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NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 06818733 9





2











Sinclair
ZBID


By George Sinclair o
Leith.
G.FB.
g


SHETLAND
FIRESIDE TALES;
OR,
THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
BY G. S. L.,.e.
George Sinclair, of
Leith-
"Where the merry dancers' bright
Flit along the northern sky,
Basking in their fairy light,
Thules' bays and islands lie,
Boldly tower her crags on high;
And the sounding ocean waves,
Mingling with the seabirds' cry,
Echo through her lonely caves."
EDINBURGH
THE EDINBURGH PUBLISHING COMPANY.
LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO.
1877.
chr


THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
833075
ASTOR LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
R
1918


PREFACE.
THE Author of the following pages spent the earlier
and happier years of his life amongst the peasant youth
of his native islands, sharing with them the perils and
pleasures of their daring and manly sports by sea and
shore-the gun, the oar, and the cragsman's rope being
the familiar and appropriate playthings of those earlier
years. Happy years, when the long summer days,
separated only by a brief twilight, were ever too short
to accomplish all that youthful enterprise could plan; and
the long winter nights never long enough to tell all the
fairy tales, legends, and ghost stories which inspired
with pleasure or fear the hearts of youthful listeners.
The impression which those wild legends and fascinat-
ing fairy tales of a bygone age made upon the Author's
youthful imagination, has not been lessened by time,
but rather deepened as maturer years presented the sub-
ject to his mind, not merely as a childish pastime, but as
a mirror in which are reflected, more or less distinctly,
the habits, thoughts, and feelings of past generations.
It was with such feelings, and in such a view of the
subject, that the Author was led some years ago to write
from memory, and in the native dialect, a collection of
Shetland tales, not with a view to publication, but merely
as a private souvenir of past times and old friendships,


iv
PREFACE.
which the recital of those tales so vividly recalled. The
idea of publication occurred to him as a later thought,
and it was when revising the tales for this purpose that
he was led to attempt the more ambitious and difficult
task of writing a general story, illustrative of Shetland
life and manners. In carrying out this design, he has
felt justified in still retaining the original title of "Shet-
land Fireside Tales," because those original tales form
to a large extent the natural woof in the web of his
story, and because the chief characters who figure in
the course of its simple narrative are faithful portraits of
faces and forms which once surrounded the Shetland
cottage fireside, and were the loved and familiar friends
of the Author's early youth.
very high place.
satisfaction in
He can scarcely hope that amid the multitudinous
works of fiction which annually issue from the press, and
bearing as they do the recommendation and authority of
great names, his humble literary effort can occupy a
But be this as it may, he has some
believing that his own countrymen
will at least appreciate his efforts in trying to preserve.
in a written form, some of those familiar tales which
once so happily wiled away the long winter nights, and
in their present form may still, he hopes, help in some
measure to serve the same important purpose.


SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES.
CHAPTER I.
Then pilgrim turn, thy cares forego,
All earthborn cares are wrong;
Man wants but little here below,
Nor wants that little long.
GOLDSMITH.
ON the eastern extremity of Trosswickness,¹ near an
ancient Pictish ruin, once stood a lonely hut far remote
from any other-human habitation. Its solitary occupant
was a man named Olla Ollison, whose strange mode
of life and peculiar habits had long rendered him an
object of suspicion in the eyes of his ignorant and super-
stitious countrymen. For reasons which will afterwards
appear, Olla Ollison had become a hermit, and it was his
custom to retire to the sea-shore after sunset, and there,
seated by himself under the dark shadow of some frown-
ing rock, he would give vent to his grief, and find in the
solitude of the scene, and the memory of events which it
recalled, some relief from the sorrows which oppressed
his heart.
In an age when belief in the supernatural was almost
universal, and when in the awe-struck imagination of a
rude seafaring population the earth, air, and sea teemed
with the grim creations of Scandinavian mythology,
it need not be wondered at if even that education and
intelligence which he so fully possessed should not
altogether prevent Olla Ollison from being influenced by
1 See Note A. Trosswickness.
A


2
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
prevailing beliefs, and that, in his ignorance of the true
cause of the calamity which had befallen him, he should
seek in the supernatural for the revelation of a mystery
he could not otherwise penetrate.
Olla Ollison was at this time a man about thirty years
of age, of somewhat slender make, and about 5 feet 6
inches in height. His erect gait and polished manners
showed that the earlier period of his life had been
spent under the softening influence of education and re-
finement. His beard, which grief had prematurely tinged
with grey, descended in luxuriant growth to his waist,
while his hair hung in careless profusion around his
shoulders. When engaged in conversation, his coun-
tenance was pleasant, animated, and expressive; but,
when alone, it constantly wore an air of pensive thought
and settled melancholy.
His dress consisted of jacket and knee-breeches of
blue cloth of native manufacture. On his head he wore
a worsted knitted cap, and on his feet the common
native wooden-soled slippers. A few patches of culti-
vated soil around his hut produced a scanty supply of
potatoes and black oats; and a cow, with a few sheep,
which cropped the wild herbage of the headland, more
than supplied all his other wants. During the spring
and autumn, his time was chiefly spent about his little
croft. In summer, he employed much of his time in
fishing the small red cod and pilticks which abound
around the shores of the Shetland Isles; but during
winter, owing to the tempests which frequently sweep
over those headlands, he seldom left his hut.
The autumn had now far advanced, and the hermit
had just finished his harvest, and put his sheaves in
little stooks behind his hut. His day's work being
done, he returned to his solitary home to partake of the
humble meal which his own hands had prepared, and to
1 See Note B.
Shetland Manners and Customs.
2 Coal fish (Merlangus Carbonarius) one to three years old.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
3
CQ
1
)
rest until the moon had risen, when he intended to
return to the sea-shore, as was his nightly custom at
this particular season of the year.
The night was calm and beautiful, and no sound fell
upon the ear, save that of the murmuring waves, which
gently rose and fell around the dark rocky shore of
Trosswickness. In a cloudless sky, a full-orbed moon
rode in silent glory, casting a flickering belt of silvery
light across the dark waters which extended far to the
distant horizon, The seafowl had gone to rest on the
lofty ledges of the Ness, and the wild cries of the sea-
mew and kittywake were hushed in the silence of night.
After quitting his cottage, the hermit directed his
steps to the northern extremity of the headland, where
the rock in many places shelves in a steep descent of
several hundred feet to the sea. He was about midway
down this steep pathway, when he observed an old man
ascending the rock, and coming towards him with a
heavy "buddie" or creel of sillicks¹ on his back. This
old man was Yacob of Trosswick, who had remained
unusually late at the fishing that night, and was now on
his way home. On looking up, the old man saw the
hermit coming towards him, and in his anxiety to move
to one side so as to allow him to pass, he failed to notice
a deep fissure in the rock before him, and into which he
at that moment stumbled; but just as he was falling, the
hermit quickly caught him by the back of the neck, and
dragging him up, disentangled his neck from the band
of the creel which threatened to strangle him.
"My friend," cried the hermit, "why would you so
endanger your own life in trying to avoid a fellow
creature who never did, and never can, do you any
harm?"
"Ay, ay; Lord kens," exclaimed Yacob; "ye never
did me ony ill, an' noo ye're düne me muckle guid,
an' sae may my blissen an' da Lord's blissen be on you
1 Coal fish, one year old.


4
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
fir it, though I'm gotten a sair shack,' an' lost a hantle
o' my sillicks inta da bargain; bit as the auld sayin' is,
it's never ill bit it micht a been warr.' I micht a
been misackered for a' my days; bit whaur may ye be
gaen at dis oor o' da nicht, if it may be a fair ques-
tion?" 3
"The question is fair enough, my friend," replied the
hermit. "I come here for the purpose of meditation, to
hold communion with the rocks and the rippling waves,
and to listen to their voice, as they soothe the anguish of
my soul. I come here to ask the great sea to give me
back the treasure of my heart, which it has kept from
me these many long years."
5
4
"Ah, weel," responded Yacob, "I'm been up an
doon ower dis heilik, an' roond aboot dis banks, fir da
last tretty year o' my life, bit never yet saw or heard
onything warr nor mysell, nor ony idder soond bit da
roar o' da brack, or da rumble o' da winter sea; bit
ye're a man o' eddication, ye see, an' I can dü little main
nor read a shapter i' da Bible, an' dats bit ill-santafied
sometimes, sae muckle as da warr. In my young days,
ye see, we learned wir Abersay fae da Cattages, an' tocht
we wir far enouch whin we cud spell com-mand-de-
ment; bit dis is awa fae da point. Ir ye no oorie sitte
yoursell doon here like a sleepin' baukie on a rudderie
skerrie? In coorse ye hae nae wife at hame ta haud
oot o' langer wi'; though, faith, atween you an' me, an
I hoop it'll geng na farder,-ye're mebbe as weel withod
her; adumes 10 o' mysell, I hae a wife, and der's mebbe
warr atween dis an' Sumburgh Head, if shü wid only
haud her tongue aff me, bit fae da dim¹¹ rives till blacke
1 Shake.
3 See Note C.
9
7
11
2 Seriously injured.
Peculiarities of the Shetland dialect.
4 Slanting rock dipping towards the sea.
5 Breaking waves; foam.
7 Guilemot (Uria).
6
yo
6 Feeling dread or lonesomeness.
8 Rock submerged at high-water, and covered with Balanoides.
Prevented from wearying.
10 For example. 11 Daybreak.
jat
frie
cent


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
0
t
dayset, shu's yaag, yaag, yaagin,¹ Yacob dis, and Yacob
dat; as I says till her sometimes, deil clumpse' dee an’
haud dy tongue sometime-Lord forgie me for swearin'.
In coorse ye're a man o'eddication, an' micht a hed a
wife dat wid a kent whin ta hadden her tongue, an' ane
dat wid a been blide³ ta made you happy, dats ta say if
da clash da folk has aboot you is no true; and dis is
my ain opinion noo whin I luik closer at you; ye're no
like a bodie ava dat hes düins wi' evil speerits-tangies,
brownies, witches, warlocks, or hillfolk."
995
To this harangue the hermit listened attentively; but
when old Yacob mentioned the words, "an' ane dat wid
a made you happy," he heaved a deep sigh, and a tear
was seen to tremble down his cheek.
"My honest friend!" exclaimed the hermit, wiping
away the tear, "I sympathise with you in your troubles,
and I thank you for your sympathy with me in mine,
and for your good opinion of me; but I desire to be now
at my meditations, and if you will come to-morrow to my
humble dwelling, I shall be happy to have further con-
versation with you."
"Yea dat sall I," said old Yacob; "if da Lord spares
me ta see da morn, I sall truly come up an' see you; an'
sae guid nicht be wi' you, an' sit nae langer ipa da
cauld stanes nor ye can help."
Saying this, the old man trudged up the heilik with
what remained of his sillicks, and the hermit retired
under the dark shadow of the overhanging rock which
stood close by.
Next day old Yacob kept his promise to visit the
hermit; and on approaching the cottage, tapped gently
at the door, when a voice from within cried, "Come in,
friend."
"Guid day be here," was Yacob's salutation as he
entered; I'm blide ta see ye're naithen da warr o' your
66
1 Incessant angry talk.
4 Gossip; scandal.
2 Choke.
5 Fairies.
3 Glad.


6
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
sittin' stirnin' ipa da cauld ebb stanes last nicht, it's cauld
enouch whin ye're takin' da sillicks aff da huik as fast
as ye can cleek dem up, bit ta sit stourin² i' da laybrack
wi' naithen ta dü ava, it palls³ me ta tink hoo ye can hae
da patience ta dü it; bit as I said afore, ye're a man o'
eddication, an' it may be presumption in a puir bodie
like me ta express my opinions sae freely, bit I hoop
ye'll excuse me; an' I'm süre if der's ony wy I can obleege
you, I'll be ower blide ta dü it, and niver ax for idder
pay or tanks."
66
"Take a seat, my friend," said the hermit, pointing
to a settle or "restin' chair" which stood at one side of the
fireplace. "I am glad to see you, and thank you for
those kind sentiments which you have now expressed.
and which indeed sound strangely in my ears, so long
unaccustomed as they have been to any other sound but
the echo of my own voice and the voice of Nature,
whose gentle whispers have inspired me with hope, and
sustained me amid the solitude of many years of sorrow.
I feel that I can trust you with what I am about to dis-
close. I have been long anxious to confide the secret of
my sorrow to one who could sympathize with me, and
who, when I am gone to join my love in the better land.
will tell the story of my life, and show that I was not
the wicked person I have been supposed to be; and that
I have never consorted with evil spirits or demons in my
retirement to the sea-shore."
4
"Deed no deed no!" exclaimed old Yacob;
"wha
guid cud dey dü you bit frichten you oot o' your severs
senses. Lord keep us fae a' dat's uneartly. I aye keep
a sherp e'e aboot me in da mirkinnen whin I'm passin
crubdykes, muckle grey stanes, or hill-folks' knowes; an
whin I'm just passin' da warst places, I canna help
rinnin, auld as I am, for I tink I just hear da sough o
5
1 Shivering.
3 Puzzles or perplexes.
Or
9
ma
2 Staring.
4 Dusk of the evening.
the
5 A small enclosure where cabbage plants are grown.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
7
caud dem close at my heels, an' if I gie a gluffed¹ luik ower
is is my shouder, I see der ill-faured een glowerin' efter me in
track da dark, just as veesably as I see you affore my face dis
an be minit.
nano
"Ye'll hae nae doot heard aboot auld Peggy Moad
bda maidwife; 2 ye ken shü wis taen awa ta ane o' da hill-
hoop folk's wives, an' efter da bairn wis born, shu got sontin³
der in a perrie gless ta rub its een wi'; whin shu wis düin
idde dis, shu felt her ain e'e a kind a' yuckie, an' pitten up
ture
TOW
4
8
6
her haand ta claw it, just as you or I wid dü, a nirty
nting corn o' da smearin gets intill her e'e, whin, Lord be
the aboot 'is, what does shu see bit a lock' o' hillfolk ipa
fo da middle o' da flüir, makin' a image o' a coo dat dey
ssed wir gaen ta tak awa fae a püir man dat nicht. An'
long what wir dey makin' da image o', tink ye? just oot o' a
7 o' auld cashies, flakies," an' meshies, 10 an' ony
I but lock
idder truss dey cud get. Whin shü sees dis, shü slips
and awa oot by dem, and as shü wis passin' shü slips her
keys inta da hert o' dis concern withoot dem seein' her,
dis sae der wis nae mair o' dis till da neist day whin shü
gengs hame, whin da first news dat shu hears is dat
and Eddie Lourie o' Yaafield's best coo wis stark dead; aff
and shü sends wird ta him no ta touch a hair o' her, but ta
ne yird ¹¹ her within da eart; an' if he'll no believe Peggy's
th wird, ta open da coo, an' he'll fin' a steel airrow stickin'
my trow her hert, an' da bundle o' keys lian atweet her
hert an' her lichts; sae dey opens da coo, an' fin's it just
hat as Peggy hed said, A while efter dis, ae Sunday whin
en shu wis gaen ta da kirk, wha sud shü meet bit da man
ü
11
ep
in'
1 Frightened.
3 Something.
6 Small.
p
O
2 See Note D. Fairies.
4 Little.
7 Number or quantity.
5 Itching.
8 Creels made of straw, which is bound together by ropes of bent,
or rashes twisted by the fingers.
9 A large mat for winnowing corn on, and made of the same
material as creels.
10 Pannier holders made of rashes or bent, and having bands of
the same material for attaching to the clibber or pony saddle.
11 Bury.


8
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
•
o' da hill wife dat shü wis aside. Says he,Hoo is
wi' you da day, Peggy;' an' wi dat he blew his breath
her face, an' fae dat day ta dis shü never saw a stime
more. Bit I'm keepin' you standin' ower lang ipa you
feet wi' my lang tale. As da auld wife says sometim
whin I fin' faut wi' her yatterin', I'm no atagedder fr
mysell o' sayin' sometimes mair den I sud say.
Bit no
I'm düne, an' I'll be blide ta hear onything ye're please
ta say ta me, an' I'll keep it like blue murder till da tin
ye tell me ta speak o' it."
1 Blink, or small portion of light.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
9
Hoo is a
is breath in
Wa stime
gipa rom
Sometimes
edder fre
Bit nod
re pleased
ill da time
CHAPTER II.
"I saw her, and the passionate heart of man entered the breast of the wild
dreaming boy, and from that hour I grew what to the last I shall be her adorer.'
BULWER LYTTON.
"THE story of my life," said the hermit, seating him-
self on a chair close to the settle on which the old man
sat, "is indeed a strange and romantic one, and I shall
now begin it.
"My name is not Ollison-the name I am hereabout
known by. My real name is Roderick Douglas. Ollison
was my mother's maiden name—a name adopted by me
in accordance with my grandfather's wish after we left
Scotland.¹ My father fell on the blood-red field of
Culloden, on that sad day when the star of the House
of Stuart was for ever quenched in the blood of Scot-
land's bravest sons.
her
"My mother in her sorrow decided to leave Scotland,
and return to Shetland, her native country, taking me,
only son, with her, then a lad of about twelve
years of age.
Arriving at her father's house, who lived in the island
of Bressay, we met with a cordial welcome, and ex-
perienced every kindness and sympathy. I was shortly
afterwards sent to the parish school, which was reckoned
the best of the kind in the islands, and continued there
or two years, making great progress in Latin and
mathematics, which I was then chiefly studying.
“About this time my mother decided to go and live
ith a sister of hers, who was married to a factor on one
of the estates in the parish of Dunrossness, and I ac-
companied her. Several weeks after our arrival at the
illage of Skelaburgh, where my aunt lived, it was
1 See Note C. Shetland surnames.


10
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
´decided that I should go to a neighbouring school
learn navigation, in case I might one day follow th
example of the youth of the islands, and go to sea.
"After I had been a few weeks at this school, I wa
sitting one day on a form near the fire, deeply absorbe
in studying a problem in plane trigonometry, whe
happening to look over the top of my slate at the childre
who were seated on a form on the opposite side, my eye
fell upon a face and form which sent a thrill through m
veins, and went out at the points of my toes and farge
The shock made me look hard at the work on my sla
and to hold my breath as if I had done some offend
and expected the teacher's switch across my back.
tried to get hold of the lost thread of my problem, b
found my sines and tangents all playing at hide-and-se
on my slate.
After a little I ventured to take anoth
peep, when a sharper thrill went through my fram
making my cheeks glow, and my heart beat quickly.
"The cause of all this was a girl, about two yea
younger than myself, who had come to the school th
day for the first time, and whom I had never seen befor
Oh how shall I describe her? A fairer form the s
never shone upon. Her dark auburn hair fell in ri
careless ringlets down her snow-white neck and sho
ders; her round rosy cheeks blushing their sof
tints, and pure as the bloom of the crimson-tipped dai
her mouth like a little rosebud; and her eyes-hea
itself was reflected in their soft depths when she smi
(for she smiled once or twice while whispering to the
who sat next her). My heart beat like an imprison
bird against the bars of its cage. Oh! how I w
entranced, spell-bound, as I watched, from behind :
slate, the various expressions that passed over her cou
tenance; like gleams of sunshine on a summer day, wh
the floating silvery clouds cast a faint shadow here a
there. While thus gazing upon her, for I had alm
forgotten where I was, her eyes met mine, when a ki
of timid, wondering, inquiring expression passed over l
g


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
11
h
; OR,
During countenance, as if she had recognised a Friend, and then
day foll found she was mistaken. I blushed the deepest crimson,
and held down my head."
go to sea
is school, I
ometry,
my
Ye
"Ay, ay," exclaimed old Yacob, "just like calf-love,
deeply asas da sayin' is: it's winderful guid while it lests; but it's
just ower guid ta lest lang. I hed a sma brash¹ o' calf-
at the chove mysell whin I was 1' my day o' douch; 2 an' tho' I
e side, way it dat sudna say it, I wis as prunk a young man as
ill throngi vis eneath da' Wart Hill'; an' wir auld wife wis den
es and gst aboot as trig a bit lass is cam in da door o' da Ness
-k on my slark. Bit, leck o' me! a' dat's by an' gane; an' da cauld
some offencnter o' auld age sets in efter da simmer o' youth, an'
my back. hairst o' middle life, an' leaves us naithin bit frosty
problem, bws, widdered shafts, an' cankersome, countermashious
hide-and-seturs. Bit dis wis no what I wis gaen ta say.
take anothe a winderful poor o' unction," Mr Ollison. In listenin'
fram you describin' da bonnie bit lass ye met wi' at da
quickly. üle, I just tocht how weel ye cud gie wis a bit screed
t two yeame Sunday, fae da 'Sang o' Solomon,' if ye wid only just
school the da lent o' da kirk. I'm sure Mr Shürtiends wid
seen befor hinder you da üse o' da poopit. I tink da Sang o'
rm the solomon' is muckle in da wy o' your gift o' unction.
ell in ri's a' aboot da kirk, ye ken; though, owin' ta my want
nd sho lear, I never cud ken yet hoo dey fand dis oot,—mair
ir sof token, as Solomon adümes o' mysell, in his young
ed dai ys cared little for idder kirk or minister. Bit beggin'
hea ur pardon for pittin' you aff da treed o' your story.
he smite wir sayin' da bit lass hed fairly pitten you in a
ridder, an' nae doot ye wid get warr afore ye got
the g
prison etter."
ir
- I w
hind:
7
8
6
6
"Yes," continued the hermit, "this lovely child, for
I might call her, won my heart, young as I was. I
ft the school that day scarcely knowing what to do
y, whith myself. Arriving home, I could neither eat nor
er cou
ere a
almc
a ki
ver
A slight attack of fever or illness.
3 Smart, manly.
5 Power of speech, eloquence.
Learning.
2 In the prime of life.
4 A hill near Fitful Head.
6 Portion, sample.
Flurry, state of excitement


12
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
study. I felt a kind of longing pain at my heart, similar
to that caused by home-sickness, and sat looking vacantly
in the fire, every now and then heaving a deep sigh.
My mother seemed distressed about me, and tried, by
every endearing expression, to learn from me the cause
of my trouble; but I could not tell her. I just said, '0,
never mind; it's nothing at all. I just feel tired, and
will be all right to-morrow.' I retired to bed early that
night, just that I might lie with my eyes shut and see her
in the dark; and I did see her. There was her glorious
sweet face still before me, so full of sunny smiles; and
the merry twinkle of her oft lustrous eyes-how
they made my heart dance. How thankful I was that
it was dark, for I could lie still and see her, and nobody
there to disturb me, or to break the spell which gave me
such happiness. At last I fell asleep; and then, oh, such
dreams! There she was a little distance from me,
smiling and looking as if she wished to speak to me. In
my joy I tried to get near her, but my limbs were so
weak I could not walk. Then I tried to speak to her,
but found my voice was gone. I tried again and again
to speak, and at last succeeded; but the effort awakened
me, when I found my mother at my bedside, wiping
the pe piration from my face, and in a state of alarm
concering me. I persuaded her to leave me, telling
her that I was only dreaming, and would go to sleep
again. I slept again, and brighter visions passed bef
me. I now got near her, talked to her, caressed
pressed her to my heart; and, in the midst of my bl
I awakened with the morning light streaming into
room and my arms entwined around a portion of
bedclothes.
"I got up and dressed, and that same morning, on n
way school, settled in my mind the course I sho
follow. 'I must not be a child,' I said to myself,
must be a man; and the path to her heart must
through that by which I can win distinction, and sho
myself, in some way or other, superior to all other boy


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
13
-
The
And I would here remark, that this new impulse
which I felt stirred within me, sprang from the same
source as has sprung true chivalry in all ages.
fountain of love bursting forth for the first time in the
virgin soil of the human heart, how purely it wells up,
rippling and sparkling in the sunbeams of hope and noble
ambition. Under its influence the boy in thought becomes
a hero, and longs for manhood and distinction; and the
hero, in the glory of his manhood, draws his noblest in-
spiration from the smiles of his lady love.
“Give me a man with a heart so ennobled, and a soul
so animated by the purest and loftiest of human passions,
and he stands there a hero, ready to do, to dare, or to
-die in the cause of duty and honour."
"Ay, ay, ye're richt," ejaculated old Yacob; "a tough
I dunno ken if I tak up da meanin' o' da fine lang wirds
ye hae sae weel at your finger ends. Yet I tink I ken
whaur ye ir, by da meethes¹ o' da subjeck, as we id say
at da haaf. I aye tocht a' my days dat it wis a graand
te thing ta be earnest an' leethful at your wark, whidder
by laand or by sea; and dis a'm tinkin is sontin laek
what ye mean in spaekin' o' love affairs. For stance,
if ye're at da sillicks, an' layin' on some leethe, sprootin' da
soe¹ weel oot, till da water is clear wi' da lumie, an'
keepin' a sharp e'e on your bait, sae as ye can gie your
waand a rick da minnit your bait is oot o' sicht, ye'll
pilk up da sillicks laek stour, an' your buddie is fu' in
twa claps o' a lamb's tail; but if ye sit ipa da stane in a
's kind o' lazy wy, your huik gets inta da waar,' an' da
slicks geng dozin' aboot as if dey wir clumpsed. An'
se at da haaf, I aye saw a lucky man was a leethfu'
man; up as da Laverock rave da dim, first at da eela ¹º for
8
5
10
3 Active, industrious.
1 Landmarks. 2 Deep-sea fishing ground.
4 Limpits chewed and spit in the water to collect the fish.
5 Oil on the surface of the water.
7 A sharp upward motion of the rod.
9 Sea-weed.
6 A. fishing-rod.
8 Catch quickly.
10 Place where sillicks or pilticks are caught.


14
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
2
3
bait, sets alang da shudder¹ o' da hard grund, catches
da snaar o' da tide, hails wi' a easy tow, and comes
ashore wi' forty wys o' white fish for twa nichts oot.
On da idder haand, da lazy man comes draiglan* ashore
wi' twa tüogs an' twa brumplicks, an' a lot o' soor
yoägs' an' ill-washin' scags, id da shot o' his boat;
an' den he says it's a' fir want o' luck he canna maka
fishin'.
5
8
"Again, no ta mak da comparishun, dere wis my auld
saunted grandmidder (rest her soul wi' da Lord). Shü
wis a earnest woman in a' shu said an' did. Ay, I
mind weel whin shü üsed ta hear wis wir Cattages,10 an'
spak ta wis fir da guid o' wir souls, her een grew
bricht wi' a kind o' heavenly licht, an' da tears wid
trinkle doon her auld widdered cheeks. It aye set me
a-greetin mysell; bit catch me ever greetin under a
sermon fae da poopit-na, na; no gin I wis ta sit till da
day o' Pentecost. Bit Lord be aboot me, I'm clean firyatten
mysell, an' keepin' you fae gaen on wi' your story."
"Next day," resumed the hermit, "as I told you,!
went to the school, and as I entered I looked anxiously
around to see if the dear child had come, but she had not
then arrived. I sat down, and commenced to my work,
but kept my eyes constantly fixed on the door-my heart
beating quick with excitement. After a few minutes
suspense as she entered along with another girl, I almost
started from my seat. I breathed so hard, and look
so flurried, that the boy who sat next me said, 'Hillop
Olla, what's up?' 'Nothing,' I said, and at once
covering myself, I proceeded to carry out the plan I ha
fixed upon in my own mind. I went up to the teache
and said, if he pleased, as I could do the most of m
work at home, I would be glad to assist him in settin
1 Ridge.
2 Change or turning of the tide, when still water
favourable for fish taking the bait.
4 Slow or lazy motion.
Mussels.
5 Small ling.
8 Herrings taken from the
aft division of a boat.
3 Fishing-line.
6 Small tusk.
stomach of a fish.
10 Catechism.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
15
ars
headlines of copies, or helping the scholars with their
lessons in arithmetic; to which he replied, 'That's very
kind of you, Olla; yes, go and help Lelah Halcro with
her sum.' O that I did not faint with joy! Was this
my dream of last night come back again to deceive me,
or was it reality? Here was the scheme I had been
planning all the way to the school just come as I wished
it. Did the teacher really know all about my little love
affair? I mentally asked; and has his consideration and
kindness thus raised me to the highest pitch and pinnacle
of human happiness as a reward for my offered services?
With downcast looks, and my cheeks glowing like live
coals, I timidly crossed the floor, and went to the table
where she was seated. Blushing, and almost out of
breath, I faltered out, in a kind of whisper, Shall I help
you with your sums?' 'Oh yes, if you please,' she
answered, in the most silvery tones that had ever fallen
upon my ear, at the same time looking in my face with a
kind of innocent child-like wonder in the expression
of her face, which nearly put me as far from solving
the problem as herself, plain as it had been to me for
years. I need scarcely say, that after this I omitted no
Opportunity of making myself useful and agreeable to
this object of my affections. In setting the headlines of
inter copy, how beautifully I swept round the hair-strokes
almof my capitals! how smooth and perfect the dashes were!
ooker presence was the good genius which inspired me,
illo and made me perform everything I touched as with the
eard of a master."
UL
it t
y.
1
ha
WW
y h
I ha
che
f m
ttin
ater
ine.
k.
ish.
m.


16
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER III.
Love various minds does variously inspire:
He stirs in gentle natures gentle fire,
Like that of incense on the altars laid;
But raging flames tempestuous souls invade.
DRYDEN.
"ONE day Lelah's sums were more than usually trouble
some, and, instead of standing in front of the desk,
came and sat down beside her, mentally following he
nimble pencil on the slate, and answering her inquiries
in the softest and most loving tone of voice I could com
mand. I crept close to her side, and, almost uncom
sciously, put my arm round her waist, which she per
ceiving, put her hand round and pushed my arm away
but she did it so gently, and with such a blush, and
giving my hand at the same time, as I imagined, a gentle
squeeze. Oh, how can I tell my ecstasy! As the po
says-
'It was bliss beyond compare.'
Such an amount of perfect happiness-so pure, s
heavenlike so free from all the dross of other earthly
pleasures! It was enough to sweeten a whole life
grief and disappointment. But I was not destined t
bask long in the sunshine of my happiness. Clouds we
gathering upon the horizon of the future, and I
not to be allowed to sip the sweet nectar of love with
being stung by the thorns which too often surround
And so it has ever been in human life: light and da
ness, sunshine and showers, fall upon our heads as
travel onwards to the tomb. The Creator has ordered
so for the best and wisest purposes; and, could we co
prehend the complex plan of Ilis moral government,
should see harmony, beauty, goodness, and love, wh
as it is, we sometimes can only discern faint glimmeri
of light amid darkness and mystery."


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
17
"Ay, ay," responded old Yacob, "dats effectual callin',
I'm tinkin, ye're at; an' it's just ipa da point o' my
congue ta say dat da minister, I tink, says ower muckle
aboot effectual callin', da elect, ordination, and idder lang-
nebbed doctrines.¹ Da idder day, whin I happened ta
be spaekin ta Rasme o' da Heilik, an' he was tellin' me
what a hardship he was in fir meal dis year, afore he
got it aff da eart; 2 an' noo dat every craeter he hed wis
sauld, an' he ower head an' ears in debt ta da laird, he
wid just hae to geng an' set aff da land.³ Says I ta him,
says I, 'Rasme, hoo is it dat du's sae ill aff, whin dy
neebor man hes a fouth o' a' thing, an' a weel-stocked
byre o' baith kye and horses?' Says he, 'I'm süre I
never ken. Some wy or idder it's no ordeened dat things
süd dü wi' me.' 6 Na, na,' says I, Rasme; dere 's
naithin' ordeened aboot it.' Du kens last voar 4 du
lüte dy horse eat tangles an' redwir till he wis at da
bons o' meesery, an' in coorse he hed ta dee; an' da
hairst afore dat du didna maw da half o' dy girs; an'
whin da voar cam, dy kye fell a-liftin' fir want o' meat;
sae du needna blame ordination fir what ordination hes
naithin' ta dü wi'. An' sae say I noo; it's a' weel
eneuch for da minister ta preach aboot ordination dat hes
e his teinds as süre as da bank, an' his pouther fools, fat
li kye, Scots horses, an' glebe wi' a weel-bigged wa' roond
e aboot it, and wha needs na care whidder it snaws or rains.
Bit it'll no dü for wis dat has ta fecht i'da face o' da sea,
an' elt i'da dirt o' da eart for a meal bannock or a tatie
skin. Providence ordeened dat we sud wirk leithfully;
dan, if we dunna dü dat, He ordeened dat we sud sterve.
Bit ye wir sayin' dat things wir beginnin' to luik unkin 10
blate wi' you at da schule."
5
6
9
See Note F. Calvinism.
Earth.
Let, or allowed.
3 Give up the farm.
4 Spring.
6 Resembling a skeleton.
Unable to rise from weakness; requiring to be assisted.
Tithe poultry, formerly exacted by Shetland lairds and min
Grovel.
10 Very.
B
8


18
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
THE
"Yes," continued the hermit; "I found that others schol. But a
stood, darting
were smitten as well as myself with the fascinating the str
charms of this beautiful child-my Lelah, as I loved
I call her, when nobody heard me; and I found that I had ther's faces.
rivals in boys older than I was-and one especially, who did and did
error in this re
y strength
Tas saturated
greatly alarmed me, not because he was bigger than I
was-for, had he been like Goliath, it would have made
no difference to me but my dread of him was because
he was a more handsome boy than myself; and I watched her two
him as a trusty sentinel watches a spy from the enemy's Fund. Ha
camp. One day, after the school had assembled, he went ersary wit
and sat down on the form beside Lelah, and commencederer I
whispering to her, and laughing; and I thought I saw
her once or twice give him a look of fondness. Oh how
egy of lor
on his
Do more of t
my blood boiled within my veins! I felt sick with rage, art, and the
The
and would have dashed at him there and then, if it had
not been for disgracing myself and the school.
play-hour was at one o'clock, and I bottled up my indig
twist us
ter part of
Tersary,
who
nation till then. After we got out on the green, I went fast as the
up to him, pale and trembling with rage, and said, 'I
want to speak to you, Jack' (his name was Jack Smith)
Says he,What is it?'
6
Says I, What business had my
you to speak to Lelah Halcro the way you did to-day are, butto
(I knew this was an impertinent question, but I was blood-st
I have a pre
er arms ar
boiling with rage, and wished to fight him.) Says he, her saw
Icious good mind to thrash you within an inch of your to brea
life for your impertinence, you young good-for-nothing the tears
Say that again!' cried, who did
'What's your business who I speak to?
Scotch sodger that you are.'
ther
as, with clenched fist, I dashed a blow in his face thed;
brought the blood in a stream down his breast.
a
none th
bruises
"Here's a row,' shouted the boys, as they closed uttoned
a ring around us. We now stripped, and throwing of getting
jackets as signals in the arms of our respective cof
rades whom we expected to act as seconds, we we
scientifically to work-wheeling, backing, dodging.
ld think
fought shy for a time, parting at each round with my mot
drawing blood, for we were the two best boxers in t


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
19
hongt
ess.
up m
school. But at length getting a smart whip under the
right ear, I struck him hard, and we fought where we
I stood, darting our fists like little engines of war into each
other's faces. My opponent showed more coolness than
I did, and did not expend his strength so fast, and my
error in this respect I had bitterly to rue; for as I felt
my strength failing through loss of blood (my shirt
was saturated with it), my foe struck harder than ever.
and One or two more rounds, and I sank exhausted on the
ground. 'Have you got enough now?' exclaimed my
ble adversary with a sneer. 'Say beat,' roared the boys.
Never! I replied, as I sprang to my feet with all the
energy of love and despair, and dashed such a terrific
blow on his left temple as laid him prostrate on the
Sick earth, and there he lay motionless. 'A drawn battle-
then, no more of that,' exclaimed the boys, as they rushed be-
school wixt us. 'There's the master,' shouted a boy in the
puter part of the ring; and all scampered into the school
as fast as they could, leaving me and my vanquished ad-
and sersary, who had now revived, to hirple to our respec-
Jack sive homes as fast as our stiff and sore limbs could carry
On my way home I went to a burn and washed my
did to-ace, buttoning my jacket close about me, so as to conceal
but lay blood-stained shirt. As I entered the house, and my
other saw my swollen and discoloured face, she threw
have a er arms around my neck, and sobbed till her heart was
nch of yke to break. 'O! who has touched you?" she cried,
-for-noths the tears coursed down her cheeks. 'Tell me, tell
n!' criede, who did it?' 'I fought Jack Smith-that's all,' I
is face tiplied;
' and I'll fight him again, as soon as I am able,
other.' 'Oh! you wicked boy,' she exclaimed, as she
y closed abuttoned my jacket and helped me off with my bloody
wing airt, getting me a clean one, and putting me to bed. I
Я
tive copt none that night—not that I thought of my wounds
we wed bruises; my distress and anxiety was what Lelah
uld think of it all when she heard it. In the morn-
18.
green,
businesss.
.) Says
with
s in
my mother brought my breakfast on a small tray,
on it a little neat letter sealed with blue wax.


