Chapter XXIII.

by James Fenimore Cooper

　　"Help, masters, help; heres a fish hangs in the net, like a poorMans right in the law.--Pericles of Tyre.

　　The advance of the season now became as rapid as its first approachhad been tedious and lingering. The days were uniformly mild, whilethe nights, though cool, were no longer chilled by frosts. The whip-poor-will was heard whistling his melancholy notes along the margin ofthe lake, and the ponds and meadows were sending forth the music oftheir thousand tenants. The leaf of the native poplar was seenquivering in the woods; the sides of the mountains began to lose theirhue of brown, as the lively green of the different members of theforest blended their shades with the permanent colors of the pine andhemlock; and even the buds of the tardy oak were swelling with thepromise of the coming summer. The gay and fluttering blue-bird, thesocial robin, and the industrious little wren were all to be seenenlivening the fields with their presence and their songs; while thesoaring fish-hawk was already hovering over the waters of the Otsego,watching with native voracity for the appearance of his prey.

　　The tenants of the lake were far-famed for both their quantities andtheir quality, and the ice had hardly disappeared before numberlesslittle boats were launched from the shores, and the lines of thefishermen were dropped into the inmost recesses of its deepestcaverns, tempting the unwary animals with every variety of bait thatthe ingenuity or the art of man had invented. But the slow thoughcertain adventures with hook and line were ill suited to the profusionand impatience of the settlers. More destructive means were resortedto; and, as the season had now arrived when the bass fisheries wereallowed by the provisions of the law that Judge Temple had procured,the sheriff declared his intention, by availing himself of the firstdark night, to enjoy the sport in person.

　　"And you shall be present, Cousin Bess," he added, when he announcedthis design, "and Miss Grant, and Mr. Edwards; and I will show youwhat I call fishing not nibble, nibble, nibble, as Duke does when hegoes after the salmon-trout. There he will sit for hours, in abroiling sun or, perhaps, over a hole in the lee, in the coldest daysin winter, under the lee of a few bushes, and not a fish will hecatch, after all this mortification of the flesh. No, no--give me agood seine thats fifty or sixty fathoms in length, with a jollyparcel of boatmen to crack their jokes the while, with Benjamin tosteer, and let us haul them in by thousands; I call that fishing."

　　"Ah! Dickon," cried Marmaduke, "thou knowest but little of thepleasure there is in playing with the hook and line, or thou wouldstbe more saving of the game. I have known thee to leave fragmentsenough behind thee, when thou hast headed a night party on the lake,to feed a dozen famishing families."

　　"I shall not dispute the matter, Judge Temple; this night will I go;and I invite the company to attend, and then let them decide betweenus."

　　Richard was busy during most of the afternoon, making his preparationsfor the important occasion. Just as the light of the settling sun haddisappeared, and a new moon had begun to throw its shadows on theearth, the fisher-men took their departure, in a boat, for a pointthat was situated on the western shore of the lake, at the distance ofrather more than half a mile from the village. The ground had becomesettled, and the walking was good and dry. Marmaduke, with hisdaughter, her friend, and young Edwards, continued on the high grassybanks at the outlet of the placid sheet of water, watching the darkobject that was moving across the lake, until it entered the shade ofthe western hills, and was lost to the eye. The distance round byland to the point of destination was a mile, and he observed:

　　"It is time for us to be moving; the moon will be down ere we reachthe point, and then the miraculous hauls of Dickon will commence."

　　The evening was warm, and, after the long and dreary winter from whichthey had just escaped, delightfully invigorating. Inspirited by thescene and their anticipated amusement, the youthful companions of theJudge followed his steps, as he led them along the shores of theOtsego, and through the skirts of the village.

　　"See!" said young Edwards, "they are building their fire already; itglimmers for a moment, and dies again like the light of a firefly."

　　"Now it blazes," cried Elizabeth; "you can perceive figures movingaround the light. Oh! I would bet my jewels against the gold beads ofRemarkable, that my impatient Cousin Dickon had an agency in raisingthat bright flame; and see! it fades again, like most of his brilliantschemes."

