256 



FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK. 



The fun now commences, and there is rare sport bringing in the thrifty 

 fish. It is most exciting, and a generous rivalry prevails as to who will catch 

 the most fish. Bye-and-bye they slack up biting, and the " inner man " calls 

 loudly for something to appease that terrible appetite which the exercise and 

 cool sea breezes have provoked. A savory odor pervades the atmosphere, 

 which indicates that the chowder is underway, and soon it is served up 

 smoking hot, and receives that attention which it so well deserves. The 

 day passes merrily by, with song and story and good cheer, when, late in 

 the afternoon the return is made, and all agree that the day has proved a 

 "red one" in the calendar. 



This party, as will be observ^ed, is composed of the male gender entirely, 

 and is an impromptu affair; but oftentimes large yachts are used, with 

 finely fitted up cabins, having accommodations suitable for the fair sex, and 

 in company with the ladies the enjoyments of a fishing party are greatly 

 enhanced. This is one of the many pleasures of the sea coast in the pleas- 

 ant Summer months, and once participated in there is a desire to repeat it. 



NOT A BENE." 



BY JUXU'EU. 



A ship, once crossinji over the sea — 

 I tell the story as 'twas told to me— 

 Made a hundred miles or so from sliore. 

 When a craft was one day seen that bore 

 Her tlag reversed, while 'gainst the mast 

 The torn sails fluttered as the wind rushed 

 past. 



" Out with tlie boat ! " the captain cried, 

 And the seamen darted over the side ; 

 Their oars fell in with a regular dip. 

 As they rapidly nearcd the silent sliip. 

 When they readied the deek a sight met tlieir 



eyes 

 Which made them start with fearful surprise. 



All around on the deck the crew were Iving, 



And groaning aloud as tho' tliey were dying; 

 The captain alone on a hen-coop sat. 

 With his face in hands and a wei-d on his hat ; 

 He gazed on them all with a Ijloodshot eye, 

 And the crew looked up with a heart-rend- 

 ing sigh. 



" Say, why do you raise the flag of distress, 



And sit around deck in idleness? 



Are you out of food? Have you used up 



your water? 

 Have you got the plague? Or what is the 



matter?" 

 " We came from Beverly, and the flag you 



have seen 

 Is because for three days ire have been out 



of beans!" 



