THE WALRUS 135 



the necessary paraphernalia, took a rifle, and, 

 accompanied by Recamier and four men, set off 

 instantly. Quartermaster Andreassen was in 

 charge of the harpoon, Ottersen was at the 

 helm, while Hans and Julius were at the oars. 

 I went forward, Recamier remaining aft to 

 shoot the animals if they came to the surface 

 astern. Arranged in this fashion, we quickly 

 arrived at the spot where we had sighted the 

 walruses, and very soon I had the pleasure of 

 seeing the head of one of them appear above the 

 surface. It dived again almost instantly, and 

 we rowed for the place where it had disappeared. 

 It again reappeared, but this time quite out of 

 range. We altered our course, and a few minutes 

 later a walrus appeared and commenced swim- 

 ming towards us. I sighted the harpoon gun 

 and fired. I missed ! The harpoon tore open 

 the back of the animal, no more. The walrus 

 dived swiftly, sending the water to a great height. 

 In despair I turned to Recamier, believing that 

 all chances of a capture were spoiled. Hardly 

 had I turned my back before there sounded a 

 great splashing a few yards ahead, and both 

 walruses came into view. They raised them- 

 selves high in the water. Both were facing 

 us, breathing heavily. Their ivory tusks and 

 white moustaches contrasted curiously with 



