s that he had raised his arm with
the spear so as to cast a shadow which had frightened the fish, he
resolved not to make a similar mistake. Taking his position as directed
in the front of the canoe, his men paddled him where he would be able to
strike his fish without casting his shadow. Soon the appearance of the
fins of a great sturgeon were seen, and noiselessly the Indians paddled
Sam's canoe close up to it. He was resolved if possible to succeed
where Alec had signally failed. When close enough to the large fish,
which seemed to be utterly unconscious of the canoe's presence, Sam,
taking the spear in both hands, plunged it well and true into the body
of the great sturgeon, that up to that instant seemed to have been sound
asleep. However, there was a great awakening when it felt that spear
thrust. Giving a great spring, so strong and sudden that it seemed to
fairly lift Sam, spear and all, out of the canoe, it started for the
great lake. Sam let go of the spear when he found himself being dragged
over the side of the boat, but the Indians afterward declared that he
hung on for some time, and had a ride on the back of the great fish.

Like Alec had been before him, he was quickly picked up and dragged into
another canoe.

The Indians imagined that now that two of the boys had come to grief the
third would not wish to attempt this risky sport. Those lads of ours
were not easily daunted, and so without any hesitancy Frank asked to be
allowed to see what he could do. Frank had this advantage, that he had
observed what had caused Alec and Sam to fail in their attempts. Arming
himself with a sharp spear, he took the position assigned to him, and
was paddled up to a place where the fish were numerous. The spear that
he had selected, instead of being one of the three-pronged variety, was
more of a chisel shape, and exceedingly sharp. With this in his hands,
he firmly braced himself in the narrow front of the canoe, while the now
intensely interested company watched his efforts. Even Sam and Alec
refused to leave until Frank had made his attempt. Some sturgeon were
observed very near, but Frank, even in the excitement of the moment, was
not to be diverted from his resolve, and so had the Indians paddle him
on and on until they brought him close to an enormous fellow, lying
quiet and still on the gravelly bottom.

With all his strength Frank struck him a blow, so quick and strong that
the first intimation of