We were thus left alone to finish our trying-out except for such company as was afforded by the only resident's little schooner, in which he went oyster-dredging.It was exceedingly comfortable in the small harbour, and the fishing something to remember all one's life.That part of New Zealand is famous for a fish something like a bream, but with a longer snout, and striped longitudinally with black and yellow.I am ignorant of any polysyllabic prefix for it, only knowing it by its trivial and local appellation of the "trumpeter," from the peculiar sound it makes when out of water.But no other fish out of the innumerable varieties which I have sampled in all parts of the world could compare with the trumpeter for flavour and delicacy.
These qualities are well known to the inhabitants of the large towns, who willingly pay high prices for the scanty supply of these delicious fish which they are able to obtain.Of other succulent fish there was a great variety, from the majestic "grouper," running up to over a hundredweight, down to the familiar flounder.Very little fishing could be done at night.
Just as day was dawning was the ideal time for this enticing sport.As soon as the first few streaks of delicate light enlivened the dull horizon, a stray nibble or two gladdened the patient fishermen; then as the light strengthened the fun became general, and in about an hour enough fish would be caught to provide all hands with for the day.
One morning, when a stark calm left, the surface of the bay as smooth as a mirror, I was watching a few stealthily-gliding barracouta sneaking about over the plainly visible bottom, though at a depth of seven or eight fathoms.Ordinarily, these fish must be taken with a live bait; but, remembering my experience with the dolphin, I determined to try a carefully arranged strip of fish from one recently caught.In precisely the same way as the dolphin, these long, snaky rascals carefully tested the bait, lying still for sometimes as long as two minutes with the bait in their mouths, ready to drop it out on the first intimation that it was not a detached morsel.After these periods of waiting the artful creature would turn to go, and a sudden jerk of the line then reminded him that he was no longer a free agent, but mounting at headlong speed to a strange bourne whence he never returned to tell the tale.My catch that lovely morning scaled over a hundredweight in less than an hour, none of the fish being less than ten pounds in weight.
The Maories have quite an original way of catching barracouta.
They prepare a piece of "rimu" (red pine) about three inches long, by an inch broad, and a quarter of an inch thick.Through one end of this they drive an inch nail bent upwards, and filed to a sharp point.The other end is fastened to about a fathom of stout fishing-line, which is in turn secured to the end of a five-foot pole.Seated in a boat with sail set, they slip along until a school of barracouta is happened upon.Then the peak of the sail is dropped, so as to deaden the boat's way, while the fishermen ply their poles with a sidelong sweep that threshes the bit of shining red through the water, making it irresistibly attractive to a struggling horde of ravenous fish.One by one, as swiftly as the rod can be wielded, the lithe forms drop off the barbless hook into the boat, till the vigorous arm can no longer respond to the will of the fisherman, or the vessel will hold no more.
Such were the goodly proportions of this first Solander whale of ours that, in spite of the serious loss of the case, we made thirteen and a half tuns of oil.When the fifteen huge casks containing it were stowed in their final positions, they made an imposing show, inspiring all of us with visions of soon being homeward bound.For the present we were, perforce, idle; for the wind had set in to blow steadily and strongly right up the Straits, preventing any attempts to get out while it lasted.The time did not hang heavy on our hands, for the surrounding country offered many attractions, which we were allowed to take full advantage of.Spearing eels and flounders at night by means of a cresset hung out over the boat's bow, as she was slowly sculled up the long, shallow creeks, was a favourite form of amusement.
Mr.Cross, the resident, kindly allowed us to raid his garden, where the ripe fruit was rotting by the bushel for want of consumers.We needed no pressing; for fruit, since we left Vau Vau, of any kind had not come in our way; besides, these were "homey"--currants, gooseberries, strawberries--delightful to see, smell, and taste.So it came to pass that we had a high old time, unmarred by a single regrettable incident, until, after an enforced detention of twenty days, we were able to get to sea again.
Halfway down the Straits we sighted the CHANCE, all hands ripping the blubber off a sizeable whale in the same "anyhow" fashion as they handled their ship.They were in high glee, giving us a rousing cheer as we passed them on our westward course.Arriving on the ground, we found a goodly company of fine ships, which Icould not help thinking too many for so small an area.During our absence, the TAMERLANE had been joined by the ELIZA ADAMS, the MATILDA SAYER, the CORAL, and the RAINBOW; and it was evident that no whale venturing within the radius of the Solander in the daytime would stand much chance of escaping such a battery of eager eyes.Only three days elapsed after our arrival when whales were seen.For the first time, I realized how numerous those gigantic denizens of the sea really are.As far as the eye could reach, extending all round one-half of the horizon, the sea appeared to be alive with spouts--all sperm whales, all bulls of great size.The value of this incredible school must have been incalculable.Subsequent experience satisfied me that such a sight was by no means uncommon here; in fact, "lone whales" or small "pods" were quite the exception.
