488 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PBIBILOF ISLANDS. 



The same proportion of old bulls is to be seen here, and bulls, cows, and yearlings 

 are lying on the rocks at the foot of the cliff all around the point beyond the rookery. 



I talked with Judge Orowley about the possibility of fixing the sand flats on 

 Zapadni. He suggested the arranging some sort of a block and tackle to pull the 

 rocks from the beach up on the flat. From what he said there will probably be 

 something done toward fixing these places, and also the sandy tract on Tolstoi. 



It is interesting to note that the killing ground near the watchhouse bears exactly 

 the same relation as regards distance and wind to the hauling ground of Zapadui that 

 the village killing ground does to Zoltoi, and in the latter case the number of seals 

 killed is several times as great. It was to the beginning of killing on the shores of 

 Lake Anton that Nickoli Krukof ascribed the scarcity of seals at Southwest Bay. 



A large gray pup was found imprisoned in a crevice in the rocks. lie had dropped 

 down in a crack and could not possibly have escaped himself. Evidently this is the 

 source of a small loss of pups. 



SEPTEMBER 24. 



A heavy gale is blowing from the north. One can hardly make headway against it. 



Walked to Kitovi and Lukanin. The pups are under the cliff at the head of 

 Black Bluff in about the usual numbers. The spray is driving thick over them. A 

 few are in the water. Here and there one can be seen swimming along in the hollow 

 between the breakers, turning and diving head first under the approaching wave, 

 coming up behind it. 



It is with difficulty that one can stand on the edge of the cliff over Kitovi 

 Amphitheater. The spray from the heavy surf falls over the whole slope in rain. The 

 little triple-branded pup is still on a rock near his old position. He is evidently having 

 a hard time with his back, but he is far from a dead pup yet. 



I see 2 of the 8 pups under the brow of Lukanin Hill. They are getting better. 

 I can see a number farther down. Their wounds are dry and healing. 



SEPTEMBER 25. 



The gale continues. The air is thick with flying sand, which cuts and smarts 

 one's face. The force is sufficient to burrow holes in the hard street about the company 

 house. The sand to the depth of a foot or more has been carried away from Zoltoi. 

 There are not over a dozen seals on the Bluffs. Occasionally a sleeping bull, half 

 buried in the sand, will rouse up, shaking the sand off in a cloud. 



The wind has force enough to burrow a hole right into a sand dune, and it is easy 

 now to understand, after experiencing this wind, how the hollows and passageways 

 among the dunes are cut out. 



This north gale is probably washing clear over Sea Lion Neck, and will wash away 

 many pups on Northeast Point. It will probably be best for us to begin the count of 

 pups on Monday. Nothing will be gained by waiting till the 1st, as there are very 

 few dying pups, and this kind of weather reminds one forcibly of how much he is at 

 the mercy of the sea on St. Paul Island. There has scarcely been a day since the Rush 

 left, on September 7, when a landing would have been possible. It is needless to say 

 we have seen no vessel since. 



