After pulling for some distance; and when almost out of sight of our
ship, we came to a kind of platform where the ice was broken, making it
possible to climb to the top of the island. We had no sooner set foot
there than we were surrounded by penguins. They came waddling towards
us in the most comical fashion, nor were they in the least afraid of
us. The presence of man for the first time in these latitudes appeared
to inspire them more with curiosity than alarm.

The attentions shown us by these remarkable birds, however, soon caused
us considerable inconvenience. They crowded upon us in such numbers
that it was difficult to force our way through them, either farther on
to the island or back to the boat. Some of them stood four feet high,
and although they made no attempt to molest us, the bulk of their
bodies (the ones at the back pressing upon those in front) made it
difficult to push by. It was like passing along a densely-crowded
thoroughfare. So numerous became the penguins that Hartog ordered a
return to the boat. We did not like to kill these birds, as they
appeared harmless, and the trust they showed in us was surprising. When
we came to the landing place we found it covered with small fur-coated
seals, who also showed no fear of us, and made no attempt to escape
when we approached them. The skins of these creatures we knew to be
rare and of value, so we were impelled to slaughter some of them for
their fur coats, and also to give us a supply of fresh meat; but their
large brown eyes looked at us so sorrowfully when we attacked them that
we had not the heart to kill more than was necessary for our immediate
needs. It was too much like murder.

The penguins followed us down to the landing-place, until it was full
to overflowing. Some of the birds pushed the others into the water in
their eagerness to witness the killing of the seals, which they