142 
IN FORBIDDEN SEAS 
was still early in the season-—about May 20, I think. 
The weather had been tolerably fine for the last few 
days, and this day did not promise to be an excep¬ 
tion when we started in the morning with the boats, 
pulling towards the north-east. The sky was cloud¬ 
less, and not a breath of wind ruffled the smooth 
surface of the ocean. The barometer had shown 
an inclination to fall, and we were admonished by 
the captain, who was also the shipkeeper, to return 
immediately to the vessel on any sign of wind. A 
strong current was setting to the north-east off¬ 
shore, and when we had shot the first otter, after 
having had a hard chase after him for half an hour, 
we found ourselves well to the eastward of Pinnacle 
Rocks and some distance from shore. 
44 At three o’clock we were about ten miles from 
our vessel, and it was high time to return, as a slight 
swell was setting in, but still no wind. Off a cluster 
of rocks, opposite what has since been called 
4 Naibo Shanty,’ we sighted a 4 she ’ otter swim¬ 
ming leisurely along on her back, and holding a 
small pup on her breast. We soon got within 
shooting distance, and two shots simultaneously 
fired told her that enemies were near. The otter 
made a backward dive towards the shore, but, as 
she was encumbered with the pup, she made but a 
short stay under water, and on her reappearance 
she was again greeted with two shots. This time 
the pup was wounded, but, still clasping it to her 
breast, she made continued dives towards the 
friendly shelter of the rocks, which were now close 
to us, and all our efforts to cut her off with the boats 
were fruitless. For two hours we chased this otter, 
pursuing her between the rocks. The pup had been 
