business was not exactly pleasant, but as there was no disagreeable
smell, Harry did not mind it; and even Mr Champion, whom he looked upon
as very refined, was so accustomed to the work that he took it as a
matter of course.

After the oil was thus extracted, it was ladled into casks, which were
stowed below.

CHAPTER THREE.

ADVENTURE WITH SEA-LIONS.

The _Steadfast_ had made so successful a commencement of her voyage that
all hands hoped she would get full much sooner than many had expected,
and be able to return home. The whales, however, having disappeared
from the fishing-ground where she had been engaged, she was about to
proceed to the western part of the Pacific, when a mass of rugged rocks
was sighted out of the ocean.

"An awkward spot to run against on a dark night," observed Harry, as
they approached them. "Hark! what is that strange roaring noise? I
could fancy that a thousand lions or more were assembled together
holding a concert."

"They are sea-lions, Master Harry," observed old Tom; "the whole rock is
covered with them and their cubs. If we could manage to get hold of
some of them, we should find their skins very useful."

Captain Graybrook was of this opinion, and as the wind was light and
there was no dangerous current running, the ship was hove to, and he
ordered two of the boats to be got ready to capture some of the
sea-lions, the ordinary species of seal found in the southern seas. Mr
Champion took command of one boat and old Tom of the other, and the boys
got leave to accompany the second mate.

They pulled away towards the rocks. As a heavy surf broke on the rocks,
rushing up some distance with great force and then back again, which
would have dashed the boats to pieces, had they got within its
influence, they were compelled to pull a considerable distance round
before a spot was found on which a landing could be effected with any
degree of safety. Even there, those who were to land had to watch for
an opportunity, as the boat was sent forward on the crest of a breaker,
to leap out and spring up the rocks, while the boats, with a couple of
hands in each, were pulled back again out of danger.

No sooner had the party scrambled up the rocks than the seals, alarmed
at their approach, made towards the water, rushing down impetuously, and
working themselves along by means of their fins--their heads and manes
giving them the appearance of lions. Their threatening aspect, and t