CH. XXXVII. HIGHLAND FISHERMEN. 275 



they are engaged ; and they set to work, though 

 possessing little seamanship, to assist in putting 

 into order the nets, floats, stores, etc. In a few 

 days every boat is afloat and ready. Then comes 

 the parting-glass with their shore-staying friends, 

 which, by the by, is often multiplied until it 

 amounts to a very fair allowance. 



As the boats set sail from the small harbours 

 and piers, the wives and families of the fishermen 

 who belong to the place come down to see their 

 relatives off ; and many groups of weather-beaten 

 women sit and watch the boats till out of sight, 

 discussing anxiously the chances of a good or bad 

 season, a matter of no light import to them, as 

 their comfort during the rest of the year almost 

 entirely depends upon it. 



I have frequently seen some stout boy, strong 

 and fearless, but too young to be allowed to accom- 

 pany his father, hide amongst the nets, sails, etc., 

 in the boats, hoping to get taken out unobserved, 

 till they were too far out at sea to send him back. 

 The little fellows, however, seldom succeeded, and 

 were generally chucked, unceremoniously enough, 

 out of the boat, either on to the pier whilst the boat 

 was passing alongside of it, or into some of the 

 numerous haddock and other fishing-boats which 

 lie at anchor in the harbour. 



The herring season, although a time of hard 



