AND LINE-FISHING 



may be noticed that each man has a small supply of 

 baskets, otherwise known as " skeps " and " creels." Each 

 of these contains a line, with hooks ready baited ; in fact, 

 mussel-baiting is a constant occupation with the children 

 and womenfolk of these men. When the baits have been 

 fixed, the line is carefully coiled round and round, with 

 the hooks in the middle, laid in the skep, and fresh grass 

 or moss sprinkled over the bait to keep it from drying. 

 Some of the lines bear as many as 600 hooks, and each 

 has been artfully concealed with a mussel or, in default, a 

 bit of herring. Every member of the crew must con- 

 tribute a certain number of such lines ; generally three or 

 four. 



When the boat reaches the ground she shortens sail (or 

 steams gently along, for there are now many steamers en- 

 gaged in this work) and preparations are made for sinking 

 the lines. First of all, an iron weight or heavy stone 

 tied to the end of two lines is thrown overboard; the 

 upper end of one of these which, when the weight is 

 down, just reaches to the surface, is fastened to a buoy 

 which carries a flagstaff. To the other line the be- 

 ginning of the " main-line " one of the baited lines has 

 been joined, or "bent on," at some distance from the 

 weight, and is now allowed to run itself out as the boat 

 drifts gently on. 



During this proceeding one of the men is standing at 

 the bulwarks holding a short metal bar at arm's length 

 over the side of the boat, for the line to run over ; by 

 which precaution the hooks are prevented from possibly 

 catching in the boat-side. Before the whole length of 



55 



