TESTIMONY TAKEN IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. 353 



at tlio eiuLs, and pointed. The prongs and sliaft are scarped together 

 and held in place by a serving of small cotton line. The long prong 

 is a continuation of the shaft, but the short one projects off' at a slight 

 angle. The spearheads are made of bone and steel, with a single barb 

 at the sides and a socket in the bntt, into which the ends of the prongs 

 are fitted In the middle of the spearhead is a hole, into which is bent 

 a lanyard made of whale sinew, which is sewed with cotton twine to 

 prevent it from chafing. To the lanyard is fastened the spear rope, 

 which in early years was also made of whale sinew, or other durable 

 material, but now cotton line is used as a substitute, it being much easier 

 procured, and answers the purpose equally as w^ell. The spearheads 

 are held in position by the spear rope, which is hauled taut and fastened 

 to a whalebone becket at the end of the shaft. In throwing the spear, 

 two fingers of the right hand are placed over a small flat handle, the 

 other hand acting as a rest upon which the sj^ear is balanced. When 

 the spear is thrown the long prong is held uppermost. The reason for 

 this is that if it should pass over the back or head of the seal the short 

 prong will be sure to strike it. As soon as a seal is struck the spear- 

 heads sli]) from the prongs and the rope from the becket. No notice is 

 taken of the shaft, as it can be picked up after the prize has been 

 secured. 



As an illustration of this method of taking seals, I give in detail one 

 of my experiences : On the afternoon of April 23d I went out in one of 

 our canoes, managed by two Neah Bay Indians, father and son. The 

 weather being pleasant and sea smooth, sail was set, and with the as- 

 sistance of paddles we made good speed in a southwesterly direction. 

 Two men usually go in a canoe; one handles a spear and the other a 

 steering paddle. No great importance is attached to the man who 

 steers, as it requires no special slcill to keep the canoe on the course de- 

 sired; but to the skill of the one who stands in the bow and throws the 

 spear depends the success of the hunt, and if he should be so unfor- 

 tunate as to miss several seals in succession his dusky partner in the 

 stern thinks Mmself justified in using strong language. All seal- 

 hunting canoes carry a small sprit-sail made of drilling, which can be 

 set and taken in very quickly with little or no noise. Oars and paddles 

 are both used; the former when a long passage is to be made, the lat- 

 ter when among seals. The spearman always keeps a lookout for seals, 

 and stands upon one of the forward thwarts, with one hand resting 

 against the mast to steady himself. In this ])osition he commands a 

 good view on either side and ahead. It is not to be understood, how- 

 ever, that the man in the stern keeps no watcli, for his eyes are ever on 

 the alert, but his lower j)osition prevents him from seeing any great 

 distance. As soon as a seal is sighted the sail is taken in, rolled up, 

 and placed w^here it can not make a noise by thumping against the side 

 or on the thwarts. The gaff' and killing club are placed in a handy posi- 

 tion, and the spear examined to see if* everything about it is strong and 

 in good working order. If the seal is some distance away both the men 

 paddle, but if close by only the hunter at the stern paddles, the direc- 

 tion being indicated by a wave of the hand from the man in the bow. 



Silently the sleeper is approached, all uncons(;ious of its danger. If 

 the coveted prize should show signs of uneasiness, no risk is taken, and 

 the hunter throws his spear when within 40 or 50 feet of it. He seldom 

 misses the mark even at this distance, but will always approach nearer 

 if possible. At the end of an hour we saw our first seal about a quarter 

 of a mile ahead. The canoe was kept off' under its Ice, the sail taken 

 in, and everything put in readiness for action. Cautiously we paddled 

 2716— VOL II 23 



