There was now a move on foot by someone who was ready to break camp and turn homeward, but the weather began to moderate and the chance was favorable for a chase and the murmurings of the party for a move was disregarded until we at least could secure a few days of good hunting. We were rewarded several days later for our patience, for awakening one morning we found our ideal day awaiting us and we lost only our breakfast so eager were we for the sport. 5 A.M. Found us in the field eagerly scanning the Kelp in all directions for the sight of a nose. It must have been l 2 hours later no otter having shown himself when our attention was attracted by a peculiar squeal, now loud, now very faint and weak appearing to be a long way off. It was more like a very young pig squealing that any other noise l can describe, but where it came from or what it was greatly stirred us. Numerous suggestions were offered, but none excepted [accepted] and longingly for our strange willowisp [will-o-the-wisp] when I suddently [suddenly] within 10 feet of our boat an otter arose laying on l her back with her young in her arms. The moment she appeared above the surface of the water the young one -gave- uttered this perculiar [peculiar] cry we were chasing, the cry was smoothered [smothered] almost instantly by the mother diving. We gave chase and it lasted nearly an hour the mother growing tired and closely pressed as the cry of their young gave us the advantage over her and so closely did we press her that in order to save herself she finally dove and when she next appeared what seemed to us a dive of a longer duration she was along, we only saw her this one time, she had escaped us by drowning her young.
Our good weather allowed us several days hunting, but while we saw upwards of 100 otters, we failed to get anymore. It was now about the middle of September and another blow threatening, we voted to pull for the south. As soon as it was decided that we were to go, everybody became anxious to get away for home. Preparations now was [were] under way in earnest, good feeling and cheer was [were] uppermost in the minds and actions of all. The loading was completed before dark the evening before our departure, only the bedding and cooking utensils remained to be loaded next morning.
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