Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-03-10
Y AMAIE
The SAILOR
By rHEoDoRn 4. OUTING.

eno wind and bowl along as II IL
blew across his beam. Always. too,
he knew the exact amount Of sail to
spread, and could carry more in rough
water than any OF his fellow fisher
men.
Yamate was also the jolliest of
Japanese. first saw him from the
head OF the pier at Monterey az I
stood watching the salmon-boats re-
turn. There was a stiff offshore
breeze, to which the foremost boats
paid respect by single or double
reefs OF sail; but presently in came
Yamate under full canvas. his boat
rocking until the tip, of the boom
dipped the waves, his mouth curved
in a gleeful grin, and his eyes dane
ing with the Joy of swift motion.
He shot in close to the pier and
drifted up to the landing without a
stroke OF the oar, where others had
had recourse to an awkward tack,
or even to rowing under a swinging
boom that batted them upon head and
shoulders.
It was during run OF salmon and
smelt one year in June that Yamate's
sailing was put toNa test that taxed
even his skill to the utmost.
There had been a gale, which for
two days had put an end to all fish
ing; but upon the third all boats
were out again. To the disappoint-
ment OF the fishermen, however, the
salmon had scattered. So few, in.
deed, were to be taken that most
OF the men drew in their hooks and
began to cast for mackerel; others
sought the rockfsh grounds; and a
few ran down the coast for smelt.
Among the latter were Yamate and
Nakamura. The day was not very
propitious for taking this fish, In
aAmuch as there was still a heavy
sea from the recent wind-storm, which
rendered a close approach to the
shore dangerous. But Yamate, with
his usual fearlessness, ran In to
the very line along which the break
ers formed. to cast his net.
Up with each great swell rose his
little craft, and then down in each
successive hollow 1t sank again.
Sometimes the thin edge formed and
began to curl under the very keel,
but always the boat escaped being
overwhelmed.
The wind, already sufficiently brisk
for the precarious fore-and-aft sail,
was increasing: but this was no cause
Of worry to Yamate, who preferred
gale to a calm. He was jubilant,
too. from the success Of his seine.
Tor each draw was satisfactory; and
TOT the delicately favored smelt there
was always market.
with Nakamura 1t was otherwise.
wen beyond tne line OF breakers, ne
nsned perseveringly, while his sail
Slated IN the breeze. But only taste
less surf perch and few sardines
came 70 MS net
Envlously ne looked IN at Yamate,
VINO still lay on the surf-line, but with
constant eye upon the incoming
smells. ever and again he saw his
more daring cemrade draw his sheet
ana creep up little into the wind
upon each occasion Just In time, as
II seemed, to escape from a gigantic
oomper.
for Two hours or more they con-
tinued to fish In the same manner.
10 Yamate came no harm and to Ma
kamura no fish.
Az last Nakamura, after timorous
survey OF the breakers and the Jag
eed rocks beyond, against which they
OOun0GQ. Stacked or hia nhanf and
ran IN where the smelt seemed SO
pientitul.
Hardly was the fsherman's net out
Wnen ne look alarm at an approach
ing swell. Quickly he threw the till
er over and hauled upon his sheet.
HIS canvas had but begun to draw
Wnen phe wave reached MIN; but OF
its own accord IT held together until
IL was several yards to leeward.
NaKamura was surprised at the
rapldlty with which 1t had come upon
nm ana llttie nervous; but since
the danger was over and no harm
mad come beyond the shipping OF
httie water. ne made fast the sheet
ana pusied himself with Strengthening
pne small seine.
Look out! LOOK out! A big one!"
suadenly shouted Yamate.
ne hlmsel1 threw over his tiller
ana shot up into wind and wave In
t"lnKiing. Ihe great billow rolled
upon the BOWS and sent, In a bucket
tui or two OF water; but for all that,
the little craft cut its way through
70 SAFETY and stodd OFF on tack.
MOI SO with Nakamura. Easily
enough had ne squared away and run
down into the breakers with the
vino, but to work back In Its teeth
was another thing. AS before, he
prepared 10 draw slowly away on a
long tack put In an instant the great
wave was upon him broadside. From
stem 70 stern 1t tumbled into the
sallboat, faiing her In a trlce. Over
ene went, Doom and gan stabbing
QOWn lnLOVtn sea, and the next mo-