In a flash the harpoon flew from the young hunter's hand and struck its mark, and with the assistance of Skipper Ed and Jimmy he drew it to the ice.
These seals were of a species which they called "harps," because of the peculiar, harp-shaped markings on their back; and of the hair variety, for none of the valuable fur seals inhabits north Atlantic waters.

The skins, however, when dressed into leather by Mrs.Abel, would prove of splendid quality for boot tops, or, when dressed without removing the hair, would supply them with many articles of clothing for their comfort.
The day was terribly cold--Skipper Ed judged that the temperature must have stood at least at fifty degrees below zero, and that even the temperature of the sea water, where it was unfrozen, was well below the freezing point.

Once or twice, indeed, in spite of their enthusiasm, the hunters retired to the _igloo_, where a lamp was kept burning, to warm themselves.
Late that afternoon Jimmy wounded a seal on an ice pan, and it went into the water.

He seized a harpoon, but when the seal rose to the surface it was so far away that the line could not reach it.
"Here!" shouted Bobby, laying down his gun and grabbing a paddle which he had brought from Itigailit Island for such an emergency, "jump on this pan.

I'll paddle you out where you can get him." They sprang upon a small pan, and, utilizing it as a raft, Bobby paddled a few yards.
"There! There!" shouted Bobby.