SCHNAPPER AND BLACK BREAM 159 



deck, just in time to see our precious bamboo 

 bending like a sapling in a gale. Next minute, 

 we were all hanging on to it, and for a few glorious 

 moments of suspense, we felt the desperate play 

 of something lively and ponderous out in the 

 darkening foam, probably one of Lieut. Howell's 

 dolphin or kingfish. Then the ship's nine knots 

 and the efforts of the fish combined with a result 

 that sent us tumbling on the deck, for the line 

 parted, and when we were on our feet again we 

 hauled in the slack. That was our last attempt. 

 " Flying-fishes " cost us ha]f-a-crown apiece, nor, 

 seeing how much they took up of their maker's 

 time, and what fearful objects of art they were 

 when completed, could they be called dear at that 

 price. The game was, however, voted not worth 

 the flying-fish, and the ocean-rod joined the list 

 of the ship's belongings, as I was in no mind to 

 take sixty feet of bamboo on a cab through the 

 streets of London. 



