Thus when contrary winds came mariners anchored and waited as patiently as they might for a change, and voyage to a port but two days' sail with a favouring wind was a matter of weeks when it was foul.
After rowing a mile from land the nets were put out, and for some time they drifted near these.

From time to time the old fisherman cast an anxious eye at the sky.
"We must get in our nets," he said at last decidedly; "the wind is rising fast, and is backing from the west round to the south.

Be quick, lads, for ere long the gale will be on us in its strength, and if `tis from the south we may well be blown out to sea." Without a moment's delay the fishermen set to work to get in the nets, Archie lending a hand to assist them.

The younger men thoroughly agreed in their father's opinion of the weather, but they knew too well the respect due to age to venture upon expressing an opinion until he had first spoken.

The haul was a better one than they had expected, considering that the net had been down but two hours.
"`Tis not so bad," the fisherman said, "and the catch will be right welcome--that is," he added, as he looked toward the land, "if we get it safely on shore." The wind was now blowing strongly, but if it did not rise the boat would assuredly make the land.