THE MYSTERY SOLVED.
"I WANT you to go over with me to Colonel Hitchins, Mark," said Elmer,
on the morning after the great victory over the Fairfield scout nine.
"Oh, see here, has it anything to do with that mystery connected with my
cap being found under those peach trees that were robbed?" demanded
Mark, jumping up; for his chum had found him in his den, busily engaged.
"Perhaps," smiled the other. "And oh, by the way, Mark, perhaps you'd
better be sure and wear the very cap that was found. I might want to
show it to the colonel again for a purpose."
He declined to say anything more, even though Mark teased him as he got
his own wheel out, and the two started forth.
"Just you hold your horses," he said, shaking his head stubbornly.
"Sometimes it seems like a long night, but daylight always comes in the
end."
"I take that to mean you've made some sort of discovery, then," declared
Mark; "and honest, now, Elmer, I'll be mighty glad to know the truth.
That thing has puzzled me a heap, I admit. Perhaps Phil Lally has
confessed that he found my cap, and left it there when he robbed the
trees, meaning to have me looked on as the thief."
"Shucks, Phil Lally never saw your cap; and even if he did he wouldn't
know it from mine or some other fellow's.
"Wait, and don't get so impatient. Unless I miss my guess, it'll soon be
old history," and Elmer led the way along the road at a hot pace.
They soon arrived at the place of Colonel Hitchins.
"There's Phil Lally working in the garden, and he looks satisfied with
the way things have come out," remarked Elmer, as they passed toward the
mansion.
"Why shouldn't he be?" argued Mark. "If Phil had his deserts, he'd be on
the way to a ten-year sentence at the penitentiary right now. But the
old gentleman knew what he was doing when he gave him this last chance;
and I really believe the fellow will make good now."
"I'm dead sure of it," Elmer added. "He's had his eyes opened, and the
thought of his old and fond mother is going to keep him on the narrow
path. But say, turn aside here, and let's take a peep at the tool house,
where I had that little rumpus Saturday night."
"I'd like to see it," remarked the other, eagerly; for by this time he
knew all the particulars of his chum's exciting adventure, and was
deeply interested in everything that pertained to it.
So they walked around the tool house, and even stepped inside, while
Elmer proceeded to once more relate how he had managed to fasten the two
men in, after they had entered in search of kerosene.
"Hello!" remarked Elmer, finally, "there's Bruno wagging his tail at us;
he knows me by now, and we are pretty good friends; but, all the same, I
don't mean to get too close to him when his master isn't around."
"He's a fine looking dog, as sure as anything," observed Mark.
"He sure is," Elmer went on, and then added: "see him shake that old
shoe he has in his mouth! Just imagine it to be some other dog that
Bruno is fighting with. I'd hate to have those teeth set in my leg,
wouldn't you, Mark?"
"Well, rather," came the ready reply. "But look there, do they give him
old shoes and such things to play with; I can count three close by his
kennel right now? Perhaps it's the right thing for a dog's teeth, to
chew on old leather."
Elmer laughed out loud at the suggestion.
"That's a new one on me," he declared; "but here comes Phil Lally from
the garden. Let's put it up to him. He's been with the Colonel some
time, and ought to be on to some of the tricks of Bruno."
Phil Lally smiled at seeing Elmer. He had taken a great liking to the
boy; and no doubt had heard some things in connection with him from his
employer at the time they talked matters over.
"Glad to see yuh here this fine morning, Elmer," he remarked. "And they
tell me yuh knocked the Fairfield team out yesterday, good and hard. The
kunnel says it was the best game he ever saw, barring none, and he's an
old hand, yuh know."
"We all thought it a dandy," laughed Elmer; "and every fellow deserved a
share of the glory. I pitched my best; but where would we have been if
it hadn't happened that Lil Artha drove out that homer, fetching a run
in ahead of him? But Mark here was wondering if you fed Bruno on old
shoes; or gave them to him to keep his teeth in good condition, because
there are just three around here. We don't happen to be from Missouri,
Phil, but we want to know."
The man laughed loudly.
"Well, after all, it looks that ways, Elmer," he said. "But the fact is,
nobody wants to make Bruno mad by takin' away his playthings. I tried it
once, and would yuh believe it, the critter made a jump for me, and
growled so ugly that after that I jest vowed he could keep piling 'em
up, for all of me."
"Oh, I see; then you don't toss them to him?" said Mark, while his chum
smiled, as though fairly well satisfied with the way the conversation
had turned.
"Who, me, give Bruno them old shoes?" ejaculated Phil Lally. "Well, I
guess not. He gets 'em all hisself. It's an old trick of Bruno's. There
have been times when he's had as much as seven old shoes layin' around
here at one time. When I gets a chanct I sneaks 'em away an' buries the
same. Got a regular cemetery fur old shoes back o' the stable."
"But where does he get them, if he's chained up here all the time?"
asked Mark.
"What, him?" echoed the gardener. "Oh, nobody don't seem able to keep
that slick customer chained up no great time at a stretch. Sometimes
I've knowed him to slip his collar as many as four nights a week."
"You mean he gets away?" asked Elmer, helping things along; for he began
to see Mark casting eyes at him suspiciously.
"Always that. Bruno, he's a wanderer. He's got the habit bad; and as
soon as he gets loose it's hike for him. But I will say he always knows
when to come home, and in the morning we find him in his kennel,
tuckered out mebbe, but happy."
"But do you mean he brings one of those old shoes home with him every
time?" demanded Mark.
"He jest wont come home without _something_ like that in his mouth,"
continued the gardener. "I've seen him adoin' of the same, and had to
laugh at the critter. Once it was a lady's hat. We reckoned that it must
a' blew off when she was goin' past in a car at a fast clip, and they
couldn't find it. But Bruno lighted on it, easy like."
"A lady's hat!" muttered Mark, and then he faced his chum, adding: "Look
here now, Elmer, you didn't come back to see Bruno just by accident. You
had a reason for doing it? Own up now!"
Elmer nodded his head and snickered.
