A DAY WITH A SEAL 93 



of a crawl over these low rocks with their multi- 

 tude of intersecting channels, and I have never 

 brought myself within range of seals, either to 

 watch and sketch them, or when acting as stalker 

 for a friend, without being pretty consistently 

 moistened throughout. 



Certainly no one could reasonably object to 

 seal-shooting on grounds of humanity. Lying as 

 these animals do so near to the water that one 

 kick will probably carry the coveted skin to a 

 depth whence it would usually be impossible to 

 regain it, there is no temptation to the most un- 

 sportsmanlike to aim anywhere but at the brain, 

 and this with ordinary luck entails instantaneous 

 death or entire immunity to the quarry. 



Between me and the five seals which I have 

 just discovered there are some high rocks where 

 sand leaves off and reef begins, to which both I 

 and my sister have no difficulty whatever in 

 attaining. Beyond them, however, there is pro- 

 mise of an unusually flat crawl before a point can 

 be reached at which a shot would be reasonable, 

 and I have a very vivid anticipation of the effect 

 of the "juts of pointed rock" which will shortly 

 be searching out the tenderest portions nominally 

 protected beneath a sodden waistcoat during my 

 serpentine progress towards the desired goal. 



Behind the friendly shelter of the high rocks 

 I leave therefore the passive spectator with my 

 glass. My course lies first through a large rock 



