AND HOW I HAVE CAUGHT MY FISH 285 



they caught her sideways, would have inevitably 

 filled her. These having passed us, excepting the 

 bucketful or two we shipped, her nose was again 

 turned for straight across until the next series of 

 dangers approached. Meanwhile, my friend was 

 within a hundred yards of safety, with but the 

 jutting point to round. I saw no danger for him, 

 but my men muttered between their teeth each 

 time they could steal a glance at the other boat. I 

 was certainly wet through waist downwards, and 

 was so far worse off than my friend. His boat had 

 but a few yards to go. But they had to encounter 

 the breaking water on the shallow point, and then 

 we fairly held our breath as we saw the terrible 

 waves that had just passed us with but a ducking, 

 going straight at their broadside. They were 

 engulfed, and for many seconds we could see 

 nothing of them, and then only three heads were 

 visible. Boat, everything, had gone, everything 

 but that which was priceless. We had plenty of sea 

 room, and had come safely round, and we were soon 

 hastening to their assistance. Fortunately, the pier 

 was close at hand and the pier-man a strapping 

 Lovat's scout, and just home with a kit that proved 

 to contain all the warm under and top wear that 

 could be desired under such circumstances. Not 

 only were his clothes welcome, but his joking, 

 laughing face as he tore off the wet things and 

 rubbed my friend down front and back was the 

 very medicine for a half-drowned man. 



