THE PACIFIC WALRUS 65 



savage-looking and numerous, yet sinking like a 

 flash if alarmed. 



" Rude Heiskar's seals through surges dark 

 Will oft pursue the minstrel's bark." 



Quite so ; but perhaps they would follow it as 

 closely without any orchestral performances. The 

 appearance of so many armed and moustachioed 

 heads round a boat might well unsettle the nerves 

 of men only provided with muskets ; yet it is 

 said that unless molested these sea-horses are 

 peaceable enough. Wounded walruses are both 

 brave and ferocious small blame to them : 

 from their great strength and activity in the water 

 they are most dangerous antagonists, readily thrusting 

 their tusks through the bottom of a boat, or tearing 

 men almost in two with a stroke of their natural 

 sabres. In time of danger the cows take their young 

 under their flippers, and endeavour to escape with 

 them ; the bulls do the fighting, and it must need a 

 stout heart to combat a rush of infuriated beasts, 

 which try to capsize the boat by hooking their tusks 

 over the gunwale, bellowing as if demented, while 

 the sea boils with their monstrous bodies as big as 

 horses. 1 At the end of September and in October 

 the walruses are said to congregate in such numbers 

 at the mouth of Nagsugtok Fiord that the kayakers, 



1. In 1869 a boat's crew were pursued to an island by a herd of walrus, 

 which actually blockaded them in. Serious consequences would have 

 ensued had the infuriated animals swarmed on the beach to press the 

 attack. 



