The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-28

made from redwood sapling, which he
dragged in the water fishing in the dark
for nets, and when he was not working
the craft back into the channel with his
tishpole he did very well and caught fair
string of fish-nets.
Wilson with the oars pulled so much
stronger with his right arm, and the re-
porter being useless as a boat steerer, the
craft every few minutes would plunge into
the muddy bank or go tearing into the
low-hangin brush, scratching their faces
and. tearing their clothing. And to add
to their perplexities they were obliged to
keep perfectly quiet and be keenly on the
alert, as they expected to bump alongside
of some fishing-boat and have to fight
every instant.
Pull with your lett" would come from
the lookout in loud whisper as he felt
the branches of the trees raking him.
Back water with your right oar! Geel
Great Jupiter, gee!' snorted Cross in his
excitement, forgetting he was not driving
a team of oxen. Then the boat would
slide in under thicket of willows grow
ing at the waters edge, and the rain
soaked foliage would pour down gener-
Gus shower on them. The craft was small
and overloaded, and frequently she would
run up on log, be whirled around by the
current and would tip half-over, taking in
new cargo of several hundred gallons of
The water had to be thrown overheard
nolselessly, which MADE the task of bail
ing more laborious. They were nearing
the ocean, as they could family hear the
roar of the surf, when slight sound came
to them out Of the darkness. 1t was the
light fall of net-toat against the side of a
boat-the sound they had been straining
noise themselves, Wilson took in his oars
and the current foated them toward the
place where the fishermen were stealthily
working. Suddenly their boat touched the
side of another craft, and IN an instant
two pairs of strange.oars struck the water.
Cross tried to hold the other boat back
with his nethook, but she broke away and
was quickly gone.
They grappled around in the water, and
soon found a large, fine net literally bur-
dened with fish. As they hauled it into
their boat they liberated all the living
catch by cutting the meshes that held
them, and threw the dead steelheads away.
Presently they grappled the second net,
and as they were taking it aboard four
shots were fired at them from the shore.
The reports followed each other IN rapid
succession, and the surrounding darkness
was for few instants lighted up by the
powder flashes. The three men in boat
lay exceedingly low, and making not the
slightest noise furnished poor targets for
the angry fishermen.
Close to the bar they found several nets
full of fish oil of which they emptied and
confiscated. 1t grew lighter as they
emerged from among the mountains
and consequently they were unable to get
near the fishermen. But the latter would
abandon their nets and hurry away leav-
ing the officers to gather in the contraband
property. A number OF shots were fired
from the banks showing that the lawless
fishermen were in frame of mind to
make a fight if rushed into close quarters.
Russian River is one of the best fish
streams in the State and it is the intention
of the Commissioners to protect the game
in its waters, by such raids made among
the nets that will always be found in that
locality