go HUNTING THE SEA OTTER. 



evaporation going on, and when brought in contact with 

 the colder current naturally results in its deposition in the. 

 form of mist and rain. 



The sun pretended to shine at mid-day, but at best it 

 was a mockery, both as regards light and heat, so raw and 

 dense was the damp air; nor was there any abatement of 

 the rolling and pitching to which we were subjected ; not a 

 breath stirred, the masts creaked and groaned, sails had to- 

 be stowed, and booms lashed ; the cook was at his wits' 

 end, and meagre fare was the order of the day. For three 

 days this state of things continued, without a glimpse of 

 land or sky, and to a position of extreme discomfort was to 

 be added that of danger, for the sullen roar of surf breaking 

 with tumultuous force against tfie coast, at first faint,, 

 grew nearer and more distinct, as we were evidently 

 drifting slowly but surely towards it. Without a breath of 

 air to steer a course, and in a sea too angry and broken to 

 admit of taking to the boats with any chance of safety, pur 

 situation was sufficiently alarming. Gradually, however, 

 the roar of the surf grew less audible, and it was evident 

 that we had drifted past some outlying rocks or promontory ; 

 but the fog was as dense as ever, our whereabouts still 

 unknown. 



The only break in the monotony of the day was caused 

 by me shooting with a short sporting Snyder one of those 

 curious porpoises, called by hunters " puffing pigs " or 

 "grindstones," which abound on this coast. They are 

 generally seen in small parties of from two to six. On a 

 calm day the " puff-puff " as they come up to breathe can 

 be heard at a great distance ; and when we were hunting 

 their unlooked for appearance among the boats often 

 brought the rifle to the shoulder, under the impression that 

 it was the otter. We had often tried to shoot a specimen 

 to examine, but they either sank when shot, or their rapid 

 manner of turning over, unlike that of the common species, 

 disturbed the aim, and we never got one. The term 

 " grindstone " is evidently applied on account of this- 



