12 THE'SEA OTTERS. 
with the flowing night-tide; and the object so eagerly and 
patiently sought for is at last stealthily appropriated by some 
skulking savage. 
Notwithstanding their propensity to purloin, the Indians 
of the north-west coast not only occasionally shoot the sea 
otter as do the whites, but in the months of July and 
August, when calm weather prevails, they capture them by 
night. A small canoe is chosen for the purpose and the 
implement used 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 the day a sharp watch is kept on any 
band of the animals that may have been in view from the 
shore and their position accurately defined before beginning 
the pursuit. All being in readiness, as the shade of evening 
approaches, they launch upon the calm sea, and three men 
paddle in silence toward the place where the objects of pur- 
suits were seen, while the fourth takes his station in the bow 
— who is either a chief or some one distinguished in the 
chase— 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, which, 
in its efforts to escape, draws the spear from the pole, but is 
not freed yet (as there is a small strong line connecting the 
spear and pole together, although permitting them to sepa- 
rate a few feet). It dives deep, but with great effort, as the 
unwieldly pole greatly retards its progress. The keen-eyed 
savage, however, traces its course in the blinding darkness 
by the phosphorescent light caused by the animal's transit 
through the water, and when it rises upon the surface to 
breathe is beat with clubs, paddles, or, perhaps another 
spear, and is finally despatched after repeated blows or 
thrusts. The confliet arouses the whole band which instantly 
disappear, so that it is seldom that 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 
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