ANOTHER VICTORY FOR "NELSON." 257 



tired of the tussle, and shaking his head dog-fashion now and 

 again, from which we gathered that " Villeneuve," though beaten, 

 had left his mark upon the victor, and the victor was in this wise 

 very significantly acknowledging the fact. It is worthy of remark, 

 that throughout the whole of this curious fight, though from first 

 to last it was as fierce and furious as anything of the kind could 

 be, not a sound was uttered by either combatant, except an 

 occasional heavy, sigh-like breathing, which was probably involun- 

 tary, and merely the natural result of unwonted physical exertion. 

 And yet seals are by no means dumb, for their curious bleatings 

 we can find no better word for it in the breeding season, must be 

 known to every sea-side naturalist. " Nelson," the reader will 

 perhaps be glad to hear, is all right again, and, as yet, sole admiral 

 of our bay, in which at this moment, as we write, he is busy 

 fishing for supper. 