"Let me take that cap of yours, Mark," he said, and the article in
question was eagerly handed over to him. "Look here, Phil, this cap was
found under those peach trees you've heard about, and on the morning the
colonel discovered they had been raided. Luckily my chum was able to
prove that he couldn't have been here; and a lot of us knew that he had
lost this cap a mile away on the bank of the Sunflower, just as evening
set in. But it's been a dark mystery how it got here."
Phil had turned red at mention of the peach trees. Then his glance went
past Elmer to the big Siberian wolf hound.
"I reckon it must be up to Bruno, then," he remarked. "Let's see--yes,
he was off that night, else I'd never dared do what I did."
"And if you examine the inside of the cap," Elmer went on, steadily,
"you'll find the lining all torn, as if he had been shaking it like he
did that old shoe just now. The marks look to me like teeth had torn the
lining. And when the colonel handed it to me, I could feel that it
seemed to be more or less wet inside."
"Proven beyond the least doubt!" cried Mark, smiling broadly. "Bruno
came on my cap while he was scouring the country. He fetched it home, as
he does other things that have belonged to people. And when he was going
past those peach trees he got scent of the fact that some one had been
there during his absence. So perhaps he laid the cap down, to nose all
around, and forgot to pick it up again!"
"That's just my theory to a dot," laughed Elmer; "so on the whole, I
guess, Mark, you'd better call it solved, and let the matter drop."
"I'm only too willing," replied the other, nodding. "But don't you think
we owe it to the colonel to take him into the secret?"
"I sure do," replied Elmer; "because he was puzzled as much as we were.
Still, you remember he was ready to own up that he couldn't believe you
guilty; no matter if a dozen caps bearing your initials were found under
his trees."
"That shows what it means tuh have a good reputation," remarked Phil
Lally between his set teeth. "But, boys, never again for me. I've seen
what a fool road I was trampin' with that habit of mine, and I've
changed my course. I'm goin' tuh make good this time, or bust a b'iler
tryin'."
"You'll make it, never fear, Phil, with such a good friend to help you
as the gentleman you work for. I believe in you," said Elmer, thrusting
out his hand; for something told him that the young fellow needed all
the encouragement possible at this critical stage in his uplifting.
So they did go in to see the colonel, who was deeply interested in the
theory. Elmer had to explain how his chum's cap chanced to be found that
morning under the raided trees, when it was lost the evening previous
away over on the bank of the little Sunflower River.
"No doubt of it, Elmer," he declared immediately. "You've proved it
beyond the shadow of a doubt. If Bruno had put his visiting card inside
the lining he couldn't have done more when he made these tears with his
sharp teeth. Seems to me as if I can see where every tooth went in. But
let's forget all about that matter now, and talk about your magnificent
victory of yesterday."
"We may have beaten the Fairfield team by the narrow margin of one run,
sir," remarked Elmer, "but there was one fellow against us who did a
heap more than that, I give it to you straight."
"Who was that, Elmer, and what did he do that was so great? I'm sure,
after seeing the game I fail to catch your meaning," remarked the
gentleman.
"It was Matt Tubbs, sir; and he won a victory over himself which I take
it counts for more than just a single little tally in a baseball game.
If that had been the same old Matt Tubbs of old, we'd never have
finished that game, for he'd have ended it in a row. As it was, he shook
hands with every Hickory Ridge player, and complimented them on the
fierce fight they put up. It was just fine! And they used to say Matt
Tubbs was a rowdy who could never be made to see how he was wronging his
family, all Fairfield, and himself worst of all, by his ugly ways. Don't
tell me, anybody, that this Boy Scout movement isn't working wonders in
lots of cases."
"I believe you, Elmer," replied the colonel, softly. "I have been pretty
much a gruff old soldier myself, and often scorned such an idea as
gaining anything worth while without a fight for it; but I'm beginning
to look at things in another light, boys, another light. Peace has its
victories as well as war; and they count most in the long run, I reckon.
I'm going to take more interest in these boys than ever I did before,
because I'm learning something in my old age."
But the great victory over Fairfield was not the only event that marked
the closing days of that summer vacation, and in another volume we shall
have something to say about an occurrence which the Hickory Ridge Boy
Scouts were inclined to set down in their troop log-book as a matter of
history never to be forgotten.
THE END.
ADDENDA
BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE
BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES.
Wild Animals of the United States }
Tracking } in Number I.
THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL.
Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.
WOODCRAFT, OR HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD.
Reptiles of the United States in Number III.
PATHFINDER, OR THE MISSING TENDERFOOT.
Fishes of the United States in Number IV.
FAST NINE, OR A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD.
Insects of the United States in Number V.
GREAT HIKE, OR THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP.
Birds of the United States in Number VI.
ENDURANCE TEST, OR HOW CLEAR GRIT WON THE DAY.
FISHES OF THE UNITED STATES
Fish are vertebrate animals living in water and having, instead of legs,
fins which are adapted to rapid movement in the water. They breathe
through gills instead of lungs.
The principal order of fish is known as the Teleostei or bony fishes.
Other orders are the Elasmobranchii or fishes without a bony skeleton,
Ganoidei, and a small order called the Holocephali. Fishing since the
earliest recorded times has always been an industry as well as a sport
with mankind. Great commercial seaports have developed from beginnings
as small fishing towns, and fishing privileges are often incorporated in
international treaties. The most important of the American fisheries are
the cod, herring, mackerel, menhaden, halibut, salmon and whitefish
fisheries.
THE ELASMOBRANCHII.
These are fishes which have no bony skeleton. In place of bone they have
an elastic tissue or gristle. There are two sub-orders--those having
round bodies, like the sharks and dog-fish, and those having flat
bodies, like the rays and skates.
SHARKS.
Shark is a general name applied to all the larger round-bodied
elasmobranchii. They are powerful and rapid swimmers and many of the
larger forms are found in mid-ocean. The smaller ones keep closer to
the shore. Although a few are found in Arctic regions, they do not
attain the great size there that they do in warmer waters. They are
carnivorous, that is, they feed on animal matter, and most of them have
strong teeth. The Chinese consider shark fins a great delicacy and many
are exported from California to the East. The fins are also a source of
gelatine.
The Tope is a small shark found in tropical and temperate seas. It
averages about six feet in length. Its habit of making away with bait
and scaring off other fish makes it unpopular with fishermen. The color
of the tope is gray above and whitish gray beneath. It swims along the
bottom of the water, feeding upon fish, crustaceans, etc. This fish is
not common in American waters.
