The reason for the change of front from flight to a brave attack was this. As the second boat was returning with her disappointed crew, they drove back a member of the herd that had been left behind in the shape of a calf, which, to escape this second boat, swam and dived with such bad choice of direction that, unseen before, it all at once popped its droll-looking head out of the water close to where Steve was sitting looking at their huge prize. Possibly it was the dead walrus which had attracted the young one and brought it so close. Skene was the first to see the absurd-looking little creature, and, planting his feet upon the gunwale, he barked himself into a state of terrible excitement, driving the young walrus into hiding beneath the water, but only to come up again from time to time to breathe. The young walrus could not understand the remarks made about its personal appearance, or else in all probability it would have swum away; for the shapeless creature was dubbed "bladder of lard," "skin of oil," "prize pig," and the like, though Steve stuck to the notion of its being like a short india-rubber sack, blown full of wind, so little did head or flippers project from the blubber-distended body. "Oh, I say, Johannes, couldn't you catch it?" cried Steve. "The poor thing believes that is its mother." "Yes, sir, and will not go away till we begin to row." "Couldn't you catch it?" "Oh yes, sir, I could catch it, I daresay," replied the Norseman, "if the captain wishes." "But I do not wish," said Captain Marsham. "What do you want with a young walrus?" "To bring up and tame," replied Steve, with the impression the while that he was saying something rather absurd. "Have a big one," cried the doctor, "and let's form a zoological garden!" "I don't see anything to laugh at," said Steve. "It would be very interesting to watch the habits of the curious animal, and we've driven its mother away. What would become of it, Johannes, if it is left?" "Bear," said the Norseman laconically. "There!" cried Steve, looking at the captain. "Try and catch it," said the latter quietly; and, giving Steve a smile and a nod, the Norseman took hold of the end of a coil of line, made a noose, and, watching his opportunity, threw it cleverly over the head end of the calf. "Hurrah! got him first throw!" cried Steve. "No: gone!" For the rope on being tightened glided over the slippery hide and came away, while the calf dived, turning over like a round cork float, showing its hind flippers, and then it was out of sight. "There's nothing to catch hold of, sir," said Johannes good-humouredly, as he stood there with the noose gathered up in one hand, the coils of line in the other; "but he'll be up again directly."