SABLE. 
253 
ones, which she continues to suckle for four or five 
weeks. 
Sables are sometimes taken by placing a piece 
of timber from tree to tree horizontally : towards 
one end of this is placed a bait : over the lower 
piece of wood is placed another, suspended ob- 
liquely, and resting at one end on a post very 
slightly ; a rod extends from it to a noose, to which 
the bait is fastened ; and the moment the sable seizes 
the meat, the upper timber falls, and crushes it to 
death. 
Formerly the capture of these animals was al- 
lotted as a task to the unhappy criminals confined 
in Siberia ; but this is no longer the case. At pre- 
sent the hunters of sables form themselves into 
companies from five to forty each ; the last sub- 
divide into lesser parties, and each chooses a leader; 
but the whole is under the direction of a chief. 
When every thing is prepared, each party embarks 
in a small covered boat, provided with an inter- 
preter for the country they intend to penetrate 
into ; with provision for the party ; and with a dog 
and a net for every two men. Thus equipped they 
set out, each boat steering its appointed course till 
they all arrive in the hunting country ; there they 
stop, build huts, and wait till the waters are frozen 
and the season commences. Before they begin the 
chase their leader assembles them, they unite in a 
prayer to the Almighty for success, and then sepa- 
rate. The first sable they take is called God’s sable, 
and is dedicated to the church. 
