EEL-FISHING. 215 



" Very well," said Frank, " I don't think we could do better- 

 We will get a half-holiday on Friday, so as to be there in good 

 time." 



Friday was wet and stormy, and the boys consulted as to the 

 advisability of going. Frank said, 



" Let us go, as we have fixed to go. It may clear up, and if 

 it does not, it doesn't much matter. We are used to getting wet, 

 and it won't hurt us." 



The others agreed; so taking in all the reefs in their sails, 

 they started across the broad, while the wind howled, and the 

 rain beat with blinding force against their faces. The sky was 

 murky with driving masses of black cloud, and the lake was 

 lashed into angry waves. 



" This is a nice sort of day for a pleasure excursion," said 

 Dick, as he placed his hat more firmly upon his head and 

 turned his back to the wind. 



" Yes," said Frank. " Do you go into the cabin. I can 

 manage the tiller and mizen, L and Jimmy will take his 

 turn at the main-sheet, and then you can have a spell by 

 and by." 



" Oh no, I am not going to shirk it/' replied Dick. 



They struggled across the broad, and into the Hundred 

 Stream, and before very long they reached its junction with 

 the Bure, and brought up under the lee of a sort of rough 

 cabin which was built there. There was a bare spot among 

 the reeds and there, upon a wooden framework, hung the 

 eel-nets, which two or three men were busy putting in order. 

 When the yacht was made snug, Frank went up to them 

 and said, 



" We have come, hoping you will let us see how the eel-nets 

 are worked ; but I am afraid we have chosen a very bad 

 night." 



" No, you have come the very best night you could have 

 picked, sir," answered one of the men. " There is no moon, 

 and the water is rising. The eels always run more freely when 

 the night is dark and stormy." 



" Oh, then we are in luck's way after all," said Frank to his 

 companions. 



" We shall be setting the nets directly, sir, and you had better 

 come with us in your punt" 



" All right, we will." 