20
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
knew the writing in a moment, and my heart bounded
a flutter. A strange expression passed over my mothe
face as she withdrew and left me, not to eat my brea
fast, but first with trembling hand to break the seal
this most precious billet-doux. I did so, and read
follows:-
'DEAREST OLLA-Oh! you bad boy, you foolish boy, why wo
you fight Jack Smith, and get yourself hurt so, and all about suc
worthless thing as me? O dear! what shall I do? I am so grie
about it. Dearest Olla, are you much hurt? do tell me.
How m
I will miss you at the school; do get better for my sake. Oh!
foolish boy, how could you think I cared anything for Jack Smi
Now I hope that will please you and make you better, and then
will not fight him any more. Write me if you cannot come to sc
to-morrow. Your (I cannot say more)
'LELAH HALCRO
Before I got to the end, the tears were running de
my cheeks. I folded the letter, and putting it in
bosom, covered my face with my hands, and sobbe
the fulness of my joy.
"After I got calm, I ate my breakfast, and then go
and dressed. Looking in the glass, I was surprise
find what a strange-looking face I had; but never
warrior feel more proud of his scars; never did knig
the age of chivalry shed his blood in defence of youth
beauty, and feel more pleasure in its loss.
I da
about the room in perfect ecstasy at the thought ò
good fortune, and that I had the pluck to fight
Smith. But for this, how long I might have w
without knowing whether Lelah loved me or not
without the fight I would not have got that dear
letter from her. I sat down on a chair, and read it
and over again; and as I read the words I thought I
heard her sweet silvery voice speaking them, and
the soft timid glance of her lustrous loving eyes bea
upon me. I pressed to my lips that part of the i
where her name was, put it in my bosom, and then
to an old desk where I kept my pens and paper, and


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
21
odds and ends, and set about answering her letter as
follows, for I kept a copy of it, and will now read it to
you :-
'MY DEAR LELAH-Oh! how kind of you to send me a letter, and
to say you do not love Jack Smith. Dear Lelah, how happy I am
that I fought him, or else you would not have sent me this nice
letter. I know you did not want me to fight, but I loved to do it for
your sake; and when my shirt was all wet with blood, I was happy it
was for you. Dear Lelah, now when you say you do not love him, I
will not fight him any more, nor any boy you don't love. I will come
to the school in two or three days, when my face is better, and then
I will help you with your sums or anything else. Don't let Jack
Smith help you if he comes to the school before me. Dearest Lelah,
I love you very much, and dream beautiful dreams about you, but I
know you will not tell any one about it. I am going to send this
by Tom Flaws when he comes, as I think he will call to see me to-
day. Your ever loving till death,
'OLLA OLLISON.
'P.S.-Tom Flaws has not come yet, so, as I had nothing else to do,
I have made some verses about you which I hope you will like.
You will find them enclosed in this letter.
0.0.'
'THE VERSES.
'Like the sweet fragrant primrose when summer is nigh,
Like the crimson-tipped daisy with bright golden eye;
So sweet is my Lelah, so lovely and fair;
Wherever she wanders, my heart wanders there.
O Lelah, dear Lelah, how oft do I sigh
For the day that unites us, dear Lelah and I.
'Like a sportive young lammie that skips o'er the green,
When white wi' bright daisies in beauty 'tis seen,
My Lelah wi' feet like a fairy does flee;
O weel I love Lelah, and Lelah loves me.
O Lelah, dear Lelah, how oft do I sigh
For the cot we shall live in, dear Lelah and I.
'Like the soft murmuring waves at the close of the day,
Like the caloo's soft note when she soars far away,
So sweet is thy voice when it sounds in mine ear,
When it thrills my fond heart, O Lelah, my dear.
O Lelah, dear Lelah, how oft do I sigh
For dear wedded love between Lelah and I.
'Like the fairest azure of serene summer sky,
So soft and so lovely is Lelah's bright eye;


22
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
22
Her smile is like sunshine on a soft rippling sea--
O long be that sunshine, dear Lelah, on me.
O Lelah, dear Lelah, how oft do I sigh
For the hearth of our home, my dear Lelah and I.
'O Lelah, great ships may sail without sails,
The smallest of fishes may be turned into whales;
The rocks they may rend, and the mountains remove,
But I ne'er shall prove false to thee, Lelah, my love.
O Lelah, dear Lelah, oft this do I sigh,
"For Lelah I live, and for Lelah I'd die."
'N.B.-I think this sings to the tune of a song I have heard
grandmother sing, called 'Logie o' Buchan,' If you know t
tune, try, dear Lelah, and sing my verses when nobody hears you


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
23
CHAPTER IV.
Sweet as first love, and wild with all regret,
O! death in life, the days that are no more.
TENNYSON.
“YE wir quite richt dere, Mr Ollison," exclaimed old
Yacob; "dere is a sang ca'd 'Logie o' Buchan,' an' a
bonnie sang it is, though I wid na care ta remark dat
your ain is no far ahint it, barrin' da last verse, dat just
soonds a sma' thing ower strong for my auld lug; for it
taks a hantle less den turnin' sillicks into whaales, or
rivin' up hills an' muntins to cuil doon da heat o' calf-love.
Ah, leck o' me! what a difference is atween young love
and auld—I wis gaen to say auld love, bit Lord kens if
ever sic a thing wis kent o'. Dere is na muckle love
atween a auld horse an' his tether, whin dat tether keeps
him fae gettin' a mouthfu' o' girse aff a bonnie green
bank, just a peerie bit farder awa den he can rake tae.
No ta geng farder awa, dere wis Solomon himsell, in his
young days, wha could say bonnier things aboot da lasses
den he did? ca'in' dem lilies, an' roses, an' idder far awa
floors, dat I never saw a' my days, nor ken I what like
dey ir; bit hear him whin he turns auld, though he hed
sae mony o' dem ta wale among, he says-'It's naithen
bit vanity and vexation o' speerit.' Lord pity him if ony
o' dem hed a tongue like wir auld wife, for den he micht
weel say it wis vexation o' speerit. Bit dis is no what I
wis ettlin ta speak o'; what I wis gaen for to remark wis
da great difference atween wratin' verses whin ye're young
an' whin ye're auld. I never hed muckle gift i' da wy
o' makin' verses a' my days; for as for wratin' dem, I could
wrate nane; but ae nicht whin I wis sittin' windin'
simmits at wir fireside, an' da auld wife's tongue wis
1 Twisting.
2 Ropes made of straw, bent, or rashes.


24
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
gaen laek da clapper o' a mill, says I ta mysell, says I,
I could bit mak twa or tree verses o' a bit sang, an ju
begin ta sing whin shü begins ta yatter,' it micht tru
deaden da noise, if it did na pit her aff o' it atagedde
sae I sets ta wark i' my ain mind, an' gets it ta cli
brawly weel; an' dis wis it-
'Laek da clapper o' da mill
In a muckle speet o' water,
Wir auld wife's tongue
Gengs yatter, yatter, yatter.
Laek da roar o' winter brack,
Laek da rumble o' da sea,
Her din in my lugs,
Maks a waefu melodie.
'Fae da rivin' o' da dim,
Till da sun is in da water,
Her auld waggin tongue,
Gengs yatter, yatter, yatter.
'Lord, mak her dumb,
Or me stane deaf;
Idder wy is welcome,
If I get relief.'
"Whin I sang dis shu was perfectly dumfoonde
an' we hed a quiet sough for a ouk or sae efter dat,
I tocht it wis gaen to be a perfect success, till shü
inta da wy o' firin' shots atween da verses. Whin it
ta dat, dat my sang wis o' nae mair üse nor a pe
whistle in a norwast storm, sae I maun just thole it
da best wy I can till by da coorse o' natur I get as
as a door nail, an dat canna come ower shüne; altho
I'm just tinkin dat whin my lugs gets even as close a
sole o' your fit, I'll still hear da soond o' her in trow
skull, just as ye hear da ring o' da metal whin ye
a knock ipa da boddom o' dat muckle kettle dats
whombled dere under your kist; bit Lord be aboot
1 Scold.
2 Week.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
25
I'm surely foryattin mysell atagedder, and keepin' you
frae gettin on wi' your ain story, Mr Ollison."
"A few days after this," continued the hermit, "I went
to the school, and as I entered I observed an expression
of pleasure pass over Lelah's lovely face; and, going up
to the table where she sat, I whispered, 'I am all right
now, Lelah.'"
"I now began to excel in everything I did-my Lelah
was the very sun and centre of my being, the object to
which all my hopes and aims pointed, the genius which
presided over me while I pursued the path of duty and
progress. In everything I attempted to do, the ever-
recurring questions which arose in my mind were, what
will Lelah think of it? Will she think more of me when
she hears I have done this? At home I studied hard,
revising what I had learned, and reading the few books
I possessed so often that I could almost repeat their
contents from memory. In this way I acquired a large
stock of general information far beyond that possessed
by any one in the parish, either old or young.
In con-
tinuing to assist the teacher, how proud I was to show
off my superior knowledge before the school, as I stood
in front of a class acting the dominie, and astonishing
the children by the wonderful things I could tell them;
and how intense was my delight when Lelah would steal
a glance at me, and show, by the expression of joy which
passed over her countenance, how much she delighted in
my success.
"All my spare time at home was employed as an
amateur mechanic. I constructed miniature watermills,
windmills, full-rigged ships, chairs, tables, tubs, cogs, &c.
all perfect models on a small scale; and all this with no
other tool but my jockteleg,' so that by-and-by all over
he parish I got the name of 'the wonderful boy.'
ia “I take pleasure in dwelling upon these sweet remini-
cences of the past, because they are dear to my heart, and
1 Pocket knife.


26
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
can only perish from my memory with life itself; and I also
prize them for this other reason, that I believe no power
on earth but religion itself can so truly ennoble human
nature as virtuous love when it is felt as a pure passion,
and unalloyed by any selfish or worldly consideration.
"See it budding forth in that boy or girl's heart for the
first time, how tenderly it grows! How sweetly it blos-
soms! Its perfumes are borne in soft sighs, and wafted
in loving whispers to the dear loved one. Alas! that
ever avarice, selfishness, or worldly interest should like a
mildew blight its tender bloom. Alas! that vice, like a
canker, should strike at its slender root, or scatter its
bright blossoms in the dust.
"The tender passion in early youth comes forth like a
mountain stream, sparkling in joyous murmurs, and reflect-
ing heaven in its transparent beauty. As such God made
it, and as such He intended it to flow through all time,
gladdening and blessing mankind; but, alas! how soon,
and how often, does the stream grow muddy, as in its
onward progress it stirs the impurities which lie hidden
in the dark channels of the human heart; or, bounding
away like a mountain torrent, it dashes on in whirling
eddies of uncontrolled passion, carrying its victims into
the awful maelstrom of inevitable and irretrievable ruin.
"Eh! Mr Ollison, what a gift ye hae," exclaimed old
Yacob, lifting both his hands and looking up to the roof;
"in place o' livin' in a bit hovel here by yoursell, an' makin'
your ain bit meat like a boddie dat gengs wi' der staff¹
an' der cashie, ye sud a been waggin' your pow in a
poopit, wi' a muckle stipend, a grand manse, servants
an' sairin men to wait ipa you; wi' a glebe o' guid in-
field² land, fat chuckies³ ta your dinner, an' ance in da
ouk ta luik ower a lock o' auld sermons, an' wale a ne o'
dem fir da Sunday; an' dis pits in my mind to say dat I
never cud see da meanin' o' feeding da minister sae weel,
fir a' my days I aye fan dat a fat man wis a lazy man.
1 Meaning a beggar.
2 Older cultivated land.
3 Fo wls.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
27
3
Dere wis Willie Bigiltie dat rowed ta da sea wi' me ae sim-
mer. He never wis düne eaten liver¹ muggies till, Lord
bless me, as he turned as fat as a tiestie,2 and as round as a
pellick, and yet, for a' dat, he wis o' nae mair use in da
boat nor a ballish stane. An' sae I'm just tinkin it's wi'
da ministers-da mair dey hae o' da flesh, the less de'll
hae o' da Speeret; an' whin onything o' dat kind is gaen,
I'm tiukin' it comes mair fae da whiskey keg den fae da
Lord. Bit whin I spaek dis wy, ye mauna tink dat I'm
an infeedel for a' dat. I'm read my Bible, bit aftener da
Testament-for der's mony fiklie wirds i' da Bible dat I
can mak bit little o'-bit as far as I'm read, I come ta
dis conclusion, dat it maun be easier to mak Christians
noo-a-days den it wis lang sin syne, or da wark is no sae
weel düne. Dere was Paul da apostle, lüik at him in his
wanderin', watchin', prayin', fastin', an' sufferin' a' kinds
o' ill-usage by da haethens he hed to fecht among-
an' a' dis afore he could mak Christians o' dem. Noo
readin' a bit sermon as yallow in da paper as my wellicot
ance upon a Sunday is a' dats tocht o'. Nae doot it's
easier for da minister tae ca' his flock inta da crüe ance
i' da ouk den rin efter dem here an' dere trow da ouk-
days, whin da horses an' kye, an' da habbleshue o' oot
door wark taks a' his time; sae dat a mony a puir body
may be crossin' da waters o' Jordan atween da Mona-
day an' da Setterday, an' he kens little aboot it. Puir
craters! mony a ane o' dem wid need a bit prayer or a
wird o' comfort whin der in da'vailey o' da sheddo' o'
death,' as da Scripter ca's it. Noo, it's no sae muckle wi'
da ministers I fin' fau't is wi' da kirk dat maks da minis-
ters. Human nater is human nater; an' if onybody is
paid weel for düin naethin', or da neist tae it, wha wid
1 Fish stomachs filled with liver, and boiled.
2 Black Gullimot (Uria Grylle).
3 Porpoise (Phocoena Communis).
4 Ballast.
5 Flannel shirt.
6 Enclosure for driving sheep in when they are to be "rued or
shorn.


28
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
be sic a füle is wirk mair den he can help. Whin a young
chap gets a kirk, dü ye no tink, Mr Ollison, dat it wid be
a great advantage tae himsell if da kirk wis ta say ta
him, 'Noo, Mr Minister, we're no gaen to gie you a selery
by da year, bit just pay you by da piece; sae if
ye wirk
weel ye'll be weel paid for it, an' your sermons will be
fae half-a-croon ta twinty shillens, accordin' tae da
quality.' If dis wis düne, ye wid shüne see a mony a
burnin' an' a shinin' licht, whaur noo we hae na da blink
o'a üllie collie.¹ Bit it's no a lee dat wir auld wife says
'Whin I ance begin to spaek, I never ken whin ta haud
my tongue.' Whaur wir ye wi' your story agen, Mr
Ollison (an' beggin' mony pardons for interruptin' you).'
1 The most primitive form of lamp now known, and similar in
some respects to that used by the ancient Romans, and found in the
ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
29
CHAPTER V.
A mermaid sat in her emerald ha',
And played on her coral lute.
Ballad.
"AFTER I had been about a year at the school," re-
sumed the hermit, "Adam Yunson, the ruling elder of
the district, called at the school one day, and said he
wished to speak to me.
So I followed him outside,
when he said, 'Olla, I hear that you are a very clever
lad, and as we want a teacher at Hallowmas for the
Chancein School, we have decided to give you the offer
of it, as we believe there is no lad in the parish better
qualified.'
"In reply, I thanked him for what I considered the
highest honour that could have been conferred upon me;
and said I would do my utmost to give satisfaction, and
should be ready to commence the school at the time
mentioned. My remuneration was to be £4 in the half-
year; and this, to my mind, looked like a sum that I
should not know how to spend; as up to this time I had
never possessed a shilling of my own. After shaking
hands with my kind friend, I bounded into the school, but
slackened my pace as I passed the inner door, for the
teacher maintained very rigid discipline. I went up to
where Lelah was sitting, and whispered, 'Lelah, I am
going to be a teacher. I have got the Chancein School.'
"No!' she exclaimed in a whisper, while her lovely
eyes beamed with a mixed expression of wonder and
delight, and a soft blush passed over her face, but
quickly leaving the white and crimson as pure as before.
"Yes,' I replied; it is quite true, but I will tell you
all about it when we get out.' After the school was dis-
missed, I got the opportunity of telling Lelah that it was
6


30
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
all settled that I was to get the school; that I was to
have £4 in the half-year, and that I was to buy her a
present when I got my first quarter's salary.
"The harvest now being near at hand, I did not go
longer to school, as I wished to assist my uncle in the
fields; for I was an expert hand at binding sheaves, and
all kinds of harvest work. The season happened to be
unusually fine; and, during the time of the harvest
moon, Lelah and I used to walk together down to the
sea-shore. How beautiful it was when, in a cloudless
sky, the full-orbed moon rode in silent glory in the star-
spangled firmament, and cast a silvery sheen on the
grey lichen-covered stones, moss-covered knolls, and
every object around. One such lovely evening we were
both seated on a fragment of rock at the top of the
heilik where I met you last night, and we sat
gazing silently at the moon. Above the moon was a
bright star, so bright and beautiful that it cast a halo of
light around it as it shone and twinkled in its glorious
soft light against the dark-blue sky. Upon this star
Lelah fixed her gaze, and seemed lost in thought. 0!
how beautiful she looked then-just like an angel ador-
ing some great Being above. Her eyes were so full of
heavenly light, and her features looked so beautiful in
the pale moonshine, that I drew closer towards her, and,
almost before she was aware, impressed a kiss upon her
soft rosy lips. This awakened her from her reverie, and
she exclaimed with something like a frown, 'Oh! Olla,
you bad boy.'
"This was my first kiss (for I was the most bashful
boy that ever lived). O! how shall I express the bliss
of that moment. How often have I wished since then
that some power from above could have fixed me in that
state of happiness, and rendered me for ever incapable
of feeling any other emotion; but, alas! like our first
parents, this Eden of love was destined one day to be-
Pome a valley of tears, full of sighings and heart-rending
ef. But let me not dwell upon this sad part of my


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
31
story just yet. After a little I said- Dear Lelah, what
were you thinking about when you were looking so
earnestly at yon bright star?' O! Olla,' she replied,
'I was thinking how far it might be from us to the star;
and then, if we were there, how far it might be to some-
thing else; and so on and on: and I wondered if ever
there could be an end; when, you bad boy, you put me
off the thought. Do you think, Olla, there is any end
to the sky away there?' I said, 'Dear Lelah, what
strange questions you ask. No, I think there can be no
end to the sky; for when you come to the end of any-
thing, there must always be something beyond that—
either space or substance. But it makes my head reel
to think of it, so let us speak about mermaids, or some-
thing of that sort.'
66
4
5
999
6
Ay, ay," exclaimed old Yacob; "your spaekin' o'
mermaids pits in my mind da story o' Simon o' Gott, dat
ye hae mebbe heard o'. He was hailen his lines aff da
Scord o' Bressa, wi' a sooth lipper¹ ida water an' da fa'
o'a slack tide. Efter he hed aboot twa packies² an' a
half in, he fan a heavy wecht ipa da tow. Says he ta
da boy dat sat ida cavil, says he, 'boy, hae da fish-
staff ¹ clair, an' lüik oot for a licht.' Sae efter a peerie
start da boy says, says he, 'I see a licht.' 'What is it?
says Simon; is it a masgum' or a turbot?'
Na, na,'
says da boy, 'it's a boddie.' Boy,' says Simon, if du
maks a füle o' me, I'll lay dis boatic across dy back.'
'Na, na,' says da boy, 'I'm truly no makin' a füle o'
you;' an' wi dat, Lord preserve us, if dere didna bout
up afore his very face a most beautiful mermaid, wi' lang
1 The wavelet or ripple.
2 The quantity of lines each fisherman owns.
6
9
3 To take the hook from the mouth of a fish; also the place in the
boat where a man or boy performs this operation.
4 Large iron hook with wooden handle for striking into the fish, and
lifting them into the boat. 5 Ready. 6 Short time. 7 Shark.
8 A long pole with a hook and spike at the end.
9 To rise quickly above the surface.


32
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
6
yallow hair hingin' doon her back, an' a muckle t
gogar catched her richt under da shin. Haund
tullie,' roared Simon, an' wi' dat he caud da kuif
da puir crater's breist, an' snappin da tome sh
back i' da sea cryin', Ales! ales!' and sank awa
lavin' a straem o' red bluid a' da wy efter her. Fa
day ta da day o' his death Simon o' Gott never t
Dat year da storrie wirm üte his corn an' taties
da rüit. His kye fell a liftin' an' deid, da taen ef
tidder spriklin an' sküil-brüilin in da most awf
His horses guid ower da banks, an' he wüor up
cam ta da bones o' meesery himsell, an' da last time
wis seen wis standin' doon a peerie bit abüin da lay
whin a winderful kind o' green mist cam up oot
sea, an' closed aroond him, an' whin it cleared
dere wis da place, an' awa wis Simon; never s
heard tell o' more.
6
"Den dere wis Maikie o' Fradigal: ae simmer
whin he wis i' da ebb-it wis just aboot da first
o' daylicht, an' as beautiful a mornin' as could co
o' da lift. It wis a ream¹º calm, an' no a lipper al
shore; he wis pickin' at da side o' a muckle ebb
whin liftin' up his head ta rake¹¹ ower his hovvie,
preserve us, if dere wisna sittin' upon a aff sk
peerie bit fae da shore, a most beautiful mermaid,
in' her bonnie yallow hair; an' happenin' to lui
nearer ta him, he sees a bonnie silkey¹3 skin lyin'
tap o' a stane, rowed togedder just as if it hed
shald dat a woman bodie hed flung aff her sh
Whin he sees dis, he maks a spang14 for it, an' r
up anunder his airm, he sits doon a peerie¹5 start
see what shü wid dü. He said he never saw a
1 A large fish-hook.
2 A fisherman's knife.
A grub.
4
3 A hair-line.
6 Struggling.
7 Moaning; low bel
9 Sky
10 Soft
12 A small lempit creel.
15 A moment.
13 A S
8 First streaks of twilight.
11 Reach.
14 Spring.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
33
.
woman fae da oor dat he wis born. The sun wis just
comin' oot o' da water, an' da bonnie saft mornin' licht
fell apon her face, an' doon ower her body. Shu lüiked
just as if shu wis made oot o' snaw. Shu wis dat white
an' pure, an' sae beautifully formed every wy. He hed
aye heard dat mermaids wis laek a fish fae da wais' an'
doon; bit, Lord save him, he said, shu hed as bonnie
pair o' legs an' feet as ever cam in da door o' da Ness
Kirk. Efter sittin' twa or tree minnits, he gae a kind
o' a host,' whin shü luiked aboot an' jimped aff da
skerrie, an' cam weddin' in till shu wis aboot half oot o'
da water, whin shu saw dat he hed her skin under his
airm-for dis skin wis hers-an' its da wy dat mermaids
wupples der feet in dis skin o' ders dat made folk tink
dat dey hae da tail o' a fish. Sae as I wis sayin', shü
staunds in da water, an' pointin' her bonnie haund till
him, says (she spak English, an' I'm no very guid at
dat): Mortal, give me back my skin. Why wouldst
thou steal from me that which can do thee little good,
and makes me poor indeed?' Na, na, my bonnie
leddie,' says Maikie; 'Lord forbid dat I sud hurt a hair
o' your bonnie head, or tak awa your bit skin, unless it
wis ta get you sontin far better to pit on; an' if ye wid
just bide a glisk whaur ye ir, I wid rin hame for a sark
o' my midder's; her dimity coat, an' her pepper an' saut
mantle, wid hap you weel; for though it's simmer, ye
canna be ower warm at dis time o' da mornin', staundin'
i' da cauld water yonder.'
6
I
"Mortal,' says da mermaid again, 'tempt me not.
desire to return to the emerald halls and the coral caves
of my ancestors, and to sing sweet songs to my brave
Knight Coraldova, who fights the sea-lions, and slays the
great sea-serpent. Last night, by the pale moonlight,
he left me to hunt in the great sea-plains, and this morn-
ing he returns to find me absent. O! kind mortal, give
me my skin, and let me go.'
1 Cough.
с


34
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
"Ye'r richt dere, my bonnie leddie,' says Maikie
kinder mortal never stüd upo' twa legs den Maik
Fradigal; an' dis is what I wid ask you ta fin' oot b
efter dis. Sae I'll awa hame for da claes, for I'm w
see you staundin' ony langer dere in da cauld air, alth
ye'r da bonniest sicht dat ever my twa een saw
world.' Sae wi' dis Maikie spangs up da banks,
a jiffey comes back wi' da claes, an' a piece o' wid
his shudder, dat maybe wid a made sax pair o'
soles. Sae whin he comes ta da water's edge, he sc
da piece o' wid,' an' lays da claes upo' da tap o' it
den gies it a bit o' a shiv, an' awa it sails richt til
Shu seemed ta feel a kind o' saftened at dis, for M
wis a decent lad, an' shu seemed ta tink muckle
guid sense. Sae shü tüik up da sark au' slippit it
her head, an' den pat on da rest o' da claes as shü
ashore. Sae whiniver shu cam upo' da stanes, N
cam close up till her, an' cüllied³ aboot her da bes
dat he cud; an' says he, 'Oh! my dear bonnie leddi
sure ye maun hae gotten your death o'cauld.
hame wi' me dis moment an' get a cup o' tae; it'll
you, an' den if ye winna bide wi' me, I'll gie y
your skin wi' a blessin'. But I'll never laeve you
If ye tak ta da sea again, I'll follow you, though
be smored in da blue deep, or glaped up by a ma
Sae dünna be angry wi' me, for your bonnie w
face has set a beatin' ta my heart, an' a birrin' oo
points o' my taes.' But I needna tell mair o
Maikie said, for, as you will see, he wis in love
sayin' is; an' dats a time dat da less dats kent
what we say the better; for if wir gettin' inta da
da excise depended upo' da sense o' what we s
wir shance o' promotion wid be bit sma.
"Bit what I wis gaen ta say wis dis, dat mern
just like idder folk-weel pleased ta hear der ain
2 Wood.
1 Floats.
Smothered; choked.
3 Fondled; car
Swallowed.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
35
I'm seen a auld osmal lüikin' auld maid, wi' a mooth
laek a horse happrick,2 an' a nose dat could steer a seventy-
four, blinkin' her een wi' delicht whin some haveril chap
wis makin' a füil o' her, an' tellin' her dat shu wis win-
derful bonnie. An' sae it's no ta be windered at dat da
mermaid wis weel pleased ta hear what shu kent wis true.
An' da upshot o' dis wis dat shü güid hame wi' Maikie,
an' said naithin' mair aboot her graund Coraldova nor a'
his winderful exploits; an' maybe shü said ta hersell da
auld proverb, wi' a sma' alteration-Der's as guid fish
oot o' da sea as ever yet wis in it.' In coorse Maikie
couldna tell his folk dat shu wis a sea-woman, for dat wid
a pitten dem oot o' der judgment; although, as for his
midder, as a' body kent, shu wid na hae far ta gaen.
Sae he said shü hed come ashore fae a wrack ship, an'
dis made a' thing richt; an' he telled dem dat her name
wis Mary Mermaid, an', puir bodies, dey kent nae better
den dat dis wis her rael surname. Sae after a time shu
cam in winderfully weel ta der wys o' livin', though, as
micht a been expecked, she had a awful likin' for fish;
an' shü left her fine English, an' spak just as plain as
idder you or me; an' dey wir a' sae weel pleased wi' her
dat sax monts after dis her an' Maikie got mairied, an'
dey lived wi' da auld folk, an' wir as happy as da day
wis lang. Sae dis gengs on for a lock o' years, and der
auldest bairns wis grown up ta be muckle rinnin sheelds,
whin ae hairst, whin da fedder wis biggin' da screws³ i'
da yard, da peerie boy wis rinnin aboot, whin he sees his
fedder layin' a auld dried skin anunder a sheaf (for he aye
keeped da skin hoided* fae her); sae ders nae mair o' dis,
bit in gengs da peerie boy, and tells his midder what he
hed seen. Shu hears a' bit says naethin, bit gengs ta her
bed as peaceably as ever shu did in her days. Maikie
fa's asleep, au? snores awa till daylicht, whin he opens
his een, bit his bonnie Mary wis awa.
He jimps up,
1 Ugly; haggart.
2 Corn stacks.
2 A small "cashie," or pannier.
Hid; concealed.


36
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
an' slips on upon him, an' rins oot ta da yard, whin h
sees da hale screw a' tirded¹ an' torn aboot da eart, a
da skin clean aff; sae, puir man, he kent what wis wha
den. He hed a kind o' doot sometime afore dis dat
wis no richt wi' her; for aye whin shü wid be dandlin' d
bairn upon her knee, shü wid sing a sang dat Maikie di
no like ower weel. An' dis wis it :-
A mermaid sat in her emerald ha',
An' played on her coral lute;
An' da fishes a' stood on their tails in a raw,
An' danced wi' a finny foot.
The whaal and the pellick were at it once,
An' shook their fat sides wi' glee,
To see queer fishes prance in a new fashioned dance,
Ower da bottom o' da deep blue sea.
Then gie me back my bonnie coral caves,
O gie them back ta me!
For though this is my home, I still love to roam
O'er da shells o' da deep blue sea.
'Sing hey dim diddle, dim diddle, dim diddle,
Sing hey dim diddle, dim dee;
Though this is my home, I still love to roam
O'er da shells o' da deep blue sea.'
Bit
manage, whidder
Mony is da time
If shü
"Puir woman! I'm just tinkin she diddled hersell oo
a guid hame; and dat her grand Coraldova wid na
be up i' da skies aboot her whin shu cam back.
woman bodies ir kittle ware ta
come fae da sea or fae da land.
wissed wir auld wife hed been a mermaid.
bit rin aff, an' wanted a skin, I wid a gien
coo's hide wi' her, altho' I'd no hed a rivelin 2
for å twalmont. Bit what's da time wi' your sun ma
Mr Ollison; I'm tinkin it's just time I wis lüikin' e
some lempits for da sillocks da nicht?"
her a
on my
"It is past two o'clock when the sun comes to
part of the floor," replied the hermit, pointing to a sq
1 Scattered.
2 A kind of shoe made of untanned cowhide.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
37
illuminated spot on the floor, caused by a volume of bright
sunlight streaming in through a skylight on the roof.'
"Ah! well den I'll just awa', an' I'll be ower blied ta
come up da morn, efter brakwast¹ time, an' hear da rest o'
your story; for I'm tinkin da best o' it is ta come yet."
"Alas! no," exclaimed the hermit, as a tear stole
down his cheek; "my tale is soon to become a tale of
sorrow, which will harrow my soul to tell; but I am no
less anxious that you should hear it; and, indeed, it was
chiefly for this purpose I asked you to come to my humble
dwelling. But the first portion of my story has occupied
more time than I expected."
"Ye may weel say dat, Mr Ollison," exclaimed Yacob.
"Ye wir no like ta ken dat I wis gaen ta tak up da half
o' da time wi' my ain clash an' havers; bit dey auld
stories an' bits o' sangs o' my young days comes jimpin'
in ta my mind whin ye'r spakin' o' da sam subjek, dat I
canna haud my tongue."
"And there is no reason you should," rejoined the
hermit; for it is really my opinion, that if what we
have both said were written down, your stories would be
considered more interesting than mine."
"Oh! you're makin' a füle o' me noo, Mr Ollison,"
said Yacob. "Ye see I just spak by rule o' toom," an'
accordin' ta nater.'
"And that is just where the merit, lies, my friend," re-
joined the hermit. "It is only the few out of countless
multitudes of writers in all ages who have followed
your rule; and those few now stand like great land-
marks along the pathway of time, flourishing in immor-
tal fame; and this because they came as little children,
and sat at the feet of Nature, drank deep of her spirit,
and became inspired by the divine power which she
imparts to all her true disciples.
"Those who failed were too learned to be taught of
simple Nature. They soared above her head, and, like
1 Breakfast.
2 Thumb.


38
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Icarus, lost their wings, fell, and perished in the dust of
the countless forgotten.
"But I am detaining you. I shall be happy to see you
to-morrow, as early as you can call."
"Yea, dat sal I," replied old Yacob. "I'll be up efter
brakwist time, if da Lord spares me to see da morn; an'
sae guid day be wi' you, Mr Ollison."
And with this parting salutation the old man lifted the
wooden latch of the low door of the hermit's cottage,
and was soon far on his way down the rugged slope
which descends from the top of the Ness to the village
of Trosswick.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
39
CHAPTER VI.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatius,
Than are dreamt of in our philosophy.
SHAKESPEARE.
YACOB'S cottage stood at the east end of the village,
with its gable towards the sea. It consisted of one long
apartment, divided into "but and ben by two wooden
beds or huge square boxes, with sliding doors in front,
through which the sleepers entered at night, and made
their exit in the morning. These "box beds" were
placed with the doors towards each other, and their
backs to the wall. The passage between the two beds
was covered over the top with pieces of boat's boards,
which formed a lame¹ for laying lines, cashies, buddies,²
skinjups, sea-boots, and other articles requiring to occupy
this elevated position. On the wall, and tied with a piece
of boucht, hung a rack for the crockery, spoons, &c.
Under this rack, and close to the wall, stood an old oak
table, with a very deep drawer, containing Yacob's pipe,
his sealskin cash, with some Dutch shag in it; sillock
flees, ooin treed, a' auld loopick," a muckle tully, a
peerie gipper,10 a pawm," an' a sail needle, a tome-spinner¹²
made of peat; a yarkin allishen,13 a Norway ladle, a
1 Loft.
3
8
2 Creels made of straw and "simmits," or of dried dock stems.
3 Jacket or frock made of tanned calf or sheep skin.
+ Fishing-line.
5 A kind of press without doors for holding dishes, &c.
7 Fishing flies.
6 Tobacco-pouch.
8 Woollen thread.
9 Spoon with a short handle. 10 Small knife for gutting herring.
11 Thimble fixed in a leather band going round the hand; used by
sailmakers.
12 A kind of whorl used for twisting hair-lines.
13 An outseam awl.


40
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
2
gruel tree,' a cashie-needle, with a variety of smaller
articles.
On the other side of the cottage, formed of two planks
of drift-wood, stood a sort of bench resting on uprights,
and having cross pieces fixed into the wall, and on this
bench stood one old green painted sea-chest, one old-
fashioned land-chest, and one well worn trunk covered
with sealskin, but beginning to look bald on the lid and
corners. Under this same bench, as a convenient place
for setting household utensils, stood the muckle kettle,
the peerie kettle, the muckle pot, and the peerie pot, one
washing sae, one small tub, and one reamicle. The rest
of the furniture of the "but-end" consisted of five oak
chairs, with very high backs and fir seats, a creepy stool,
two seddicks, one high-backed straen chair, which stood
in the corner, being old Mrs Yacob's private property.
3
5
In the "ben-end" the furniture consisted of the kirn,
and the kirn-staff, the milk-keg standing on a chair with a
piece of canvas over the top of it; then there was one
barrel of oat-meal, one barrel of bere-meal, one buggie'
with some burstin³ in it, one groff siv, one sma' siv, and
a weight.10
9
The floor but and ben was formed of earth and clay,
which time and sweeping had rendered quite hard and
smooth.
The roof was covered with divits," having straw and
1 Porridge-stick.
2 Wooden needle for finishing the rims of "cashies" and
"buddies."
3 Tub with "lugs" for lifting by.
4 Small shallow tub used for holding milk, porridge, &c.
5 A stool made of straw.
6 Made of straw.
7 Skin bag made of an entire tanned sheepskin.
8 Meal made from bere or barley toasted brown in a kettle placed
over the fire and ground in a quern.
9 Coarse-a sieve with a larger size of holes.
10 Fanner made of an untanned sheepskin stretched on a large
hoop, on which the grain is repeatedly thrown up and caught until
the chaff or awns are separated.
11 Oblong pieces of thin dried turf for thatching houses with.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
41
1
simmits on the outside. Two "lums" on the ridge served
the double purpose of letting out the smoke and in the
light. Against the gable wall of the but-end stood the
back stane. The hearth-stane was composed of several
pieces of irregularly shaped flat stones raised a few inches
above the floor. On this hearth-stane stood the "boiler "
on the one side, and the teapot on the other, and the
brand iron and "taings" lying in front.
As old Yacob entered, his ear caught the prelude of
the coming storm. This was a kind of low crooning
guttural sound the old woman indulged in when she was
brimful of wrath.
A new peat fire had been put on, and the day being
calm, the lazy smoke seemed more inclined to remain inside
than to go out the lums, as it ought to have done. It
therefore packed itself so closely "but and ben" as to
form a sort of moving ceiling a few feet from the ground
-dense and dark above this line, but comparatively clear
below. Old Yacob, therefore, on stepping over the floor,
had the upper part of his body enveloped in thick dark-
ness, with his legs only visible, so that he was within a
few feet of the hearth before his wrathful helpmate ob-
served him.
"What's a' da reek aboot?" inquired Yacob, as he
lowered his head to the level of the line of smoke, and
gave two or three short coughs, showing that his
bronchial tubes did not take kindly with this rather thick
decoction of peat-smoke.
2
"What's a' da reek aboot?" echoed old Peggy, for that
was her name. "Whaur ill vaige is du been a' day, du
püir, simple, düless, saft-head snüol,3 dat du is, pittin' aff
dy time wi' ony clashan' gapeshot5 bledder o' wind du
meets wi' atween dis an' Sumbrahead. An' sae may deil
sit i' der gapin craigs, an' little less be i' dine, an' I be
1 A large stone against which the fire is placed.
2 Indolent; incapable. 3 Simpleton.
5 Open-mouthed.
4 Gossiping.


42
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
6
hale an' weel, an' dats what am no, fir I'm a püir de
objekd, wi' da life just blatterin'¹ in. Eh! my insid
pressing both her hands on her sides. "Dis pain 'ill
a tale yet. Du'll be pleased when du sees my müld sa
on, an' my head taen aboot i' da cauld mirk³ mü
drawing her nose downwards between her thumb
forefinger, and throwing her hand towards the fire, a
she had relieved the aggrieved organ of a consider
quantity of moisture, which the eyes had sent down
in time to give emphasis to those harrowing allusion
"müld sarks" and other spectral paraphernalia.
9
4
66
"Gaen stravaigin," she continued, ower da face d
eart like a benummed monyment, as if du hed nidder h
or coo ta lüik efter. Dere's da puir jures o' kye never l
der stakes muved dis blissed day yet, nor a lempit tae
gettin' a bone o' fish wi', nor a girspuckle for da b
meat at nicht, nor da hoes' an' skate rumples boile
da grice, nor da kail howed dats gaen ower wi' shicl
wirt runshick an' melda,10 nor da twa lives o' sheep
fastened i' da ness luiked efter, nor da grain o' dry
taen ta da mill dats standin' rawin' an' wastin' i
barn; yea, sürely, sürely, I'm ta be petied; left he
may say, an' nidder can win or want, a püir bedd
creepin' like a wirm fae da bed ta da fire, an' wi’
tribe aboot me, witches an' limmers; bit Sathan 'll
his ain some day, an' he'll get dem, an' he'll scaud
an' sae micht he; an' Lord grant it fae my sinfil
Dat impedent jaad, Sara o' Northouse, what did sh
dis mornin' after du guid fort,¹² comes in wi' her fair
an' says ta me, says shü (mimicking the said Sa
'Peggy, will du gie me a peerie ¹³ 'air o' bland¹¹ i
1 Quivering; flickering.
4 Wandering; rambling.
13
2 Shroud.
3 Dark.
5 A term applied to cattle, and expressive of pity or sympath
6 Blade of grass.
7 Dog-fish (Acanthias Vulgar
8 Tail and backbone of the skate. 9 Chickweed.
10 Wed
11 Bedridden.
12 Went out.
14 Whey of butter-milk.
13 Sinall quanti


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
43
"
peerie tinnie ta mak a heat drink ta wir Tamie, as he's
gotten a awful torment within his stamick? 'Yea
dat sall I,' says I, simple bein' dat I wis, whin I oucht ta
brained her wi' da tainges dat lay at da sheek o' da fire.
Bit I tinks o' naithin' till da day whin I gengs ta pick
oot da drap o' meilk dat wis standin' i' da keg, sae as to get
a bit o' guid butter ta set by fir Yule, an' sae I begins ta
kirn;¹ an' I kirns, an' better kirns, an' winders dere's nae
butter comin'; but it cam at last, an' dere it is. 'Sees du
dat!"" raising her voice to a shrill scream, and pushing a
plate with some very white looking butter in it so close
up to Yacob's nose, that it left a little inverted pyramid
of oleaginous matter adhering to its broad tip. This he
quietly removed by raising his thick, short, horny fore-
finger, and rubbing it on the knee of his skin "breeks,"
and which he continued polishing slowly with the palm
of his hand, looking abstractedly at the process, as if he
were trying to solve the problem in his own mind, whether,
according to the law of compensation, the indignity to his
nose, with the loss of the butter, was sufficiently balanced
by the benefit to his leather unmentionables.
"Lüik at dat," she continued, "lüik at dat! I say,
dirt! froth! Whaur's my bonnie yallow butter noo?
Whaur's my profit noo? O da diel's buckie! O da
devil's witch dat shu is, I hoop shü'll swee² i' his kettle o'
brunstane yet; an' den shü'll nidder get bland nor swats³
ta weet her filty craig wi'; an' I hoop he'll shoke her
ipa da neist bland she drinks. But du'll go dis very
nicht, whin dü comes hame fae da sillicks, an' get me
twa or tree hairs aff ane o' her kye, ta lay anunder da
boddom o' my meilk-keg, fir I'll hae my profit back again
if I süd rive da rüif abün her head.*
1 To churn.
2 Singe; scald.
3 A kind of weak beer, obtained by fermenting meal and "sids,"
husks, the liquid being "swats;" and the solid matter which settl
at the bottom of the vessel after the husks have been removed 1.
straining is " Sowans.
99
* See Note H. Superstition of the Evil Eye.