　　Thou hast guessed the truth, Bess," said her father; "he has thrown anarmful of brush on the pile, which has burnt out as soon as lighted.But it has enabled them to find a better fuel, for their fire beginsto blaze with a more steady flame. It is the true fishermans beaconnow; observe how beautifully it throw s its little circle of light onthe water!"

　　The appearance of the fire urged the pedestrians on, for even theladies had become eager to witness the miraculous draught. By thetime they reached the bank, which rose above the low point where thefishermen had landed, the moon had sunk behind the top of the westernpines, and, as most of the stars were obscured by clouds, there wasbut little other light than that which proceeded from the fire. Atthe suggestion of Marmaduke, his companions paused to listen to theconversation of those below them, and examine the party for a momentbefore they descended to the shore.

　　The whole group were seated around the fire, with the exception ofRichard and Benjamin; the former of whom occupied the root of adecayed stump, that had been drawn to the spot as part of their fuel,and the latter was standing. with his arms akimbo, so near to theflame that the smoke occasionally obscured his solemn visage, as itwaved around the pile in obedience to the night airs that swept gentlyover the water.

　　"Why, look you, squire, said the major-domo. You may call a lake-fishthat will weigh twenty or thirty pounds a serious matter, but to a manwho has hauled in a shovel-nosed shirk, dye see, its but a poor kindof fishing after all."

　　"I dont know, Benjamin," returned the sheriff; "a haul of onethousand Otsego bass, without counting pike, pickerel, perch, bull-pouts, salmon-trouts, and suckers, is no bad fishing, let me tell you.There may he sport in sticking a shark, but what is he good for afteryou have got him? Now, any one of the fish that I have named is fit toset before a king."

　　"Well, squire," returned Benjamin, "just listen to the philosophy ofthe thing. Would it stand to reason, that such a fish should live andbe catched in this here little pond of water, where its hardly deepenough to drown a man, as youll find in the wide ocean, where, asevery body knows that is, everybody that has followed the seas, whalesand grampuses are to be seen, that are as long as one of the pine-trees on yonder mountain?"

　　"Softly, softly, Benjamin," said the sheriff, as if he wished to savethe credit of his favorite; "why, some of the pines will measure twohundred feet, and even more."

　　"Two hundred or two thousand, its all the same thing," criedBenjamin, with an air which manifested that he was not easily to bebullied out of his opinion, on a subject like the present. " HaventI been there, and havent I seen? I have said that you fall in withwhales as long as one of them there pines: and what I have once saidIll stand to!"

　　During this dialogue, which was evidently but the close of much longerdiscussion, the huge frame of Billy Kirby was seen extended on oneside of the fire, where he was picking his teeth with splinters of thechips near him, and occasionally shaking his head with distrust ofBenjamins assertions.

　　"Ive a notion," said the wood-chopper, " that theres water in thislake to swim the biggest whale that ever was invented; and, as to thepines, I think I ought to know sothing consarning them; I havechopped many a one that was sixty times the length of my helve,without counting the eye; and I believe, Benny, that if the old pinethat stands in the hollow of the Vision Mountain just over thevillage--you may see the tree itself by looking up, for the moon is onits top yet--well, now I believe, if that same tree was planted out inthe deepest part of the lake, there would be water enough for thebiggest ship that ever was built to float over it, without touchingits upper branches, I do."

　　"Didee ever see a ship, Master Kirby?" roared the steward, "dideeever see a ship, man? or any craft bigger than a lime-scow, or a wood-boat, on this here small bit of fresh water?"

　　"Yes, I have," said the wood-chopper stoutly; "I can say that I have,and tell no lie."

　　"Didee ever see a British ship, Master Kirby? an English line-of-battle ship, boy? Where didee ever fall in with a regular builtvessel, with starn-post and cutwater, gar board-streak and plank-shear, gangways, and hatchways, and waterways, quarter-deck, andforecastle, ay, and flush-deck?--tell me that, man, if you can; whereaway didee ever fall in with a full-rigged, regular-built, neckedvessel?"

