THE MACKEREL SEINE. 233 



whilst I endeavour to describe one of these occasions, to many 

 of which I have been witness. 



It is not always the custom to keep the Mackerel boats afloat 

 for many consecutive hours, even during the season, unless the 

 fish are unusually abundant, as it would interfere needlessly with 

 the ordinary avocations of the owners ; they are, however, kept 

 perfectly ready for launching, the net carefully disposed in the 

 stern compartment, partitioned off for the purpose, and the oars- 

 crossed in their respective rowlocks, the boat's bow pointing 

 seaward, ready to launch instantly on notice from the look-out 

 from the neighbouring cliff, whose messenger we will suppose 

 to have arrived at the top of his speed, shouting as he runs,, 

 with the lungs of a Stentor, ' The Mackul plays, the Mackul 

 plays ! Hooraw 1 hooraw ! the Mackul plays. ! ' 



The effect is perfectly electrical : the mason and his labourer 

 cast aside trowel and hod, the tailor his shears and thimble, the 

 shoemaker his last, and each and all join in shouting, as they 

 rush to the beach, ' The Mackul plays ! Hooraw, the Mackul 

 plays 1 ' in happy ignorance alike of Carpenter and Lindley 

 Murray, or the evident concern depicted on the countenance of 

 sea-side visitors, who, hearing the cry for the first time, anxiously 

 inquire the cause of the commotion ; but on being informed 

 also rush to the beach to see the fun, and not unfrequently to 

 lend a hand in hauling the net on shore. 



If the fish are still playing on the surface, and just in front 

 of the boat, which naturally happens, sometimes, in the chapter 

 of accidents, no delay takes place ; the boat flies down over the 

 greased ways, placed in its track on the shingle, the crew partly 

 tumbling in as she goes, partly scrambling on board as she 

 dashes through the surf, and seizing the oars ' give way with a 

 will,' endeavouring to head the fish, so that they may not be able 

 from want of time materially to change their position before 

 encircled by the net, which with lead and cork-line is flung 

 overboard with a rapidity truly astonishing by the steersman 

 and his mate, whose movements are directed by the look-out 

 on the cliffs, who ' hoizes ' or waves his hat or a flag, shouting 

 at the same time to shoot the net east or west, or as may be 

 required. 



