SCHNAPPER AND BLACK BREAM 131 



anything one could have taken out from England. 

 I have since found that it is almost identical with 

 the lines sold in America for tarpon-fishing. 



The stoppage of the paddles, and the rocking 

 of the boat when put broadside to the tide, 

 brought the would-be slumberers tumbling up 

 the steep companion. Good hot tea was served 

 round from the boiling " billy/' and everyone 

 produced his own rolls and eggs and meat. An 

 Australian exacts meat with every meal anywhere 

 short of shipwreck. The meal is got through 

 quickly with a running commentary of speculation 

 on the weather, chaff, argument and prevarication, 

 the not uncommon ingredients of angling inter- 

 course. Leads and hooks are inspected again, 

 and knots tested carefully, by lantern light, though 

 the supremacy of night is already in question 

 out to sea, where lie New Zealand and the dawn. 

 Two of the crew are now busy cutting up the bait, 

 a good heap of mackerel, squid and yellowtail, 

 with a sprinkling of other fishes, old wives and 

 grey mullet predominating. The last are put 

 aside, for the mullet is peculiarly attractive to 

 sharks, and it is not as a rule necessary to offer 

 any special inducement to these spoil-sport vermin 

 to hover round the boat when the lines are over 

 the side. 



And now, breakfast being at an end, the secre- 

 tary of the club, a genial official in the Government 



