1 84 ALONGSHORE 



IV 



'No'm, not as I knows of,' replies the witty 

 man on top. 'Nothing except their senses. 

 They'm looking for what ain't there.' 



What is there inckides usually some copper 

 coins, battered and corroded, a few blackened 

 silver pieces, bits of old brass and of copper wire, 

 nails, bolts, keys, and a selection of all the house- 

 hold scrap-iron that has been thrown away into the 

 sea or river. Presently the rising tide drives the 

 beachcombers back to dry land. If they have not 

 earned the price of a drink, if they have not gained 

 enough to pay for their spoilt shoe-leather, at least 

 they have had their chance. The sea is like that. 

 It gives men in payment not their due earnings, 

 but the chance of more or less. It is a gamble. 

 Were it not so, seafaring proper, as opposed to 

 mere sea-trading, would come to an end. 



Men comb the beach for trifles. Relentlessly 

 the beach combs the town for men. More 

 human wrecks are stranded on it than ever wrecks 

 from the sea. Fishermen are those able to brave 

 its chances and live, or as they themselves more 

 often put it, 'pick up a living one way an' t'other.' 

 In their youth they are usually put to some trade. 

 But the beach is still there; that they bear always 

 in mind. It is at once a haven and a venture; it 



