118 SEAL LIFE ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 
seek the grounds to the leeward of the group. Seals in a gale take 
every advantage of wind and sea; it is necessary that they should, for 
there is evidently a limit to their endurance. 
On the morning of the 10th light winds prevailed, but a choppy sea, 
combined with a long, rolling swell from the west southwest, rendered 
it unfit for sealing, although scattering seals had been noticed. Two 
days of idleness had made everybody on board anxious to get out in 
the boats. In the afternoon the wind fell toa calm, and the boats were 
put over in latitude 58° 27’ north, longitude 172° 46’ west, and remained 
out until evening, bringing in only 3 seals. Very few were seen from 
the boats, although they covered considerable ground during the day. 
Seals were equally scarce in the vicinity of the vessel, only 6 being 
observed. One of these, more bold than the others, kept circling 
around the vessel, coming nearer each time. Finding that it was 
inclined to be inquisitive its approach was encouraged by continual 
whistling by those on board. It was finally enticed alongside and 
captured, the spear passing through one of its hind flippers. It fought 
bravely for life while in the water, but on being hauled on board its 
power was greatly lessened. It did not, however, give up without a 
desperate struggle to regain its liberty. At one period of the fight it 
drove everybody from the main deck, and it was only when a noose was 
thrown over its neck and its head hauled down to a ring bolt that it was 
mastered and could be knocked upon the head. The catch of seals for 
the day was 4,3 females and 1 male. The total catch to date had 
been 69, 13 males and 56 females. 
The next day, August 11, the boats made an early start. Mverything 
looked favorable for a good day’s hunt, the wind being light and the sea 
smooth—two things which are almost indispensable i in seal hunting. No 
seals had been noticed during the morning, but it does not necessarily 
follow that because none are observed from the vessel they are not about, 
for it frequently happens that good catches are made under those cir- 
cumstances. This was not one of those exceptional days, however, the 
eatch amounting to only 15—3 males and 10 females. Seals had been 
comparatively plentiful, but were not inclined to sleep and were too wild 
toapproach. A piece of an Alaskan pollock taken from a seal’s mouth 
was brought in by one of the hunters. <A series of trials was made 
for bottom fish, but with negative results; we seemed to be drifting over 
barren ground. The noon position on this day was 57° 42’ 38” north 
latitude, 172° 52’ west longitude. 
Our pleasant weather was about to be broken for a considerable 
length of time, for the 12th began with a gale from the southeast, 
accompanied by a heavy sea. We lay hove to under single-reefed fore- 
sail and trysail. In the afternoon spoke with the schooner Teresa, of 
San Francisco; also saw the schooner Kate, of Victoria, British Colum- 
bia, a short distance away. Seals were frequently seen all through the 
day. In the early part of the night the wind increased to a heavy gale, 
but in the latter part it decreased in force and hauled to the west- 
southwest. A heavy sea kept up all day. In the forenoon a vessel 
was sighted low on the horizon. An occasional seal was observed. 
On August 14 the weather was pleasant, but the wind fresh from the 
westward. In the evening we boarded the schooner Fawn, of Victoria, 
British Columbia, which reported losing a boat and three men on the 
11th, but they were afterwards picked up. The Fawn had an Indian 
erew and had taken 20 skins in Bering Sea. This news gave our 
hunters considerable encouragement. The noon position was latitude 
57° 37’ north, longitude 173° 14’ west. 
