REPORT OF BRITISTI COMMISSIONERS. 311 



114. Q. Were the Iiuliau biinlers more successful last year tliiui Whites? — A. No, 

 they were not, It was a "stand oft'" between them. The only difference is that the 

 Whites will risk more than the Indians. 



115. Q. The expensive wages, cost of outfitting schooners, considered, don't you 

 think that 4 dollars per skin a high figure for hunters? — A. It is. 



116. Q. How many boats does the average schooner carry? — A. About six and the 

 stern boat. 



117. Q. And each boat takes three white men? — A. Yes, a hunter, a boat-puller, 

 and a boat-steerer. 



118. Q. The ship furnishes the boat, guns, and outfit? — A. Yes, the whole outfit of 

 guns, ammunition, provisions, wages for the two men, and pays the hunter so much 

 per skin. 



119. Q. At the present time, how much per skin? — A. 3 to 4 dollars. 



120. Q. With Indian crews? — A. They furnish their own canoe, spears, and outfit; 

 one Indian steers ; but the vessel finds them in provisions only. The last two or three 

 seasons some vessels have sujj^ilied guns and ammunition. 



121. Q. Does the Indian get 4 dollars per skin; does he out of that pay his own 

 boat-helper? — A. Yes, he pays out of his rate per skin. The ship pays the stcerer 

 nothing. 



122. Q. Therefore, if the Indian crews were as profitable, they are the cheapest; 

 if they get as many skins? — A. Yes, if you can get them. 



123. Q. Is the Indian a good hunter, in j'our experience? — A. Yes, Sir. 



124. Q. Bold and intrepid? — A. Yes, when he is in his canoe nothing will scare 

 him. I have seen an old bull seal capsize a canoe, and the Indians would get into it 

 again, bail the vv^ater out, and go on hunting as though nothing had happened. 



125. Q. Is the Indian lazy, or docs he seem anxious to proceed in the hunt from 

 day to day? — A. In fine weather, yes, but when the sea is "choppy" he would 

 usually rather stay aboard. 



126. Q. His canoe is not quite so strong as the sealing-boat?— A. No, not quite. 



127. Q. Have there been many accidents among the Indians — loss of life? — A. Not 

 since, I think, 1887, when a schooner foundered with all al>()ard. 



128. Q. Do you think that as the years pass along the Indians, as well as the Whites, 

 get more expert in seal-hunting? — A. Yes, they do. 



129. Q. Notwithstanding all the ships in the fleet on the ocean, you would adhere 

 to your statement that yon don't think there is any noticeable decrease in the number 

 of seals? — A. Yes; I do not think so. If the vessels had been let alone in Behring 

 Sea last year, we would have had a bigger catch than any previous year. 



130. Q. Do you think. Captain I^aiug, if they would cease killing seals on the 

 Pribyloff Islands it would increase the number of seals on the coast? — A. I think it 

 would. 



131. Q. If the rookeries were undisturbed by anything, you think the seals would 

 be more plentiful? — A. I do. 



132. Q. Have you any opinion to offer as to killing seals on the islands doing more 

 harm than anything else? — A. I think the American people are doing more harm by 

 killing seals and interfering with them on their rookeries or seal islands thau we 

 huuters do on the coast. 



133. Q. You have never heard of any rookery along the coast? — A. I never heard 

 of one. There is a rookery of sea-lion off Queen Charlotte Island, but I never heard, 

 of any of seals. 



(Signed) A. D. Iming. 



Sworn before me, this 25th day of January, a. d. 1892. 



(Signed) A. K. Milne, Collector of Customs. 



January 25, 1892. 



William Cox, present master of the schooner "Sapphire," of Victoria, called and 

 examined by Collector Milne : 



1. Q. You are engaged in the sealing business, Captain Cox? — A. Yes, 1 have been 

 master of the sealing-schooner " Sapphire" for the last four years. 



2. Q. How many boats do you carry in your outfit? — A. I carry canoes and an 

 Indian crew. 



3. Q. With the exception of how many white men to navigate? — A. Seven white 

 people I carry for navigating the vessel. 



4. Q. The number of Indians? — A. The last two years I have had twenty-eight 

 north to Behring Sea. 



5. Q. And how many canoes? — A. Fourteen canoes. 



6. Q. Had you more canoes on the coast? — A. Yes, I have had twenty-four canoes 

 while on the coast. 



