A NEW FUR-SEAL ROOKERY 165 
The sea-lions had greatly hindered us from getting 
many seals. The first time we all landed together 
(on the second day) we charged the mass, shouting 
and clubbing right and left. There must have been 
some eight or ten thousand animals on the rock at the 
time, and their rush into the sea was like an ava¬ 
lanche. When we again attempted this manoeuvre 
the big sea-lion bulls stood their ground, and as they 
bounded towards us we had to give way. Luckily, 
they did not follow us up ; as soon as we were off 
their domain (each bull has a certain space, which 
he and his harem of from four to eight, or more, 
cows occupy) they came no farther. Although these 
sea-lions are immense beasts (the largest bulls 
weigh, perhaps, some 1,500 pounds), they are easily 
driven off the rocks at ordinary times; but the 
breeding season makes all the difference. They 
then fight fiercely amongst themselves, ripping each 
other with their formidable teeth, and tearing huge 
gashes in their skins, usually about the neck and 
shoulders. They are of a fierce aspect, with small, 
wicked-looking eyes. So troublesome did they 
become that we had to take our rifles, and shoot 
those near where the seals hauled up. The Ainu of 
Ushishir told me that on one occasion a boat’s crew 
went over to the rocks to get some young sea-lions 
for food. As they were landing, the animals became 
frightened and stampeded, rushing over the rocks 
on to the boat, which was smashed to pieces, 
and all the occupants except a small boy were 
killed. 
On the fourth day of our sealing I injured my 
arm in attempting to drive off a big bull. Shouting, 
throwing pieces of rock, and pretending to rush at 
