But he quickly recalled himself and throwing a cartridge
into the chamber, aimed the rifle more carefully and fired again. This
time the bullet went true to the mark, and the great body fell limp to
the ice.
As he surveyed the carcass a moment later he patted his rifle, and
said;
"'Tis sure a rare fine gun. I ne'er could ha' killed un wi' my old
un.". "Now th' Lard _must_ be watchin' me or He wouldn't ha' sent th'
bear, an' He wouldn't ha' sent un if He weren't wantin' us t' live.
Th' Lard must be hearin' mother's an' Emily's prayers now, after
all--He must be."
The bear was a great windfall. It would give Bob and the Eskimos food
for themselves and oil for their lamp, and the lad was imbued with
new hope as he hurried off to summon Netseksoak and Aluktook to aid
him in bringing the carcass to the igloo.
The afternoon was well advanced before he found the two Eskimos, and
when he told them of his good fortune they were very much elated, and
all three started back immediately to the scene of the bear hunt. As
they approached it Aluktook shouted an exclamation and pointed towards
the south. Bob and Netseksoak looked, and there, dimly outlined in the
distance but still plainly distinguishable, was the black hull of a
vessel with two masts glistening in the sunshine.
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