The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-12
KILLING SEA Offers.
ALEUTs CONDUCT THE CHASE IN
CANOES ON THE OPEN SEA

Sannakh island, the largest Of a group
of the same name, with its surrounding
reefs, rocky lodges, and islets, is neverthe-
less the richest hunting ground IN Alaskan
waters Parties Of hunters from the main
land TO the north and east, and the tnnu-
merable islands to the east and west, may
be found here at al 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 a successful
hunt for the sea otter and seal
1t is only at time when the sea Is
smoothest that the hunters msy 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 a brief invocation Of the mightier
spirits, embarks, fully equipped, TWO and
two, in their bidarkas.
A bidarka is a sort OF canoe made of the
skin Of the sea lion or hair seal stretched
over a light wooden frame, and, though
seldom exceeding p feet in length by 80
inches in breadth, and weighing less than
100 pounds, yet so strong are they that, eX
elusive OF a crew of 800 pounds, goods ag
gregating as much as 500 pounds are often
carried in them. With the exception of
two circular holes equidistant from either
4 g.. o1f hnr sr,N hi hea ~
cupants Of the f-ail 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
cornbings of the matches, their sleevesse-
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
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 ont
the storm in safety When any water finds
its way inside, which it sometimes does
through the seams of the skin. tits pumped
out by means of a small wooden tube
which the native sucks full, then by r.
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 voyage the peredovchik
or leader ISSUES entire command and
silence falls on the little fiotilla. When in
his opinion they are nearing the vicinity
of their quarry he makes a sign, and i'm
mediatelv, without word being uttered,
the canoes separate, forming huge semi
circle, each bidarka from fifty to hun
dred yards distant from the next, and the
occupants keeping always vigilant 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 10
the surface to breathe, going down again
after remaining there few seconds.
Should be 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 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 a. 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 70 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 buoy, though it also acts as
an additional drag.
Naturally, with all this 20 prevent his
rapid escape, the otter shortly comes 70
the surface, pretty well exhausted with his
exertions, and at no great distance from
where ne was first struck As be makes
his appearance spears, arrows and darts
are now indIferently launched at his DC
voted body. The poor animal dives zap
idly aud franticslly endeavors to escape,
but worn out from his tiresoms efforts
and bleeding wounds, his motions have
less energT and viEor, and he soon floats
up 10 receive his death stroke. The car
cass Is then skinned in the water, care BE-
ing taken not 70 d.slodge any spear or ar
row Ee&us LOu4 ABo SILL - A-4-- ~ tfAf-ri4
into one OF the bidsrkAs, when, II the
weather still continues propis!ous, the
hunt continues.
On the return Of the party 20 land each
otter skin Is inspected by the chief IN the
presence Of al hands, and the Ownership
OF the different skins Ascertained By means
Of the points inbedded therein each OF
which Is marked with the owners sign or
brand. Curiously enough, the weapon
nearest the tail carries Of the prlEe, where
As be who first succee6ed in placing barb,
which virtually was the means Of the ami
mails destE Iction, receives out from 3 70
$40 from the owner. according 20 the value
Of the skzn--SAn Francisco Chronicle.