human
And is it really you, Mr. Clawbonny?
gpt
Myself and nobody else, my old fellow. I assure you I have been far more uneasy about you than you could have been about me.
human
But how did you know we had been attacked by a troop of bears? asked Altamont.
gpt
What we were most afraid of was that you would come quickly back to Fort Providence, never dreaming of danger.
human
Oh, I saw it all. Your repeated shots gave me the alarm. When you commenced firing I was beside the wreck of the Porpoise, but I climbed up a hummock, and discovered five bears close on your heels. Oh, how anxious I was for you! But when I saw you disappear down the cliff, while the bears stood hesitating on the edge, as if uncertain what to do, I felt sure that you had managed to get safely inside the house and barricade it. I crept cautiously nearer, sometimes going on all-fours, sometimes slipping between great blocks of ice, till I came at last quite close to our fort, and then I found the bears working away like beavers. They were prowling about the snow, and dragging enormous blocks of ice towards the house, piling them up like a wall, evidently intending to bury you alive. It is a lucky thing they did not take it into their heads to dash down the blocks from the summit of the cone, for you must have been crushed inevitably.
gpt
But what danger you were in, Mr. Clawbonny, said Bell.
human
Any moment they might have turned round and attacked you.
gpt
They never thought of it even. Johnson's Greenland dogs came in sight several times, but they did not take the trouble to go after them. No, they imagined themselves sure of a more savoury supper!
human
Thanks for the compliment!
gpt
Oh, there is nothing to be proud of. When I saw what the bears were up to, I determined to get back to you by some means or other. I waited till night, but as soon as it got dark I glided noiselessly along towards the powder-magazine. I had my reasons for choosing that point from which to work my way hither, and I speedily commenced operations with my snow-knife. A famous tool it is. For three mortal hours I have been hacking and heaving away, but here I am at last tired enough and starving, but still safe here.
human
To share our fate!
gpt
No, to save you all; but, for any sake, give me a biscuit and a bit of meat, for I feel sinking for want of food.