silver at last was captured, shining all through the brown meshes of the net, the young lads sat down quite exhausted, wet through and happy. 37. "Man! Rob, what do you think of that?” said Neil, in amazement. "What do I think?" said Rob. "I think that if we could get two or three more hauls like that, I would buy soon a share in Coll MacDougall's boat and go after the herring." 38. They had no more thought that afternoon of "cuddy" fishing after this famous take, but rowed back to Erisaig; then Rob left the boat at the slip and walked up to the office of the fish salesman. 39. "What will you give me for mackerel?" he said. The salesman laughed at him, thinking he had caught a few with rods and flies. 40. "I'm not buying mackerel," said he; "not by the half dozen." “I have half a boat load," said Rob. "Well, I will buy the mackerel from you," he said. "I will give you half a crown the hundred for them." 41. "Half a crown!" said Rob. "I will take three and sixpence the hundred for them." "I will not give it to you. But I will give you three shillings the hundred, and a good price, too." "Very well, then," said Rob. 42. So the MacNicols got all together two pounds and eight shillings for that load of mackerel; and out of that Rob spent the eight shillings on still further improving the net, the two pounds going into the savings bank. 43. It is to be imagined that after this they kept a pretty sharp lookout for "broken water"; but of course they could not expect to run across a shoal of mackerel every day. 44. However, as time went on, with bad luck and good, and by dint of hard and constant work, whatever the luck was, the sum in the savings bank slowly increased, and at last Rob announced to his companions that they had saved enough to enable him to purchase a share in Coll MacDougall's boat. This was accordingly done after a great deal of bargaining. IV 45. These MacNicol boys had grown to be greatly respected in Erisaig. The audacity of four boys setting up to do fishing on their own account had at first amused the neighbors, but their success and their conduct generally soon raised them above ridicule. 46. One day, as Rob was going along the main street of Erisaig, the banker called him into his office. "Rob," said he, "have you seen the skiff at the building yard?" "Yes," said Rob, rather wistfully, for many a time he had stood and looked at the peautiful lines of the new craft; "she's a splendid boat." 66 And you've seen the new drift net in the shed?" 'Yes, I have that." 47. "Well, you see, Rob," continued Mr. Bailie, regarding him with a good-natured look, "I had the boat built and the net bought as a kind of speculation. Now, I have been hearing a good deal about you, Rob, from the neighbors. They say They say that you and your brothers and cousin are sober and diligent lads, and that you are good seamen and careful. Then you have been awhile at the herring fishing yourself. Now, do you think you could manage that new boat?" 48. In his excitement at the notion of being made master of such a beautiful craft, Rob forgot the respect he ought to have shown in addressing so great a person as the banker. He blurted out, "Man, I would just like to try!" 49. "I will pay you a certain sum per week while the fishing lasts," continued Mr. Bailie, "and you will hire what crew you think fit. Likewise, I will give you a percentage on the takes. 50. Rob was quite bewildered. was, "I am obliged to you, sir. a minute till I see Neil?" Will that do?" All he could say Will you wait for And very soon the wild rumor ran through Erisaig that no other than Rob MacNicol had been appointed master of the new skiff, the Mary of Argyle, and that he had taken his brothers and cousin as a crew. 51. Rob, having sold out his share in MacDougall's boat, bought jerseys and black boots and yellow oilskins for his companions; so that the new crew, if they were rather slightly built, looked smart enough as they went down to the slip to overhaul the Mary of Argyle. 52. Then came the afternoon on which they were to set out for the first time after the herring. All Erisaig came out to see; Rob was a proud lad as he stepped on board with the lazy indifference of the trained fisherman very well imitated, and took his seat as stroke oar. 53. The afternoon was lovely; there was not a breath of wind; the setting sun shone over the bay; and the Mary of Argyle went away across the shining waters, with the long white oars dipping with the precision of clockwork. 54. At the mouth of the harbor, Daft Sandy rowed his boat right across the path of the Mary of Argyle. Daft Sandy was a half-witted old man to whom Rob had been kind. "What is it you want?" cried Rob. 55. "I want to come on board, Rob," the old man said, as he now rowed his boat up to the stern of the skiff. |