Viewing page 20 of 43

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

as much as possible

When on the hunting ground about 20 bidarkies hunt in line ||||||| against the wind and as soon as an otter is seen in range they commence throwing spears and when it is killed they examine it and whoever had his spear nearest the head owns the animal; that is when several spears are thrown at once, otherwise if a man throws first and, spears the animal it is given him. If two dispute over the ownership of an [[strikethrough]] ofter [[strikethrough]] otter the Chief ends it by saying that it is the property of the Chief at which every one is satisfied

The natives are very superstitious and if they succeed in striking several otter with a spear they would not part with it. But if they miss  they will part with it very readily. When they miss with a rifle several times they conclude that the rifle is crooked and after a consultation proceed to slaughter it which they generally succeed in spoiling the gun. But few otter are to be found among this, so except about Sanak

[[image]]