The Argosy, August 1914 — page 44: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

34 them. It’s anew trap. Just a strong, steady haul—”’ Mesh by mesh the net came over the gunwales. The dories were brought close together by their work. At last the scoop nets could reach the scup, and began bailing them into the launch, a peck measure full at a dip. With them came other unfortunates whose destiny was to provide a meal for the lords of creation. ‘There were sea bass, black-backed and gray-bel- lied; a barrel of butterfish, some big mackerel which had strayed from their school, a few bluefish, king fish, black- fish—the list is too long for recital. ‘Also there were sea robins, anglers, toad-fish, and others of the rank and file without marketable value. These were assisted back into the free ocean without regard for their feelings. “ All aboard, boys,” shouted Herb Mann when the catch had been made. “We'll take the gill net next.” Captain Zed’s outfit included only one gill net, and the claims advanced by the Simcox gang to the position in which it was set had led him to wish he had none. Having been within his rights in placing it, however, it was impossible for him to recede. It was three days since he had visited it. The sun was up, brilliant and warm, of cheerful augury. By eight o’clock the southwest breeze would lift. Be- fore that time, however, the gang would be ashore, the fish iced and bar- reled and on their way to market, and everybody would be sharp-set for a “'What’s th’ matter, Herb?” Cap- tain Zed asked as the number one man brought his wheel over and the launch swung around. “'Where’s that dad-blamed net?” Herb returned. “ She can’t have drift- ed, with them big anchors and no wind to speak of for three days.” The rest of the gang gave over smoking and loafing to stand up and look for the net. If they were near the net it should have disclosed its presence by its floats. THE ARGOSY. “Sure you got the range, Herb?” Anse Burdick asked. “Of course I did. What do you think?” the steersman returned impa- tiently. ‘‘ Right there where we came about. I'll go back and you fellows look and see. ‘The range is that white rock on the point and the peak of the lighthouse one way, an’ Nate Daniels’s shanty and the church for th’ other line. Now look sharp.” The circle was made again. There was no doubt about the range, for every man yelled when it was estab- lished. But there was no gill net. “Now what do you make out oO’ that?’ Captain Zed demanded after they had cruised fruitlessly for another ten minutes. At first there was no answer. Then Peter Gomez voiced. the belief of every member of the gang. “What I think,” he declared, “ is that some one cut that there net adrift - —just plumb cut it loose. That’s what I think.” Captain Zed looked at him briefly. Something helpless and appealing in the old fisherman’s expression touched Jack. “T guess you’re right, Pete,” he ad- mitted finally. ‘“ New gear and good knots; I tied them myself. Somebody cut that gill net adrift, and somebody wants war. Well, we'll let ‘em have st 7 CHAPTER IX. ON A WAR FOOTING. LIKE a wise commander, Captain Zed kept his own counsel among his men. It was to his granddaughter, Jessica, that he unburdened his- soul, obtaining a clearer view of his prob- lems by discussing them with the girl. “You are perfectly certain, grand- father,” she said, “that the net couldn’t have broken loose by acci- dent? The lines weren’t chafed or anything like that? ”’ “Certain sure, girl,” he replied. ECOMMICLO® S (C@