44
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
"I wid na winder ta see da trooker comin' in axin' fir
a taings o' fire some mornin' whin I'm kirnin'; bit lit
her come, I'll gie her a scaud. Da minnit shü grips da
taings o' fire, I'll haud da kirn staff hard ipa da boddom
o'da kirn, an' shü'll be burnt aff da banes afore I lit
her aff.
"It was Mansie Gordie, honest man, dat telled me ta
dü dis. Ugh! ugh! ugh! Eh! dis host 'ill finish me
some day. Haand me da crum o' lickerish dats lian' i' da
rack yonder, Yacob."
This request was made in a low, breathless croon, as
if utterly exhausted, and drawing her breath hard as she
put the end of the black saccharine stalk under the only
remaining stump of a far back molar.
Old Yacob paused, for he knew by experience the
wisdom of remaining silent on occasions of this kind, as
any remark from him, good, bad, or indifferent, would
have raised another storm, which neither coughing nor
want of breath might have so providentially brought to
a close; he therefore merely inquired,
"Hes du ony
denner fir me, Peggy?"
"No I," she replied in the same weak voice. "I wis
na able ta pit on fish an' taties, sae du'll just hae ta tak
a 'air o' bland an' meal afore du gengs¹ i' da ebb, an' den
du'll get a cup o' tea when du comes back agen."
Old Yacob therefore rose from his seat, and lifting
the "peerie kettle," which lay "whombled "2 under the
bench already described, he proceeded to prepare the
bland and meal over the top of the fire, which now
showed a cheerful column of flame rising from its centre.
Just as the mixture attained the proper consistency,
which he knew by experience suited his taste, and as he
was lifting the kettle from the crook, a voice, in a kind
of timid whisper, proceeded from the entrance between
the two wooden beds, and said, "Guid day be here!"
1 Going with the ebb-tide to find limpets.
2 Turned bottom up.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
45
99
"O guid day be ta dee," responded old Yacob. "Come
in trow," he added, as a nice looking modest lass just
out of her "teens came in and sat down on a chair.
She wore a white short-gown open at the bosom, a blue
"claith" petticoat, and a net "mutch" on her head
frilled at the sides, but plain on the forehead.
"I wis just wantin' a peerie wird wi' Peggy," explained
the fair visitor.
66
Peggy," ejaculated old Yacob, for the old woman had
sunk back in the recesses of her fortress, the projecting
sides of which left nothing in view but her feet and legs.
"Peggy, here is somebody wantin' dee," and Peggy's
head at once emerged beyond the ramparts.
66
"O I'm wae fir troublin' you, Peggy," apologised the
fair visitor.
"Na! na! it's nae trouble," rejoined Peggy. "Yacob,
geng dee wis ben ower wi' yon;" and Yacob, obedient to
the order from the seat of government, took his kettle,
and went accordingly.
As soon as he had disappeared between the wooden
dormitories already described, he removed the milk-keg
from its accustomed seat of honour, in order to occupy
the place himself, for this was the only solitary chair in
the apartment. As he shut the door, Peggy sprang from
her seat with great alacrity, and seated herself on a chair
close by her visitor. "What was it, my hinnie?" in-
quired Peggy, laying her hand confidentially on the knee
of the former, and drawing in a long breath until her thin
lips puckered in over her toothless gums, and the dis-
tance between her nose and chin contracted to the smallest
possible dimensions.
"Oh!" whispered Leezie, for such was the name of
this interesting young woman, "I'm just broucht a sid¹
o' tea wi' me, an' I wis just wantin' you ta lüik in a cup
fir me."
66
"O! Lord bliss dee," ejaculated
1 Small quantity.
Peggy, as her eyes


46
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
gleamed with either the spirit of divination or love for
the black double-strong extract of the Chinaman's leaf.
"Yea, I sall lüik in a cup fir dee; dat sall I, my bairn;
an' Lord send dee as mony guid tokens in it as I can wis
dee." Saying this, Peggy hung the tea-kettle on the
crook, and rinsing out the teapot, laid it on its side on
the brand-iron, with its bottom towards the fire.¹
"Eh! dear o' me, Leezie," continued she, "I'm failin'
fast noo, an' sic a band o' deevils o' neeghbours aboot me;
it's just killin' me; an' wir güidman is sic a saft düless
boddie, he'll no open his mooth ta dem if dey wir pickin'
da een oot o' his head. Sees du dis," showing her the plate
with the butter which still bore the impress of Yacob's
nose. "Dere's my pritty neeghbours! Dere's my profit!
Dere's my yallow butter dat I aye got sic a name fir
makin'. Dat's Sarah o' Northouse's wark. Dats what
shu did dis mornin' wi' gettin' a tinnie o' bland; but wir
guidman is gaen ta get twa or tree hairs aff o' her coo da
nicht, an' if I dünna get back my profit wi' dat, I'll sneck
da limmer atween da een da first time I meet her; but
da kettle is boilin' noo, an' I'll mask da sid o' tea, an' lit
it stand till Yacob gengs to da ebb, fir he's just gaen in
a peerie minnit."
Saying this, Peggy shook the tea from the paper which
contained it into the teapot, which she placed on the
hearthstone opposite a nice opening between two half-
consumed brands. When the masking process was con-
sidered complete, she took down a small cup and saucer
from the rack, and filling the cup with the dark strong
liquid, drank it off with great relish, giving a loud smack
with her thin lips, and showing an extraordinary length of
lever in the lower jaw, caused by the want of her teeth.
Holding the empty cup now by the handle, she slowly
drained off any remaining drop of liquid, and then pro-
ceeded to "cast" the cup. This consisted of giving it
several professional taps on the palm of the left hand,-
1 See Note I. Cup Divination.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
47
first the sides of the cup, then the bottom, and last the
brim. This was to give fortune the opportunity of ar-
ranging the stalks and dots of the tea grounds into hiero-
glyphic pictures, which only the initiated could decipher.
Then taking her spectacles from her pocket, and placing
them on her nose, she held the cup out at full arm's
length, exclaiming, "Eh! 'm-! my certie, der's sontin
here. Dat's a bonnie cup. Yea, my dear bairn, doo hes
a bonnie cup; an' may da Lord send de mony a blissen
wi' it. Yea! yea! der's a letter here just a peerie bit
doon, an' den der's a ship wi' full sail; and here's a man
boddie standin' as if he just wanted ta speak ta dee. Dis
man an' dee will come tagedder yet, tak du my wird for
dat. An' here's a weddin' company, an' a bonnie com-
pany it is.
Ay, du's gaen ta hae a lock o' bairns ta
dis man, dat is du. Here der awa doon at the boddam
o' da cup, puir tings, as if it wis a whilie ta dat time yet;
but dere dey ir, luik du here," and Peggy pointed close to
a group of black dots with her shrivelled forefinger, having
a nail on it like a bird's claw; but though Leezie could
not exactly see her future offspring amongst the tea
grounds, the thought made her plump rosy cheeks blush
deeper crimson, and she exclaimed, "Oh, Peggy, ye're
makin' a füil o' me noo." "I!" rejoined Peggy;" na,
na, my bairn, far be it fae me ta mak a füil o' dee. I'm
just tellin' dee what I see, an' what I ken du'll see dy
sell, if du's spared. Yea, and du's gaen ta hae plenty o'
da warld. I didna notice dis afore; but here it is--horses,
kye, sheep, an' plenty o' a' thing. Eh! it is a bonnie cup
indeed a bonnie cup." Weel, mony tanks ta you,'
said Leezie. "I'll just hae ta be gaen noo, as wir folk'll
be winderin' whaur I am." "Oh, du's welcom, du's
welcom, ta ony guid I can dü dee," rejoined Peggy;
"an' Lord bliss dee fir da sid o' tea, fir it's revived me
odiously. Da wy dat Yacob is failed fae gaen ta da sea,
an' the hens a' clockin', der's nae wy ta get a maskin' o'
66
1 Greatly.
99


48
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
tea unless da Lord sends it, as He's düne da day, praise
be till His name."
"Weel, guid day be wi' you, den, Peggy," said Leezie,
as a parting salutation on leaving the cottage.
"An' sae be wi' dee," responded Peggy, as she settled
back in her well-padded chair, there to enjoy the soothing
and exhilarating effects of the powerful extract which
she had earned as a reward for her soothsaying.
The reader's acquaintance with old Yacob, and more
recently his wife Peggy, makes it necessary now to re-
cord some additional particulars regarding them.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
49
CHAPTER VII.
My fause lover pu'd the rose,
But, ah! he's left the thorn wi' me.
BURNS.
OLD Yacob Yunson was at this time about sixty years
of age, and hale and hearty for his years. He was a
short, thick-set man, with a round florid face, thin whis-
kers, ample forehead, and intelligent expression of coun-
tenance. Quiet and docile in his temper, he bore his wife's
unconquerable and ceaseless "yatterin," as he called it,
with more than Christian forbearance; and, with the ex-
ception of the poetical cure he attempted, as recorded in a
former chapter, he never again tried the hopeless task of
bringing her into subjection. They had been married for
forty years, and their family consisted of an only son,
who went to sea when he was eighteen years of age, but
from whom they had heard no accounts for many long
years. Old Yacob, as the reader has already had some
means of judging, possessed a considerable amount of
good common sense, quiet, pawky humour, and consider-
able power of observation in judging of men and things.
His retentive memory had enabled him, during a long life,
to acquire a complete knowledge of all the fairy tales,
legends, and superstitions known in the islands; and he
was so fond of telling these, that, as has already been seen,
he could never resist the temptation which the hermit's
tale so often put in his way of starting on his own account,
when some particular incident in the hermit's narrative
recalled a tale of a similar kind to his remembrance.
Regarding old Peggy, the reader must have already
drawn such a correct portrait of her in his own mind,
that any further description must be unnecessary, except
it be to mention a few immaterial points, such as-She
D


50
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
I
was 5 feet 9 inches in height, slightly bent in the shoul-
ders, wore two binders, and two "toys" on her head, in
the following order :-1st, A flannel binder; 2d, a flannel
toy; 3d, a muslin toy; 4th, a black binder; and over all
this a large thick handkerchief when out of doors. A
blue "claith" petticoat reaching a little below her knee,
and a "slug"2 of the same material, fixed with a large
pin in front, completed her attire.
When old Yacob returned from the ebb, he found the
door of the cottage standing slightly ajar; and as he
gently pushed it open, a strange kind of sound fell upon
his ear. Listening attentively, he found it proceeded
from the but end of the cottage, and that it had a striking
resemblance to Peggy's voice.
Peering round the corner of the wooden bed, he saw a
remarkable phenomenon-Peggy engaged in a musical
performance. She was humming an old ballad, nodding
her head, and beating time to the measure with her foot
on the hearth-stone. Old Yacob could not account for
it, because he was equally ignorant of the fortune-telling
business and of the exhilarating effects which the strong
tea had produced on Peggy's susceptibilities, and which
had thus caused "a time of singing to be heard in the
land."
Fortunately, he had come just in nick of time to hear
her commence the ballad a second time; and placing him-
self quietly at the head of the bed next the door, he stood
there still till she had got to the end of it.
It was
THE FAUSE KNIGHT.3
Knight Emir proved fause to his ladie love,
Emiralo Mralandie;
An' she bore to him o' bonnie bairnies twa,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
1 A hood or "mutch of white muslin, without frills.
2 Short-gown.
3 This is an imitation of an old ballad which the author believes
to be of Scottish origin; but his early recollection only retains the
refrain and the affecting incidents of the death and burial of the


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
51
She wrung her hands, an' she grat fu' sair,
Emiralo Mralandie;
An' she tore out the locks o' her gowden hair,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
She's ta'en out a peerie penknife,
Emiralo Mralandie ;
An' she's ta'en awa the bonnie bairnies' life,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
She's lifted up a marrable stane,
Emiralo Mralandie;
An' she's buried them there, a' by their lane,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
Here an' there she wandered awa,
Emiralo Mralandie;
Makin' mane sair for her bairnies twa,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
Winter was past and simmer cam fair,
Emiralo Mralandie;
An' the ladie sat doon wi' sair dool an' care,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
Bonnie birdies sang sweet sangs, I ween,
Emiralo Mralandie;
An' twa bonnie bairnies played on the green,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
Bonnie bairnies twa, I wish ye were mine,
Emiralo Mralandie;
My love for you never would tine,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
I would dress you in robes o' silk,
Emiralo Mralandie;
And feed you wi' the forrow cow's milk,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
O mother cruel, once we were thine,
Emiralo Mralandie;
But by thy penknife our lives did tine,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
innocents. He regrets that the want of original Shetland songs and
ballads has in this, as in other cases, forced him to depend so much
on his own resources.


52
22
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Now we are dressed in robes of white,
Emiralo Mralandie;
And have no need of the forrow cow's milk,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
Come away, mother, and join us there,
Emiralo Mralandie;
And leave a' your dool, and sorrow, and care,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
What news is ye tell to me,
Emiralo Mralandie?
A ladie found dead by a rowan tree,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
Lift her tentilly, she's cauld as snaw,
Emiralo Mralandie;
And lay her beside her bonnie bairnies twa,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
O! malison upon yon fause knight,
Emiralo Mralandie;
An' may he fa' in a bluidy fight,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
In the burdies' nests be locks o' his hair,
Emiralo Mralandie;
And the ravens pick a' his banes bare,
Doon by the green booth sidie.
"99
"Eh dear O me!" sighed Peggy, as she finished
last stanza; "I'm forcin' a smile upo' da face o' afflic
Der's little singin' a my mind, though ance upon a d
wis light-hearted an' hallegirt' enouch, bit lammit
dat's awa noo.' This soliloquy was rehearsed fo
Yacob's edification (for she had just observed him em
from his hiding-place), and it was intended to make
believe that the singing was purely accidental, and
no connection whatever with the exhilarating effec
strong tea. For, though she was prepared at any
to act on the offensive, and could bombard the pa
and enduring Yacob for hours, without any sense of
or compunction, yet, upon the question of smuggle
7
Sprightly.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
53
and cup-reading, she took great pains to dissemble and
keep him in the dark, and this for two reasons. First,
that old Yacob had been instructed by the ruling elder of
the district to report any case of cup-reading that came
under his observation, in order that the offender might
be admonished; and second, the locker of the green
chest contained certain well-kept, reek-stained coins,
bearing a foreign image and superscription, which Peggy
knew by experience could never be got into circulation
in exchange for the "black leaf," if old Yacob knew of
any contraband supplies of said article coming from other
quarters.
The green chest was a fortress which all Mrs Yacob's
engineering could never enable her to penetrate, nor
could her heaviest artillery force the governor to sur-
render the key, or even let her peep within its walls; she
therefore had to make a virtue of necessity, and practi-
cally own submission before any supplies could be drawn
from the military chest, and this took place only on very
rare occasions; for, as Yacob had long been unable to
increase his financial resources, he wisely demurred to
reduce them, unless for very pressing and important
reasons.


54
34
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER VIII.
But you and I have shaken hands,
Till growing winters lay me low;
My paths are in the fields, I know,
And thine in undiscovered lands.
TENNYSON.
NEXT day old Yacob faithfully kept his appointment
with the hermit, leaving Peggy still breathing threaten-
ings and slaughter against Sarah o' Northouse for abstract-
ing her butter profit, and against himself for not being
more expert in obtaining the hair-charm from the said
Sarah's cow; for in this important enterprise he had failed,
owing to that wide-awake individual coming upon him
just at the moment he was in the act of applying the
shears to crummie's side.
As old Yacob lifted the wooden latch of the hermit's
door, the latter rose to meet him, and, shaking him cor-
dially by the hand, said, "How are you, my friend?"
"O brawly, brawly!" responded Yacob; "only we've
hed a awful storm sin' I saw you last."
"Indeed," replied the hermit; "I did not hear it.
Was it during the night?"
"Ay," said Yacob; "it wis baith last nicht an' dis
mornin', an da dunder wis a' inside da hoose, an' no upo' da
rüif like a norwast storm; lammit ye're ; it's da auld wife,
I'm meanin, it's little a rivin' storm frichtens me whin
my hoose is ta'en aboot, my screws fastied,' my boat i' da
winter noust, wi' meal i' da barrel, and flesh i̇' da rüif. Bit
da inside storm, Mr Ollison, is no sae weel tholed; though
it does na blaw your boat or your corn awa, it blaws awa
what pits you mair aboot; an' dats your peace o' mind,
your comfort, an' a da happiness your ain fireside micht
gie you.
Da auld wife tinks da neeghbours is geen aff
1 Corn stacks anchored with ropes and stones.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
55
wi' her profit, and I tink shü'll set da toon in a lowe, if
shü does na get it back again. You, dat's a man o'
eddication, Mr Ollison, what is your opinion aboot witch-
craft?"
"My friend," replied the hermit, "that is a subject
my education can help me but little in, for one of the
greatest abuses of learning is the attempt to explain the
unexplainable. A true philosopher will become humble
as he advances in knowledge; because just by his increase
in knowledge he is able to measure his ignorance. The
great field of the unknown is ever widening, as, step by
step, he attains to the highest altitude of intellectual
power; while, on the other hand, the self-conceited pigmy
in mental growth rushes in where angels fear to tread,
declaring that nothing exists in heaven or earth, but
what is dreamed of in his philosophy. If in the material
universe, where man has only matter to deal with, he is
baffled in every step he takes beyond a certain limit, how
much more must this be the case when the subject of his
study is spirit, which his natural eyes cannot see, nor his
natural faculties comprehend; for the natural cannot
understand the supernatural.
"The sceptic may say he does not believe in the
supernatural, because his natural senses do not perceive
it. But a man born blind might as well say that the
sun does not shine, because he does not see its light.
The disbelief in his case arises from his incapacity to see
and is it not the incapacity of the human eye, as an organ
constructed by the Creator to see natural objects, which
prevents it from seeing the supernatural?
"When Elisha's servant saw his master and himself
surrounded by a great host, he saw all that could be seen
by his natural powers of vision; but when he saw horses
and chariots of fire forming a bright and impenetrable
cordon around them both, he saw with supernatural eyes;
and so, if our eyes were at this moment endowed with
such miraculous power, we should see the earth, air, and
sea teeming with countless supernatural beings.


56
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
"Those beings, we have reason to believe, are repre-
sentatives of the two great powers in the world—Good
and Evil. If man seek the aid of the Good, he will ob-
tain it; for he knows not how near unseen hands are to
help him in trouble and temptation; and, on the other
hand, if a man seek the aid of the agents of Evil, he will
obtain such aid; and this is my explanation of withcraft,
and in this view of it there is nothing inconsistent with
human reason.
"A man can only occupy two positions in this great
question. If he says, 'I do not believe in the existence
of anything but matter, nor of anything I cannot handle
with my hands, and see with my eyes;' then I say to him,
'Account to me for the forms which matter has assumed
in the material world around us. Dead matter cannot of
itself move; it cannot by its own act mould itself into
shapes of beauty, and adjust itself to fulfil wise and
beneficent purposes. There must have been spirit ex-
erting itself upon matter before this world, so full of
varied beauty and wonderful adaptation of means to an
end, could come into existence as we now see it.'
66
"If, on the other hand, a man says, 'I believe in the
existence of spiritual power in the world, and also that
the creation of the universe could not have taken place
without such a power; but I do not believe in witchcraft,
or any of those superstitions believed in by the ignorant;"
to such a man I say, 'My friend, if you admit the exist-
ence of spirit in any one of its manifestations, you admit
all that I contend for; and your disbelief in what you
are pleased to call superstition, so far from doing honour
to your judgment, involves you in a contradiction which
one of those unlearned persons you despise would have
sagacity enough to see.
"Do you know the spiritual world so well that you
can draw a line between what you call the possible and
the impossible? or, when you speak of spiritual powers or
spiritual beings, has the word "impossible" any meaning
but such as your weak fancy gives it? If none of us


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
57
knows what a spirit can do, how idle it is to attempt to
square our beliefs with our experience, when that expe-
rience really teaches us nothing regarding the nature of
spiritual beings. Our experience gives us knowledge of
what can be accomplished by natural means, and of what
springs from natural causes; and therefore all that is
above Nature, and all that cannot possibly be accom-
plished by any of her known laws, must be attributable
to supernatural power; and nothing is more absurd or un-
philosophical than for any man to attempt to limit the
operation of a power which he does not understand. My
belief in the existence of a spirit world gives me great
comfort, and sustains me in my solitude, because I believe
the object of my soul was torn from me by a supernatural
power; and that, although my natural eyes cannot see
her, yet she may be very near me, and one day shall be
restored to me. But more of this by-and-by.
afraid I am wearying you with my philosophical argu-
ments."
I am
"Na, na! no ye, Mr Ollison," said Yacob; "though
your subject is maybe just a kennan ower learned for da
likes o' me; yet I hae a kind a guid groff guess whaur
ye ir, an' I'm shüre a' ye hae said is as soond as da Gos-
pel; but I'm wearyin' muckle for the rest o' your ain
story. I tink ye left aff whaur you an' her wis sittin'
doon i' da banks in a bonnie moonlicht nicht, lüikin at
da mün, an' winderin aboot da starns."
"Yes," replied the hermit, "I left off there. Well, at
Hallowmas I commenced my duties as a teacher, and,
though too young for such an office, I endeavoured by
close attention and a full knowledge of what I taught, to
make up for what I wanted in years and experience; and
the result was, that I gave great satisfaction to all con-
nected with the school; and as time went on the number
of my scholars increased as well as my income.
I can
truly say at this time I enjoyed unalloyed happiness.
Esteemed by all who knew me, successful in everything
I undertook, I would have been happy even in that en-


58
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
joyment which the gratification of a noble ambition giv
but my highest source of happiness was the pure
ardent affection I felt for my Lelah, and that soft sw
response which my love met with in her own bosom.
"She left the school about the same time as I did,
her father, though a well-to-do fisherman, could not aff
to spare his children from work longer than they w
able fairly to read, write, and count. When our atta
ment became known to the family (though we managed
conceal it for nearly two years from the time I first s
her), her parents seemed highly pleased, and I met wit
cordial welcome whenever I choosed to call, which I
as often as I could make a reasonable excuse for do
So. When seated by the fireside on a winter eveni
entertaining and astonishing the old man with
great stores of knowledge, how happy I felt to be so n
my Lelah; and how can I describe her at this time w
her ripened charms were just in the full glory of wom
hood? Her merry laugh, so rich and full of the m
exuberant mirth, was music in mine enraptured
How it thrilled my soul with a fulness of inexpressi
delight! That voice, I hear it still; but, oh! is it
sible that I shall hear it no more for ever? O G
why has thou dealt with me thus? I can bear this
longer." And the hermit covered his face with
hands, and groaned in an agony of grief.
"Eh! laek o' me," exclaimed old Yacob, "I'm wae
see you, Mr Ollison, takin' on sae. Dünna distress yo
sell dis wy; it bracks my heart to see you. Pit y
trust i' the Lord; He can help you oot o' a' y
troubles yet, an' mebbe bring her back ta you agen.'
66
ور
Yes, I know He will," cried the hermit, quickly
covering himself, and dashing away the tears which
gritaf had wrung from him. "I know I shall yet beh
her; but whether in mortal form, or as a bright spirit
know not. I will wait patiently, and God's will be do
I thank you for your sympathy, my kind friend, and
will try and not allow my feelings to overcome
so far.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
59
i
“As I was telling you, my days and years during this
happy period of my life glided on like a placid stream wind-
ing its way through a flowery land. Sunshine was ever
on my path, and hope beckoned me on with fascinating
smiles. I knew no care, and dreamed of no sorrow; but,
alas! clouds and darkness were gathering on the horizon
of the future, and the sunshine of my life was soon to
fade in the valley of the shadow of death.
66
'My dear mother was suddenly taken from me, and
her gentle voice was hushed in the silence of the grave
before I could fully realize my loss. She was one of the
most gentle and patient of her sex, and in her youth had
been a woman of great beauty; and though years and
sorrow had dimmed the lustre of her charms, they had
also mellowed into greater beauty and loveliness the
brighter ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, a loving
heart, and a soul ennobled by a true and living faith.
How well I do remember her, with her widow's cap, her
soft gentle voice, her sweet kind looks, her words of ten-
derness and love, when listening to anything I had to
tell her about my success at school, or of any other way
in which I had distinguished myself. She studied all my
wants with more than a mother's care, gliding noiselessly
about the house, and doing a great deal with little appa-
rent effort. So happy did she make home to me (for my
aunt's house was indeed a home in every sense of the
word), that I felt grieved and disappointed whenever I
came home and found her not there to meet me.
“Her gentle and uncomplaining nature would not
permit her to say she was ill so long as she was able to
go about, for she always had such a delicacy of feeling
and unwillingness to give trouble to any one; and thus
a slow and insidious disease laid waste her frail constitu-
tion, and, like the cankerworm at the root of a tender
plant, it was only when the last tendril was severed that
she drooped and died.
"I had noticed some weeks before her last illness that
her step was less elastic, and her movements less active


60
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
than was her wont; but though I saw this, I could not
entertain the dreadful thought that she was really suffer-
ing from any serious ailment.
"It was autumn, and now just about six years since
we had come to live with my aunt. I shall never forget
that sad evening when I returned from the school—that
evening whose lengthening shadows were gathering
around me the gloom of my first sorrow.
"On entering the cottage, and missing my mother's
loving welcome and her dearly-loved form, which my
eyes always sought for, I eagerly inquired for her, when
my aunt informed me she was in bed. I hurriedly
approached her bedside, and said, 'Mother, why are
you lying thus?'
"Because I am ill, my dear,' she answered in a soft
whisper, and added, 'I fear, my dear boy, I shall never
get better any more.'
"These words-the prophetic meaning of which I saw
in the hectic flush of her cheek, and in that strange
mysterious look of her countenance-made my heart sink
within me. I grasped her hand, and bent over her,
while the hot scalding tears fell thick and fast upon the
snow-white coverlet.
"O mother! say not so,' I cried, in a voice choked
with emotion. 'You will get better; I am sure you
will.'
66
"O! no, my son,' she replied in a voice of surpassing
tenderness, and with an expression of heavenly calm in
her countenance. 'Death is no deceiver. He tells me
that yonder sun, which now so sweetly sinks beneath
the Wart, I shall never more behold. Open the window,
love,' she added, and let in the cool evening air, that I
may feel it; and draw the curtains aside, that I may see
the fading light, for soon I shall see it no more; but a
sun of brighter ray shall arise and light my path across
the dark waters of Jordan; and then I shall be where
there is no need of the light of the sun, or of the moon,
for the Lamb who dwells in the midst of the throne is


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
61
the light thereof, and He shall wipe away all tears from
our eyes.'
"O! mother,' I again broke forth in an agony of
tears; 'why will you speak so? How can I live with-
out you? How can I come home, and not find you to
welcome me? I cannot bear it! I cannot live if you
are taken from me! O! let me run for the doctor;
do something for you; I am sure he can."
666
he can
My son,' said she, in a solemn and impressive man-
ner, and laying her hand gently upon my arm, you
have always obeyed me, and you have been a brave and
noble boy it has been my happiness in life to see those
qualities growing with your years; and surely as you
love me, you will not grieve me now by disobeying me
when I have most need of your love and obedience.'
"O! mother,' I exclaimed, 'I will not disobey you;
I will submit, and do whatever you wish me."
6
"Well, then, my dear son,' she replied, sit down
calmly and listen to me, because I have something to
say to you which will be of importance to you after I
am gone.
What I have now to tell you I might have
told you years ago, but I wished to do nothing that
could in any way decrease the influence of the great
lesson of life you have learned so well, viz., the lesson
of self-reliance; and I have therefore now no fear that
any knowledge of the superior position in society which
awaits you will change your principles, or tempt you to
deviate from the path which it has been my highest
earthly pleasure to see you walk in. Know, then, that
you are the true and undisputed heir of your grand-
father's property. It was made to you by will shortly
after you were born; and this is the reason you were
named Ollison, after your grandfather, and not your
father's name, because this was your grandfather's wish,
and we complied with it. I have long been aware of
the attachment which has grown up between you and
the dear child who is the object of your affections. She
is worthy of you, and it is my hope that this attachment


62
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
may continue until riper years bring that happy union
which you both look forward to. Then, and not till
then, you must enter upon possession of your property.
At present it is in good hands, and therefore put the
knowledge of it from your thoughts, and follow the
same course of self-culture and self-reliance which you
have followed so closely all your life; but, above all, my
dear son, she added solemnly, make celestial wisdom
your early only choice. Follow the example of the
meek and lowly Jesus, and seek to put your trust in
that blood of atonement which He shed for the remission
of sins, and then at last you shall be able to say, as I do
now, "O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where
is thy victory?"
"With those words she clasped her hands and looked
up as if she saw bright angels hovering near, and wait-
ing to carry her to the Celestial City. Then she gently
closed her eyes, and in a whisper scarcely audible she
breathed, 'Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.' I at once
beckoned my aunt into the room, for I knew her gentle
spirit was about to depart. At that moment a ray of
light from the departing sun fell on her face, but she
knew it not. A brighter light was dazzling her enrap-
tured spirit with the effulgence of its glory, and shone
through her countenance in an expression of heavenly
beauty. Never before had I seen her look so lovely; for
the moment I seemed to forget that she was dying-a
few moments more, and one soft, long drawn sigh, a
passing shadow over her calm and peaceful countenance,
and all was still. She lay as if in a peaceful slumber.
Life's battle was over, and her triumphant spirit was
now soaring aloft on the wings of faith and love, to join
the blessed throng of the redeemed around the throne on
high, where there is joy for ever more, and where they
sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Sympathising
neighbours were soon in. the chamber of death, and
friendly hands tenderly closed the eyes and composed
the limbs for rest-rest to remain unbroken until the
resurrection morn.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
63
"Alas! for the uncertainty of life's fairest prospects.
In one short week, how great a change! At the begin-
ning of that week I was gliding down the stream of life
in bright anticipation of the future, and putting the evil
day far away; but ere that week run its course, the cold
sod had closed over all that was mortal of my beloved
mother. O how can I describe the sense of desolation
which oppressed me!—now when her gentle voice could
be heard no more, and her loved form no more seen when
I returned home at evenings, and when I missed that
joyous welcome which I had so long been accustomed
to receive; but for my beloved Lelah, how cheerfully
could I have resigned life, and all its concerns, and
followed my dear mother to the tomb! but God has
wisely ordered it so, that our sorrows shall yield to the
gladdening influences of life, and that the dark shower
shall be followed by the bright sunshine.
"Gradually the natural buoyancy of my spirits returned,
and my Lelah became more than ever the sun and centre
of my being.
"She mourned my loss with all the affection of a
sister, and oft when we met alone by the sea-shore did
she mingle her tears with mine whenever my departed
mother happened to be the subject of conversation; but
my friend," continued the hermit, as he wiped away the
tears which were stealing down his cheek, "I am now
near that part of my narrative which, like a thunder-
cloud, appals my soul to enter upon, and pierces me
anew with a thousand sorrows; yet it must be told, but
not now. Let us pause and partake of some refresh-
ment."
The hermit here paused, and wiped the cold per-
spiration from his brow. His blanched cheek and
tremulous voice showed how deeply the recital of those
affecting events of his life had stirred his keenly sensi-
;tive nature, and made him fear that if he proceeded further
he should betray such great weakness as was not desir-
able for a stranger to witness.


64
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Old Yacob was scarcely less affected. The hermit's
impressive manner, and the deep pathos with which he
described some of the more touching scenes at his
mother's deathbed, held the old man spellbound, nor
did he once attempt to offer any comment of his own,
which on other occasions he was so prone to do. He
sat silent and motionless, with his hands resting on his
knees, except now and then he raised his thumb to dash
away an unwelcome tear, which hung glistening at the
tip of his nose.
66
Eh, Mr Ollison!" he exclaimed at last, "dere's no
mony things in dis world dat could draw water fae da e'e
o' auld Yacob o' Trosswick. On da keel o' a misforn¹
boat he's seen neeghbours an' relations torn ane by ane
fae his side by da rush o' da wild green waves, bit his
e'e wis dry, though his cheek wis weet wi' da saut spray
dat lashed sairly in his face-but your bonnie dear
midder, sae guid an' sae gentle, cut doon like a daisy
afore a mawin' sye,' is mair den I can stand ta hear
aboot. Ales! ales! it wis na my lot ta hae da like o'
her ta sheer my life wi', but a roarin' liven' deevil dat
wears da flesh aff my banes wi' her sharg, sharg, shargin',
eenin', mornin', and midtime o' day, an' aye liven' an life
tinkin' sae muckle as da warr."
66
Well, my friend," replied the hermit, "we have all
our trials, you see; and you must just bear yours with
patience, as you see me bearing mine."
"Ay, ay, dats true, Mr Ollison," rejoined Yacob.
"Bit ye see ye're a man o' eddication, an' I may say I
just ken a B fae a bull's fit; besides, der is naethin' in
dis warl' sae ill ta stand as shargin'. Solomon says, ' It's
better ta live in a lum-head den wi' a brawlin' woman in
a wide hoose;' an' puir Samson, though he cud kill a
thoosan' men wi' da jaw-bane o' a ass, an' pu' doon
hooses aboot da lugs o' da Phalistians, yet he hed na
strent to stand da shargin o' a woman's tongue."
1 Castaway.
2 Scythe.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
65
"You rightly interpret Scripture, my friend," replied
the hermit; "but come and share my humble meal," he
added, as he placed before the old man some dried fish
and potatoes which had been cooked in a pot over the
fire. The repast being finished, the hermit resumed his
tale.
"Just about a year after the death of my dear mother,"
continued the hermit, " on a lovely moonlight evening, I
met my Lelah at our favourite trysting place by the sea-
shore. It was autumn, and the harvest moon was at the
full, and cast her silvery light over the dark waters which
lay beneath us, and stretched far to the eastern horizon.
The stars twinkled softly in a cloudless firmament, and
the gurgling waves sang a sweet lullaby at our feet.
"O how beautiful my Lelah looked as the silvery
light fell on her lovely countenance while we sat to-
gether on a fragment of rock! How my soul was
charmed by the modest and timid glances of those eyes,
so full of heavenly light and depth of love, as she
listened to the outpourings of my heart, overflowing, as
it did, with tender love.
"As the 'golden hours with angel wings' sped on,
the moon rode high in the firmament, and showed that
the hour had arrived when the sillick fishers would return
from the cliffs, and when some of them might pass the
spot where we were seated, she therefore suggested
that we should return home; but I felt that time had fled
too fast, and instinctively held the cup of pleasure to my
lips, and would not let it go, but which also I was then
destined to drink of for the last time. I suggested that
we should descend the declivity of the rock and rest at its
base, listening to the murmuring waves and the faint cry
of the 'peeweep' until the sillick fishers had all passed,
when we could return home unobserved. To this she
consented, and we descended to the foot of the rock, but
had not been seated there many minutes when we heard
a moaning sound proceed from one of the creeks about a
hundred yards from the spot where we rested. Suppos-
E


66
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
ing it to be a wounded seal (for sometimes those animals,
after being slightly wounded by the sportsmen, escape,
but afterwards crawl up on the rock to die), I asked
Lelah to wait until I should ascertain the cause of this
strange sound, which, I said to her, must proceed from a
wounded seal. I kissed her, and tripped lightly over the
shelving rock, hearing her loving voice calling after me,
Take care of yourself, Olla, dear.' I entered the dark
creek from which the moaning sounds proceeded, grop-
ing my way amongst the huge masses of detached rock,
which had been piled up in wild confusion by the action
of the waves, sometimes clambering over huge boulders,
and sometimes creeping on my hands and knees through
openings between the fallen masses. In forcing my way
through one of those openings I felt myself suddenly
seized by the feet from behind. I struggled to disengage
myself, but could not. I then tried to force myself back,
but the unseen hands with irresistible force crushed my
ankles, and forced me forward through the aperture. In
vain I struggled with all the energy of despair, until the
rock was covered with blood from my lacerated limbs.
A faint cry, once or twice distinctly heard, and which I
knew to be my Lelah's voice, made me struggle for free-
dom as the drowning man in the wild agony of death
struggles to reach the floating wreck.
"Nature at last gave way, and I sank exhausted and
unconscious; and oh! how often have I wished, since
that awful hour, that the oblivion which then gathered
around me had settled in eternal gloom, and that hated
life had not brought back the horrors of unutterable
anguish which awaited me; but God's will be done, I
know not His dark inscrutable ways, but I know He can
make light to shine out of darkness; and that as He
shall one day command the obedient sea to give up the
dead that are therein, so He shall at the appointed time
command it to give me back the treasure of my soul.
"When I regained consciousness, the moon had long
ince passed the zenith, and the dark shadows of the


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
67
overhanging cliffs cast themselves far over the silent
waters. Like a bright angel surrounded by darkness,
my Lelah in a vision stood before me, and in wild
transports of joy I stretched out my arms to receive her,
but the phantom eluded my grasp. I sprang to my
feet, and in an agony of grief I cried, My Lelah! O
where art thou gone? O my Lelah!' But the dark
frowning cliffs only mocked me by echoing back her
loved name.
I rushed to the spot where I left her, but
she was not there. I again called aloud on her name,
but the reverberating rock mockingly answered my call.
O God! how can I describe the anguish of that moment!
I rushed to the verge of the rock, and stretched out my
arms in eager anticipation of the yawning grave. I
sought the friendly gurgling waves to quench the fire of
my burning grief, but as I bent back for the fatal leap,
a voice murmured in my ear 'hope,' and my strength
forsook me, and I fell prostrate on the rock, and sweet
oblivion again hid my sorrows under her dark mantle.”


68
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER IX.
Better be with the dead,
Than on the torture of mind to lie
In restless ecstacy.
SHAKESPEARE.
6
"HUSHED whispers," continued the hermit, "fell upon
my ear, and I faintly inquired, where am I?' when the
well-known voice of my aunt softly answered, 'You
are at home, Olla; but you are yet too weak to speak;
be content to know that kind friends are around you,
who will show you every kindness.'
"On the fatal night which saw the tragic events enacted
which I have just related, my uncle and aunt, as well
as Lelah's friends, became alarmed when she and I did
not return at the usual time; and soon they, with the
people from surrounding villages, flocked to the cliffs to
seek us. Every creek and crevice was explored by the
earnest and, in the case of Lelah's relatives, grief-stricken
searchers, until at last I was found by two young men
who descended the rock, stretched insensible where I had
fallen; but my Lelah-O God, how can I say the word ?—
could not be found! Many of the searchers, after I was
carried home, lingered about the cliffs till dawn; but alas!
all in vain; no sound greeted their listening ears but the
gurgling waves and the scream of the frighted shelder,'
as it flew from its roost by the water's edge; and no sight
met their straining eyes but the kitty wake and the
shag, resting on the lofty edge of the rock.
All con-
cluded that Lelah Halcrow had perished by falling over
Oyster catcher (H. ostralegus).
2 (Larus tridactylus).
8 Cormorant (P. graculus).


