204 TRAVELS IN THE EIGHTIES. 



some interest shown as we started, and as the tackle 

 was handed round for inspection by the river side; 

 but when, almost immediately, the first fish was 

 hooked then the interest became excitement, and there 

 gathered an assemblage, and as we drew shore wards 

 the excitement became enthusiasm, with shouts of 

 " Kala, Kala !" as the first lax or lohi, which was the 

 biggest of the four, was coaxed near the land, lash- 

 ing the water into foam where it shallowed under the 

 bank. I thought the most intelligent looking Fin- 

 lander might be trusted to use the gaff, and so threw 

 it on shore from the boat, at the same time drawing 

 in the fish towards him, and an unexpected use he 

 made of the unhappy instrument. In the hurry of 

 the moment, and regardless of my shouts of " Ei, 

 ei ! " (no, no), he appeared to take the gaff for a 

 hammer, and struck downwards upon the exhausted 

 salmon with all his might, until the top with the crook 

 broke off short and flew into the Kemijoki, and the 

 spare tops in the hollow interior came forth, and were 

 broken off short in like manner. He next seized the 

 line with both hands, and attempted to drag the fish 

 by means of it on to the bank, which he succeeded in 

 doing, as the hooks were secure. By waiting for the 

 water to clear the things were recovered, but we 

 decided to reserve the gaff in future for our own use. 

 The Kemi is, as I have said, a very rapid river, and 

 at this particular point the small Akkunnusjoki joins 

 the main stream, and the force of the water is 

 broken by an island, and also by one of the many 





