The friendly, frolicking birds seemed absolutely fearless and quickly came waddling over to inspect the visitors. With their white breasts, shiny black coats, and flippers, they looked like funny little gentlemen in evening clothes.
Dr. Faber made notes and took photographs while Torn watched some of the penguins playing a game. A group would gather around a snow hill and watch solemnly while one climbed to the top. He would stand staring out to sea for a while, then another would climb up and push him off.
The newcomer, too, would stand gazing off into the distance until another penguin pushed him off. One by one, they took turns being “king of the castle.”
Finally one of the penguins began picking up small pebbles in his beak and bringing them over to drop at Tom’s feet.
“He seems to have taken quite a shine to you.” Dr. Faber chuckled. “That’s a sign of penguin approval. Incidentally, that’s how a gentleman penguin woos the lady of his choice.”
“Good night!” Tom grinned. “Let’s get out of here before he tries to kiss me!”
They took off, this time cruising over the open A WHALE CHARGES 173
water hoping to sight a whale. The bay was studded with drift ice and floating icebergs. Unlike the northern variety, these Antarctic bergs were long and flat, some extending for two miles in length.
At Dr. Faber’s suggestion, Tom brought the plane down on the water so they could observe some of the seals which were sliding on the ice. As Tom maneuvered the craft skillfully alongside several of the creatures, the elder scientist gave a sudden cry of alarm. Tom looked in the direction he was pointing, then gasped.