The Hammer-head Shark. The characteristic peculiarity of this shark is
its broad, flat head, which accounts for its name. Its eyes are set on
projections from the side of the head. They have been known to reach a
length of fifteen feet. Sometimes they are seen in the North Atlantic.
They are formidable and greedy. The topes and hammerheads belong to the
same shark family.
The Porbeagle is a shark that is found in the North Atlantic and is
known to fishermen as the Mackerel Shark. It feeds principally upon
fish. A length of ten feet is attained. It bolts its food, the teeth
being adapted to hold its slippery prey.
[Illustration: HAMMER-HEAD SHARK.]
The Thresher, Thrasher or Fox Shark is a cousin of the porbeagle. Its
peculiar characteristic is its long tail. Both the Atlantic and Pacific
contain these fish. A length of fifteen feet is often reached. It will
not attack man, but preys on small fishes. Swimming suddenly into
schools of these, it flaps its tail rapidly, killing and devouring
them in large numbers. These sharks are often found in companies
attacking large whales.
The Basking Shark derives its name from its habit of lying at the top of
the water with its upper back above the water line. This is the largest
shark found in the Atlantic. It reaches a length of over thirty feet.
The oil which its liver yields is valued and it is hunted on this
account. It will not attack man.
Dog-fish is the general name for sharks of the families Scyllidae and
Spinacidae. Dog-fish are the smaller types of sharks. They are sometimes
eaten by fishermen on the Orkney Islands, a group of islands off the
northern coast of Scotland, where they are dried for winter use. Their
rough skins are used for polishing wood and is called shagreen. The
dog-fishes reach a length of three or four feet. They frequently carry
off the fishermen's captures from the lines.
SKATES AND RAYS.
These are flat-bodied elasmobranchii. Skate is the common name applied
to any one of the numerous species of flat elasmobranchii whose large,
broad fins give it a somewhat diamond-shaped form. The commonest and
smallest skate of the Eastern coast of the United States is the "Tobacco
Box." The "Barn Door" Skate sometimes reaches a length of four feet, and
the great Pacific Coast Skate is sometimes six feet long.
The Sting Ray bears on its tail a toothed spine some eight inches long
and capable of inflicting a painful wound. Its tail is long and slim. As
a rule they are confined to warm seas, but at least one species extends
throughout the Atlantic and Pacific.
The Devil-fish or Eagle Ray is a member of the family of Millstone Rays,
so called because of their peculiar teeth, which are adapted to crush
the shells of the mollusks on which they prey. The tail is long and
slim. Some devil-fish occasionally measure from fifteen to eighteen feet
across. Pearl and sponge divers greatly fear these ugly creatures.
The name devil-fish is also given to the Octopus and to the Goosefish or
Angler.
The Torpedo or Electric Ray is a name given to any one of the numerous
rays having the power of giving electrical shocks. They thus stun the
fish upon which they feed. They also use this power in self-defense. The
large torpedoes can stun a man.
[Illustration: SAWFISH--FROM BELOW.]
The Sawfish is a ray in which the snout is elongated and edged with
strong teeth. These sawlike edges have given the fish its name. It
strikes with this weapon and slashes open the bodies of its prey.
THE HOLOCEPHALI.
This is not a large order. The name is made up of two Greek words,
meaning "all head." A few peculiar forms belong here, principally the
Chimera, popularly known as the Sea Cat.
These fish resemble sharks. They are found in the colder sea water.
Their tail is long and thread like. The head is large and the fish's
remarkable appearance has given it the name Chimera, after the legendary
animal that Homer describes as shaped like a lion in the fore part, a
dragon in the hind part and a goat in the middle.
THE GANOIDS.
There are seven living kinds of ganoid fish and all are found in fresh
water. Only six of these are found in waters of the United States. All
of them have skin with bony scales which shine as though enameled.
The Sturgeon inhabit waters of the temperate zone of the Northern
Hemisphere. They reach a length of over ten feet and feed upon worms and
shell fish, which they pry out of the sandy or muddy bottoms with their
sharp snout. They have five rows of bony scales. Their eggs form an
article of commerce, caviar being prepared from them. The material known
as isinglass is made from the air bladders of the sturgeon. They are
found in the Great Lakes and the larger rivers. The type most commonly
found in the Mississippi is called the Shovel-nose Sturgeon. The
Columbian Sturgeon of the Pacific coast states is a large species.
The Bow-fin or Mud-fish is a fish found in the still waters of the
United States. It is known by many names. The flesh, while eatable, is
not good. In length it does not exceed a couple of feet.
The Gar-pike, Bony-pike, or Bill-fish. The body of this fish is covered
with bony scales. It has a peculiar snout containing sharp teeth. In the
lower Mississippi occurs a large type known as the Alligator Gar or
Manjuari.
[Illustration: STURGEON.]
The Paddle-fish is peculiarly characterized by its broad, thin, oarlike
snout. Many popular names have been given to it, such as Spadebill,
Spoonbill, Duckbill. It is found in the rivers of the Mississippi Valley
and reaches a length of about five feet.
The Shovel-nose Sturgeon, or White Sturgeon, is confined to the
Mississippi and its tributaries, and is quite common in certain
localities. It has a slender body, especially so behind the fins, and
its peculiarly shaped snout has given it the name it bears.
THE BONY FISHES OR TELEOSTEANS.
By far the largest and the most important order of fishes, containing
the large majority of living types. They differ from the ganoid fishes
by having soft scales and a complete bony skeleton.
THE YELLOW PERCH.
The Yellow Perch is found in all the waters of the Atlantic slope. It
does not occur in the lower Mississippi valley. It frequents quiet pools
of meadow brooks, creeks, etc., preferring the stream's sides or the
sandy, pebbly bottom. The larger specimens come from rivers and creeks.
Perch seldom weigh more than one or two pounds. They feed on grubs,
worms, insects, and small fishes. They are graceful in movement and the
coloration is beautiful. The sides are streaked with dusky bands and the
fins are ruddy.
