BAY IN THE EVENTIDE, WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN IN THE WEST.

It was close upon half-past five, and all Will's preparations had been
made. Lines of strong cord with hooks bound up the snooding with brass
wire were on their winders. There was a tub half full of tasty
pilchards--damaged ones fresh out of a late boat that had come in that
afternoon. There was another tub full of much more damaged pilchards--
all pounded up for ground bait.

In fact nothing had been forgotten; even three oilskins had been lashed,
in the stern ready for the visitors in case it should rain.

"I say," said Josh, "how about the young gent? I mean him Master Dick
calls Taff?"

"Well, what about him?" said Will.

"Won't he be scared when we gets a conger over the side."

"I never thought of that," said Will musingly. "Oh! I should think
not."

"'Cause we shall be in a gashly pickle if we haul in a big one, and she
scares the youngster out of the boat."

"We must kill them at once," said Will.

"Yes; it's all very well to say kill 'em at once," grumbled Josh; "but
you know what a gashly thing a big conger is to kill."

"Yes; he won't lie still and be killed sometimes," said Will laughing.
"Ah! well, perhaps we sha'n't catch any at all."

"Oh, yes! we shall, and gashly big uns too. Hadn't we better leave
young Arthur behind--'tother won't be feared?"

"No; it's too late now," said Will. "Here they are;" for just then the
brothers came along the pier, and after Arthur had stepped in rather a
dignified way down into the boat, Dick leaped in and insisted upon
taking an oar.

The boat was pushed off at once, and while Will and Dick were rowing
Josh had to answer Arthur Temple's questions.

"Are those the lines?" he said, gazing at them curiously.

"Yes, sir; and we've got some oilskin aprons for you to put on, so as
you sha'n't get wet."

"Aprons!" cried Arthur aghast.

"Yes, sir; they be good uns too."

"I shall not put on an apron," was upon Arthur's lips, but he did not
say it; and just then his attention was taken by a short thick
truncheon, with a curious notch or fork at the handle end.

"What's that for?"

"Little end's disgorger," said Josh; "t'other's to knock the congers
down with."

"To knock the congers down!" cried Arthur aghast.

"Yes, when we get hold of a big one. They're gashly strong, sir."

"Why, how big are they?" cried Arthur.

"Five foot, six foot, seven foot sometimes," said Josh coolly.

Ar