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
69
the rock; but as no trace of her body was ever found,
many doubts were afterwards entertained as to this being
the correct view of the matter.
"My own opinion was then what it ever has been since,
viz., that the supernatural hands which took my Lelah
from me also held me a captive under that rock until she
was carried beyond my reach, and into the regions of the
spirit world, which lie far down in the emerald caves of
the mighty ocean."
"No a doot bit ye're richt, Mr Ollison," exclaimed old
Yacob, unable longer to restrain his desire to record a tale
of his own in corroboration of the hermit's opinion. "Nae
bodie in der senses doots bit dat dere's a hantle mair i' da
sea den we ken aboot; an' just as truly as der hill folk,
tangies, and brownies upo' da land, sae hae dey der kith
and kin in richt guid plenty i' da sea.
"Nae farder awa den my grandfeader's time, dere wis
auld Sandy Bairnson o' Sottrigirt, a man dat a' bodie
kent, ae morrin i' da grey licht, whin he wis gaen doon
ta da sillicks, he cam upon a muckle grey silkey lien
sleepin' i' da scurrick' o' da stane. Auld Sandy happened
ta hae his sea tullie in da boddom o' his buddie, an' tinkin
what a prize da skin o' da silkey wid be fir making wis-
coats, bonnets, an' tobacco cashes, as weel as twa or tree
can² o' gude üiley aff da blubber o' em, he clicks oot da
tullie, an afore ye cud turn your heel to whaur your tae
stüd, he sticked da silkey anunder da left flipper. Da
baste gae an awful groan, and jumped up wi' sic a splore,
dat he twisted da blade o' da tullie oot o' da shaft, an'
guid ower da face o' da stane in a bulder. In coorse,
Auld Sandy wis sair vexed at da loss o' da silkey, as weel
as da blade o' his tullie; bit what cud he dü, dere wis
nidder hide nor hair o' da baste ta be seen, except a sma'
thing o' gletties lumie, upo' da water, whaur he haed gaen
doon, an' dis efter a peerie start made the sillicks begin ta
1 Hollow.
3 Snatches quickly.
? A measure containing about a gallon.
Boiling, fierce ebullition.
Oily.


70
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
bool¹ i' da scrüiff' o' da water. But dere's nae mair o' dis,
till ae time dat Auld Sandy an' anidder man gengs awa ta
Narrawa ta buy a new boat, fir den a days a' da boats
cam fae Narrawa,3 dey wir biggit wi' timmer pins, bit
efter dey cam hame dey were clinkit wi' seam and rüove.
Da warst o' dey boats wis da misforn knotts dat wir in
dem, an' Auld Sandy wis da best hand dat ever wis kent
in Shetlan' fir finnin' oot dis knotts, an' naebody laeked ta
bring hame a Narrawa boat till Sandy haed seen her.
Afore he dee'd he telled his son hoo he kent da meenin o'
dis knotts; an' dis wis it. Roond black knotts wis mis-
forn knotts; dat wis dat a boat wi' dis kind o' knotts in
her wis shüre ta be cassen awa. Den dere wis windy
knotts; dat wis knots wi' sprains oot fae dem, an' dat
shawed dat da boat wid aye hae da luck o' ill wadder.
Den dere wis da richt kind o' knotts, dat wis lucky knotts,
da shape o' ling, keillen," or tusk; an' boats wi' dis kind o'
knots aye haed luck ta get plenty o' fish; bit as I wis
sayin', Auld Sandy guid ta Narrawa ta buy a boat, an'
whin he cam dere, he guid ta see da man dat bigged da
boats; sae whin he got a boat till his mind, an' whin he
comes in ta da man's hoose ta get some refreshment, he
sees a auld man sittin' hurklin i' da chimley nuek, a kind
o' cripple lüiken. Efter Sandy is sittin' doon a peerie
start, da auld man turns roond aboot his head, an' taks a
gude lüik at Sandy, an' den he rakes his hand into a holl
o' da wa', an' draws oot a auld rusty blade o' a tullie, an'
says he ta Sandy, in his broken English-Mine goot
freen, me ask you eef ever you see dis sküan before.'
Sandy said, he tocht he sud a faan trow da eart, fir dere,
as shure as da Lord made him, wis da blade o' his ain
tullie; an' sae, withoot sayin' a wird, ye may weel tink he
wis blyde ta tak da door ower his head as fast as he cud.
"Den dere wis Auld Tammie Toughyarn, da sailor, a
To stir the calm surface of water, as fish do.
8 See Note L. Trade with Norway.
Cod.
6
2 Surface.
4 Iron rivets.
6 A knife.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
71
man dat wis ower a' pairts o' da warl, an' he tell'd dis
ta Auld Ibbie Bartley, dat wis trids o' kin ta my wife's
foster midder, an' her oey,' young Lowrie Legaboot, tell'd
me sae, it guid na farder atween, dat ae time da ship dat
dis Auld Tammie wis in, wis lyin' at anchor some place far
awa, upon a fine Sunday mornin', a marman cam abün da
water, an' said dat he wid feel muckle obleeged if the
captain wid shift his anchor just a peerie bit ta ae side,
as it wis fairly jammin up his door, au' his wife wid be
ower late fir da kirk. Noo, I tink dis marmaid or sea-
woman—I tink it's mair proper ta ca' her-might set an
exemple ta some dat mebbe tinks mair o' demsells. Hoo
mony wid laek ta hae a ship's anchor jammed i' der door
upon a Sunday mornin', just as a gude excuse fir no gaen
to da kirk ava, whin a air o' licht smoor,2 or saft flucker,
is enouch ta satisfee der conscience dat it's no kirk
wadder; bit, Mr Ollison, I am shüre I'm pitten you oot o'
a' patience wi' dis auld failin' o' mines, dat I never can
mak my tales sae short as dey oucht ta be, whin idder
folk is waitin' ta spaek. Bit noo geng on wi' your tale, I
tink ye wir come ta da time whin ye wir lyin' in your aunt's
hoose, just odious ill, an' nae bodie lippenin* life o' you."
"Yes," replied the hermit, "I had got to that point
in my history; and to resume it-When consciousness
sufficiently returned to make me understand my loss, the
shock proved too great for my enfeebled frame, and fever
already burned in my wandering and tortured brain, and
the lamp of life glimmered feebly in the socket. Alas!
why did not its flickering light go out for ever, so that I
might no more have awakened to the knowledge of life's
bitterness? but it was to be otherwise, and I cannot
penetrate the dark inscrutable purposes of God, nor know
what He has in store for me. I will therefore wait pa-
tiently until, in His own good time and way, He shall
bring light out of darkness.
1 Nephew.
3 Snow falling in large flakes.
2 Fog, drizzle.
4 Expecting.


72
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
"By the most affectionate care of my aunt, who nursed
me with a mother's love, I was brought through the
dreadful ordeal, and awakened once more to a knowledge
of life's bitterness, and to find around me one dark and
dreary waste howling wilderness, without one ray of
light or hope to cheer the solitude of my life.
"On my health getting so far restored, an earnest wish
was expressed by those interested in the school that I
should resume my charge; but I found I could no longer
mix with society nor follow its pursuits. I longed to
turn my back upon the world, and seek in seclusion that
solace for my grief and rest for my aching heart which
mankind were incapable of giving.
"In this same cottage there lived an old man—a soli-
tary over whose life hung a dark mystery-and to him I
resolved to go. I visited the venerable hermit, and un-
bosomed to him my grief, and expressed a desire that he
would permit me to share his humble abode, as the only
retreat where life to me could be endurable. He listened
patiently to all I said, and then replied-
"My son, this is a befitting place for one like me, to
whom the lengthening shadows of life show that the day
is far spent, and that the night is at hand; but to thee,
in whose ear the music of life ought to sound sweetly,
and whose eye should be gladdened by the sunshine and
flowers which brighten the path of youth, why shouldest
thou seek the life of a solitary, which can only embalm
thy griefs instead of removing them?'
"Venerable father," I cried, “seek not to turn me from
my purpose; my heart is cold and dead to life and all its
allurements, and it's only with you that I can bear it as
a burden."
"Well, my son,' the solitary said, 'seeing thou art
so minded, welcome to share my humble abode and frugal
meal; and I hope thou mayest learn something from old
age, while the trials of thy youth teach me that at no
period in man's pilgrimage to the tomb is he exempt from
the sorrows of life.'


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
73
"For two years this venerable hermit was my only com-
panion, and much I learned from his sage experience;
but I never could draw from him the secret of his own life,
nor the reason why he had become a solitary. After two
years the old man died, and left me sole possessor of this
cottage, and of the cultivated patches of ground which
surround it.
"A blessed retreat it has been to me, because I have
been near that dearest spot on earth, the last trysting
place with my dearest Lelah,-that spot where we met
for the last time, and where I joyously pressed her lips
and heard her loving voice. It has been the holy sanc-
tuary of the outpourings of a broken heart. Yea, with
pilgrim's feet I have worn that rock smooth, and my
tears, too, might have worn channels in its flinty
bosom. And now, my friend, you know the story of my
life, and your good and honest heart, I am sure, will do
justice to my memory when I am gone. That you will
bear witness to the truth, and shield my name from the
unjust aspersions which have been cast upon it, is at
least one drop of balm in the cup of bitterness which has
been wrung out for me to drink alone.”
The hermit here paused. The tension upon his over-
strained feelings while describing those closing and
touching scenes in what had passed of his eventful life,
was too great for his sensitive nature, and he would
have fallen from the settle on which he rested, had not
old Yacob caught him in his arms.
"Oh dear, oh dear, Mr Ollison," exclaimed the old
man as he supported the hermit, ye're just fairly
dejasked,' an' nae winder; it wid tak a harder hert den
yours ta tell sic a woful tale, an' no brak doon afore da
end o' it cam; bit trust in da Lord, Mr Ollison, though
He hides His face fir a time, yet His compassion never
fails, an' He hes promised dat da brüsed reed He will no
brak; an' as He kens dat ye've been a brüsed an' broken
1 Exhausted.


74
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
reed, an' lang tossed upo' da billows o' life's ragin' sea,
sae will He bring you by-an'-by ta a haven o' rest, an'
dat in a wy ye ken little o' at present. I'm a püir sin-
ful craetur, an' kens little o' da wisdom o' dis world; bit
I ken dis, dat da Lord is nae respecter o' persons, bit
will hear da earnest prayer o' da simple an' unlearned,
as weel as dem dat's michty in da Scripturs; an' I ear-
nestly pray dat her dat wis ta'en awa fae you may yet
be restored ta you, and dat me or mine may in some wy
or idder be da means o' bringin' dis aboot.
"I hed a draem no lang sin syne, an' a winderful draem
it wis; an' although I dunna ken a' dat it means, yet
I'm shüre o' dis, dat sontin is gaen ta happen near dis
place, an' dat gude will come oot o' it baith ta you an'
ine."
My heartfelt thanks, my dear friend !" exclaimed the
hermit, who had now recovered himself, "for those
precious words of friendship and comfort; and may God
in His mercy grant that your good vision may be realized.
I thank the Father of mercies that I am now able to
say,Thy will be done,' whatever His dispensations may
be towards me."
"Ay, dat's da kind o' speerit we a' ocht ta hae,”
cried old Yacob; "bit noo, I'm tinkin, I maun leave you,
fir, as I tauld you, dere wis a storm wi' da auld wife da
last time I wis up aside you, an' noo dis time I'm lükin'
fir a herrican, as I'm been a hantle¹ langer awa,-
"Bit da yatter an' da yowl o' a auld auld wife,
'll no soond doon i' da cauld grave dreary,
-
Nor da sharg an' cuttieshang2 o' her weary weary strife,
Yacob's auld lugs, like tunner 3 winna hear aye.
His sair aekin' head shü'll nae mair deave,
When da bonnie cockieloories4 grows on his grave.
"An noo, blissen be wi' you, Mr Ollison; an' may da
praesence o' da Lord bide wi' you an' comfort you untill,
1 Large quantity or space of time.
3 Thunder.
2 Continued bickering.
4 Daisies.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
75
in His ain gude time an' wy, He brings you oot o' a' your
trouble."
66
Farewell, my good friend," exclaimed the hermit, as
he pressed Old Yacob's hand with feelings of fervent
friendship; for he felt that the burden of his griefs had
been greatly lightened by the genuine sympathy and
true friendship of this old man. Thus parted those two
friends, Old Yacob pursuing his way towards his cottage,
and the hermit retiring to his lonely fireside, where he
sat for many hours lost in thought, and gazing at the
half-consumed peat brands which stood on the bearth,
and formed themselves, by the help of his fertile imagi-
nation, into many strange fantastic shapes.
1
One remarkable appearance chiefly attracted his
attention. This was a half-consumed brand which had
a most striking resemblance to the hull of a ship sur-
rounded by foaming surf, the latter being well repre-
sented by the whirling snow-white ashes which lay on
the hearth. Just as the hermit was musing on this
singular illustration of what scientific men call Pyro-
mancy, another brand fell down and disclosed two
smaller ones behind it, and nearer the centre of the fire.
These resembled a man and a woman, the former clasp-
ing or bearing the latter in his arms, and from the top
of each issued a flickering flame, which, by inter-
pretation, meant joy or laughter. Although "reading
out of the fire," as it was called, as well as cup reading,
was not new to the hermit, yet he knew so little of
those arts, or believed so little in their pretensions, that
those singular appearances produced little other effect on
his mind at the time than that of a passing fancy; but
when read in the light of the remarkable events which
so shortly afterwards followed, he felt the force of the
saying, that "coming events cast their shadows before; "
and he was also taught this important lesson, that we
should be very slow to condemn the opinions and beliefs
of others, merely because they differ from our own.
1 See Note. Pyromancy.


76
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER X.
Some merry friendly country folks
Together did convene,
To burn their nits and pu' their stocks
And haud their Halloween.
BURNS.
IT is night, and the moon has not yet risen, but in the
hollow of Trosswick Vale are seen faint glimmering lights
marking the site of the village of Trosswick. About
three hundred yards from the village, and on the southern
slope of the Ness, is seen one solitary light; this proceeds
from a single pane of glass in the roof of Widow Harper's
cottage, which is lighted inside by a blazing peat-fire and
by the "collie" which hangs suspended from the centre
of the "rape." Writers of novels would say that if the
lonely inmate of this humble dwelling ever smiled, it was
through her weeds and tears like the sun in a mist;
but as this is a true history and not a novel, the truth
must be told, that " Bawby o' Brigstanes was a hale,
hearty, buxom, middle-aged widow, "as canty as a
kittlin," and one of the most expert match-makers that
ever did honour to the trade.
991
According to the fashion of the time, Bawby married.
when very young, but her experience of matrimony
proved sufficiently short to enable her to bear the loss of
a venerable husband, without any dangerous conse-
quences to the organ of her affections.
Old Hyndie Harper o' Helliklees thought that May
and December might be better together than separate,
and therefore he said, " Bawby, will du tak me?" and she
aid in reply, "Yea, dat will I, Hyndie;" and so the
1 See Note. Bawby o' Brigstanes.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
77
66
knot was duly tied. But old Hyndie, by sage experience
and mature years, had come to the conclusion that the
increase of the population was being sufficiently well
attended to by those to whom the fancies or follies of
youth could make such matters attractive, and therefore
he more wisely left his not inconsolable helpmate without
any kind of incumbrance, unless his old sea boots and
skinjup," which nobody would take as a present, could
be reckoned under that head. Bawby o' Brigstanes,
however, was a widow, and as such she decently put on
a black binder over her white starched mutch. But here
the principle of contrast interposed, and Bawby's smiles
and simpers looked all the brighter for that, just as a
belt of black cloud over the rising sun makes that lumi-
nary look all the more gorgeous. As time went on,
Bawby set her cap for most of the candidates for matri-
mony in the parish; but some way or other nothing
ever came of it; and as gossips generally have the bump
of Causality largely developed, so it was discovered by
the aid of this phrenological protuberance, that Bawby's
over-sanguine temperament prevented her from waiting
until the tree of love should grow like any other plant,
and that in her laudable endeavours to force its growth
after the manner of Jonah's gourd, it always shared the
unhappy fate of that renowned vegetable.
Disappointments are, however, often blessings in
disguise, alike to individuals and communities; and so it
proved in the history of the parish in which Bawby's
usefulness was to be made known. Disappointment did
not make her a misanthrope, but the very reverse; it
made her a philanthropist, doing all, and more than ever,
the golden rule required. She set before her the noble
task of conferring those benefits and pleasures upon
mankind which she could not experience herself.
established a regular matrimonial agency office, con-
sisting of a News Department, embracing general gossip
and the latest matrimonial intelligence; and an Assigna-
tion Department, where introductions and love engage-
She


78
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
ments were carefully and punctually attended to. After
a short time she added another department for Cup Read-
ing, the importance and urgent necessity of which soon
were made manifest, as matrimonial inquirers felt even
more necessity to know something of the future than
the past.
995
1
In all the departments no regular fees were charged, but
small gratuities were not refused. Such as "a nicht's
kitchen o' pork," a "cashie o' tatties," "a truncher 2 o'
meal in a napkin, wi' a makin' o' tae in ane o' da
corners," a "puckle o' oo' when da sheep wis rued,"
and pieces of "tattie grund" here and there through the
parish the latter she generally obtained for "dellin' a
day in voar; and as the young folks in the families
she assisted in this way were ever ready to help her in
working the piece of ground set apart for her, she could
always command a good stock of potatoes for winter;
and, besides, by thus mixing with various families, she
laid in a stock of general gossip and matrimonial
knowledge, even more valuable than any vegetable
product. She always kept two or three lambs or sheep
over the winter, whose comfortable quarters were pro-
vided in the outer end of the cottage, and though she
had neither hay nor cabbage of her own, the animals
were nevertheless always in good condition; but this, like
many other puzzles, only requires to be explained, and
the explanation is, that "Auld Halloween" and taking
in the sheep from the fields occurred generally about
the same time, and most of the lads in the parish
seemed to have been born in the world with a ruling
passion for throwing_cabbage-stocks down Bawby o'
Brigstanes' "lum" on Halloween night; and as evidence.
of this, the accumulation of that vegetable on the night in
question turned out to form a very fair winter stock of
1 As much pork or beef as serve one meal.
2 Plate.
3 Pulling the fleece from the sheep's back just when about to fall
4 Delving. 5 Seed-time.
off,


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
79.
provender for the four-footed inmates of Bawby's
cottage. What particular yard the cabbages came from
was a useless question for her to ask, even if she had
desired any knowledge of the subject: but this was a
field of inquiry she felt no inclination to enter upon; and
she therefore contented herself with the reflection that
"it was just the boys' fun, püir tings," though it is not
unlikely that the owners of the cabbages, when they
missed them next morning, might have been so obtuse
as not to see the matter exactly in that light.
It is Halloween, and numerous lanterns and fire
brands, with tails of streaming sparks moving in the
dark like planets, seeking the centre of a new system,
are seen seeking that well-known centre of attraction—
Bawby o' Brigstanes' cottage. Lads and lasses, fully a
score, all in holiday attire as they arrive, take their seats
on the long settle by the fireside, or on high-backed
wooden chairs, "creepy stools," or any other kind of seat
which Bawby, radiant with smiles and kind welcomes,
can find for them.
as
"Ay, dere's himsell noo; come awa, come awa,"
exclaims Bawby, in her most inviting tones,
Johnnie o' Greentaft steps in over the floor in his thick
solid clogs, white duck trousers, and blue jacket, and
puts out his lantern, which he places on a chest-lid
where others were already standing. Yea, yea, we ken
what's brocht dee a' dis rod da nicht; no ta see Auld
Bawby, Ise warren; na, na, somebodie ell's-ahem;" and
Bawby smiled and winked, and looked across the fire to
"bonnie Annie Leslie," as the lads called her, who was
sitting on the settle blushing like a rose, and knitting
with nervous activity.
"I sall pluck a craw wi' you fir yon yet, Bawby,"
said Annie, in a soft tremulous voice as she glanced from
her knitting-wires to Bawby, and then at the new comer
who was taking his seat on the only vacant chair in the
cottage.
66
My bairn!" exclaimed Bawby! "I'm shüre I


80
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
said naethin; ye a' herd dat I mentioned nae names; sae
haud du dy tongue, my dear bairn; mony a ane wid be
blyde ta get da glisk o' a ee fae Greentaft cassin der wy,"
and Bawby gave a heavy nudge at Johnnie's knee,
whose chair happened to be next to hers.
"Ay, ay, we understand you, Bawby," said Johnnie,
whose equilibrium had been greatly upset by the blush-
ing charms of his sweetheart on the opposite side of the
fire-place, and to relieve his embarrassment was swinging
his chair on its hind legs in such a perilous way as
might have placed the centre of gravity on the wrong
side.
Annie Leslie was acknowledged by all the lads "aneth
da Wart Hill" to be "da bonniest lass dat cam in da
kirk door;" and therefore, as might have been expected,
she had no want of admirers; but as she could only
bestow the favour of her heart and hand upon one of
them, the gift she wisely reserved for Johnnie o' Green-
taft; and no one better deserved it, as he was a well
behaved and handsome lad, and as ardent a lover as ever
felt Cupid's magic influence, or the pain of his dart when
shot from two bright eyes.
"Du düs na mean ta say dat du's brocht a bate wi'
dee da nicht," said Johnnie, as he settled his chair down
on its four legs, and seized hold of a bundle of dried
bent which Robie Ridland had placed under his limb,
and commenced to wind into simmits.
66
Dere
"I ken deil snüid dü sall wind here dis nicht.
--just lit the lambs ate hir," said he, as he pitched the
"bate" to the outer end of the house. "Boy, du's
mad," said Robie, as he looked after his bate to see
where it fell. "I may as weel wind a bit simmit as du
naething, shürly."
“Dü naethin! an' be blowed ta dee," echoed Johnnie;
"kiss da lasses, man, if du has naethin else ta dü; dat's
mair like Halloween's wark, shürly."
"Weel den, boy, I'll begin wi' dy ane first," responded
Robie.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
81
"If du's man fir it, I'll no hinder dee," said Johnnie, as
Annie looked at him with a reproachful, timid glance, while
her fingers moved faster at her knitting than ever.
"Bit I'll no dû it, du sees," rejoined Robbie; "I hae
mair laekin' for Annie den ta toozle her bonnie new net
mutch because du bids me dü it."
66
"1
Yea, Lord bliss dee, du aye hes some sense," said
Annie smiling, "bit he hes nane. Haud du dy tongue,
Robbie; I sall dance at dy weddin' fir yon yet.'
"Noo, Bawby, what's ta be da ploy?" said Rasme o'
Raunshikbraes ; 66
'ye ken sae weel aboot it, dat we'll
just lit you steer da boat, an' we'll row or sail wi' da
wind, just as ye blaw it."
"Eh! my bairns," said Bawby, "I'm shüre, what wid
ye dü withoot me? Ah, weel, I tink every ane sud tell
a story or sing a sang, an' den efter dat ye can try your
fortins an' some fun laek dat, an' hae it a' by afore da
boys begins wi' der stocks. Shame fa' dem fir da dirt
it maks aboot da fireside; bit hit min just be borne wi';
ye ken bairns will be bairns, an' I never cud hae da hert
athin me ta idder rin efter dem or flyte wi' dem fir
castin' twa or tree peegs o' kail in trow my lum on a
nicht laek dis."
"Weel, Bawby," said Rasme, "da sun rises i' da aest,
an' just whaur your shair is staandin', sae ye'll better
begin, and dat'll set a gude hert in us a', and sae lit wis
hae your sang ta begin wi'."
"I, I!" exclaimed Bawby, "my dear bairns, my
time o' singin' is by; anes upon a day I cud a sung
as weel as some dat tocht mair o' demsells; bit
lammit, dat's a' by an' geen, an' sae sing ye dat cau
sing; an' Lord grant dat ye may lang sing wi' a licht
hert."
66
"O Bawby, haud your tongue," exclaimed Rasme;
ye can sing better yet den
I widna gie you
o' us.
ony
yet fir da half o' da young lasses; an' I'm shüre ye're
as young luikin yet as da maist o' dem. Why, a bodie
widna tink ye wir muckle ower twinty.”
F


82
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
"O geng awa wi' dee, boy," cried Bawby, throwi
her hand towards Rasme, and her cheeks blushing wi
delight as she drank in his well-timed flattery. "We
I'm shüre, what can I sing?" she added after a pause, a
then began to sing in a shrill quivering voice, the ball
of Annie and Johnny o' the Glen'-
THE BALLAD.
'What bonnie, bonnie lad is yon sae trig an' braw
Dat's comin' trippin' ower the Vadle¹ tree O?
It's Johnnie o' da Glen, wi' his crew o' fishermen
Come ashore wi' locks o' fish fae da sea-e- O.
What bonnie, bonnie lass is yon sae trig an' braw,
Dat's comin', comin' hame wi' da kie, O?
It's Annie o' da Dale, but her cheeks is growin' pale,
An' her apron string it winna, winna tie O.
O sair, sair shü greets, an' sits by her lane,
An' tinks on braw Jonnie o' da Glen O;
An' da promises he made his bonnie bride to wed,
An' take her to his ain but an' ben O.
What bonnie, bonnie lass is yon sae dow an' wae,
Dat's wanderin', wanderin' weary by da shore O?
It's Annie o' the Dale, wi' her cheeks sae wan an' pale,
Seekin' rest aneth da waves fae her sorrow O.
What bonnie, bonnie lad is yon sae trig an' braw,
Dat's comin' rinnin' fast ower da lee 0?
It's Johnnie o' da Glen, left his boat an' fishermen,
For dey maunna see da tear dat's in his ee O.
What twa lovers true is yon wi' kisses sweet,
In ane anidder's airms greetin sairly O?
It's Johnnie o' da Glen, an' sweet Annie a' da Dale,
Wi' love ta ane anidder clingin' dearly O.
What bonnie, bonnie bride weel busket an' braw,
What bridegroom sae gallant an' sae gay O?
It's Johnnie o' da Glen, an' sweet Annie o' da Dale,
Airm an' airm on der ain wedden day O.'
e formed by a single log spanning a burn which ru
of Spiggie, near Fitful Head, to the sea.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
888
83
1
"Noo, bairns, dat's surely my pairt," said Bawby.
"Gude kens if it hedna been til a pleased you, no a cheep
wid a come oot o' my head dis nicht. But noo whaa's
neist? Oh, it's dee, Johnnie, my bairn; no a better
haand i' da hoose; sae come awa wi' dy sang."
66
"O Bawby," said Johnnie o' Greentaft, "I'm shüre ye
ken I can sing nane; but I'll gie you a bit o' a auld
rime dat'll sair my turn. I tink it's ca'd da Mirry
Fiddler,' an' dis is it, if I can sing it :—
1 Jar.
'I am a fiddler ta my trade,
An' a' da world weel knows it,
I screw my pins an' plink my strings,
An' rub my bow wi' roset.
As I go fiddlin', fiddlin', fiddlin',
As I go fiddlin' feerie O ;
I'll fiddle until my fiddle an' I
Baith gengs tapstill teerie O.
And den whene'er I draw my bow,
Up quick the lads gets jumpin';
Dey wheel da lasses on da flür,
An' fast dey a' geng thumpin'.
As I go fiddlin', &c.
A pig¹ o' gin close at my side
Aye keeps my bow in motion,
An' springs mair sprichtly geng as I
Get half across da ocean.
As I go fiddlin', &c.
A dram wi' ivery reel I tak,
An' still der's na confusion
Inta my head, until my pig
Is brought to a conclusion.
As I go fiddlin', &c.
An' den I screw my pegs a' doon,
An' plink my strings mair slowly,
Becase da drappie in my ee
Maks rims aboot da collie.2
As I go fiddlin', &c.
6
2 A ring or circular haze, such as a person with
inflamed eyes sees around a light.


84
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
My fiddle den gengs in her case
(Tree first strings needs restorin'),
But "Bass goes on wi' steady dron
As lang as I can keep snorin'.
""
An' nae mair fiddlin', &c.
NEXT MORNING.
When I arise and ope my eyes,
I find I have been deep in-
My banes are sore, as da kill door,¹
Is nae saft bed to sleep in,
Efter my fiddlin', &c.'
"Noo, I hoop dat will please you," said Johnnie, as he
finished his song, and lighted his pipe with a live coal
held in the tongs.
"Yea dat will it," said Bawby; "if ivery ane düs as
weel dey'll dü. Noo, Lowrie, it's dy turn."
"O dear, a dear! what sall I dü?" said Lowrie o'
Lingigart, with an affected sigh. "I can sing nane; an'
as fir tales, gude kens my stock o' dem is bit sma'; bit
ye maun just tak da will fir da deed, an' I'll dü da best
dat I can; an' sae, if ye laek, I'll tell you a hill-folk's
story, an' no a wird o' a lee in it, for my midder kent da
folk as weel as shü kent her ain fedder and midder.
"Dey ca'd da man Robbie Ruttle, an' da wife Sissie
Sandison, an' dey bedd upo' da Grund o' Brew, an' hed
a family o' bairns, an' a lock o' kie, sheep an' horses, an'
wir winderful weel aff. Bit the wife fell ill, an' efter a
while shü deid ta a' appearance, and wis streeked an'
kisted just laek ony idder dead boddie; bit whin da men
dat wis at da fooneral lifted da dust2 dey said ta ane
anidder dat da coffin wis winderful licht, da sam is if dere
wis naethin' in it ava, altho' dey niver tocht o' onything
bein' wrang, till da news cam oot efter dat.
"Da nicht efter shü wis buried, da man draemed dat
shu cam til him, an' shu says, says shü, 'O Robbie, Robbie,
1 Elevated steps in the entrance to the kiln, where the fiddler
usually sits when there is dancing in the barn.
2 A term applied to a corpse.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
85
I'm no happy, fir I'm taen awa wi' da hill-folk, an' I
want dee ta tak me back agen; sae geng du,' says shü,
'da morn's mornin' wi' da first taws o' daylicht ta da
muckle stane o' Stilligart, an' staand dere a peerie while,
and den draw a ring roond aboot dee an' say,
'Oot side da ring your power may yet tine,
In side da ring Lord keep me an' mine.'
Bit Robbie wis a kind o' oorie bodie a' his days, an' tho'
he draemed da sam draem ower an' ower agen for monts,
he niver hed the corage ta geng ta da grey-stane, as he
wis tauld.
"Da morn efter shü deid dere wis a heavy faa o' snaw
upo' da grund, an' some man bodie gaen up ta da hill ta
luik efter sheep noticed a great lock o' prints o'sma'
feet laek bairns' feet in da snaw a' da wy up fae Robbie's
hoose alang da yard deck, an' up ta da hill; an' aye here
an' dere whaur the prints o' da feet wis, a' da wy up da
rod da snaw wis marked wi' draps o' bluid."
"O Lord save dee, Lowrie, an' haud dy tongue
noo!" exclaimed Girzzie o' Glufftoon, as she let her
hands and knitting fall on her lap, "du's makin' me dat
oorie dat I'll never be fit ta lave dis hoose da nicht
O my
Lord, what's yon!" she again exclaimed, as she sprung
from her seat, and fled across the fire, seizing Bawby
around the neck, and looking behind her with terror
depicted in her countenance. "Is du mad, Girzzie;
roared Johnnie o' Greentaft, "sees du no dat it wis just
da cat dat wis anunder dy shair?"
99
"O mercy, what a gluff I got!" sighed Girzzie, as
she stepped across the hearth, and resumed her seat.


86
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER XI.
Wi' merry sangs and friendly cracks,
I wat they didna weary;
And unco tales, and funny jokes,
Their sports were cheap and cheery.
BURNS.
"Noo, Lowrie," said Bawby o' Brigstanes, noddin
her head towards Lowrie o' Lingigart, "geng on wi' d
story, an' ill trift be ta her füil face dat pat dee aff o't.'
"Weel," resumed Lowrie, "da neist winderful thing da
happened aboot da hoose wis da wife's claes. Whin sh
deid her claes wis a' pairted; da eldest dochter got som
an' her sisters got some, an' a auld aunt got sae muckle, b
ae mornin' whin dey wauken'd a' da claes wis amissin
an' dey tocht dat da claes hed been stown, but wha d
tief cud be naebody kent; an' da winderful thing wi
dat da claes wis stown oot o' every ane o' da hooses d
sam nicht. Bit dere's nae mair o' dis till ae day dat d
eldest dochter happened ta lift da lid o' da midder's kis
whin, da Lord preserve a', wisna dere every stick¹ o' d
claes lyin' faulded as neat as da haand o' man cud dü i
"Den dey hed a coo dat da wife got fae her ain midde
an' efter shu (dat's Robbie's wife dat wis taen awa,
mean) efter shü died dis coo wis shifted fae da baan
dat shu wis tied wi' til anidder baand, bit in d
mornin' da kie wis fund shifted, an' hir coo tied in he
ain baand; an' dis happened ower an' ower agen, till de
didna shift her ony mair. Every nicht dere wis som
disturbance aboot da hoose, an' da things a' shifted fa
da wy dey wir left whin the folk guid ta bed. D
me wid be taen oot o' da rack, an' set upo' da table
da fire kindled, an' da tae pot staandin' upo' da hert
1 Stitch.
2 Crockery.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
87
stane, as if somebody wis gaen to mak tae.
Ae time
da muckle kettle wis fun i' da mornin' staandin' atween
da doors half fu' o' bluid an'-
""
"Noo, Lowrie," again exclaimed Girzzie o' Glufftoon,
"if du says anidder wird, du'll pit me oot o' my judg-
ment."
"Weel trath, Girzzie," said Lowrie, "I tink du hes na
far ta geng, bit I'm düne noo; an' sae just settle dee
doon, an' mak dy sock fir supper time, an' den if du's
feared ta geng hame, I'll rape dee athin a büddie, an' tak
dee hame upo' my back."
"I'm shüre du's no able," said Girzzie; "du'll eat seven
saut barrels yet afore du's able to carry me fae here ta
Glufftoon."
66
Weel," responded Lowrie, "I'll waager dee dis
ane" (taking hold of his ear), "dat I'll tak dee upo' da
tap o' a buddie o' meal, an' carry dee fae here ta da
yard deck o' Glufftoon."
"Weel, weel!" interposed Bawby, "du'll hae ta geng
ta da mill fir da büddie o' meal first, Lowrie; an' whin
du comes up wi' her, I ken du'll gie Bawby a güid plate
fu' oot o' her first, an' du'll be weel blyde du did dat afore
du gets ta Glufftoon wi' Girzzie upo' da tap o' her; bit
feenish dy story first, my bairn."
"O, I'm just düne, Bawby," continued Robbie, “except
dis, dat Robbie never hed da corage ta dü as he wis
tell'd in his draems; an' I canna help ca'in him a simple,
coordly snüil, fir if it hed a been me, I wid a geen an'
met her, altho' da ert hed been swarmin' wi' hill-folk, as
tick as ever I'm seen da rabbits i' da links in a münlicht
nicht; but whaa's neist, Bawby? I tink I'm düne my
pairt."
"I'm shüre du's düne dat, my bairn," said Bawby;
"an' noo it's dy turn, Willie. I ken du hes tales
enouch if du laeks ta tell dem; sae come awa, my dear
bairn."
"I! I!" exclaimed Willie Bigiltie o' Broonknowes,
"I'm shüre I kenno what ta tell you, unless it be annider


88
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
hill-folk's story, or I'll tell you twa or tree short anes ta
mak up fir Lowrie's lang ane. Weel, den, dere wis ae
time dat dere wis a lock o' hill-folk dat cam inta a hoose
upo' da nicht, an' ane o' da hill folk's wives büor a bairn,
an' whin dey luiked aboot da hoose fir water ta wash da
bairn in, dey cud fin' nane, except some blaand in a kirn;
sae dey tuik some o' dis blaand and washed da bairn wi’,
and den dey tümed it back agen in da kirn, and said,
'Dat'll learn you a lesson da neist time ye geng ta bed
an' no lave water i' your hoose;' sae fae dat day ta dis,
naebody iver wis kent ta geng ta bed an' no lave water
i' da hoose ower da nicht.
"Anidder story, an' a true ane, fir my midder kent da
man as weel as shu kent her ain fedder. Da first nicht
dat he guid ta see his lass, just as he left his ain folk's
hoose, an' güid doon by da peat stack, a great company
o' hill-folk cam doon fae da idder side o' da stack, an'
followed him a' da wy ta da hoose whaur da lass bedd;¹
bit afore dey cam dere, dey hed ta cross a burn, an' he
said, 'Lord save him,' as he heard da plash o' der feet i'
da water as dey cam efter him just as veevilly2 as he
heard himsell speakin' whin he wis tellin da story. Whin
he cam ta da hoose, dey güid up alang da tae side o'da
stack, an' he güid up alang da tidder, an' whin he cam
oot a' da hoose ta geng hame agen, dey met him at da
fit o' da stack, an' followed him fit for fit until he cam
till his ane peatstack, whin he saw nae mair o' dem;
bit he never güid back again ta da sam lass, fir he tocht
it wis a ill sign."
"Dud he ever say what laek dey wir?" inquired
Bawby; "whin dey followed him a' dat gate he cudna
bit see veevily enouch da potridge" o' dem."
"Weel, he said dey wir just laek bairns tree or four
year auld, bit winderful sma' an' pirjink aboot da legs,
an' a' clead in green claes, just neepid* inta da skin, an'
den upo' der heads dey wüor capes o' da sam colour,
1 Resided. 2 Clearly. 3 Portrait.
Pinched, narrow.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
89
3
heich an' dwimishin¹ awa ta a sma trointie² at da tap
like a flossiecape, or like Auld Midder Hubbard's hat in
da peerie pictur books. Dey wir awfully soople, an' whin
dey danced it wis just like as mony wind baa's jimpin'
fae da ert. Dey whirled, an' cleekit, and jinket sae
lichtly, it wis a graand sicht ta see dem wi' a bricht mün-
licht nicht. Auld Eddie Edemson o' Oootvoe wis as weel
acquanted wi' dem as he wis wi' his ain folk, an' great
companies o' dem wid a followed him at nicht ony wy
dat he guid; an' whin he met onybody an' wanted da
hill-folk ta lave him at wance, he wid a just strucken his
staff ipa da ert, an' said-
Skeet howe hame, güid folk!'
Bit
an' whin he said dis every ane vanished in a meenit.
whin he wanted dem ta geng hame at their leasir he
hed a kind o' rime dat he said, an' as he keepit sayin' it
dey slowly vanished awa; an' dis wis da rime—
'Da twal, da twal aposels,
Da eleven, da eleven evengilists,
Da ten, da ten commanders,
Da nine da brazen sheeners,
Da eicht da holy waters,
Da seven starns i' da heavens,
Da six creation mornins,
Da five da tumblers o' my bools,
Da four da gospel makers,
Da tree triddle trivers,
Da twa lily-white boys dat clothed demsells in
green, boys;
Da ane, da ane, dat walks alon, an' now ye a' geng
hame, boys.'
"Da hill-folks wis gude enouch whin ye pleased dem, an'
ca'd dem 'guid folk,' an' no hill-folk, fir dey niver laeked
dat; bit whin dey wir ill-pleased dey wir very vicious,
an' da warst was takin' awa kie and sometimes bairns,
an' auld folk as weel. A'body kent dat Eric Yunson hed
1 Tapering.
2 End or snout.
3 Cap Made of rushes.


