i88 HUNTERS AND HUNTING IN THE ARCTIC 



congregated, which, grinding the loose ice 

 together, caused such a fracas that the seals 

 were constantly on the qui vive. Perceiving 

 us in the distance, they dived while we were still 

 far out of range. I tried a very long shot at a 

 large male just when it was entering the water. 

 My shot caught it behind the shoulders ; it 

 sank instantly. 



At half-past three, another large seal having 

 been sighted, I asked Merite to accompany me 

 so that he might at once learn how fascinating 

 was the sport and obtain a near study of the 

 living animal. 



In this instance, better conditions favoured 

 us. We had passed beyond the current, and the 

 ice was open, permitting us to move swiftly 

 without touching the floating splinters. Conse- 

 quently our progress was almost noiseless. The 

 seal was lying on a small and quite smooth floe. 

 It was not so large as the last I had shot, nor 

 was its skin so fine. As soon as we were within 

 range I aimed at the animal, whilst Jonas 

 pushed the boat towards it. When it began to 

 manifest alarm and prepare for a dive, I fired, 

 aiming behind the ear. Its head fell on to the 

 snow. Then it made spasmodic movements as 

 though striving to reach the edge of the ice. 

 To make certain, I planted two more shots in 



