We sat round the fire spinning yarns, as the sailors say, and singing songs. We were speaking of the necessity of trying to get some more fresh fish, as our stock was nearly exhausted, and Mike had told the party how successful we had been till our hooks were bitten off.
“But there is a place not far from here where we can catch fish without hooks,” was the answer.
“Sure, and I should like to see it!” exclaimed Mike. “But how is it to be done?”
“Why, with nets, to be sure,” said the canoeman. “And if you like to come with me, I will show you how I do it.”
Mike at once agreed to the proposal.
Hearing that some nets which would suit the purpose had been left en cache with other articles close at hand, Reuben and I and another man agreed to accompany them.
Jacques Lerocque, Mike’s friend, was an amusing fellow, and fond of practical joking. It struck me at the time that he was up to some trick; but he put on so grave a face, and spoke so earnestly, that my suspicions were banished.
On reaching the cache, which was close to the camp, I found that the nets were something in the form of hand-nets, only larger. We were also provided with a lantern containing a thick tallow candle.
“You see how to use these nets!” said Jacques. “We put them into the water, and then hold the candle at the further end. When the fish see the light, they swim towards it and are caught.”
The plan seemed very feasible, and Mike declared that he thought it was a mighty convenient way of obtaining a supper.