　　The whole company were a good deal astounded with this overwhelmingquestion, and even Richard afterward remarked that it "was a thousandpities that Benjamin could not read, or he must have made a valuableofficer to the British marine. It is no wonder that they overcame theFrench so easily on the water, when even the lowest sailor so wellunderstood the different parts of a vessel." But Billy Kirby was afearless wight, and had great jealousy of foreign dictation; he hadrisen on his feet, and turned his back to the fire, during the volubledelivery of this interrogatory; and when the steward ended, contraryto all expectation, he gave the following spirited reply:

　　"Where! why, on the North River, and maybe on Champlain. Theressloops on the river, boy, that would give a hard time ont to thestoutest vessel King George owns. They carry masts of ninety feet inthe clear of good solid pine, for Ive been at the chopping of many aone in Varmount State. I wish I was captain in one of them, and youwas in that Board-dish that you talk so much about, and wed soon seewhat good Yankee stuff is made on, and whether a Varmounters hideaint as thick as an Englishmans."The echoes from the opposite hills, which were more than half a milefrom the fishing point, sent back the discordant laugh that Benjamingave forth at this challenge; and the woods that covered their sidesseemed, by the noise that issued from their shades, to be full ofmocking demons.

　　"Let us descend to the shore," whispered Marmaduke, "or there willsoon be ill-blood between them. Benjamin is a fearless boaster; andKirby, though good-natured, is a careless son of the forest, whothinks one American more than a match for six Englishmen. I marvelthat Dickon is silent, where there is such a trial of skill in thesuperlative!"

　　The appearance of Judge Temple and the ladies produced, if not apacification, at least a cessation of hostilities. Obedient to thedirections of Mr. Jones the fishermen prepared to launch their boat,which had been seen in the background of the view, with the netcarefully disposed on a little platform in its stern, ready forservice. Richard gave vent to his reproaches at the tardiness of thepedestrians, when all the turbulent passions of the party weresucceeded by a calm, as mild and as placid as that which prevailedover the beautiful sheet of water that they were about to rifle of itsbest treasures.

　　The night had now become so dark as to render objects, without thereach of the light of the fire, not only indistinct, but in most casesinvisible. For a little distance the water was discernible,glistening, as the glare from the fire danced over its surface,touching it here and there with red quivering streaks; but, at ahundred feet from the shore, there lay a boundary of impenetrablegloom. One or two stars were shining through the openings of theclouds, and the lights were seen in the village, glimmering faintly,as if at an immeasurable distance. At times, as the fire lowered, oras the horizon cleared, the outline of the mountain, on the other sideof the lake, might be traced by its undulations; but its shadow wascast, wide and dense, on the bosom of the water, rendering thedarkness in that direction trebly deep.

　　Benjamin Pump was invariably the coxswain and net caster of Richardsboat, unless the sheriff saw fit to preside in person: and, on thepresent occasion, Billy Kirby, and a youth of about half his strength,were assigned to the oars. The remainder of the assistants werestationed at the drag-ropes. The arrangements were speedily made, andRichard gave the signal to "shove off."

　　Elizabeth watched the motion of the batteau as it pulled from theshore, letting loose its rope as it went, but it soon disappeared inthe darkness, when the ear was her only guide to its evolutions.There was great affectation of stillness during all these manoeuvers,in order, as Richard assured them, "not to frighten the bass, who wererunning into the shoal waters, and who would approach the light if notdisturbed by the sounds from the fishermen."

　　The hoarse voice of Benjamin was alone heard issuing out of the gloom,as he uttered, in authoritative tones, "Pull larboard oar," "Pullstarboard," " Give way together, boys," and such other indicativemandates as were necessary for the right disposition of his seine. Along time was passed in this necessary part of the process, forBenjamin prided himself greatly on his skill in throwing the net, and,in fact, most of the success of the sport depended on its being donewith judgment. At length a loud splash in the water, as he threw awaythe "staff," or "stretcher," with a hoarse call from the steward of"Clear," announced that the boat was returning; when Richard seized abrand from the fire, and ran to a point as far above the centre of thefishing-ground, as the one from which the batteau had started wasbelow it.

