28 PISHERMEN 01? THlil Ul^lMteD STATES. 



The old and middle-aged men, as a rule, are very ignorant of anything outside of their pro- 

 fession, and it is quite rare to find one who can read or write. The French are generally more in- 

 telligent than the others, having been longer in this country, and seem to gain knowledge more 

 readily, than the Spanish and Italian Creoles. The Malayans are also noticeable for their industry 

 and promptness in business matters, and for their quickness to learn. They all retain much of 

 the superstitiousness of their ancestors, which often influences them to their loss. For instance, a 

 party of seine fishermen go into the marsh-bayous at night for the purpose of seining out some 

 good fish feeding-ground. While they are in the act of hauling the seine, they see the suspended 

 balls of light commonly called "jack-o'-lanterns," and which are often found in the swamps or 

 marshes when peculiar gases and state of atmosphere are favorable, whereupon they become 

 paralyzed with fear, and as soon as possible hasten from the spot, believing the lights to represent 

 some evil being. When once frightened from a place in this way it is hard to entice them there 

 again. The clouds, the sky, the wind, &c., have each their peculiar signification to them at times, 

 and they will run no risk when the signs are unfavorable; not that there can be any great risk of 

 their lives, but they seem to fear invisible objects, or that, if the signs are this way or that, they 

 are sure to catch no fish, and therefore do not try. 



N'early all these people are devout Catholics, and attend the services of their church as regu- 

 larly and promptly as any class of people. 



On their boats or at fishing camps they live quite comfortably, but in rather a ijeculiar 

 way in comparison with other American fishermen. There seems to be no regular time for any- 

 thing, either work or recreation. 



They work part of the night and sleep a part of the day, and have' their meals thrown in at 

 any and all times. The usual plan is to have a lunch at daylight — that is, coffee, bread, and fish — 

 and the work on hand is attended to until about 10 o'clock, when a hearty breakfast is prepared 

 and eaten, after which they sleep until about i o'clock in the afternoon, when dinner is served. 

 From dinner-time until midnight, or after, considerable work is done; then come a lunch and 

 more sleep. While at home they live in much the same style, even if working in the markets. 



Taken as a class, these people are hardy and strong, seldom having sickness of any kind; even 

 the contagious forms of disease which are so prevalent hero in summer are unfeared by them. The 

 men live to a considerable age, and retain their activity to a remarkable degree. But, as is the 

 case in most warm climates, the women here have comparatively short lives. They generally 

 marry at fifteen or sixteen years of age, and, having perhaps reared large families, are worn-out 

 old women at the age of forty-five or fifty years. 



17. THE FISHERMEN OF THE COAST OF TEXAS. 



BY SILAS STEARNS. 



The fishermen of the Texas coast are of much the same class as those of the Louisiana coast, 

 though there seem to be more of Spanish descent than at the latter place. These Spaniards and 

 Mexicans come .from Mexico and represent the wandering set of fishermen to be found in every 

 community. As at New Orleans, the Mediterranean countries are well represented. 



There are but few negroes to be found among Texas fishermen, and hardly a man from north- 

 ern Europe or the northern part of the United States. 



From all that can be learned it is evident that the fishermen of this coast are very similar 

 to those of New Orleans and vicinity, and therefore it will hardly be necessary to repeat what 

 lias already been said. It is probable that the Louisiana fishermen are better off financially, and 



