File:Outing (1885) (14579707558).jpg

Identifier: outing55newy (find matches)
Title: Outing
Year: 1885 (1880s)
Authors:
Subjects: Leisure Sports Travel
Publisher: (New York : Outing Pub. Co.)
Contributing Library: Tisch Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries

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sical obstacle so greatthat the resourceful Eskimo cannot over-come it. Now and again, when the way wasblocked, they climbed ice pinnacles tolook ahead for possible routes, then re-turned to the task of cutting awayobstructions, hauling, lifting, pulling atthe traces to aid the willing dogs. It islittle short of superhuman—the energyof those men. Six hours of toil and wefound ourselves again on smooth ice. Itwas new ice, formed within the previ-ous fortnight, and as polished and perfectas a field of glass. The dogs appreciatedit as well as ourselves, and forged aheadat a rapid pace. Many seals were seen on the fresh-made ice, and Eiseeyou, my head man,expressed a desire that I take charge ofhis dog team while he stalked some ofthem. Seals are extremely shy, andgreat caution must be practiced in ap-proaching them. The Eskimos use ablind in the form of a miniature sledge,about eighteen inches in length by sixinches in width, with bearskin tackedon the runners. Fore and aft are two 264
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(opyrightt IQOQ, by Harry II hit/tey.NEITHER COLD NOR WIND MATTER TO SLEEPY ESKIMOS. upright crotched sticks, upon which therifle rests and to which it is lashed. Onthe front of the sledge a crossbar sustainstwo long perpendicular sticks, overwhich a piece of white cloth is stretched,or when that is not attainable, hare skinis substituted. Through a hole in thiscloth screen the rifle muzzle protrudes. Holding his blind before him, Eisee-you was enabled to walk within threeor four hundred yards of a seal withoutstartling it, then he dropped on handsand knees and pushed the little sledgebefore him. Thus hidden behind thecloth screen, which so blended with theice as to arouse in the seal no suspicionof danger, he approached within fiftyyards before shooting. Seals always lieclose to their holes, and it is necessary tohit them in the head or undei the shoul-der and have the bullet penetrate theheart and kill them instantly; otherwisethey will flop into the hole and sink be-fore it is poss

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