Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-02-17
The Fisherman's Life.
THE MACkEREL CATCHER.

AS soon as the frosts of winter are dispelled,
and ice is melted and gone, the mackerel fisher
men on Cape Cod and along Shore" are busy
preparing their vessels, and fitting them for the
fishing campaign which thus early commences.
They do not at first take long voyages, but re-
main around the Islands and bays adjacent 10
Massachusetts, catching what fish happen to bite,
and returning at nghltal to convenient harbor,
or bearing away for market. The work at
this early season is tedious; but there is poss-
biIity of getting double bounty, besides remu-
nerallon arising from the fish sold, which prompis
10 the endurance Of some extreme hardshlps.
Their vessels are usually first rate sallers, aud
altogether, good seal boats ts--Inany of them be-
ing used in the winter to run south for oysters,
the most perllous Of the voyages undertaken by
merchantmen, and many others engaged in tnc
season in the common coastIng trade. The crew,
averaging thirteen, though sometimes going as
high as sixteen, is generally shipped on shares
A certain portion have half they catch, by pay
my the owners per centage for expenses 9th
ers, called whole hookers," have all they catch,
by hiring their bonrd, and paying an alleged
amount tor the pIlvilege-and sill other grada-
tions and conditions exist, 50 that scarcely two
are on the same loonng. Then thtre Is a par
ticular position on the deck of the vessel as
signed to each one where he must remain, while
fishing, during the whole voyage. 1t is consid-
cred great advantage to be in the middle of
the rail, and a proportlonate disadvantage to
stand upon the other end. Those differences.
though real, will not be appreciated by those in
experienced, perhaps, so will omit any expa
nations. Elch has to dress and cure his own
fish, 50 when fish bite. all are fishing. and when
they cease, all are cngag ID IN curing them.
This voyage is considered the most safe and
pleasant of the variety of fishing trips After
the spring has advanced, and the heavy gales
nave died away before the pleasant westerly
brerzes annually visiting our land. the mackereI
fisherman takes leave Of his home, and steers
north. Coastlng along the shores of Nova Sco-
tia and on TO Cape Breton, he comes to the beau
tifu aud secure little strait called the Gut of
Canso" which he enters and winds up its crcu.
ltous route. ENJOYING the prospect on either hand
of verdan field, perennial shrubbery, as does
the navigator of an inland river, and at the same
time sheltered from the tempess liable to occur,
by the bold summit of hlls and mountains. Now
and then coming IN view behind some jutfing
headland, stands the rude cot of the farmer in
these northern regions, surrounded by those ru
raj scenes which ever bring home memories with
mournful pathos over the heart of the wanderer
beyond, still guiding his vessel by the channel,
the dark foliage of the forest shuts ont the scene,
and nougLt breaks the solemn stiffness of nature
but the croak of ravens and the flight of wild
fowl But now he emerges rom this placid
channel into the boisterous waters of the Gulf of
st. Lawrence, and all the creations of fancy