THEIR ROUND OF LIFE AND LABOUR. 17 
Such is the formidable instrument of fishing which the 
crews of the herring boats have to handle on each night 
they are at sea. The nets of the fleet of herring boats which 
on some nights may be found fishing off the coast of Aber- 
deenshire could reach six times across the North Sea, and in 
instances the suite of netting which is cast overboard from 
one boat will extend two miles in length. The herring- 
boats usually commence to leave the harbours for their 
fishing stations early in the afternoon ; if there should be 
a favouring breeze they hoist their sail, and reap the 
advantage of a speedy run to the spot selected, which 
however is not always the place where they find the fish. 
Often enough a boat proceeds to fish at a place that may 
be from thirty to forty miles distant from the port of 
rendezvous, and it is all a matter of luck whether or not 
the men hit upon the shoal. The work of shooting the 
nets usually begins at sunset: the mast is struck, and, two 
men taking the oars, the boat is moved slowly across 
the tide; the skipper of course keeps possession of the 
helm, having first of all selected his theatre of opera- 
tions; the remaining two men of the crew have the duty 
of throwing over the nets into the sea. As the writer is 
well able to testify, having more than once personally 
taken part in the work, it is a laborious process, and 
requires some care, occupying a considerable time, 
so that, when’ itis concluded the men are” ready 
for a little refreshment and a few hours’ rest. They 
partake of a frugal supper, and in some boats the skipper 
will ask the men to join him in singing a hymn, and he 
may perhaps offer up a simple prayer, asking the blessing 
of God on his enterprise. Ordinarily the men who have 
been working at the oars, as well as their fellow-labourers 
& 
