158 TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 



only thing which surprises me is the apparent fact of 

 a walrus possessing such a strong constitution in 

 former days that it was not thrown up quite dead on the 

 beach, after this somewhat severe treatment. If any 

 further support is required of the authenticity of this 

 tale it is forthcoming in the shape of a drawing by 

 one Olaus Magnus, which was published circa 1555, 

 and in which the whole scene is depicted as above 

 described. 



It is the custom of these beasts to haul out on the 

 sandbanks and lie sleeping there, often for long 

 periods at a time. And it is upon these occasions 

 that the natives run in and spear them ere they can 

 regain the water. One beast always keeps a sharp 

 look-out whilst the others sleep, and if the wind is 

 blowing from a hunter to the walrus it is hopeless to 

 approach within fair shooting distance. 



Far out in the offing we could see the monstrous 

 brutes rolling and splashing in the sea like gigantic 

 porpoises. And distinctly on the gentle breeze was 

 borne to us the hoarse, bellowing, roaring notes to 

 which the bulls repeatedly gave utterance. Towards 

 evening the whole herd was seen swimming in toward 

 the shore, and finally some of them slowly hauled out 

 on the beach of a sandspit at the entrance to our 

 lagoon. As night was falling all hope was then 

 abandoned of attempting to stalk them where they 

 lay. Every one was deeply interested in watching 

 the actions of the ungainly brutes as they laboriously 

 hauled themselves ashore. Telescopes and glasses 

 were directed on the sandspit, and it was seen that the 



