They had no more thought that afternoon of "cuddy" fishing after
this famous "take," but rowed back to Erisaig; then Rob left the
boat at the slip, and walked up to the office of the fish
salesman.
"What will you give me for mackerel?" he said. The salesman
laughed at him, thinking he had caught a few with rods and flies.
"I'm not buying mackerel," said he; "not by the half-dozen."
"I have half a boat load," said Rob.
The salesman glanced toward the slip, and saw the tailor's boat
pretty low in the water.
"I'll go down to the slip with you."
So he and Rob together walked down to the slip, and the salesman
had a look at the mackeral.
"Well, I will buy the mackerel from you," he said. "I will give
you half a crown the hundred for them."
"Half a crown!" said Rob. "I will take three and sixpence the
hundred for them."
"I will not give it to you. But I will give you three shillings
the hundred, and a good price too."--"Very well, then," said
Rob.
So the MacNicols got altogether two pounds and eight shillings
for that load of mackerel; and out of that Rob spent the eight
shillings on still further improving the net, the two pounds
going into the savings hank.