78 AUTUMNS IIS ARGYLLSHIRE 



that several seals had actually dived off, and that 

 but for that horrid explosion our manoeuvre 

 would have been completely successful. I draw 

 a veil over our sensations as we waited for some 

 time watching the black heads bobbing up, as 

 inquisitive seals asked with inquiring eye why 

 some one had made such a beastly row and dis- 

 turbed their mid - day siesta. We fired a few 

 random shots at long ranges, but our chance 

 was over for the day, and we returned wrathful 

 and meditating vengeance to find out who or 

 what had spoilt our sport, and whether it had 

 been done by accident or design. Imagine our 

 disgust when we saw Mr. Fender's yacht under 

 sail in the offing, and found out that the skipper 

 had saluted the flag of our little vessel, intend- 

 ing it, in his innocence, as a graceful compliment. 

 Lucky for the crew that we earned no cannon 

 either for purposes of annoyance or defence, or 

 I believe we should have pursued and engaged 

 and sunk them, or perished in the attempt. 



Years passed before I secured my first seal. 

 During the interval I shot at their heads from a 

 boat more than once, and sometimes at a reason- 

 able distance ; but I never got one. The ball 

 always seemed to strike near them sometimes I 

 could almost have sworn that I struck the very 

 spot, and tried to persuade myself that I had hit 

 my mark but I do not really believe I ever shot 

 one. A seal usually makes his appearance when 



