GIGANTIC SUDIS. 203 



have any idea of that expression and that fire hy 

 which it appears lighted. * Irai-i had adopted a 

 similar position, when the crack of the bow-string 

 told us that Dabaero had discharged his arrow, and 

 the chief followed his example, but missed, his arrow 

 floating on the water while the other disappeared 

 with the monster. The corials pulled into the mid- 

 dle of the stream, the eyes of the Indians directed to 

 all points to detect the arrow-feather appearing. 

 Their quick eye saw it above the water, although 

 it was only for a moment ; away went all the corials 

 in full chase, and just as it appeared a second time, 

 a second arrow was sent into the fish. All was now 

 excitement, and the yell of the Indian, the rushing 

 of waters, harrowed up by the quick stroke of the 

 paddles, was one of the most enlivening scenes I 

 ever witnessed. Away we went where the experi- 

 enced hunters expected to see the fish reappear, 

 and scarcely made the tops of the arrows their 

 appearance, when others flew from their strings 

 and pierced the arapaima: down he went again, 

 but the period he remained below the surface was 

 much shorter than previously, a proof that he 

 got fatigued, and when he reappeared he allowed 



* How frequently has the eye of the Indian, in similar 

 movements, been admired by those who witnessed the bow 

 exercise of the three Indians who had accompanied me to 

 London. The aim they took then was the bull's-eye of the 

 target ; and although it distinguished itself by sprightliness, 

 still how far was it on such occasions behind that animation 

 when standing, in lieu of the target, before the game which he 

 intends to secure with his arrow. 



