op up some of the gaps in the roof; but by degrees the
torrents of water which came down from the higher ground put them out,
and they were left in almost total darkness. It was hopeless, while the
rain continued, to relight them. Overcome by fatigue, Willy and Peter
dropped off asleep, while Harry, though kept awake some time longer by
the thoughts which occupied his mind, at length followed their example.
As no human beings nor wild beasts inhabited the island, Harry had not
thought it necessary to place a watch. He had been asleep for some
time, when he heard Peter, who was nearest the opening of the hut,
shrieking out loudly, "A lion! a lion! Oh! oh! the brute, he will eat
me up!"

Harry naturally thought that his messmate was dreaming. "What is the
matter, Peter?" he cried out. "Wake up. There is nothing to hurt you."

"I am awake, and there is a huge beast shoving his snout right against
me."

Harry now sat up, and there, sure enough, he saw by the dim light the
large head of an animal at the entrance of the hut. At the same instant
cries and shouts burst forth from the inmates of the other huts, and the
camp, till then so quiet, was in a complete uproar. Willy, awoke by the
noise, jumped up. "Why, it is a huge seal," he exclaimed. Fortunately
he had brought his club into the hut, and telling Peter to stand aside,
he dealt the animal a heavy blow on the nose. The poor seal, not
expecting such a reception, began to back out, when another blow laid it
lifeless. The midshipmen, on going outside their hut, saw the whole
ground covered by huge black forms moving in all directions, while the
seamen, armed with clubs or whatever they could pick up, were running
about, striking right and left at the astonished creatures. The seals
apparently had landed at one of their usual places of resort, not at all
expecting to find it occupied by human beings. In their fright several
charged right into the middle of the camp, and two of the huts were in a
moment levelled to the ground. They paid dearly for their mistake, for
the seamen, some frightened and others angry at being roused from their
slumbers, killed ten or twelve of them before they made their escape.
Some were seen moving at a rapid rate inland, bellowing loudly, while
others crawled quickly down into the water. Harry, fearing that the
ladies would be alarmed, hastened to their tent to assure them that
there was no danger.

Once more, the seals havi