The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-07
Ti.hInp With Cormnrants

At no great distance from us, per-
haps a quarter of a mile, light flicker
ed over the water. On our approach
we could distinguish a man connected
with it, who apparently walked ON the
dark surface. He was evidently fish
erman or a shrimper, and his move
ments had all the strsngeDess OF some
long-legged aquatic bird. He knew his
path, and, far out. followed some track
of ford. adding to the lonliDess as does
a crane in marshy landscape. Then
| saw him no more. for he headed up
the river toward an opening between the
hills. Suddenly haze of light round
ell the corner of the nearest mountain,
then grew into a line of lire coming to-
ward US. Above the rustic of the river
course, aud our own against 1t, came
the beating of cry in unison. The
liue Of flame broke into many fires, and
we could see the boats rushing down
upon us. As quickly as | can write
il they came in even line, wide apart
perhaps fifty feet or sO-enough for us
to pass between. where upon we revers-
ed our movement and drifted along
with them.
la the front of each boat, hung upon
bent pole. blazed large cresset filled
with pine knots, making above cloud
of smoke, starred with sparks and long
nee dies of red cinders. Below IN the
circle OF each light and on its outer rim
swan many birds, glossy black and
white cormoraDts. straining so at the
cords that held them that they appeared
to be dragging the boats. AS they
spread like a fan before the dark
shadow of the bows the cords which
fastened them glistened or were black
in the light. Each string ran through
the fingers of the master fisher at the
bows. and was fastened to his waist and
lost IN the glittering straw Of his rain
skirt. Like a four inh hand driver, he
seemed to feel his birds movements.
His fingers loosened or tigf teded, or, as
suddenly, with a clutch. pulled back.
Then came rebellious huttering.
and the white glitter of the fish
in the beaks MISUNDERSTANDING
ly: each bird was forcibly drawn up TO
the gunwale, and seized by the neck
encircled by its string bearing cellar.
Tnen u squeeze-a white fish glittered
on. gain and was thrown back into the
boar. The bird scuttled away, drop
ped back into the water, and. shaking
itself. was at work again. They swan
with necks erect, their eyes apparently
looking over everything. and SO indii-
ferent 10 small matters as to allow the
big cinders to lie uunoticed on their
oily flat heads. But every few seconds
one would stoOp down. then throw
back its head wildly with a fish cross
wise in its mouth. When that fish was
a small one it was allowed by the mas
ter Of ths bird to remain In the capa-
cious gulet. Each pack guided by a
master varied in numbers, but | count
ed thirteen fastened to the waist
of the fisherman nearest to
us. Behind him stood another
polling: then further back an appren-
tice. with one single bird, was learning
10 manage his feathered tools. In the
stern stood the steeTsman using a long
pole. Every man shouted, as hunts.
men encouraging u pack, Hoo Hoo J
Hoo li'-making the cry whose rhyt thin
We had heard when the tlotilla bore
down upon US.
Ten minutes, quarter OF an hour
more passed as we kept alongside with
motionless celebrity. | tried to sketch
in the insufficient light-making some
times one sketch right upon another. so
little could | see my lines in treacher-
Gus light. Then the boats swerved off
and were driven to the shore together,
or as far as we could get TO it, In the
shallovy Vxafer.-Thp Cantury