The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-04-14
Fish Culture No. q.

More potent than all other methods of
destruction combined has been the Indi-
anicustomi of spearing salmon on their
spawning beds. We say has been, inas-
much as the aborigines are, no longer
permitted to indulge in this harbarous
practice. With much difficulty they have
.s been partly induced, partly compelled, to
abide by the Government Fishery Stat
'utes, and no longer constitute a, disturb
ing element; but until wit hin very recent
period they were still allowed to practice
- in limited degree. The difficulty was
they claimed the right as one that neither
they nor their ancestors have ever vacated
spearlng in their treaties witt the French
.1.apd English settlers, and that they were
stentitle6, to it In virtue of their original
ownership of the soil. Had not Govern
finept hit upon the plan of making the
:, possession or purchase OF illegally cap
"a aBured fish criminal offence, punishable
odwithi heavy penalty, thus destroying
their markets, it is likely that the point
:. In dispute would bave remained unad
Il justed at the present day Luckily gov
9dand will henceforth remain abolished
That the reader may understand how the,
= art of spearing aspracticsd and what
odgreat attraction 1t possessed for the. noble
4 savage, we introduce graphic .descrip-
oftiou of Its method and cnncomitants from.
fstbopen of the experienced missionary
ca Pere, Arnaud, IL his evidence to the rIne
dian Commissioners, says, "These Indians
z carefor nothing but hunting and fish
GS1ng.p Indeed L think that, as regards
r IL 'sereralrof them, the. native love of ex
element in the chase has somewhat to do
with theiE pertinacious, pursuit of the
ta7salmon by spears aud fambeaux. 1t is a.
M passion among some of the bands; AMI I
r. must admit the habit has peculiar fasci
nations, and to many it ie strangely ex
fitting. Nothing Can exceed the wild
+ excitement with which these men pursue
sIpt. The sombre uight-scene of che forest
river seems to delight them. The elder
q man -occupies the stern of the canoe,
q while the younger takes "the post OF
Ic honorp forward. The murmur Of the
ss5waterfalls ~ and rapids drown those excla
" matory Ugas! and the frequent splash
3 that wGnId else disturb the peryadiDg
iaissiliness. With steady, stealthy sperd d
- the light birchen boat enters the rapid,
~ 'mu cdttlhR through ltS Wnlte waters
81 giides smoothly over the fall and into the
odr'sailr of the pool above, or across the
,r quiet "reach." The blazing torch, stuck
10 in u cleft stake and leaning over the bow
3aaof the canoe, glares with dazzling light
sgHess.l Ths fame and shadow, swayed by
o. ripples, conceal the spearers forms, and
bewildfT the, doomed salmon. Like
iuoihs, they sidle toward the fatal lixb, |
theIr silver sides and amber colored eye.
through tho Ipplsd wat +. |
2 ffhe dilated eyes, the expanded ,no5trils
and comprssfdt lips of the swarthy
=, canoemen, fitly picture their eager and |
!, xcited mood. A quick, deadly aim, q
4 sudden swirl, and those inomentary con
~, u,siye wriggies tell the rest. The
lqlatic captIve, with Blood and spawn,
2 ald slime and entrails, besmear the in
aqsldeyof the, canoe 0fren the ,.,uarry isl
y fransixed with wonderful precision a, ID
oi stahty killed. tile spinal marrow beng
= s5.-rc'd isy thei bhrl,, and the stro.g
ilH ,riAgy ines If the spear paraiyziag IN
4 ir sharp pinch the whoie ynssAeuisr
system, the fiu-rays spread in a feeble
quiver. and the once powerful fish DIS