SEAL'S FLESH 165 



could once more move about freely. That was a treat 

 in itself. 



At nine in the morning of the next day we had our 

 first opportunity of seal-hunting; a big Weddell seal 

 was observed on a floe right ahead. It took our ap- 

 proach with the utmost calmness, not thinking it worth 

 while to budge an inch until a couple of rifle-bullets 

 had convinced it of the seriousness of the situation. It 

 then made an attempt to reach the water, but it was 

 too late. Two men were already on the floe, and the 

 valuable spoil was secured. In the course of a quarter 

 of an hour the beast lay on our deck, flayed and cut up 

 by practised hands; this gave us at one stroke at least 

 four hundredweight of dog food, as well as a good many 

 rations for men. We made the same coup three times 

 more in the course of the day, and thus had over a ton 

 of fresh meat and blubber. 



It need scarcely be said that there was a great feast 

 on board that day. The dogs did their utmost to avail 

 themselves of the opportunity; they simply ate till their 

 legs would no longer carry them, and we could grant 

 them this gratification with a good conscience. As to 

 ourselves, it may doubtless be taken for granted that 

 we observed some degree of moderation, but dinner was 

 polished off very quickly. Seal steak bad many ardent 

 adherents already, and it very soon gained more. Seal 

 soup, in which our excellent vegetables showed to ad- 

 vantage, was perhaps even more favourably received. 



