VOYAGE TO THE BAY 15 



decreased, so that, finally, the animals could hardly remain 

 below the surface. The launch was forced among the tumbling 

 mass of frightened creatures, and when directly over them, a 

 man in the bow would select a large one, and drive a harpoon 

 into it. The head of the harpoon was fastened by a few fathoms 

 of line to an empty water keg, and as soon as the harpoon was 

 fast the keg was thrown overboard. This harpooning is neces- 

 sary, as the animals sink as soon as they are killed, and the 

 buoyancy of the keg is required to keep them from being lost. 

 When one had been harpooned, the launch was stopped, and 

 the rest of the band continued to flee. Now comes the dan- 

 gerous moment of the chase. The wounded walrus rises to the 

 surface, and immediately attacks the launch, which it endea- 

 vours to capsize by fixing its tusk over the side. Quick shooting 

 is the order, and even with a storm of bullets, many a monster 

 has to be rapped over the head or pushed away with guns and 

 spears. After this experience with the few first killed, it was 

 found that by keeping the propeller in motion and the whistle 

 blowing, they would not attack the launch, but would waste 

 their energies in an endeavour to destroy the keg ; consequently 

 the danger of the sport was considerably lessened. Upwards of 

 half a dozen shots, at close range, were necessary to kill each 

 walrus. As soon as one was dispatched, it was towed to the 

 ship, or to a convenient cove at the shore. Seven were captured 

 during the day, and hoisted on board, where they completely 

 filled the after deck. Owing to the difficulty of securing these 

 large animals, at least twice that number, fatally wounded, 

 were lost ; we later found this to be the usual proportion of 

 killed to captured, where these animals are hunted for their 

 skins anol blubber, a waste of life altogether too great. 



That evening the ship was headed for Cape Wolstenholme, 

 and early next morning came to anchor in Erik cove, close to 

 that headland. Advantage was taken of a fine convenient 

 stream of fresh water to fill the nearly empty tanks. During 



