The pelts are, however, of
considerable value to the natives. The women tan them and make them
into watertight boots or other clothing. Of course a good many of them
find their way to civilization, where they are made into pocketbooks
and bags, and they make a very fine tough leather indeed. The flesh is
utilized for dog food, though, as in the case of young seals
particularly, it is often eaten by the people, particularly when other
sorts of meat is scarce. Most of the people, and particularly the
Eskimos, are fond of the flippers and liver.
Sometimes the seals come out of their holes to lie on the ice and
bask in the sun. Then the hunter, simulating the movements of a seal,
crawls toward his game until he is within rifle shot.
Should a gale of wind arise suddenly, the ice may be separated into
pans and drift abroad before the seal hunters can make their escape to
land. In that case a hunter may be driven to sea on an ice pan, and he
is fortunate if his neighbors discover him and rescue him in boats.
After the ice goes out, those who own seal nets set them, and a great
many seals are caught in this way.
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