BOAT-FISHING. 175 
springing up, to make the confusion worse than 
ever. On this account, it is desirable to select 
natural marks, the work of nature being as a rule 
more lasting than that of man. Nature’s improve- 
ments, now that she has got the earth into working 
order, are very slow; and we are safe in choosing 
for our marks hills and headlands, uncovered rocks, 
and the like. Among the buildings least likely 
to alter their appearance or position for a reason- 
able period, are lighthouses, coastguard-stations, 
churches and windmills. A better second string for 
the Durley, though available only on clear days, is 
Branksea Island, about a yard of which is opened.! 
At night, it is of course necessary to have an 
accurate knowledge of certain green and red lights 
that assist in fixing the bearings. Enough has 
been said, I think, on the very important subject of 
taking proper bearings. As it is often necessary to 
take up the exact “ marks ” with fastidious accuracy, 
attention must be paid to the direction in which 
the tide is running, and allowance made for the 
length of rope let out. This is of such great 
moment that I offer no apology, even at the risk of 
some repetition, for endeavouring to make it 
perfectly clear. Two typical cases obtain,—that in 
which the tide is with, and that in which it is 
against, the boat. In the first, the best plan for the 
man at the oars is to paddle gently up to the 
mark, stern first. A few yards before the exact 
spot is reached, his companion pitches the anchor 
over the bow (now, in the wake of the boat, as she 
is going stern first), and the rope is brought up 
sharp and made fast as soon as the boat is exactly 
1 By a yard is meant, of course, so much as appears at that dis- 
tance to measure a yard—in reality, perhaps a hundred ! 
