448 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



and the bird, transfixed, attempts, with much flapping of wings, 

 to dive, but is held up next moment upon the point of the dart. 

 The point is pulled out, the hunter seizes the bird's bealv between 

 his teeth, and with a strong twitch breaks its neck, then fastens 

 it to the back part of the kaiak. 



They soon leave the sounds and islets behind them and put 

 straight out to the open sea. 



After some hours' paddling, they have at last reached the 

 hunting ground. Great seal heads are seen peering over the 

 water in many directions, and the hunters scatter in search of 

 their prey. 



Boas, one of the best hunters of the village, has seen a large 

 he-seal far off, and has paddled toward it ; but it has dived, and 

 he lies and waits for its reappearance. There ! a little way before 

 him its round black head pops up. He bends well forward, while 

 with noiseless and wary strokes he urges the kaiak toward the 

 seal, which lies peaceful and undisturbed, stretching its neck and 

 rocking up and down upon the swell. But suddenly it is on the 

 alert ; it has caught a glimpse of the flashing paddle blade, and 

 now looks straight at him with its great round eyes. He instantly 

 stops paddling and sits motionless, while the way on the kaiak 

 carries it noiselessly forward. The seal discovers nothing new 

 to be alarmed at, and resumes its former quietude. It throws its 

 head backward, holds its snout straight up in the air, and bathes 

 in the morning sun which gleams upon its black, wet skin. In 

 the meantime the kaiak is rapidly nearing ; every time the seal 

 looks in that direction. Boas sits still and moves no muscle ; but 

 as soon as it turns its head away again, he shoots forward like a 

 flash of lightning. He is coming within range ; he gets his har- 

 poon clear, sees that the line is properly coiled upon the stand ; 

 one stroke more and it is time to throw when the seal quietly 

 disappears under the water. It was not frightened, and will con- 

 sequently come up again at no great distance. He lies still and 

 waits. But the minutes drag on ; a seal can remain under water 

 an incredible time, and it seems even longer to one who is wait- 

 ing for his prey. But the Eskimo is gifted with admirable pa- 

 tience; he lies absolutely motionless except for his head, with 

 which he keeps watch on every side. At last the seal's head once 

 more appears over the water a little way off and to one side. He 

 cautiously turns the kaiak, unobserved by his prey, and once 

 more he shoots toward it over the mirrorlike sea. But suddenly 

 it catches sight of him again, looks at him sharply for a moment, 

 and dives. He knows its habits, however, and at full speed he 

 dashes toward the spot where it disappeared. Before many mo- 

 ments have passed it pops up its head again to look around. Now 

 he is within range : the harpoon is seized and carried back over 