　　"Stick her in dead for the squire, boys," said the steward, "and wellhave a look at what grows in this here pond."

　　In place of the falling net were now to be heard the quick strokes ofthe oars, and the noise of the rope running out of the boat.Presently the batteau shot into the circle of light, and in an instantshe was pulled to the shore. Several eager hands were extended toreceive the line, and, both ropes being equally well manned, thefishermen commenced hauling in with slow, and steady drags, Richardstanding to the centre, giving orders, first to one party, and then tothe other, to increase or slacken their efforts, as occasion required.The visitors were posted near him, and enjoyed a fair view of thewhole operation. which was slowly advancing to an end.

　　Opinions as to the result of their adventure were now freely hazardedby all the men, some declaring that the net came in as light as afeather, and others affirming that it seemed to be full of logs. Asthe ropes were many hundred feet in length, these opposing sentimentswere thought to be of little moment by the sheriff, who would go firstto one line, and then to the other, giving each small pull, in orderto enable him to form an opinion for himself.

　　"Why, Benjamin," he cried, as he made his first effort in this way,"you did not throw the net clear. I can move it with my littlefinger. The rope slackens in my hand."

　　"Did you ever see a whale, squire?" responded the steward: " I saythat, if that there net is foul, the devil is in the lake in the shapeof a fish, for I cast it as far as ever rigging was rove over thequarter-deck of a flag-ship."

　　But Richard discovered his mistake, when he saw Billy Kirby beforehim, standing with his feet in the water, at an angle of forty-fivedegrees, inclining southward, and expending his gigantic strength insustaining himself in that posture. He ceased his remonstrances, andproceeded to the party at the other line.

　　"I see the staffs," shouted Mr. Jones--" gather in,, boys, and awaywith it; to shore with her!--to shore with her!"

　　At this cheerful sound, Elizabeth strained her eyes and saw the endsof the two sticks on the seine emerging from the darkness, while themen closed near to each other, and formed a deep bag of their net.The exertions of the fishermen sensibly increased, and the voice ofRichard was heard encouraging them to make their greatest efforts atthe present moment.

　　"Nows the time, my lads," he cried; "let us get the ends to land, andall we have will be our own--away with her!"

　　"Away with her, it is," echoed Benjamin!--" hurrah! ho-a-hay, ho-a-hoy,ho-a!"

　　"In with her," shouted Kirby, exerting himself in a manner that leftnothing for those in his rear to do, but to gather up the slack of therope which passed through his hands.

　　"Staff. ho!" shouted the steward.

　　"Staff, ho!" echoed Kirby, from the other rope.The men rushed to the waters edge, some seizing the upper rope, andsome the lower or lead rope, and began to haul with great activity andzeal, A deep semicircular sweep of the little balls that supported theseine in its perpendicular position was plainly visible to thespectators, and, as it rapidly lessened in size, the bag of the netappeared, while an occasional flutter on the water announced theuneasiness of the prisoners it contained.

　　"Haul in, my lads," shouted Richard--" I can see the dogs kicking toget free. Haul in, and heres a cast that will pay for the labor."Fishes of various sorts were now to be seen, entangled in the meshesof the net, as it was passed through the hands of the laborers; andthe water, at a little distance from the shore, was alive with themovements of the alarmed victims. Hundreds of white sides wereglancing up to the surface of the water, and glistening in the firelight, when, frightened at the uproar and the change, the fish wouldagain dart to the bottom, in fruitless efforts for freedom.Hurrah!" shouted Richard: "one or two more heavy drags, boys, and weare safe."

　　"Cheerily, boys, cheerily!" cried Benjamin; "I see a salmon-trout thatis big enough for a chowder."

　　"Away with you, you varmint!" said Billy Kirby, plucking a bullpoutfrom the meshes, and casting the animal back into the lake withcontempt. "Pull, boys, pull; heres all kinds, and the Lord condemnme for a liar, if there aint a thousand bass!"

