SEAL EATING A SALMON. 289 



Having pulled off to a rather large island on 

 which there were some habitations, but which at the 

 time I am speaking of were roofless and desolate 

 in the extreme, we saw visible signs of otters 

 having frequented it, so having sent the faithful 

 Paddy, to whom the boat belonged, away to a small 

 island that was within hail, I and my servant lay 

 down to watch for any otter or seal that might show 

 himself. I frequently saw a seal evidently wishing 

 to land on a rock, and accordingly crept round and 

 got on a piece of high ground which overlooked 

 and was within shot of the rock in question ; having 

 lain down flat, and rifle in hand, I awaited the landing 

 of the enemy. 



I lay there until I was fairly tired out, and my 

 miserable stomach seemed stuck to the rock below, 

 and to my backbone above. I was giving matters 

 up in despair, and was on the point of trying to raise 

 myself, for I felt fairly glued down, when up popped 

 a great grey head and a little black one no bigger 

 than a cricket ball beside it aroon, mamma, and her 

 little aroon, baby. 



It was the prettiest sight I ever saw. I took my 

 finger off the trigger of my rifle and watched them 

 till I thought I should have died from the pain I 



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