FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK. 23 



larboard side of the foremast, lies coiled a huge pile of manila cable, four 

 hundred fathoms, or nearly a half mile in length. The main deck is divided 

 into small compartments by "checker planks" eight or ten inches wide, set 

 on edge, crossing each other at right angles and securely fastened in their 

 places ; they are to prevent the fish from sliding across the deck, and on top 

 of these are placed the dories, three on each side of the vessel. 



The cabin is ten or eleven feet square, tastefully finished in ash and black 

 walnut, and containing four bunks — one for my own use, the others for such 

 members of the crew as have secured them by lot, since there are no under- 

 officers to claim them by right. The furniture of the cabin consists of a 

 stove securely fastened to the floor, a marine clock, looking-glass, barome- 

 ter, and chronometer, the latter being placed on the seat which runs around 

 the side of the cabin, supplying the place of chairs. The forecastle, also, is 

 nicely finished, and forms the dining-room of the vessel and the sleeping 

 apartment for part of the crew. A door opens from the forecastle into the 

 forehold, where the provisions, water and fuel are stored, and where the 

 cook has his pantry. 



Our crew, aside from the cook and myself, number twelve men : stout, 

 hardy and brave fellows, selected for their proficiency as seamen and fisher- 

 men. Each one is known to be "a good man on board a vessel," which 

 means that he is an agreeable shipmate and can always be relied on to 

 perform any necessary duty without flinching. 



But while we have been looking over the vessel, the wind has increased ; 

 the land has sunk below the horizon, and our little schooner is rushing 

 along at a lively rate, occasionally sending her lee rail under, as she lurches 

 in the rising sea ; while frequent dashes of spray come flying over the 

 weather-quarter rail. A rival vessel, also bound to the Banks, is close by, 

 and although our topmast bends and seems likely to go over the side, we do 

 not shorten sail until we see a movement for that purpose on board the 

 other. We have already carried our light sails long enough, and the stay- 

 sail comes fluttering down to the deck, like a great white bird ; the gaff-top- 

 sail is also clewed up, and away goes a man to furl it, nimbly climbing the 

 rigging to the mainmast head. 



A little before seven o'clock, P. M., our vessel took a heavy lurch to lee- 

 ward, sending her lee rail so far under that, when she straightened up, the 

 deck was nearly full, and several bucketsful came down the companion-way, 

 wetting the bed clothes in the lee bunks, and also the boots lying on the 

 floor. This episode called forth exclamations more forcible than polite from 

 the occupants of the lee bunks, and shouts of laughter from their compan- 

 ions, who could see only the ludicrous side of the accident. The sea by this 

 time had risen sharp and choppy, and so frequent were the lurches — the 

 maniboom often going under to the slings — that we soon after double-reefed 



