142 SPOET m NORTH AMERICA. 



shall Lave a crowd bj'-and-by. There are three 

 boats driving 'era, and they have twice signalled 

 good luck. Look there, massa ! '' Looking in the 

 direction indicated by the negro, we could perceive 

 a flag hoisted on the mast of one of the boats, of a 

 colour which was understood to presage success, and 

 presently Tybald drew our attention to a number 

 of black spots on the waves. " Here come de pigs ! " 

 cried he. The tunnies were in sight, and grew more 

 and more visible every moment. 



They advanced almost in order of battle in large 

 numbers, as if prepared to charge through whatever 

 opposed them. Fortunately, hov/ever, the nets were 

 strong, and as the fish came on they turned along 

 the walls into the central chamber until the net was 

 quite full, and the tunnies that remained outside had 

 nothing for it but to regain the open sea in the best 

 way they could. 



This was the moment for witnessing the miracu- 

 lous draught, — that is, the raising of the central 

 chamber — a solemn operation for the fishermen of 

 Winyan Bay, and Don Manoel's state-barge, rowed 

 by four oarsmen, brought us to the spot in a very 

 few minutes. During this time, the three fishing- 

 boats had come up and were preparing for the 

 capture. 



" Now, boys," cried Don Manoel, " go ahead, and 

 don't let a single one escape." 



On hearing this, the fishermen set to work and 



