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Encounter with Walruses

(123) now, as before, busy loading; the other heads pointed seaward. A dozen had rifles had been discharged, and the men been killed, and many more wounded. were well engaged with their oars. It The bull to which we were made fast was a critical moment, but, happily, I was pulled away with all his might after the in time. The monster, his head high retreating herd; but his strength failed, above the boat, was within two feet of the line was hauled in, and he was soon the gunwale, when I raised my piece and approached near enough to use the lance. fired into his mouth. The discharge I never before regarded the Walrus as a killed him instantly , and he went down very formidable animal; but this contest like a stone. convinces me that I have done their cour- This ended the fray. The herd suddenly age great injustice. They are full of lost courage, and all dove down with a fight; and had we not been very active courage, and all dove down with a fight; and had we not been very active tremendous splash; and when they came and self-possessed, our boat would have up, although still shrieking, they were been torn to pieces, and we either drowned some distance from the boat, with their or killed.