f the
canoe.

For a time the success of the boys was about equal, but they did not
capture after each shot anything like the number of fish that their
able-bodied, experienced Indians would have done. It is no easy matter
to lift a twenty or thirty pound fish by a hook over the side of a
canoe. The boat itself is so cranky, and the fish themselves are
generally so full of life and fight, that there is a good deal of risk
and excitement, after all, about this kind of sport. It is no uncommon
thing for an upset to occur in the risk and glorious uncertainty of
capturing a large, gamy fellow who makes a stubborn fight.

The three canoes gradually separated, and to judge by the frequent
reports of the guns they were having a good deal of sport. About eight
p.m. they were all back at Sagasta-weekee, and each had a different
story to tell.

Frank had over a score of very fine fish, and had had only one fall into
the water. He had hooked in his gaff a large, vigorous fish, and was
making the most careful efforts to hang on to him and to lift him over
the side of the canoe. Just as he had him nicely out of the water, the
fish, by a sudden furious struggle, wrenched himself off the hook and
fell back in the water.

Frank had been so firmly holding on that when the weight of the fish was
so suddenly gone he could not master his balance, and before an Indian
could seize hold of him he tumbled head first into the water on the
other side of the canoe, and the last the Indians saw of him for some
seconds were the bottoms of his moccasins. Quickly did he reappear and
was soon helped into the canoe; but while he pluckily stuck to the sport
for some time, the prudent Indians persuaded him to allow them to early
paddle him home. So he had been the first to arrive.

Sam's canoe arrived somewhat later; he also had a goodly supply of fish.
As he was saturated with water, the question was at once asked, what
had been his mishap.

At first he was a little glum about it, but the cry of "Tell us all
about it," had to be responded to.

It had been decided some time before that on their returning from these
different excursions each one was to fairly and squarely give the story
of his misadventures, blunders, and failures, as well as of his triumphs
and successes. So Sam had to own up, and he began by the odd question:

"Have you any whales in these lakes or rivers?"

This odd question was met by a hearty laugh all round.

"W