CH.IX.] FISHING ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT. 131 



on his own account. The fish required for the 

 consumption of the house were cleaned and 

 washed in the sea-loch opposite to it; and, 

 attracted by the ofial which resulted from that 

 process, large Cod used constantly to come in, two 

 and three at a time, coasting quietly along, and 

 venturing close to the shore, where there was 

 scarcely depth of water to cover them, almost 

 regardless of the presence of bystanders. Here 

 of an evening, after we had done our day's work, 

 our friend used to take his stand, perhaps occupy- 

 ing a commanding position on one of the stepping- 

 stones which formed a rough pier for the purpose 

 of embarkation, on the look-out for the Cod. Al- 

 though he generally saw them when they were at 

 some little distance from the shore, yet, if they 

 seemed to be coming pretty straight towards him, 

 he rarely made any demonstration until they were 

 well within reach and he had a fair chance at 

 them. Then in he went with a rush. There was 

 a tussle, a diving, a gripping, and a blowing, and 

 then gradually he emerged, struggling with and 

 dragging after him the unwieldy and reluctant 

 form of a big helpless-looking Cod. 



These fish rarely (if ever) venture in so close 

 and boldly, except when badly fed and out of 



K2 



