SEALS 87 



sailing. A great bore but can't be helped. After dinner, 

 B., M. S., Lorange, and I on board Semmoline to go to 

 Mittel Hook, etc. Ice pack in Fjord and water freezing ; 

 some bumps in the night. 



July 18. 8 a.m., Semmoline anchored in Advent 

 Bay, wind very fresh. B. and M. S. each in whale-boat 

 after Deer. I stayed on board. B. saw a large stag but 

 did not get a shot. M. S. killed three. Ivory Gulls and 

 other birds about. 



July 19. 10 a.m., weighed anchor. About 11, B. 

 and Lorange in boat to Mittel Hook. M. S. and I in other 

 boat along shore to Eastward. Met a large seal, Phoca 

 barbata, which after three shots from M. S. was harpooned; 

 a most exciting capture, men not knowing their business 

 nearly capsised us. Harpoon slipped first time and had 

 to be thrown again. Beast very ferocious, dragging boat 

 through water at great pace, and coming up alongside as 

 if he would board us. What must a Walrus be ? He 

 was about 11 ft. long and took a deal of killing. Fulmars 

 come and sit on water close by during operation. Wind 

 rising. Landed, 5 p.m., on point just outside Sassen 

 Bay, a quicksand and frozen beach above it. Looked 

 out for Phalaropes ; saw none. M. S. up valley for Deer ; 

 no luck. Red-throated Diver came quite close to me. 

 Rigged up sails and turned over boat for shelter, as it 

 was very cold notwithstanding a good fire. About 

 10 p.m., got boat off and stood out for Semmoline about 

 5 miles off. White Whales again. Perhaps lucky we 

 could not harpoon one as they are very strong ; but tried 

 our best. Rain nearly all the way. 



July 20. Arrived on board Semmoline soon after 

 midnight. Wind increasing ; ran for Advent Bay ; 

 could not do it, then 'bout ship and make for Sassen 

 Bay ; anchored behind headland. Gale increasing. 

 B. and M. S. on shore in evening ; 4 Deer. 



July 21. Strong wind, can't get away. B. and M. S. 

 on shore again ; 5 Deer. Other boat with skipper to 

 eastward ; they returned next day ; 6 Deer. 



Julv 22. Left Semmoline at 11 a.m., in boat, as wind 



