THE BRITISH HERRING FISHERY 



put off as near sundown as tides will allow, making what 

 sail they can ; often rowing as well, if current or wind 

 be adverse, or if there be no tug handy. At this time of 

 day the demeanour of the men is markedly the reverse of 

 what it is when they go off at midnight or early morning ; 

 as then their spirits and hilarity gradually rise, the 

 farther they get from the shore, so now they begin 

 cheerily and noisily, growing more silent and subdued as 

 the darkness gathers. By the time it is dark not a voice 

 will raise itself above a whisper; will scarcely utter a 

 single sound other than an objurgation on the moon for 

 shining, or on a juvenile member of the crew for snoring. 



A faint light streams down on the deck as the lamp is 

 run up the mizzen-mast, and the hands six or seven 

 prepare to lower sail at a word from the helmsman. 

 That personage has for some time been watching the 

 flight and occasional downward swoop of a flock of sea- 

 gulls; where they are dropping, fish of some kind or 

 other are sure to be near the surface. As the gloom 

 deepens, another and more certain proof of the presence 

 of a shoal appears, for sheets and streaks of phosphores- 

 cent light begin to show themselves on the surface ; that 

 means that the fish are stirring, and in very considerable 

 numbers. Still our skipper does not seem to excite himself. 

 Fish are there, sure enough; but they may not be the fish 

 that he is seeking. Suppose the luminous flashes should be 

 caused merely by a shoal of " lythe " ! It is not at all 

 unlikely. 



Lythe are fish that swim in shoals off the Scotch coast 

 and are practically useless as food. The oyster-dredger is 



136 



