io2 Sporting Sketches 



coiled like the hair-spring of a watch, or twisted 

 around a stem of water-grass. Where horses are in 

 the habit of drinking, genuine hairs and the hair- 

 worms are sure to be found in close proximity, and 

 this no doubt satisfactorily accounts for the hair- 

 snake story. 



Among the fish, the largest and most difficult to 

 capture was .the great king of the pike family, the 

 muskallonge. Just how large these noble fellows 

 ran was an open question. About forty-five pounds 

 might have been the limit for trolling with the 

 handline and spoon. Much heavier specimens occa- 

 sionally were speared or shot. Most of the larger 

 fish were secured by spearing through the ice. The 

 heaviest of these might weigh from sixty to seventy- 

 five pounds. 



During late May and early June the muskallonge 

 made their way up the larger streams to spawn, two 

 fish, male and female, usually travelling together. 

 The old Leatherstockings and the boys knew all 

 about this ; and while ordinary tackle was not to be 

 depended upon, there were spears and firearms for 

 such work. From gray dawn till an hour or two 

 after sunrise was the best time, as then the fish 

 were apt to be swimming near shore, or playing 

 over the bars. Usually the first intimation of a 

 fish's approach was a strongly defined wake stretch- 

 ing far upon the placid surface as the huge fish 

 moved a few inches below. Then the important 

 thing was to get to a commanding point well ahead 

 of the apex of that spear-shaped wake. To accom- 

 plish this without scaring the fisli was none too 

 easy, as it frequently demanded some lively skirmish- 



