BAITS, AND SEA-FISHING 129 



squares of wood, of the diminutive Oxford frame 

 pattern, such as some boys use for their kites, are 

 thrown in. A quarter of a mile off the rocks, the 

 anchor, or its substitute, is let down. Line is paid 

 out till the lead strikes the bottom, and then pulled 

 an arm's stretch back again, to clear the hooks 

 from the ground. 



Usually within a few minutes, the first sharp tug 

 is felt, and met by an equally sharp check in the 

 opposite direction. Hand under hand, if possible, 

 without a pause, the moist, and slippery line is 

 drawn in. At length a white gleam appears dart- 

 ing through the deep. A lift clear of the side, and 

 a brown-backed cod of 5 Ibs. is on board. 



A few tugs intervene before another is hooked, 

 and the hauling in begins afresh. This time the 

 fish has a deeper shadow on its back. It is a 

 saithe. 



Then comes a pull on the finger, so gentle, that 

 the expectant angler waits for a second. The line 

 comes away without effort, and a mask of a fish, 

 big-headed, and tapering swiftly away to the tail, 

 is brought on board. This is the grey gurnard 

 (Trigla gurnardus), whose acquaintance will be 

 made, only too frequently, within the next two 

 hours. He is really good for food, but there is a 

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