352 METHOD. 



heads were lying to leeward, and moving slowly from side to side. In 

 this position a seal sleeps soundly. When its head ceases to move, it 

 is an indication that it is waking up, and this is the time to shoot. 

 The canoe this time approached from a point nearly at right angles to 

 the wind, so as to get a good shot. The most vulnerable place is in the 

 neck just back of the head. One of the three was instantly killed, 

 another shot and killed after diving and reappearing, and the third 

 escaped. The first one was allowed to float until the second was se- 

 cured, occupying a space of about twenty seconds. 



The time it requires a seal to sink depends upon the character of the 

 seal and the place in which it is shot. Some sink instantly, while oth- 

 ers float for two or three minutes, and possiby longer. Gravid cows, 

 that is, cows that are heavy with young, sink more slowly than males, 

 and seals that are lean more rapidly than those that are fat. If the 

 lungs of a seal which has been killed retain air it will float for quite 

 a while. 



The best time for hunting seal is a good day following a protracted 

 spell of bad weather. In a very rough sea seals can not sleep, but merely 

 lie on the surface and lazily roll over and over; hence the term "roller." 



After securing our third seal we set sail, which consists of a sprit-sail 

 bent to a mast which can be easily stepped and unstepped. After sail- 

 ing a few miles we sighted several more seal asleep on kelp, and took 

 in the sail and proceeded under paddle alone. This is always done, as 

 the canoe is more easily handled and the flapping of the sail is liable 

 to frighten the seal. We succeeded in getting within 40 yards, when 

 one of the group, which was awake, gave the alarm. Instantly the In- 

 dian fired, wounding it in the the head, but they all escaped. 



As a rule it is an easy matter, especially for a canoe, to get within 

 10 yards of a sleeper. Sometimes the hunters can almost touch them 

 with the spear. Out of sixteen seals which we saw, twelve were asleep, 

 and four playing. We killed and captured three, all of which were cows, 

 wounded three, which escaped, and missed two. The shotgun was used 

 exclusively in all eases but one, when the rifle was used at long range. 

 The Indian hunter, Wilton, who did the shooting, is considered a good 

 shot, and this is about the percentage, he tells me, which he usually 

 gets. The Indiaus are more expert with the spear and seldom miss 

 with that weapon. They use it, however, only on sleepers. They were 

 very anxious to use the spear instead of the gun, but I would not allow 

 them, in accordance with your instructions, since white hunters use the 

 gun exclusively, and it was desired to learn what percentage of those 

 shot escaped and are lost by sinking. 



For the information of those who do not know I will describe the spear 

 and manner of using it. I refer you to the drawing. The spear is made 

 of wood and consists of four parts, viz, (a) made of fir, 12 feet long, 1 

 inch in diameter handle (b) and two prongs (c 1 ) made of the branches 

 of crab apple, one 30 inches, and the other 15 inches in length. Over 

 the ends of these prongs fit spearheads (d) and (d 1 ) made of elk horn 

 and old files. To each spearhead is fastened a stout sinew or cord (e), 

 procured from the tail of the whale and served with twine. These are 

 only a few feet long, and form a bridle to which is attached a stout cod 

 line (/) 12 fathoms long. The horn of the spearheads, to which this 

 sinew is attached, is covered with a thick coat of spruce gum to keep 

 out water and prevent rotting. When the spear is used the line is drawn 

 taut along the spear, a kind of hitch or slipknot taken over a cleat or 

 lug (g) and the end of the line made fast to a thwart in the head sheets 

 of the canoe, the rest of the line coiled down neatly for running. The 



