A Sportsman 337 



and came up at the bow of one of the remaining boats, 

 the first intimation of which the inmates had was 

 of its being crushed by the jaws of the killer. No 

 attack was made on the boatmen now swimming 

 to the last remaining boat. The end had been reached 

 and on the surface came the furious flurry of the dying 

 gladiator. Motionless then he rested amid the waters 

 agitated in his last agony, with his glistening back 

 flecked with foam. 



A dear-bought victory, as it proved for the natives, 

 who towed their prize ashore, hauling it in at high 

 water, and when exposed a number of days, it con- 

 stituted a long feast for them; for exposure and 

 partial decay had no objective effect on the Alaskan 

 appetite. 



BUT returning to the salmon. The average time I 

 found necessary to fetch a salmon to gaff, I should 

 estimate from eight to fifteen minutes, but occasionally 

 longer; but once getting my salmon turned in a course 

 around the boat, his fate seemed decided, and around 

 it would go several times, often leaping out of the water , 

 exhibiting its proportions. Once brought to the surface 

 the salmon keeps near it in its runs, without attempting 

 to go below much, until brought near the boat. 



Certainly no sight is more beautiful or attractive to 

 a fisherman than to see in the clear water this magnif- 

 icent fish with its brilliant colors swiftly gliding along 

 by the strokes of its powerful tail. When approaching 

 the surface in its last exertions, it will appear of various 

 colors, black one moment, then bluish black, with 

 iridescent hues, and gleaming white as its belly upturns. 



