88 SPOET m NORTH AMERICA. 



Jovis — lighted our two torches, and, following Mr. 

 Bergeron's example, I posted myself at the stern of 

 the boat. Leaning slightly forward and grasping 

 my harpoon by the handle, I awaited the moment of 

 action. 



At first, dazzled by the reflection of the flame, I 

 could perceive nothing whatever, for the surface of 

 the water was not even disturbed by the motion of 

 the boat. Presently, silvery flashes, phosphorescent 

 sparks, began to be perceptible; these were little 

 fishes attracted by the unexpected return of the 

 light (which they mistook for that of day), and 

 sporting about with entire faith in the fictitious sun. 

 Soon the gleam of light became larger and larger, 

 forms were seen moving about ; these were the 

 larger fishes, which advanced slowly, also attracted 

 by curiosity. Gaining confidence from the example 

 of the small fry, they swam forwards into the light, 

 leaping and circling about, as if determined to have 

 a good view of what was going on. In a short time, 

 they were all swimming about near the surface very 

 slowly, and moving their fins with a scarcely per- 

 ceptible motion. 



Directly under me, at about four yards' distance 

 from the boat, I saw an enormous salmon of most 

 desirable weight, and in a moment my spear whistled 

 through the air^plunging into the Dyots and spearing 

 the prey, which struggled in vain to free itself from 

 its hold. The barbed iron was, however, too sure : 



