Stupart's Bay Station. 89 



and when he can no longer be held by the line he is allowed to go, 

 buoy and all ; but the latter betrays his whereabouts, and not only 

 secures his capture, but is often the cause of attracting other seals 

 which are secured also. It is a sight to see an Eskimo fighting a 

 walrus in one of these kayaks. The latter invariably attempts to 

 pierce the kayak with his tusks ; but when he makes the venture, 

 in his fool-hardy courage, he not only fails to succeed, as the little 

 craft moves too easily in the water to give him any power over it, 

 but receives a harpoon in his side, or is pierced to the heart with a 

 deadly lance. With the buoy attached, to keep his prize from 

 sinking, he paddles it in tow to the shore. 



The natives use but one paddle in the kayak ; but it is not the 

 same as that used by the Indians in the canoe. It is a double 

 paddle ; that is to say, both ends are flattened, and, in paddling, 

 first one end is used and then the other, on one side and the other 

 respectively. The central portion of the paddle i^ round, and the 

 water is prevented from running down upon the hands, as the 

 instrument is used, by pieces of skin which are placed tightly around 

 at the proper places. A new beginner will have some trouble in 

 navigating the kayak, and it will be well for him, at first, to keep 

 in shallow water. It tips over with the slightest provocation, and, 

 as you can extricate yourself from the hole with some little diffi- 

 culty, and as you are precipitated into the water head first, it 

 becomes a matter of importance that you either know how to 

 balance yourself properly or are prepared for a plunge bath. One 

 of the Neptune's crew, in making the attempt, went over head 

 first into ten fathoms of water ; but, as he was a good swimmer, he 

 soon managed to kick himself loose and take rescue in an adjoining 

 boat. He was fearfully wet and cold, but got some redress by 

 soundly cuffing the boy Johnny for laughing at him. A good many 

 others laughed that were not cuffed at all. We all admired the 

 kayak, but none of us ventured to test the delightful pleasures of 

 riding in one. It does not take long however to learn to handle 

 one, and I would recommend kayak clubs as a means of healthy 

 amusement for young Canadians. 



We remained at Stupart's Bay from Sunday noon until Friday 



