CHAPTER VIII. 



FISHING GOSSIP. PEARL FISHING IN FRANCE. 



REMEMBER one fine morning, as I 

 was busily engaged in tying a black 

 hackle, my friend rushed into the 

 room in a great state of excitement, 

 shouting 



" Jack, I have got a coracle." 

 " A what ?" cried I. " You do not mean a 

 Welsh coracle ?" 



" Just so, my boy, and a clipper too ; will 

 hold us both comfortably, and to-day we go to 

 the Strangalla.' I have sent it on ; I will tell 

 you why I wanted to lose no time. There is a 

 pic-nic up in the valley to-day, and some of the 

 prettiest faces in the department will be there. 

 They are going out pearl fishing." 



