But the hooks flew through Dan's fingers like tatting on an old maid's lap.

"I helped bait up trawl ashore 'fore I could well walk," he said.

"But it's a putterin' job all the same.

Oh, dad!" This shouted towards the hatch, where Disko and Tom Platt were salting.

"How many skates you reckon we'll need ?" "Baout three.