That was enough. Andrew uttered no more gibes, but tugged at his oar with the rest, and as silently; for all knew how much depended upon their surprising the wary beasts.
“Have you ever shot walrus, sir?” asked Johannes suddenly.
“Never,” replied the captain; “but I think I shall be able to hit one.”
“Of course, sir. What I meant was, that as soon as you have hit one it will make for the water and sink. So do not be surprised after you have shot if I harpoon the beast to save it from being lost.”
“They do sink, then?”
“Yes, sir; fat as they are they go right down. I have seen many a one lost after being shot.”
“But they are so fat,” said the captain. “An animal laden like that with blubber ought surely to float.”
“You would think so, sir,” replied the Norseman, who had now replaced the spear along the thwarts and taken up a harpoon; “but they do not float.”
“Well, don’t let us lose any if you can prevent it,” said the captain; and Johannes smiled, and then answered Steve’s questions, as he busily made ready for the coming fight by thrusting the lance heads well up into the box which protected them from injury right up toward the bows, and then examined the harpoon head and shank round which the line was firmly secured.
“How long is the line, Johannes?”