splashings that threw the spray high in air, dived at once,
only emerging when almost beyond rifle range, where rolling, and
splashing like whales, the uncouth monsters would turn to inspect the
strange intruder.

"Come, Charley," said Waring, "let us shoot. See, they will all be in
the water before we begin."

"No hurry," said Regnar, phlegmatically. "Steamer almos' load here."

"There is no heed of haste," said La Salle, pointing to the upper end of
the ice-valley. "We have the seals in a _cul-de-sac_, and can take our
pick, as they pass by us to the water. We want ten of the largest hoods
at first, and we have about that number of bolts with us. After we get
them, each can kill what small seals he needs for boots and clothing.
Now for the old hoods. Fire at close range, and don't miss. Come, let us
begin the battle, for they are coming down upon us."

By this time the alarm had become general, and finding their retreat cut
off, about five hundred seals, leaving behind their helpless young, came
in a disordered but solid body down towards the hunters, the smaller
Greenland and "harp" seals on the wings, and evidently wishing only to
escape; but in the centre a small band of the more savage "bearded
seal," their coarse bristles quivering with rage, the loose skin of
their heads distended with air, and the white teeth of their yawning
jaws threatening wounds and death to the invaders, came on with hoarse
roarings, which rose above the weaker cries of the uncouth host like the
thunder of artillery over the rattle of musketry in battle.

The usually impassive Indian now seemed in his element. His sullen eyes
lit up with a true hunter's love of the chase, when the danger is not
all on one side, and only the confidence of greater skill and superior
weapons overcomes the sense of personal peril. Leaping forward, he led
the attack, running for some forty yards towards the advancing monsters,
followed by the others, who came close on his tracks, but quite unable
to charge in line.

Raising his gun, he suddenly halted scarce ten paces from the front of
the sea-wolves, and, without hesitation, two of the largest shuffled
ahead of their comrades, knitting their brows, and roaring with a fury
which might well try the nerves of any man exposed to such an attack.
One fell a little behind as Peter brought his gun to his shoulder. The
first rushed forward, but as he lowered his huge head to attack, the
arrow-point, hardened in