ON THE CORNISH COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2511, 30 April 1902, Page 66

ON THE CORNISH COAST.

(fr. Norway, in the Sunday at Home.) There is not a breath of air ; and the little vessel, which sailed out of the harbour this morning, has never been able to proceed on its voyage, but lies there, like Wordsworth's swan, plagiarised, " floating double, ship and shadow." Peace falls on the soul as the du&ky wings of night enfold the whole. The tide ebbs once more, but not to leave a scene of desolation behind it. The air is sultry, thunder is afloat in it ; the sky is very dark, the waters are inky, and wondrous sheets of pale light float upon them. Mists shroud headland and bay in impenetrable gloom ; tut what are tnose glancing lights wandering hither and thither upon the verge of the waves at our feet? Are they Jack Harry's <J-6Jusive lanterns, luring seamen to death in the hungry equall, swiftly advancing over the sea? Are they the lights of a phantom ship, come close to land, in pitiful mute appeal for help which ever fails to reach the doomed bark in time? No, these are too close in shore for that. Have the old days of the cold-hearted wrecker once more returned ; and are the hands which wield those lights preparing disaster and death for their fellow -creatures from greed of gold? Ah! no, no. These times have learnt Christianity ; former days are not better than they. But the lights, are carried by human hand', and gleam picturesquely among the plashing shallows. Now they all gather into one spot, and would seem to be one large fire. Then this splits up into a dozen moving flames, casting fitful reflections hither ana thither over tiny areas which fail to illn inmate moie than a dim glimpse of moving figures. The mys-tery is solved The lights are boine by men engaged in " spratting," as they call the search for those silvery sand eels used as bait for mackerel fishing. Let us go down to the beach and share in the fun. Crowds of merry childieu and laughing lads and maidens are before v«. The men disturb the wet sands, jn«t after they are abandoned by the receding tide, and the " sprats " are seen instantaneously glancing beneath ; for, in this thundery atmospheie, they feel the need of air, and rise to the surface of the sodden ground But, though seen at once, they are by no means caught as quickly. A gleam of wriggling silver — the creature is gone ' sjone from between the very fingeis that have closed upon it. Merrr are the shouts of laughter at the unlucky wight's di^ppointment. What o heap of silver is turned there — a rich harvest for grabbing hands! but the bait is small, only 2in or 3in long, whereas a fine one may reach the length of a foot. Little by little many bags and baskets are filled, 'midst joke and gibe galore. The darkness, the plashing water, the bare feet, the arms stripped to the elbow, trousers and skirts tucked up to the knee, all enhance the enjoyment of the unusual frolic. The larger eeL will b; fried for supper or breakta^t ; and, served hot, cri^p, and biown., make a delicate dainty treat. The «-mall oijc- v, ill be i used, as bait when ike mackciul i)oa.bi luusi

their red sails in the morning sunlight, ♦nd go out to their fishing next day. Much cheap and whcJesome food will be the result of this nigiit's sport. Wearines* tfrives town-bred feet home soon, but tlu revel lasts till midnight. And very suggestive is the scene from the heights — tue *iark, heaving sea ; the lucid water ; the flashing lanterns ; the stormy cloud wrack driving over the sky ; one brilliant planet gazing down, in placid dignity, ever and anon, as the masses of threatening deluge speed away from its orbit; and. away upon the "horizon, gleaming through the soft grey haze, the ever-changing flashing of the revolving light upon the point that riuhes out into the sea to the right, and speaks its constant word of warning to the belated mariner