One way to catch perch is with a pole, stout line, large float, and
heavy sinker, using a worm or minnow for bait. This will do when the
water is muddied and the fish are hungry. In clear water, use a finer
line and reel, a small float and a sinker only heavy enough to keep the
float steady. The bait should be suspended about a foot from the
bottom.
THE STRIPED BASS.
[Illustration: STRIPED BASS.]
The Striped Bass in the South is known as the Rock Fish, or the Rock.
This fish is particularly common in the open stretches of large rivers.
It is a popular food fish and it is estimated that over 200,000 pounds
of Striped Bass are eaten each year in the United States. They are
voracious feeders and when in the rivers they prey upon small fishes.
They frequent the surf of ocean beaches and rocky shores. The fisherman
holds this fish in deservedly high esteem. They are caught in creeks,
using shrimps or clams for bait. When fishing for these in the swift
tideways, menhaden bait is used. Scott, in his "Fishing in American
Waters," says: "Casting menhaden bait for striped bass from the rocky
shores of the bays, estuaries, and islands along the Atlantic coasts
constitutes the highest branch of American angling. It is, indeed,
questionable--when considering all the elements which contribute to the
sum-total of sport in angling--whether this method of striped bass
fishing is not superior to fly-fishing for salmon, and if so, it
outranks any angling in the world." The rod to use in this style of
fishing should not be longer than nine feet and should be very light,
the lines about two or three hundred yards long. The bass are attracted
by casting chopped menhaden upon the water. An oil gathers upon the
surface of the water and the fish swim toward the fishermen.
THE WHITE BASS.
The White Bass, or Striped Lake Bass, is often mistaken for the Striped
Bass. It is common in the Great Lakes region and especially the Ohio. It
is found chiefly in lakes, ponds, and deeper parts of rivers. It feeds
upon small fish. As food it is highly prized.
THE YELLOW BASS.
The Yellow Bass is sometimes called the Bar-fish. It frequents the lower
Mississippi, where the water is deep and sluggish. The color is yellow
and the black stripes are prominent.
THE WHITE PERCH.
The White Perch is found in the waters at the mouths of rivers. Its
average length is eight or nine inches. Fish for them off a deep-sunk
pier or a bridge, baiting with a live minnow.
THE SEA BASS.
The Sea Bass exists in a great many varieties and has been given many
names, such as Black-fish, Rock Bass, Black Will, Black Bass, etc. The
favorite haunts of Sea Bass are the rocky bays and sounds of the
Atlantic coasts. It feeds at the bottom and rarely comes to the surface,
being fond of lying under loose stones and in rock cavities. Its food is
made up of crabs, squids, small fish, etc. On account of the toughness
of its mouth this fish, when once hooked, is not easily lost. The best
time to catch them is between tides. In New England they average about a
pound and a half. The flesh of the Sea Bass is firm and sweet. The
fishing banks off Sandy Hook and Long Branch yield thousands of these
fish annually. The bait most often used is clams.
THE GROUPERS.
The Red Grouper, or Groper, is a large fish, reaching an occasional
weight of forty or fifty pounds, but is not common on our coasts, except
in the far South. It is voracious in feeding. In the Gulf of Mexico it
is abundant. It feeds on crustaceans and small fish, and even large
crabs. As a food fish it is considered excellent.
The Black Grouper is called the "Jew-fish." It is a common fish along
the Gulf coast. The Jew-fish attains a large size and will swallow a
hooked fish, hooks, lead, line and all.
The Pacific Jew-fish is sometimes called the Black Sea Bass and is the
largest food fish of this coast, reaching a weight of five hundred
pounds.
BLACK BASS.
Black Bass are found widely distributed over the Atlantic slope. They
are not particular in their diet, eating many kinds of food--fish,
crawfish, moths, flies, frogs, and even rats and snakes. They can leap
powerfully. It is said that the best time to take them is at night, or
when rivers are high and muddy. There are two types, the large-mouth and
the small-mouth. Bass may be caught by using artificial flies or
minnows, or live minnows, small frogs, grasshoppers, or by the use of
trolling spoon.
THE SUN-FISH.
The Sun-fish is the "Sunny" or "Pumpkin-seed" of New York and New
England brooks. It is common, too, in the Great Lakes region and the
coast streams as far south as Georgia. It prefers clear, still water.
The Red Breast is a Sun-fish which is known also by such names as the
"Brim," "Pearch," "Red-headed Bream," "Sun Perch," "Red-bellied Bream,"
and "Red-bellied Pearch."
The Blue Sun-fish is the most widely distributed of the Sun-fishes. It
is also called "The Blue Bream," "Copper-nosed Bream," and "Dollardee."
THE STRAWBERRY BASS.
The Strawberry Bass is another fish abounding in names. It is called
"The Strawberry Perch," "Grass Bass," "Bitter Head Perch,"
"Lamplighter," "Razor Back," "Chinquapin Perch," "Silver Bass," "Big Fin
Bass," "Calico Bass," "Goggle Eye." It resorts to deep, sluggish waters.
As a pan fish it is surpassed by few other fresh-water fishes.
The Crappie or Croppie is closely related to the Strawberry Bass.
THE SNAPPERS AND GRUNTS.
The Snappers and Grunts are the brightly colored fishes of the coral
reefs. The Red Snapper is bright crimson and is abundant in the Gulf of
Mexico and about the Florida reefs, living in holes and gullies. It
feeds upon small fish, crabs, and prawns. Snappers are always boiled or
cooked in a chowder. They are caught with a bottom bait of fish.
The Gray Snapper lacks the brilliant color of the Red Snapper. It is
also known as the Black Snapper and Sea Lawyer.
The Red Mouths or Grunts are small fish found in the inshore waters of
the Gulf and South Atlantic states. They resemble the Snappers and are
characterized by the red color of the inside of mouth and throat. On
account of this peculiarity they are sometimes called Flannel-mouths.
When taken they utter a peculiar sound, hence the name "grunts,"
"pig-fish," and "squirrel-fish."
The Black Grunt is brownish in color. It is found as far north as
Charleston. The Norfolk Hog-fish is brown, spotted with orange and
yellow.
