inion that there might be worse things after all in the world
than "mission wessels!"

CHAPTER NINE.

BEGINNING OF THE GOOD WORK.

The breeze which had begun to blow freshened as the day advanced, and
the Admiral, directing his course to the nor'-east, made for the
neighbourhood of the Dogger Bank. Having reached what he deemed
suitable fishing-ground, he changed his course and gave the signal to
"put to." With the precision of well-trained troops the smacks obeyed,
and let down their trawls. The _Sunbeam_ also let down her net, and
shaped her course like the rest, thus setting an example of attention to
secular duty. She trawled for fish so as to help to pay expenses, until
such time as suitable weather and opportunity offered for the main and
higher duty of fishing for men.

The first haul of the mission vessel was a great success, prophetic of
the great successes in store, thought her skipper, as the cod-end was
finally swung inboard in an almost bursting condition. When the lower
end was opened, and the living fountain of fish gushed over the deck,
there was a general exclamation of satisfaction, mingled with
thanksgiving, from the crew, for fishes great and small were there in
abundance of every sort that swims in the North Sea.

"All sorts and conditions of men" leaped into Fred Martin's mind, for he
was thinking of higher things at the moment. "A good beginning and a
good omen," he murmured.

"_Wot_ a haul!" exclaimed Pat Stiver, who was nearly swept off his legs,
and to whom the whole thing was an entirely new experience.

"Use your eyes less and your hands more, my boy," said Fink, the mate,
setting the example by catching hold of a magnificent turbot that would
have graced a lord mayor's feast, and commencing to clean it.

Pat was by no means a lazy boy. Recovering from his surprise, he set to
work with all the vigour of a man of purpose, and joined the rest of the
crew in their somewhat disagreeable duty.

They wrought with such goodwill that their contribution of trunks to the
general supply was the largest put on board the steamer next day.

Calm and storm sometimes succeed each other rapidly on the North Sea.
It was so on the present occasion. Before the nets could be cleared and
let down for another take, the breeze had died away. The weather that
was unsuited, however, for fishing, was very suitable for "ferrying" to
the steamer; and when that all-important duty was done, the comp