Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-25

Moore found all that he sought, but 80
much besides that biologists and Sc
ologists are enthusiastic over his dis
coveries.
In addition to viewing strange scenes,
and enjoying remarkable experiences, MI.
Moore, after perilous journeying, gained
sight Of that lake which only six Euro
peans have ever looked upon-Lake
Rukwa. 1t was only from distance
that he saw II, to be sure; but that was
a good deal in itself, for but two Eu-
ropeans ever reached the shore. and none
have ever fioated upon its waters OF
all the African lakes which are know
to civilization there Is none so surround
ed by mystery as Rukwa- Fatality
seems to attach to IT, so far as Euro
peans are concerned. and the natives
look upon a white man who strives TO
reach it as a foolish mortal. bent upon
suicide. Mr.. Moore had much the same
idea, and gained entire satisfaction by
viewing the lake in perspective
1t was I'm Lake Tanganyika that Mr..
Moore made his most remarkable discoy-
cries, and. incidentally, solved what has
been a mystery, and a fearful one, TO
both African and European. Tribal ira
dition in that section of Africa which
surrounds Tanganyika has long been
gantic fish, which would rush at the
paddles Of a canoe, drag them from the
hands of the wielders thereof, upset the
canoe, and by mere contact kin the
struggling humans who were cast into
the water.
1T DOES EXIST.
For once modern experience verified
ancient tradition Mr.. Moore learned
that not only did this great fish. exist,
but that it performed exactly the deeds
which it was credited with. In fact, he
was witness Of just such an occurrence
as has been described. The solution Of
the mystery is simple enough. The big
fish was an electric one.
In smaller form IL is common in the
South American rivers, where swimmers
are in mortal terror Of 1t. The African
specimen. however, IS Of Brobdinagian
proportions, and darts through the water
at a terrific rate The source of electri-
city-for electricity IL certainly contains
seems TO be In cells in the skin. These
give forth a sufficient amount Of electric
fluid TO stun a human being. provided the
contact with the fish Is at all forcible
or with any considerable portion Of the
surface of the body. From the great
danger which is entailed by cruising
about in the vicinity of such fish, it has
been found impossible to catch speci-
men. and the knowledge which has been
gained concerning the fish Is derived from
one that evidently died, for it was cast
up on the shore of the lake by the waves
that never cease rolling.
From what Mr. Moore says, IL Is no
eXaggeration to claim that Lake Tangan-
yika is the finest fishing resort, so far
as the actual catching of fish Is concern
Nalr Col rfN mi
with the hnny beauties. 1t may sound
like a fairy tale, but IT is u fact, that
IL Is not even necessary TO bait ones
hook. so eager are the fish to capture
ANYTHING that seems 10 be Of an edible
nature. Mr. Moores greatest success,
however was in trolling, an artificial
rninnow being attached to the end of the
trolling-line with the half a dozen hooks.
In one instance. Mr.. Moore reports that
he caught a fish upon every hook on MS
line. feat il is likely has never been
equalled by the most enthusiastic ana
imaginative discipline OF Izaak Walton.
Mr. Moores catch was not composed OF
lieht-weights, either. for he landed one
monster that weighed ninety pounds,
sort OF a mud-fish. Naturally this was
not caught with a trolling line, but oy
means OF a large hook which Mr.. Moore
bappened 10 have attached to a line OF
sufficient strength to enable the fisherman
to haul the quarry within gaining DIS
lance. This done. the fish was speedHy
mastered with the aid Of an assegaL From
this ninety FOUNDER the specimens causht
ranged down TO a pound-and-a-Aalt trout
almost identical in appearance with those
speckled beauties that are found In the
lochs and burns Of bonnie Scotland. Ihese
trout differ in size 10 considerable extent
The mountaineering specimen was the
smallest OF the lot. From that the nsh
of the trout variety ranged up to hVe
mounds. and a curious fact is that the
largest trout was as delicate In point Oh
flavor as his smallest brother. Mr.. Moore
saws that catching these trout with
hook and line was as fine a sport as II Is
nosslble for any man to enjoy.
OF sILvERY APPEARANCE.
The majority Of the fish in Tanganyika
have a uniform silyery appearance, when
Ga probably produced. the explorer thinks
Nv the regularity Of the waters OF the
lake Tanganyika is unquestionaDly
boav Of fresh water Its situation renders
a. inpossibie that IL should be anything
else. But II is certain that from some OF