In truth, there was very little reasoning or none at all.

Their method was one of assertion, assumption, and denunciation.

They proved that a seal pup could swim or not swim at birth by stating the proposition very bellicosely and then following it up with an attack on the opposing man's judgment, common sense, nationality, or past history.

Rebuttal was precisely similar.

I have related this in order to show the mental calibre of the men with whom I was thrown in contact.