The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-02-26
YAMATE
THESAILOR
DY THEODORE A. CUTTING.

sailing that ever knew was Yamate.
Never, / think, was there more
adrcit hand than his at sheet or
tiller He could sheer up close into
the wind and bowl along as If 1t
blew across his beam. Always, too,
4 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 as
stood watching the salmo17boats 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 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
stroke of the oar, where others had
had recourse to an awkward tack,
or even to rowing under q swinging
boom that batteG them upon head and
shoulders.
1t was during a run of salmon and
smelt one year in June that Yamates
sailing was put to test that taxed
even his skill to the utmost.
There had been gale, which for
two days had put an end to all fish
ing; but upon the third all BEATS
were out again: To the disappoint-
gnent 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 rockfish grounds; and
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
asmuch as there was still heavy
sea from the recent wind-storm, which
rendered a cfsse approach to the
shore dangerous. But Yamate, with
his usual fearlessness, ran in to
ers formed. to cast his net.
Up with each great swell rose his
little craft, and them down in each
successive hollow it sank again
Sometimes the thin edge formed and
began to curl under che very keel,
but always the boat escaped being
overwhelmed.
Tho xxyind oil c,1fH 0tOnt1u brisk
for the precarious fore-and-aft sail,
was increasing; but this was no cause
OF very to Yamate, who preferred
a gale to calm He was jubilant,
too, from the success OF his seine.
for each draw was satisfactory; and
for the delicately favored smelt there
was always a market.
With Nakamura it was otherwise.
Well beyond the line of breakers, he
fished perseveringly, while his sail
Slated in the breeze But only taste
less surf perch and a few sardines
came to his net.
Envicusly he looked in at Yamate,
who still lay on the surf-line, but with
constant eye upon the incoming
shells. Ever and again he saw his
more daring comrade draw his sheet
and creep up little into the wind
upon each occasion just in time, as
it seemed. to escape from a gigantic
comber.
For two hours or more they con-
tinued to fish in the same manner.
To Ya,mate came no harm and to Ma
kamura no fish.
Atgfast Nakamura. after tlmorous
surrey of the breakers and the jag
ged rocks beyond, against which they
pounded, Stacked off his sheet and
ran IN where the smelt seemed so
plentiful
Hardly was the fisherman's net out
when he took alarm at an approach
Ing swell Quickly he threw the till
er ever and hauled upon his sheet
His canvas had but begun to draw
when the wave reached him; but OF
its own accord it held together until
it was several yards to leeward
Nakamura was surprised at the
:apidity with which it had Gene upon
him.; and little nervous; but since
the danger was. over and no harm
had come beyond the shipping of a
little water, he made fast the sheet
and busted himself with Strengthening
the small seine.
Look cuti Lcok tout! A big one!"
suddenly shouted Yamate.
He himself threw over his tiller
and shot up into wind and wave in
n twinkling. The great blllow rolled
upon the bows and sent in bucket
full or two of water; but for all that,
the little craft cut its way through
TO safety and stodd off on a tack.
'rt so with Nakamura Easily
enough had he squared away and run
down into the breakers with the
wind. but to work back in its teeth
was another thing. AS before, he
prepared to draw slowly away On a
H. l. + -. A