130 THE BOOK OF THE OPEN AIR 



resistance to the unceasing warfare they dive with the quickness of light- 



of the Atlantic have left this firmly- ning, making the water boil with the 



based bulwark hollowed with zawn energy of their movements. Should 



and cave, gloomy retreats where the they take shelter in the cliffs not 



seal and the otter find lodging for them- another glimpse of them will be got, 



selves and a nursery for their young, but if they escape towards the offing, 



while on the upper cliff, which only they may after a long interval be seen 



foam and spray can reach, badger and to rise at a considerable distance out 



fox have earths and setts or equally to sea. 



secure holts beneath the boulders. Generally they show little fear of the 

 These creatures are not all strictly crabbers abroad at dawn ; indeed 

 nocturnal, for though badger, otter and they will often follow them as they 

 fox are as unwilling to expose them- row from one string of pots to another 

 selves as only outlaws can be, the seals and watch the operation of hauling, 

 may now and then be seen fishing I say generally, for there are times 

 alone or in company with their young when the men, provoked by the damage 

 at the foot of the cliffs. There are few done to net and trammel, attack the 

 pictures of English wild life more likely seals in their dens and make the 

 to appeal to the lover of nature than survivors for weeks after as shy as 

 that formed by these glistening black otters. These raids are possible only 

 creatures and their cream-coloured during a spell of very fine weather, 

 young swimming in the sapphire waters for it is necessary that the sea should 

 on which, from the dizzy height above, be smooth, and that the unceasing 

 puffin and guillemot look like specks, swell from the Altantic should be at 

 Reckless as the seals appear to be of its gentlest. The conditions being 

 showing by day, they yet keep a sharp favourable, the hour of low springtide 

 look-out on the cliffs and are quick at is chosen to allow the attack to be 

 discerning danger. To get a better delivered and a retreat made before 

 view of any doubtful object they raise the rising water shuts off the way of 

 themselves so much that their flippers escape. Consequently from the mo- 

 are visible and regard it steadily with ment the boat enters the cave, the 

 their large, soft eyes. If their sus- utmost expedition is employed in 

 picions are confirmed they quietly sink threading the often low, pitch dark 

 out of sight. At the crack of a rifle passage leading to the seals' lair. The 