90
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
a bairn dat wis taen awa; it just began an' wüor up, an'
wüor up, till it wis a perfet veesion; an' somebody gae
dem coonsel ta swüp it oot among da ase just i' da
first dim-rivin', an' den keep da door open, an' watch fir
dey saw a bairn comin' in, whin dey wir ta draw a ring
roond aboot it an' say :-
'Ootside da ring your power may ye tine,
Inside da ring, Lord, keep me an' mine.'
Sae dey did as dey wir tauld, an' ae mornin' just i̇' da
first dim-rivin' dey swüped dis eemage oot among da
ase, an' oot trow da door, and den dey waited a peerie
start, an' in comes a beautiful bairn wi' yallow curlin' hair,
an' just da very face o' what dere ain bairn sud a been;
an' sae, as ye may tink, dey wir na lang in sayin' da wirds;
bit in a meenit da hoose wis filled wi' a kind o' wind dat
blew everything aboot da hoose; an' dis was da hill-folk,
whin dey cudna get inside da ring, dey blew der
breaths upo' da bairn an' da folk; an da niest mornin'
der skins wir a' blistered, but efter a while dat a' wür awa,
an' da bairn grew up ta be a fine luikin' woman. Bit
it's noo time ta me ta be düne, I tink; an' sae wha's neist,
Bawby? It's you dat luiks efter dat."
"Yea, I sall luik efter you a', my bairns," said Bawby ;
"bit I'm tinkin' it's just my ain Leezie dat's sittin' at dy
side dat's gaen ta gie wis a sang noo."
“O, Bawby, ye micht pass me," said Leezie Lowrie o'
Langgate, "for I never ken what ta sing."
"Dat's just because du hes sae mony o' dem, my bairn,"
replied Bawby; "bit du can gie wis' Willie da Sailor;'
dat's a bonuie sang, an' we'll a' be blyde ta hear it.”
"O, dat ane," said Leezie, smiling; "I'm shüre I never
ken if I mind it a'; bit if I miss ony o' da verses ye can
tell me." And Leezie sang in a soft clear voice this
ballad :-
•
It was in the month of fair July
When wild flowers bloom most pleasantly,
And the sun shone bright in a summer sky
When we abroad were walking.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
91
66
I said, "My charming Mally dear,
I cannot wed you now I fear;
For my ship to distant lands must steer,
And so we must be parting.
And then when I am far from you,
You'll forget your jolly sailor true,
And give your heart to another blue,
Who may be a deceiver."
"O William, William !" aloud she cries,
While tears came streaming from her eyes,
"Your faithful loving Mally dies,
The day you from her wander.
"When you are gone, my William dear,
Beneath the waves I shall disappear,
And the dark sea-weed shall be my bier,
And soft shall be my slumber."
My arms her waist then did entwine,
I wiped her cheeks and kissed her then;
Cheer up, cheer up, love, you shall be mine,
I've said all this to try you.
Here is a ring for your lily hand,
Here's gold to buy what you may command,
For to-morrow joined in wedlock band
We shall no more be parting.'
Ay, dat's a right sang, Leezie," said Tammie o'
Tümheads, who was sitting next to Leezie. "I aye
laek ta hear a sang dat ends weel."
"Den I hoop du hes ane ready dat'll end weel,
Tammie," said Leezie, "for it's dy turn neist."
"O! an' so it is! "exclaimed Tammie. "I wis just
firyattin' dat. Weel, I'll gie you da 'Boatman's Sang,'
fir dat ane baith begins an' ends weel enouch."
THE BOATMAN'S SONG.
'Janny get my sea bread;
I hoop du hes it clare; ¹
Da sky is saftly marked ower,
A sign o' wadder fair.
1 Ready.
Fir I'm gaen ta da far haaf,
Because da wadder's fair,
An' a bonnie lock o' fish we'll hae
Ta lay upo' da ayre.2
2 Beach.


92
26
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Get me my buddie made o' gloy,¹
Dat hings ahint da door;
My skinjup an' my sea-breeks,
An' see dey're hale afore.
Fir I'm gaen ta da far haaf, &c.
Pit in my mittens an' my dags, 2
An' mind a keg o' blaand;
Ta slock my trist, fir weel du kens
Da wark we hae in haand,
Whin we ir at da far haaf, &c.
5
My sea büits an' my küitikens,6
Just see dey're in da büddie;
My mussel-draig, my lempit7 pick,
An' sae my lempit cuddie.8
Fir I'm gaen ta da far haaf, &c.
My snüids an' handlin rex me doon
Dey're dere upo' da lame,
An noo dat's a', Lord be wi' dee,
Fir I maun geng fae hame,
An' geng ta da far haaf, &c.
Da pirr 10 o' wind is fae da wast,
An' we'll heist up da sail,
Until we come ta fishin' grund
Whaur we can set an' hail,
Whin we come ta da far haaf, &c.
Bit first geng out an' meet wi' me,
Just as I leave da door;
Fir weel I ken dy fit hes luck,
As I hae fun' afore,11
Whin I gaed ta da far haaf, &c.
Sae Lord be wi' dee noo, an' keep
Baith dee an' a' da bairns;
He kens dat baith fir dee an' dem
My very hert it yerns,
Whin I am at da far haaf, &c.
1 Stiff oat straw.
4 Thirst.
2 Half mittens.
5 Boots.
3 Quench.
6 Socks.
7 Small iron chisel for removing limpets from the rocks.
8 Small creel for collecting limpets in.
9 The thin line put next the hooks in the gear for fishing the
sethe. 10 Slight breeze gently ruffling the surface of the water.
11 See Note O. Superstitions of fishermen.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
93
Keep up dy hert an' dünna greet
As aft doos düne afore;
Bit tink upo' da lock o fish
We're shüre to bring ashore,
Whin we come fae da far haaf, &c.'
"Dy turn neist, Sandy," said Tammie, as he finished
his song and gave young Sandy Flaws o' Flatriggs a
nudge with his elbow. "Du dat hes sae muckle lear
can gie us sontin' graand; sae come awa noo, an' get up
ta dy feet, an' say it laek a minister."
66
Dy skimp¹ is wilcome," said Sandy; "bit since du
wants me ta gie dee sontin' in da minister's line, I'll gie
da 'Lost Boat,' an dat's better den mony a sermon du'll
hear fae da poopit; an' sae I hoop ye'll a' pay attention,
an' sit as quiet as ye wid dü i' da kirk," saying which
Sandy rose to his feet, pushed back his chair, and gave
the following recitation, which was listened to by the
whole circle of lads and lasses with breathless attention :
THE LOST BOAT.
'The summer eve was still and beautiful,
The placid bay lay hushed in calm repose,
And tiny wavelets broke in murmur sweet
Upon the silvery sand. O'er Thule's hills
The radiant western sky, with fleecy clouds,
Was beauteous fair; all Nature sweetly smiled,
And grey-haired sage, full deep in weather lore,
Could not discern of danger in the sky.
The anxious fisher hied him to the beach
To launch his boat upon the buoyant wave,
Spreading his sail before the gentle breeze,
To seek his finny prey in waters deep.
At many a cottage door a loving wife,
Mother, or blushing artless maiden stood,
Watching the tiny bark recede from sight
That bore away all dear on earth to them.
And when just lost to view a falling tear,
Or inward earnest prayer to Him
Who calms the seas, and rules the raging storms,
That He would keep them in His heavenly care,
And safely guide them on the pathless deep.
1 Irony.


94
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
The sun now sinks beneath the western wave,
The lines are set, the boat lies gently rocked
Upon the bosom of the placid deep,
Waiting the midnight turning of the tide
That brings the fish to many a tempting bait.
But look! what mean those sudden swelling waves,
While yet the air is still and calm around?
It is the prelude of a coming storm,
Told by the scudding clouds athwart the sky.
Dull souching sounds are borne across the wave
That tell the tempest follows hard behind.
The anxious crew now ply the bending oar,
And hail" their lines with energetic speed,
But soon the breaking waves and lashing spray
Force them to cut away the straining line.
The close-reefed sail now hoisted to the gale,
The well-tried skipper, of unrivalled skill,
With lips compressed, and strong and sinewy arm,
Seizes the helm and draws the dripping sheet;
Fast through the hissing waves the boat she flies,
Rushing and bounding like a thing of life.
With watchful eye, and quick and steady hand,
The skilful pilot runs to lee and weather
Of towering waves that soon would overwhelm
His fragile bark beneath the swelling foam.
Oft from the jaws of death he quickly glides:
The yawning grave beneath the crested wave,
In clamouring rage wide opens for its prey.
Alas! to tell the tale: On that sad day,
A noble crew thus battled with the storm;
A father, two sons, and a son-in-law-
A braver crew not found on Thule's shore.
When just in sight of land, a mighty wave
Swept quick their boat beneath its surging tide,
And left them struggling on the raging foam.
Now on the slippery keel at last they cling,
Oft deep submerged beneath the angry waves;
Rising again into the raging blast,
The lashing spray beats on them furiously.
Ah! who can tell the agonizing thoughts
Of home and dear ones to be seen no more,
That nerved the stiffening forms and numbed grasp
Of heroes battling with remorseless fate.
Inscrutable decree! what dare we say?
Though ties are broken by the angry wave,
No tempest rages on that peaceful shore
Where tears flow not, and parting is unknown.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
95
With early dawn upon the dizzy heights,
Mothers, sisters, and wives are seen
Straining their tearful eyes upon the sea
Still raging wild with foaming billows white;
And as each speck of sail appears in view
Is raised aloud a cry of hope and fear.
At last, all one by one, the tempest-tossed,
They round the point and safely gain the strand,
Except, alas! that one which never more
Shall fill its place upon the shingly beach.
In vain, mother, sister, and a loving wife
Still gaze upon the sailless watery waste,
Their slender forms bending 'gainst the blast,
While flitting to and fro along the cliff.
Again and again, in wild despair
Return they to their friends upon the beach
To hear false hopes as kindly oft repeated
By lips trembling by sympathetic grief.
But, ah! the dread hour at last must come
When hope dies out, and whispering groups
Betray the fatal truth.
By friendly arms supported, sorrowfully
They reach the cheerless home, now desolate;
And then is heard the shriek of agonizing woe!
Bursting hearts, and eyes that will not weep,
For grief has made those friendly fountains dry.
Is there on earth a beating human heart
That all unmoved could see such human woe,
Could hear that wail of lamentation deep,
And not sob out his sympathizing grief?
O! Thou who temper'st to the shorn lamb
The chilling winds of early vernal spring,
Come with the balm of thine own consolation,
And pour it on the wounded, bleeding heart;
And in the shadow of this vale of tears
Shine bright upon the mourners' lonely path,
And point them to that heavenly home
Where friends are not lost, but gone before.'


96
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER XII.
When rural life o' every station
Unite in common recreation;
Love blinks, wit slaps, and social mirth
Forgets there's care apo' the earth.
BURNS.
"EH less, aless! O dear, a dear !" exclaimed Bawby,
as Sandy finished his recitation and resumed his seat.
"Dis pits me a mind o' da woful day dat my uncle's
boat wis misforne; bit ye're a' luiken sae wae dat I
winna say ony mair aboot it; mair by token, as I ken
Walter can gie us sontin' dat'll sheer us up, fir we maun
a' try an' be happy dis nicht. Sae Walter, come awa;
we ken du hes sontin' graand ta gie us."
66
"O Bawby, ye're skimpin me," said Walter Oman o'
Dürigart, looking straight at the fire while he spoke;
"but hoosomever, I'll du my best ta please you a', an' sae
I'll gie you a ballant dat wis composed by a Shetlan' man
efter he had been mony years oot o' Shetlan'; an' it shaws
dat püir as da kuntrie is, it's no forgotten by dem dat
leaves it, an' dat, a' da warld ower, dere's nae place laek
hame, an' nae plesur laek da plesurs o' wir young days.
Da sang is ca'd
DA GUID AULD TIMES.
"Da güid auld times whin I wis young,
Richt weel dü I remember;
Whin frosts an' snaws, an' guns an' baa's
Wi' joy brocht in December.
Den snaw-drifts roond da yard-decks lay
In strange fantastic forms,
An' wild waves breakin' on da shore
Da sport o' winter's storms.
Upo' da rüif wi' angry sough,
Loud Boreas aft wis roarin';
Shrill in da lum he whistled whiles,
An' whiles wis loodly snorin'.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
97
Da snawie¹ fuils wi' coorin' wing
Aroond da door cam' pickin';
An' hungry sheep in snawed-up büols 2
Fast in da fans 3 wir stickin'.
Black stirlins,4 doos, an' maws, an' craws,
Wi' hunger cam' sae near us;
We tocht dey kent us den sae weel,
Dey never mair wid fear us.
At nicht aroond a blazin' fire
O' dry peats lowin' brichtly,
Young lads an' lasses cam' ta spend
Da winter evenin's sprichtly.
Da guddick 5 tale, da sang an' joke
Gaed roond da circle cheerie ;
An' games at "kissin' roond da ring,”-
Let ilk lad kiss his dearie.
Bit tho' on fun ilk ane wis bent,
Der wark dey aye kept mindin,
Da lasses knittin' at der socks,
Da lads der simmits windin'.
Auld granny in the corner sits,
Her spinnin' wheel fast hurrin',
An' at her feet upo' the hearth
Da cat wi' joy sits purrin',
Auld Dey wi' gloy an' simmet clews
A cashie weel is makin' ;
An tho' wi' simmets in his teeth
Auld jokes he aye keeps crackin'.
Den whin the 'oor o' supper time
Cam' aye ower shune fir leavin',
To see da rod hame in da dark,
Bricht lowin' peats wir wayin'.
Frae Hallamas ta Auld Yüle Day,
A gay time aye wis den 0;
Whin mony a happy pair der ain
Cud ca' a but an' ben 0.
1 The snow bunting. 2 Shelter for sheep.
4 The starling (sturness vulgaris).
6 Half-consumed peat brands.
3 Snow-wreaths.
5 Riddle.
G


98
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
To kirk or manse hoo fair to see
A score o' pairs geng leadin';
Wi' ribbins fleein' an' fiddles playin',—
Just every week a weddin'.
Wi' merry heels at rants an reels,
Da barn flürs wis shakin':
"But" ower the muckle pot boils brown,
Sic castin' scones an' bakin'.
Pork hams, skenk houghs,2 an' reisted³ geese,
Dried saucer4-meet an' spaarls;
Milky scones an' soonie scones,
Heat burstan bread an' faarls.5
Der wis a fouth, o' meat an' drink,
An' welcome a' micht chance in;
To sit doon at the festive board
Or join the fun an' dancin'!
But lit wis leave da weddin' folk,
Sa dance an' reel till mornin';
An' geng roond by the stane yard deck,
Dat hes da screws o' corn in.
Dere Eddie Tam hes killed his grice,
An' Eppie puddins makin';
Baith black an' white, da meal an' seam,
Shü heans na weel ta pack in.
Den in da pot wi' careful haand,
Shü plumps dem ane by ane in ;
An no ta lit dem spleet or spue,
Fast ower she pricks a pin in.
But near da lum, twa triky cheelds,
A while dey hae been watchin',
An' if dey're lucky, as dey tink,
Some queer fish dey'll be catchin'.
Fir four ling huiks, like mussel draig,
Wi' lead an' string fir lowerin',
Dey'll quietly slip doon i' da pot,
Whin Eppie taks ta snorin'.
3 Smoked.
5 Thin bannocks.
6 Spares.
1 Making pancakes. 2 Beef houghs.
4 Dried sausages.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
99
Ay, there gengs ane up through da reek
O' puddins clare fir eatin',
While Eppie snores, and Eddie glowers,
Just whaur he's sweein' da feet in.
An' dere goes twa, tree, four, and five,
Da sixt da huik aff jumped,
And doon da height o' lum it fell,
An' in da kettle plumped.
Da splash sent oot a waterspoot
Ower Eppie's fit and brunt it;
When oot shu roars, "My Lord, my fit,
My hoose wi' ghosts is hunted."
Up jimps auld Eddie roong in haand,
An' oot the door gengs spangin',
An' swears he'll catch da puddin' tieves,
An' end da sport by hangin'.
But aff da riggin' quick as cats.
An' ower da yard deck fleein',
As weel micht Eddie chase twa ghosts,
Or try if he could see ane.
A merry day was Auld Yüle Day,
An' up we aye got early,
To try wir New Yule suits o' claes,
An' see dey fitted fairly.
Fine corduroy or moleskin grey,
Wi' buttons brichtly shinin';
Nae prince in a' da laand e'er tocht
His robes he luiked mair fine in.
Wir güid Scots bonnets, red an' black,
In cheques aboot da brim wis;
Da tap a bunch o' flashy red,
An' in da croon a rim was.
Noo see Yüle mornin's brakwist set,
Da table weel is heaped
Wi' scones an' cakes, boiled cocks and drakes,
Da bottle an' da teapot.
Loaf bread an' biscuit fae da toon
O Lerick fills a basket;
An' bairns tak whate'er dey like,
An' never need to ask it.
1 Singing.
9
833075


100
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Da braekwist ower-wi' baa' an' gun
Aff ta da links we run fast,
An' gled to fin' whin we cam dere
Dere was nane o' da fun past.
Dere scores o' boys wi' bang an' noise,
Da wind baa's keeps careerin';
While shots fae guns wi' big touch holes
Gae some puir gunners sair een.
A' day lang, bang gengs the baas
Sic fechtin', faain', an' racin',
Dat new claes maks us sairly dread
At hame ta shaw wir face in.
Wi' legs weel tired at close o' day
We slept dat nicht sae soondly;
Bit still in draem da licht wind baa'
Kept iver dancin' roondly.
Auld sober sense, an' prim soor dook
Micht ca' da day a füle day.
Bit ta da hert o' sprichtly youth
A glorious day wis Yüle Day.
An' noo amid dis world's change
In scenes far distant lyin',
Whaur art o' man wi' fairest forms
O' Nature ever viein';
Da sweetest strains o' music heard
Wi a' da pomp an' graander,
O' city wi' its pleasures gay,
Whaur youthful choice may wander :-
Yet I can say dey've pleased me no;
An' aft ta cure my chagrin,
I've wissed ance mair for Auld Yule Day
My leaden guns and baa' green.'"
"Weel, I be hanged," exclaimed Johnnie o' Greenta
slapping his thigh and rubbing it with his hand, "if dat
no da best we've heard da nicht; it's really capital! Ma
whaur fell du in wi' dis, an' fu can du mind on it, sic
lent as it is? Ay! da wrater o' dat is been a Shetland
no mistake. He kens a' aboot it; an' weel
man,
Vale."


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
101
"I'm blide ye're a' pleased wi' it," said Walter; "bit
wha's neist ta carry on da glory o' it?
""
"O, it's dee, Gírzie, my jewel; come awa an' gie us
sontin' sweet," added Walter, as he put his arm round
her waist, and tried to give her a kiss.
66
Geng awa an' kiss Jeannie o' Voe," cried Girzie
Güillet, as she drew herself away from Walter, and
lifted her hand to give him a slap on the cheek.
"O, mercy!" exclaimed Walter, as he covered his ears
with his hands; "hae mercy upo' me dis time, and I'll
never du it agen; bit come awa, my dautie, an' gie us dy
bonnie sang, an' I sall be best man at dy weddin'; an' den,
as Hill Robbie said, 'I'll get drams an' get kiss o' bride
enko!" "
66
Ay, come awa, my bairn," said Bawby, "an' gie us
'Da Auld Wife's Fireside;' dat's ane fir me, du kens."
"Weel," said Girzie, "I'll try an' sing dat sang just ta
your ainsel, Bawby; bit if I cud help it, dis fuil sinner
dat's sitten at my side sud na hear a wird o' it," she
added, as she sang in a clear merry voice
THE AULD WIFE'S FIRESIDE.
'Da wind is roarin' i̇' da lum,
Dere's snawdrifts deep on every side;
Bit what cares shü for wind or snaw,
Wi' comfort at her fireside?
Da auld wife's fireside,
Wir auld grannie's fireside;
Nae place in a' da world wide
Sae cosy as her fireside.
Her dog an' cat upo' da heart
In friendship dear dey aye confide,
An' puss purrs ower his waggin' tail
By da auld wife's fireside.
Da auld wife's fireside, &c.
Her hoose as clean as ony preen,
An' things dat wir her midder's pride
Are dere, nae warr yet o' do wear,
By da auld's wife fireside.
Da auld wife's fireside, &c.


102
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Her wheel rins roond wi' muckle din,
Her fingers ower da yarn slide;
Da cairds, da wheel, da knitten' wires
Ne'er slacken at her fireside.
Da auld wife's fireside, &c.
Her teapot's mask'd four times a day,
Da truth she düsna need ta hide,
Fir a drap o' tae is just her life
An' comfort o' her fireside.
Da auld wife's fireside, &c.
Shü says
Wi' airs o' meal, an teats o' 'o0
"da Lord will her provide;"
Fir aye shü fan' His promise true
Sin first shü hed a fireside.
Da auld wife's fireside, &c.
In winter nichts aroond her fire
Da lads an' lasses laek ta bide;
Fir kind wirds aye shü hes ta say,
Ta a' dat's roond her fireside.
Da auld wife's fireside, &c.
Sic fairy tales as shü can tell
An' giants dat tree miles cud stride;
Wi' ghosts an' goblins maks you grue
At nicht ta leave her fireside.
Da auld wife's fireside, &c.
An' whiles shü tinks o' days gane by,
An' when shü wis a bonnie bride,
Sic tochts maks tears come trinklin' doon,
When lanely at her fireside.
Da auld wife's fireside, &c.
Bit trials tho' mony shü hes hed
At Providence shu does na chide;
Tho' a' are noo' laid i' da müld,
Dat ance wir roond her fireside.
Da auld wife's fireside, &c.
Her Bible den her only joy,
In days whin shü wis sairly tried;
An' still shü seeks da "Promised Laand"
In it, oft by her fireside.
Da auld wife's fireside, &c.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
103
CHAPTER XIII.
The nicht drave on wi' sangs and clatter.
BURNS.
"LORD bless dy sweet voice, my bairn!" exclaimed
Bawby; "a bonnie fireside indeed! May we a' seek dat
Promised Laand, an' den we'll no miss dis weary world;"
and Bawby clasped her hands, looking devoutly up to
the lum. Noo, my bairns," she added, "da nicht's
spendin', sae ony ane dat's neist say awa. Ay, it's dee
Jamie; du'll tell wis a story, an' I ken dere's nane i̇' da
hoose dat can beat dee at dat."
66
66
Oh, you maunna skimp me," said Jamie M'Keenie
o' Scartness; "bit whidder or no, I sall tell you ane o' da
best I mind apon; an' no ta hae ony lees in it, I'll geng
nae farder awa den last simmer, when I wis rowin' at da
Ness sea."
JAMIE'S TALE.
"Da saith hed begun ta get a kind o' clumpsed, an'
shu widna lift i' da scrüiff idder, fir wing¹ or skag, an'
draigin, excep fir bait, wisna wirt tryin', sae wir men
tocht dat we wid hae a shot wi' da tows.
Weel we
2
made a' ready, an' wi' a lock o' stanes i' da efter shot,
an' a single reef i' da sail, we ran oot an' east till we hed
da Toogs³ afore da widder, an' den we tüik doon an' set
aff; and whin we flang wir ooter bow, we hed da
1 Bait cut from the belly of a fish near the gills.
2 Fishing sethe by running the line to the bottom (sometimes they
are fished in the surface)..
""
3 A fisherman's "meethe or landmark, by which he knows wher
to find a particular fishing ground.
4 Buoy.


104
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Hammer o' Scord¹ at Noness. We den ran ta wir inner
bow an' began ta hail, an' efter we hed aboot a packie
an' a half in, da tow began ta snore heavy upo' da cabe.2
Says Ita Eddie Maikimson dat wis hailin', 'Ye're
shürely i' da grund, Eddie,' says I. Na, faith, boy,'
says he, 'dere's a fish apo' me, an' a heavy ane tü.’
4
3
"Andoo aisie, boys,' says Eddie ta da men dat wir
upo' da fore taft; an' den in a peerie start he cries agen,
shoo; 5 an' wi' dat a perfet monster o' a turbot rises i' da
scrüiff, wi' da tows wuppled an' wuppled roond aboot
'em; sae we managed ta get his head upo' da gunnel,“ an',
if ye'll believe me, wir keel wis nearly oot o' da water
afore we got him in ower; an' den, Lord save me, as his
tail lay i' da eft stameron,' an' his head across da fore
taft, an' as fat as he cud lie within da hide. A peerie
while efter we got him in he gies a awful fluffer, till da
boat shüick anunder him agen, an' oot he spues a great
muckle ling, wi' a winderful muckle belly. Eddie taks da
tullie ta see what dis is dat's in 'em, an' just as he rits
up da fish, oot flees a kittywake.8 Shu jimps upo' da mid
taft, flapps her wings, an' spues up twa bricht skags,
an' aff shu flees skeet-ip-a-leerie."
66
"O, Jamie, Jamie !" exclaimed Rasme Rudderhead,
"du's a boy!"
"Düs du mean ta say dat I'm tellin' a lee? inquired
Jamie with well-feigned surprise.
66
"Du, du,” replied Rasme; no a wird o' a lee ever du
tell'd a' dy days; an' sae we'll no fa' oot aboot it, as
Geordie here is just waitin' ta gie's a sang."
66
"Ay, come awa, my bairn," said Bawby, "an' sing
wis dat bonnie sang I mind dee singin' here ae time last
year. Da wirds o' it I tink wis, Hoo happy wir da
days o' my early youth.'"
1 Another "meethe."
4 To pull slowly.
2 Thowl.
5 Pull backwards.
7 Double knee in the stern and prow of a boat.
8 Kittie wake (Larus Tridactylus).
3 Rocky bottom.
6 Gunwale.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
105
"O ay, dat's no a bad sang, if I cud only sing it
richt," said Geordie Oman, smiling bashfully; "I'm bit a
puir haand at singin' onything, Bawby."
66
"O, haud dy tongue, Geordie," exclaimed Bawby;
"dere's no a better singer i' da hoose; sae just come awa
noo, an' nae mair aboot it."
"Dere's nae üse o' me sayin' no ta you, Bawby," said
Geordie, as he cleared his throat, and gave in a fine
musical voice,-
THE SONG.
'How happy were the days of my early youth,
When my heart was joyous and free,
As I stood on the shore of my native isle
And gazed on my native sea!
When its murmuring waves sung a lullaby
Like the mermaid's evening tune;
When she sweetly plays on her coral harp
By the light of the silvery moon.
How sweet was the scene, when at evening serene
Those murmuring waves were at rest,
As quietly they lay in a slumber sweet,
Like a babe on its mother's breast.
When no voice was heard from the silent shore,
Nor sound from the silent sea,
Save the evening cry of the caloo bird,¹
With its soft wild melody.
"Coo a coo a caloo," sang the lonely bird,
At the close of a summer's day,
When its sweet wild notes o'er the calm still sea
In the distance melted away.
I've tasted such pleasures as life can afford,
And sweetest of music I've heard;
But none of them all e'er my heart could enthrall
Like that song of the caloo bird.
For the sun of my life was then rising serene
And my heart was a stranger to care;
And the murmuring waves and the sea bird's cry
Were the music that charmed my ear.
1 Heralda Glacialis.


106
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
When mine eyes close last on this changing scene,
And life's sounds in mine ear melt away;
Let me hear the voice of the caloo bird
At the close of a summer day.
Let me hear the waves as they murmur past
And whisper "life's tempest is o'er;"
Let them hush me to sleep in a slumber deep
By my own dear native shore.'
"O dear a dear," exclaimed Bawby, "what a sweet
sang dat is! Dat verse aboot da caloo aye maks me
laek ta greet, fir it brings back ta my mind da time whin
I was a peerie lass staandin' afore my fedder's door in a
fine calm simmer's evenin', hearin' da caloos far awa ower
da still sea. It was just laek da sweet music o' fairyland,
as de saying is. Bit, Ellie, it's dee neist, my bairn."
"O Bawby, ye maunna ax me ta sing," said Ellie
Inkster, "fir I'm hearse wi' da cauld; bit I'll tell you a
story, an' dis is, I tink, da best ane I can mind upon.
"Dere wis ance apon a time whin robbers wis gaen
aboot da kuntry, an' naebodie wis safe even i' der hooses,
unless dey hed strong doors an' bolts, an' plenty o' guns
an' swirds aboot dem. A jantleman's hoose stud by
itsel in a lonely pairt o' da kuntry, an' da faimily wir a'
awa excep ae servant dat wis left ta keep da hoose, an'
shu wis tauld whin da faimily güid awa ta lit naebodie
in da hoose, idder nicht or day. Sae der's nae mair o'
dis till aboot a ouk or sae efter da faimily hed left, whin
ae nicht efter it wis fairly dark, a auld begger wife cam
ta da door shiverin' wi' cauld, an' her teeth clatterin' da
taen upo' da tidder.
666
"O, my dear lamb,' says da auld wife, 'I'm lost my
wy, an' I'm just laek ta fa' doon wi' cauld an' hunger;
an' if ye wid just lit me in ta your ketchin ta warm
mysell, I widna bide lang.'
666
"O,' says da lass, 'ye can come in;' fir shu tocht dat
a auld begger cud dü na ill ta onybody; sae shu taks
her in an' sets her in a shair at da side o'
her a het drink; an' sae wi' da heat o'
da fire, an' gies
da fire an' da


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
107
heat o' da drink, efter a peerie while shü notices dat da
begger begins ta get sleepy laek; an' den in a while
agen shu's fairly soond asleep, snorin' wi' her head back
ower, an' da auld cloak shu hed aboot her a kind o' open
wys. Da lass tinks shü'll luik an' see what kind o' claes
da bodie has on anunder dis auld cloak; an' shü lifts up
ane o' da sides o' it carefully, whin, Lord preserve us, if
shü düsna see a man's coat wi' a ledder belt on, an' a'
sticket fu' o' pistols an' daggers; an' whin shü lüiks at
da face it's a man's face wi' a' da whiskers shaved aff.
When shu saw dis shü nearly screeched oot, bit it wis a
mercy fae da Lord dat shü didna dü it, fir hed shü
waukened da robber shü wid-a shüne been a corp in a
short time. Shü clespet her haands, an' lüiked wildly
aboot ta see hoo shü cud escape, bit der wis nae wy ta her
ta flee, fir dere wis shüre ta be robbers ootside waitin' fir a
signal, as shu saw da robber hed a whissel fir dis purpose.
By dis time his head wis mair back ower, an' he wis
lyin' snorin' wi' his mooth open, sae just in a moment
shu gripet da boilin' tae-kettle aff da fire, an' poored da
bulderin' watter doon his craig. He sprang ta his feet
wi' a wild gron, an' den fell flat on his face upo' da flüir.
An' a kind o' tremel güid ower his body fir a minit, an'
den a' was still. Da püir lass wis noo laek to geng oot
o' her judgment; shu didna ken what ta du, an' shü
prayed ta da Lord ta strenten her as shu drew ane o' da
pistols fae da robber's belt, an' took da whissel fae his
breast. Shu noo guid tae da ooter door o' da hoose, an'
lüikin' trow da key-holl shu saw tree men walkin' aboot
a piece awa fae da door; shu den gie a lood whissel, an'
in a minit da biggest ane o' da tree men cam up close ta
da door, an' held his lug close ta da key-hole. Shu kent
dis, fir shu heard da sough o' him drawin' his breath.
Shu noo cocked da pistol an' emmd as near whaur aboot
his head wis as shü cud, den shü fired, an' just as da ball
güid thro' da door shu heard a heavy fa' an' a gron oot-
side. Shu now lüiked thro' da holl da ball hed made i' da
door, an' saw twa men rinnin' awa as fast as der legs cud
carry dem.


108
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
"Shü cud dü na mair noo fir daylicht cam, fir shü
wis far awa fae ony idder human habitation. Sae shü
güid an locked hersell inta a upstair's room, an' sat
dere till da daylicht cam in. Shü den ran ta da nearest
toon an' gae da alairm, an' shüne dere wis a number o'
offichers at da hoose, an' fan da twa dead robbers lyin',
ane i' da kitchen, an' da idder ane ootside da door, whaur
he hed fa'en. Da idder twa wis catched shün efter, an'
dey wir baith hanged.
"Whin her mester cam hame he wis dat owerjoyed he
sed he widna lit her be a sirvant ony mair, bit just be da
sam as ane o' his ain faimily; an' sae shu bedd' wi' him
fir some years efter dis, until shu wis mairried to a graand
jantleman, an' her mester made her a graand weddin',
an' settled mony upon her dat shu got sae muckle o' every
year as lang as shü lived; an' sae my tale is düne."
During the time Ellie was telling her story she was
listened to with breathless attention. The lasses ceased
knitting, and let their hands fall on their laps, and the lads
were equally absorbed in mentally following the heroine
in so bravely defending her master's house. Bawby from
time to time gave inaudible expression to her feelings
by clasping her hands and looking up to the roof of the
cottage.
66
Eh, it wis a awfal death fir da sinner ta dee at
last," she exclaimed; "but what cud da püir lass dü;
shü hed nae idder wy o' savin' her ain life bit by takin'
his. I mean da ane dat shü killed wi' da heat watter, fir
shuttin' wis no sae awful laek, tho' it mebbe wis as easy
ta dee du tae wy as da tidder. Ay, we sud a' be
thankful dat wi' can sit anunder wir ain vine and fig-
tree, an' nane daurin' ta mak wis afraid, as da Scripture
says; bit, Nannie, it's dee neist, my bairn."
"Ae story pits anidder in a body's mind," said Nannie
Ollie o' Ootvoe; "an' sae I'll just tell you anidder
robber's story."
1 Remained,
1


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
109
CHAPTER XIV.
As bees flee hame wi' lades o' treasure,
The minutes winged their way wi' pleasure.
BURNS.
"DIS wis a jantleman's hoose da sam wy as Ellie's
story," said Nannie Ollie, as she held her knitting between
her and the light, and tried to recover a slipt loop, "bit
da mistress wis left at hame hersell wi' twa servants, fir
shu hed newly been mairried, an' da jantleman hed gane
awa fae hame apon some business. Ae nicht efter dark,
whin da mistress wis sittin' in her room up da stair, shu
herd a awful noise i' da kitchen, an' den twa fearful
screechs, an' shu ran doon stairs, an' da first dat met
her sicht, wis baith her servants lyin' upo' da flüir wi' da
red blüid gushin' fae der breests, an' five robbers standin'
wi' drawn daggers i' der haands. As shüne as dey saw
da mistress, dey closed roond aboot her, and sed, 'Your
money or your life! We want da keys o' da jewel kist
dats i' da strong celler.'
666
"O,' says da mistress, 'ye sall get da keys an' a' dat's
in da kist, fir my husband is very rich, an' we'll never miss
it; so come wi' me,' shu says, 'an' I'll tak you ta da
celler.'
"Sae awashe gengs doon a stair, an' da robbers efter her,
till dey cam till a great muckle room, an' in da flüir o' dis
room wis a hatch dat opened inta da celler aneath, whaur
da jewel kist wis. Sae shu opened dis hatch, an' tüik a
licht in her haand, an' güid doon da ledder an' four o' da
robbers efter her, fir dey left ane at da tap o' da hatch
to staand watch. Shü noo tüik her keys oot o' her
pocket, an' tryed da lock o' da kist; bit nane o' dem wid
open it. 'O,' says shü, 'dear a me! I'm left da key in
my room upstairs-just wait a minute an' I'll fetch it.'
Sae awa shu trips up da ledder, an' gengs past da man,


110
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
fir he heard what shu wis gaen fir, an' sae never lüiked
efter her. Da room wis a' dark, except da licht dat cam
up trow da hatch, sae da man cud na hae seen her far,
even if he hed lüiked; sae just as shu passed by him, shü
wheeled aboot an' ran agenst him, wi' da whole poor
o' her body, an' doon he fell head foremost! an' doon
güid da hatch as quick as lightenin,' an' as it fell it locked
wi' a spring, sae dere dey a' wir fast an' ticht."
"O Lord be praised!" exclaimed Bawby, unable
longer to restrain her feelings; "I wis just trimblin' fir
da püir woman, tinkin' every moment what wis gaen ta
come o' her. O da vagabonds, it saired dem weel; I hoop
dey niver got oot till dey wir hanged."
"Ye're just guessed it, Bawby," said Nanny, " dey wir
a' truly hanged. Püir woman, shu spent a oorie nicht,
her twa murdered servants lyin' ae pairt o' da house, and
five blüidy ruffians in anidder pairt o' da hoose; it wid a
pitten mony a woman oot o' her reason; bit as shu sed efter,
da Lord stüd by her, an' da mornin licht brocht help; for
some bodie on da rod hed seen da geng gaen da wy for
dis hoose, an' sent wird ta da toon; sae dat by daylicht,
dere wis offichers at da hoose axin if ony robbers hed been
seen, whin da mistress cud tell dem da happy news dat
shu hed dem a' secüre; sae dey wir taen up an' hanged,
as I'm sed already."
"Ay, an' saired dem richt," said Bawby, "or ony
murderin' villans laek dem, dat wid tak da life o' twa
püir innicent lasses; bit wha is neist, bairns, fir we maun
be moovin' trow, ye ken?
""
"It's my turn, Bawby," said Rasme Smith; "bit
unless I tell you anidder robber story, dere's naethin' else
I mind upon; an' dis is aboot a robber dat wis made up
laek a pack o' güids, an' left at a fairmer's hoose.
"Ae nicht, just i' da mirkenin', dere cam a packman ta
da fairmer's door, an' sed dat he wis tired wi' carryin'
his pack sae far, an' ower late ta reach da neist toon;
n' sae he wid he blyde if dey wid just lit his pack lie
ween da doors a' nicht, an' he wid try an' get lodgins


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
111
6
'Yea,
fir himsell wi' some o' da fairm servants. 'O,' said da
fairmer, he wis truly welcome to lit his pack lie dere a'
nicht, fir it could dü nae hairm ta onybodie.' Sae he
lays doon da pack, an' dere's nae mair o' dis, fir da
peerie boy comes in dat lüiked efter da kie. Dis boy
hed gotten a auld gun ta frichten da craws wi', an' he
happened ta hae a shot o' pooder an' lead in it at da
time. Sae he comes tae his maester, an' says he, 'What
kind o' a pack is yon dat's lyin' inside da door dere?'
Says his maester, 'It's just a pack like ony idder pack,
I'm tinkin'-cloth an' idder kind o' güids, shürely.' Na,
na,' says da boy, 'der's mair in it den dat, fir I saw it
moovin'.' 'Du saw it moovin',' says his maester;
6 du
undümious¹ leer dat du is; fu can du tell me dat?'
dat I truly did,' says da boy, I saw it moovin', an' I'm
gaen ta fire dis shot in it,' at da sam time aimin' da
gun fir da pack. Lord preserve me!' says da fairmer,
'is da boy red mad? Is he gaen ta destroy da man's
güids?' Bit afore da wirds wir oot o' his mooth, aff
gengs da gun wi' a rumble; an' oot spoots a gush o' red
blüid wi' a awful gron. Baith da boy an' his maester
wir like ta fa' doon wi' fricht, bit efter dey cam ta dem-
sells, dey rins an' opens da pack, whin what sees dey bit
a robber sittin' dead in a box wi' pistols an' swirds at his
belt;
an' he hed a whissel i' da tae haand, an' a knife i̇'
da tidder, an' dis knife wis ta rit 'up da pack an' lit him-
sell oot, whin he wis tae whissel as a signal fir da idder
anes dat wis ta wait ootside. Sae, as ye may believe, da
maester tocht muckle o' his boy, an' bocht him a fine new
foolin'-piece as a present. Da dead robber wis taen awa
wi' da offichers da neist day an' buried at a road-side, pack
an' a', just as he lay; an' dat wis his end. O, it wis
awful times den a days.-I mind a story o' a man dat
tüik lodgins in a kind o' a kuntrie inn ae nicht, an' he hed
a dog wi' him, sae efter da man güid ta bed, da dog cam
ta da foreside o' da bed an' began ta whinge, an' aye he
1 Great, unlimited.


