278 
SOUTH SEA 
We had a fair wind, and about three p.m. we were within 
two miles of the lee side of that island in smooth 
water. The foresail was soon hauled up, and the main- 
topsail lying aback, when a boat was lowered, and 
quickly filled with its crew and fishing apparatus, for 
the purpose of paying a visit to the edge of the rocks, 
and to procure as many fish as possible before sunset, 
I, as was usual on most boat excursions, accompanied 
them to partake of the exciting sport. We got close in 
with the land at about four p.m., and ran inside a group of 
rocks, which lie off South Island to the westward ; we 
here in consequence lost sight of the ship ; and seeing 
numbers of fish in this place, five or six of us soon had 
our lines in readiness for the sport, having despatched 
a New Zealander through the surf to catch some small 
crabs which inhabit the rocks, and form excellent bait 
for the fish which are found in those seas. He soon 
returned with a considerable quantity; and immediately 
the fish saw the enticing upper part of a crab’s leg 
suspended, they darted upon it as if even death was a 
trifle when put in competition with the excessive plea- 
sure they experienced in tasting the delicious morsel ; 
for although crabs are such dainty fare to those finny 
cormorants, still they are sly fellows, and know how to 
make themselves scarce. We were soon in full opera- 
tion, taking fine large fish almost as fast as we could 
cause the hook to descend deep enough ; and we were 
only fishing in two fathoms and a half water, just out- 
side the surf, so that we could perceive all our fish take 
the bait. 
