Pagina 319 van 416

During the night the barrels of fresh bait had been lightered to

the Lass, and there was nothing for it but to make sail and get

back on the Banks as soon as possible, leaving Code to his fate

but carrying on the work he had begun.

In accordance with Code's instructions, Pete automatically became

the skipper of the schooner, and he selected Jimmie Thomas as his

mate. By nightfall they had picked up the fleet, and early the

next morning the dories were out. Then for eight days it had been

nothing but fish, fish, fish.

Never in all his experience had Pete seen such schools of cod.

They were evidently herding together in thousands, and had found

but scanty food for such great hosts, for they bit almost on the

bare hook.