“But the ice feels very strong.”
“Yes; it is perhaps a foot thick, and that is strong enough for anything. But there are ‘pussy-holes’ here and there, up through which seals crawl to sleep, and on these the ice is very thin.”
Just as he spoke, there was a sudden and angry roar heard ahead of them, where something black and big reared itself, and two fierce eyes glared at the intruders.
The boys clutched each other in superstitious fear, and stepped quickly back.
It was only a large seal, however, but so quickly did it retreat that Ingomar had not the slightest idea what species it was.
I may say for the seals here in the Antarctic, which number four or five species, that though in the breeding season they have certain habitats, after that happy time is over they are free to wander where they please, and often turn up in strange places. It is the same with Arctic seals.
An eared seal, whose fur has been much sought after, is now, I think, almost extinct, owing to the murderous greed of the sealer. I think it would be well if there were a close season for all species. But this is a digression. Let us return to the cave.
The somewhat mysterious bag carried into the cave was now opened, and Ingomar, bending down, extracted some of what he termed theatrical properties therefrom.
Next moment, on the touch of a button, the whole of this cave was filled with dazzling light.
What a sight!