, to which
latter were attached, by thongs of walrus hide, two inflated sealskins
to act as buoys. These Leo had been previously instructed how to use.

He took the kite with him on this occasion, without, however, having
much expectation of being able to use it, as the calm still prevailed.
It was folded of course, and fixed in its place in the bow. The natives
thought it must be a spear or harpoon of strange form.

It was not long before a whale was sighted. There were plenty of these
monsters about, some coming lazily to the surface to blow, others lying
quite still, with their backs out of the water as if sunning themselves,
or asleep.

Soon the spirit of the hunter filled each Eskimo bosom. What appeared
to be an unusually large whale was observed on the horizon. Kablunets,
india-rubber boats, and all less important things, were forgotten for
the moment; paddles were plied with energy, and the chase began.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

IN WHICH A GREAT HUNT IS DESCRIBED, A WAR EXPEDITION FRUSTRATED, AND A
HERO ENNOBLED.

Now, in a fit of unwise ambition, Anders the interpreter resolved to
signalise himself, and display his valour on the occasion of this hunt.
He borrowed a kayak of one of the natives, and went as an independent
hunter. Leo, being quite able to row his boat alone, with Oblooria to
steer, did not object.

The whale which had been selected was a thorough-going Arctic monster of
the largest size, nearly a hundred feet long, which, while on his
passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific through Behring Straits, had
paused for a nap off the isles of Flatland.

The fleet of kayaks converged towards the fish like a flock of locusts.
Despite his utmost efforts, Leo could not do more than keep up in rear
of the hunters, for the sharp shuttle-like kayaks shot like arrows over
the smooth sea, while his clumsier boat required greater force to propel
it.

In a few minutes those Eskimos who were best paddlers crept ahead of the
rest. Grabantak and his son took the lead, whether because of right or
because of superior strength it was hard to say. Anders, who was a
powerful fellow, and an expert canoeman, kept close alongside of them.
Not content with this, he attempted to pass them; but they saw his
intention, put on what sporting men call a "spurt," and in a few seconds
left him several yards behind.

On nearing their victim, Grabantak and Koyatuk checked their speed and
got their spears ready. A