126 ANIMAL SKETCHES. CHAP. 



zoological descriptions (with a little Darwinism thrown in 

 for flavouring) of the creature he knew far more about 

 than I did. I wonder whether it crossed his mind that my 

 discourse was intended merely to act the part of the water 

 one pours into an old-fashioned pump to make it draw; 

 and that my real object was, not to air my own knowledge 

 but to tap the well-springs of his I doubt it. In 

 any case the method was successful, and soon the pump 

 was drawing beautifully. At first I posed as an opposition 

 spout. But soon this became unnecessary and all that was 

 required was a little judicious working at the handle. 



My friend had, it seems, been for a year or two, how long 

 ago I cannot say, a hand on an American sealing vessel, 

 and a rough time he had of it. He gave me some account 

 of his privations and the hardships of a sealer's life. But 

 it is of his experiences with the walrus that I have 

 now to speak ; and I give them somewhat in his own 

 words. 



" I'll not forgot," he said, " the first time I went after he," 

 again jerking his head towards the walrus who reposed 

 above the glass cases in stuffed majesty. " It was on the 

 morning of a warm summer's day the sun can be hot enough 

 up there I can tell you and a good deal of broken ice was 

 coming down sound. Whether we sighted the sea horses, 

 or heard 'em barking in the distance, I can't rightly say. 

 You can hear 'em a way off sounds like c luck ! luck ! 

 luck ! ' me and my mates used to say. Leastways we 

 soon had the boat down and went after 'em. Each of us 

 rowed two short oars, like what they call on the river 

 sculling though it ain't proper sculling neither and the 

 mate he steered with a pair of oars keeping a look out 

 ahead. Dick he rowed forrard and was ready to use the 

 harpoon when we came to close quarters. We used to 

 have five or six harpoons, each with ten or twelve fathom 



