"We must go right up to him," said Johnson, "that is the only way. It is risking one’s life, of course; but what does that matter? Let me risk mine."
"No, I wish to take the risk on myself," said the Doctor.
"I am the one to go," said Hatteras, quietly.
"But, captain, is your life not more necessary for the safety of all than a stupid old man’s like mine?"
"No, Johnson, let me go. I’ll not risk myself unnecessarily. Besides, I may possibly need your assistance."
"Hatteras," asked the Doctor, "do you mean to walk right up to the bear?"
"If I were certain of getting a shot at him, I would do that if it cost me my head; but he might scamper off at my approach. No, Bruin is a cunning fellow, and we must try and be a match for him."
"What plan have you got in your head?" "To get within ten paces of him without letting him suspect it."
"And how will you manage that?"
"Well, my scheme is simple enough, though rather dangerous. You kept the skin of the seal you killed, didn’t you?"