The Republican journal., 1905-02-09

and throw their lines, these enormous
skates were hauled up and their livers
taken out, until Siah said, John, we've
struck a skate factory, sure. This
couldn't have been where l wanted to
anchor. Perhaps if l had on my gold
bowed glasses could see BETTER
just as the day dawned ripple on
the water showed large SCHOOL of
some kind o. fish and, as they came
nearer, it proved to be huge school of
dogfish. Siah said, 1--WE might load our
boat with dogfish. There don't seem
to be anything else" And John re-
piled, 'let's gaff in a load. We can sell
the livers at Cundy's. I've heard say
they, with skate livers, make the best
cod liver oil, and we might as we'll get
what we can"
So one would pull them in, the other
take out the livers, until barrels of
livers were in the boat. Perhaps half a
dozen hake had been caught and that
was all they had to take home.
The South wind blew strong and, as
down thick as mud John said, 'Siah,
do you believe we can ever find our
way in this awful fog?" ,
And Siah said, Eyes, I've brains
enough to find my way anywhere"
And he talked so strange John noticed
for the first time he had a bottle of
elixir, which he tried to keep out of
sight.
Finally the killick was pulled in, the
sail unfurled and they started for
home. John stood at the bows looking
for all he was worth, and Siah kept her
pretty near her course. They were
trying to make the dry lodges, called
the Brown Cow. This long reef lies
west from Bald Head two and one-half
miles, is some 500 feet long, 100 feet
wide and lies east and west. AS the
old boat flew under the strong wind
John felt very nervous and uneasy. He
thought in one hours time they should
make the ledge, if on the right course,
but as they had no compass it was
guess work.
AT last roar of breakers reached
Johns ears and he shouted, breakers
ahead, huff, Siah, the Brown Cow is
right under our lee
Siah said, 81 never turn out for no
COW"
John shouted back, "you old fool,
you can't jump her over the Brown
Cow, hard down your helm or We are
lost"
For the first time Siah saw the long
line of foam, showed down his helm and
the boat cleared the breakers by a
length.
AS they passed the western end OF
the ledge the spray from big wave
dashed over Uncle Siah and seemed tC
sober him off considerably. They made
Mark Island, then Flag Island and il
an hours time had passed White Point
and entered Cundy's Harbor. Siah
said, 1--WE will go In here and sell oul
cod livers."
You won't try to sell them for cod
livers, will you?" said John.
Sure" said Siah, they would sell
the lie to us for cod lie if we had q
cough"
He went up, saw the fish dealer and
said, mister, can | sell you some fine
new cod livers."
He replied, eyes, if good ones, have
an order for quite a lot
"Well, these of mine are new and al
right. I've just come in off the outer
grounds, had great fishing, found 9
place where there hadn't been a fish
caught for more than forty years. How
could l tell? Why there was mark
VII CNCit OIC. was lCdU uoHCIIildl
in my young days, but am growing ole
now and am somewhat forgetful. II
you have a nice schooner you hain't
got no skipper for I'm your man as
know all the grounds from here tc
Texas. Come right aboard then. AIM
that handsome lot as you ever saw
And the dealer took the gaff anC
hooked up huge skate liver big as q
cows and with Il broad grin on his
phiz said, where's the cod you took
this out OF? | would buy it at fancy
price"
That killed siah. eve hain't got a
burned cod liver amongst them.
was only joking, he said. They are
worth something, amt they?"
He said, Yes, 80 cents bucket,
cash, or 50 in goods.
Uncle John said, lets take theil
worth in dry hake. We don't want to
60 home skunked'
They measured out 40 buckets, whicl
bought them winters supply of goo(
fish. At sunset they were at home anC
until late day they told of the skate
factory in Mark Island Gully.-Silas S
Holbrook in the Brunswick Telegraph
1