74 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



them ? " " The contrary is the case," he replied ; 

 " a remnant of barbarous usage prevents this wild 

 population from benefitting by the ample supply which 

 Providence sends to the shores. Did you remark 

 several boats approach and reconnoitre us ? " 

 " Yes, and what of it ? " 



" Nothing more than that they came with the laudable 

 design of relieving us of the produce of our fishery. 

 The natives believe that there is a prescriptive right 

 to rob mullet-nets ; and in consequence, none will be 

 at the trouble of laying them down, if they have not 

 a sufficient party to protect the fish when taken. You 

 remarked the formidable preparations made this 

 morning ; they were requisite, I assure you, or we 

 should have returned home as lightly laden as we left 

 it. Those people are not upon my territory, and I 

 am on bad terms with their landlord. They would 

 spoil me of fish without ceremony, and think them- 

 selves too indulgent in permitting me and my depen- 

 dents to return with undamaged heads. Last year 

 they robbed and beat my boatmen cruelly and on the 

 next occasion of a mullet chasse, I went in person. They 

 soon discovered us, and with three boats full of men 

 came to despoil us. I warned them off but they were 

 resolutely bent on mischief. Finding them determined, 

 I let the leading boat approach within forty yards, and 

 having them well under my fire, threw in two barrels 

 loaded with B.B. shot. The effect was decisive, for out of a 

 dozen marauders who formed the crew, not one escaped 

 without receiving a fair proportion of the charge. They 

 put about instantly, and for a fortnight afterwards, 

 a country quack had full employment in extracting my 

 double B. I sent a message to their master, for which 