The Sheepheads have large heads, strong jaws and teeth. They are
sluggish in movement, feeding among the rocks close to the bottom. They
derive their name from their resemblance in profile to the sheep. They
are known by this name wherever found. In New York Harbor, Jersey, and
Long Island coasts they are common. Barnacles and crustaceans form an
important part of their diet and frequent old wrecks to which their food
adhered. Their teeth are fitted to crush their food. They are shy and
will take the bait more confidently if it is allowed to lie at the
bottom. When they bite, give a short, quick, but not too violent jerk.
The average weight of this fish is about six pounds. They are one of the
finest food fish.
THE PORGY.
The Scuppaug, or Mishcuppauog, is a name of Indian origin. In some parts
it is abbreviated into the "scup," and in others the second syllable is
used, paugy or porgy, notwithstanding that the true porgy is an English
fish of an entirely different kind. The Southern Scup is called the
"Fair Maid." The food of these fishes consists of worms, mollusks, etc.
It is largely used as a pan fish.
THE WEAK-FISH.
The Weak-fish about the Cape Cod section are called "Drummers." Further
south they are known as "Yellow Fins" and "Sea Trout." Along the shore
from Norfolk to Nantucket they are abundant, arriving in late May and
departing early in the autumn. August is the best month for Weak-fish.
They feed on small fish. Catching the Weak-fish is considered great
sport because so many can be taken in a short time. They swim near the
surface and require a line little leaded. Clams, soft crabs, or pieces
of fish may be used as bait, which they snap at. On account of the
tenderness of their mouths, care must be taken in hauling them in. At
flood tide they will be found in the channel, but at ebb they seek some
deep hole. The Indian name for this fish was the Squeteague.
THE HAKE.
The Hake, known also as the King-fish, Barb, Tom Cod, Black Mullet, Sea
Mink, and Whiting. Mr. A. N. Cheney tells us that in fishing for this
fish, "A light rod and multiplying reel, a strong and very light line, a
swivel sinker, and two rather small hooks are what is required in the
way of tackle, much the same rig as is used in weak-fishing. The bait is
either shredded crab or sand-worm. The King-fish is thoroughly game; he
seizes the bait eagerly and then goes to the bottom, following up this
movement with long runs from right to left; it is really remarkable what
a determined resistance the little King-fish will make. In size he
varies from one to six pounds, the average being two or three pounds.
The time to fish for them is when the tide is running in. King-fish can
be caught along the south side of Long Island, off the Jersey coast at
Atlantic City, Long Branch, and Barnegat Inlet, and further south they
are very common."
THE WHITINGS.
The Whitings are food fishes of the southern coast. They are abundant in
the spring and summer near Charleston, taking the bait readily. The bait
which seems best is pieces of drum. Deep running water is their favorite
haunt.
THE DRUM.
The Drum is another large food fish. It is found most abundantly in the
Gulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic states. The name is derived from
the noise it is capable of making, which is similar to drumming. It
swims slowly along the bottom, where it feeds on shell-fish.
The fresh-water Drum is called "Sheepshead" in the Great Lakes. In other
places the "White Perch," "Gray Perch," "Crocus," "Thunder-pumper."
THE COBIA.
The Cobia prefers clear, deep water. One writer says of this fish that
"he looks as if harnessed with a pair of traces and his behavior on a
fly-rod is that of a wild horse." This appearance is due to the straight
stripes of brown and gray on its sides which has given it the name
"Sergeant-fish" in certain districts.
THE BLUE-FISH.
The Blue-fish is known in different localities as the "Horse-Mackerel,"
"Skipjack," "Green-fish." It is a widely distributed fish, but its
favorite haunts in the summer are the waters of the middle Atlantic
states. It feeds entirely upon other fish. Professor Baird says: "There
is no parallel in point of destructiveness to the Blue-fish among the
marine species on our coast, whatever may be the case among some of the
carnivorous fish of the South American waters. The Blue-fish has been
well likened to an animated chopping machine, the business of which is
to cut to pieces and otherwise destroy as many fish as possible in a
given space of time. Going in large schools in pursuit of fish not much
inferior to themselves in size, they move along like a pack of hungry
wolves, destroying everything before them. Their trail is marked by
fragments of fish and by the stain of blood in the sea."
THE MACKEREL.
The Common Mackerel is found in the north Atlantic. They swim near the
surface and often at a great distance from land. Their movements can be
easily followed. They are great wanderers and are abundant sometimes in
one section, sometimes in another. The food of these fishes consists
largely of small crustaceans. The different kinds of invertebrates upon
which the mackerel feed are known as "Cayenne" and "red-seed." When
full-grown they average about eighteen inches in length. Sea birds will
gather over a school of mackerel and indicate its presence. Porpoises,
sharks, blue-fish, and cod also prey upon them.
The Spanish Mackerel is a midsummer fish, disappearing in the autumn. In
habit they are very much like the blue-fish, and fond of leaping from
the water, living mostly at the surface.
THE POMPANO.
The Pompano is highly esteemed as a food fish. It is widely distributed
through the warmer Atlantic. It feeds upon mollusks, crustaceans, and
young fish. It is caught in nets; quantities are caught in the Gulf of
Mexico.
THE BONITO.
The Bonito is in habits similar to the blue-fish. It preys, as do the
latter, upon menhaden and mackerel. The tail is crescent-shaped and is a
great aid to it in swimming. It is capable of very swift motion, hunting
in schools, which are accompanied by flocks of sea gulls and other sea
birds.
THE SWORD-FISH.
The Sword-fish derives its name from its long, sword-like snout. They
are most abundant on shoals and banks near the shore. They are very
pugnacious in their habits, using their sword as a weapon of offense and
defense, and do not hesitate to attack sharks and whales.
THE ROSE-FISH.
This fish on the Pacific coast is known as the Rock-Cod or Rock-fish.
They are found in great abundance on the southern coast of California.
THE TREE-FISH.
The Tree-fish is also found on the coast of California and is
beautifully colored and marked.
THE PIKE AND MUSKELLUNGE.
The Pike is a fish of the North; it is abundant, however, as far south
as Ohio.
The Muskellunge is found in the Great Lakes region and St. Lawrence
River. It is similar to the Pike.
THE PICKEREL.
The Pickerels, another group of this family, are much smaller fishes.
