426 THE WORLD OF THE SEA. 
sea, with harpoons. The harpoon is about six feet long, and has 
at the end a movable point of iron, set in bone, and fastened by 
a leather strap which can be loosened the moment the harpoon 
strikes the animal. <A bladder floats at the end of the line, which 
is attached to the loose point, and thus marks the spot where 
the wounded seal has dived. The harpoon slips on a swivel of 
highly polished wood, this gives it more force, and ensures its 
following the right direction. Other projectiles are arranged in 
the same way, and are darted by similar means. 
The seal is obliged to come to the surface of the water in 
order to breathe; the moment he shows himself, the Esquimaux 
tries to surprise him by keeping on the windward side, and 
turning away from the sun, so as to be neither seen nor heard. 
He crouches down in his little ‘boat, to conceal himself as much 
as possible behind the waves. When within thirty yards, he 
snatches his paddle in his left hand, adjusts the harpoon upon 
the swivel, and hurls it with all his might. If his aim is correct, 
and the seal is struck, the iron head detaches itself from the 
shaft, and the rope unwinds from the bobbin. The bladder at 
the end of the line is instantly thrown into the water. The seal, 
when pierced, plunges with extreme velocity; for, like all marine 
animals, it seems to be impelled by instinct to dive when 
wounded. The fisherman gives a turn to his paddle and draws up 
his floating harpoon. It happens sometimes that the seal drags 
the bladder with him, but as he must come up for breath, it will 
soon be seen again, and there is no fear of his escaping. The 
Esquimaux makes his way up to the animal, and wounds him 
deeply with his lance, and finally dispatches him with, blows 
from his javelin. 
When the seal is dead, the wounds are stopped up with small 
wooden plugs to prevent the loss of blood. The Esquimaux 
then inflates the body by blowing between the flesh and_ skin, 
makes it fast to the side of his canoe, and paddles home. 
This sport is not without danger. Sometimes the line in 
unwinding gets twisted round the arm or neck of the fisherman. 
At other times, in the contortions of his agony, the seal leaping 
upon the kayack, overturns it, and often the man is drowned. 
Again, it may happen that when the pursuit is over, the seal is not 
