n8 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



I have shot only three Great seals ; but the largest 

 one certainly I ever saw, I might have shot, but did 

 not — dared not, I should say. Thus it happened. It 

 was at the Holms of Gloup — some outlying rocks and 

 skerries off the north point of the island of Yell. 

 There is a fine hellyer here. According to the usual 

 practice, I had landed on an abutting point or pro- 

 montory at the outer entrance to the hellyer, and sent 

 the boat inwards. If a seal happens to be in the 

 hellyer, he plunges into the sea, swims out under 

 water, and very generally rises up at no great distance, 

 to see what is the cause of the disturbance and noise 

 — for seals, as I have said, are very inquisitive as well 

 as shy — and in this way the sportsman in ambush 

 oftens gets a capital shot. As the boat went slowly 

 inwards, the men kept shouting and peering into the 

 darkness, all eyes directed towards the inner beach, 

 which was dimly visible. Presently from my perch 

 of some twenty or thirty feet high, I saw, in the clear 

 water, what they did not see, a rushing white figure 

 coming outwards under water. Then, not thirty yards 

 distant, the head and neck of an enormous haff-fish 

 rose above the surface. For time enough to have shot 

 him five times over, he gazed at the boat, the back of 

 his head turned towards me, and offering such a mark 

 as. I never had before or since. I covered him with 

 the sights ; my finger trembled on the trigger ; I knew 

 my weapon would not fail me. I knew I could kill 

 liim easily, and secure him too, even if he should sink, 

 for the water was clear and shallow. But, as ill- 



