Page:Across the sub-Arctics of Canada (1897).djvu/171

 The remaining portion of the line is neatly coiled, and is provided at the end with a small loop.

The line used is that made from the skin of the square-flipper seal, as already described, and may be two or three hundred feet in length, though sometimes not so long. The line box is simply a small round parchment-covered frame, about the size of the lid of a cheese-box, and is fastened to the top of the kyack, behind the paddler.

The seal-skin float is a peculiar-looking object, consisting of the entire skin of a seal, removed from the carcase, as before described, without cutting it. The hair is removed from the pelt, which is then dressed as black parchment. The natural opening at the mouth of the skin sack is provided with an ivory nozzle and plug. By blowing into the nozzle the skin is inflated, and may be kept in that condition by inserting the plug. At the tail-end of the float is an ivory cross-head, to which the loop at the end of the harpoon line may be readily attached.

The lance completes the walrus hunter's equipment. This instrument is formed of a long iron or ivory bar having a steel blade point. The bar is fitted to a wooden handle by a ball-and-socket joint, and stiffly hinged with thongs as in the case of the harpoon. The object of the joint is to prevent the lance from being broken when thrust into a walrus, as otherwise it would be, by the animal plunging about.

Equipped as above, the Eskimo hunters go out during the season of open water in pursuit of walruses, which, feeding upon clams, are usually found about sandy shores or islands. Single animals are sometimes found,