The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-04-23
A WALRUS HUNT.
THE HUGE CREATURES nor
KILLED WITHOUT DANGER.
Masses of Blubber That Won't Fight,
but May Crush the Hunter-Polar
Bears Take Table Board
With the wulrus.


at anchor above Cape Upright. The
two big bear carcasses had been hoisted
on board aud officers and crew were
examining their points and comparing
their size when several walrus were
seen hauled up on the rocks mile or
two away, and it was determined to
try for some ivory.
ga surfboat was despatched toward
the walrus in charge of Pilot Douglass.
with Surgeon Bratton, Chief Engineer
Kelley, and six men, armed with Rem
ington rifles of heavy calibre. Upon
nearing them it was found that there
were seven in the g cup, averaging
probably 1000 pounds in weight. They
were basking or resting upon large
fiat ledge, round which the sea surged
and boiled, mixing landing danger
Gus.
"The walrus being very shy is apt at
the slightest alarm to flop and roll his
huge and unwieldly bulk overheard,
when he disappears for n long time.
The utmost caution and quiet are
necessary, therefore, in approaching
him. Accurate judgment and rapiJity
In firing are required to secure n shot
that shall strike the creature near the
head. The enormously thick hide and
heavy blubber of the walrus are al
most impenetrable to an ordinary rifle
ball, and unless struck in very vul-
nerable part, nothing short of can
non shot is sufficient to kill one of
these enormous pigs of the sea.
"While still considerable distance
ha 30
noiseless paddles substituted. The
rifemen lay in the bow rs the boat
was carefully steered toward the wal
rus. The surf on the ocean washed
nearly upto the huge beasts and tossed
the boat in dangerous proximity to
the rocks. Quick work was necessary
in every respect, and the situation was
full of danger. The only line of es-
cape for the walrus was toward and al
most upon the boat. One blow of n
ripper or stroke of tusk would crush
the frail craft and drown the crew.
Even the swash of the waves when the
big animals should founder heavily in
to the sea would nearly swamp the
! boat. Orders and information were
given in whispers and signs as the boat
stole cautiously on, winding in and
out among the rocks and breakers as
close rs it was safe to go. Pilot
Douglas, an old and experienced Arc
tic hunter, gave the orders:
Now, keep rs still rs you can.
The minute they see us they'll rush
down the rocks for the water, and your
only chance for getting one is in firing
as soon as they come in sight. Aim to
Int them in the back OF the neck. If
one is wounded and stops on the
rocks, try to spring on shore and fin
ish him, but mind you keep out of
range of his tusks and tail. He won't
fight, but he'll be likely to blunder on
top of You or founder over you, and
if he does therell be nothing left
where you stood but hole in the
| ground.
"Slowly the bow of the boat came
round the last intervening rock close
upon the walrus. The rifles were in.
stantly raised, as good aim taken rs
possible, and volley poured in at
such heads as were visible.
Great Scottl What rumpus +
cried Kelley, as the huge masses thus
sharply awakened, heaving, Topping
and granting in their fright, rolled,
slid and tumbled overheard, nearly
swapping the bont as they plunged
into the water. One huge beast fell
between the rocks and the boat, caus-
ing such II lurch rs nearly to pitch the
crew into the sea. Another came up
| just outside the cutter with the appar-
ent intention of trying his enormous
I tusks upon it. Quick IS thought
Bratton put a ball into him, when he
sank and was seen no more.
''5ix escaped, but ono was left on
the rocks. He was hard hit, and had
| floundored into q cleft, or he, too,
would have got away. Leaping upon
the rocks, the hunters gave him two
or three more shots, and he soon Law
1 dead before them. He was so large
that six Of the boats crew stood at
one time upon his body. His tusks
were thirty inches long and three
inches IN diameter With nh axe the
head was severed from tho body. after
which, there being no hope of the re.
/ appearance of the other walrus, the
boat returned to the ship.
cold yoyagers in Bering Sea tell OF
strange association between the wal
rus aud the polar bear. The walru.
| furnishes the principal food OF thi.
great carniyore, which is his deadliesI
foe in fact, yet TO see them together
rs they frequently nro encountered
one might think they wero boon com
panions. Lying upon the field ice will
often be seen patches OF walrus con.
tanning from thirty 60 fifty, md with
each of these groups viii Le found the
polar bear. They all nrc apparently
resting together in the hoppiest sort o.
unity. Occasionally n walrus flop,
into tho water and sinks lcisurely into
the depths, while others will he seer
emerging therefrom and climbing M
on the ice.
"The bear becomes hungry and do.
cides he will dine with the walrus that
day. He rises to his launches and
sways himself heavily upon oil fours.
After q yawn and stretch he saunter.
TO the nearest walrus and swings hit
! powerful pew in crushing blow upon
it's head, instantly killing the animal
He then proceeds leisurely to make &
comfortable dinner of the unfortupot,