XXIV 



AMONG THE WALRUS HERDS 



WHEN I arose the morning after our re- 

 turn from Annootok the day was clear 

 and beautiful. The Eskimos were pre- 

 paring for a walrus hunt and, breakfast eaten, we 

 were off without delay. 



Fortune favored us, and three miles from Etah a 

 large school was sighted feeding in the water. Ku- 

 lutinguah started after them at once in his kayak, 

 and a few minutes later had his harpoon in a large 

 cow. Instantly another cow made for Kulutinguah. 

 He shouted to us to come to his assistance, paddling 

 toward us as fast as he could, with the cow in chase. 

 We barely reached him and had time to haul him 

 out of his kayak into the boat, before we were sur- 

 rounded by the whole school of enraged walrus. 



One large cow with fine tusks came up close to 

 the boat and I shot her dead, but unfortunately before 

 I could get my harpoon ready she sank. The calf 

 of the old one harpooned by Kulutinguah remained 

 on top of the water, bellowing. This appeared to 

 increase the anger of the whole herd, and they kept 

 close to us. I shot another, and after some trouble 

 got my harpoon into it and secured it. Then Ku- 



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