Off he set to his
companions. "Come away, boys, I have other work for you."
III.
Well, it took them several days of very hard and constant work
before they rigged up something resembling a small seine. Then
Rob fixed his guy poles to it; and the lads went to the grocer,
and got from him a lot of old rope, on the promise to give
him a few fresh fish whenever they happened to have a good haul.
Then Rob proceeded to his interview with Peter the tailor, who,
after a good deal of grumbling, agreed to let them have his boat
for a shilling a week.
Rob went back eager and joyous. Forthwith a thorough inspection
of the boat was set about by the lads: they tested the oars, they
tested the thole pins, they had a new piece of cork put into the
bottom. For that evening, when it grew a little more toward
dusk, they would make their first cast with their net.
Yes; and that evening, when it had quite turned to dusk, the
people of Erisaig were startled with a new proclamation. It was
Neil MacNicol, standing in front of the cottages, and boldly
calling forth these words:--
"IS THERE ANY ONE WANTING CUDDIES? THERE ARE CUDDIES TO BE SOLD
AT THE WEST SLIP, FOR SIXPENCE A HUNDRED!"
The sale of the cuddies went on briskly.
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