the place where the sea-bears were, choosing our way
so that we had the wind in our faces. We could in this way, without
disturbing them, come very near the animals, which, according to the
undoubtedly somewhat exaggerated statement made to us on the spot,
were collected at the time to the number of 200,000, on the
promontory and the neighbouring shores. We obtained permission to
creep, accompanied by our guide, close to a herd lying a little
apart. The older animals became at first somewhat uneasy when they
observed our approach, but they soon settled down completely,
and we had now the pleasure of beholding a peculiar spectacle.
We were the only spectators. The scene consisted of a beach
covered with stones and washed by foaming breakers, the background
of the immeasurable ocean, and the actors of thousands of
wonderfully-formed animals. A number of old males lay still and
motionless, heedless of what was going on around them. Others
crept clumsily on their small short legs between the stones of
the beach, or swam with incredible agility among the breakers,
played, caressed each other, and quarrelled. At one place two
old animals fought, uttering a peculiar hissing sound, and in
such a way as if the attack and defence had been carried out in
studied attitudes. At another place a feigned combat was going
on between an old and a young animal. It looked as if the latter
was being instructed in the art of fighting. Everywhere the small
black young ones crept constantly backwards and forwards among the
old sea-bears, now and then bleating like lambs calling on their
mothers. The young ones are often smothered by the old, when the
latter, frightened in some way, rush out into the sea. After such
an alarm hundreds of dead young are found on the shore.

[Illustration: SLAUGHTER OF SEA-BEARS. (After a drawing by H.W.
Elliott.) ]

[Illustration: SEA-BEARS ON THEIR WAY TO THE "ROOKERIES."
(After a drawing by H.W. Elliott.) ]

"Only" thirteen thousand animals had been killed that year. Their
flayed carcases lay heaped on the grass by the shore, spreading far
and wide a disagreeable smell, which, however, had not frightened
away their comrades lying on the neighbouring promontory, because,
even among them, a similar smell prevailed in consequence of the
many animals suffocated or killed in fight with their comrades, and
left lying on the shore.[369] Among this great flock of sea-bears
sat enthroned on the top of a high stone