PREPARATIONS. 31 



CHAP. III. 



Preparations. Description of a &quot;Walrus-boat, and Im 

 plements used. Harpoons. Lances. The Haak- 

 pick, or Seal-hook. Axes. Knives. Ice-anchors. 

 Compass. 



THE crew are busy in shaping the rough white 

 pine-poles into oars, and shafts for the spears 

 and harpoons, sharpening all the blades to 

 a razor edge on a grindstone mounted on 

 deck for the purpose, and otherwise fitting up 

 the boats for immediate operations against the 

 sea-horses. 



I may as well here proceed to give a general 

 description of the way in which this pursuit is 

 conducted, as well as of the tackle and imple 

 ments made use of, as it will enable the reader 

 more clearly to understand my account of our 

 own personal experiences afterwards. 



A well-constructed and well-appointed walrus- 

 boat for five men is twenty-one feet long by five 

 feet beam, having her main breadth about one- 

 third from the bow. She is bow-shaped at 



