“Which we ought to have been having to-day,” said Panton, “instead of coming fishing.”
“If we had been up north to-day, those gentlemen might have seen us,” said the mate.
“And if they had,” said Drew, who was holding his hook for one of the men to bait, “it strikes me that we should have had no more fishing.”
“Well, as we have come fishing, gentlemen, let’s see if we can’t take back a good bagful for the hungry lads at the brig.”
“Ready for another go, Mr Lane, sir?” said Smith.
“Oh, yes, I’m ready, but we don’t want such a big one this time,” replied Oliver, and once more he threw in the lead, a fresh one, for the great fish they had hooked had broken away, carrying with it hooks, snooding, and all.
Three lines were soon in now, and the party of fishers waited full of expectancy for the first bite, but for some time there was no sign.
“Haul in, sir, and let’s see if the bait’s all right,” said Smith.
Oliver followed the suggestion, and dragged in the hook perfectly bare.
“Something’s had that,” he said.