Page:Castaway on the Auckland Isles (IA castawayonauckla01musg).pdf/29

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
Household Arrangements.
13

four courses off, but we are like the shell-fish, we get the most at spring tides). One would be stewed or roasted seal, fried liver, fish and mussels. We got a young seal on Friday, but we have not had a large one since last Sunday, which we cut up and salted like bacon. It is now hanging up, and I think this will be the best way of keeping the meat. We have tried several ways to preserve the skins without salting, so as to make clothes of them, but we have not succeeded yet. We cannot get them dried without something on them, as the flies destroy them, and there is no bark that will tan. We have not had any seals about the tent or house since I shot the fellow in the stern. Since noon it has come on to blow stiff, with squalls from W.N.W. Barometer 29⋅30; thermometer ranging from 48° to 52°. Went out with the gun this morning, and got a few widgeons.