SEAL SHOT. 61 



having the stove lighted, for we both think that in 

 such a small confined place any cold is preferable 

 to the heat and unwholesome closeness of a stove. 

 The 11th was just such another day, and we did 

 not see twenty yards from the deck all day. In the 

 evening a big seal was observed looming through 

 the fog, and looking as large as a walrus in the 

 haze. Lord David shot him dead. When a sin- 

 gle animal is observed from the ship, we take it in 

 turns to go after him, and as we always sleep in our 

 clothes, we are ready at a moment's notice, at any 

 hour of the day or night, whenever the watch on 

 deck report any thing in sight. Our crew are di- 

 vided into three watches of four hours each, but all 

 hands are summoned on deck whenever a herd of 

 walruses is seen, and, in case of both boats leaving 

 the vessel, Isaac the skyppar and the ship's cook 

 take charge on deck. Isaac himself is a renowned 

 harpooner, and a first-rate man altogether, but, un- 

 fortunately, he broke his left arm a few weeks be- 

 fore we sailed, so that he is unable to use the oar 

 or the harpoon as yet. He makes a most excellent 

 and careful ship-keeper, and we never have any un- 

 easiness about being lost while we know that he is 

 on deck. It must be rather dull work for him, be- 

 ing on deck alone for whole days, with the topsail 

 aback, while the boats are miles out of sight in the 

 ice. We have ordered him to hoist the flag if he 

 should see a bear or a herd of walruses while we 

 are absent, as, although the boats may not be visi- 



