mss142-vasilevShishmarev-i3-058

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tion, but of the same size and appearance as those used for
the whales. When they penetrate the body their bony end sep-
arates from the shaft to the middle of which is attached a
bladder, and from which extends a line braided from seal
sinews or sea lion guts to the front part of the arrow. The
animal receiving the wound sinks into the depths. The shaft,
separating and floating on the surface, shows the place where
the otter is fighting death. The Aleuts wait quietly until
it rises to the surface, and then if there is more than one
baidar, join them together and skin it right then, throwing
the meat back into the sea. If there is only one Aleut, he
tows the animal to the nearest shore and there performs this
operation.

The skill and daring of the Aleuts in sailing their
baidars are almost unbelievable. They venture in them not
only from island to island, but sail to Kadiak and even to
Sitka, keeping as much as possible near shore, but if they
are overtaken in an open place by a sudden storm they join
five, six, or more baidars together with their oars, which
they thrust through loops of thong, made for this purpose,
on the decks.

Having finished repairs and taken on fresh water,
we weighed anchor on the 29th, but because of the ensuing
calm could not go farther and dropped it again near the end
of Amaknak Island. Only on the 30th, with a slight SE breeze,
could we leave the harbor, taking a course through the pass
between Unimak and Ugamak islands. On the 31st we passed

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