the land, innumerable specimens of the finny tribe
could be seen leaping and springing about, mutually surprised at finding
themselves brought unexpectedly in such near proximity to each other and
to the shore; evidently thinking that it was time to make a dash for the
more open water. Vain were the attempts of those who foolishly fancied
by swimming slow and concealing themselves they might the more surely
effect their escape. The bolder fish, who, leaping high, cleared the
encircling net, were alone successful, some enormous fellows setting the
example. Others attempted to follow them.

"We shall have them all getting off if we don't bear a hand," cried
Green; "haul away, my lads."

"Better be after them and hook them out," exclaimed Desmond, suiting the
action to the word, and plunging in amid the struggling fish. Archie
could not resist doing the same, and presently every officer, including
the commander and Adair, were up to their knees in the water, each
trying to seize one or more of the monsters, who, it was evident, would,
if they attempted it, clear a passage for themselves through the meshes.
Desmond had fixed upon two, and down he went upon hands and knees,
endeavouring to kill the creatures leaping, wriggling, and struggling to
get free. As he did so, one of them, making a bolt between his legs,
toppled him over on his nose, where he lay kicking and plunging,
scarcely to be distinguished from the fish surrounding him. He quickly,
however, got his head above water, as he did so, spluttering out,
"Arrah, the baste! I haven't let him go, though," and, kneeling on the
creature, he managed to work his hands under its gills, when, holding it
up, he dragged it triumphantly to the shore.

One of the smaller youngsters, Billy Blueblazes, upon trying to follow
his example, was literally dragged off his feet, and, had not Archie
seized him and the fish which he held by the gills, might very possibly
have been drowned.

The shouting and laughing and hallooing which arose on all sides would
alone have been sufficient to drive the unfortunate fish out of their
minds, as officers and men were plunging about here and there grasping
at the larger fish right and left. At length the greater number of the
monsters who had failed to escape having been captured, the men drew the
seine high up on the beach, with some hundreds of fish, most, if not all
of them, as Green declared, excellent eating. As soon as they had