76 



country where material is so scarce, some such contrivance 

 is a necessity.) In the meantime, line is payed out as needed, 

 and the kayaker attempts to get near enough to the wounded 

 animal to dispatch it with the killing lance. If it dives deeply 

 when struck or puts up a formidable struggle, which may upset 

 the kayak, the float and drag are thrown overboard, and the 

 animal is allowed to wear itself out before receiving the final 

 blow. 



Lance (see Figure 17). 



The lance {anyo'^iyuk, "the killer") is about the same size 

 and construction as the kayak harpoon, with the exception that 

 it has a fixed head. The head is usually of iron or ivory with a 

 heavy iron point. In old weapons slate and flint were used. 

 Having no line, the button at the side for fastening the same on 

 the harpoon, is absent. Another variety has a longer, more 

 slender shaft, and a long point set into the shaft and firmly 

 lashed. This variety looks like a more modern contrivance. 

 The point is over a foot long, and is said to be used for deer, 

 which are killed when crossing the river mouths and inlets. 



Seal Hook (see Figure 18). 



When the game has been dispatched with the lance, it is 

 drawn along and secured with the sealing hook {ne'tceq). The 

 sealing hook is a long wooden shaft (12 to 15 feet) with an iron 

 hook in the end. The handle is notched to secure a firmer hold 

 in handling the quarry. The sealing hook, it will be remembered, 

 rests on the back of the kayak, together with the lance. 



Bird-spear (see Figure 19a). 



There still remains the bird-spear, at the left hand of the 

 hunter in front. The modern bird-dart consists merely of a 

 light wooden shaft and the triple-pronged point of iron or ivory, 

 6 to 10 inches long. The old-style bird-dart (nu'ik) had three 

 ivory prongs which were notched or barbed. Figure 19b shows 

 the extra trident at the middle of the spear (at the point of 

 gravity) seen also in specimens from Baffin island and Alaska. 



