Report of the First Thule Expedition 1912. 



315 



seal itself will generally be nervous at first, and watch the stalker 

 suspiciously for some time; in the case of a skilful performer, how- 

 ever, it will soon cease to interest itself in the newcomer, after which 

 it is an easy matter to get within range. A clever hunter may even 

 manage to come to close quarters, and take possession of the breathing 

 hole itself, before the seal can escape. 



This method, however, demands considerable practice, and a close 

 acquaintance with the habits of the seal; it is therefore hardly to be 

 recommended for explorers generally. A better way is to approach by 

 means of a stalking sail, the use of which is illustrated by a couple 

 of sketches in the text. 



The miniature sledge, to which the gun is lashed, glides noiselessly 



over the ice, provided the runners have been duly shod with skin; 

 two strips of bearskin for preference, though sealskin may also be 

 used. The sail of thin white canvas is hoisted on the sledge, and the 

 whole contrivance pushed before the stalker as he advances, a hole 

 in the sail, through which the barrel of the gun is thrust, affording 

 also a means of watching the movement of the game. Needless to 

 say, the seal take the white sail at a distance for a block of ice, thus 

 enabling the hunter to approach within range. 



It is said that the Eskimos themselves learned or adapted — 

 this method from the ingenious practice of the polar bear; the latter 

 will, they assert, when stalking seal, often push a block of ice before 

 it, to cover its advance. 



On the 4th of June we reached Mylius Erichsen's summer camp. 

 A sledge runner, bent over a couple of small piles of stones, attracted 

 our attention, and we halted to investigate. Going up to the spot, 

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