d.

"There you are," said the master, coming up; "now, then, away we go.
There's a fine wind this morning, and we shall get some fish."

"Does the wind make you get the fish?" said Dick.

"To be sure, my lad. If we weren't sailing fast, as soon as the
flat-fish felt the net being dragged over 'em they'd give a flip and a
flap and be out of the way in no time; but the trawl's drawn over 'em so
quickly in a brisk breeze like this that they haven't time to escape.
They're in the net before they know where they are, and then they get
into the pockets, and it's a case of market for them."

"It's all sand under here, isn't it?" asked Dick.

"You may be sure of that, my lad," said the master laughing. "When you
see a smack trawling, it's all sand there, says you. 'Cause why? If it
was rocks the trawl would catch and be broken before you knowed where
you were. Yes; it's all smooth bottom here."

It was wonderfully interesting to see the great strong beam and the
thick net, so different in the make to the filmy cobwebs that were used
for seine and drift. This was of stout cord, and its edge of a strong
over-bound rope. Of course all was out of sight now, the only thing
visible being the bridle-rope, by means of which the trawl was being
swiftly dragged astern.

"I hope we shall get a good haul or two," said Will, joining the boys as
they stood holding on by the bulwarks, with the great mainsail boom over
their heads, everything that looked so small and toy-like from the shore
being here big and strong.

"What shall we catch?" said Arthur, making an effort to hide the remains
of his discomposure.

"Get, sir?" cried Will smiling. "Oh! all sorts of things. If we're
lucky, a turbot or two; soles we are sure to have, and some plaice;
perhaps a brill; then there'll be a few dabs and whiting, and maybe a
red mullet, and along with them the trawl will bring up a lot of all
sorts."

"All sorts?" said Dick.

"Yes, sir. Weevers and blennies, and crabs, with oysters and scallops,
and sea-weeds of all kinds--a regular mixture if we go over a part that
hasn't been much swept lately."

"Here, I say, when are they going to pull up the net?" said Dick
eagerly. "I want to see."

"Oh! not yet awhile," said Will smiling.

"But the fish will get out again."

"Oh no! We're going too fast for that," said Will; "and if there are
any fish they'll be in the pockets."

"But has a trawl-net got pockets?" said Arthur curious