In the meantime a
boat was employed in driving the fish towards the centre of the
enclosure, lest before the circle was completed they might alter their
course and escape.

Although the fish were thus enclosed, their enormous weight would
certainly have broken through the net had an attempt been made to drag
them on to the beach. The operation was not yet over. Warping or
dragging them into shallow water had now to be commenced. Gradually the
circle was drawn nearer and nearer the shore, till shallow water was
reached. The seine was then moored, that is, secured by grappling
hooks. It had next to be emptied. In bad weather this cannot be done,
as the work requires smooth water. On the present occasion, however,
the sea was calm, and several boats, supplied with smaller nets and
baskets, entered the circle and commenced what is called _tucking_. The
small nets were used to encircle as many fish as they could lift, which
were quickly hauled on board in the ordinary way, while other boats
ladled the pilchards out of the water with baskets. As soon as a boat
was laden she returned to the shore by the only passage left open, where
men stood ready to close it as soon as she had passed.

On the beach were collected numbers of women and lads, with creels on
their backs ready to be filled. As soon as this was done they carried
them up to the curing-house, situated on a convenient spot near the bay.
Among those on the beach were Dame Lanreath and Nelly, and as Michael
assisted to fill their creels he expressed his satisfaction at having
contributed so materially to the success of the undertaking, for his
boat had been one of the most actively employed.

As all engaged in the operation belonged to the same company, they
worked with a will, each person taking his allotted duty, and thus doing
their utmost to obtain success.

Some time was occupied in thus emptying the seine, for after the fish on
the surface had been caught many more which were swimming lower down and
making endeavours to escape, were obtained with the _tucking_ nets. The
whole net itself was then dragged up, and the remainder of the fish
which had been caught in the meshes, or had before escaped capture, were
taken out.

Such is the ordinary way of catching the pilchard on the coast of
Cornwall with seines.

The inhabitants of the village congratulated themselves on their
success.

Often, as has been said, tucking has to be delayed in consequ