The Chain Pickerel, so called on account of the peculiar chain-like
markings on its sides, is found in streams along the Atlantic coast. The
Brook Pickerel is of a similar variety. This variety of fish are not
particular as to their diet; they will eat nearly all other kinds of
fish, frogs, rats, mice, and even young ducks. They lay in wait for
their prey and take it with a spring.
[Illustration: MUSKELLUNGE.]
THE SEA ROBINS.
The Sea Robins are a nuisance to fishermen, stealing their bait. They
are also known as sculpins, grub, bullhead, seatoad, pig-fish. They feed
upon the animal life at the bottom of the water. Owing to their ugly
appearance their spines are rumored to give a poisonous wound. They are
capable of inflicting a painful injury, but not a poisonous one.
THE HALIBUT.
The Halibut is a cold-water fish. These fish at times reach an enormous
size and there are traditions of fish having been caught that weigh over
600 pounds. They lie upon the bottom, and because of their flat body,
which is similar in color to that of the sand, they are able to ambush
their prey.
THE FLOUNDER.
The Plaise, Summer Flounder, or Turbot Flounder. This is a fish abundant
upon the eastern coast of the United States. They feed upon small fish,
crabs, squids, sand-eels, etc. Large quantities of these fish are sold
in the markets of New York.
[Illustration: FLOUNDER.]
THE COD-FISH.
The Cod-fish; the waters off the coast of New England formerly abounded
in this fish, but now only stragglers are to be caught. From the
stomachs of Cod-fish shells of all kinds have been taken, as well as
many miscellaneous objects, such as rings, scissors, corn-cobs, oil
cans, and other incongruous things of this kind. The Tom-Cod is a
small cod-fish seldom a foot in length.
[Illustration: COD-FISH.]
THE HADDOCK.
The Haddock also has a habit of feeding on shells. Both the Haddock and
the cod will take stale clams as food, these seeming to be more
attractive than fresh ones. As food fish the Scotch smoke Haddock, and
they are then known as "Finnan Haddies."
THE MULLETS.
The Mullets are widely distributed; it is a very popular fish in the
southern sea-coast states. It prefers still, shoal water with sandy and
grassy bottom. It does not take the hook well, but is sometimes caught
with bait manufactured from cotton and flour or banana.
THE CAT-FISH.
The Cat-fish is very popular with the colored people in the South.
"Don't talk to me o' bacon and fat,
O' taters, 'coon or 'possum,
Fo' when I'se hooked a yellar cat
I'se got a meal to boss 'em."
Its spines are capable of inflicting painful wounds. Salt mackerel,
worms, or live minnows are good bait. Another thing it is well to
remember is that the cat-fish never bite when an east wind is blowing.
Professor Jordan, of Indianapolis University, says: "Cat-fishes are
vivacious and indiscriminate feeders, any of the animal substances,
living or dead, being greedily swallowed by them. They are also
extremely tenacious of life, living for a long time out of water and
being able to resist impurities in the water better than any other of
our food fishes."
THE HERRINGS.
The Herring is an important food fish. Hundreds of millions of pounds of
these fish are taken yearly, and yet their numbers do not seem to be in
any wise lessened. Herrings are smoked, dried, and salted.
THE MENHADEN.
The Menhaden make their appearance in the spring with the arrival of the
shad, alewife, blue-fish, and weak-fish. They swim in schools close to
the surface and crowd together, but if alarmed sink to the bottom. They
are phosphorescent at night, fond of inlets and bays and shoal waters
protected from wind. Their food seems to consist of organic matter and
vegetation contained in stagnant water. They have many enemies; whales,
sharks, sword-fish, bass, cod, weak-fish, blue-fish, bonito, dolphins
destroy them in vast quantities. They are largely used as fertilizers by
the coast farmers. They are also a source of fish oil.
THE ALEWIFE.
The Alewife is an abundant river fish throughout the South. They are
also found where shad run.
THE SHAD.
Shad is found along the Atlantic coast of the United States. The larger
part of the shad's life is spent in salt water, coming into the rivers
in the spring.
THE TARPON.
Tarpon, Tarpum, Silverfish, or Grande Ecaille, is common on the Gulf
coast. It will take a baited hook, but is difficult to handle, and is
seldom landed. Persons have been known to be killed or injured severely
by its leaping against them from the net in which it had been caught.
Its scales are prized and are sold in the Florida shops.
[Illustration: SALMON.]
THE SALMON.
The Salmon--one remarkable characteristic is its marvelous leaping
ability. One writer, describing from observation this feat, says: "I
watched the fish with a race-glass for some ten minutes before
disturbing them. There is a very deep pool at the point where the
waterfall joins the lower level of the water. The fish come out of
this pool with the velocity of an arrow. They give no warning of their
intentions, but up they come and dart out of the surface of the water
with a sudden rush, like rockets let loose from the darkness of the
night into the space above. When they first appeared their tails were
going with the velocity of a watch spring just broken, and the whole
body sparkling as though they had been enameled, quivering so with the
exertion."
THE TROUT.
The Rainbow Trout, also known as Brook Trout, Mountain Trout, Speckled
Trout, Golden Trout, is found in the streams west of the Sierra Nevada;
it feeds on worms, grubs, etc. The Black Spotted Trout is found
throughout the Rocky Mountain region. The above are Salmon Trout and are
considered inferior as game fishes to the Red Spotted Trout. The Lake
Trout reaches a large size. The Lake Superior Trout are caught usually
in the fall months in nets.
The Brook Trouts belong to the Salmon family. They show marked
variations in color.
The Speckled Trout is found in the lakes and streams of the eastern part
of the United States. In midsummer they haunt the bottoms of lakes, deep
pools, among rocks and roots. As the cold weather comes on in the autumn
they frequent the clear water of streams. They seldom exceed two or
three pounds in weight. They feed daintily, taking their prey from the
surface--flies, water bugs, and little fishes. They are favorites with
the fishermen; the most successful angler is the one who baits his hook
with the prey, or imitation thereof, which at that time particularly
hits their fancy.
[Illustration: BROOK TROUT.]
The Malma Trout is known as the Lake Trout, Bull Trout, Red Spotted
Trout, and in some places the Dolly Varden.
SMELTS.
