272 MODE OF TAKING THEM. 



great numbers. The natives have a unique and most curious 

 mode of securing these formidable eels; the Indians them- 

 selves Avould describe it as " intoxicating by means of 

 horses." From the neighboring savannahs a score or more of 

 half-wild horses and mules are encircled by the natives and 

 gradually driven to some adjacent marsh or stagnant basin 

 surrounded by luxuriant vegetation and known to abound 

 with the G3^mnotis. The animals being forced from all sides 

 are surely forced into the water, when a grand battle com- 

 mences and a wonderful spectacle may be witnessed. The 

 Indians, armed with long canes and harpoons, plsice them- 

 selves around the basin, some of them mounting the trees, 

 the branches of which hang over the water, and by their 

 cries, and still more by their canes, prevent the animals 

 from landing again. The eels stunned by the noise, defend 

 themselves by repeated discharges of their batteries. To one 

 witnessing such a scene for the first time, it would probably 

 seem that the eels must come off victorious. Such a picture 

 is truly indescribable : groups of Indians surrounding; the 

 basin ; the horses with bristling manes, terror and grief in 

 their eyes, trying to escape from the storm which had 

 surprised them; the eels yellow and livid, looking like 

 great aquatic serpents swimming on the surface of the 

 water, and chasing their enemies, are objects at once appal- 

 ling and picturesque. In a few moments, many of the horses, 

 benumbed by the repeated shocks of the eels are drowned. 

 But gradually the eels themselves become bewildered or 

 intoxicated, shun in place of attacking, and are slowly 

 driven toward the banks, where they are easily taken by 

 means of the little harpoon thrown at them. Being landed, 

 the eels are transported to little pools dug in the soil and 

 filled with fresh water; such is the terror inspired that 

 the natives are very reluctant to take them from the har- 

 poons, until life has expired, for fear of receiving the terri- 

 ble shock. 



