He took Jack into a bedroom, where he donned a bathing-suit and was given a carving-knife, which was the most formidable weapon they had in the house.
Thus provided he walked down to the seaside by himself, while Foster and Captain Blower, armed with opera-glasses, sat on chairs on the piazza and watched his progress.
Jack was an excellent swimmer, and plunging into the sea, swam rapidly toward the seal-rocks.
He carried the knife between his teeth.
The seals, who could be numbered by hundreds, had crept out of the sea and were lying in various places on the rocks, apparently asleep.
Some must have been awake, however, for every now and then a loud bark was heard.
What Captain Foster had said about the seals being dangerous was perfectly true.
They had been bearing young, and were perfectly ready to repel any invasion of their territory.
This Jack did not know.
No one ever interfered with them, as it is a penal offense to shoot them, they being one of the shows of the city.