The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-20

very suggestive stories, real fish stories
are spun by these men as they lie in wait
ing on the beach.
The surf rolls at their feet as the pro
ceSslOn-like waves catch their bases on
terra tirma, and topple with a crash
sometimes, however, wavelets lap the
strand when the wind is of shore and
serves 10 beat down the swell. Each net
ter reclines with his face to seward and
his eyes on the silvery spot that marks
the location of the herring If the fish
move out into deeper water the fishermen
begin EARNING anew and rehash gossip
that may be weeks old. But should the
tell-tale silver come close inshore. on
hands and knees the METERS Green to
the edges OF the creek, some of them
stand hip deep in the water, and
with net at arms length, await the
rush that is sure to come sooner or later
1t may be false alarm, or the herring as
sail the mouth of the waterway with ire
mendous Vigor. In they come leapiur
over one another in their insane frenzy to
get to the pond above. Thousands are
crowded out of water upon the beach as
the big school makes the shallow en-
trance. Nothing short of dynamite will
stop the wild charge. Those in the van
are urged along by those behind, and the
rear guard closes up all outlets of escape
The sound made by the tapping, founder
ing creatures is indescriba BILE The roar
has been heard half mile away from the
creek.
The METERS begin to scoop out the fish
by the dozens, and throw them high up
the bank behind their stands. If the fish
come at the surface neat twist of the
wrist is necessary TO intercept them
Often they are caught on the fly. Again
they are interrupted while performing a
circus ring evolution Then the fish
divide and pillow along the sand at the
waters edge, but the netter must have a
thrust ready to do the most good in each
emergency. The time of the run is lin
tied, and each sweep of the net should
perform its part in the harvest.
When the bulk of herring has entered
the creek, several men wade in and follow
them up-tO rattle or confuse them The
waders beat the waters with their nets
and keep up a kickapoO Indian war dance
with vocal accompaniment. A good run
may last an hour and the work of the
night is accomplished in that time. When
the last fish has disappeared up the
creek, the dead ones are collected into
heaps and counted into barrels. He who
has taken the most herring has done the
best nights work, and so gets the largest
remuneration, that is, if the share system
is in vogue. The fish are placed under
cover, and the METERS, after removing
the scales that have stuck to their cloth
ing when the air was filed with flying,
Topping fish, leave the beach Fishing
vessels are in waiting to purchase
the herring for bait, and they may be had
at times for 80 cents per 100. Each
schooner takes aboard several thousand
fish and then sails for the banks, while
the crew chops the herring into small
cubes; which are later attached to the
hooks of travis. There are recognized
herring shanties" all along Cape Cod
Bay and Vineyard sound, from Powder
Hole to Falmouth. On the Vineyard are
many more of these shanties, all of which
fly flag from a mast or staff when fish
are awaiting purchasers.
Many of the Vineyard creeks are leased
or rented by the various towns at round
price and there are always plenty of
bidders. On the back side of the Vine
land, in EdgartOwp, an artificial herring
creek, a mile long and as wide and deep
as a canal, has been dug inland as an in
VeStment.