112
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
jimped up wi' his fore feet upo' da bed, an' den shived
his head anunder da bed. Da man tried ta get da dog ta
lie doon, bit da mair he spak till him da mair he whinged,¹
till da man tocht he wid get up an' see if dere wis ony
thing anunder da bed, when, Lord preserve us, what sees
he bit a man lyin' murdered dere wi' his troat cutted fae
lug ta lug! Sae, as micht be tocht, he wis na lang in
gettin' on his claes an' fleein' oot o' da hoose fir his life
as fast as he cud, an' his dog wi' him."
66
"Noo, Bawby," exclaimed Girzie o' Glufftoon, "as
da Lord made me, I'll never leave your hoose dis nicht;
every bit o' me is just quakin'; my very flesh is pipperin'
upo' my banes wi' faer wi' hearin' sae mony awful stories."
Weel, weel, my bairn," rejoined Bawby, "du can
sleep aside me a' nicht, an' den na bokies" 'll touch dee;
bit I tink we'll hae a sang noo, an' dat'll pit da gluff aff
o' wis agen.
An sae bairns just sae awa-wha's neist?
O, it's dee Eric; come awa den like a man, an' gie's
Grannie Thule. I ken du can sing dat weel, an' a bonnie
tüne it is."
"O, Bawby," said Eric Moad, "I tink ye're skimpin'
me, fir ye ken weel enouch I'm timmer-tüned; bit never
mind, I'll dü as weel as I can, an' da best can dü nae
mair," saying which Eric cleared his throat, and sang in
a good bass voice,
THE TRIALS o' GRANNIE THULE.4
'Thule, an auld wifie wha lives on da "Rock,”5
Shü spins on her wheel, an' shü knits at her sock,
Shü gets help fae the laand, shü gets help fae the sea,
An' shu cheers up her hert wi' a cup o' strong tea.
1 Moaned.
2 Trembling.
3 Bogles, ghosts.
4 Allusion is made in these verses to the various acts of oppression
to which the Islands have been subjected since they were added to
the Scottish Crown.
5 A name sometimes familiarly applied to Shetland.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
113
But, waes ine, püir Grannie, sair trials shü hes had,
An' tho' aft shü smiles, in her heart shü is sad,
When shu tinks o' the wy lang syne shü wis üsed,
An' a' her lang life been misca'ed an' abused.
O weel may shü ban whin shü tinks o' the loon
Dat gaed her awa ta da auld Scottish croon ;
Fir fae dat day ta dis shü's been cheat an' oppressed
In her hoose an' her hadden been sairly distressed.
In da first o' her days her pund was a pund,
Her bairns hed aye der ain bit o' grund.
Her lespun' o' butter weighed sixteen pund neat,
An' her bysmer naebody cud sae wis a cheat.
But da auld pechan laird, in a stammer an' stutter,
Ae day let it oot dat he wanted mair butter;
An' he said it need cause her bit little surprise
If her lespun' wis altered ta double da size.
Grannie said shü hed na grit objection ta dat
If da siller was double o' last dat shü gat.
But he said na deil plack wad he raise i' da price,
Though her lespun' o' butter wis da weicht o' her grice,
He said mair den dat, he cud weel understand
Hoo her bairns wir spoilt by bein' lairds o' der land;
An' he hed just a mind ta add ta his ain,
What "grippin'" by fair means or foul cud obtain.
Whin da laird hed sed dis he straddled awa,
An' puir Grannie's cheek was bleached like da snaw.
But shü just gaed ben ower an' sat in her chair,
An' grat lang an' sair till shü cudna greet mair.
Den her hens an' her cocks dat shü liked sa weel,
It made her hert sair ta hear der lood squeel.
Whin packed in a büddie by her auldest son Gawen,
An' aff ta da laird's ta get der necks trawn.
Den Eric, puir fellow, he hated da haaf,
An' ta Greenland whaal fishin' he just wid be aff.
But his fedder was fined in a pound an' a shillin',
Dat, püir man, ta pay he was sairly unwillin'.
As weel micht be tocht, Grannie needed her tea,
An' tar fir da boat an' lines fir da sea.
Bit nae shop daur shü geng near tho' cheaper by far
Den da laird's baith fir tea, an' fir lines, an' fir tar;
Neist, her fish he maun hae at a price o' his ain,
Dat he sells ta da Dons an' da Papists o' Spain.
An' if shü gets four, whin o' pounds he got twenty,
He tocht da auld bodie hed just gotten plenty;
But it's nae üse o' tellin' a' shü's hed ta try her,
Her troubles hae followed like sparks fae de fire
H


114
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
An' her feeble auld nerves hae got sic a shock,
Shü nidder can spin nor knit at her sock;
Her teeth clatters awful wi' fear an' wi' fricht,
An' her friends ir just fearin' shü'll niver come richt.
Sae bairns, hame an' awa, da question whidder,
In da hour o' distress ye'll forsake your auld midder.
No! loud raise your voice, let it ring o'er da sea,
An' shüre help 'ill come to Grannie Thule.'
"Puir bodie!" cried Bawby, "shürely shü hed her
trials; bit I wis aye tinkin ta spür dee, Eric, if du kens
wha dis Grannie Thule wis. Da sang says shü lived on
da rock; dat wad be da name o' da toon shü lived in;
bit dere's nae place o' dat name in dis perrish.
be awa at da Nord Isles, tinks dü?"
Wid it
"O, it's no a auld wife ava, Bawby," said Eric ; "it's
just a sang made up aboot Shetlan', an tellin' da wy
folk wis ill used lang sin syne; an' trath, as we a' ken,
some o' dem is no muckle better üsed yet. Bit wha sings
neist?"
"O, I'm just tinkin," replied Bawby, "it's peerie
Jamie dat's sittin' dere i' da corner, bit he's mebbe dat
bashful dat he'll no sing onything; sae some ane o' you
'ill hae ta gie wis a sang fir him.”
"Weel, ye a' ken," said Sandy Flaus, "dat I canna
sing ony; bit I'll gie you anidder recitation. It's ca'ed
'Winter Thoughts on Thule,' an' it wis composed by da
sam man dat wrote 'Da Lost Boat;' an' dis is it—
H
4
WINTER THOUGHTS ON THULE.
Dear Thule! home of my early youth,
Bleak thy hills, and dark with many a seamy scaur,
Around thy rugged shores the wintry tempest raves,
And wild tempestuous waves, with thunderous roar,
Dash full against thy adamantine rocks.
Earth's fairest scenes beneath Italian skies,
The orange grove, the graceful drooping palm,
The clustering vine, in many a verdant vale,
With all the glories of those sunny climes,
Though spread in sweet enchantment to my view,


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
115
Could not emotions half so sweet awake
As do thy wintry winds and raging waves,
O Thule !
Those winds that whistled in the cottage door,
And sighed deep through thy lonely hills and vales;
When stern old Winter, armèd took the field,
And loud declared his elemental war,
Shaking his icy spear and snowy mantle
With angry grasp full in the northern blast;
Then seated by the homely cottage hearth,
The tempest loud was music in mine ear;
The whistling wind, like some Æolian harp
Of sweetest strain, charmed the hours away.
The blazing fire-the homely frugal fare
A regal feast by sweet contentment made;
The heart no sorrow knew-no worldly cares
O'er youth's bright day had yet their shadows cast.
Life, like a golden dream just new begun,
Knew only joy; and scowling winter's wildest rage
Was scarcely heard 'mid sounds of youthful mirth.
When perched upon the summit of some lofty rock,
How much I loved to watch thy mighty waves,
And see them sport their wild fantastic forms
As on with awful force they madly rushed
To dash against the quivering rock.
Then in the dread recoil, in dazzling white,
The seething foam like angry Maelstrom boiled
(That rages wild near Norway's rocky shore),
And whirling tempest raised the churned froth
Like drifting clouds of winter's flaky snow,
Fast chasing onward in the murky air.
On high with pinions spread, in graceful ease
The sea-gull soared upon the wintry blast,
To watch the tossings of the angry deep,
Which heaved from ocean's bed the struggling fish,
And, darting down, swift carried off her prey.
On that same rock, lashed by the briny spray
And driving sleet, oft have I watched
The curving waves, broke by th' impetuous wind;
And in their shadows dark I fondly thought
I saw the outline of some mighty wreck
Which soon upon the shelving beach might lie,
And I the owner of the glorious spoil.


116
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Dear Thule! home of my infancy and youth,
How bright on memory's page those records stand
Which tell the story of my early days!
-
Thy rugged grandeur, and thy stormy waves,
My mind inspired with noble and heroic thoughts,
And my young heart did fondly wish the day
When I might do some mighty deed of valour;
Best school to teach true manhood's nobler aims
Where Nature spreads her soul-inspiring page,-
Rocks, hills, and vales, with storms and raging waves
All whisper deep instruction to the mind-
Solemnly impressed with awe and veneration.
And youth so taught, oft in the race of life
Outstrips compeers, learned and refined,
And at the goal triumphant wins the prize.
How true this is, Thule, thou bearest witness
In many of thy sons who leave thy shores
To traverse wide the stormy pathless main,
Or seek their fortunes in far distant climes,—
An honour to the land that gave them birth.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
117
CHAPTER XV.
A towzie tyke, black, grim, and large.
BURNS.
"OH, dat's a graand piece," exclaimed Bawby, as the
last speaker finished his recitation; "bit da nicht is wearin
awa, sae wha's neist, my bairns?" she added.
"It's Maikie here, I tink," said Johnny o' Greentaft.
"Weel, bairns," said Maikie o' Moorigarth, "ye'll mebbe
no believe me, bit I can nidder sing, nor hae
da wirt o'
a story ta tell you; bit I'll read ye ane oot o' a peerie book
I hae i' my pouch here. It's just ower lang a story, bit
ye can till me whin ta leave aff.”
So saying Maikie opened his book, and read as
follows:-
:-
BLACK ERIC; OR, THE MAN WITH THE IRON STAFF.
Fitful Head is one of those powerful barriers by
which Nature fortifies her works, and, in accordance with
her great design of combining utility and beauty, forms
the most striking feature in the wild, romantic scenery
which characterises the western shores of the northern
group of the British Isles.
The mighty internal forces which upheaved those
islands from ocean's bed were under the reign of law
and that law, directed by the unerring wisdom and fore-
knowledge of the Divine Architect, made provision against
the power of the Atlantic waves, and the destructive
agency of those huge icebergs of the glacial period which
were borne from west to east by strong ocean currents;
and this provision lay in the hardness and durability of
the rock, and the height of the headland or cliff being
exactly such as should effectually resist the destructive
forces by which they were to be assailed.


118
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Situated near the southern extremity of the mainland,
Fitful Head occupies a position exposed to the powerful
currents of the Atlantic and German Oceans, which
sweep round its base with resistless force; and during a
western hurricane the Atlantic rolls itself into mighty
waves against those cliffs with the force of ten thousand
battering rams.
Nature, therefore, in raising this bulwark performed
one of her greatest feats, for she seems to have cleft a
mountain in two in order to obtain the proper combina-
tion of strength and beauty-placing the green slope of
the mountain towards the east till its lowest extremity
fringes the western shore of the loch of Spiggie, and its
frowning rocky section towards the west to bid defiance to
the ocean waves. The traveller, in ascending this headland,
would therefore suppose that he is climbing a hill which
must have a corresponding slope on its western side, but,
on reaching the summit, he is appalled to find that he is
standing on the verge of an abyss, the sight of which
makes his very blood to curdle. Such is a faint descrip-
tion of Fitful Cliff, in which once dwelt, in an unknown
cave, the subject of my tale.
Black Eric, as he was called by the country people,
owing to his swarthy complexion and his dark matted
hair, which hung in wild profusion around his shoulders,
was a man of gigantic stature and proportions. Whether
he belonged to the Celtic or Scandinavian race was a point
which no one was ever able to determine, as, from the
lawless life he led, and his constant exposure to the
severities of the climate, all distinctive traces of race were
so obliterated that he seemed to have a closer affinity to
the ourang-outang or gorilla, than to any tribe of the
human family. Beneath his shaggy eyebrows gleamed
his deep-set, wolfish eyes, his beard and breast re-
sembled that of the grizzly bear, and when enraged he
showed a formidable set of clenched teeth which gave a
horrible expression to his whole countenance.
dress consisted of a buttonless jacket or "skinjup,"


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
119
made of untanned calf-leather, with breeches of the same
material tied with thongs at the knee. On his feet he
wore unclipt "rivelins" of cow-hide, and on his head a
dingy Fair Isle cap of many colours and strange pattern.
He walked with a lithe slouching gait, with both hands
resting on his haunches, and in them grasping a heavy
iron bolt or staff, one end having a sharp point and the
other a heavy knob. This formidable weapon he con-
stantly carried with him, and, when asleep (for he
frequently slept in the open air in the summer season),
he placed his iron staff under his shoulders in such a
way that it could not be touched without awakening him.
He subsisted entirely by sheep-stealing, and, being as
fleet of foot as a native colt, could run them down with
the greatest ease. When making his incursions into the
neighbouring hills, he generally left his cave after sunset,
and when he knew no one was astir, and having secured
a pair of the fattest sheep he could select, would bind
their feet together, and raising them to his shoulders, by
putting his iron staff between their fore and hind legs,
march, by long and rapid strides, to the top of Fitful
Cliff. How he descended this pathless steep with such a
burden is a mystery which never can be solved, nor
can any better opinion be formed regarding it than that
which prevailed at the time,-and the popular belief
then was, that Black Eric was in league with the powers
of darkness, and that the demon Tangie was in his
service, conveying him nightly between the top of the
cliff and his cave-dwelling. This demon, well known to
the natives of Shetland, always appeared in the form
of a black horse, and as if grazing quietly by the side of
lonely paths during the night-time. If the benighted
traveller, mistaking him for a real animal, mounted upon
his back with the view of being carried a certain distance
on his way, Tangie, favoured by the darkness of the
night, would carry his rider to the nearest cliff, who,
happily becoming aware of his danger by hearing the
sound of the breaking waves below, would leap off and


120
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
stand horror-stricken to see his horse vanish over the
cliff in a flash of blue flame. One remarkable circum-
stance in favour of the popular opinion regarding Black
Eric's connection with the demon Tangie was, that
frequently during the night blue lights were seen by
boats at the haaf-fishing, ascending and descending
between the top of the cliff and a point below where
Eric's cave was supposed to be; and the hour of the
night when these mysterious lights were seen was found
to correspond with the time he was known to leave or
return to the cliff.
One of the greatest sufferers by the depredations of
Black Eric was Sandy Breamer, who occupied a cottage
on the eastern slope of the Wart Hill, and was one of
the largest sheepowners in that district. Accustomed
to look carefully after his flocks, and keeping them
always in good condition, they all the more readily
excited the cupidity of the sheepstealer; scarcely a
week passed but one or two "gimmers" or fat "hogs"
were found to be amissing. Although a peaceably-
disposed man, Sandy could not submit to have his
property carried off in this manner by a desperate
outlaw who was the terror and scourge of the whole
country side; partly therefore on his own account, and
partly in the interests of the public, he resolved to
capture the thief, or perish in the attempt.
From the time Sandy determined on this desperate
enterprise, to that night in which he carried it into
execution, it seemed to absorb his whole being with an
intensity which almost banished every other thought
from his mind; but he carefully kept his own secret, and
when listening to the complaints of others, who suffered
like himself, he never allowed any expression to escape
his lips which could indicate his own inward emotions.
At his own fireside his manner was less reserved, nor
could he altogether conceal from his wife the fact that
there was something more than usual occupying his mind
and deeply absorbing his thoughts. She had observed


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
121
this, and that on his return from the fishing he did not
caress his little children as was his wont, but would sit
with his arms folded looking abstractedly into the fire,
the inward perturbation of his mind showing itself by his
compressed lips and knit brow, and the swelling muscles
of his powerful arms, and heaving chest, as in thought
he called up the immense resources of physical power
by which he was endowed, and the great purpose of his
life which was now to be accomplished by it.
On such occasions his wife would startle him from his
reverie by placing her hand gently on his arm and saying,
"Sandy, what is du tinkin aboot, dat du's aye sittin'
stoorin' i' da fire? Lord hae a' care o' dee, is dere ony
thing da maitter wi' dee? Is du vexed aboot da loss o'
twa or tree gimmers, whin I'm shüre du kens we hae
enouch left? O, Sandy, Sandy! da tocht sometimes
comes into my mind dat du may be temped ta geng ta
dat evil place, Fitful Head, an fa' in wi' dat foul fiend
Black Eric. O! my Sandy, whin I tink o' dis it maks
my flesh creep, and sets a feichtin' ta my hert, dat I'm
like ta fa' doon; may He dat made us preserve us, an'
set a watch roond us, an' a' dat belangs ta us! but
dey say dat he gengs ower da banks every nicht wi'
Tangie, in a blue lowe, for da men at da sea hae aften
seen blue lichts gaen up an' doon da face o' da banks
lang after dayset. O! Sandy, if ony thing was ta
happen ta dee, what wid come o' me an' dis twa infants?
We wad hae ta geng an' beg wir bit fae door to door;
for du kens dere is nane idder upo' dy side or mine dat
wid tak me ta der fireside."
"Toot, toot," Sandy would say, forcing a smile on his
handsome face. "Annie, what i' da world pits sic non-
sense i' dy head? du's aye frichtenin da bairns wi' Black
Eric, an' noo I tink du's frichtened for him dyself. Keep
up dy heart, lass, naethin' will happen me till God's time
comes. Sae get du da tae ready as fast as du can, for
I'm baith tired an' hungry, and tinkin little eidder aboot
da sheep or Black Eric, I can assure dee." Thus Sandy


122
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
would throw off his abstracted air and speak kindly to
his wife, whom he loved dearly, and whose fears he was
anxious to quiet, but still his purpose was never for a
moment shaken, and it was his hope and study to carry
it out without his wife's knowledge. Being no believer
in demonology, he looked upon Black Eric merely as a
beast of prey, which in the interests of society ought to
be destroyed, and had the fullest confidence in himself
that this task he was able to accomplish.
Sandy Breamer was a man in the prime of life; his
blue eyes and light flaxen hair showed his true Scandi-
navian descent. His hair, parted in the middle and
plaited in a tail of considerable length, which hung down
his back according to the prevailing fashion of the time,
gave his handsome countenance an almost feminine
expression when animated by the gentle passions of
social endearments; but when aroused in anger, that
same face would have well represented one of David's
"two lion-like men of Moab." A sight of his full-developed
chest and powerfully knit arms would have rejoiced the
heart of any artist painting a Hercules. Indeed, it was
a common remark in the district where he was best known
that "Sandy Breamer never knew his own strength," for
in none of his ordinary avocations by sea or land did
there ever arise an occasion to fully test the resources of
his tremendous muscular power. His ordinary dress was
sailor's duck trousers, worn without braces, and a knitted
worsted frock, with alternate stripes of black and grey,
which, fitting tight around his body, showed off his
athletic frame to great advantage. On his head he wore
a striped knitted cap, and on his feet the ordinary cow-
hide"rivelins."
The sun an hour ago had sunk beneath the western
wave, the dim grey outline of Foula Isle lay like a frag-
ment of cloud against the distant horizon, and the
mariners' guiding star shone out in the dark-blue sky
with a twinkling serene lustre. The slumbering Atlantic
lay hushed in rest, and no sound broke the stillness of the
1


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
123
night save the tiny wavelets on Rerwick Sand, or as they
gently lapped against the dark rocky masses which lined
the shore, or gurgled amongst the tangled seaweed
which hung in dense masses around the base of stack or
cliff. Man and beast had retired to rest, but Sandy
Breamer slept not. The time had come for entering
upon the hazardous enterprize which had so long
occupied his thoughts, and rising gently from the side of
his sleeping wife and innocent babes he quickly dressed,
and when ready to quit the cottage he turned to take a
last look of those dear ones, lying like emblems of purity
and innocence, breathing softly in the slumber of peace
and health. His heart yearned over them, and fondly
would he have kissed their parted lips, fair as dew-
wet rose-buds, but he dared not awaken them, and,
summoning all his courage, with a softly whispered "God
bless you," he gently lifted the latch of the door, and was
soon far on his way toward the dark-frowning mass of
Fitful Head. Descending the slope of Lunnabist, he
crossed the Vadle Brigg, and striking along the western
shore of the loch of Spiggie, ascended Fitful Head, keep-
ing far to the east, and then taking a westerly direction
along the edge of the cliff until he came within a hundred
yards of the spot where the blue lights had been so often
observed by boats at the fishing, as has been already
mentioned. There crouching down, he crept on silently
over the smooth turf, now covered by a thick-falling
dew. Pausing, and looking between him and a streak of
light in the western sky, his heart bounded as he thought
he saw the outline of a cowering figure resting on a
fragment of rock a few yards from the edge of the
cliff. Holding his breath and creeping on his hands and
knees, as the distance between him and the dark object
lessened, his belief increased that the lawless freebooter,
the inveterate sheepstealer, the unholy consorter with
demons and devils, was at last within his grasp. It is
evident that demons, like mortals, are subjected to erratic
movements, for the hour had long since passed when



SHETLAND FILES DE TALES; OR,
122
woul
his v
anxi
mon
it ou
t
]
in d
a
t]
i
beas
be c
that
S
blu
nav
pla
his
ga
ex
SO
sa
664
ch
h
124
Tangie
patrios
but o
hould have been attendance on his
order 1 cerer im to his rocky cave;
the grey daw was beginning to show itself
over oness Head, and Back Eric still rested on
his stone seat, a:career 2 a deep slumber. His
appearance in the c.m tw. was he a huge baboon
sitting in a crouch attrae, his head resting on his
bosom, and his long shewy arms folded and
Bei ce him, and within a few feet
resti on his knees.
of the rock on which he sat, lay is iron staff with the
shag
pointed
the
end towards the c... To this object Sandy
coiling
noiseley crept, and, grasping firmly the heavy end of
bolt, sprang to his feet. Instantly, like a serpent
and with a growl, like that of the Polar bear,
bonded towards Sandy, making a desperate clutch at
iron staff; but the latter, holding the weapon in his
band, dealt his adversary such a tremendous blow
his right as sent him reeling for several yards along
forward, muttering curses between his clenched
but Sandy, taking a step or two in advance to
itself, Black Eric shot up from his seat on the
rock
his
left
with
the
rushe
teeth
d
meet
Eric,
need
Sandy
Black
haand t
as dearl
midder T
save dee
soon ener
Black Eric
it with
rin ewy
with
a
lay hush ex
bony
art
0,
re
said in a firm, deep-toned voice, "Stop dere,
is dy staff; but as dy last 'oor is come, du'll
more, an' so here she goes,"-with which
rled the bolt over the cliff. Again turning to
110
ha
:
he continued, "Noo, Eric, we are baith alaek,
and an' fit ta fit, wi' a' dy strent sell dy life
du can, for I swear by heaven aboon us dat
e nor Brownie, nor a' da devils o' hell, sall
dey'll get dee when I'm dün wi' dee, an'
dat'll be, as du'll fin' ta dy cost." To this
ttered not a word, for he was almost choked
le stood to his full height, his powerful
Curved and drawn towards his sides, his
Es clenched as if in mortal agony, his set
a horrible grin, and his wolfish eyes
and revenge from beneath his shaggy
with


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
125
J
eye-brows, looking altogether the very incarnation of evil.
Why Sandy did not at once rid the world of such a being,
which he could so easily have done by the very weapon
he had just thrown over the cliff, may appear strange;
but Sandy Breamer, though a plain man and dressed
in a homely garb, was ennobled by that which alone
distinguishes the truly great-he possessed all the high-
souled chivalry of the knights of the olden time, and
scorned to take any undue advantage of even such a
depraved and desperate character as Black Eric the
sheepstealer. Sandy considered it was the natural right
of every creature possessing life to defend that life to
the last, and that the conflict between him and his
adversary should be on equal terms, and the victory
gained by the strongest arm. As the crouching tiger
contracts his powerful muscles, and gathers up his
strength for the flying leap, which shall fasten him upon
his prey; as the hungry wolf on the snowy wastes of
Siberia flies at the throat of the benighted traveller, so
did Black Eric, with all the enormous strength of his
giant frame, bound towards his antagonist, and attempt
to grapple him by the throat. But Sandy was on his
guard, and ere the ruffian could fix his grasp, a powerful
blow from the right arm of the former fell on his chest
with an almost metallic ring, which made him throw
a backward somersault, and roll over almost to the
edge of the cliff. There he lay motionless for a few
seconds, and then rising slowly, and affecting a
limping gait, he advanced a few steps towards his
assailant, who was again on his guard, for he knew the
cunning of this wild beast in a human form, and that
what he could not do by main force he would try to
accomplish by stratagem,—and this was too soon proved,
for passing Sandy, and moving in the direction of the
stone seat already alluded to, he suddenly wheeled round,
and, eluding the heavy blow aimed at his head, locked
his giant arms round Sandy's waist and bore him to the
earth. And now a fearful struggle began. Rolling his


124
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Tangie should have been in attendance on his
patron in order to convey him to his rocky cave;
but now the grey dawn was beginning to show itself
over Noness Head, and Black Eric still rested on
his stone seat, apparently in a deep slumber. His
appearance in the dim twilight was like a huge baboon
sitting in a crouching attitude, his head resting on his
shaggy bosom, and his long sinewy arms folded and
resting on his knees. Before him, and within a few feet
of the rock on which he sat, lay his iron staff with the
pointed end towards the cliff. To this object Sandy
noiselessly crept, and, grasping firmly the heavy end of
the bolt, sprang to his feet. Instantly, like a serpent
uncoiling itself, Black Eric shot up from his seat on the
rock, and with a growl, like that of the Polar bear,
bounded towards Sandy, making a desperate clutch at
his iron staff; but the latter, holding the weapon in his
left hand, dealt his adversary such a tremendous blow
with his right as sent him reeling for several yards along
the smooth turf. Quickly recovering himself, he again
rushed forward, muttering curses between his clenched
teeth; but Sandy, taking a step or two in advance to
meet him, said in a firm, deep-toned voice, "Stop dere,
Eric, here is dy staff; but as dy last 'oor is come, du'll
need her no more, an' so here she goes,”—with which
Sandy hurled the bolt over the cliff. Again turning to
Black Eric, he continued, "Noo, Eric, we are baith alaek,
haand ta haand an' fit ta fit, wi' a' dy strent sell dy life
as dearly as du can, for I swear by heaven aboon us dat
nidder Tangie nor Brownie, nor a' da devils o' hell, sall
save dee noo; dey'll get dee when I'm dün wi' dee, an'
soon eneuch dat'll be, as du'll fin' ta dy cost." To this
Black Eric uttered not a word, for he was almost choked
with rage. He stood to his full height, his powerful
sinewy arms curved and drawn towards his sides, his
huge bony hands clenched as if in mortal agony, his set
teeth exposed with a horrible grin, and his wolfish eyes
gleami hate and revenge from beneath his shaggy


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
125
eye-brows, looking altogether the very incarnation of evil.
Why Sandy did not at once rid the world of such a being,
which he could so easily have done by the very weapon
he had just thrown over the cliff, may appear strange;
but Sandy Breamer, though a plain man and dressed
in a homely garb, was ennobled by that which alone
distinguishes the truly great-he possessed all the high-
souled chivalry of the knights of the olden time, and
scorned to take any undue advantage of even such a
depraved and desperate character as Black Eric the
sheepstealer. Sandy considered it was the natural right
of every creature possessing life to defend that life to
the last, and that the conflict between him and his
adversary should be on equal terms, and the victory
gained by the strongest arm. As the crouching tiger
contracts his powerful muscles, and gathers up his
strength for the flying leap, which shall fasten him upon
his prey; as the hungry wolf on the snowy wastes of
Siberia flies at the throat of the benighted traveller, so
did Black Eric, with all the enormous strength of his
giant frame, bound towards his antagonist, and attempt
to grapple him by the throat. But Sandy was on his
guard, and ere the ruffian could fix his grasp, a powerful
blow from the right arm of the former fell on his chest
with an almost metallic ring, which made him throw
a backward somersault, and roll over almost to the
edge of the cliff. There he lay motionless for a few
seconds, and then rising slowly, and affecting a
limping gait, he advanced a few steps towards his
assailant, who was again on his guard, for he knew the
cunning of this wild beast in a human form, and that
what he could not do by main force he would try to
accomplish by stratagem,-and this was too soon proved,
for passing Sandy, and moving in the direction of the
stone seat already alluded to, he suddenly wheeled round,
and, eluding the heavy blow aimed at his head, locked
his giant arms round Sandy's waist and bore him to the
earth. And now a fearful struggle began. Rolling his


126
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
antagonist under him, Sandy tried to disengage himself
from his fiendish embrace, but Black Eric had learned
that he was no match against the swing of the fisher-
man's powerful arms in a free fight, and therefore he
clung to his adversary with the tenacity of a jaguar.
As they quickly rolled over each other like two fierce
tigers, Black Eric endeavoured to shift his grasp so as to
encircle Sandy's chest with the intention of crushing him,
as the boa-constrictor crushes the buffalo; but Nature, in
constructing Sandy's physical frame, had used no sparing
hand; his capacious chest, as if ribbed with bars of iron,
yielded not beneath the savage hug of his fiendish
antagonist. By a superhuman effort, he now rolled his
enemy beneath him, and, grasping him fiercely by the
throat, forced him to unlock his arms, and as they fell
by his side Sandy sprang to his feet without the least
symptom of fatigue.
Black Eric also leaped from the ground, exclaiming,
with the words hissing through his teeth, "Curse dee,
du Norwegian dog, but my next grip will brak every
bane i' dy ugly carcase, and fling dee ower that black
rock as I flung da picked banes o' dy fattest sheep."
"Black Eric," said Sandy, in firm measured sentences,
"it was my wish ta gie dee a fair death, or else I could
hae pinned dee ta da spot whaur du stands whin dy iron
staff wis i' my haand; bit it's little gratitude du shaws
for my kindness, an' nae mair du sall hae at my haands.
Dy days are numbered, wi' a' dy sins upo' dy guilty
head; repent noo if du can, even at the elevent hour.
Tink whaur du's gaen, an' dat da master du has served
sae lang can gie dee nae better fare den he has ta himsell.
Du sees dat streak o' licht i' da east sky, an' dat licht
tells dee dat da glorious sun is followin' efter it, but du
will never see his licht again. Before he glints ower the
green girss o' Sumbro' Head, dy body will be stark an'
stiff, an' dy püir soul in bitter torment, unless noo, at dy
last moments, du cries for mercy."
"Fause cantin' villan," exclaimed the outlaw,


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
127
foaming with rage, and his eyes gleaming with a lurid
glare as if the horrors of perdition were already kindled
within his soul; "curse dy preachin', I will preach dee
sixty fathoms doon ower da banks dere, and see dee
lowin' in hell, an' bricht enouch to shaw me da road
afore I come!" With these words he advanced
closer to where Sandy stood, and, before the latter could
parry the stroke, the miscreant dealt him a savage blow
across the face, and the blood trickled down his breast.
Like another Samson in the fields of Timnah when the
young lion roared against him, the spirit came mightily
upon Sandy, his blood was at last fairly up, and he felt
a superhuman strength shoot through his giant frame.
Rushing upon his assailant, his blows fell with the force
and rapidity of two sledge hammers driven by steam,
beating the retreating savage almost to the edge of the
cliff, and whose sinewy frame seemed to quiver beneath
the frightful thuds which were showered thick and fast
upon him; but when within a few feet of the awful
precipice, he suddenly threw himself flat upon the ground,
and darting out his long gorilla arms, he clutched Sandy
by the feet, which brought him to the earth. The
miscreant now sprang to his feet, and with a fiendish
glare in his eyes, holding his victim by the legs, attempted
to hurl him over the cliff. Sandy, having nothing to
grasp, was dragged along the smooth grass, and just as
Black Eric, with all the savage strength he could exert,
bent back so as to swing Sandy fairly over the precipice,
the latter, by a tremendous effort, dragged his left foot
from his grasp, and struck him such a blow on the pit of
the stomach as sent him rolling heels over head down the
precipice. As he fell, Sandy held his breath, and listened
with a sense of awful horror to hear a faint splash in the
eddying waters far below; but no sound broke upon his
ear, and rising to look over the cliff to ascertain the fate
of the miserable wretch, he was almost horror-stricken at
the apparition which glared upon him. A few feet from
the top of the cliff, clinging to a fragment of rock, Blac


128
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Eric was still safe; and, with a spring like a panther,
vaulted again to his feet on the grass in front of his
adversary, once more to renew the struggle.
The unexpected appearance of his enemy, and his
bound from the rock he had clung to being quick as a
flash of lightning, Sandy was for the moment off his
guard, and before he could strike down the black, grizzly
paw of his enemy, he felt his throat in his iron grasp.
Almost suffocated, Sandy grasped the wrist of the savage,
crushing flesh and bone, which loosened his grasp, and
extorted from him a howl of agony. At the same
moment, Sandy in turn grappled him by the throat, and
they both rolled on the earth together. The injury Sandy
had suffered in the dreadful conflict had steeled his heart
with revenge, and though the wretch, now in his death
grasp, twisted and quivered in the most frightful con-
tortions, he relaxed not his hold. Black Eric's strength
now began to fail, and his protruding tongue and glazing
blood-shot eye-balls showed that the last moments of
the sheepstealer were fast falling away, when suddenly
a flash of light passed over Sandy's head, and looking up
he saw a black horse galloping in a circle around him.
Around the head of the animal was a halo of phos-
phoric light, and from his feet flew flashes of blue flame
when they touched the earth. As Sandy's eye followed
the circling course his speed grew faster, and as children
make a ring of fire with a burning stick, so did the dark
form of the mysterious beast melt in the fiery ring. A
strange dizziness now came over Sandy as the earth
seemed to be flying around under him, and the luminous
ring turned blue, then green, then black, and in its dark-
ness he remembered no more.
How long he remained in this state he knew not, but
on awakening he found himself resting on his side on the
soft turf which around him bore marked traces of a
dreadful struggle, but his enemy had vanished. Raising
himself on his elbow, his heart was gladdened by the
glorious light of the sun now risen in the east, casting a


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
129
ruddy glow over the surrounding landscape, and the dew-
laden grass sparkled with countless shining gems as the
slanting mellow rays shot athwart the verdant head-
land. Rising to his feet, he felt refreshed by the gentle
morning breeze which fanned his cheek and cooled his
fevered brow; and the fierce passions of his soul, which
had raged like a tempest during the awful midnight scene
through which he had passed, now heard the gentle
voice of Nature whispering, "Peace, be still." Like
Samson, he felt that the Spirit of the Lord had not departed
from him, for as he stretched forth his powerful arms and
paced about in the warm sunlight, he felt his strength
returning, and he thanked God for this, and for pre-
serving him through such a conflict to see the light
of day once more. The thought of his wife and children
now shot through his heart like an arrow, and with a
deep sigh, and a tear trickling down his manly cheek,
he turned his face towards his cottage on the hill side.
Walking along the smooth, velvety carpet which
Nature so richly spreads over those headlands, Sandy
felt deeply impressed with a sense of God's goodness,
in adorning the earth with so much beauty. Around
him on every side grew myriads of wild flowers of every
form and hue, giving out their sweet perfume in the
balmy morning air, and reminding him of the beautiful
language of Scripture, which he had so often read and
admired "Consider the lilies of the field how they grow:
they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto
you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like
one of these. If God so clothe the grass which to-day is,
and to-morrow is cast into the oven, how much more will
he clothe you, 0 ye of little faith?
""
Sandy felt that he was one of those of little faith, and
he prayed that it might be strengthened, and that he
might get a clearer view of the ways of Providence,
which to his inquiring mind had often suggested dark
doubts and difficulties. "Why," said he to himself, “amid
all this beauty, order, and harmony, should man be the
I


130
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
only creature whose presence is so often a plague-spot
upon the fair face of creation? and, even at his best,
being made to mourn,' he mars the beauty of Nature
with his tears.
"Over the edge of the cliff yonder, the gulls and
kittywakes are sailing with outspread, snowy pinions on
the gentle, morning breeze. How gracefully they float
with motionless wings! circling in playful flight, and
greeting each other with familiar cries as they pass.
How happy they must be! no regrets for the past, no
anticipation of evil to come; far below their aerial flight
lies the great sea which they know gives them food, and
safe on the ledge or in the fissure of the rock, dwells
their callow brood, and beyond these objects they know
no care and feel no sorrow.
"The lark, like a dark speck against yon silvery cloud,
is warbling out a gushing flood of music. How clear
and full it is, as if the sweet songster was just near at
hand, and not so far away as to be almost lost in the
distance; surely this bird is happy! Its joy is full in
the knowledge that its little nest is safe on the earth
below, and hidden, as it is, by a few tall blades of grass
which grow beside it. There is a humble bee flitting
from flower to flower, humming its droning tune of
pleasure as it fills its honey-bag with the treasures of
many a flower, and carries the day's gathering to its
humble storehouse, there to be laid up and enjoyed
when the drifting ocean spray, the howling tempest, and
the snow drifts sweep over every verdant, flowery spot
which now smiles with beauty in all the loveliness of a
summer morn.
66
Flowers, birds, and insects, no dark midnight scenes
with you; no fierce conflicts in which you engage, no
demon spirit dwells in you to make you a curse to
the earth, and the terror and dread of your species.
Alas! why then was I made a man, and not a bird or an
insect? for then would the brief span of my existence
have been spent in joy, and no fierce passion would have


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
131
raged in my breast, nor brought me in conflict with the
powers of darkness manifested in man, accursed of God,
and sold to the prince of the powers of darkness." Such
were the musings that passed rapidly through Sandy's
mind, as with hurried steps he took his way homeward.
He felt a gloom resting on his soul, and the dark enigma
of his being pressed more heavily on his spirits than ever
it had done before. "What is the end and object of my
life," inquired he; "does it begin and end here? Ah!
that is the question; here is only the beginning, and
the end is lost in the infinite. That is the reason I have
sorrow, and trouble, and a knowledge of evil in this life,
because those are the means by which I must be trained
for the life to come. Yes, this is light shining in a dark
place, and I thank God for it.”
Sandy was now crossing the Vadle Brigg, and, turn-
ing to the left, quickly ascended the road to Scousburgh.
Passing through the village, he came in sight of his
cottage, and as he came near it he saw his wife emerge
from the door with outstretched arms, and her loose hair
floating in the breeze. He ran to meet her, and caught
her in his arms, as with a wild shriek she exclaimed, “O
my Sandy!" and would have fallen at his feet had he
not supported her. Lifting her gently, as he would have
done a child, he bore her into the cottage, and placing
her in a chair, tried all the means he could use to bring
her back to consciousness. His little boy, on whose
sunny locks only three summers had shone, clung to his
mother's skirt, and looking up to his father's face with
his large, wondering, clear eyes suffused in tears, asked
if "mam widna waaken." His little sister, two years
younger, fair as a rosebud, and a sweet miniature of her
mother, slid down from the chair which she was leaning
against, and tried to creep to her mother, who, slightly
recovering consciousness, looked with bewildered gaze
at her husband, as if to make sure that it was really him
she saw. But happening to catch a glimpse of the
blood which had stained his white trousers, she went off


132
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
in a wild hysteric fit, her rapid sobs alarming the children,
and wringing Sandy's very heart with grief and alarm for
her safety. Gradually getting calmer, Sandy tried by
every endearing expression to soothe her.
"Annie! Annie!" exclaimed he, "be calm, love; I'm
safe an' soond; du's frichtenin' da bairns oot o' der
senses. Dunna noo, dunna geng on dat wy; canna du
see dat der's naethin' da maitter wi' me; tak' up da bairn
noo, an' haud dy tongue."
"O, cruel Sandy," at last sobbed his wife, "why did
du lave me? du's murdered; yea, I ken du's murdered,
tho' du winna tell me."
66
"O, sic nonsense, Annie," said Sandy; "hoo can I be
murdered, an' yet here beside dee, an' spaekin' ta dee?”
"Yea, yea, yea, yea!" continued Annie, in a low
dolorous tone, and without noticing his last remark, "I
kent somethin' wis gaen ta happen. Dis is my drame o'
wirkin' i' green girss; an' da black corbie dat fled ower
wir hoose da streen i' da mirkenin'."
"Oh! niver mind nedder drames or corbies, Annie, as
lang as I'm safe an' weel," said Sandy, who at last suc-
ceeded in calming his wife.
For several days she tried to get from him where he
had been, and what had happened; but he always put her
off with the remark, " Dat it wisna o' ony consequence,
an' he wid tell her a' aboot it sometime."
Several months passed, and the subject seemed to be
forgotten, as Sandy was anxious it should be, especially
as from the night of the conflict with Black Eric, none
of Sandy's flock were missed. At the sametime there
was undoubted evidence that the sheepstealer was still
alive, and visiting his old haunts, but with greater
caution, and with a more sparing hand of his neighbour's
property than formerly. A remarkable circumstance,
however, occurred at the time, which seems to have
entirely changed the mode of Black Eric's life, and which
will be gathered from a conversation which took place
between Jenny Pennon and Ellie o' da Hill.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
133
Jenny was well known far and wide as a collector
and vendor of all sorts of gossip - good, bad, and
indifferent; and one day calling on Ellie, who was an
old maid, and lived alone in a small cottage outside the
hill dykes, she found the latter at home. Coming in
softly over the floor, in a quiet undertone she announced
her appearance with "Gude day be here.”
"Gude day be ta you," returned Ellie.
"O!" recog-
nising her, "is dis dee, Jenny? Come in trow; surely
dat's a stranger. Tak a share, an' slip aff o' dy feet an'
set dem up ta da fire.”
“Na, mony tanks ta dee," responded Jenny; "bit niver
du anse my feet, fir I'm shure der ower weel; na, no a
grain o' weet is upo' dem," she added, as she drew her
hand over the tops of her neatly-clipt rivelins.
"Fu's a' hame wi' dee," inquired Ellie ; nae unkin
news aboot you, I'se warren?
66
""
66
Yea, alaek! der's been a hantle o' unkin news dis
while. Du'll be heard o' Sandy Breamer's feicht wi'
Black Eric o' Fitful?"
"I!" exclaimed Ellie, 66 no a whisht am I heard; du
sees I geng nae wy ta hear news."
"Weel," continued Jenny, "dey say it wis a awful
feicht. Sandy wrastled wi' him da whole nicht, an' da
tief wid niver hae gotten oot o's haands leevin' if Tangie
hed na come an' pitten some glamour ower Sandy, an'
taen his strent fae him. Bit Lord be tanked if a' be
true dat's sed, da foul fiend is oot o' Shetlan', an' niver
micht his feet tak him back agen, an' du an' I be hale an'
weel. Du wid a kent Rasme i' da Stanes, da fiddler?
Weel, as a' body kens, he wis aye taen awa every
Yule-e'en ta play ta da hill folk, an' sometimes tü whin
dey hed a weddin'. He aye slipped awa' i' da mirknin',
wanderin' among da muckle grey stanes an' ferrie knowes
aboon his hoose; an' if dis wis aboot da middle o' da
ouk he widna be seen agen till da Monaday efter, an'
den he wis aye fun staandin' afore a muckle grey stane
wi' his fiddle anunder his airm, perfectly benumed.


