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Story
February 28, 1903
Martinsburg Herald
Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
Explorers encounter fearless seals on Nelson Island in the South Shetland group; the animals show curiosity rather than alarm, leading to several leopard seals being shot while others watch in wonder.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
SEALS DID NOT FEAR MEN.
And Their Trust Was Repaid by the Slaughter of Several of Their Number.
Hundreds of seals made Nelson island, in the South Shetland group, look black as night as we approached. They disported themselves in the water and played upon the shore. In wonder, not alarm, they stared at us as we drew near in a small boat. We leaped on shore among them. Still they looked at us in dumb curiosity. I was as much impressed as were the seals and stared as hard at them in an answering wonder.
"Come, old fellow," said Sobral, approaching one of the largest seals with outstretched hand. It edged away a few feet. "Move on, then," he said, smacking it on the back with his open hand. It edged a little farther away, looking over his shoulder with an injured air. But it made no attempt to seek safety. A mere plunge into the water would have brought freedom from any danger.
Several leopard seals were shot by our party, says a writer in the Independent, and their fellows gathered around them wondering why they lay so motionless, and staring at us with wide, pathetic eyes.
And Their Trust Was Repaid by the Slaughter of Several of Their Number.
Hundreds of seals made Nelson island, in the South Shetland group, look black as night as we approached. They disported themselves in the water and played upon the shore. In wonder, not alarm, they stared at us as we drew near in a small boat. We leaped on shore among them. Still they looked at us in dumb curiosity. I was as much impressed as were the seals and stared as hard at them in an answering wonder.
"Come, old fellow," said Sobral, approaching one of the largest seals with outstretched hand. It edged away a few feet. "Move on, then," he said, smacking it on the back with his open hand. It edged a little farther away, looking over his shoulder with an injured air. But it made no attempt to seek safety. A mere plunge into the water would have brought freedom from any danger.
Several leopard seals were shot by our party, says a writer in the Independent, and their fellows gathered around them wondering why they lay so motionless, and staring at us with wide, pathetic eyes.
What sub-type of article is it?
Animal Story
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Nature
What keywords are associated?
Seals
Nelson Island
South Shetland
Animal Curiosity
Seal Slaughter
What entities or persons were involved?
Sobral
Where did it happen?
Nelson Island, In The South Shetland Group
Story Details
Key Persons
Sobral
Location
Nelson Island, In The South Shetland Group
Story Details
Hundreds of seals on Nelson Island showed no fear of approaching humans, staring curiously as explorers landed among them. One seal allowed Sobral to approach and smack it without fleeing. Several leopard seals were shot, and the others gathered around the bodies in wonder.