Part 52 (1/2)

Of course they're awk'ard things for any boy to tackle at first. I was downright frightened first one I hooked, when I was 'bout as old as you, and it warn't above half the size of the one you ketched.”

”Were you really frightened of it?” said Arthur in the same low tone.

”Frightened, Master Taffarthur! Why, my cap come off and fell in the water, and I had to up with the killick and row after it.”

”But that didn't show you were frightened.”

”Didn't it though, sir? Why, it was my hair rose up in such a gashly way it lifted it off. There, now, hold steady, and it won't be long before you have a bite.”

It was getting so dark now that Arthur could not see whether Josh was laughing at him or not, though for the matter of that, if it had been noontide, he would not have been able to make out the rough fisherman's thoughts by the expression of his countenance.

A splash from behind them told them that d.i.c.k's bait had just gone in, and then they sat--both couples--chatting away in a low tone, and waiting for the next congers, and somehow waiting in vain. The last glow faded out of the sky, and the stars twinkled in the sea, where they were reflected from above. The great black bird rock stood up, looking gigantic against the western sky, and every now and then there was a querulous cry that set a party of the sea-birds scolding and squealing for a few minutes before all was still again.

In the distance across the bay the lights of the harbour shone out faintly at first, then clearly, and the various lamps about the village seemed like dull stars.

Still there was no bite, and Arthur rejoiced in his heart, hoping that they would catch no more, and thinking how horrible it would have been to have one of the monsters on board in the dark.

Josh had changed the position of Arthur's line several times, and at last he took hold of it and began to haul it in.

”Going to leave off?” said Arthur joyously.

”No, my lad, not yet. You won't mind me throwing in for you?”

”Oh no!” cried the boy.

”Then,” said Josh, ”I'm just going to throw over yonder into the deepest part, and if we don't get one out of there we may give up.”

Drawing in and laying the line carefully in rings, he took the weight and threw it some distance from them, the lead falling with a heavy plash. Then d.i.c.k and Will followed suit on their side, and Arthur was compelled to take the line again from Josh, for the latter said:

”Oh no! I'm not going to fish. I can have a turn any day, my lad. Go on, and we'll show 'em this time what it is to fish again' us. A mussy me! we'll give 'em a startler directly. We'll show 'em what conger be.”

Arthur's hands felt cold and damp as he sat there holding: the line and thinking of what would be the consequences if he hooked a monster and Josh failed to kill it before dragging it on board. It would run all over the boat, and it would be sure to bite him first--he knew it would; and the idea was horrible, making him so nervous that his hands shook as he held the line.

It was quite dark now, but a beautiful transparent darkness, with the sky one glorious arch of glittering points, and the sea a mirror in which those diamond sparks were reflected. The phosph.o.r.escence that had been so beautiful on the night when his brother was out with Josh and Will was absent, save a faint pale glow now and then, seen when a wave curled over and broke upon the great bird rock. All was wonderfully still, and they sat for some time listening to the distant singing of some of the fishermen, whose voices sounded deliciously soft and melodious as the tones of the old west-country part-song floated over the heaving sea.

Suddenly Arthur started, for d.i.c.k exclaimed:

”This is just lovely. I wish father were here.”

”Ay! I wish he weer,” said Josh. ”I often pity you poor people who come from big towns and don't know what it is to be in such a place as this. Beautiful, arn't it, Master Rorthur, sir?”

”Ye-es,” said Arthur, ”it's a beautiful night.”

”Ay, it be,” a.s.sented Josh; ”and in a snug harbour like this there's no fear of a steamer or s.h.i.+p coming to run you down.”

Arthur shuddered.

”Rather awkward for them among the rocks, eh, Josh?” said Will.

”Awk'ard arn't the word,” said Josh. ”'Member the Cape packet being wrecked here, my lad?”