OUT A-FISHING. 



151 



THE FISHING-SMACK. 



activity. The boat's head is brought up to the wind, the 

 sails are lowered, one man grips the helm, another lays 

 out the back rope of the net, a third the " skunk " or 

 body, a fourth stands ready to heave out the buoys, the 

 rest attend forward, keeping a keen eye open for other 

 nets, and prepared, should the boat run too fast, to steady 

 her by dropping the anchor a few fathoms into the sea. 



All the nets are run out, the boat is brought bow on, 

 and the mast lowered, secured, and made all taut and trim 

 for hoisting at a moment's notice. Then the crew turn in 

 below for a nap, leaving one to look out on deck ; and 

 you too turn in, or you sing snatches of old songs, or you 



