210 DIFFICULTY OF SHOOTING THE WALHUS. 



through the head, one after the other ; but 

 there was now a considerable sea running, and 

 the boat was so heavy with skins and blubber, 

 that they both sank before we could harpoon 

 them. After his protectors were gone, I made 

 sure of getting the one first wounded, but 

 after getting close to him once or twice more, 

 we lost sight of him amongst the ice, and saw 

 him no more. 



The sloop was now six or seven miles off, 

 and we had a weary row of several hours, 

 against a heavy sea, which nearly swamped 

 the deep -laden boat, and prevented us getting 

 on board until past midnight. 



No one who has not tried it will readily be 

 lieve how extremely difficult it is to shoot an 

 old bull-walrus clean dead. The front or sides 

 of his head may be knocked all to pieces with 

 bullets, and the animal yet have sense and 

 strength sufficient left him to enable him 

 to swim and dive out of reach. If he is 

 lying on his side, with his back turned to 

 his assailant, it is easy enough, as the brain 

 is then quite exposed, and the crown of the 

 head is easily penetrated ; but one rarely gets 

 the walrus in that position, and when it 

 so happens, it is generally better policy to 

 harpoon him without shooting. 



