American Big Game in its Haunts 



white — principally Russian — is known as the 

 "Creole." 



The natives whom I met on the Kadiak Islands 

 seemed to show traces of Japanese descent, for 

 they resembled these people both in size and fea- 

 tures. I found them of docile disposition, remark- 

 able hunters and weather prophets, and most ex- 

 pert in handling their wonderful canoes, with 

 which I always associate them. 



The baidarka is made with a light frame of 

 some strong elastic wood, covered with seal or sea 

 lion skin; not a nail is used in making the frame, 

 but all the various parts are tied firmly together 

 with sinew or stout twine. This allows a slight 

 give, for the baidarka is expected to yield to every 

 wave, and in this lies its strength. There may be 

 one, two, or three round hatches, according to the 

 size of the boat. In these the occupants kneel, and, 

 sitting on their heels, ply their sharp-pointed pad- 

 dles; all paddling at the same time on the same 

 side, and then all changing in unison to the other 

 side at the will of the bowman, who sets a rapid 

 stroke. In rough water, kamlaykas — large shirts 

 made principally of stretched and dried bear gut — 

 are worn, and these are securely fastened around 

 the hatches. In this way the Aleuts and the in- 

 terior of the baidarka remain perfectly dry, no 



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