AND HOW TO CATCH THEM. 95 



120 fathoms long, and from 18 to 20 fathoms deep, 

 being so made that the centre may form a full 

 bunt; the third boat, or lurker, should be a sharp fast 

 boat, much less than the others, as it carries no sean. 

 About two or three and twenty men are required 

 to form a good crew for seans of this description ; 

 mechanics and workmen frequently engage during the 

 season, and receive, in addition to their wages, a share 

 of the proceeds. These boats, with their crews and 

 nets, betake themselves to some convenient spot, come 

 to an anchor, and look out for fish, being frequently 

 aided by some sharp-eyed comrade, who may be 

 seen perched like some watchful crow on a high point 

 of land commanding the offing. On the signal being 

 given thab a " schull " is in sight, all becomes bustle 

 and activity. The lurker is at once pulled off to the 

 supposed position of the fish, and ascertains whether 

 all is secure for shooting, and which way the fish are 

 heading. "When the signal to advance is given, on 

 comes the sean boat, as fast as strong arms and tough 

 oars can force her. Having hauled out the end of the 

 sean warp to the volyer, by which it is held fast, away 

 darts the lurker, bearing the master seiner, whose 

 sharp eye and experience in the movements of the fish 

 are both called into play when directing the move- 

 ments of the sean boat's crew, whose sinewy arms are 

 sending twine, rope, corks, and lead overboard at a 

 rate which would not fail to astonish the inexperienced 

 in the art : five or six minutes being often sufficient 



