But at last he recalled that he had heard of this thing before.

These were the seal hunters from Newfoundland, and with bats they were slaying the young white-coat seals, and such of the old seals, also, as did not slip away from them into the water.
Finally some of the sealers from the first ship were making their way up over the ice in the direction of Bobby's _igloo_, and presently he knew they would be upon the very seals that he had watched with so much interest growing from day to day.

Among these were two men with guns, instead of clubs, and these two devoted their attention to the old seals, which now and again they shot.
Overcome with awe and wonder, and timid in the presence of so many strangers, Bobby kept himself from view while he watched, though he knew that presently he would be called upon to present himself, in order that he might escape from the floe, for in all probability no other opportunity would come to him.
So, uncertain, expectant, and trembling with excitement, he remained concealed behind an ice hummock until the seal hunters in advance had nearly reached him, and further concealment was impossible.

Then he stepped boldly out.
The effect of Bobby's appearance was instantaneous and wonderful.

A man in the advance, looking up, saw the strangely clad figure apparently rise out of the ice itself.