San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-27

ing the otter.
Sannakh island, the largest of a group
of the same name, with its surrounding
reefs rocky leIlge and iSlets, is neverthe-
less the richest hunting ground in Alaskan
waters. Parti of hunters from the main
land to the north and eGst, and the innu-
merable islands to the east and west, may
be found here at all seasons of the. year,
living in tents of skin or canvas or hastily
constructed barabaraS rude huts of earth
and dried grass, diligently watching for
the rare intervals of weather when the sea
is sufficiently smooth to warrant their put
ting out with some prospect of successful
hunt for the sea otter and seal
1t is only at a time when the sea is
smoothest that the hunters may set forth
with any promise or hope of success, and
in the inhospitabie and boisterOus weather
of this section of Alaska such days are of
the rareSt occurrence, weeks and even
months often passing ere the hunters have
an opportunity of trying their skill with
bow and spear. The long looked for quiet
day having at length arrived, the party,
after a brief invocation of the mighter
spirits embarks, fully equipped, two and
two, in their bid&rkas.
A biuarkj. is a sort of canoe made of the
skin of the sea lion or hair seal stretched
over light wooden frame, and, though
seldom exceeding p feet in length by so
inches in breadth, and weighing less than
100 pounds, yet SO strong are they that, eX
elusive of a crew of 300 pounds, goods ag
gregating as much as 500 pounds are often
carried in them. With the exception of
two circular holes equidistant from either
end and from each other, in which the oc-
cupaNts Of the frail craft squat, the bidar-
ka is completely decked over.
EQUIPPED FOR STORMS.
Clad in their kamlelkas, waterproof
shirts of whale, seal or bear intestines, the
bottoms of which they fasten around the
combngs of the matches, their sleeves Sc
cured tightly TO the wrist, and the opening
for the head drawn up closely about the
neck, whole seas might wash entirely over
both boat and occupants without drop
of water getting inside. This is a necessary
precaution, as, though smooth and calm
at the start, it is quite possible, and even
likely, owing to the long distance which
they have to go, that the party may meet
with heavy weather ere they reach the
land.
is too heavy to make Roadway against,
they collect in groups of three or four ca
noes and, lashing them together, ride out
the storm in safety. When any water finds
its way inside, which it sometimes does
through the seams of the skin, It's pumped
out by means of small wooden tube
which the native sucks full, then by re-
moving his finger, which he has placed
over the lower end of the tube, to retain
its contents until clear of the bidarka, the
water runs out into the sea. The operation
is continued until the boat is dry.
Once started on a voyage the peredOvchik
or leader assumes entire command and
silence falls on the little fotilla. When in
his opinion they are nearing the vicinity
of their quarry he makes sign, and i'm
mediateiy, without a word being uttered,
the canoes separate, forming huge semi
circle, each bdarka from fifty to a hun
dred yards distant from the next, and the
occupants keeping always a vigilant look
out both on the surface of the water and
the other boats.
KILLING THE OTTER.
As soon as hunter sights the glossy
head of an otter he raises his paddle and
points in the direction in which the animal
was seen. The scattered bidarkas then
close up so as to form an extended circle
about the spot indicated, and still in silence
await the temperance of the otter. This
is sure to be in about ten minutes, as at
the end of that interval he must come to
the surface to breathe, going down again
after remaining there a few seconds.
Should he come up within the circle of
boats they gradually close in, beating the
water with their paddles to bewilder the
animal and keep it within the ever narrow
ing ring. Occasionally, however the otter,
after diving, alters his course, and appear
ing at a distance without the line, the
canoes are thus compelled to change their
base before finally securing the prize.
As soon as the pursued animal shows
himself within spears throw the earnest
hunter, rising to his knees, hurls shaft
at it. Lodging in it's skin near the head
we will say, the otter Immediately tries to
dive. In view of this trait the spear is
constructed in just such a manner as to re-
tard its progress as much as possible. To
that end the head is set so loosely in its
socket that the recoil of striking causes
the shaft to detach itself, leaving the head
securely imbedded in the flesh.
Wound round and round the shaft is a
fine cord or line of braided sinew some
three or four feet in length. One end of
this is attached near the base of the barbed
ivory head, while the other eliminates IN
a bride, each end of which is secured to
either extremity of the shaft.
DIVIDING THE sPoILs.
This causes it to drag broadside to, in
which position it offers the greatest resist
ance to the water. On some spears there
is attached near the foot an inflated blad-
der used as a buoy, though it also acts as
an additional drag.
Naturally, with all this to prevent his
rapid escape, the otter shortly comes to
the surface, pretty well exhausted with his