THE WALRUS 161 



yards away the walrus did not budge. Finally, 

 we attained an ice block which partially hid 

 the beast from us. It was then only ten yards 

 from the gun. It was, however, impossible to 

 fire because of the position of our boat. We were 

 parallel with it instead of having our bows 

 directed towards it. Swensen gave the word 

 to back-water, and manoeuvred the boat until 

 it was in position. During this operation we 

 created a great fracas directly beneath the 

 walrus's nose ; it watched us calmly. Only 

 when we were in position did it raise itself 

 slowly on its fore fins. The movement exposed 

 its chest, surmounted by an enormous black 

 muzzle and two white tusks. It opened its 

 mouth either to yawn or roar, and I clearly 

 saw its palate. The gun thundered ; its echoes 

 were still ringing along the glacier as I obtained 

 an exposure. The walrus fell backwards, as 

 though stunned by the shock. The floe on 

 which it lay broke in two and the body sank. 

 The harpoon line ran out swiftly before it became 

 taut, and towed us some twenty yards or so 

 through the ice splinters. When the walrus 

 reappeared it was vomiting floods of blood ; it 

 supported itself by resting its tusks on the edge 

 of a second floe. After a moment's rest it dived 

 again, but quickly reappeared, convulsively 



