heave backward, rolled overhead and heels down the slope of the
hummock, and was launched violently into the water by the precipitate rush
of its heavy body. No sooner did it find itself in its most natural
element, than it prepared to dive; but this manoeuvre had been foreseen,
and the stern of the boat was on its back at the moment it was about to
disappear, and the captain exerting all his force, after striking the
weapon with a sudden plunge against its tough hide, drove the harpoon
through its skin, and allowed it to make its vain attempt at escape. It
then dived and took out several fathoms of line like a whale, but it soon
rose to the surface, and reared its frightful head and shoulders above the
waves, with the most threatening aspect of deadly warfare. Evidently eager
to revenge itself upon its enemies, the morse began to take hasty strokes
towards us, yet in a state of hurry and confusion which impressed us with a
belief that the balls had inflicted desperate, if not immediately mortal
wounds. Nevertheless, it displayed determination enough to enter into close
conflict with its foes, and came on, puffing and snorting, with a savage
though bewildered look. Seeing this disposition to assail us, we backed
astern; but before the walrus had made much progress, the guns were
reloaded, and another bullet struck it on the head, which sent it down
immediately; however, it quickly appeared again, raising itself high above
the water, and looking furiously around for its antagonists. When it
perceived our position, it resumed its endeavour to attack us; but during
its approach it stopped short, infirm of purpose, probably exhausted with
loss of blood, or growing giddy from the shock of the last ball, and
allowed us time to discharge a musket once more, and with fatal effect; its
head dropped suddenly upon the water, and we pulled up and took it in tow.
When we had hoisted it on board, a proceeding that required pretty strong
tackle and several hands, it was flayed, yielding a hide of extraordinary
thickness, lined on the inside with blubber, and scantily covered
externally with short reddish brown hair, the greatest part of its skin
appearing to have been denuded of this clothing by eruptive blotches, such
as I presume disfigure a measly hog. Although incomparably larger, the
general contour of its body resembled the figure of a seal; its frame being
of the same description, though differently moulded. It was considerably
m