and so are not to be caught in this way. Other kinds,
however, seem quite fascinated by the bright light, and will remain
perfectly still in its glare, as though under some power they cannot
withstand.

The experienced spearmen, with a vigorous thrust, are generally very
successful in securing large numbers of them. Still, in spite of all
their skill, many escape. Apart from the excitement about this method
of fishing, it is not to be compared with the ordinary way of capturing
them with gill nets as regards the quantities obtained. The spear
cruelly wounds many that escape, and so even the Indians only adopt this
plan for the sake of its exciting sport, and for the capture of some
varieties of fish that are not easily obtained in any other way.

After the boys had watched the successful operations of the Indians for
some time they made their first attempt. For a time they could not
understand how it was that when they made a vigorous thrust with their
spear at a great big, quiet fish it seemed to strike some place a couple
of feet or so away from the fish. So they found that the law of
refraction had to be considered, and after a few experiments they did
better. Each was successful in securing some fine fish. Some, indeed,
were so large that, after the boys had plunged their spears into them,
they required the help of the Indians to get them into the canoe.

When the torches burned down others were lighted, and thus the sport
continued until the boats began to feel the additional weight of the
fish thus secured. The boys were loath to think of stopping, and no
wonder, for everything was so strange and weird.

The three canoes with their picturesque occupants, lit up by the blazing
torches, the waters so transparent under the light, and phosphorescent-
like on every wave, made a picture never to be forgotten. Then so close
around was the dense deep darkness of the solitudes that stretched away
and away for miles in all directions.

No wonder the hearts of the lads were beating loudly, and in the
suppressed excitement of such surroundings no thoughts of sleep there
troubled them.

"O, if our friends could only see us here," said Frank, "wouldn't they
be pleased with the sight?"

"Ay," said Alec, "and what would not the boys of the old school give to
be here for a few hours with us?"

"Hush! What is that?" said Sam, as he pointed his finger to a spot in
the dense dark forest of trees that hung down lo