506 OFFICIAL REPORTS. 



merely lie on tlie surface and lazily roll over and over; hence tlie term 

 " roller." 



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

 sail bent to a mast which can be easily stcpiied and unste])ped. 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 tlie alarm. Instantly the 

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



As a rule it is an easy matter, especially lor 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 Avere cows, 



wounded three, which escaped, and missed two. The 



No shotgun used. i, i i-i-n li i 



shotgun was used exclusively in all cases but one, when 

 the rifle was used at long range. The Indian hunter, Wilton, who did the 



shooting, is consideied a good shot, and this is about 

 ercen ngo caug . ^j^^ percentage, he tells me, Avliich he usually gets. 

 The Indians are more ex})ert with the spear and seldom miss with that 

 weapon. They use it, however, only on sleei)ers. They were very 

 anxious to use the sjiear instead of the gun, but I Avould 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 escajicd and are lost by sinking. 



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



sjicar and manner of using it. 1 refer you to the draw- 

 siwa'rs"*'"^ ^^^*'' ^"S- The spear is made of Avood and consists of four 



parts, viz, («) made of fir, 12 feet long, 1 inch in diame- 

 ter, handle {!)) and tAvo prongs (c) and (c') made of the branches of 

 crnb apple, one ^^0 inches, and the other 15 inches in length. Over the 

 ends of these prongs fit spearheads {d) and {(V) made of elk horn and 

 old files. To each spearhead is fastened a stout sincAV or cord (f ), pro- 

 cured from the tail of the whale and serA'^ed Avith twine. These are 

 only a fcAv feet long, and form a bridle to Avhich is attached a stout cod- 

 line (/) 12 fathoms long. The horn of tlie spearheads, to Avhich this 

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

 out water and i)reA'ent rotting. A¥hen the spear is used tlie line is 

 drawn taut along the spear, a kind of hitch or slii)knot 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, tlie rest of the line coiled doAvn neatly for 

 running. The bowman rests the s])ear in the not(;li at the head of the 

 canoe until almost Avithin speaiing distan<!e; he then raises it Avith his 

 left hand, gras])ing it at the handle (b) Avith his right, the first Iavo fin 

 gers in the notches, which are set in a plane iierpendicular to that of 

 the jirongs. The longer i)rong is alAvays uppermost, so that in case it 

 misses its prey the shorter Avill do its cruel Avork. 



As soon as a seal is struck the spear detaches itself from the line 

 and spearheads and floats on the Avater. Then commences a struggle 

 and a scene such as follows the catching of a shark or other large 

 fisli. If the seal is not a formidal)le one it sofui tires ibsclf out and is 

 dragged to the canoe to be clubbed to death. If it be of a larger 

 „, ,. growth, an ohl linJl, lor instance,*and shoAv fight, it is 



necessary to shoot jiim beloie he can be captured. On 

 one occasion an old bull, in his terrible fury, bit a small piece out of 

 the side of the canoe. 



