AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE 
227 
into the water up to their knees and push out a 
long spear, jointed like a fishing-rod, one length 
fitting into the other very neatly and securely. The 
spear-head, which was barbed, was fitted into a 
peculiarly-shaped piece of wood about the size of 
one’s hand, bevelled on both sides in such a way 
that it caused the spear, as it was gradually pushed 
out, to keep a straight course towards the object 
at which it was pointed. The spear-head was de¬ 
tachable, and to it was fastened a long line made 
of sea-lion hide. Knowing the exact distance of 
the log, the operators also knew when to give 
the lunge which should drive the spear-head into 
the seal. When speared, the seal was held and 
played on the line until he was exhausted, and 
then hauled ashore and despatched. I doubt if 
this method is in vogue in any other part of the 
world. 
Whilst cruising off this coast I witnessed an 
attack by a “ school ” of killers (Orca gladiator) on a 
hump-backed whale and her calf. The whale pro¬ 
tected her young one by keeping it on her back, 
and swimming so that the calf was half out of 
the water. The killers were most persistent in 
their attacks, and the poor whale appeared to be 
nearly exhausted, moving very slowly through the 
water. We sailed by within a few yards of the 
struggle, and how it ended I do not know—prob¬ 
ably in the death of both the mother and her 
young one. 
We were fated not to get through our season 
without a third death, this time by drowning. A 
heavy blow having come on with a nasty high, con¬ 
fused sea, we were shortening sail, and a couple of 