The Smelts are remarkable for an odor which they emit and which accounts
for their name. They are a small fish and are sold in large quantities
in all fish markets.
EELS.
Eels: there is a much larger demand for the eel as a food in Europe than
in America, many in this country being prejudiced against it because of
its snake-like form.
[Illustration: EELS.]
The Moray. Two species of these eels are found along the coast of the
United States, the Spotted Moray in Florida and the Reticulated Moray
off the coast of South Carolina.
INDEX.
PAGE
Alewife, 170
Angler-fish, 151
Barb, 161
Barn Door, 150
Basking Shark, 150
Bass, Big-fin, 158
Black, 157, 158
Black Sea, 157
Calico, 158
Grass, 158
Lake, 156
Lake Striped, 156
Rock, 157
Sea, 157
Silver, 158
Strawberry, 158
Striped, 155
Striped Lake, 156
White, 156
Yellow, 156
Big-fin Bass, 158
Bill-fish, 152
Black Bass, 157, 158
Grouper, 157
Grunt, 159
Mullet, 161
Sea Bass, 157
Snapper, 159
Will, 157
Black-fish, 157
Blue Bream, 158
Sun-fish, 158
Blue-fish, 162
Bonito, 163
Bony Pike, 152
Bow-fin, 152
Bream, 158
Blue, 158
Copper Nose, 158
Red-bellied, 158
Red-headed, 158
Brook Pickerel, 164
Trout, 172, 173
Bull Trout, 174
Calico Bass, 158
Cat-fish, 169
Chain Pickerel, 164
Chimera, 151
Chinquapin Perch, 158
Cobia, 162
Cod-fish, 166, 168
Cod, Rock, 164
Tom, 161, 168
Columbian Sturgeon, 152
Common Mackerel, 163
Copper-nose Bream, 158
Crappie, 159
Crocus, 162
Croppie, 159
Devil-fish, 151
Dog-fish, 150
Dollardee, 158
Dolly Varden, 174
Drum, 161
Duckbill, 154
Eagle Ray, 151
Eels, 174
Moray, 174
Spotted Moray, 174
Elasmobranchii, 147
Electric Ray, 151
Fair Maid, 160
Finnan Haddie, 168
Flannel Mouth, 159
Flounder, 166, 167
Summer, 166
Turbot, 166
Fox Shark, 148
Ganoidei, 147, 152
Gar Pike, 152
Goggle-eye, 158
Golden Trout, 172
Goosefish, 151
Grande Ecaille, 170
Grass Bass, 158
Gray Perch, 162
Gray Snapper, 159
Green-fish, 162
Groper (see Grouper), 157
Grouper, 157
Black, 157
Red, 157
Grunt, 159
Black, 159
Haddock, 168
Hake, 161
Halibut, 166
Hammer-head Shark, 148, 149
Herring, 169
Hog-fish, Norfolk, 159
Holocephali, 147, 151
Horse Mackerel, 162
Jew-fish, 157
Pacific, 157
King-fish, 161
Lake Bass, 156
Superior Trout, 172
Trout, 172
Lamplighter, 158
Mackerel, 163
Common, 163
Horse, 162
Spanish, 163
Mackerel Shark, 148
Malma Trout, 172
Manjuari, 152
Menhaden, 169
Millstone Ray, 151
Mishcuppauog, 160
Moray Eels, 174
Reticulated, 174
Spotted, 174
Mountain Trout, 172
Mud-fish, 152
Mullets, 161, 168
Muskellunge, 164, 165
Norfolk Hog-fish, 159
Octopus, 151
Pacific Jew-fish, 157
Paddle-fish, 152
Paugy, 160
Perch, 154
Bitterhead, 158
Chinquapin, 158
Gray, 162
Strawberry, 158
White, 156, 162
Yellow, 154
Pickerel, 164
Brook, 164
Chain, 164
Pig-fish, 159, 166
Pike, 152, 164
Bony, 152
Gar, 152
Plaise, 166
Pompano, 163
Porbeagle, 148
Porgy, 160
Rainbow Trout, 172
Rays, 150
Eagle, 151
Electric, 151
Millstone, 151
Sting, 150
Torpedo, 151
Red-bellied Bream, 158
Breast, 158
Grouper, 157
Headed Bream, 158
Mouths, 159
Snapper, 159
Spotted Trout, 172
Reticulated Moray, 174
Rock Bass, 157
Rock Cod, 164
Fish, 155
Rose-fish, 164
Salmon, 170, 171
Trout, 172
Sawfish, 151
Sculpin, 166
Scup, 160
Scuppaug, 160
Scyllidae, 150
Sea Bass, 157
Cat, 151
Lawyer, 159
Mink, 161
Robin, 166
Toad, 166
Trout, 160
Sergeant-fish, 162
Shad, 170
Shark, 147
Basking, 150
Fox, 148
Hammer-head, 148, 149
Mackerel, 148
Thrasher, 148
Thresher, 148
Sheepshead, 159, 162
Shovel-nose Sturgeon, 152, 154
Silver Bass, 158
Fish, 170
Skates, 150
Skipjack, 162
Smelts, 174
Snapper, 159
Black, 159
Gray, 159
Red, 159
Spadebill, 154
Spanish Mackerel, 163
Speckled Trout, 172
Spinacidae, 150
Spoonbill, 154
Squeteague, 160
Squirrel-fish, 159
Sting Ray, 150
Strawberry Bass, 158
Perch, 158
Striped Bass, 155
Lake Bass, 156
Sturgeon, 152, 153
Columbian, 152
Shovel-nose, 152, 154
White, 154
Summer Flounder, 166
Sun-fish, 158
Blue, 158
Sun Perch, 158
Sunny, 158
Sword-fish, 164
Tarpon, 170
Teleostei, 147, 154
Thrasher Shark, 148
Thresher Shark, 148
Thunder-pumper, 162
Tobacco Box, 150
Tom Cod, 161, 168
Tope, 148
Torpedo, 151
Tree-fish, 164
Trout, 172
Black-spotted, 172
Brook, 172, 173
Golden, 172
Lake, 172
Lake Superior, 172
Malma, 172
Mountain, 172
Rainbow, 172
Red-spotted, 172
Salmon, 172
Sea, 160
Speckled, 172
Turbot Flounder, 166
Weak-fish, 160
White Bass, 156
Perch, 156, 162
Sturgeon, 154
Whiting, 161
Yellow Bass, 156
Fins, 160
Perch, 154
THE Campfire and Trail Series
1. In Camp on the Big Sunflower.
2. The Rivals of the Trail.
3. The Strange Cabin on Catamount Island.
4. Lost in the Great Dismal Swamp.
5. With Trapper Jim in the North Woods.
6. Caught in a Forest Fire.
By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE
A series of wholesome stories for boys told in an interesting way and
appealing to their love of the open.
