THE FLEET 359 



CHAPTER XIX. 



14 THE FLEET "A Night SceneThe First Day on Fish Ground 

 Habits of Mackerel Advantages of being in a Fast Vessel 

 Why there is a " Fleet "Method of Taking Mackerel- 

 Bait used Monotony of the Fisherman's Life A Fish-day 

 Premonitory Symptoms Rain "Shorten Up" Breakfast 

 Dressing Fish Making a Harbor Salting down Coming 

 to Anchor After Supper Comforts The Morning after a 

 Storm The Close of the Trip Depart for New York I 

 Determine to quit the Sea and do so Difficulties Attending 

 such a Change, with the Sailor. 



IT was on the fifth night after leaving our port, 

 that we came into " the fleet." During the day 

 an occasional homeward bounder, steering off with 

 all Rail set, had passed us. Toward evening, white 

 sails were visible in many directions. At sunset 

 we were already near the outsiders, the videttes 

 of the fleet. And before retiring to rest we wer 

 in the midst of the vast collection of vessels, their 

 innumerable lights glistening upon the smooth 

 expanse of ocean, and dancing solemnly up and 

 down on the great swell which the Atlantic ever 

 keeps up, much more resembling the vessels in a 

 vast naval panorama, than a scene of real life. 



There is something solemn and thought-inspir- 

 ing in a scene like this, at all events to a thinking 



