226 ALONGSHORE iv 



be up 'long here next tide. Maybe they'll shoot 

 seine herefrom an' get 'en thic way. I hopes they 

 will. When anybody's been in the water many 

 days an' got knocked about an' bitten, 'tis almost 

 so well for their folks never to set eyes on 'em 

 no more. Bad they be to look at when they'm 

 like that. Poor things, I pities 'em, what's 

 waiting for to hear news o'en. Who wouldn't 

 hae a feeling for 'em? 'Tisn't no good news 

 they got coming, however 'tis.' 



So the talk went on among the changing 

 groups that stood along the sea-wall. Visitors, 

 scenting diversion in the air, stopped to ask 

 questions, then stare at the sea, ask more questions, 

 and shudder. Bathers were few; for who 

 could be sure he would not knock against 

 the body in the water? Regular fishing came 

 almost to a standstill: who knew when the body 

 might be sighted, or where cast up? There was 

 nothing to be done; unrest took the place of 

 action. It was as if the corpse had taken over 

 command of the beach, and had put Into all hands 

 not good heart but a dead suspense. 



On the flood-tide the seine-net was shot. 

 Long hauls were made, so that the net circled 

 well out and scraped over all the sandy bottom 



