EXTRACTS. 289 



" The Indian Way of catching Sturgeon, when they came into the narrow 

 part of the Rivers, was by a Man's clapping a Noose over their Tail, and by 

 keeping fast his Hold. Thus a fish finding itself entangled, would flounce, and 

 often pull the Man under Water, and then that Man was counted a Coc&arouse, 

 or brave Fellow, that would not let go ; till with Swimming, Wading and Div- 

 ing, he had tired the Sturgeon, and brought it ashore. These Sturgeons would 

 also often leap into their Canoes, in crossing the River, as many of them do still 

 every year, into the Boats of the English. 



" They have also another Way of Fishing like those on the Euxine Sea, by 

 the Help of a blazing Fire by Night. They make a Hearth in the Middle of 

 their Canoe, raising it within two Inches of the Edge; upon this they lay their 

 burning Light- Wood, split into small Shivers, each Splinter whereof will blaze 

 and burn End for End, like a Candle : 'Tis one Man's Work to attend this Fire 

 and keep it flaming. At each end of the Canoe stands an Indian, with a Gig, or 

 pointed Spear, setting the Canoe forward with the Butt-end of the Spear, as 

 gently as he can, by that Means stealing upon the Fish, without any Noise, or 

 disturbing of the water. Then they with great Dexterity dart these Spears into 

 the Fish, and so take them. Now there is a double Convenience in the Blaze of 

 this Fire ; for it not only dazzles the Eyes of the Fish, which will lie still, glar- 

 ing upon it, but likewise discovers the Bottom of the River clearly to the Fisher- 

 man, which the Day-light does not." (Page 130, etc.). 



Lawson (John): The History of Carolina; London, 1714. [Indians of North 

 Carolina]. "They are not only good Hunters of the wild Beasts and Game of 

 the Forest, but very expert in taking the Fish of the Rivers and Waters near 

 which they inhabit, and are acquainted withal. Thus they that live a great way 

 up the Rivers practise Striking Sturgeon and Rock-fish, or Bass, when they 

 come up the Rivers to spawn ; besides the vast Shoals of Sturgeon which they 

 kill and take with Snares, as we do Pike in Europe. The Herrings in March 

 and April run a great way up the Rivers and fresh Streams to spawn, where the 

 Savages make great Wares, with Hedges that hinder their Passage only in the 

 Middle, where an artificial Pound is made to take them in ; so that they cannot 

 return. This Method is in use all over the fresh Streams, to catch Trout and 

 the other Species of Fish which those Parts afford. Their taking of Craw-fish 

 is so pleasant, that I cannot pass it by without mention. When they have a 

 mind to get these Shell-fish, they take a Piece of Venison, and half-barbakue or 

 roast it ; then they cut it into thin Slices, which Slices they stick through with 

 Reeds about six Inches asunder, betwixt Piece and Piece ; then the Reeds are 

 made sharp at one end ; and so they stick a great many of them down in the 

 bottom of the Water (thus baited) in the small Brooks and Runs, which the 

 Craw-fish frequent. Thus the Indians sit by, and tend those baited sticks, every 

 R37 



