Barracuda 



' See, they are after the arapaima! And now we 

 observed five or six cat-like animals swimming about 

 in the water, as if looking for prey. In a few seconds 

 they dived, and up came the gigantic fish, so near the 

 boat that we distinctly saw its plight as it rolled over 

 and over. Clinging to it by the gills and fins and 

 throat were several of the little animals, while a num- 

 ber were following and diving after the monster. 

 When they saw the canoe they dropped away and 

 made for the shore. I was tempted to shoot, but the 

 Indian had seized his spear and was now in the bow, 

 asking us to row slowly along. 



Instead of a branch of the river, we were in a small 

 inlet or bay, not over six feet in depth, and up this the 

 arapaima had dashed, as we could see by the ripple, 

 and would soon reach the end and turn. This was 

 just what occurred. The big fish almost ran out of 

 water on a sand bar, scattering a score of turtles that 

 were sunning themselves there, and then, with a con- 

 vulsive effort, turned and plunged again in our 

 direction. 



On it came, its big fin cutting the water like a 

 knife, reminding one of a shark. As it reached us, 

 Jose drew back and plunged the spear into its side 

 with an underhand blow that lodged beneath the pec- 

 toral fin in a vulnerable spot. The moment the fish 

 felt the cold steel it gave a magnificent leap partly into 

 the air, seeming to rise bodily, showing at once its 

 enormous size, the gleaming coat of armor-like scales 



289 



