190 SPOET IN NORTH AMERICA. 



as we got into the boat, " and let^s have no mis- 

 takes." Thus exhorted, the man never missed his 

 aim once. He stood at the brow of the boat, armed 

 with a three-pronged harpoon, to the handle of which 

 a strong hne was fastened by a ring welded to the 

 haft. As we gained the middle of the lake, the 

 foreman lit a torch, and the light was suddenly cast 

 upon the water, so that we could see clearly for about 

 a dozen yards ahead of the boat. A moment after- 

 wards, Mead pointed to a black spot which had 

 risen to the surface a short distance from us. 



" A salmon ! '' he whispered in my ear. 



Theharpooner had also seen the fish, and brandish- 

 ing his weapon Avith a sure arm, he struck the fish 

 so deeply that it was impossible for it to get loose. 

 At the same instant the line began to uncoil with 

 extraordinary rapidity; but before it was all payed 

 out it stopped : the fish was dead. The harpooner 

 and his two mates then hauled in the line, coiling it 

 as they pulled it in, and presently the fish was 

 brought to the surface of the water, and so into the 

 boat. It was a splendid salmon, Aveighing about 

 forty pounds, and in very fine order. Three times 

 did the harpooner throw his weapon, and landed a 

 fish every time. After this we had seen enough, 

 and went home. 



It were needless to recount all the pleasure I 

 experienced whilst enjoying the hospitalities of my 

 old friend of the prairies ; but my readers will 



