CHAPTER XIII.
A TRIP TO THE NORTH _The Baron sails with Captain Phipps, attacks two large bears, and has a very narrow escape--Gains the confidence of these animals, and then destroys thousands of them; loads the ship with their hams and skins; makes presents of the former, and obtains a general invitation to all city feasts--A dispute between the Captain and the Baron, in which, from motives of politeness, the Captain is suffered to gain his point--The Baron declines the offer of a throne, and an empress into the bargain._ We all remember Captain Phipps's (now Lord Mulgrave) last voyage of discovery to the north.

I accompanied the captain, not as an officer, but as a private friend.

When we arrived in a high northern latitude I was viewing the objects around me with the telescope which I introduced to your notice in my Gibraltar adventures.

I thought I saw two large white bears in violent action upon a body of ice considerably above the masts, and about half a league distance.

I immediately took my carbine, slung it across my shoulder, and ascended the ice.