CH. XXXVII. PERILS OF THE HERRING-FISHER. 277 



endeavouring to save their nets, the poor herring- 

 fishers are placed in the utmost danger, and are 

 driven helplessly out to sea, where they either toss 

 about at the mercy of the winds and waves till 

 the storm somewhat abates, or are swamped and 

 lost, the men probably having been wearied out by 

 their efforts to keep the boat's head straight to 

 avoid shipping the broken waves which surround 

 them. The crews too, the chief part of whom are 

 generally landsmen, or, at best, men accustomed 

 only to the calm waters of the west coast lochs, 

 become disheartened and useless at the hour of 

 need, affording little assistance to the "skipper" of 

 the boat, who is probably the principal owner also, 

 and who, if he saves his life, has the prospect before 

 him of heavy loss or ruin. Many and many a 

 herring-boat flounders in this way at sea, her crew 

 worn out by their exertions. At other times an 

 inshore wind dashes the boats on the iron-bound 

 coasts off which they have been fishing, and the 

 crews perish before the eyes of their wives and 

 families. Instances have occurred of a crew reach- 

 ing some rock within a short distance of the shore, 

 and within hearing of those assembled on the beach, 

 who, after having vainly attempted to afford them 

 assistance, see the poor fellows gradually washed 

 off one by one as their strength fails them during 

 the rise of the tide. There are but few harbours on 



