Page 240 - Malay sketches

MALAY SKETCHES

across the spectator's mind that some mystic rite of
fell intent is to be within that
performed magic
zone. Then heigh ! Abracadabra ! The word is
given to cast, and from fifty boats the nets fly out
with a swirl and settle on the water with a gentle
hiss. But the skilful thrower waits for a second or
two, knowing that the fish, frightened by this rain of
lead, will dash for the only spot where there seems
to be a gap. Then deftly he casts a net with a
diameter of forty feet, and the moment he strains
the cord he realises that he has made an extraordi-
He the net a little
nary capture. pulls up way, and
then, plunging his arms into the water, grasps the
meshes on either side and calls for help to raise the
struggling mass of fish. All eyes are fixed on the
and as the take is lifted into the boat
lucky Raja,
there are shouts of delight and congratulation and
clapping of hands from the ladies, who are keenly
interested. By this single cast the thrower has
secured one hundred and twenty-one fish, and his
contribution for the afternoon is over seven hundred
tails."
Just as the furthest end of the backwater is
reached the rain, which has been long threatening,
comes down in torrents, and there is a race for
shelter and dry clothes. The dug-outs with three
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