ON THE COAST OF AERAN 33 



dark blue, the brighter stars were visible, and 

 the moon hung, as it seemed, near the earth, 

 forward, and away from the firmament. And 

 the sea, what was that like ? After looking at 

 it long, I said it is mother-of-pearl. Only that 

 can describe its evanescent tint a shimmering 

 and interchanging mixture of green and blue 

 and silver. 



To-day has been cloudy, and the evening 

 good for deep-sea fishing. As we pulled out to 

 our moorings we observed how distinct were the 

 details of form away in the distant islands- 

 more distinct than they often are when the sky 

 is bright and clear. About half a mile from the 

 shore we rattle out the anchor, and the boys 

 begin to fish. I take a line too ; but I fear it 

 is more than half pretence. Fishing does not 

 come to me by nature, sea-fishing less than any 

 other ; and so, although I lean over the boat- 

 side with my finger on the cord, I am by no 

 means anxious for a bite. If a fish comes, of 



D 



