200 HUNTERS AND HUNTING IN THE ARCTIC 



The sun, bursting through the clouds, shone 

 obliquely on the ice blocks, which, worn by 

 the sea, were both curiously and picturesquely 

 shaped. Some were flat, others rose in columns 

 reminding one of some temple of the Egyptians 

 or the Dolmans, forming indigo blue caverns 

 where the sea was open. 



Little by little the Beerenberg cleared, 

 and for several minutes we were able to admire 

 that snow-capped giant towering high above us, 

 seeming to rise from the sea like an enormous 

 ice sugar-loaf. 



At eight o'clock I returned aboard with 

 forty-six skins, among which were several very 

 fine specimens of old males. The following 

 morning at nine o'clock more seals were sighted, 

 and I embarked, accompanied by Rachlew, 

 determined on the present occasion strictly 

 to limit the slaughter. The sea being J very 

 rough and the wind very penetrating, shooting 

 was difficult, but, from a sportsman's point of 

 view, interesting. 



I commenced by killing several young ones, 

 then we came to the larger floes on which were 

 hundreds of old males, stretching and scratching 

 themselves, rolling and roaring, twisting about 

 in every possible way. 



Through the binoculars I studied them at 





