86 IN THE GUIANA FOREST. 



hurriedly drawn in, with the chances about equally 

 weighed. If the man is successful he has to get 

 off before the enraged cayman holds him. 



The sting ray is very dangerous to waders, for 

 when the spine pierces the foot the wound appears 

 to be poisoned and is really dangerous. This 

 spine is, however, a coveted possession, for it 

 makes the most deadly arrow-point, and therefore 

 the fish is carefully hunted. Providing himself 

 with a sharp-pointed stick or spear, the Indian 

 walks carefully along, feeling his way with the 

 weapon until the thrill of something other than 

 sand is felt. Even if the water is clear the back 

 harmonises so closely that it cannot be seen. 

 But on the slightest touch the man knows what 

 is there, and at once plunges his spear and im- 

 pales it with a single downward stroke. 



Otters are plentiful in some places. The 

 Indians dislike them, for they sometimes take 

 his catches off the hook. But the man fre- 

 quently retaliates. Where there are boulders the 

 otter sometimes brings a fish and lays it down, 

 to go and catch another ; the watchful Indian, 

 keeping very close while this is being done, comes 

 out and carries it off, to repeat the theft as many 

 times as the wary otter will permit. 



To prevent his catches from being carried off 



