Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-02-27
KILLING SEA OFFERS,
ALEUTS CONDUCT THE CHASE IN
=. CANOES ON THE OPEN SEA.

Exciting Ocean Hunting Of Vancouver
Island-How the Frail Fleets Outride
aStorn-surrounding victim-secur-
ing the Otter.
| Sannakh island, the largest of group
| If the same name, with it's surrounding
eefs, rocky lodges, and islets is neverthe-
ess the richest hunting ground in Alaskan
waters. Parties of hunters from the main
land to the north and east, 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 crude butts 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 a 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 inhospitable 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 brief invocation of the lnightier
spirits, embarks, fully equipped, two and
two in their bidarkas.
A bidarka is sort of canoe made of the
skin of the sea lion or hair seal stretched
over a light wooden frame, and, though
seldom exceeding 25 feet in length by 80
inches in breadth, and weighing less than
100 pounds, yet so strong are they that, eX
elusive of crew of 300 pounds, goods ag-
,Ie,
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
combings 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 a drop
of water getting inside. This is 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.
AS an additional security, when the sea
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
it's way inside, which it sometimes does
through the seams of theskin, tits pumped
out by means of a small wooden tube
which the native sucks full, then by re-
I, rrvl,in Io boc, nj
over the lower end of the tube, to retain
it's 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 a sign, and i'm
mediately, without a word being uttered,
the canoes separate, forming huge semi
circle, each bidarka from fifty to a hun
bred yards distant from the next, and the
occupants keeping always yigilant look
out both on the surface of the water and
the other boats.
KILLING THE OTTER.
As soon as a 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
IL. 10 HI
animal and keep it within the ever narrow
ing ring. Occasionally, however, the otter, |
after diving, alters his course, and appear
ing at distance without the line, the
canoes are thus compelled tc 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 a shaft |
at it. Lodging in its 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 manner as to re-
tard its progress as much as possible To
that end the head is set SO loosely in it's
socket that the reco1 of striking causes
the shaft to detach itself, leaving the head
securely imbedded in the flesh.
Wound round and round the shaft is
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-
L., ! II, |
an additional drag.
Naturally, with all this to prevent his
rapid escape, the otter shortly comes to
the surface, pretty well exhausted with his
eXertions, and at no great distance from
where he was first struck. AS he makes
his appearance spears, arrows and darts
are now indifferently launched at his de-
voted body. The poor animal dives rap
idly and frantically endeavors to escape,
but worn out from his tiresome efforts
and bleeding wounds, his motions have
less energy and vigor, and he soon floats
up to receive his death stroke. The car
cass is then skinned in the water, care be-
ing taken not to dislodge any spear or ar
row heads from the skin, which is taken
into one of the bidarkas, when. if the
weather still continues propitious, the
hunt continues.
On the return of the party to land each
otter skin is inspected by the chief in the
presence of all hands, and the ownership
of the different skins ascertained by means
of the points imbedded therein, each of
which is marked with the owners sign or
brand. Curiously enough, the weapon
nearest the tail carries off the prize, where
as he who first succeeded in placing barb,
which virtually was the means of the ami
malls destruction, receives but from 50 to
$40 from the owner. according to the value
of the skin.-San Francisco Chronicle.
Being Shaved in India.
In my wanderings about the world,
writes a veteran traveller, being of the Esau
tyre, hunter and a hairy man, have