FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK. 13 



charge of vessels who are reckless enough to anchor "right on top" of 

 another vessel if they should see the latter haul in half a dozen fish. 



However, we don't find much here, and on the following morning make a 

 "berth" to the eastward and "club her" {i. e. anchor) in about 40 fathoms. 

 Several vessels in sight here too ; two or three quite close enough. Here 

 we meet with better fishing, although not anything extra, and by night the 

 boys average about 35 fish each. 



The following morning, the wind being brisk from the westward, we are 

 called betimes, and the " morning watch " reports as we sit down to break- 

 fast that he has not had a "bite" yet. This does not disconcert us much, 

 as the fish often refuse to bite for an hour or so after daylight ; and so it 

 turns out in this instance, for we soon find ourselves pretty briskly employed, 

 and are able to keep ourselves warm with constant hauling. It is a busy 

 scene, but the reader will readily perceive that the intensity of the cold, even 

 on a moderately fine day in February, precludes much pleasurable emotion 

 warming one's breast, aside from the cold satisfaction that one feels that 

 every fish taken is so much added to the common good. 



Well, by night we are all fairly tired out, you may be sure, and no one is 

 sorry to stretch out in his bunk and enjoy a snooze. The "high-line " to-day 

 caught 85 fish, and the "low-line " 60, a more tiian average day's fishing. 



Two more fine days of glorious fishing weather. The boys have been 

 making good use of the time, too, and some of the " knowing ones" estimate 

 about 35,000 weight of fish in the hold. 



We have now reached Thursday evening, and will note the appearance 

 of the weather particularly, as we expect an early change. The "glass " is 

 six or seven-tenths above thirty, and that indicates the approach of an 

 "Easterly." The wind has been light from the S. W. all day, falling at 

 times to a calm ; then light zephyrs spring up and chase each other along 

 in quick succession. It is one of the few really enjoyable days we get dur- 

 ing the winter months in this climate, and some of the sanguine ones have 

 already, in their mind's eye, started for home v/ith a full fare. There is 

 some "swell" on it is true, but no more than would fairly represent the 

 respiration of such a peaceful, sleepy giant as the one on whose bosom we 

 rest. On such occasions this monster becomes to me endowed with speech, 

 and seems to say with a benevolent smile, "Don't be scared of me ; I never 

 harmed anything in the world of my own accord ; it is only when that aggra- 

 vating brother of mine, Boreas, provokes me to fury with his spiteful 

 whistling and howling that I unwillingly work so much destruction — but I 

 am always sorry for it afterwards." And going on so, the lazy, hulking, 

 good-natured giant half inclines me to believe that he is sincere. I should 

 certainly scout any other idea but for the recollection of certain slaps he 



