360 FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 
our men clambered up with difficulty and secured their 
prey. This illustrates their great power of jumping out 
of the water. I have seen them rising eight or ten feet 
above the sea, and cover distances of fully twenty feet 
in length. 
The mode of progression of true seals is well known ; 
but although on terra firma man can easily outrun them, 
yet on the pack they glide onward while their pursuer 
sinks deeply in the snow. 
The present generation had never seen man, and at 
his approach they did not attempt to flee, but surveyed 
him open-mouthed and fearful, while he laid them low 
with club or bullet. Sometimes they were so lazy with 
sleep that I have several times seen a man strike one 
in the ribs with the muzzle of his gun, till, wondering 
what was disturbing its slumbers, it raised its head, 
only too quickly to fall pierced by a bullet. Seldom 
did they escape — one bullet meant one seal. On the 
last day of sealing we were among a great host of ^ 
the large Sea Leopards, and as we were returning to 
the ship they were moaning loudly. This was said., to 
be a sign that they were about to start on a long journey ; 
but was it not rather a sigh of relief on seeing their 
slaughterers' craft run up her bunting, and announce 
to all that she was a full ship, and that her thirst for 
blood was quenched ? 
While we continue to require sacks, while we persist 
in wearing patent-leather shoes, and while we satisfy our 
fancies with certain purses and card-cases, the slaughter 
of these seals will continue. But I would protest against 