134
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Weel, as I wis gaen ta tell dee, aboot twa ouks sinsyne,
Rasmie guid awa' ta ane o' da ferrie knowes ta see what
hed cum ower dem, as he niver hed heard o' a weddin'
for iver sae lang afore dat. Weel, whin he comes in,
wha sees he bit an auld wife sittin' hurklin' upo' da heart-
stane. Says Rasmie, says he, 'Fu's a' wi' you, an' fu's a’
da rest?' 'O, dool an' sorro'! dool an' sorro'!' says
shu; I'm a' dat's left noo, lammit, i' da Isles o' Shetlan'
o' wir kind. Wir folk is a' fled ta Faroe, an' dey tocht
dat I wis dat auld an' dat cripple dat dere wis nae üse o'
me followin' dem.' 'An' what's pitten dem awa?' says
Rasmie. 'O' says da auld wife, da Gospel hes spread
sae muckle dis while back dat dey cudna bide ony langer
in Shetlan'. An' sae Rasmie,' says shü, 'ye see a blate
fireside noo whaur mony a happy yule-e'en ye're seen
spent. O, dool an' sorro'! dool an' sorro'! dat ever I
sud a lived ta see dis day.""
"O, haud dy tongue noo, Jenny, an' say na mair,"
exclaimed Ellie, looking furtively over the back of her
chair towards the dark end of her hut,-" du'll pit me
clean oot o' my judgment wi' faer, du's made me perfectly
oorie."
"Na! Lord hae da poor o' dee," ejaculated Jenny,
"an' a' dat belangs ta dee; an' Lord be my blest helper
(sneezing), der's naething ta mak dee oorie. As I wis
sayin', Rasmie fan dat a' da hill folk hed left Shetlan'
an' gean ta Faroe, an' mony says dat baith Brownie an'
Tangie hes followed dem. Tangie hes na been seen fir
monts, and sin Gaawn o' da Blate left da claes i' da mill
fir Brownie, he's niver been seen sinsyne.
As mony a
ane says, he sud a been mair spairin' o' his gifts, an' geen
da claes ta dem dat hed mair need."
The demon Brownie here alluded to, and who scarcely
deserves the bad-sounding prefix to his name, was a use-
ful, if not an amiable, member of the fraternity to which
he belonged. His mission was to attend water mills
the night; and before the invention of the hopper,
ed the eye of the upper millstone with the


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS
137
corn, so all that was necessary for any one having cost
to grind was to leave it in the mill, shut the door, and lift
up the water-sluice to set the mill in motion. In the
morning the corn was found ground, and the meal ready
for being carried home. Those who chanced to get a
sight of Brownie describe him as having the appearance
of a tall young lad, but always in a state of nudity;
hence the good-natured Gaawn, alluded to by Jenny
Pennon, took pity on him and left him a suit of clothes
one night, along with a quantity of corn to be ground;
but, as the sequel showed, it turned out to be a case of
ill-judged philanthropy, resulting in the loss of Brownie's
services ever after.
Tangie, as it will have been seen, had left the islands.
This was evident, not only from the discovery made by
Rasmie o' the Stanes, but the blue lights in Fitful banks,
so long seen by the fishing boats, had entirely dis-
appeared, and Black Eric, deprived of his demon horse,
could no longer reach his rocky cave, and therefore had
to content himself with less comfortable and less safe
quarters. Sometimes hiding in the more accessible parts
of the cliff, and sometimes sleeping in the open air, he
seems to have led a more unsettled kind of life since his
escape from the hands of Sandy Breamer; but at last the
Fates decreed that the wicked and singular life of the
bold outlaw of Fitful Head should be brought to a close,
and in a way that, while it served the ends of justice,
avoided the dangerous and painful necessity of personal
conflict.
The autumn had far advanced, and the horses employed
in bringing home the winter-fuel from the hills during
the summer months were now allowed to run at large
over the green slopes of Fitful, and to improve their con-
dition by feeding on its rich grass. Sandy Breamer
owned a splendid animal, a cross between the Arabian
and pure Shetland breed, and going one morning at early
dawn to bring home this horse, for the purpose
"leading" home hay from the meadows, he met with a
of


D FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
134
WI
135
e, by which he at last accomplished that
nis life-viz., the capture of Black Eric.
, animal grazing quietly on the eastern slope
and, Sandy mounted on his back, and, taking
y course, moved along at an easy trot, keeping
ort distance from the edge of the cliff. When
a short distance of the memorable scene of his
former conflict, what was his amazement to see, in a
hollow just before him, his old enemy Black Eric, lying
at full length, apparently in a deep slumber, with the
veritable iron staff as a pillow, which Sandy had long
believed was resting beneath the deep waters which
washed the dark, frowning rocks of Fitful Head. Black
Eric lay with his cap drawn down over his eyes, his arms
folded across his face, and his knees slightly drawn up.
Gazing in breathless silence on the prostrate figure now
before him, Sandy could scarcely believe his eyes.
Cautiously dismounting, and taking his horse by the
head, he moved with noiseless steps over the soft mossy
turf which yielded like feathers beneath his horse's hoofs.
In a moment he stood at Black Eric's feet, and uncoiling
a strong rope tether which he carried in his hand, he
deftly passed the end under the legs of his captive, and
casting a running noose, fixed the other end of the rope
around his own waist. He now sprang on his horse, and
bending forward, firmly grasped the neck of the animal
(for he had no saddle), and whispering, "Check, check,
check," in his ear, he bounded like an arrow down the
declivity. The moment the rope tightened around Black
Eric's ankles, he awakened and sprang to his feet with a
savage growl; but as the horse sprang forward he was
instantly tripped, coming to the earth with a frightful
thud. Again and again, as he glided over the smooth
turf with almost lightning speed, he bounded from the
earth, vainly attempting to clutch the streaming tail of
the flying animal; but ere his curved fingers could grasp
it he was brought down with terrific force, and each time
fell a tempest of curses and imprecations were


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
137
hurled at his flying captor. Sandy, however, heeded not,
but urged the animal to his utmost speed, and, direct-
ing his course towards the Vadle Brigg, soon saw a
number of fishermen, who were on their way to the
beach, coming running to meet him. Being now on
the sandy plat which fringes the western shore of the
loch, and just as the men met him, he leaped from his
horse, and Black Eric was instantly surrounded.
66
God be praised!" exclaimed Eddie o' Clavel, who had
suffered much by the depredations of the sheepstealer;
"du's catched da tief at last, Sandy. Noo haud 'em
fast, men, or Tangie may help 'em tae gie you da slip
ance mair yet.”
Black Eric now seeing that all resistance was hopeless,
passively allowed his arms to be pinioned behind his
back. He uttered not a word, but looked with a sullen,
savage scowl on those around him.
"We'll tak' 'em ta da büth, boys," said Eddie o'
Clavel; "an' Lowrie o' Lumpfield, du an' I'll watch 'em
a' nicht; an' Sandy geng du hame ta dy hoose, du's hed
enouch ta dü already wi' da ill-faured tief."
On reaching the booth, which stood near the fishing
station of Spiggie, the two fishermen entered with their
captive, intending to man a boat next day and convey
him to Lerwick for the purpose of lodging him in the
Tolbooth prison.
Sandy again mounted his horse and rode back to the
spot where he had captured Black Eric, for the purpose
of securing his iron staff, which he wished to keep in his
possession as a trophy. Arriving at the spot, he found
the mysterious weapon where he left it, and dismounting,
he threw it over his shoulder, and, taking his horse
by the bridle, again descended the slope on his way
to his cottage on the hill-side.
Eddie o' Clavel and Lowrie o' Lumpfield kept watch-
ful guard over their prisoner. Being two powerful
men, they had no fear of him bound as he was, and
they had still less fear of his escape, seeing that the


138
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
door of the booth was locked on the inside, and he
placed on a bench between them. As the day advanced,
Black Eric appeared more crest-fallen, and bitterly com-
plained of the cords, which he said were too tightly
seized round his wrists.
"We micht aise da tow," said Eddie, "bit wha kens
what micht happen, du's sic a foul tief dat we canna
trust dee."
"Trust me!" echoed Black Eric, in a whining tone;
"ye cruel monsters, is na da door locked? an' gif my
haands were loose a' tagedder, I can get nae farder.”
"I tink, boy, we micht slacken 'em a bit," said
Lowrie o' Lumpfield.
"Weel, boy, just plase dysel," replied Eddie.
Lowrie now proceeded to undo the knot of the cord
that bound Black Eric's hands, taking the precaution,
however, not to slip out the ends, but merely to slacken
it a little; but while accomplishing this, the wily out-
law suddenly drew his hands through the cord, and
dashing from his keepers, went through the door like
a bomb-shell, making it fly in fragments before him—
the door being an old and frail one-and this he had
noticed on entering. Before Eddie or Lowrie could
recover from their surprise, Black Eric was several
yards in advance of them, taking a southerly direction,
and then toiling up the heights to his old haunts.
His pursuers strained every nerve to make up with him,
but his long practice on the hills in running down
sheep now stood him in good stead. By the time he
gained the edge of the cliff, he had left his pursuers
at least fifty yards behind him. They saw him dis-
appear over the brow of the banks, but at a point
where they knew he could find little shelter, and they
therefore strove hard to reach the cliff, before he could
gain the next gio, where the nature of the rock [would
have afforded him a better chance for baffling his pur-
suers, for at this part of the headland the cliff is not per-
pendicular as is the case further south, but is broken up


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
139
into gios or creeks, which have shelving slopes of loose
rock running midway to the sea. As they anticipated,
just as they gained the head of the gio into which Black
Eric descended, he was attempting to swing himself
round a dangerously projecting rock which jutted out in
a point between the two gios or creeks already spoken
of, and, excepting a few narrow ledges, formed a sheer
descent of several hundred feet. When the men saw
him, they yelled a wild "hey!" which echoed through
the surrounding cliffs; and whether by this means he
was startled, or had the fatigue he had gone through
shaken his nerves and weakened the tenacity of his hold,
could not be known; but, horrible to relate, as he made
the desperate swing, clinging to a ledge of the rock
above him with both hands, and his right foot resting
on a narrow ledge below, his foot slipped and he fell.
As his hands slipped, he seemed to bound from the face
of the rock, and with extended arms, down, down he
went! his dark form lessening to the sight of the
appalled fishermen as it sped in its awful flight to the
dark waters below. They see it plunge, a tiny jet of
spray mounts up, falls, and settles in a small spot of
frothy bubbles which soon vanish. The eddying waters
gurgle a low, murmuring requiem, and the water sprite
dances with fiendish glee over the spot where lies fully
fifty fathoms deep the stiffened corse of Black Eric the
sheepstealer.
"Dis is da Lord's düin'," exclaimed Eddie o' Clavel, as
he smote his hands together; "his blüid be on his ain
head, an' da Lord hae mercy on his soul, tho' Lord forgie
me for sayin' it, for dat prayer is noo ower late. Lat's
geng hame, Lowrie, an' tell what's happened."
The two men now descended the headland, and arriv-
ing at the village of Scousburgh, told the startling news
that Black Eric had fallen over the banks, which seemed
to produce a mingled feeling of horror and thankfulness
in the minds of the community-horror at the awful
termination of the life of this wicked man, and thank-


140
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
fulness that the peace of the district would no more be
disturbed by his presence, nor its interests suffer by his
depredations.
Years rolled on, and the sheepstealer of Fitful Head
seemed to be almost forgotten, and his iron staff rested
quietly, with a thick coat of rust on it, in an obscure
corner of Sandy Breamer's cottage. About this time,
however, a water-mill owned by Sandy required to
undergo some repairs, and among other things required
a new iron spindle; but the village smith had not a
piece of iron suitable for the purpose, and′in the dilemma,
Sandy bethought him of the useless trophy still in his
possession, and that it could not be applied to a better
purpose than to make a spindle for the mill.
It was
therefore at once handed to the smith, who with little
workmanship made it serve a more useful purpose than
ever it had done before.
The mill was finished and set a-going, and it so
happened to be on a Halloween. All went well till the
moon shone over a point on Trosswickness, which
showed that it was twelve o'clock, when all of a sudden
a noise like thunder passed over the roof of the mill, and
was quickly followed by low, moaning sounds, and the
"collie" which lighted the mill instantly went out, and
in the darkness the awful apparition of Black Eric was
seen standing upon the top of the flying millstone with
his finger pointing to the iron spindle below. Olly o'
Vinsgart and his son, who had the use of the mill that
night, fled in terror through the open door, and for
several days remained speechless and in a state of
stupefaction.
None after this occurrence ever again had the courage
to visit the mill. It long remained deserted-at last
fell into ruins, and a heap of lichened stones is all that
now remains as a memento of Black Eric of Fitful Head.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
141
CHAPTER XVI.
Nae doubt but ye may get a sight,
Great cause ye hae ta fear it,
- For mony a ane has gotten a fright,
And lived and died deleerit
On sic a night.
BURNS.
"bit
"DAT'S baith a lang, an' a winderful tale," said Bawby,
as Maikie closed his book and resumed his seat;
I'm tinkin' some o' da lasses 'll be wearyin' now ta get
der fortins cassen, an' sae we'll bettir hae dis ower afore
da boys begins wi' castin' der stocks."
"Noo, Bawby, I hoop ye're no gaen ta dü ony fear-
some thing," cried Girzie o' Glufftoon; "it aye maks me
feared ta hear aboot tellin' fortins. Sin dat time dat
some lasses got sic an awful fricht. It wis apon a
Holloween dey hed dipped der sark sleeves in a burn,
whaur tree lairds' land met, an' den dey tüik dem hame
wi' dem an hang dem upo' backs o' tree shares afore da
fire, an den hoided demsells awa at da ooter end o' da
hoose, ta see da lads dey wir ta be married til; fir as ye
ken, da foregeng o' every lass's lad wis expecked ta come
an' turn his sweetheart's sark dat wis upo' da back o' da
share."
"Weel, first comes in ae bonnie lad, an' he turns a
sark; but den comes in anidder bonnie lad; an' he turns
da second sark, bit instead o' a third bonnie lad dere
cam tumlin' in da door-O it maks me quaak ta speak
o' it! a black coffin, an' it tumled an' tumled till it cam ta
da share whare da sark wisna turned, whin it stüd a
peerie while on its end, an' den tumled an' tumled awa
oot da door agen da sam wy it cam in. Twa o' da lasses
fell a soond, an' da idder ane screeched dat wy dat da
folk o' da hoose jimped oot o' der beds fir dey wir a'
gaen ta bed, an' ran ta da lass an' held her, fir shü hed


142
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
gean i' da fits, sae in a while efter, dey a' tree cam ta
demsells, bit twa o' dem wis no da better o' it a' der
days, an da third ane dat hed her sark upo' da share,
whaur da coffin güid til wis in her grave afore da neist
Halloween cam roond."
"O Girzzie!" exclaimed Bawby, "du's aye tinkin' aboot
some fearsome thing; bit we're no gaen ta dü ony
thing dat wy; we're just gaen ta set straes i' da ase, an'
drap da white o' a egg in a gless o' water; an' whin da
lasses comes hame, dey can fling der clews doon da kill
head, an say, 'Wha haads i' my clew end.' Bit, bairns,
dere's a gaist," continued Bawby, pointing to a half
consumed brand standing upright on the hearth, "wha
can dis be, I winder? O, I'll wager you it's Auld Sibbie
Rendal; weel I keen sorra bit o' her I'm wantin' ta see.
Lord bliss dee, Eppie, as du's neist da door, an' gie her a
dip i' da water dat's i' da tub yonder upo' da flüir."
66
Yea, dat sall I," said Eppie Jarmson, as she rose and
took the representative of the unwelcome Sibbie in the
tongs and dipped it in the tub of water, so that the
original might get a thorough drenching of rain when
she set out on her visit to Bawby o' Briggstanes.
"Noo, bairns, wha will we try first," continued Bawby
as she took a straw from the floor and nipped in two
pieces about an inch and a half in length, one being
plain, the other having a knot on it. "Dis is Sandy
Flaws," she whispered in Johnnie o' Greentaft's ear, as
she stuck the piece with the knot on it in the hot embers;
"an dis is Leezie Lowrie," she whispered again, as she
stuck the plain straw beside it. The effect of the heat
on the lower ends of the straw was to give them a waver-
ing motion, first parting and then coming close together
again, and at last resting against each other; this was
caused by the lower ends of the straw being burned
through when no further motion took place. As soon as
the two straws thus closed, loud laughter and clapping
of hands broke from the whole circle of lads and lasses
around the fire.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
143
"Ay, Bawby!" exclaimed Sandy Flaws, "dat pair is
a' richt; dat's just da wy you dü your wark, Bawby, if
dey quarrel ye ken hoo ta get dem tagedder agen."
"Yea! yea!" cried Bawby, "du's richt, my bairn.
Bawby o' Briggstanes niver leaves her wark half düne;
ony twa shu pits tagedder needna be feared, peace an'
plenty will be der lot, as da sang sings, an' a' dats gude
watch ower dem; bit du niver kens," she continued,
dis pair wis just dy ain sell an' some bodie no far awa,
sae du sees hoo it's gaen ta be."
"O mony tanks ta you," said Sandy; "I hoop ye'll be
richt, an' den ye sall get da bride's piece, an' nane better
wirt it, I'm shüre."
"Ay, Lord bless dee," exclaimed Bawby; "bit, bairns,"
she continued, "wha sall we try neist? O I ken, bit I'll
no tell ony bodie dis time," she added, as she bent down
to place a straw with the knot on it in the embers; but
just as she got this representative of a love-sick swain,
only known to herself, placed in the proper position,
down came from the lum a heavy kail' stock, which,
guided by the laws of gravitation, landed right on the
middle of Bawby's black binder.
66
"O my Lord! I'm soved," she exclaimed, as she
settled back in a fainting fit.
66
'Hes ony o' you a scent bottle?" cried Johnnie o'
Greentaft, as he lifted Bawby gently up into her chair.
66
Ay, here's ane," cried Girzzie Güllet, as she held
the restorative to Bawby's nose; "an' sprinkle dis watter
on her broos," cried Willie Biggiltie, as he held a “tinnie"
of the liquid to Johnnie o' Greentaft, who acted as
medical attendant.
"Rin fort, boys," cried Johnnie, an' gie dat vagabonds
a trashin' if ye can catch ony o' dem."
Bawby, though seriously stunned, still retained the
fuculty of hearing, and this declaration of war against
the stock casters made her gently open up her eyes,
1 A whole cabbage.
2 Stunned.


144
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
when, seeing a very large heap of the produce of the
kail-yard lying around the fire, she gradually revived, and
faintly whispered, "O puir bairns, let dem be, bairns
will be bairns, an dey wirna ta ken dat da runt wis ta
strick me, ye ken. Yea, I'm a perrie corn better noo," she
added,'as she settled herself back in her chair, and adjusted
her widow's cap, the beauty and symmetry of which had
been seriously marred by the cabbaging process through
which it had passed. "Noo, bairns," she continued, “I'm
just pittin' you a' aboot, sae gadder ye up da twa or tree
peags o' kail, an' lay dem üdbe¹ aside da lambs, an' set
up da fire agen, fir ye're no gaen to loss your fun, idder
fir me or da boys."
"Weel, Bawby," said Annie Leslie, "I truly tink ye're
no able fir muckle mair dis nicht, an' ye ken we can dü
naithen withoot you; besides Geordie here wis oot a
perrie meenit sin syne, an' he says da wind is takin' up at
da south-east wi' a awful gloweret laek sky; sae I'm feared
it's gaen ta be a ill nicht, an' sae I tink we'll a' just mak
fir hame afore it comes on warse, au' some o' 'is has far
ta geng, ye ken; an' da rods is dark noo whin dere's na
mün-licht."
"Weel, weel, my bairn," said Bawby, "it da wadder
is gaen' ta tak up I'll no bid you bide langer da nicht, as
weel as mebbe da boys is no düne wi' da stocks yet;
sae we widna hae muckle mair paece. Lord bliss a'
your happy faces, fir comin' ta see me da nicht, au' l
hoop ye'll no be lang in bein' back agen; bit a' ye dat
needs a brand 'll hae ta wait a peerie start fir it taks, ye
ken."
When Bawby had finished her remarks, considerable
bustle ensued amongst the lads and lasses, some lighting
lanterns, others seeking on the floor for missing clogs,
and getting them adjusted to the feet to which they
belonged; and those not provided with lanterns seeking
in the peat cro² for the proper length and quality of
1 The outer end of the house. 2 Corner where peats are kept.
1


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
145
mossy peats suitable for torches. Those provided with
lanterns then took their departure, while the torch-bearers
had to wait until their peats had become sufficiently
ignited to form a very effective flambeau when fanned
by a strong breeze. When the last of Bawby's visitors
had departed, she shut the door, and settled herself down
in her comfortable straen chair, to wait further blessings
being showered upon her from that horn of plenty com-
monly called the lum. In this anticipation she was not
disappointed, for several of the lads who had just left,
immediately returned to Brigstanes with as large a
load of Halloween vegetable offerings as they could
carry, and which was safely deposited through the smoke
aperture of Bawby's cottage, until a very neat little stack
of provender accumulated at the side of the peat
cro."
Next day Bawby, with careful hand, planted these
in a crub which stood near the cottage, in order to keep
them fresh until required, either for proveader or domestic
use.
66
K


146
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER XVII
A life on the ocean wave,
A home on the rolling deep.
IN the last chapter we left Bawby o' Brigstanes
rejoicing over her bountiful kail harvest; and this she did
notwithstanding the shock which her cranium had sus-
tained by the first descent of the green manna, as already
recorded; and we must now introduce the reader to
an individual with whom he has had already some
slight acquaintance, and who plays no unimportant part
in the curious chapter of the incidents of our story. This
individual is no less a personage than the hermit's old
rival, Jack Smith of Mirends. Jack was an orphan, and
lived with an uncle on the mother's side, but from his
earliest years he was a wild, daring lad, fond of perform-
ing desperate and fool-hardy feats, one of which may be
recorded.
In the neighbourhood of the village where he was
brought up was a cliff several hundred feet in height, and
quite perpendicular. The strata of the rock were marked
off in layers of great depth by horizontal fissures running
in parallel lines across its face, and giving it the appear-
ance of some great wall constructed by Titanic hands.
In this cliff the gull, kittywake, and shag bred in vast
numbers; its inaccessibility guarding them from the
intrusion of man, and its deep fissures forming a safe and
convenient resting-place for hatching their young.
Upon this impregnable fortress of the feathered tribe
Jack had often cast a longing look, but to reach one of
its fissures and carry off the coveted booty of eggs or
half-fledged young, would have required as great powers
of flight as those possessed by the feathered owners
1


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
147
themselves. But though he had not wings, he found a
substitute in a pony's tether, which he one quiet evening
possessed himself of, and, proceeding to the top of the
cliff, drove the stake firmly into the turf near the edge of
the precipice, and putting the running noose at the other
end of the rope round his waist, cautiously began the
perilous descent. Clinging to the face of the rock by
fixing his toes and fingers in its narrow crevices, he had
nearly reached a gull's nest when his foot slipped, and he
fell head downwards. Providentially, the rope stood the
sudden strain put upon it, and the stake kept its hold in
the earth, but Jack hung suspended in mid-air head
downwards, with the rope drawn so tight around his
waist as to cause him the greatest agony. Away from
the sight of every human eye, and from the hearing of
every human ear, there he hung for many hours, until at
last a young woman, happening to pass along the road
which skirted the cliffs, was startled and surprised to
hear cries for help proceed from one of the creeks; but
being unable to see the face of the rock from the spot
where she stood, she ran to the other side of the "gio,"
and there saw on the opposite side what in the distance
appeared like a spider suspended by a single thread of his
web. Hastening to the spot, she, with marvellous courage,
and such as an islander was alone capable of, seized hold
of the rope, and standing on the verge of the precipice
pulled him up by sheer force, and when safely brought
to bank, she exhibited what might be considered a suit-
able expression to her feelings by giving him the rope's
end round his ears; but so little impression did this
adventure make upon our young cragsman, that he
returned to the same spot the following week, and, with
a stronger rope and more caution, effectually harried the
nest which was the cause of his first mishap.¹ To
1 The original of Jack Smith was a school companion of the
author, who went through the same perilous adventure, and was
rescued in the same way as here described.


148
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
such reckless daring he added a certain cruelty of disposi-
tion, evinced by his love of dog and cock fighting, hang-
ing and drowning dogs and cats, and following other
juvenile sanguinary amusements.
As might be expected, a youth with such proclivities
was not likely to settle down to the quiet and unromantic
life of a croftholder, or the more toilsome drudgery
of the Haaf fishing. He longed for a field more cou-
genial to his tastes, and one which should afford that
excitement and wild adventure which were better suited
to his nature; and no Paul Jones could have desired a
better field than that which the smuggling trade on the
coast of Shetland afforded at this time.
This trade was chiefly carried on by Dutch vessels
manned by Dutch sailors, who were sufficiently familiar
with the coast by annually visiting it when prosecuting
the herring fishing, as the regular smugglers seldom ap-
peared on the coast until after these fishing "busses
had returned home, and when picked men could easily
be obtained. Jack's uncle was a noted smuggler and
dealer in contraband goods, which chiefly consisted of
gin and tobacco, and was assisted by his nephew in all
his daring exploits when landing his illicit commodities at
places and in weather which it required the most fearless
intrepidity and skill to accomplish; and thus young
Jack's tastes were formed, and the way opened up for
his future career as a bold and successful smuggler.
As will be remembered, Jack when a schoolboy
was smitten by the charms of Lelah Halcro (his igno-
minious defeat by the hero of our tale, on the occasion of
the bloody conflict in which they engaged on her account,
was never entirely forgotten or forgiven by him); and it
is therefore not too much to say that from that time a
secret determination of revenge was formed in his mind,
and a hope at least entertained that what could not be
gained by the influence of love might one day be secured
force.
quiet evening, in the month of August 1744, a


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
149
gaily painted vessel with gaudy pennants, high poop,
and large square sail, was seen to heave-to close in with
the land, and send a boat ashore to one of the creeks
called Voe, and which still bears that name.
On ap-
proaching the shore a number of green-painted casks
was observed in the boat, which indicated that a supply
of water was the only apparent object the boat had in
visiting the shore.
While the sailors were engaged in filling their water
casks, there approached them a lad about seventeen years
of age, of fair ruddy complexion, strongly built, and
wearing a compromise in dress between that of a sailor
and a landsman.
"Faader," inquired the new comer, addressing the
officer in command, “ you want de youngus on board
skip?" "Yah! yah!" responded the party addressed,
as he shifted a quid of tobacco from right to left in his
mouth; "you come board and spraach de capatain
-moy skip, plentach grout, Steekabrod, schnaps and
tabac."
Our friend Jack (for he it was who now appeared on
the scene) required no such flattering description of the
ship and her liberal supply of stores to induce him to
come on board. He longed to stand on her polished
decks, and to see her gaudy pennants floating over his
head, and to realize the pleasures of
"A life on the ocean wave,
A home on the rolling deep."
He therefore sprang on board the boat as she moved
from the jetty, seized an oar, and pulled lustily for the
ship. As the boat came alongside, a number of swarthy
faces peered over the taffrail at the young stranger, as
he trimmed his oar and looked up at his future com-
panions. "Wer ist das?" bawled the skipper through a
cloud of smoke which he blew from the recesses of his
capacious cheeks, as he held his long-stalked pipe in his
right hand, and waited for a reply.


150
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
"De youngus hat lust in de skip kommen,” replied
the man, mounting the ladder which hung down the ship's
side.
"Yah! yah!" responded the skipper, nodding his head,
and taking a vigorous draw at his long pipe, as he eyed
Jack's agile movements, springing up the ladder like a
monkey.
The exchange of a few sentences between the captain
and the commander of the boat seemed to satisfy the
former that he had made a very important addition to his
crew, in the person of the young native and already half-
made sailor, who had now entered his service. Jack's in-
timate knowledge of the coast, his experience in the smug-
gling trade, and his ability to act as interpreter, when
dealing with the natives on the west side of the mainland,
where the Dutch language was very little understood—
all rendered his services of the highest importance in
the interests of the trade in which he was about to
engage. A few weeks on board the .6
Bockanier," and
Jack appeared to be every inch a sailor, his know-
ledge of the language enabling him to obey orders with
the greatest alacrity, and his fearless daring making him
quite at home on a yard arm, or in running along the
shrouds, as a spider runs along the threads of her web.
On the "Bockanier" returning to the coast with a full
cargo of gin and tobacco, Smith boldly piloted the
smuggler along the western coast, as far as the island of
Trondra, and thus not only avoided the chance of legal
interference, feeble as it was, but found a far better
market with those remote natives who, even at the high
price asked, had never bought so cheap before. As
might be expected, Jack came into high favour both with
skipper and owners, and in four years from the time of
his giving his friends the slip for the wild life of a
smuggler, he stood on the deck of the "Bockanier" of
Overflackkee as chief mate.
Up to this time, he had never ventured on shore when
cruising off any part of the coast between Sumburgh


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
151
Head and Lerwick, as he had no wish to be recognised
by any one who had formerly known him; but now his
appearance was so much altered, while he spoke the
language so fluently, and was so thoroughly Dutch, both in
build and rig, that even his own mother, had she been
alive, could scarcely have recognised him. Thus safe
from recognition, he omitted no opportunity of visiting
the scenes of his boyhood whenever the vessel lay off
that part of the coast, and his anxiety to do so mainly
arose from a lingering desire once more to get a glimpse
of the maturer charms of his schoolmate, Lelah Halcro.
As unkind fate decreed it, this opportunity did occur,
and produced results of the most momentous kind in the
lives of those who innocently suffered the consequence of
his ill-timed curiosity.


