t SPITEISH PUFFS 33 



deepen as they approach the sea, the northerly 

 wind gathers force. From the gaps In the cliffs it 

 springs. There is something cat-like in its malice, 

 in Its agility, in its very repose between succes- 

 sive puffs. Well does Benjie speak of its blowing 

 out 'spiteish' from the land. Inexperienced' 

 people can hardly credit what it is like half a 

 mile to sea, even when they are plainly told; 

 and this is the sort of thing which frequently 

 happens when visitors are about: The day is 

 brilliantly sunny, the sea calm; or, at all events, 

 there is no lop or swell. Some swift dark patches 

 on the water do but throw into relief its sparkle 

 elsewhere. Close alongshore there is hardly a 

 ripple, only breathings upon the surface; further 

 out the wavelets are tipped with white; the offing 

 looks frothy (or is it only sunshine?) and the sky- 

 line is curiously jagged. Any one who troubles to 

 glance overhead can see that the lofty white clouds 

 are wind-blown and are driving rapidly to sea. 

 Few, if any, boats are out. On such a day a 

 gentleman and two ladles, perhaps, will stroll 

 across beach. They want a trustworthy and, for 

 preference, a picturesque man. They approach, 

 therefore, a couple of old fishermen, and speak 

 to the one who pretends better to a profound 



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