which had
attracted the young one and brought it so close.

Skene was the first to see the absurd-looking little creature, and,
planting his feet upon the gunwale, he barked himself into a state of
terrible excitement, driving the young walrus into hiding beneath the
water, but only to come up again from time to time to breathe.

The young walrus could not understand the remarks made about its
personal appearance, or else in all probability it would have swum away;
for the shapeless creature was dubbed "bladder of lard," "skin of oil,"
"prize pig," and the like, though Steve stuck to the notion of its being
like a short india-rubber sack, blown full of wind, so little did head
or flippers project from the blubber-distended body.

"Oh, I say, Johannes, couldn't you catch it?" cried Steve. "The poor
thing believes that is its mother."

"Yes, sir, and will not go away till we begin to row."

"Couldn't you catch it?"

"Oh yes, sir, I could catch it, I daresay," replied the Norseman, "if
the captain wishes."

"But I do not wish," said Captain Marsham. "What do you want with a
young walrus?"

"To bring up and tame," replied Steve, with the impression the while
that he was saying something rather absurd.

"Have a big one," cried the doctor, "and let's form a zoological
garden!"

"I don't see anything to laugh at," said Steve. "It would be very
interesting to watch the habits of the curious animal, and we've driven
its mother away. What would become of it, Johannes, if it is left?"

"Bear," said the Norseman laconically.

"There!" cried Steve, looking at the captain.

"Try and catch it," said the latter quietly; and, giving Steve a smile
and a nod, the Norseman took hold of the end of a coil of line, made a
noose, and, watching his opportunity, threw it cleverly over the head
end of the calf.

"Hurrah! got him first throw!" cried Steve. "No: gone!"

For the rope on being tightened glided over the slippery hide and came
away, while the calf dived, turning over like a round cork float,
showing its hind flippers, and then it was out of sight.

"There's nothing to catch hold of, sir," said Johannes good-humouredly,
as he stood there with the noose gathered up in one hand, the coils of
line in the other; "but he'll be up again directly."

Johannes stood so quick and watchful that, as the calf's head popped out
of the water again, a ring of rope fell round it and was tightened at
once, but with no better fo