CHAP. XXXV. TOLL-BAIT FOR MACKEREL. 233 



is called, is generally menhaden or porgies, a small bony 

 fish, not used as an article of food. This is supplied in 

 great quantities to each vessel. It is finely ground in a 

 mill provided for the purpose, then mixed with water, 

 and is ready for use. Upon the appearance of a school 

 of mackerel, which is indicated by a rippling of the 

 surface of the water not unlike that of the schools of 

 herring, the vessel is " hove to," and the " toll-bait " 

 thrown. The fish will generally follow the bait to the 

 side of the vessel, where all hands are at their quarters 

 anxiously awaiting the first bite. And now commences 

 a general excitement. Each man has his barrel by his 

 side, and to those who have never seen the operation, 

 the rapidity with Avhich the fish are taken from the 

 water is almost incredible. The men are provided with 

 two lines each, and upon a " strike," which means when 

 the fish bite rapidly, these lines are in constant motion ; 

 and what seems strangest of all is the fact, that although 

 a space of only about 2^ feet is allowed to each man 

 for himself and his barrel, it is very seldom that the 

 lines become entangled, even when, the school being at 

 some distance from the vessel, some fifteen or twenty 

 fathoms of line are required, and the fish, as soon as they 

 feel the hook, dart hither and thither with the rapidity 

 of lightning. After a " deck " of mackerel is obtained, all 

 hands prepare to put them in salt. Tlie operations of 

 "passing up," "sphtting," and "gibbing," are gone through, 

 and they are packed in sidt in the barrels.' A crew of 

 ten men have been known to catch in the Bay of Chaleurs 

 in one day ninety packed or ' dressed ' barrels of mackerel, 

 which could not contain less than 12,000 fish. Mackerel 



