406 A WALRUS HUNT. 



to be dividing their time between sleeping and jam- 

 ming their tusks into each other's faces, although they 

 appeared to treat the matter with perfect indifference, 

 as they did not seem to make any impression on each 

 other's thick hides. As we approached, these old fel- 

 lows — neither of which could have been less than 

 sixteen feet long, nor smaller in girth -than a hogs- 

 head — raised up their heads, and, after taking a lei- 

 surely survey of us, seemed to think us unworthy of 

 further notice ; and, then punching each other again 

 in the face, fell once more asleep. This was exhibit- 

 ing a degree of coolness rather alarming. If they 

 had showed the least timidity, we should have found 

 some excitement in extra caution ; but they seemed 

 to make so light of our approach that it was not easy 

 to keep up the bold front with which we had com- 

 menced the adventure. But we had come quite too 

 far to think of backing out; so we pulled in and made 

 ready for the fray. 



Beside the old bulls, the group contained several 

 cows and a few calves of various sizes, — some evi- 

 dently yearlings, others but recently born, and others 

 half or three quarters grown. Some were without 

 tusks, while on others they were just sprouting ; and 

 above this they were of all sizes up to those of the 

 big bulls, which had great curved cones of ivory, 

 nearly three feet long. At length we were within a 

 few boats' lengths of the ice-raft, and the game had 

 not taken alarm. They had probably never seen a 

 boat before. Our preparations were made as we ap- 

 proached. The walrus will always sink when dead, 

 unless held up by a harpoon-line; and there were 

 therefore but two chances for us to secure our game 

 — either to shoot the beast dead on the rail, or to 



