Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-09-20
AItxan0rla 6ax&tte
FRIDAY EVENING, SEPT. 60 1871
GaDturins Sea Lions In Alaska.

Capturing Sea Lions IN Alaska.
A singular method is annually employed by
the natives of St. Paurs Island, Alaska, tor
the capture of the sea lion. Here is an island
which, instead of presenting 40 almost unbrok'
en- line of bold, abrupt cliffs to the sea. like its
fellows in the North Pacific, offers to the land
ing seals low, though gradually rising ground.
Taking advantage Of this topography, the na
lives of St. Pau's Island secure every season
hundreds Of sea lions, with but 1.-THE or t!e
5 labor and exposure by which their capture Is
attended at other places. Eleven miles north
cast from the village on St. Paul's Island 10
pont upou which large plumber OF sea Mons
annually repair for the purposes ct breeding
cto.. but az this animal is tinid, and sure TO
tako to water when brought into the presence
of man, it's capture requires mucn olscrellon
and bolduess on the part of its captors, who arc
chosen every season from the village people,
with especal reference to their physical quail
cation for the work The "sea richie, as the
natives name them, cannot be approached sue
oesstully BY daylight 50 the hunters, ten or
twelve in number. rendezvous ID hut near py
until favorable night comes oD, Whcn the
moon is partially ohscured By drifting CLOUDS
and the wind blows in from tho rookery. linen
they step down to the beach. at low water, ana q
proceed to creep fat on all tours over the SURF
i,eaten sand and powders up to the doing herd
sud between them and the water; Ia this way
small body of men crawling along IN lndan ME
may pass unnoticed by the soa lion sentries
which doubtless in the uncertain hight oonfound
the forms Of their human enemies with those OF
seals When the creeping natives have all
reached the strip of beach which Is lett bare by
cbb tide between the water and the unsuspcct-
log animals, at given signal, tho hunters leap
at once to their feet, shout, yell, aud brand!sn
their arms while the aStoniSbed and termed
licus roar aad founder in all directions. II, at
the moment of surprise, the brutes are sleep
ing with their heads pointed toward tie water
they charge straight on IN That way, dlrecly
over the met; bat if their heads have been
resting pointed landWaId, they follow that
course Just as desperately, and nothing Will
turn thc1o, q: first, either one way or the other
These who charge for tho water are lost or
course, but tie natives promptly follow up the
land leaders, with rare combination OF hor'l.
bic noises s1d demooiacal gestlculatlons until
he fcat tretzed squirt and exertlons OF Inc
terrified aeilaa!s completely exhaust them, and
then, painting, gasping, prone upon the earth'
they are extended 8. the mercy OF their cum
alag captcrs, who gently urge them along up
70 the hut IL which they have been Keeping
watch for several days past, for the night IN
which to make this effort. Here the natives
have wlst they call their pen or cage. in which
the lion like seals, az they arc captured from
night to night arc collected and retained until
sufficient plumbers, or drove Of three or four
sundred has been secured. This cage is moth
l.sS more than succession of small poles stuck
{; wide i!ervals ever circle, in the ground,
these poles are dccked with futte1ing strips OF
white cotton clatb. and light ropes are loosely
stretched from one to the other. Within this
tlirlsy circle tho sea lions are securely lmprIs'
oaed, aud though incesssutly watched BY two
or three men, they scarcely make an effort to
escape, but their roaring is almost deafenlDg,
wAilo they constantly writhe and twist over and
against one another like a handful OF angle
worns in a saucer. From Wusratrd paper 6y
Henry ". Eliot, IN Scri5nerJor October.