78 BEAES AND WALEUSES. 



When the walruses were all skinned we 

 followed the herd again with success, and 

 when we left off, in consequence of dense fog 

 suddenly coming on, we had secured nine 

 altogether a very fair morning s bag we 

 thought. 



The sloop by this time had got a breeze, and 

 sailed up within fifty yards of us, which saved 

 us a long row with our fatigued crews and 

 heavy-laden boats. During this morning s pro 

 ceedings, I realised the immense advantage of 

 striking a junger first when practicable : this 

 curious clannish practice of coming to assist 

 a calf in distress, arises from their being in the 

 habit of combining to resist the attacks of the 

 Polar bear, which is said often to succeed in 

 killing the walrus : if, however, Bruin, pressed 

 by hunger and a tempting opportunity, is so 

 ill-advised as to snap a calf, the whole herd 

 come upon him, drag him under water, and 

 tear him to pieces with their long sharp tusks. 

 I am told this has been seen to occur, and I 

 quite believe it. 



The walrus is an inoffensive beast if let 

 alone, but hunting them is far from being 

 child s play, as the following sad story will 

 show. 



