ng the tree-tops, and, as we
gazed upward, we could see the stars twinkling in the clear sky.

We soon emerged from the forest, and came to a sandy plain. Before us
was the ocean, just discernible. There were two or three lights,
belonging to vessels that were anchored near the shore. We could see the
waves and hear their murmur, as they broke gently upon the shore. A soft
breeze was blowing from the west, and the sea was almost as smooth as a
pond.

When we reached the beach, we found that it was low water. The boat was
at high-water mark. What should we do? We did as the fishermen in that
region always do in the same circumstances--took two rollers, perhaps
six inches in diameter, lifted the bow of the boat, put one of the
rollers under it, and the other upon the sand about eight feet in front
of it. We then pushed the boat until it reached the second roller, and
rolled it upon that until the other was left behind. Then the first was
put in front of the boat, and so we kept on until our craft reached the
water. Uncle James and George took the oars, and I sat in the stern,
with the tiller in my hand, to steer.

We got out over the breakers without difficulty, and rowed toward the
fishing-ground. It is queer that fishermen call the place where they
fish, "the ground," but that is only one of the many queer things that
they do. By this time, daylight had come. The eastern sky was gorgeous
with purple and red, and hues that no mortal can describe. Soon a red
arc appeared, and then the whole glorious sun, looking more grand and
beautiful than can be thought of by one who has never seen the sun rise
over the sea.

"How glorious!" I exclaimed, impulsively.

"Yes; it is a first-rate morning for fishing," said my uncle, whose mind
was evidently upon business, and not upon the beauties of nature.

After rowing about three miles, we stopped, and prepared for fishing.
Each of us had two lines, about twenty feet long. The hooks were about
as big as large trout-hooks. Pewter had been run around the upper part
of them, so that "sinkers" were not required. The pewter answered a
double purpose; it did duty as a sinker, and, being bright, attracted
the notice of the fish. Uncle James had brought with him some clams,
which we cut from their shells and put on the hooks. We threw in our
lines and waited for a bite. We did not wait long, for, in less than a
minute, George cried out, in the most excited manner, "There's a fish on
my