n is, and we may reload and refire before they
think of escaping."

"We'll try that plan, and so perhaps only two or three of us had better
go after them, or the others may be seen. Let us take two men, and
leave the others to gather eggs."

Hans and the officer, with two seamen, at once started after the
sea-lions, and taking the coast-line found that on the rocks there were
plenty of oysters, which were fixed to the solid rock, but could be
opened on the spot. Hans was quite at home in this stalking expedition,
but found much fault both with the lieutenant and the sailors. The
latter, especially, would speak every now and then, and seemed not to
understand in the least the signals which Hans made to them. In spite,
however, of the clumsy manner in which the sailors and their officer
practised stalking, yet the sea-lions were approached to within eighty
yards without being alarmed. At this distance the hunters were
concealed by some rocks, and Hans now signalled that the four should
fire. One of the sailors, however, stopped Hans as he was raising his
musket, and whispered--

"Them brutes, sir, can only hop, and not very fast either. Won't it be
better to board them, and shoot them at close quarters? I and my mate
can't make certain of hitting at this distance?"

Hans, who did not understand every word of this, but comprehended the
drift of the speech, replied--

"You and your companion run forward, as soon as I have fired; then you
can try your plan, I mine."

This plan being agreed upon, Hans took steady aim at a monster that was
lying apparently asleep on the beach, and fired, whilst the lieutenant
selected another victim. Upon the report of the gun being heard all the
animals raised their heads, and began with a most awkward motion
struggling to reach the water. The sailor had been quite correct as
regards the speed at which the lions could move, for without difficulty
the sailors overtook them long before they reached the water, and each
putting the muzzle of his gun close to the head of one of the lions,
killed it at a single shot. The monster that Hans had wounded had
almost reached the sea, when noting the success of the sailors' method
of attack, he ran up to this creature, and discharged his rapidly-loaded
gun into its head. Thus three lions were killed, the lieutenant having
either missed his aim, or wounded his lion so slightly that the creature
easily escaped to the water before he could