380 THE SEAL. 



room to pass. After a considerable time so spent, we 

 raised our weapons a little, when it made a start to escape, 

 but in vain, as both our harpoons struck it, mine penetra- 

 ting even to its heart. It twisted the shaft out of my hands, 

 though between two and three inches in diameter; it then 

 pulled our boat out to sea, and, when compelled to come to 

 the surface, we fired four shots into it before it ceased 

 violent exertions. The quantity of blood was enormous, 

 spreading to a great extent on the surface of the water. 



