judge of my surprise at finding
one of those large animals I have been just describing had turned me
upon my face, and was just laying hold of the waistband of my breeches,
which were then new and made of leather: he was certainly going to carry
me feet foremost, God knows where, when I took this knife (showing a
large clasp knife) out of my side-pocket, made a chop at one of his
hind feet, and cut off three of his toes; he immediately let me drop and
roared most horribly. I took up my carbine and fired at him as he ran
off; he fell directly. The noise of the piece roused several thousand
of these white bears, who were asleep upon the ice within half a mile of
me; they came immediately to the spot. There was no time to be lost. A
most fortunate thought arrived in my pericranium just at that instant.
I took off the skin and head of the dead bear in half the time that some
people would be in skinning a rabbit, and wrapped myself in it, placing
my own head directly under Bruin's; the whole herd came round me
immediately, and my apprehensions threw me into a most piteous situation
to be sure: however, my scheme turned out a most admirable one for my
own safety. They all came smelling, and evidently took me for a brother
Bruin; I wanted nothing but bulk to make an excellent counterfeit:
however, I saw several cubs amongst them not much larger than myself.
After they had all smelt me, and the body of their deceased companion,
whose skin was now become my protector, we seemed very sociable, and I
found I could mimic all their actions tolerably well; but at growling,
roaring, and hugging they were quite my masters. I began now to think
that I might turn the general confidence which I had created amongst
these animals to my advantage.

I had heard an old army surgeon say a wound in the spine was instant
death. I now determined to try the experiment, and had again recourse to
my knife, with which I struck the largest in the back of the neck,
near the shoulders, but under great apprehensions, not doubting but the
creature would, if he survived the stab, tear me to pieces. However, I
was remarkably fortunate, for he fell dead at my feet without making the
least noise. I was