THE SEA-LION ROOKERIES 255 



he sheered off, plunged into the ocean with the rest, 

 and swam rapidly up the coast with loud, barking 

 roars. 



The point where sea-lions are mostly caught on 

 Santa Cruz is on the southwest side of the island, where 

 the sea often makes a breach against the high cliffs. 

 In an isolated cleft is a large rookery impossible to 

 reach in rough weather, but so placed that the herd 

 cannot well escape when the men go ashore. The 

 outfit includes a number of skilled cattle men, who, 

 with several boxes or cages on a power launch, anchor 

 off the island and wait for a day when the lions are all 

 on the rocks. Then the rowboats work carefully in, 

 watching their chance, the rowers backing, and hold- 

 ing the boat on the big waves until the men have an 

 opportunity to jump ashore. Generally two or three 

 men make the attempt at one time, and drive the 

 lions back for some distance into a cul de sac. When 

 the animals find that they are cornered, they turn 

 and charge the men, and it requires no little nerve to 

 stand and face the open mouths of the roaring animals, 

 as they come on with a curious galloping motion. 



It is at this time that the men use their lassos. The 

 moment the rcala falls and the game is caught, the 

 men dash for the rocks, where they can take a turn 

 with their ropes, and the struggle begins, the lions 

 making desperate efforts to escape. Some break 

 away, biting off the rope or slipping it over their heads; 

 others reach the water, and the men have to be active 

 to escape the horde of crazed animals (some of which 

 weigh one thousand pounds) which come sliding down 

 the kelp toboggan. After a long struggle the sea-lions 

 are mastered; the ugliest are gagged, bound, thrown 



