152. ACROSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANAD 
takes his bow and arrow from his side and sends a 
swift shaft through the head of his outwitted com- 
panion. Sometimes, instead of the bow and arrow, a 
harpoon is used with equal effect. . 
I knew an Eskimo who was so expert at this kind of 
sport that he was able to catch seals with his teeth. 
In order to secure one by shooting it, as just described, 
it is necessary to kili it instantly, for if only shot through 
the body, or even through the heart, it will throw itself 
into its hole and thus be lost. 
During the season of open water still another method 
of seal-hunting has to be adopted. There is now no ice 
to perform upon, so the kyack has to take its place, and 
in this light craft the Eskimo pursues his prey in the 
open sea, or in the channels of water among the ice. 
The weapon now used is not the bow, but a specially 
designed style of harpoon, which may be thrown long 
distances from the hand. The bow and arrow are use- 
less, because of the difficulty of instantly killing the seal 
by a shaft aimed from a kyack. This harpoon is a 
light form of spear, having an adjustable ivory head to 
which is attached a long plaited sinew line. This line 
is wound on the handle of the harpoon, and attached to 
the end of it is a small float. 
When a seal makes its appearance within twenty or 
thirty yards of the hunter the harpoon, thus arranged, 
is thrown, and if the seal is struck, the ivory head, which 
becomes buried in the flesh, is detached from the shank, 
and as the seal plunges about, or dives, the line is 
quickly unwound from the floating handle. 
Unless killed outright, the seal quickly disappears 
with line and float; but as it can remain under water 
