PREPARING TO START 85 



ducks. Once more they rose confusedly, and once more 

 the black head showed. 



Again the ducks settled down on the water, just on 

 the other side of a small flattish floe. We moved along- 

 till we were opposite this, and once more watched. 

 And now close to the edge of the floe a seal's head 

 twice appeared. The creature raised itself high above 

 the water and looked about, reminding one exactly 

 of a weasel sniffing the air for a mouse when the 

 hunt is momentarily checked. Again the head dis- 

 appeared. 



Half a minute more and up rose the ducks for the 

 third time. They rose all but one. There was a flap- 

 ping of wings on the surface for a moment, and then a 

 duck went below. It seemed as though the bird had 

 been caught by the feet. 



I never saw the creature land with its capture, though 

 Hyland thought he could make out a seal on the ice. 



The drama was ended. 



As we turned to go back Hyland shot a red-throated 

 diver as it flew to the river from the sea. Sailor re- 

 trieved it — his lips tucked up and his whole face expres- 

 sive of infinite disgust. 



These were early days with Sailor; he soon changed 

 all that. 



And then we went to bed, for we had a long day's 

 work before us. 



