HOW I HUNTED THE SEA-OTTER 47 
them. Now and then an otter is killed by the first 
shot fired, but not often. 
To a sportsman, sea-otter hunting is one of the 
most exciting and fascinating of pursuits. No other 
offers such a variety of incidents. In running an 
otter, there is no particular choice of position, except 
that the boat “ raising ” the otter has the privilege 
of going for it and taking the first shot. Each boat 
must keep its place, and move into its proper posi¬ 
tion when the otter dives. The nearest boat to the 
animal when he comes to the surface has the right 
to shoot first, no boat being allowed to spoil the 
chance of another. Although the hunters are paid 
by a “ lay 55 —that is, a proportion of the whole 
catch—so that it does not matter in this respect 
who kills the otter, yet there is keen competition, 
as each one naturally likes to have the credit of 
being what is called “ high boat ” at the end of the 
season. This gives him a reputation, and he can 
command a higher lay when shipping for another 
season. 
A successful hunter must necessarily be a good 
shot. He likewise requires good judgment, a cool 
head, patience, and good sight and hearing. A man 
must also be keen, resourceful, active, able to stand 
exposure, have a knowledge of the habits of the 
animal, know how to handle a boat, be well versed 
in weather-lore and currents, and a keen observer 
of the ways of the wild generally. It is not always 
that the best shot will come out “ high boat.” The 
hunter who notes the ways of an otter, who keeps 
his boat’s crew in order, never allowing them to talk 
or make a movement that will cause any sound when 
the boat is at rest awaiting the appearance of the 
