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[verso]

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in [Boreth'd?] Sound these last are accidental rather
than sustained hunts. The natives have
several [?[ of capturing the walrus and
then are directly connected with the season
of the year. In the fall when the pack
but partially [cleared?] is subjected to [rests?]
and broken drift the animals are very
numerous, hanging around the [neukal?]
[?] of mixed ice and water, and
following it as with the advance of winter
it solidifies more and more to the South. By means of
the young ice the Esquimaux approach the
beast either in cracks or holes and often
the manner describes last fall spear [?]
with [nalegeit?] and line.

This [fishing?], as the season grows colder, [danker?]
and more tempestuous is fearfully
hazardous. Scarcely a year passed without
a catastrophie but although accidents
were [?] during the last (a this) season
no [less?] were lost a consummation so
kindly that the [?] have promised
us a successful season. Even as late
as December the ice off Cape Alexander
yielded, though scantily, enough walrus
to supply the settlement. (Mr. S[?] will have copy in A on next page)

With the earliest spring more
strictly about month after the reappearance
of the sun. The winter famine generally is [released?]
Jany. & Feb. are often in fact nearly
always months of [privation?] but during the
latter parts of March the Spring [Fishing?]
commences. Every thing is then life and
[?]ment.

The walrus are now taken in two ways.
One by the sides of the ice bergs, where
the [?] have worn away the
ice. Here the animal [?], and
enjoying the sun shine too long, has

[recto]

21

Sometimes its retreat cut off by the freezing of the ice
for like the seal at its [?], the walrus
can only work from below. While thus
caught, the Esquimaux, who with keen
hunter craft are scouring the floes,
scent them out by their dogs and spear
them. Sometimes they [?] in the same
way from a hole or [?] crack and
are similarly confused.

This early spring is the breeding
season, and the walrus are in their
glory. My observations show that they
[?] this [?] throughout the entire
[winter] year. Now however, the female
with her calf is accompanied by the
[?] Father, swaying in loving
tries from crack to crack, [?]
around the berg water or basking in
the sun. While [?] their [?], [?]
afford to their vigilant enemies the [?]
method of capture, and this which is
also by lance & harpoon becomes a regular
battle the male gallantly [?]
the assault, and charging the hunters
with furious [?]. Not infrequently
the entire family Mother Calf & Bull
are killed. [note A young walrus received
by me Mar 26h measured 4f. 10 in
length, 29 inches in circumference, and
9 in in expanded [?] of [?] flipper
the same flipper of the Mother measure
17 inches.]

[I cannot for want of [home?] [?] adventures.]

The huts there [?]
snow covered dens, are now scenes of
life & activity. Stacks of [jointed?] meat
are piled upon the ice fort. The
women are [?] the [?] for [sole?]
leather, and the men cutting [?]