376 



NOVEL MODE OF FISHING. 



Chap. XVIIT. 



net on the opposite side. A small paddle was 

 used for propelling the boat through the water. 

 This will be well understood by a glance at the 

 accompanying sketch. 



As we approached these strange fishermen, I 

 desired my boatmen to take in our sail, and as 

 my boat lay still on the smooth surface of the 

 water, I watched their proceedings with much 

 interest. It was a fine, clear night, and I could 

 see distinctly the white canvas shining through 

 the water, although several inches beneath its 

 surface. The fishermen sat motionless and silent, 

 and scarcely noticed us when we joined them, so 

 intent were they upon their work. We had not 

 remained above a minute in the position we had 

 taken up, when I heard a splash in the water, 

 and distinctly saw a fish jump over the boat and 

 get caught by the net on its opposite side. The 

 object in constructing the boats in the manner I 

 have described was now apparent. It seemed that 

 the white canvas, which dipped like a painted 

 board into the water, had the effect of attracting 

 and decoying the fish in some peculiar manner, 

 and caused them to leap over it. But as the 

 boats were low and narrow, it was necessary to 

 have a net stretched on the opposite side to pre- 

 vent the fish from leaping over them altogether 

 and escaping again into the stream. Each fish, as 

 it took the fatal leap, generally struck against the 

 net and fell backward into the boat. 



My boatmen and servants looked on this curious 



