58 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



say that some rancheries were "to let" before the next spring; 

 and there would be a demand for wooden Salmon in the 

 Memaloose house. 



A still easier method of taking the Salmon, practiced by 

 these Indians, is by trapping them as they ascend the smaller 

 rivers and creeks. A row of stakes, split from the red cedar, 

 is driven across the stream. In the center of the stream the 

 stakes take the form of a loop. Resting on the bottom of 

 this loop, and inclining upward at an angle of twenty-five 

 degrees, is a cradle about four feet wide and twenty-five feet 

 long. The Salmon encounter the stakes in the stream, and 

 follow the line until they enter the loop, and from there force 

 themselves up the slanting incline until they drop into the 

 cradle. This cradle, though lightly made, is strong, being 

 wickered up with vine-maple. During the day-time some 

 one is continually on the watch, and as soon as a Salmon is 

 floundering on the inclined platform, it is at once removed by 

 the watcher with a peculiar gaff-hook, which I will describe 

 later. 



Near the trap, on the bank, stands a bark-covered smoke- 

 house, such as I have described as in use on the Frazer, with 

 the same horrid smelling receptacle for eggs. In the morning 

 the trap presents an interesting appearance. The cradle is 

 full of struggling, writhing, flapping Salmon. The Kisutch, 

 the Saw-qui, the Keta, and too often hundreds of beautiful 

 Mountain Trout, are heaped together in the cradle. As soon 

 as the Indians awake they rush out, and with shouts of glee 

 toss the contents of the trap on the bank, perhaps to rot 

 untouched, and the trap, always set, is ready for another 

 multitude of victims. 



The gaff -hook used by these Indians is a peculiarly ingenious 

 affair. Procuring a shark-hook, they fasten a socket of wood 

 to the shank; a hole is bored into the socket to receive a 

 strong string. The handle of this gaff is a light pole that 

 fits neatly, yet loosely, into the socket of the hook. About 



