One only, very near us, did not succeed in escaping, and we witnessed a combat, of which, however, we could not see the event.
These two monsters attacked each other with equal ferocity; but as they took an opposite direction to that we were going, we soon lost sight of them, but we shall never forget our meeting with these wonderful giants of the deep.
We happily doubled the promontory behind which the canoe had passed, and found ourselves in an extensive gulf, which narrowed as it entered the land, and resembled the mouth of a river.

We did not hesitate to follow its course.

We went round the bay, but found no traces of man, but numerous herds of the amphibious animal, called sometimes the sea-lion, the sea-dog, or the sea-elephant, or trunked phoca: modern voyagers give it the last name.

These animals, though of enormous size, are gentle and peaceful, unless roused by the cruelty of man.

They were in such numbers on this desert coast, that they would have prevented our approach if we had intended it.