93 AMEEICAlSr GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 



spear, which they used in the most dexterous manner. 

 While I was absorbed in watching these unique systems 

 of angling, I heard a voice behind cry out: 



" Hallo! have you joined the Smashes (Indians) with- 

 out telling us a word about it?" 



On turning round I saw my companions, who were 

 laden with birds, smiling at my apparent interest in the 

 work of the red men, and when I replied that I had be- 

 come "a good Injun," one said they would take the team 

 away, as they did not want the horses subjected to the 

 influences of the camp, nor to Siioash character. 



When I asked what the matter was, they said that if I 

 would desert my adopted people and rejoin them they 

 would tell me. I assented to this, so they threw their 

 loads of feathers into the wagon and drove to a charming 

 spot amidst a coppice, on the bank of the river, where 

 we rested for lunch. A fire was soon lighted, and half a 

 dozen of the birds having been drawn and plucked, they 

 were hung before the blaze on improvised spits made of 

 willow wands. It was then suggested that we should 

 catch some trout, and this idea being favorably received, 

 one of the party said he would go and borrovr a spear 

 from the Indians. I asked why we could not buy two or 

 three trout, instead of waiting to spear them, and was 

 told that the whole band of savages was troubled with a 

 malignant form of the ''Scotch fiddle," and that it 

 would be dangerous to touch anything they handled, as 

 white persons were susceptible to the disease, and found 

 it exceedingly difficult to cure. That explanation was 

 sufficient, for I almost felt as if I had it myself, as I 

 had shaken hands with a venerable old relic who had 

 extended his fingers on seeing me, although I had never 

 before gazed on his features. 



The gentleman who had gone for the spear returned in 

 a short time and set to work with such determination 

 that he captured half a dozen splendid trout, weighinj^ 



