152 ACROSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANADA. 



takes his bow and arrow from his side and sends a 

 swift shaft through the head of his outwitted com- 

 panion. Sometimes, instead of the bow and arrow, a 

 harpoon is used with equal effect. 



I knew an Eskimo who was so expert at this kind of 

 sport that he was able to catch seals with his teeth. 



In order to secure one by shooting it, as just described, 

 it is necessary to kill it instantly, for if only shot through 

 the body, or even through the heart, it will throw itself 

 into its hole and thus be lost. 



During the season of open water still another method 

 of seal-hunting has to be adopted. There is now no ice 

 to perform upon, so the kyack has to take its place, and 

 in this light craft the Eskimo pursues his prey in the 

 open sea, or in the channels of water among the ice. 



The weapon now used is not the bow, but a specially 

 designed style of harpoon, which may be thrown long 

 distances from the hand. The bow r and arrow are use- 

 less, because of the difficulty of instantly killing the seal 

 by a shaft aimed from a kyack. This harpoon is a 

 light form of spear, having an adjustable ivory head to 

 which is attached a long plaited sinew line. This line 

 is wound on the handle of the harpoon, and attached to 

 the end of it is a small float. 



When a seal makes its appearance within twenty or 

 thirty yards of the hunter the harpoon, thus arranged, 

 is thrown, and if the seal is struck, the ivory head, which 

 becomes buried in the flesh, is detached from the shank, 

 and as the seal plunges about, or dives, the line is 

 quickly unwound from the floating handle. 



Unless killed outright, the seal quickly disappears 

 with line and float ; but as it can remain under water 



