Our first morning out gave us considerable practice, but no game. We sighted a herd though of 15 or 20, but someone bungled the play and they were soon out of sight. And after an hour or so of laborious pulling [through] the kelp we pulled for home. It was several days before we could get out again because of the blow. I might say here that with our method of hunting it required what was termed a slick day, that is, the water is perfectly smooth and slick as glass being caused by the none appearance of the slightest wind. The ocean being in this condition an object can be seen for a considerable distance, which is absolutely necessary when hunting this sly creature, especially if he has scented danger as he will only show his self a few inches above water, now the ocean being a silvery white a black object is readily seen, while if the wind is blowing ever so lightly the surface of the water is black and it is useless to hunt for them, but if the wind should spring up while one is being chased of course the chase is continued for in all probilties [probability] the otter is being closely pressed and is making dives so short that he is seen quite plainly.

The 4^th day we put out again the weather being ideal for our purpose and some time passed without one being sighted when just as we had concluded to row homeward up went a paddle and the chase was on. This was my first otter hunt and I was thrilled with the excitement of it. The utter had been jumped up, “as we would say,” if hunting land game, and for the lack of the nautical phrase for sea otter hunting, l shall use it here.

On the outer edge of the great field of sea weed, and we by quick maneuvering got between him and the field and headed him for the open sea, while it was rulable to play the game now according to plans previously laid, the excitement was such and several besides myself being new and inexperienced we often found our boats out of formation which was to our disadvantage as well as dangerous for it eliminated the firing and gave the otter many breathing spells. During a chase if the otter should rise directly between two boats the order was do not fire as it would endanger lives in the opposite boat. Shots were now fired at random or it seemed as to me and the line which follows a bullet that is shot at about water level is seen by the white spots caused by the skipping bullet and its coarse can be traced till the shot has spent is force or lost itself in an uprising wave. Several shots were uncomfortable near, but fortunately no damage done. The chase took us out to sea probably 3 miles when he outwitted us by a back dive which was very discouraging as we were crowding him very close, in fact, so close that some very good shots were had at him at close range, out this late maneuver of his called a halt in the firing line and at the same time he with the dark windy water in his favor far to the rear was quickly putting himself in diving time again and before he was discovered was at least 1/2 mile from us and diving and swimming with great speed toward the Kelp field. It was only luck that he was seen.

As the water was now quite dark with the rising wind, we instantly “Right about face” and gave chase [as] it now was row or loose our game so bending to it and applying all our strength we constantly gained until we were at safe shooting distance again, but the dive after the first shot put him into the Kelp and safety, the chase was over, and the white caps running quite often now it was home also for us.

We had left camp that morning at 3:45 a. m. with coffee only for a breakfast it was now 2:15 p.m. And about 4 hours of the morning was spent in work that, taxed us all at times to our utmost. The chase had taken up our time and thoughts that no one knew how tired and hungry he really was until the homeward pull began. Believe me or not, it was a tired and limp crew of young men that threw themselves upon the bank at our camp some 2 hours later completely exhausted so faint in fact no one felt able to start a fire for our supper until he had rested at least ½ hour and regained something of his strength. I believe right here was advocated the idea that was put into practice later and which worked so satisfactory throughout our second otter trip taken two years later. That was a camp reorganizing and rules which if practiced on all camping and hunting expeditions will do more to keep harmony and good fellowship in camp than anything else pertaining to outdoor life. As we did not put this arrangement into effect on this trip I shall not attempt to explain it now, but shall describe it in detail at the time it was put in force. What lead [led] to its discussion was the feeling which sprang up concerning the at duties of the camp, especially relating to the cooking, etc.

Some one had always done more than his share. Someone has always done some particular thing and so it goes. Ordinarily, and in our crew especially the camp work was did [done] cheerfully and in a spirit of sport.

I say in ordinary circumstances, but on this day when everyone was too tired and faint to harken to the spirit of sport, everyone felt that his mate ought to be the one to get something started for supper and so it went.

Finally terminating in the discussion which I say must be adopted in camp life to ensure peace and harmony.


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