A Bit of Sea Fishing 161 



tossed the skate overboard, whereupon the gyrations 

 it described were simply amazing. " He's drunk as 

 a fool," laughed the sailor, as he watched his unfor- 

 tunate victim. The skate certainly acted as though 

 it had taken a nip or two too much, but if its actions 

 are what are referred to by the slang term " skate," 

 as applied to the inebriated human, I desire no such 

 experience in mine. It was good whiskey, too ! 



As time slipped away the fish ceased biting, but 

 we were told the fun would be srood asrain later on. 



o o 



Our kind host had provided a lunch, which came in 

 most acceptably. After a long rest and a chat, " Cap " 

 decided that the day was just right for swimming. 

 He removed his sweater, and, clad only in his 

 knickers, went to the side, presumably to test the 

 water with his foot before plunging in. The crew 

 eyed him curiously, then asked : 



"Are you thinking of flopping over? " 

 Cap replied, " Sure I am it looks fine." 

 " Maybe 'tain't quite so good as it looks," replied 

 the man. " No fish has bit for an hour, and there's 

 liable to be a shark 'bout as big as you are skirmish- 

 ing around under there." 



The expression which flashed over Cap's face was 

 very, very funny, and the way he slid away was still 

 funnier. The man told me that he intended no joke, 

 and at the same time he jerked his thumb signifi- 

 cantly in the direction of a couple of lily-irons which 

 lay upon the deck-house. He further declared that 

 he fancied he had seen a large, vague form drifting 

 about below. 



" Look there ! " he exclaimed. 



It may have been fancy, but it did seem to me 



