INDIAN HUNTERS. 347 



sired ; but to the skill of the one who stands in the bow and throws the 

 spear depends the success of the hunt, and if he -should be so unfor- 

 tunate as to miss several seals in succession his dusky partner in the 

 stern thinks himself justified in using strong language. All seal- 

 hunting canoes carry a small sprit sail made of drilling, which can be 

 set and taken in very quickly with little or no noise. Oars and paddles 

 are both used ; the former when a long passage is to be made, the lat- 

 ter when among seals. The spearman always keeps a lookout for seals, 

 and stands upon one of the forward thwarts, with one hand resting 

 against the mast to steady himself. In this position he commands a 

 good view on either side and ahead. It is not to be understood, how- 

 ever, that the man in the stern keeps no watch, for his eyes are ever on 

 the alert, but his lower position prevents him from seeing any great 

 distance. As soon as a seal is sighted the sail is taken in, rolled up, 

 and placed where it can not make a noise by thumping against the side 

 or on the thwarts. The gaff and killing clubs are placed in a handy 

 position, and the spear examined to see if everything about it is strong 

 and in good working order. If the seal is some distance away both the 

 men paddle, but if close by only the hunter at the stern paddles, the 

 direction being indicated by a wave of the hand from the man in the 

 bow. 



Silently the sleeper is approached, all unconscious of its danger. If 

 the coveted prize should shows signs of uneasiness, no risk is taken, and 

 the hunter throws his spear when within 40 or 50 feet of it. He seldom 

 misses the mark even at this distance, but will always approach nearer 

 if possible. At the end of an hour we saw our first seal about a quarter 

 of a mile ahead. The canoe was kept off under its lee, the sail taken 

 in, and everything put in readiness for action. Cautiously we paddled 

 towards the prey, care being taken not to make the slightest noise. 

 We had approached within about 40 feet when the seal began to grow 

 restless, as if it was dreaming of danger. The hunter stood braced, spear 

 in hand, and with true aim he hurled it with all his force at the sleep- 

 ing object. In an instant the scene of repose was changed into one of 

 intense excitement and pain. With a jump the seal instantly disap- 

 peared below the surface, but not to escape, for when once a spear be- 

 comes fastened to an object it seldom pulls out. Soon it came up to 

 breathe and renew its desperate struggle for liberty. It stood in the water 

 facing us, with its body half exposed as if taking in the situation, and 

 with a kind of low, piteous growl, as though it realized its end was near, 

 it renewed the contest. It fought madly, diving, jumping, and swimming 

 with great .speed, first in one direction and then in another, sometimes 

 on one side of the canoe and then on the other, the Indian all the time 

 holding on to the spear rope, trying to draw the seal near the canoe so 

 as to strike it on the head with the killing club. In its frantic efforts to 

 escape it bit at the line several times, but soon abandoned the idea of 

 gaining its freedom in such a manner and again resorted to jumping 

 and diving. The loss of blood soon caused it to grow weak, and after 

 a fight, which lasted perhaps five minutes, it ceased to struggle alto- 

 gether and was hauled to the side of the canoe and dispatched with 

 the club. 



In a few minutes another seal was observed asleep a short distance 

 away; again sail was taken in and the same precautionary means used 

 as before. This individual was approached within 25 feet, and so good 

 a mark was it that the spear was driven nearly through the body. It 

 died almost immediately, and from the time it was struck until it was 



