Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

     Rabbit hunting and fishing constitute the business of life now to the Piute warriors in Nevada, since the buffalo have traveled north, and the antelope is fast following them; and in the capture and killing of such deer he is exceedingly expert. His fishing tackle consists of a bit of light rope, weighted with a stone at one end, and grasped by the hand of the fishermen at the other end. To this line are attached at regular distances half a dozen or more hooks, made of rabbit-bones, in the form of a narrow letter V; and to the angle of each V again is fastened a short line of sinews, and baited with some such trifle as a snail or a fresh-water sucker. The fish, swallowing the bait and the line, swallows also the hook, which is so acted upon by the tension of the line as to expand its two prongs and fasten them firmly in the victim’s throat; and then it struggles and whirls and darts about the line, attracting all its family and the neighbors to swallow the same snare, until the angler has counted a bite for every hook, and quietly draws in his main line heavy with spoils.