PREPARATIONS. 31 



CHAP. III. 



Preparations. — Description of a Walrus-boat, and Im- 

 plements used. — Harpoons. — Lances. — The Haak- 

 pick, or Seal-hook. — Axes. — Knives. — Ice-anchors. — 

 Compass. 



The crew are busy in shaping the rongli white 

 pine-poles into oars, and shafts for the spears 

 and harpoons, sharpening all the blades to 

 a razor edge on a grindstone mounted on 

 deck for the purpose, and otherwise fitting up 

 the boats for immediate operations against the 

 sea-horses. 



I may as well here proceed to give a general 

 description of the way in which this pursuit is 

 conducted, as well as of the tackle and imple- 

 ments made use of, as it will enable the reader 

 more clearly to understand my account of our 

 own personal experiences afterwards. 



A well-constructed and well-appointed walrus- 

 boat for five men is twenty-one feet long by five 

 feet beam, having her main breadth about one- 

 third from the bow. She is bow-shaped at 



