The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-05-01
SHES ALL THIN
WORLD TO ME-.
By HALL GAME,
Author of "The Mdnrmdn," 1.-THE Deem
Stcr," etc.
CHAPTER VII.

Christian Mylrea in blue serge and guern-
sey, heavy sea boots and Southwestern 1t
was past shutdown. A smart breeze was
blowing off the land as they rounded Con-
trary head and crossed the two streams
that flow there. 1t was not yet too dark.
however, to see the coast line curved into
covolets and promontories and to look for
miles over the hills where stretched the
molcs and hillocks Of gorse and frlssacks
of long grass.
The twilight dccpened as they rounded
Niarbyl point and left the Calf islet on
their lee with Cronte- nay -Ivey-L haa tow
ering into the gloomy sky. When they
sailed through Fleshwick bay, the night
gradually darkencd and they saw nothing
of Ennyn Mooar. But the heavens light
ened again and glittcred with stars, and
when they brought the lugger head to the
wind In STA fathoms of water outside of
Port Erin the moon had risen behind Bra
da, and the steep and rugged headland
showed clear against the sky
Have you found the herring on this
ground at the same time in former sea-
sons?" asked Christian Of Kisseck.
Not for seven years -
"Then why try now"
''See the gull thereP She's skipper to-
night. She's shown us the fish"
And one after another the fleet brought
to about them.
Danny Faylc had been leaning over the
bow and occasionally rapping with a stick
at the timbcrs near the water.
ANY signs?' shouted Kisseck.
Aye" said Danny. 1.-THE mar fires
risin."
The wind had dropped, and luminous
patches of phosphorescent light in the wa
ter were showing Danny that the herring
were stirring
Let's make shot Up with the gear, :"
said Kisseck and preparations were made
for shooting the nets over the quarter.
"Davy Cain the mattel, you see to the
lint. Tommy Tear, look after the corks.
Danny-where's that lad?-look' to the
seizin's; dye hcar?"
Then the nets were hauled from below
and passed over bank board placed be-
tween the hatchway and the top of the bull
wark. Davy and Tommy shot the gear
and as the scizings came up Danny ran
aft with them, and made them fast to the
warp near the taffrail.
When the nets were all paid out, every
net in the drift being tied to the next, and
a solid wall Of meshes nine feet deep had
been swept away for half mile behind
them, Kisseck shouted, Down with the
sheets"
The sails were taken in, the mainmast
made to lower backward-was dropped,
and only the drift mizzen was left to keep
the boats head to the wind
"Up with the light there, !" shouted ks
seek
On hearing this Danny popped his head
out of the hatchways
All, to be sure, that lads never ready.
Gerr out of that quick"
Danny took lantern and fixed it on the
top of tho mtchboard.
Then vessel and nets drifted together.
Christian and the skipper went below.
1t was now a calm clear night with
just light enough to show two or three of
the buoys on the back Of the first net as
they floated under water The skipper had
not mistaken his ground. Large white
patches cams moving out of the surround.
ing pavement of deep black, lightened
only with the occasional image of a sta1
where the vanishing ripples left the sea
smooth. Once or twice countless faint
popping sounds were heard, and minute
points of silver were seen in the water
around. The hcrrings were at play about
them. Shoals on shoals were breaking the
sea into glistening foam.
After an hour had passed Kisseck popped
his head out of the hatchways and cried,
"Try the look on"
The warp was hauled in until the first
net was reached. 1t came up as black as
coal save for dogflsh or two that haG
broken a mesh here and there
"Too much moon tonight " said Kisseck
They see the nets and the cute they are
extraordinary.
Half an hour later the moon went Out
behind a thick ridge of cloud that floatet
over the land. The sky became gray anG
leaden, and n rising breeze ruffled the sea
Some of the men on deck began to sing.
"Hould on therep shouted Kisseck
"D'ye want to Brighten all the herrin fol
ten miles?"
Hour after hour wore on, and not fist
came to the "look on" net. Toward
o'cl ok in the morning the moon BROKE
out again in full splendor.
"There'll be heavy strike now, sale
Kisseck, and in another instant lumi
nous patch foated across the line of nets
sank, disappeared and pulled three Of thu
buoys down with them.
Pull up now, )" shouted Kisseck
Then the cts were hauled. 1t was Dan
ny Fayle's duty to lead the warp through
a snatch block fixed to the masthole on t,
the capstan. Davy Cain disconnected tn
nets from the warps, and Tommy Tear ant
Mark Cronnel pulled the nets over TIL
gunwale. They came up white in tn
moonlight as solid block Of fish. Bill
Kisseck and Christian passed the nets owe
the scudding pole and shook the herring
into the hole,
Give barrels at least, " said Kisseck
TRY again. And once more the net
were shot The other boats of the flee
were signalcd that the Ben my-chree hat
discovered scale of fish. The blue ligh
was answered by other blue lights on ever
side. The fishing was faEing well.
One, two three o'clock. The night wa
wearing on The moon went out once more
and in the darkness that preceded tn
dawn the lanterns burning on the driftin
boats gave out an eeric glow. At last tn
gray light came in the east, and the SUI
rose over the land. The breeze was nov
fresh, and it was time to haul in the net
for the last time.
In accordance with ancient custom, tn