24 



FISHING. 



fatui or fire-flies. Such was the spectacle seen 

 by Columbus and Pedro Gutierrez (' gentleman 

 of the king's bedchamber') on the memorable 

 night when Bahaman Guanahani was discover- 

 ed. The fishermen burn dry grass and leaves, 

 and the blaze, like the Arabs' ' fire of hunting/ 

 which dazzles the eye of the gazelle, attracts 

 shoals that are easily speared. Some carried 

 torches in canoes : now the flame floated in 

 crimpled water, which broke up its reflection 

 into a scatter of brilliants ; then it reposed upon 

 mirror-like smooths, the brand forming the apex 

 of a red pyramid which seemed to tremble with 

 life, whilst the boat was buried in the darkness 

 of death. And so 'fishy' are these equinoctial 

 seas, that gangs of old women and children may 

 be seen at Pemba, and on the coast, converting 

 their body-clothes into nets, and filling pots, 

 hand over hand, with small fry. I have seen 

 them myself, although a certain critic says, 

 < No.' 



The people of Tumbatu, like the Greeks, 

 have their good points. They are skilful pilots 

 and stout seamen, diligent in gathering their 

 bread from the waters, and comparatively in- 

 dustrious, considering their enervating, prostrat- 

 ing climate. Their low, jungly ledge wants the 



