"Why shouldn't we have some?"
"You mean that we shall go fishing?"
"Yes; we've got a boat, and I have some cord. We'll rig up fishing
lines, and go out on a fishing cruise."
Robert adopted the idea with alacrity. It promised variety and
excitement.
"I wonder we hadn't thought of it before. I used to be a fisherman,
Bates."
"Did you?"
"Yes; I supplied the market at home for a short time, till Captain Haley
smashed my boat."
"The mean lubber! I wish we had him here."
"I don't; I prefer his room to his company."
"I'd try how he'd like being tied to a tree."
"I don't think you'd untie him again in a hurry."
"You may bet high on that, lad."
They rigged their fishing lines--cutting poles from the trees--and armed
them with hooks, of which, by good luck, Bates happened to have a supply
with him. Then they launched the ship's boat, in which Bates had come to
the island, and put out to sea.
Robert enjoyed the row in the early morning, and wondered they had not
thought of taking out the boat before. At last they came to the
business which brought them out, and in about half an hour had succeeded
in catching four fishes, weighing perhaps fifteen pounds altogether.
"That'll be enough for us, unless you are very hungry," said Robert.
"Now, suppose we land and cook them."
"Ay, ay, lad!"
Of course, their cooking arrangements were very primitive.
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