FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK, 15 



to have a watch on deck at all times ; one in ordinary weather, in very rough 

 weather two in a watch, and in heavy weather the whole crew hold them- 

 selves in readiness for a jump at any moment. 



About 3 P. M. the cook invites us to supper ; for fair weather or foul the 

 inner man has to be taken care of. Let us take this opportunity of observ- 

 ing his hard weather arrangements. He has a kettle each of tea and coffee 

 always on the stove, and one or the other is served with every meal. The 

 provender consists of hash, fish chowder, salt beef, bread and butter, ginger- 

 bread, and dried apple or corn starch pies. A good deal depends on the 

 cook however, and his mode of catering. With a good cook everything 

 goes smoothly. There are guards on the table, to keep things from rolling 

 and sliding off ; but these are not effectual in very stormy weather. 



And now darkness approaches apace. Looking to windward is a painful 

 operation, and one can only snatch a glance. Nothing is to be seen but 

 a blank prospect of snow, which strikes the face with the sharpness of hail. 



This is why fishermen so much dread a N. E. storm, it places them so 

 utterly at the mercy of chance. There may be a vessel two seas off bearing 

 down to sweep both to destruction. Like the sword of Damocles, the danger 

 is always hanging over their heads as long as the storm continues. But of 

 its actual approach there is short warning. A careless "lookout" would be 

 inevitable destruction. 



The "night watch" being "set," on such occasions as this the rest of the 

 crew usually muster in the cabin, all " oiled up." The "old hands" will be 

 reminded of similar breezes in the past, and entertain us with narrations of 

 narrow escapes, etc. Old Uncle Parsons details the story of his narrow 

 escape in the 2d April breeze ; also in the 4th March breeze ; and again 

 when he successfully rode out the gale in which 75 other vessels cut their 

 cables and several were lost. Another "old fogy," usually reticent, makes 

 quite a little history of his experience in the Georgesman that "turned over" 

 with them while "lying" on the Bank in a heavy breeze; and, although 

 dismasted, righted herself and fetched them home safely after all. 



We begin to be quite oblivious of the present breeze, when a heavy sea 

 strikes us, careens the vessel over, and sends everybody tumbling down to 

 leeward. The skipper, who has been standing in the companion-way, 

 "bobs" down and hauls over the "scuttle," just in time to prevent a drench- 

 ing sea from pouring down. The watch on deck keeps out of harm's way 

 by getting on the "foregaff," clear of the wildly-rushing water on deck. 



This little " flare-up " of excitement has just subsided, when the hands on 

 the lookout give a loud cry. Although none know what was actually said, 

 all recognize the fact that imminent peril was expressed in the manner and 

 tone, and all hands at once rush on deck. The skipper has already placed 

 himself at the cable, with a sharp axe, and every eye is strained into the 



