, of whom the after one is
the pilot. All should be expert swimmers or else wear life-belts
during the game.

[Illustration: Spearhead.]

The Game.--Each boat has a base or harbor; this is usually part of the
shore opposite that of the enemy; or it obviates all danger of
collision if the boats start from the same side. The sturgeon is left
by the referee's canoe at a point midway between the bases. At the
word "Go!" each boat leaves its base and, making for the sturgeon,
tries to spear it, then drag it by the line to his base. When both get
their spears into it the contest becomes a tug of war until one of the
spears pulls out.

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The sturgeon is landed when the prow of the boat that has it in tow
touches its proper base, even though the spear of the enemy is then in
the fish: or it is landed when the fish itself touches base. The boats
change bases after each heat.

Matches are usually for one, three, or five sturgeon. Points are
counted only for the landing of the fish, but the referee may give the
decision on a foul or a succession of fouls, or the delinquent may be
set back one or more boat lengths.

Sometimes the game is played in canoes or boats, with one man as
spearman and crew.

_Rules_.--It is _not allowable_ to push the sturgeon into a new position
with the spear or paddle before striking.

It is _allowable_ to pull the sturgeon under the boat or pass it around
by using the line after spearing.

It is _allowable_ to lay hands on the other boat to prevent a collision,
but otherwise it is forbidden to touch the other boat or crew or
paddle or spear or line, or to lay hands on the fish, or to touch it
with the paddle or oar, or touch your own spear while it is in the
fish, or to tie the line around the fish except so far as this may be
accidentally done in spearing.

It is _allowable_ to dislodge the enemy's spear by throwing your own
over it. The purpose of the barbs is to assist in this.

It is _allowable_ to run on to the sturgeon with the boat.

_It is absolutely forbidden to throw the spear over the other boat or
over the heads of your crew_.

In towing the sturgeon the fathom mark must be over the gunwale--at
least six feet of line should be out when the fish is in tow. It is
not a foul to have less, but the spearman must at once let it out if
the umpire or the other crew cries "fathom!"

The spearman is allowed to drop the spear and use the paddle or oar at
will, but not to re