DREDGING IN THE RIVER CROUCH. 83
our enjoyment; but the sea was calm—too calm, in fact—and the
process of examining the contents of trawl and dredge was carried
on under decidedly watery conditions. Most of the takings had
been already recorded on the previous occasion, but a few fresh
forms turned up ; and we saw, during the afternoon, a promise of
hope in a fine double rainbow.
Oyster Pit, with Flagstaff and Miniature Cannon, on the Quay, Burnham.
On returning, our host and his wife entertained us right well, and
then, though our garments were still moist, our spirits were not
aweary, and we trotted back the twelve miles to Maldon, with the
spolia opima from the river bed.
But before starting homeward, we had arranged to have another
and a brighter day; and had fixed the following Thursday for the
venture. Meanwhile, the violent and destructive gale of the 13th
had occurred, and throughout all the night of Wednesday there were
heavy winds and rain; and on our arrival at the quay at Burnham
the river was very high with full tide, the wind blew hard, and the
water running with white-flecked waves. We soon boarded the
"Fame," however, and, hoisting sail, began another day's work.
Though the waters were rough, we kept the dredge and trawl down
nearly all the time, sailing between Fambridge and Cricksea Ferries.
On one occasion we nearly lost the trawl, and on another had a
narrow shave of running our bowsprit into a large stack barge of hay
and straw, which was moored off the shore.
Taking all together, I think that our chief captures on both days
were of fish, of which we got a large quantity. It was not these,
however, we went to collect; but, as they belong to the Vertebrata,