TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 159 



herd numbered some forty-five old bulls, many of 

 them having splendid pairs of tusks. 



We noticed that they only lay up a few feet from 

 the gently-breaking waves, and as the tide continued 

 rising they repeatedly kept moving higher up on to 

 the sandspit, and occupying fresh positions. Night's 

 falling shadows soon obscured the picture from our 

 view, and uttering fervent prayers that the morrow 

 might reveal them still upon the sand we bade au 

 revoir to our distant quarry. 



The next day was ushered in by bright sunshine, 

 and as I was dressing Captain Clemsen came below 

 with the glad tidings that our herd of walruses were 

 still on the sandspit. 



Nothing would satisfy the ladies save a hasty break- 

 fast and an immediate attack upon the walruses' posi- 

 tion. Ralph and I, with true chivalry, decided that 

 they should share alone the honour of bagging the 

 first walrus, and with secret pangs of envy in our 

 hearts we watched them put off in a boat and row to 

 a point about a mile to leeward of where the herd was 

 lying. Here they landed, and left the boat in charge 

 of the two sailors who had rowed them to the island. 

 In the clear light with our telescopes we watched the 

 drama as if it were enacted on a stage at close quarters 

 just before us. 



Not a stick nor stone large enough to hide a mouse 

 lay upon the sandy shore. Here and there a few 

 patches of high, coarse grass were growing, but these 

 afforded scanty covering for the stalkers to avail them- 

 selves of as they advanced. Creeping and crawling 



