Scotland/Scots > Reminiscences of a Highland parish

THE BOYS OF THE MANSE.
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dancing waves, as the sun rose above the horizon,
and revealed the silent sails of passing ships; and
what delight to see and hear the first break of the
fish on the waters ! With what pleasure I de¬
scended, and gave the cheer which made all the
sleepers awake, and scramble to the boats, and
in a few minutes resume the work of hauling in
our dozens! Then home with a will for break¬
fast— each stnv'og to be first on the sandy
shore!
Fishing at night with the drag-net was a sport
which cannot be omitted in recording the enjoy¬
ments of the manse boys. The spot selected was
a rocky bay, or embouchure of a small stream.
The night was generally dark and calm. The plea¬
sure of the occupation was made up of the pull,
often a long one, within the shadow of the rocky
shore, with the calm sea dimly reflecting the stars
in the sky, and then the slow approach, with
gently-moving oars, towards the beach, in order
not to disturb the fish; the wading up to the
middle to draw in the net when it had encircled its
prey; and the excitement as it was brought into
shallow water, the fish shining with their phos-