SEAL LIFE ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 119 
August 15 was marked with pleasant weather in the early part of the 
day, becoming very squally in the latter part, with rough sea. Noon 
position, latitude 57° 11’ north, longitude 173° 09’ west. 
On August 16 we had variable weather; clear in the morning, thick 
and squally in the afternoon, with very rough sea. But few seals were 
seen. The noon position of the ship was latitude 57° 04’ north, longi- 
tude 172° 30/ west. 
At 7a,m. August 17 made sail and ran to the southward; wind 
northwest and fresh, gradually decreasing to a light breeze in afternoon. 
A heavy fog came in later in the day. Noon position, latitude 56° 54’ 
north, longitude 172° 45’ west. We continued on our course until 8 
a.m. the next day, when we saw a Seal “‘finning” close by. A boat was 
quickly manned and started in pursuit, but the seal was on the alert 
and escaped. Shortly after this a “sleeper” was noticed not far off on 
the weather bow. Another boat was hoisted out and rowed quietly 
toward it, no attempt being made to throw the spear until within 20 
feet. It was easily captured. Its stomach was found to be well filled 
with food, which was no doubt the cause of its sleeping so soundly. 
Later in the day all the boats went out, but returned at the end of 
three hours with only one seal. The sea was smooth, with little wind 
stirring, but the air grew suddenly chilly and the sky very cloudy, 
which practically put an end to the chances of seals sleeping for the 
day. The hunters claimed that had they been provided with guns the 
day’s catch would have been at least 60 or 70 seals. On a day like this 
when seals showed no inclination to sleep shotguns in the hands of 
skillful hunters would have done very destructive work. In the early 
days of pelagic sealing the hunters sought sleeping seals only, but they 
have learned the movements of the seal so thoroughly that “ travelers” 
and ‘‘finners” are almost as readily taken as sleeping ones. 
Hand_-line fishing was carried on from the vessel in 60 fathoms of 
water. In one hour 10 cod were caught, their average weight being 
about 9 pounds. It was estimated that the largest weighed 30 pounds, 
the smallest 4 pounds. In their stomachs were found small starfish, 
prawns, squid, medusz, and a quantity of decomposed fish. 
Unfortunately, this was our last day’s hunt, as from this time on we 
had stormy weather and heavy gales. Eighty-four seals had been 
taken—16 males and 68 females. All the females were nursing cows 
except one, which wasa yearling. The last seal caught by the Olsen was 
taken in latitude 56° 05’ north, longitude 172° 17’ west. 
Early in the morning of August 19 the weather was pleasant, with 
indications of a suitable day for sealing, but shortly after the wind 
began to freshen from the southeast, gradually increasing in force and 
hauling to the westward. We lay to under a double-reefed foresail, 
encountering heavy squalls at times. Our noon position was latitude 
55° 39’ north, longitude 172° 12’ west. 
On August 20 there was a heavy gale from the northwest and a very 
high sea running. We ran before the wind for three hours hoping to 
escape the heaviest part of it, but no perceptible difference was felt. We 
then lay hove to until 10 p. m., at which time we again kept off before 
the wind, and ran until 10 a.m. the next day. About this time we saw 
several seals, and soon after ran close to a bunch containing five, all 
huddled together. It was evident that they were well tired out, or else 
they would not have been asleep in such weather. Our noon position 
was latitude 54° 38’ north, longitude 168° 01’ west. In the afternoon 
we sighted several vessels. 
On the 22d we bore away for Unimak Pass, the wind north-north- 