_Each, 12mo._ _Cloth._ _40 cents per volume_
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 FOURTH AVENUE
NEW YORK
THE "HOW-TO-DO-IT" BOOKS
CARPENTRY FOR BOYS
A book which treats, in a most practical and fascinating manner all
subjects pertaining to the "King of Trades"; showing the care and use of
tools; drawing; designing, and the laying out of work; the principles
involved in the building of various kinds of structures, and the
rudiments of architecture. It contains over two hundred and fifty
illustrations made especially for this work, and includes also a
complete glossary of the technical terms used in the art. The most
comprehensive volume on this subject ever published for boys.
ELECTRICITY FOR BOYS
The author has adopted the unique plan of setting forth the fundamental
principles in each phase of the science, and practically applying the
work in the successive stages. It shows how the knowledge has been
developed, and the reasons for the various phenomena, without using
technical words so as to bring it within the compass of every boy. It
has a complete glossary of terms, and is illustrated with two hundred
original drawings.
PRACTICAL MECHANICS FOR BOYS
This book takes the beginner through a comprehensive series of practical
shop work, in which the uses of tools, and the structure and handling of
shop machinery are set forth; how they are utilized to perform the work,
and the manner in which all dimensional work is carried out. Every
subject is illustrated, and model building explained. It contains a
glossary which comprises a new system of cross references, a feature
that will prove a welcome departure in explaining subjects. Fully
illustrated.
_Price 60 cents per volume_
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
BY ROGER T. FINLAY
Thrilling adventures by sea and land of two boys and an aged Professor
who are cast away on an island with absolutely nothing but their
clothing. By gradual and natural stages they succeed in constructing all
forms of devices used in the mechanical arts and learn the scientific
theories involved in every walk of life. These subjects are all treated
in an incidental and natural way in the progress of events, from the
most fundamental standpoint without technicalities, and include every
department of knowledge. Numerous illustrations accompany the text.
Two Thousand things every boy ought to know. Every
page a romance. Every line a fact.
_Six titles--60 cents per volume_
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
The Castaways
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
Exploring the Island
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
The Mysteries of the Caverns
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
The Tribesmen
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
The Capture and Pursuit
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
The Conquest of the Savages
PUBLISHED BY
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK
Christy Mathewson's Book
[Illustration]
_A Ripping Good Baseball Story by One Who Knows the Game_
This book has attained a larger sale than any baseball story ever
published.
The narrative deals with the students of a large university and their
baseball team, the members of which have names which enable the reader
to recognize them as some of the foremost baseball stars of the day
before their entrance into the major leagues.
One gains a very clear idea of "inside baseball" stripped of wearisome
technicalities. The book is profusely illustrated throughout and
contains also a number of plates showing the manner in which Mathewson
throws his deceptive curves, together with brief description of each.
_Cloth bound 5-1/2 x 7-5/8_ _Price 60c. per volume_
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK
Mrs. Meade's Books for Girls
Primrose Edition
Printed on fine quality book paper. Separate cover designs in colors.
Daddy's Girl.
A Girl from America.
Sue, a Little Heroine.
The School Queens.
Wild Kitty.
A Sweet Girl Graduate.
A World of Girls.
Polly--A New-Fashioned Girl.
_Each, 12 mo._ _Cloth._ _40 cents per volume_
Mrs. Meade's girls' books never lose their popularity.
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 FOURTH AVENUE
NEW YORK
_ECONOMICAL COOKING_
_Primrose Edition_
_Planned for Two or More Persons_
By
MISS WINIFRED S. GIBBS
Dietitian and Teacher of Cooking of the New York Association for
Improving the Condition of the Poor
_Printed on Fine Quality Book Paper. Cover Design in Colors._
Many Cook Books have been published, from time to time, to meet various
requirements, or to elucidate certain theories, but very few have been
written to meet the needs of the large proportion of our population who
are acutely affected by the constantly increasing cost of food products.
Notwithstanding that by its valuable suggestions this book helps to
reduce the expense of supplying the table, the recipes are so planned
that the economies effected thereby are not offset by any lessening in
the attractiveness, variety or palatability of the dishes.
Of equal importance are the sections of this work which deal with food
values, the treatment of infants and invalids and the proper service of
various dishes.
The recipes are planned for two persons, but may readily be adapted for
a larger number. The book is replete with illustrations and tables of
food compositions--the latter taken from the latest Government
statistics.
_Cloth Binding_ _Illustrated_ _40c. per volume, postpaid_
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 FOURTH AVENUE (near 14th St.) NEW YORK
CUT-OUT AND PAINT BOOKS
[Illustration]
An original line of art studies printed in full rich colors on high
grade paper. This series introduces many novel features of interest, and
as the subject matters have been selected with unusual care, the books
make a strong appeal not only to the little ones but even to those of
riper years.
Post Cards _Painting Book_
Dolls of all Nations _Scissors Book_
Our Army _Scissors Book_
Children's Pets _Puzzle Book_
_Size 8-1/4 x 10-1/4 inches_
Price 15c. per copy
Send for sample and trade discount
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
First advertising page, "Chenoweth" changed to "Chenowith" to match
actual book usage (Elmer Chenowith, a lad from)
Page 21, "kidnaped" changed to "kidnapped" (who had been kidnapped)
Page 28, "remarkd" changed to "remarked" (on the ground," remarked)
Page 49, "us" changed to "is" (than it really is)
Page 52, "shouler" changed to "shoulder" (over his shoulder)
Page 64, "he" changed to "be" (it might be transported)
Page 127, "whole" changed to "hole" (out of a hole)