The Barbadoes Fishery 231 



may only purchase one small fish. But none of the 

 fish is wasted because there is a glut. It must all 

 be disposed of rapidly, for in that torrid climate a 

 very few hours will turn it putrid, and it would be 

 a sin to throw it away, in the simple darkies' creed, 

 so what is unsold is distributed gratis to the poor. 

 At least, I am now quoting what was the practice 

 twenty-three years ago. By the law of compensation 

 it usually happens that when Flying-fish are scarce, 

 albacore, dolphin, bonito, or jew-fish are plentiful, 

 all these abounding in the deep-blue waters which 

 come up so close to the island shores. 



The method pursued in this fishery is even more 

 simple than that described in the yarn already given. 

 The only gear needed are a few nets made on hoops 

 some three feet in diameter, of about half-inch mesh, 

 and with scarcely any ' bag ' to them, two or three 

 stout lines and hooks, for possible big fish, and a set 

 of granes. The boat is usually sloop-rigged, and 

 from three to ten tons, carrying the usual boat's gear, 

 but always undecked. A few Flying-fish kept from 

 the previous day's catch are the bait, very strong 

 in odour and oozing with oil. Thus equipped, the 

 boats put forth just before dawn, so as to be on the 

 ground at the time of calm or nearly so. More for- 

 tunate than their northern brethren they are always 

 sure of their weather ; they have no need to consult 

 the tides, and their season lasts all the year round. 

 Moreover, there is scarcely any change in the hour of 

 daybreak, and the weather is always warm, so warm 

 in fact, that the fisherman's sole garment is usually 

 a flour sack with three holes cut in it for head and 

 arms. 



Upon leaving the harbour the boats make all 

 possible speed to a distance of about three miles off 



