The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-16

two circular holes equidistant from either
end and from each other, in which the occu-
pants OF the frail craft squat, the bidarka is
completely decked over.
Clad in their kamleikas waterproof shirts
Of whale, seal or bear intestines. the bot
toms of which they fasten around the comb
iDgs of the matches, their sleeves secured
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 a necessary
! precaution, as, though smooth and calm
enough 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 secur-
ity, when the sea is too heavy TO make
headway against, they collect in groups of
three or four canoes and, flashing them to-
gether, ride out the storm i'll safety. When
any water finds its way inside, which it
sometimes does through the seams of the
skin, it is pumped out by means Of small
wooden tube which the native sucks full,
then by removing his finger, which he has
placed over the lower end Of the tube to re-
tain its contents until clear of the bidarka
the water runs out into the sea. The opera
ton Is continued until the boat is dry.
Once started on voyage the peredovchik,
or leader, assumes entire command, and
silence falls on the little 1otllla. When, in
his opinion, they are nearing the vicinity
OF their quarry, he makes a sign, and imme
diately, without a word being uttered, the
canoes separate, forming huge semi-circle
each bidarka from fifty to hundred yards
distant from the next, and the occupants
keeping always vigilant lookout both on
the surface of the water and the other
boats
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 other. 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 the paddles
to bewilder the animal and to keep it within
the ever-narrowing ring. Occasionally,
however, the otter, after diving, alters his
course, and appearing at 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 a spears throw the earnest
hunter, rising to his knees, hurls shaft at
1t. Lodging in its skin near the head we
will say, the otter Immediately tries to
dive In view of this trait the spear is con-
structed in just such a manner as to retard
It's 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
end OF the shaft. This causes it to drag
broadSide to- in which position it offers the
greatest resistance to the water. On some
spears there is attached near the foot an
Inflated bladder used as a buoy, though it
also acts as an additional drag
Naturally, with all this to prevent his
rapid escape, the otter comes to the surface.
pretty well exhausted with his exertious
and at no great distance from where he frat
struck. As he makes his appearance spears,
arrows and darts are now indiffereutly
launched at his devoted body. The poor
animal dives raDidly. and franticaIly
endeavors to escape, bat, 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 carcass is then skinned in the water,
care being taken not to dislodge any spear
or arrow heads from the skin, which is taken
into one of the bidarkas, when, if the
weather be still propitious, the hunt con-
tinues
On the return Of the party to land each
otter skin is inspected by the chief in the
presence of all hands, aud 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 ths
tail carries off the prize. whereas he who
first succeeded in placing a barb, which
virtually was the means of the animals
destruction, receives but from IS to $40
from the owner, according to the value of
the skin.
RYRT1T9 OF ETCa