146 
A VOYAGE TO SPITZBEBGEN. 
the fog always hangs about and robs us of many a 
chance; certainly it often enables us to steal upon our 
prey. The doings of the seals to-day were a puzzle to 
us. That there are days when the birds on a moor will 
lie well to the dog has not escaped the observation of 
the mildest sportsman, and it is a question with ex¬ 
perienced grouse shooters whether the birds on some 
occasions are not frightened by some soaring hawk in. 
the blue vault above, into sullen disregard to the pre¬ 
sence of the sportsman, or the condition of the atmo¬ 
sphere on these particular days renders the birds,, 
usually so wary, dull and indifferent to their pursuers.. 
Whatever may be the cause, we noticed that the seals 
crept farther in on the ice, and were evidently reluctant 
to take to the water when disturbed. Could it have been 
that some enemy, of whose presence we were uncon¬ 
scious, was lurking there to attack them if they ven¬ 
tured in ? This we had no means of explaining, as the 
success with our guns, firing as we did from the ship's 
deck, or from the ice itself, when we ventured in pur¬ 
suit of some great seal whose position justified our 
approaching in this wise, was far greater than on any 
previous occasion. The ice to-day was so open we 
found no difficulty in sailing towards the dull seals, and 
the boats were sent off to collect our spoils without 
difficulty, though the labour was incessant. 
