APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 967 
98. Q. Then the propertionof lossin proportion to those killed is about how much— 
10 per cent?—A. It does not exceed that. 
99, Q. In the number killed during the different months of tho season, what is the 
proportion of males to females?—A. Three males to two females. 
187 100. Q. As tothe abstention of Canadian sealers from raiding the seal islands, 
you are quite positive that from your knowledge of sealing-vessel owners and 
masters, you give it as your direct opinion that no Canadian sealers ever raided 
those islands. You would say so upon oath in Court?—A. They never did to my 
knowledge. 
101. Q. If such a thing had been attempted, it would, as a matter of fact, have 
leaked out?—A. Yes; it stands to reason the crews would have been unable to keep 
it to themselves. 
102. Q. They would tell it either to their associates on board or after getting 
ashore?—A. They could not keep it. 
103. Q. After the hunters get aboard at night, they usually recount whether they 
lost any seals, and in speaking of their loss, it would mean those seals that would 
sink, not those that escape?—A. If they lost any, they would not tell it at all, but 
if they sunk any, they would speak of it. 
104. @. You are at present a ship-owner, Captain Laing?—A. Yes. 
105. Q. You have had great opportunities of hearing from all sources matter rela- 
tive to the seal fishing?—A. Yes. 
106. Q. Has it been noticed that the skins taken last year in the Behring’s Sea 
were smaller than usual?—A. About the same general size. 
107. Q. Is it generally known that the seals caught on the Copper Island are bet- 
ter than the average ?—A. I have never seen them, but it is reported they are better. 
108. Q. It is reported also that seals caught in January, March, and April are 
better than any in Behring’s Sea; they say the fur is better?—A. They say so, but I 
don’t know that you can see any difference. 
109. Q. It has been said that the fur of the seals caught during the winter and 
spring months is light? The fur of all animals in cold climates is thicker in win- 
ter?—A. I have never noticed that with seals. 
110. Q. A few years ago it was said that the Behring’s Sea skins were the best ?— 
A. It has been so reported, but I don’t think there is any difference. 
111. Q. The “ grey pup” of this year will be a ‘‘ brown pup” next year?—A. Yes; 
a ‘*2-year-old” or “ brown pup.” 
112. Q. Do the hunters usually follow the grey pups with the same zeal as they 
do the other seals?—A. They can’t tell the difference till they are actually ‘ on top 
of them.” 
113. Q. And they are apt to shoot little as well as big?—A. Yes; everything they 
come across. 
114. Q. Were the Indian hunters more successful last year than Whites?—A. No, 
they were not. It was a “stand off” between them. ‘The only difference is that 
the Whites will risk more than the Indians. 
115. Q. The expensive wages, cost of outfitting schooners, considered, don’t you 
‘think that 4 dollars per skin a high figure for hunters?—A. It is. 
116. Q. How many boats does the average schooner carry ?—A. About six and the 
stern boat. 
117. Q. And each boat takes three white men?—A. Yes, a huntey, a boat-puller, 
and a boat-steerer. 
118. @. The ship furnishes the boat, guns, and outfit?—A. Yes, the whole outfit 
of guns, ammunition, provisions, wages for the two men, and pays the hunter so 
much per skin. 
119. Q. At the present time, how much per skin?—- A. 5 to 4 dollars. 
120. Q. With Indian crews?—A. They furnish their own canoe, spears, and outfit; 
one Indian steers; but the vessel finds them in provisions only. The last two or 
three seasons some vessels have supplied guns and ammunition. 
121. Q. Does the Indian get 4 dollars per skin; does he out of that pay his own 
boat-helper?—A. Yes, he pays out of his rate per skin. The ship pays the steerer 
nothing. 
122. iy Therefore, if the Indian crews were as profitable, they are the cheapest; 
if they get as many skins?—A. Yes, if yon can get them. 
123. Q. Is the Indian a good hunter, in your experience?—A. Yes, Sir. 
124. Q. Bold and intrepid?—A. Yes, when he is in his canoe nothing will seare 
him. I have seen an old bull seal capsize a canoe, and the Indians would get into it 
again, bail the water out, and go on hunting as though nothing had happened. 
125. Q. Is the Indian lazy, or does he seem anxious to proceed in the hunt from 
188 day to day?—A. In fine weather, yes, but when the sea is ‘‘ choppy” he would 
usually rather stay aboard. 
126. Q. His canoe is not quite so strong as the sealing-boat?—A. No, not quite. 
127. Q. Have there been many accidents among the Indians—loss of life?—A. Not 
since, I think, 1887, when a schooner foundered with all aboard. 
