“If its materials can be distinguished, it will tell pretty plainly the character of our party,” remarked Harry.
Harry took the boatswain, with Peter and Willy and four other seamen, one of whom was Paul Lizard, and another Tom Wall. As the excursion might prove a long one, and as in that uncertain climate they might be detained by bad weather, they carried provisions for a couple of days, hoping, should they be kept out longer, to be able to kill some seals or wild-fowl for their support. The rest of the party were to search for roots and berries, from the latter of which Mrs Rumbelow announced that she could make an excellent preserve, could sugar be manufactured. The doctor promised to exert his scientific knowledge to the best of his power for the public good.
The wind being light, Harry and his party had to keep close in-shore, to avoid the tide which was still running up the harbour. Just as they got off the bay, where Paul and Tom had the adventure with the old sea-lion, several seals were seen swimming about, apparently fishing, darting rapidly to and fro in various directions in chase of their prey. Presently there was a great commotion in the water ahead, and two huge animals appeared struggling together. “Why, they are fighting,” cried Willy. “What tremendous digs they give into each other’s necks with their sharp tusks.”
One was a tiger and the other a black seal. Now they separated, now they dashed at each other, just like savage dogs, not uttering the slightest sound all the time. Now they sank below the surface, now rose again, tearing away at each other as before.
“I shouldn’t be surprised that one of them was the big fellow you called Tippo Sahib, who attacked you the other day, Paul,” said Willy.
“May be, sir,” answered Lizard. “But see, there’s another on the rocks. That’s master Tippo, I suspect. He looks as if he was watching for us, and I shouldn’t be surprised if he was to give chase.”
Willy laughed at the notion; but directly afterwards the old lion plunged into the water, and his snout was seen within a few seconds rising close to the oars. Harry ordered the men to pull on, as he did not wish to expend any shot on the animal. Tippo, however, seizing the blade of Paul’s oar, held it so tightly that he nearly hauled it out of his hands. Not till he had received several blows on the nose from the other oars would he let go.
“Why, he has nearly bitten my oar in two,” cried Paul.
“Better that than your leg,” observed Willy.
“That’s Tippo; I have no doubt about him,” cried Paul. “He means mischief.”