of
the ethereal sheet of blue.

Thus the whole fleet passed steadily to windward, the object being to
get to such a position on the "fishing-grounds" before night-fall, that
they could put about and sail before the wind during the night, dragging
their ponderous trawls over the banks where fish were known to lie.

Night is considered the best time to fish, though they also fish by day,
the reason being, it is conjectured, that the fish do not see the net so
well at night; it may be, also, that they are addicted to slumber at
that period! Be the reason what it may, the fact is well-known.
Accordingly, about ten o'clock the admiral hove-to for a few minutes.
So did the fleet. On board the _Evening Star_ they took soundings, and
found twenty-five fathoms. Then the admiral called attention by showing
a "flare."

"Look out now, Billy," said David Bright to his son, who was standing
close by the capstan.

Billy needed no caution. His sharp eyes were already on the watch.

"A green rocket! There she goes, father."

The green rocket signified that the gear was to be put down on the
starboard side, and the fleet to steer to the southward.

Bustling activity and tremendous vigour now characterised the crew of
the _Evening Star_ as they proceeded to obey the order. A clear starry
sky and a bright moon enabled them to see clearly what they were about,
and they were further enlightened by a lantern in the rigging.

The trawl which they had to put down was, as we have said, a huge and
ponderous affair, and could only be moved by means of powerful blocks
and tackle aided by the capstan. It consisted of a thick spar called
the "beam", about forty-eight feet long, and nearly a foot thick,
supported on a massive iron hoop, or runner, at each end. These irons
were meant to drag over the bottom of the sea and keep the beam from
touching it. Attached to this beam was the bag-net--a very powerful
one, as may be supposed, with a small mesh. It was seventy feet long,
and about sixteen feet of the outermost end was much stronger than the
rest, and formed the bag, named the cod-end, in which the fish were
ultimately collected. Besides being stronger, the cod-end was covered
by flounces of old netting, to prevent the rough bottom from chafing it
too much. The cost of such a net alone is about 7 pounds. To the beam,
attached at the two ends, was a very powerful rope called the bridle.
It was twenty fathoms long. To this was