A DAY'S WHITING-FISHING. 57 



able, for if our Pilchards ran short one or two of them would 

 make excellent bait for the Whiting. We had lowered our 

 topsail some time previously, and now took in the foresail, 

 intending to pick up a berth at a reasonable distance from a 

 boat we were approaching. As we ran past the stern of this 

 boat, which belonged to our bay, Hannibal hailed with, ' Well, 

 skipper, how d'ye rise 'em ? ' 



' With their heads upwards, Hannibal, with their heads up- 

 wards,' exclaimed he, making use of a standing joke amongst 

 fishermen. ' Us an't a din (done) so bad ; about five dizzen, 

 I reckon,' looking down into the boat's bottom, and still hauling 

 away at his line in that steady business-like manner which is so 

 characteristic of an old fisherman when he feels he has his hooks 

 loaded. 



Just as we were passing out of hail I observed the lead come 

 on board \ a couple of fathoms more, and he swung into the 

 boat three fine Whiting (one on each hook), fresh baited, hove 

 his lead clear of the side of the boat, and turned to tend his 

 other line, on which he found a pair of fish on getting it on 

 board. 



* That looks well, Hannibal,' said I ; ' I think we shall have 

 something more than a water-haul to-day.' 



' No doubt o' that, sir,' rejoined Hannibal ; ' there's a fine 

 school of fish on the coast ; but I think we're a brave berth 

 from the other boat now.' 



* Well, then,' I observed, ' down jib, and let go the anchor ; 

 I'll see the cable clear, and you can clap on a bit of service 

 before coming aft to lower the mainsail.' The foresail had 

 been taken in two or three minutes previously. 



As soon as we were fairly brought up, and the sails stowed 

 and coated, we got out our ground- lines a pair of which are 

 worked by each man when two are in the boat the after leads 

 each of 2 Ibs. weight, the forward pair nearly 4 Ibs., in order 

 that the lines may tail away at a different angle, and not become 

 entangled. Off Plymouth they commonly use the boat-shaped 

 sinker, with a stiffened tail at each end equal to half the length 

 of the lead which we may, to carry out the similitude, term a 

 bowsprit and outrigger, for these, projecting from either end of 



