THE MULLET FISHERY. 565 



peculiar motion of his arms. Many schools pass the camp at so great a distance from the shore 

 as to be beyond the reach of the average net, and, for this reason, no attempt is made to catch 

 them, but when running close to land the fishermen, at the proper signal from the lookout, proceed 

 to launch the boat. This, along the outer beach, is not always an easy task, for, owing to the bar 

 which skirts the shore in most localities, there is usually considerable surf. The fishermen, 

 however, watch their chance and shoot out between the breakers, returning in the same way. The 

 work is not only difficult but very dangerous, requiring the utmost dexterity and unity of action, 

 and the meu must spring into their places at once when the boat reaches the water and hold them- 

 selves in readiness to obey the captain's orders. Often several trials are made before the boat is 

 gotten out through the surf and not unfrequently it is capsized or filled with water in the attempt. 

 When the seine has been shot the same care is taken in landing, and as the boat grounds the crew 

 jump into the water, and, seizing it by the gunnels, carry it beyond the reach of the waves. Five 

 men constitute a crew, four manning the oars, while the other, usually the captain of the gang, does 

 the steering. One end of the net is connected with the shore by means of a rope, and as the fish 

 approach this end is drawn rapidly to land by men on shore to prevent them from passing. Even if 

 not quite in, the fish are readily turned back by a rapid movement of the line. The boat at this time 

 brings the other end of the net to the shore and the movement of the fish in this direction is thus 

 shut off. When they find themselves surrounded, the mullet usually sink and make a circuit of the 

 bottom for an opening through which to make their escape. When a large school is inclosed the 

 pressure of the fish against the seine often lifts it from the bottom, and many pass under the lead- 

 line ; but failing to get out at the bottom, they rise to the surface and begin to jump over the cork- 

 line with a rapidity that is truly surprising. Frequently a larger part of the fish escape in this way, 

 the air being at times completely filled with mullet. When the water is calm, boats are placed 

 behind the seine to catch the "jumpers," these often being completely filled in a few moments. 

 As soon as shoal- water has been reached, some of the fishermen wade out to hold up the back of 

 the.seine and thus keep the fish from escaping. They are obliged to turn their backs to the fish 

 that pelt against them in such numbers as to make their position anything but a pleasant one. In 

 some instances a second seine is hauled behind the first to secure the runaways. The method of 

 using a second seine, or of placing boats behind the first to intercept the escaping fish, is called 

 "backing" the seine; and men frequently agree to assist in the regular work of cleaning and salting 

 for the privilege of keeping such fish as they may take in this way while the water is still too deep 

 to permit the men to wade out and hold up the cork lines. 



At the permanent fishing stations along the gulf coast the method is somewhat different. 

 Here, during pleasant weather, there is little surf to interfere with the shooting and hauling of 

 the seine, and better arrangements can be made. In Ocklockonee Bay only one seine is used at 

 a station, and that is so arranged as to be hauled directly in front of the fish-house. "This hauling 

 place," writes Mr. Stearns, "is called a 'seine-yard,' and in fine weather, when the fish may be 

 expected to move in the shoal water along the shore, the seine is kept half set in the water, the 

 netting being shot straight out from the shore until the bag is reached and the boat containing 

 the other half is fastened to the buoy which is moored there for the purpose. When a school of 

 mullet approaches and comes within reach of the seine, the seine-boat is quickly unmoored and 

 rowed around them to the shore. If the 'throw' is successful the next operation is that of hauling 

 the net and fish upon the beach." 



The seines used are somewhat similar to the large ones employed for shad and herring in the 

 northern waters. They are, necessarily, made of heavy twine on account of the strain to which 

 they are subjected when a large school of fish is being landed. Those employed along the outer 



