HUNTING THE SEA OTTER. 101 



about in all directions. Those which were sleeping with 

 their heads pointed in the direction of the water are 

 inevitably lost, as nothing will stay their stampede seaward, 

 but those looking landwards follow that course just as 

 desperately. These the natives follow up promptly until the 

 terrified creatures fall panting and gasping prone to the 

 earth. 



With all sorts of horrible noises and gesticulations they 

 are again and again roused and forced onwards, until they 

 are finally corralled near the hunters' abode. From twenty 

 to forty is the general result of one of their surprises ; the 

 corralling consists in surrounding them with a few stakes 

 thrust into the ground some twenty feet apart with a line or 

 two of sinew-rope between them, from which flutter a few 

 rags of cloth. And although they are continually alert, 

 roaring, twisting and twining about, they never make the 

 slightest effort to escape from their flimsy bonds. 



When a sufficient number have been corralled by these 

 night surprises generally from two to three hundred the 

 great drive commences. With only such pauses as are 

 sufficient to inflate the exhausted lungs of their helpless 

 prey, the natives urge them on with relentless persistence 

 by night and day until they reach their journey's end in the 

 precincts of the village. As this is fully eleven miles from 

 their point of departure, and the rate of progression is only 

 about two miles in the twenty-four hours, whereas the fur 

 seal can be driven at three times that speed, some idea may 

 be formed of the time and trouble employed in these drives. 

 Should the weather be wet and cold, as is generally the 

 case, five or six days is sufficient ; but should it be dry and 

 warm three weeks or even longer will often elapse before 

 their destination is reached. 



Curiously enough, between North-East Point and the 

 native village are a number of small fresh water lakes, the 

 largest of which is nearly two miles in length, through all of 

 which successively the long drawn-out line of sea lions is 

 driven, without any attempt at escape. 



