ATTACKING IT. 437 



Should there be neither "Brunnar" nor other open 

 water near the " Lager," as is at times the case, the 

 adventurers take few or no precautions ; but, rushing into 

 the midst of the drove, they with their harpoon-shafts, or 

 with clubs, slaughter the poor creatures without mercy. 

 The blow, it is said, should not be dealt on the snout, as 

 is the usual practice, for, though it may occasion insensi- 

 bility for a time, the animal often revives, and, if there 

 be no one to intercept its retreat, may get off altogether; 

 but on the neck, which causes almost immediate death. 

 The old males are very savage, and not unfrequently turn 

 on their assailants, whom they threaten with both claws 

 and teeth. In this case caution is needful ; for, unless a 

 man gets out of the way of the infuriated creature, he 

 runs the risk of receiving an ugly wound. When the seal 

 thus charges, the man, at times, throws down his leathern 

 gauntlet, which occupies its attention, and in the while he 

 knocks it on the head. 



If, however, there should be " Brunnar," or other 

 open water, near the "Lager," which would, of course, 

 render the retreat of the seals comparatively easy, the 

 hunters, rather than hazard an open attack, resort to the 

 like ruse as the Greenlanders, viz., they, whilst crawling on 

 their bellies towards the " Lager," imitate the cries of the 

 animals, somewhat resembling, as said, those of a pig, and 

 keep constantly lifting up their feet and knocking them 

 together, so as to make it appear they belonged to the 

 fraternity. Thus they are generally enabled to get, 

 unsuspected, within gun shot of the "Lager," when they 

 discharge their heavy rifles into the midst of the herd, 

 and commonly with deadly effect. Should the weather be 

 calm, the seals for the most part, on hearing the report of 

 the guns, make at once for the water ; but if they are 

 fighting amongst themselves, whence arises a great noise 

 and uproar, and that the wind be high, they seem hardly to 



