PrologueFor three days, a raging blizzard had forced the two RCMP officers and their guide to stay in their igloo on Bathurst Island. It was the winter of 1929, and Inspector Joy and Constable Taggart were on an historic 2700-kilometre, 81-day patrol through the Arctic's Parry Islands.On the third night, as the men were sleeping, their leashed sled dogs suddenly began to bark ferociously. Joy looked outside and saw that there was a huge polar bear within their camp area. Usually the dogs' barking would scare the polar bears away. Usually, but not on that night.The polar bear approached the group's supply sled and began to claw at the covering. Watching from the igloo, Joy asked the others to give him the loaded rifle.

It was then that the men realized their rifle - their one and only firearm - was sitting outside the igloo by the snow-packed entrance. Quickly the threesome started to clear the blocked entrance with their snow knives, but their frantic voices brought the curious bear to the igloo. The animal charged at the blocked passageway, trying to get through.Shouting and screaming all the while, the men cut a hole in the igloo close to the rifle so they could reach for it outside. But the bear saw them and lunged at the hole. The men had little choice but to fight back. The guide slashed at the bear with his snow knife and Taggart swung a club at the animal, hitting hard on the tip of its nose. Snarling, the bear backed away.

At that moment, Taggart tried to reach the rifle, but the bear saw him and attacked, forcing him back into the igloo.Again Taggart hit the bear's nose, and again the bear withdrew. Seizing his moment of opportunity, the constable grabbed the waiting rifle triumphantly. But he held it for only a second when the bear knocked the weapon from his hand and then stood on it. Helpless, Taggart rushed back into the igloo and joined his terrified partners.