BREYDON IN SPRINGTIME 97 



channel, it had the effect of deepening that channel, and the 

 eddy pulled the silt round with it " 



" Well " 



" Well," I said, " instead of the two rivers spreading all 

 over the flats and keeping them down to an ordinary level, 

 they lost this scour and gained the silt" 



" I see what you're driving at," said he, " but why don't fish 

 cum up here as they useter ? Wheer's the butts [flounders] 

 and mullet, and such like?" 



" We must go to the harbour for that," I answered, " for 

 since the north pier has been pushed out far beyond the south 

 pier (it used to be the other way about) the flood tide has 

 been ' set off,' taking the fish past the harbour, to the benefit 

 of those who fish in the Ham beyond, at Gorleston. The 

 tide races out with greater force, too, on the ebb, and deepens 

 the river at the bar. These things benefit those who do 

 business in ships, and we now get vessels in drawing far more 

 water than in years gone by. It's good for trade," I added. 



" And bad for Breydoners ! " said he bitterly. 



" Well, Larn," I said soothingly, " nowadays it must be the 

 greatest good for the greatest number " 



" But it's hard on us Breydoners ! " he repeated with 



emphasis. " Some has to suffer" 



"Yes," I said, "it's vexing, though it can't be helped. 

 You've seen a thing or two here in your time?" I added, 

 turning the subject, 



" Ah, 'bor, I hev," said he. 



" Birds ? " I queried. 



" Well, I nivver done much in birds. Fish hev bin more in 

 my line. Of course, I've seen lots of swans, and geese, and 

 all that, and seen enuf of 'em shot. I've picked up French 

 partridges up here in foggy weather, and seen an old hare 

 messed up tryin' to cross the flats." 



" I've took a rum fish or two up here," jibed in " Short J un " 

 Page. " The clinkingest cod I ever saw I got in a net jist in 

 the entrance of the Norridge river ; and I once nabbed a 

 turbot fourteen pound weight, and made fourteen shillin's on 

 it. Lor', I ha' got great herrin's, so I hev gurnets and dog- 

 fish. Why, even old gants [gannets] useter come on here 

 arter yawlers; many a time I've seen 'em pitch in and get 'em. 

 Yawlers is half-grow'd herrin's, you know." 

 H 



