UP AND AWAY 263 



Late one afternoon a strange sail came into view. 

 Slowly the big cutter made for the anchorage, for the 

 wind, busy elsewhere, could spare only a few idle puffs 

 for her business. 



"That's a dago, I bet," said Bill. "And I know who 

 it is ! Why, it's that humbug, Black Charley !" 



"We'll have to be pretty spry, or he'll have some of 

 this patch. We'll head him off, and ship what we've 

 got to-morrow." 



A flattie slid over the side of the cutter and plopped 

 into the water, and Black Charley, with a couple of 

 downcast boys, came alongside the Nautilus. 



"Hullo, Bill ! Hullo, Jim ! How's yous getting on? 

 Yous drop on good place. I see yous boys picking up 

 fish like a hen picking up corn." 



"Not much," replied Jim. "It was pretty thick, 

 but it was only a small patch, and we've pretty well 

 cleaned it up. Sent away half a dozen bags, mostly 

 mainlan' black. Too close in to be much good." 



"Well, I suppose you'se no objection to me anchoring 

 here for a bit and seeing what I can do with the 

 leavings ?" said Black Charley. 



"We found the patch, and it's too small for two boats. 

 We'd be better friends if you cleared off and left it to us," 

 replied Jim. "But if you're up to dirty tricks stay where 

 you are. We don't want sneaks on board this craft." 



"It's no good being nasty. All the fish on the Barrier 

 don't belong to yous. I got a ton and more on board 

 now, and I'm going to run out with it to-morrow." 



"So are we. Come on board and have a drink?" 



It was late in the afternoon when the smoke of the 

 Lava Kava showed south-east. Both boats were waiting 

 as she slowed down in her course, and while they made 

 fast transhipment began. Then she steamed slowly 

 ahead. 



