90 SEAL -SHOOTING. 



pect of getting within 150 yards, but the operation 

 was both difficult and tedious. By landing on 

 the outermost islet, and carrying the coble right 

 across into a creek dividing the first from the 

 second reef of rocks, we could pole down to the 

 shelter of a large stone, which might enable the 

 stalker, by a wet crawl among the seaweed, to 

 reach the distance I had calculated for a chance. 

 A crew of four was needed for the land transport 

 of our skiff, but to effect this quietly over slippery 

 rocks, although the turning-point of our strategy, 

 was its most trying part. The moist seaware 

 caused a few false steps among the rough rocks, 

 but its softness prevented these stumbles from 

 being heard by the seals, so the coble was safely 

 lodged in the creek. It was quickly pushed down 

 this latch, when I had to crawl fiat a little way 

 among shingle and seaweed in order to reach the 

 nearest point for the shot. 



After carefully noting the postures of the unsus- 

 picious but scattered flock, being unable to get two 

 in line, I put up the 150-yard sight and selected 

 one of the nearest. Instantly I saw and heard the 

 ball strike my mark true to the aim. Its com- 



