THE SEA OTTER. 173 



very quickly, if the first does not take effect ; and ball after ball is sent after the 

 animal, until it is far out of reach. It is estimated that the best shooters average 

 at least twenty -five shots to every Otter obtained, and that about one -half the 

 number killed are secured by the rightful owners ; but, when once in their posses- 

 sion, it is quickly fleeced of its valuable skin, which is stretched on the walls of 

 the cabin to dry. It is no unusual occurrence for the hunter to pass a week trav- 

 eling up and down the beach, and he may shoot sixty or more rounds, and, per- 

 haps, kill several Otters; but, owing to "bad luck," not one may be secured — the 

 carcass either drifting to sea, or to shore, possibly, with the flowing night- tide, and 

 the object so patiently and eagerly sought for is at last stealthily appropriated by 

 some skulking savage. 



Notwithstanding their propensity to purloin, the Indians of the North -west- 

 ern Coast not only occasionally shoot the Sea Otters, as do the whites, but in the 

 months of Jul}' and August, when calm weather prevails, they capture them by 

 night. A small canoe is chosen for the purpose, and the implement used to capt- 

 ure the animals is a spear of native make, composed of bone and steel, fitted to a 

 long pole by a socket. Four chosen men make the crew for the canoe. Near the 

 close of day, a sharp lookout is kept for any band of the animals that may have 

 been seen from the shore, and their position accurately defined before beginning the 

 pursuit. All being in readiness, as the shade of evening approaches, they launch 

 their pigmy craft upon the calm sea, and three men paddle in silence toward the 

 place where the Otters were seen, while the fourth takes his station in the bow. 

 He is either a chief, or some one distinguished in the chase. He watches intently 

 for the sleeping Otters. As soon as one is descried, the canoe is headed for it, 

 and, when within reach, the spear is launched into the unwary creature. In its 

 efforts to escape, it draws the spear from the pole. There is a small but strong 

 cord connecting the spear and pole, which admits them to separate a few feet, but 

 does not free the Otter. The animal dives deeply, but with great effort, as the 

 unwieldy pole greatly retards its progress. The keen -eyed savage traces its course, 

 in the blinding darkness, by the phosphorescent light caused by the animal's tran- 

 sit through the water ; and when it rises upon the surface to breathe, it is beset 

 with clubs, paddles, and perhaps another spear, and is finally dispatched, after 

 repeated blows or thrusts. The conflict arouses the whole band, which instantly 

 disappear ; so that it is seldom more than one is secured. As soon as the hunt is 

 over, the animal is brought on shore, the skin taken off and stretched to dry, and, 

 when ready for market, the lucky owner considers himself enriched to the value 

 of ten or fifteen blankets, and the flesh is devoured as a choice article of food. 



