126 SPORT, TRAVEL, AND ADVENTURE 



dangerous rapids, he and his tiny craft looking as 

 if they were one monstrous floating animal. Even if 

 it upsets he gets out and rights it again without much 

 difficulty. 



In fishing parties there is usually one man to steer 

 and paddle, while the other is on the look-out for signs 

 of the fish. When the arapaima is sighted one corial 

 moves slowly forward, the bowman rises, clings to 

 the bottom with his almost prehensile toes, and stands 

 as steady as if on land. He would make a fine model 

 for the sculptor, for he is himself almost a bronze 

 statue. Fire is in his eyes, every muscle bulges. He 

 sees the fish where we could distinguish nothing. It 

 is very near and he takes care not to disturb it. The 

 paddler moves the corial to right, left, or forward ; he 

 also sees the fish. Suddenly a twang breaks the silence, 

 and with a ' swish ' the arrow pierces the arapaima. 

 At once there is a rush of all the corials, which follow 

 every movement of the shaft as it is drawn hither and 

 thither by the startled fish. Now and again it appears 

 at the surface, sometimes turning on its side and striking 

 the water with a loud slap. Presently it is weakened 

 and more arrows are driven into it, until at last some 

 one gets near enough for a crushing blow with a 

 cutlass. 



All is not yet over, for this has taken place in the 

 middle of a broad river. The catch must be taken 

 home, and none of the corials is large enough to carry 

 it together with even one paddler. A corial is there- 

 fore brought close, the occupants get out, and while 

 swimming sink the craft, put in the fish, and finally 

 by rocking and baling get it again afloat with its 

 burden. If not too heavy one man may get in to 



