Just then Hatteras made his appearance, and the
Doctor told him his project, and showed him the mercury.
The captain grasped his hand silently, and the three hunters went off in quest of their game.
[Illustration: ]
The weather was very clear, and Hatteras, who was a little ahead of the others, speedily discovered the bear about three hundred yards distant, sitting on his hind quarters sniffing the air, evidently scenting the intruders on his domains.
"There he is!" he exclaimed.
"Hush!" cried the Doctor.
But the enormous quadruped, even when he perceived his antagonists, never stirred, and displayed neither fear nor anger. It would not be easy to get near him, however, and Hatteras said-
"Friends, this is no idle sport, our very existence is at stake; we must act prudently."
"Yes," replied the Doctor, "for we have but the one shot to depend upon. We must not miss, for if once the beast took to his heels we have lost all chance of him. He would outstrip a hare in fleetness!"