CHAP. vi. INDIAN SALMOX-SPEAEING. 101 



which puff from his nostrils into the keen night air ; and 

 is there not sudden and vigorous life in that swift dart of 

 the spear in that momentary light which flashes from 

 his eyes, and in that triumphant smile which he throws at 

 his companion, as, without uttering a word or sound, he 

 lifts with both hands the heavy fish straight from the 

 water, holds it struggling over the canoe, and shakes it 

 from his spear ? Is this the languid, drowsy savage 

 which you have often seen slouching through the day, 

 indolent and listless, a sluggard and a drone ? 



We are going to the foot of the cataract ; the largest 

 fish lie in little eddies close to the rocks, waiting for 

 an opportunity to take their leap up the tumbling waters 

 to sheltered pools above, where they may rest in their 

 difficult ascent. Now is the full measure of the Indian 

 skill required : the broken water, at the edge of the 

 main rapid at the foot of the cataract, rocks the 

 canoe, and would serve to destroy the spearer's aim ; 

 the water is deep, and he must throw his weapon, he 

 cannot push it, as in a shallow or quiet stream. The 

 Indian who is paddling and steering must beware of 

 strong eddies, of whirlpools, of getting under the cataract, 

 or of sidling into the rapid below. He must have his 

 eyes on the canoe, the water, and the salmon, and his 

 hands ready at any moment to edge off from danger, and 

 never may he give way to a momentary excitement, even 

 when the spear is thrown and a heavy fish struck. The 

 rocks, the impetuous torrent, the tumbling waters of 

 the cataract at the bow of the canoe, the flickering light, 

 not always to be relied on, must all be seen and con- 

 stantly watched, for a slight change in an eddy may 