　　Inflamed beyond the bounds of discretion at the sight, and forgetfulof the season, the wood-chopper rushed to his middle into the water,and began to drive the reluctant animals before him from their nativeelement.

　　"Pull heartily, boys," cried Marmaduke, yielding to the excitement ofthe moment, and laying his hands to the net, with no trifling additionto the force. Edwards had preceded him; for the sight of the immensepiles of fish, that were slowly rolling over on the gravelly beach,had impelled him also to leave the ladies and join the fishermen.

　　Great care was observed in bringing the net to land, and, after muchtoil, the whole shoal of victims was safely deposited in a hollow ofthe bank, where they were left to flutter away their brief existencein the new and fatal element.

　　Even Elizabeth and Louisa were greatly excited and highly gratified byseeing two thousand captives thus drawn from the bosom of the lake,and laid prisoners at their feet. But when the feelings of the momentwere passing away, Marmaduke took in his hands a bass, that might haveweighed two pounds, and after viewing it a moment, in melancholymusing, he turned to his daughter, and observed:

　　"This is a fearful expenditure of the choicest gifts of Providence.These fish, Bess, which thou seest lying in such piles before thee,and which by to-morrow evening will be rejected food on the meanesttable in Templeton, are of a quality and flavor that, in othercountries, would make them esteemed a luxury on the tables of princesor epicures. The world has no better fish than the bass of Otsego; itunites the richness of the shad * to the firmness of the salmon."

　　* Of all the fish the writer has ever tasted, be thinks the one inquestion the best.

　　"But surely, dear sir," cried Elizabeth, "they must prove a greatblessing to the country, and a powerful friend to the poor."

　　"The poor are always prodigal, my child, where there is plenty, andseldom think of a provision against the morrow. But, if there can beany excuse for destroying animals in this manner, it is in taking thebass. During the winter, you know, they are entirely protected fromour assaults by the ice, for they refuse the hook; and during the hotmonths they are not seen. It is supposed they retreat to the deep andcool waters of the lake, at that season; and it is only in the springand autumn that, for a few days, they are to be found around thepoints where they are within the reach of a seine. But, like all theother treasures of the wilderness, they already begin to disappearbefore the wasteful extravagance of man."

　　"Disappear, Duke! disappear!" exclaimed the sheriff "if you dont callthis appearing, I know not what you will. Here are a good thousand ofthe shiners, some hundreds of suckers, and a powerful quantity ofother fry. But this is always the way with you, Marmaduke: first itsthe trees, then its the deer; after that its the maple sugar, and soon to the end of the chapter. One day you talk of canals through acountry where there's a river or a lake every half-mile, just becausethe water wont run the way you wish it to go; and, the next, you saysome thing about mines of coal, though any man who has good eyes likemyself--I say, with good eyes--can see more wood than would keep thecity of London in fuel for fifty years; wouldnt it, Benjamin?"

　　"Why, for that, squire," said the steward, "Lonon is no small place.If it was stretched an end, all the same as a town on one side of theriver, it would cover some such matter as this here lake. Thof Idarst to say, that the wood in sight might sarve them a good turn,seeing that the Lononers mainly burn coal."

　　"Now we are on the subject of coal, Judge Temple," interrupted thesheriff, "I have a thing of much importance to communicate to you; butI will defer it -until tomorrow. I know that you intend riding intothe eastern part of the Patent, and I will accompany you, and conductyou to a spot where some of your projects may be realized. We willsay no more now, for there are listeners; but a secret has thisevening been revealed to me, Duke, that is of more consequence toyour welfare than all your estate united,"

　　Marmaduke laughed at the important intelligence, to which in a varietyof shapes he was accustomed, and the sheriff, with an air of greatdignity, as if pitying his want of faith, proceeded in the businessmore immediately be fore them. As the labor of drawing the net hadbeen very great, he directed one party of his men to commence throwingthe fish into piles, preparatory to the usual division, while another,under the superintendence of Benjamin, prepared the seine for a secondhaul.