They heard startled shouts behind them, and knew that others had noted the sudden invasion of the ship by the terrors of the North. But any help that might come from that quarter would be too late to do them any good. Their fate would be decided in a few seconds more. A death more terrible than that threatened by the iceberg itself was close at their heels. They must depend upon their own fleetness for safety.
Before them loomed the open door of the wireless room. If they could once get within its friendly shelter and slide to the heavy door, they would be safe.
But the bear was gaining fast. The sound of that horrid padding grew more distinct. The boys could hear the growls of the pursuer, all his savage instincts aroused in the fury of the chase. A moment more, and his hot breath would be on their necks, his massive paw upraised to slay.
They were running now as they had never run before, their breath coming in quick gasps, their lungs strained almost to bursting.
They were within twenty feet of the door and safety when Jimmy slipped on a piece of ice and fell headlong.
Joe checked himself and rushed to Jimmy’s side to help him to his feet. But before he could get him up, the bear had reached them and reared himself on his hind legs to seize them.
Hector had been running along with them, taking good care to keep out of the bear’s reach, and barking furiously. He was devotedly attached to Jimmy, and when he saw his master down, his affection and loyalty dominated his natural fear. As the bear upreared itself, Hector rushed in from behind and savagely bit one of his hind legs.
The polar bear, startled by this sudden onslaught, roared furiously and turned to face this new enemy. And in that moment of respite, Jimmy, with Joe’s help, regained his feet and together they raced into the wireless room, with Hector close after them.
Bob and Herb, who had been drawn to the door by the dog’s barking, slid the heavy door shut. And they were just in time, for the next moment the bear hurled himself against it with demoniac fury.
But the stout door held, and the baffled brute, balked of his prey, lumbered around the cabin, seeking some other entrance and emitting roars of rage and disappointment.