The Internet Detective Library — page 220: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

208 KOTUK’S PERIL, f As he was approaching the shelter, although yet at a consider- able distance, he saw two moving figures there. One of them he supposed was Kotuk. He could not make out at first who or what the other was, for the figure was evidently larger than any of tl> dogs. Then a shot from Kotuk’s revolver caused him to hurry his steps, and a moment later he saw a sight that made his heart stand still with horror. A huge polar bear had come up to the hut and surprised the Esquimau. The latter, frichtened out of his senses, had fired wildly and missed the ': «rc, The great animal, as hungry doubtless as were the wolves that had pursued the travelers, lcaped for Kotuk, caught him in_ his forearms, and as Stokes drew near was bracing himself against the snew shelter, while he was trying to crush the life out of the Esquimau’s struggling body. Bea: and man were in such a position that Stokes, good marks- man though he was, dared not fro for fear of killing Kotuk, The Esquimau was making a furious struggl> for life, and the chances were that he wou!d wriggle himself 11. the bullet’s wa) if Stokes should fire. The de‘ective, therefore, without a thought of peril to himself, rushed forward with a vain idea, that he would tear Ko uk from the bear’s grip. The animal roared savagely as Stokes came up, and catching at the snow shelter with one forearm, while he held Kotuk with the other, he raised one of his hin feet and struck €tckes full in the chest with it and tumbied him heels over head and hurled him rods away. Stokes picked himself up with the agility of a cat and rushed again to the attack. The bear had siipped in the effort and had half fallen, still holding Ko‘uk 1: his arm. In t1i3 position he presented a target at which Stokes could fire with safe'y. The de‘ective did so, and with a terrifying howl the bear dropped the Esquiman, staggered back against the snow shelter and rolled over. He was by no means dead as a result of this shot, but Stokes easily finished him with:ano:tHer; then he turned to Kotuk. The Esquimau lay in the snow panting loudly, A ‘‘How is. it, Kotuk?’’ Stokes asked, leaning over. him. ‘‘Any bones broken ?’’ ‘*No can tell,’’ was the Esquimau’s characteristic answer. _. Stokes helped him to his feet, and the Esquimau felt along his _ ribs and legs, and finally: chrugped his shoulders, saying: : ‘*Kotuk heap.all right, but ¢c.ose squeeze. ’’ ‘*It was a close aquesse 4 and no ) mistake, ”’ Stokes responded... 0 ‘books.co ea be un as ev to it ord are far wie thi: four else selv dras coul woll wha