152
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER XVIII.
O mischief, thou art swift
To enter in the thoughts of desperate men.
SHAKESPEARE.
IN the month of July 1750, on " Meadow-mawin' day,"
a party of Dutch sailors were seen approaching by a
road which led from the creek of Voe, and then, turning
to the left, directed their course to the marshy plat, or
meadow land, which lies at the bottom of the valley,
between Sklaburg and Brew; for here was
a gay
gathering seen only on "Meadow-mawin' days." The
mowers, in home-spun blue knee-breeches, red vests, and
knitted caps of the same colour, were gracefully handling
their scythes, as they stood erect, and swept, in
wide circular swathes, their sharp shining blades through
the tall rank grass; while buxom and blooming lasses,
in short petticoats, white or coloured slugs,¹ fixed with a
single pin at the waist, were actively plying the rake in
gathering the hay into ricks, or loading the ponies with it
to be carried to the toon2 mails, where it was to be
spread out for winning.
The sharp ring of the whitling stone on the scythe-
blades, the merry laughter of the lasses at their work,
the general hum of voices, and the shrill whistle of the
pony drivers, all combined to form a chorus of music
sweet enough to charm even the heart of a Dutchman.
"Goodendach," said the foremost of the party, as he
approached a merry group of lasses busy with their
rakes amongst the new-mown grass.
"Goodendach faader," replied an active, middle-aged
Short gowns.
2 Commons,


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
153
female, whose air of responsibility indicated that she was
directing the work.
66
"All de moy meshies bein here?" inquired the Dutch-
man, as he anxiously glanced around at the haymakers.
Nay, one more meshie come dere," said the spokes-
woman, as she pointed to a girl approaching with a
rake on her shoulder.
"Ah yah mine Gott!" exclaimed the Dutchman as
he started, and the blood rushed to his cheeks, and then
back again to his heart.
"Come here, Lelah; here's dy sweetheart waitin' ta
see dee," said one of the girls laughing. Ah! thought-
less girl! how little did she know that her language was
well understood by the swarthy-looking, heavy-built
Dutchman, with jewelled ears and fingers, who now stood
before her, and that her jest was indeed a terrible
reality! He was a sweetheart, and none other than
Jack Smith of Mirends, the school companion and dis-
carded lover of Lelah Halcro; and it was her presence
which thrilled his frame, and drew from him the exclama-
tion which he uttered on seeing her.
Now in the full bloom of womanhood, perfect as a
Grecian statue, the glance of her matchless eyes, so
full of soft liquid beauty, sent the fatal shaft again
home to his heart, and the strong man reeled beneath the
shock.
The die for evil was cast, and days of darkness and
trouble were stored up in the future.
The apparent Dutchman, however, quickly recovered
himself, and pointing towards the mowers, he exclaimed,
"Ver moy! ver moy! de same in my countrie, peoples
bein ver happy dese times." With this he turned on his
heel, and with a parting "goodendach "repeated by each
of the party, the heavy clamp of their wooden shoes soon
died away in the distance, as they returned by the same
road to join their boat, which waited for them at the
head of the Voe.
"I winder what yon Hollonders wir wantin?" said


154
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Janet Wirk, as she resumed her rake, and began to pile
up a cole of the new cut grass.
"Lord kens," replied Meggie Mowat, resting on her
rake; "yon wid be da skipper, I'm tinkin', dat spak ta
Eppie-da ane wi' da rings in his lugs, an' dat had da
better kind o' claes on."
"Yea, I'se warren dee yon wid be da skipper," replied
her companion; "I wiss I hed minded ta ax him for
sweeticooks; I tink he wid a gean wis some.
Did ye
no notice, bairns, what a change cam ower his face whin
he saw Lelah Halcro comin? What wid ye say dat
yon's mebbe Johnny Smith dat guid awa wi' da smugglers
a lock a years sin syne?"
"Hie tongue lass, an' be na a füle,” replied Eppie
Gordie; "he's nae mair Johnny Smith den I am. Lord
pity dee lass, da man cudna spaek a wird o' plain
English, far less Shetland! Na, na, da wicked sinuer
dat he wis, I doot he made a warr end."
The opinion formed by the haymakers that the
supposed Dutchman was a skipper was a correct one,
for Jack Smith now owned no superior on board the
"Bockanier," and as fate sometimes decrees that one man's
misfortune shall be another man's good luck, so it was
in this case; for when on a voyage to the Shetland coast
the previous season, the "Bockanier" was caught in one
of those south-east gales which sometimes sweep the
German Ocean, and barely escaped foundering with the
loss of her bulwarks and lower spars, and two hands
with the captain were washed overboard. This occurred
while the vessel was lying-to between Sumburgh Head
and Fair Isle. Jack then, as next superior officer,
assumed the command; and when the gale moderated,
he bore up for the west coast of Shetland, and running
into Scalloway, got his vessel refitted, and then in a
cruise among the islands he disposed of his cargo on
highly advantageous terms.
On his return to Holland, as might be expected, he
met with a cordial reception from the owners of the


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
155
"Bockanier," and was confirmed in the command of that
vessel.
A few days after the vessel's arrival at Overflakkee,
Captain Smith left his ship in charge of one of the
owners, in order that he might visit the late captain's
widow, to convey to her the mournful intelligence
of her husband's death. She lived with an only daughter
in a small chateau on the banks of the Waal, a few
miles above the town of Bummel, and was a woman
of great personal attractions, and amiable qualities of
mind.
Just before starting on his sad errand, the captain was
fortunate enough to meet with a countryman of his own, one
Bill Ericson, a native of Lerwick, who had served several
years in the Dutch trade as mate; and now being out of
a ship, had come to Overflakkee on a sort of "Jack-
ashore" trip. Bill had been highly educated, according
to the standard of education of those times, and began
his career in the medical profession; but disliking
further acquaintance with the healing art than that
which a ship's medicine-chest afforded, he quickly per-
formed the operation of cutting his studies short and
going to sea. The captain being in want of a mate, and
knowing by the cut of Bill's jib that he was the right
sort of craft, engaged him at once. The long boat was
then lowered, and the captain, with Bill and three other
seamen, sprang on board, and the sail being hoisted, she
was soon gliding up the smooth waters of the Maas.
On the arrival at the house of Frau Vanderboor,
she received with becoming sorrow the sad intelligence
which her visitors brought, but she did not on that
account neglect the duties of hospitality; and on the
captain taking his leave, he fancied the cordial grasp she
gave his hand indicated that he might safely repeat his
visit at some other time, without being considered an
intruder.
66
My eye, captain," said Bill, after they got into the
boat; "thereaway is a nice anchorage. It cheats Bill if


156
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
that tidy little Dutch craft won't haul down the black
flag, whenever she has got true blue to hoist. Throw
her a tow-line, and haul taut under her quarter, full sail,
studsails alow and aloft, all sea dimples and sunshine;'
and Bill winked and chuckled at the figure which his own
fancy had conjured up.
29
"Avast there, Bill," cried the captain; "I ain't goin'
athwart the hawse of that here frigate. I have my
weather-eye open in the wake of a nice leetle craft, west-
nowd-west. Bearings 60 north and 1.20 west; and
when I next take soundings thereaway, shiver my
timbers if I don't have a survey."
"Ay! ay! captain," replied Bill, all right, but
belay there a jiffy; what if the skipper and owner all in
one be aboard? maybe he'll port helm hard, and run to
windward, and then"-and Bill struck the side of his
nose with his forefinger.
66
'Clap a stopper in that jaw tackle of yours, Bill," said
the captain, not quite liking Bill's familiar manner, and
still less the unpalatable truth which his figurative speech
conveyed.
The reader need scarcely be informed, that the captain's
allusions were to his old schoolmate Lelah Halcro,
and indicated his intention of seeing her on his return
voyage to the Shetlands; and this he accomplished, as we
saw in a former chapter, when he visited the haymakers
on "Meadow-mawin' day," in the neighbourhood of Ske-
laburg.
As we then saw, the captain and his party (his mate
Bill being one of the number), were returning to their
boat, which waited for them at the head of the Voe,
and after a steady pull of about two miles off the land,
where the "Bockanier" lay, the boat brought up under
her quarter. On coming on board, the captain and Bill
retired to their cabin, and placing a bottle of gin between
them, sat down for the purpose of imbibing its con-
tents, while they discussed the subject of the expedition
in which they had been engaged.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
157
66
"Now I say, Bill," cried the captain, as he raised a
glass of gin to his lips, "here's to the Beauty of
Dynrastarness (that's the old name of my calf-ground,
you know). That lovely leetle frigate I showed you is
the one I told you about in Holland. My eyes! I was
nearly capsized when I saw her, she's so vastly hansomer
now. You said some landlubber would have her in tow.
May be so; but will he get the weather gauge of Jack?
No, never," and the captain looked fierce, and brought
down his heavy fist on the table with such a thump as
made the bottle jump a couple of inches from it.
"All right, cap'n," replied Bill, slowly draining his
glass; "but there's a little dead reckoning here, cap'n, I
want to look at; how are you to get a warp aboard
when you take this tidy leetle craft in tow? That's the
tickler Bill can't make out no ways."
"Jest you belay there, mate," said the captain, as
he filled another glass; "Jack knows how to tack
and wear, and never hauls down his colours when he's
got to fight; but here's to my bonnie birdie in a flowing
bumper ;" and the captain drained his glass.
"And here's to her, I say, cap'n; only once in my life
have I seen so lovely a face, and that was afore I put
my hands in the tar-bucket. Ah! cap'n, that leetle busi-
ness near made a sheer hulk of poor Bill Ericson; but no
matter, it's all over now. I was not myself for a long
spell, an' so out of gear aloft," and Bill pointed to his
forehead, "that I began to write poetry!"
"Did you though, Bill?" cried the captain, with
surprise. "Well, I should like to do that 'ere sort of
thing, but I don't see any ways how I should get it to
splice; can't you show me how to handle the marlin-
spike, and just have a keek in your locker, and see if
you ain't got some spun yarn there away?"
"I rather think I have, though," said Bill;
66 any-
ways, I'll overhaul for it;" and Bill rose and rummaged in
his chest, and after hauling out his "toggery," and turn-
ing over a lot of well-worn books, he came on a parcel


158
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
of manuscript, yellow with years and grease. "This
here is the best one," said Bill, pulling out a paper
from the centre of the bundle; "though it does not clink
like the chain cable, this is what I now call blank shot,
though when I talked finer, and had more larnin' than Í
have now, I called it blank verse, and I think it will
just do for your pretty Polly, what you call her?"
"Lelah," cried the captain, "but fire away, Bill; let's
have the smell of this blank shot of yours; and there's
a match for you," added the captain, filling out another
glass of gin.
Bill tasted the liquor, and then opened out the paper,
and read in a fine clear voice, and with perfect pro-
nunciation, as follows:-
As I wandered through this vale of tears,
There fell a ray of light across my path,
And by it I beheld the loveliest form
That ever sat upon the lap of earth
Since Eve in bliss and case luxurious
Reclined beneath the shadow of the grove.
A maid, in all the glory of her charms,
Stood bathed in mellow light before me;
Her auburn locks in wanton ringlets fell
Adown her snowy neck and heaving bosom
Her graceful mein and symmetry of mould
Outvied all powers of ancient Grecian art;
Her cheeks had borrowed from the rose's dye
Enough to contrast with the lily-white
Of her fair brow. Her eyes. soft as the dove's,
Sparkled with matchless brilliancy,
And through them shone the essence of
A thousand human souls.
Twin roes that fed on Hermon's dewy slopes,
White like the waving lilies which they crop,
Nestled beneath the dainty silken bands,
Which straining, bound them in their sacred fold.
Salem's wisest king, in boldest imagery
And glowing oriental strains, could only tell
My ecstacy, thus to behold her heaving bosom
Rise and fall in gentle undulations
Like slumbering waves on Thule's rocky shore,
Which oft in early youth I've watched
By full orbed moon her silvery rays reflecting.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
159
Tumultuous passions seized upon my soul,
And thrilled my frame with countless vibrations;
And in that moment of wild ecstacy,
I wished to draw her to my beating heart;
But as I stretched forth my arms to clasp her,
The fading ray of light did melt away
In softer rainbow hues, when darker still
The shades around me closed; but like
A gentle zephyr breathing past, I heard
Her voice in pitying accents say,
"FAREWELL!"
"Shot and blazes!" exclaimed the captain, slapping
his thigh as Bill finished his paper, "if that aint Lelah
to a tee. You call that blank cartridge Bill? Well,
maybe so; but I'm a Dutchman and a half if there ain't
flash and fire enough in it to blow up a liner; and I'm
blowed if I don't have a mind to lower away the long-
boat, and catch my pretty bird to-night; so what say
you, Bill? will you be staunch as the best bower, and
join me?"
Now, cap'n, belay there," said Bill, looking serious,
this 'ere love affair of yours has unshipped your running
gear aloft, and put you two points off the course; and if
you don't get all clear again, we're in Davy Jones' locker
as straight as a pikestaff. You know," continued Bill,
placing his arms akimbo, and looking straight at the
captain, "this 'ere pretty wench has got friends; and
suppose they don't show the white feather, what then?
Blood an' murder, I guess, with a fast sailing frigate in
our wake, and a bow chaser ticklin' our stern post atween
wind and water with thirty-two pounder pellets. No, no,
cap'n, that little game of yours won't play. Port helm, an'
take in some canvas till fair weather comes, soft and
gently, or it won't do; that's my reckoniu'!"
"Well, well," said the captain calmly, "maybe your
right, Bill. Next trip anyways I'll take soundings, and
prick out on the chart, an' then we shall see the bearings."
The reader will no doubt be able to gather from the
highly figurative language of those two worthies, that


160
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
the plot to carry off Lelah Halcro from her friends and
home, was only prevented by the clearer judgment of
the mate Bill Ericson, who foresaw that such a daring
act could not be attempted in broad daylight without the
risk of bloodshed, and certain punishment overtaking the
perpetrators of such an outrage; he therefore used his
utmost influence to dissuade the captain from entering
upon so dangerous an enterprise, and to wait until a
more favourable chance should occur for accomplishing
his object. Calmer reflection also showed the captain
that an opportunity of this kind would be best brought
about by obtaining such information from the natives as
would make it clear whether Lelah Halcro was really
the betrothed of his old rival, Olla Ollison; and if so,
according to the well-known habits of lovers in those
parts, they would have a trysting-place. To find out
where that trysting-place was, became therefore the first
step to be taken.
On his return voyage about two months after, he
omitted no opportunity, while dealing with the natives.
of Dunrossness, to learn from them all he could about
Lelah Halcro and her sweetheart; and this he did with
great art, and in such a way as entirely to disarm suspi-
cion, always speaking in broken English, and making
it appear that it was the beauty and fine appearance
of all the girls he saw in the meadow, that made him
so anxious about their welfare and matrimonial pros-
pects; and thus gradually he ferreted out the truth that
Lelah Halcro was to be married to the schoolmaster,
Olla Ollison, and that they were accustomed to meet at
night at their trysting-place, near the cliffs of Trosswick-
ness. The captain, moreover, learned that it was only on
fine evenings, and with clear moonlight, that the lovers
went to so great a distance, and these circumstances
appeared to him to be highly favourable to the success
of his scheme, because the same fine weather which
would tempt them to stroll so far, would enable him to
land in any of the creeks around the Ness, and which he


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
161
knew it was impossible to do in rough weather. He
therefore determined to cruise off the land, and wait the
chance of such fine weather as should one time or other
bring together such a combination of circumstances as
would enable him to capture the girl without resist-
ance by her lover or friends; and perhaps without its
being known by any one what had become of her. In
thus maturing his plan, his early experience and know-
ledge of the coast also came to his aid. He knew every
stack and heilig, every "gio" and landing-place around
the Ness, and he also remembered his experience at seal
shooting when a young lad. In those times seals were
very numerous around the coast, but owing to the pre-
cipitous nature of the rocks, only a very small proportion
of the animals wounded were captured; and in many
instances wounded seals were known to crawl up on the
rocks during the night-time, and be found dead by the
limpet-gatherers or sillick-fishers who visited the spot on
the following day. A wounded seal on a rock gave out
a mournful, moaning sound; and this the captain in
his young days used to imitate for the purpose of play-
ing practical jokes on the boys who accompanied him.
He would conceal himself underneath a rock, and then,
imitating the dying seal, would bring the boys to the
spot in great excitement, when suddenly he would.
spring from his hiding-place, and laugh at their disap-
pointment. This early accomplishment he now hoped to
turn to practical and important use. He hoped that in
the event of the lovers descending the shelving rock, as
they might very likely do to avoid being seen by the
sillick-fishers who passed that way, he could imitate a
wounded seal while lying in ambush in one of the creeks,
and thus decoy the young man from the side of his
sweetheart, and then seize him, while another party in the
boat would capture the girl.
With his plan thus fully matured, and ready to be put
into execution, he continued to cruise off the coast,
anxiously scanning the heavens, and wishing for such
L


162
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
a favourable lull in the weather as should make it safe
for him to land on any part of the coast; but as it was
now the month of October, each day seemed to lessen
the prospect of settled weather, and at last a strong gale
from the east sprang up, which forced him to abandon
the coast, and proceed on his voyage to Holland, deeply
chagrined at his want of luck, as he called it, but fully
determined that, at some time during the following year,
he would carry out his design, but as much earlier in the
season as would give him a better chance of that weather
which was necessary for its success.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
163
CHAPTER XVIII.
Along the solitary shore,
While flitting sea-fowl round me cry,
Across the rolling dashing roar,
I'll westward turn my wistful eye.
BURNS.
ON that evening when Lelah Halcro and her lover
met for the last time at their trysting-place near the
"banks" of Trosswickness, a boat might have been seen
approaching from the south. After crossing the Voe
she kept close to the shore, and was soon almost con-
cealed from view by the dark shadows which the over-
hanging cliffs cast upon the silent waters. The rowers,
dressed in the garb of Dutch sailors, conversed in whis-
pers, as they dipped their muffled oars with slow and
steady stroke, and leaving in the wake of the boat, as
she glided on, a luminous sparkling stream of phos-
phoric light.
In the stern of the boat was seated a man of some-
what bulky proportions, enveloped in a cloak, and wear-
ing on his head a low-crowned hat, slouched over his eyes.
In his right hand he grasped the tiller of the boat,
making her turn sharply to every bend in the irregular
outline of the shore; in his left he nervously clutched
the folds of his cloak, scanning with restless eye the
rugged summits of the dizzy heights above, and which
were now sharply defined against the clear blue moonlit
sky.
The reader will scarcely need to be informed that the
steersman of this boat was none other than the smuggler
Jack Smith, and now commander of the "Bockanier"
of Overflakee, which vessel lay lazily resting on the bosom
of the deep, about two miles off the land, her tall spars


164
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OK,
and quivering sails reflecting the silvery sheen of a full-
orbed moon. The four oarsmen consisted of the mate Bill
Ericson, and three picked men of the ship's crew.
This was now the "Bockanier's" second voyage to the
Shetland coast that season. On the first voyage the
captain made his annual cruise amongst the islands on
the west coast, reserving the east for his second voyage,
which would bring him there early in August, so as to
catch the fine weather which generally prevails during
that month, and upon which depended the success of
his enterprise.
Fortune sometimes favours the tyrant who crushes a
nation's liberties, and also the midnight assassin who
strikes his victim in the dark; and it favoured Jack
Smith, the smuggler, and now sea-robber, on that calm
night, when the silvery moon had wooed the lovers to
their trysting-place, and when the restless waves which
washed the dark rocky shore of Trosswickness were
murmuring softly as they bore onward on their placid
bosom the spoiler and tyrant-that spoiler who was
about to rend asunder and trample under his feet the
web of human happiness, sparkling with gems and spot-
less as snow, which two fond hearts had been weaving
for themselves during many long years. Alas! how
little they dreamed, as they rested on the shelving rock,
and looked out upon the broad expanse of the dark
waters slumbering at their feet, and gently flickering in
silvery undulations beneath the pale moon, that this
peaceful scene was about to be overcast by the wild
tempest of unholy passion, and that the light and joy of
life was about to be quenched in the darkness of grief
and despair. The wolf was prowling near for his prey,
and the remorseless paw of the crouching tiger was
about to strike down Lelah Halcro's protector from
her side, and carry her off to his den.
"I say, Bill, dus you know birds 'as roosts when
the moon hines bright," at last whispered the captain,
with
chuckle, as he jerked his thumb in the


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
165
direction of the creek to which the prow of the boat was
pointing.
66
"I guess I do, cap'n," replied Bill, in the same under-
tone, as he rested his oar; but, to be straight with you,
cap'n, shiver me if I much like this 'ere catchin' busi-
ness, especially as when you catch the hen-sparrow there
may be some ugly business to do, if she's got a game
cock for a mate, and one as knows how to use his bill
and talons."
66
"Belay there, Bill," replied the captain, in a loud
whisper, the words hissing through his teeth as he
spoke ; none of your gammon hereaway; a true blue
salt never croaks even when it blows hard, and now it's
smooth sea and clear lunar observations; so you ain't
goin' to disobey orders when the captin's got on the
quarterdeck, nor show the white feather when true blue
is the hoist. Your cock-sparrow or Master Tommie-
wake won't have a feather pulled, if he keeps his claws
stowed, and puts a stopper on his jaw tackle; but leave
me to tackle him anyhow, while you tackle Miss Kitty-
wake, my pretty bird. I wouldn't hurt a feather of her
wing for the Bockanier' where she floats; but she
must be catched and tamed,” and the captain clenched his
fist and looked fierce.
Bill was not slow to perceive that it was now too late
to attempt turning the captain from his purpose, and
that any hint in this direction would only bring against
himself the charge of cowardice; he therefore merely
said, "All right, cap'n. Bill knows his duty, and always
has done it. Catchin' a bird, howsomever, is one thing,
and taming another; hopes you do the last as well as
Bill does the first;" and Bill winked, and dipped his oar
with a strong pull, in order to bring the boat's head
close to the rock at which the captain and his accom-
plice were to land. This was a level rock, forming a
natural jetty on one side of a creek about 200 yards to
the east of the lovers' trysting-place. As soon as the
boat touched the rock the captain sprang out, followed


166
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
by the sailor Vander Dunder, who was to accompany
him, and both began to ascend the tortuous and danger-
ous path by which only the lofty summit of the cliff could
be reached.
"Now, Dunder," whispered the captain, as the ascent
began to get more difficult, "keep your weather-eye
open, and don't be falling overboard. You ain't got no
standing riggin' here, my lad; so pitch off them clumpers
of yours, they won't go to Holland without ye."
"Yah! yah!" replied the Dutchman, in a suppressed
voice, as he slipped off his wooden clogs, and continued
to mount the steep ascent, the captain leading the
way.
"Mein Gott, captain," exclaimed the Dutchman, as,
now midway up the cliff, he gazed in terror from a
perilous footing at the overhanging crag above; "you
not goin' up dat der place-mine head go dis vay," and
the Dutchman pointed to his forehead, and made a cir-
cular motion with his left hand.
66
By G-, your head shall go that way if you don't
stop that," fiercely hissed the captain, as he jerked his
arm down in the direction in which Vander Dunder's
head was to pilot his body.
"You keep close astern o' me," continued the captain,
in a softer tone, "and I'll take you up as sound as a
pump-bolt. I have done this here traverse sailin' afore
now, and knows the course all right."
Thus encouraged, the Dutchman clambered after his
leader, now and then catching hold of the captain's legs
when there was nothing better to hold by.
At last,
after considerable exertion, and many heart-quakings
and narrow escapes on the part of the heavy-footed son
of the flat country, the summit was gained, and the
captain, still leading the way, struck off to the west, and
then made a circuit to the north, so as to return to the
head of the creek, which lay on the north side of the
rocky declivity where the lovers were seated. Here the
captain, with his companion, descended, and after clam-


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
167
bering to some distance over the huge masses of fallen
rock, which the force of the waves had piled up in the
head of the creek, they came in sight of the point around
which the boat was expected to come, and after waiting
a few moments, her dark form was seen stealthily ap-
proaching, but keeping so close to the rock as scarcely
to be discernible, and was soon again lost sight of as she
entered the dark shadow cast by the projecting cliff on
the motionless water beneath.
As soon as the captain concluded that the boat had
reached a stack or isolated rock, where Bill, now in
command, had been instructed to halt, and which stood
near where the lovers were seated, and which concealed
the boat from view, he disappeared again amongst the
fallen rock, selecting an aperture formed by two rugged
masses resting against each other; he here concealed
himself under the projecting ends of one of the fragments,
while he placed the Dutchman in a similar position on
the opposite side. He now put his fingers to his lips,
and sent forth a loud wail in imitation of a dying seal,
which, in the calm night, echoed back from the precipitous
cliffs with a mournful cadence. As he anticipated, and
as we saw from the hermit's own narrative of what
occurred on that eventful night, this stratagem succeeded;
for no sooner did the young man hear this sound proceed
from the creek than he sprung to his feet, and, bounding
away over the sloping rock, was soon lost to view
amongst the rugged fragments in the creek already
described. Entering at a point a little above high-
water mark, he threaded his way through the narrow
openings until he passed the one where his enemies were
lying in ambush. Just as he was passing through
he felt himself seized by the feet from behind; and the
opening being so small that he had not room to turn
upon his assailants, he struggled in vain for liberty,
until exhausted by loss of blood from the wounds caused
by the sharp pointed rock beneath him.
While this tragic scene was being enacted, the boat


168
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
noiselessly glided from her hiding-place behind the rock,
but was not observed by Lelah Halcro; for, at that
moment, she was earnestly straining her eyes in the
direction in which her lover had gone, and anxious to see
him return again in safety; but her ear caught the sound
of advancing footsteps, and on turning round the appari-
tion of three men met her affrighted gaze.
Her super-
stitious fears, so common in that age, flashed across her
mind, and converted these three beings, in human form,
into demons or ghostly apparitions arisen out of the sea;
for the boat was again out of sight, and the horror of
the moment chilled her heart, and she swooned away,
and would have fallen on the rock where she stood had
not the strong arms of Bill Ericson caught her as she
fell, who, rough sailor though he was, felt all the nobler
impulses of his nature stirred within him by such an
affecting scene; and had the way been open to give
effect to his feelings, could at that moment have fought
his way through seas of blood in defence of the lovely
burden which he now quickly and gently bore to the
boat. Here, placing himself in the storm sheets, he sup-
ported his still unconscious charge, by placing his arm
round her waist, her fair drooping head resting on his
shoulder. Alas! how transient are life's fleeting plea-
sures! How vain its most fondly cherished hopes! In a
few short moments how terrible the change! Then, two
fond hearts beat in unison, and bright hopes built their
aerial tenements of future bliss. Now, all has passed
into the land of forgetfulness, and loved voices are silent
as the grave. One lies stretched upon the cold rock, the
blood still trickling from his wounds; the other, a captive,
and still unconscious that the cup of bliss has passed
from her lips, and one full of human woe and agonizing
grief given her to drink in its stead.
Oh, remorseless nature! how unbending are thy laws!
how stern and inflexible are thy rules! how couldst thou
be calm, and smile, and sigh, and murmur soft music,
while youth, beauty, and innocence were betrayed, and


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
169
the loving spirit of that bright form eclipsed in dark
unconsciousness? O stars! why did you twinkle on
in undimmed lustre? and thou, pale moon, was there no
fragment of cloud to hide thy face from such a scene?
Thou, Author of Nature upon thy throne of justice, who
holdest the whirlwind in the hollow of thy hand, and
lightnings speed at thy behest, why didst Thou not
smite the spoiler with a blast from heaven, and con-
sume his accursed and cruel heart because it had no
pity?
Dear Lelah, child of innocence and truth, God does
not cause the lightning and the whirlwind to descend for
thy rescue; but He can keep thee spotless and pure;
yea, on the raging billow, and in the midst of fierce and
lawless men, and in thy long sojourn in a foreign land,
no evil shall come nigh thee. He that keeps thee does
not slumber nor sleep; and when thy days and nights of
sorrow are fulfilled, and when thy pillow shall be no more
bedewed with tears, He will bring thee again to the land
of thy birth, and to the arms of thy lover and thy long-
lost friends!
As soon as the struggles of their youthful victim had
ceased, the captain and Van der Dunder hurried from the
spot, and seeing the boat waiting, gave a loud whistle,
which was at once answered by the forward motion of
the boat towards the rock jetty, where the captain and
his accomplice waited to be taken on board.
"God bless you, Bill," exclaimed the captain, as he
sprang into the boat; "you're a staunch fellow, and every
inch of a true blue; and here's my pretty bird at last.
She ain't hurt, I hope, Bill; is she?" inquired the captain,
looking anxiously at the lovely and still almost lifeless
form which rested on Bill's bosom.
66
'Cap'n," said Bill hoarsely, "you said, God bless
me; and I say amen to that, when I'm out of this 'ere
business; but, cap'n, if there be such a Bein' aloft, which
I sometimes doubt, and if He has got blessin's for you
and me to-night, He ain't fair and square if He don't put


170
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
a pinch o' brimstone in them. That's my say, cap'n; and
blow my brains out for it, if you
like."
"Avast there, Bill!" cried the captain, quivering with
rage. "Unship!-give me the girl-feather your oar,"
and the captain sprang to the side of his captive, and
Bill sullenly rose, and, seating himself at an oar, began
to pull.
"Give way!" hoarsely bawled the captain, and the
rowers bent their oars like willows, as the sparkling
foam danced from the bows of the boat as she rushed
onward, leaving a broad stream of molten silver in her
wake.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
171
CHAPTER XIX.
Beneath the rough coat of the sailor lad
An honest heart beats lightly.
OLD PLAY.
As we saw from the hermit's own narrative of what
occurred on this eventful night-shortly after his assail-
ants had left him, he recovered consciousness, but
awakened to find life's joys fled, and the world before
him a vale of tears. But cruel fate relented when she
looked upon his beloved Lelah, now a captive in the
tyrant's grasp, and therefore let her dream on. Only
once or twice during the short passage to the ship did
she languidly raise her long silken eyelashes, and look
dreamily around; and then, as she fetched a long-drawn
sigh, the cloud of unconsciousness again closed over her.
He that tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, pitied this
poor lamb now shorn of all her earthly treasures, and did
not permit her to know at once the darkness and desola-
tion which had overtaken her; He tempered the chill
blast of adversity to her feeble strength, and enabled her
to pass safely through the fiery ordeal of affliction which
awaited her.
As the boat entered the dark shadows which the
motionless sails of the "Bockanier" cast upon the slum-
bering waters, Bill quickly drew in his oar, and springing
to his feet, said—“ Now, cap'n, as a favour for my share
in this business, you just let me take this child aboard;
I can do it gently, and I like to do it, cap'n." And Bill
turned his face away from the captain, and looked up at
the drooping pennant which hung from the mast head;
for a big tear rolled down his cheek, and his voice
quivered as he spoke.
"All right, Bill," replied the captain, "that same
favour ain't by no means a big one; but, big or little,


172
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
you've earned it fairly; so here you are, my lad; I know
you won't slip her overboard," he added, as Bill raised.
the lovely burden in his arms, and tenderly carried her
up the steps of the strong wooden ladder, which had
been let fall just as the boat approached the gangway.
Descending the cabin-steps, Bill laid the still uncon-
scious Lelah on a couch which formed one side of the
elegant cabin, and then gazed upon her with a mournful
expression on his weather-beaten countenance, while the
captain stood by his side, stern and unmoved, with his
arms crossed, and his lips compressed, as if determined
to hide the contending emotions which warred within
his breast.
"Ain't my pretty Polly goin' to flare up, Bill ?" in-
quired the captain, after a pause; and, with an assumed
air of pleasantry, he added, "when she does, Bill, you'll
be nurse, and get her braced round again all taut and
square."
66
Cap'n," said Bill, "just belay there, and bring me a
little brandy and water."
"Here you are, Bill," said the captain, as he held a
glass of water, and Bill sprinkled the shining drops on
Lelah's forehead, and then, raising her head gently on his
arm, he moistened her pale lips with a few drops of
brandy from a glass which was also handed him by the
captain.
As these restoratives were applied, the feeble pulse
throbbed, and the pale cheek became gently flushed, and
Lelah Halcro awakened as from a trance.
"Where am I?" she faintly inquired, "and why does
the house move so; and why are strangers here?"
"Don't you know me, Lelah?" exclaimed the captain,
coming forward, as Bill withdrew to one side, “your old
schoolmate, Jack Smith, that fought for you like a Turk,
and loved you as his life; and here we are now all right,
tight, and happy, on board the gallant Bockanier,"
bound for Holland-a jolly country, and a lady I'll make
you there.
So cheer up, my pretty bird, and don't look
66
4


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
173
glum ;-fair weather, a fair wind, and your old friend,
Jack Smith, the jolly true blue, and as staunch as the
best bower; and what could you wish more?"
Slowly did Lelah Halcro raise herself from the couch
on which she rested, as the captain's hurried sentences
fell upon her ear, the meaning of which her wandering
senses did not seem to comprehend, until the dreaded
name of "Jack Smith" was repeated; and then a flash
of intelligence passed over her countenance, and she
sprang to her feet, as if endowed with superhuman
strength.
"Wretch, fiend, and murderer!" she exclaimed, as she
fixed her flashing eyes upon the man who stood before
her, and which seemed to penetrate his very soul.
"Where is my lover? Does not his blood call for ven-
geance from the cold rock where he now lies? but strike
here, and let me follow him!" and she pointed to her
bosom.
"Now, now, my pretty Lelah," cried the captain,
"you've got a list to sta❜bord, and all on the wrong tack.
We ain't in the murderin' line at all hereaways; so,
just you lower your gaff, my pretty girl, and make your-
self at home till we get on the tother side, and then we
shall have a leetle bit of neat splicing to do, an' that will
make it all square; so give me your hand, my pretty
mate, an' let us be friends till something better turns up."
"Monster!" exclaimed the noble girl, as she shrunk
back with horror from the proffered hand, "that hand
has blood on it. It is the hand of a murderer; let it
not touch me. God gave me life, and I dare not take it
away while you leave me alone, captive as I am; but put
that blood-stained hand upon me, and I cast myself upon
God's mercy, and seek refuge from your power in the
cold embrace of death. Then take my poor body," she
continued, in a solemn voice, "and wrap it in a hammock,
and in the silent night let it fall with a heavy plunge in
the deep, and let it sink down, down to the Land of Rest!
But when the wind moans through the shrouds of your


172
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
you've earned it fairly; so here you are, my lad; I know
you won't slip her overboard," he added, as Bill raised
the lovely burden in his arms, and tenderly carried her
up the steps of the strong wooden ladder, which had
been let fall just as the boat approached the gangway.
Descending the cabin-steps, Bill laid the still uncon-
scious Lelah on a couch which formed one side of the
elegant cabin, and then gazed upon her with a mournful
expression on his weather-beaten countenance, while the
captain stood by his side, stern and unmoved, with his
arms crossed, and his lips compressed, as if determined
to hide the contending emotions which warred within
his breast.
"Ain't my pretty Polly goin' to flare up, Bill?" in-
quired the captain, after a pause; and, with an assumed
air of pleasantry, he added, "when she does, Bill, you'll
be nurse, and get her braced round again all taut and
square."
66
Cap'n," said Bill, "just belay there, and bring me a
little brandy and water."
"Here you are, Bill," said the captain, as he held a
glass of water, and Bill sprinkled the shining drops on
Lelah's forehead, and then, raising her head gently on his
arm, he moistened her pale lips with a few drops of
brandy from a glass which was also handed him by the
captain.
As these restoratives were applied, the feeble pulse
throbbed, and the pale cheek became gently flushed, and
Lelah Halcro awakened as from a trance.
"Where am I?" she faintly inquired, "and why does
the house move so; and why are strangers here?”
"Don't you know me, Lelah?" exclaimed the captain,
coming forward, as Bill withdrew to one side, “your old
schoolmate, Jack Smith, that fought for you like a Turk,
and loved you as his life; and here we are now all right,
tight, and happy, on board the gallant "Bockanier,"
bound for Holland-a jolly country, and a lady I'll make
you there. So cheer up, my pretty bird, and don't look


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
173
glum ;-fair weather, a fair wind, and your old friend,
Jack Smith, the jolly true blue, and as staunch as the
best bower; and what could you wish more?”
Slowly did Lelah Halcro raise herself from the couch
on which she rested, as the captain's hurried sentences
fell upon her ear, the meaning of which her wandering
senses did not seem to comprehend, until the dreaded
name of "Jack Smith was repeated; and then a flash
of intelligence passed over her countenance, and she
sprang to her feet, as if endowed with superhuman
strength.
"2
"Wretch, fiend, and murderer!" she exclaimed, as she
fixed her flashing eyes upon the man who stood before
her, and which seemed to penetrate his very soul.
"Where is my lover? Does not his blood call for ven-
geance from the cold rock where he now lies? but strike
here, and let me follow him!" and she pointed to her
bosom.
66
Now, now, my pretty Lelah," cried the captain,
"you've got a list to sta❜bord, and all on the wrong tack.
We ain't in the murderin' line at all hereaways; so,
just you lower your gaff, my pretty girl, and make your-
self at home till we get on the tother side, and then we
shall have a leetle bit of neat splicing to do, an' that will
make it all square; so give me your hand, my pretty
mate, an' let us be friends till something better turns up."
"Monster!" exclaimed the noble girl, as she shrunk
back with horror from the proffered hand," that hand
has blood on it. It is the hand of a murderer; let it
not touch me. God gave me life, and I dare not take it
away while you leave me alone, captive as I am; but put
that blood-stained hand upon me, and I cast myself upon
God's mercy, and seek refuge from your power in the
cold embrace of death. Then take my poor body," she
continued, in a solemn voice, "and wrap it in a hammock,
and in the silent night let it fall with a heavy plunge in
the deep, and let it sink down, down to the Land of Rest!
But when the wind moans through the shrouds of your


174
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
ship, then list, and hear my ghost shrieking for ven-
geance! Then look and see the drops of my murdered
lover's blood falling on your deck; and no water shall
ever wash them out; and-
“O Bill, Bill,” exclaimed the captain, as he struck his
hands on his forehead, and rushed on deck, followed by
his comrade, "I cannot stand that," he muttered, gasping
as he grasped the taffrail, and trembling in every limb.
"Not that I suppose," he added, after a pause, "that
the fellow is dead, though, no doubts on it, he might soon
come a sheer hulk, and water-logged too, if nobody found
him out; but what shivers my timbers, Bill, from stem
to stern, is that infernal old yarn about-Stand from
under. Never since I first heered that same yarn has
it got out of my head, and now the croak of that corbie
we have got aboard has made it worse than ever; and,
if it be true what she says, that the fellow is dead, and
maybe she knows, then what are we to do, Bill? that's
the reckonin' that beats me, and I give it up."
1
"Well, well, captain," replied Bill, "you know well I
told you I did not like at all that catchin' business when
you first spoke of it; and now you see what's come of
it; but if you want my reckonin', cap'n, this is it all,
straight and down on the nail; an' I say, you keep away
from this 'ere girl, or she's overboard or through the
cabin windows afore ye can say 'Jack Robison;' and
then I guess, cap'n, we shall have two ghosts with a
finger in this pie of yours instead of one. Now, then, if
that's as straight as a pike-staff, you ask what are we to
do, and that same question is what I've got to answer; and
it is this, cap'n,—that you and I shift our quarters to the
night-house upon deck, and let the girl have the cabin all
to herself; and if you make that square, I'm out of my
reckonin' if I don't bring her round to the wind all right."
"But, Bill," interposed the captain, "suppose that's
the course till we make the Dutch coast, how do you
steer then, my lad? that's the tickler, I fancy."
1 See Note P. Sailors' Superstitions.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
175
"O, no tickler at all, cap'n," replied Bill; "you just
look at my reckonin', an' I'll prick you out on the chart
all clear. You know Mrs Vanderboor, and her pretty
leetle Polly; there away is a nice anchorage for your
Lelah, till she gets as tame as a duck.”
"Just anchor there, Bill," exclaimed the captain with
animation, and bringing his heavy fist down on the
taffrail with a thump; "that's the harbour, and it'll
do. You're a clever fellow, you are, Bill; and I'll leave
you in charge of this 'ere leetle craft, for I see it all
clear as the forestay. If I take the helm, she'll yaw an'
play the devil with us; so you go below, and see how
she looks now after the squall."
"All right, captain, thank you," replied Bill, as he
descended the cabin steps, and found Lelah seated on
the couch, with her hands clasped, and the tears coursing
down her lovely cheeks-a friendly flood which had
come to her relief, and cooled the burning fever of her
brain. She started as Bill entered; but on seeing that it
was not the captain, she looked calmer, and said, in a
soft meek voice, "Now I am ready to die; let death come,
and my sorrows shall cease."
"Oh my good girl!" cried Bill, his voice choked with
emotion, "don't say that; I am a friend and country-
man; and I sware by Heaven, that no harm shall come
to you while I am mate of this ship. The captain has
promised that he will not trouble you, and this cabin
you're to have all to yourself till we get to Holland, and
then I know a friend there as will take care of you;
and I know God will take care of you, and bring you
out of all this trouble yet;" and Bill turned away his face
to hide his tears.
"Is it possible, O God!" Lelah exclaimed, clasping
her hands and looking up, while the tears flowed afresh,
"that I am still under thy care, and that Thou hast sent
me a friend even in this place, and in this hour of my
tribulation? But what are friends to me?" she added
mournfully; "my lover lies cold and still on yonder shore;


176
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
and I shall no more hear his loving voice, nor see his
loved form. But who are you that offer to be my
friend?" she inquired after a pause.
"I am Bill Ericson, mate of this vessel," he replied,
"and it was myself that carried you on board from the
boat; and it's all because I've got a soft heart, and can't
help it; and if it must come out, Lelah (for that I know is
your name), it is because you are so like my own pretty
Polly now resting in the churchyard. I love you for
her sake, God help me! I shall never love another; but
he who hurts you, my dear girl, shall first step over my
dead body-that's it ;" and Bill looked as if the anni-
hilation of some one was necessary to give emphasis to
this declaration.
"Thank you, and may God bless you," Lelah re-
plied. "He has surely sent you in the hour of need.
But can you tell me if my lover was murdered, or how
I was brought here?"
"I hope he was not, Lelah," replied Bill; "but I do not
know, and therefore I will not deceive you; but by-and-
by I shall tell you all I know; bnt first you need some
refreshment, which I will tell the cook to bring;" and
Bill hurried up the steps.
While those thrilling scenes were passing on board the
"Bockanier," a gentle breeze had sprung up, and filled her
broad canvas, every inch of which had been shaken out
by the captain's orders; and as the breeze freshened, the
gallant ship, as if instinctive with life, and flying from a
revengeful foe, gathered speed in her onward course, and
dashed the dancing foam from her bows as she left a
broad shining track in her wake. Far to windward lay the
islands, like a dark fragment of cloud against the west-
ern horizon; and Lelah Halcro, a captive, lonely and
forlorn, was bidding a long adieu to the home of her
fathers, and the scenes of her happy childhood and youth.
But sad as her fate was, she was at least safe from intru-
sion, and from the detested presence of her captor; and
this inestimable boon she owed first to her own mar-


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
177
vellous courage and nobility of soul, and next to the
warm-hearted and generous Bill Ericson, who, by a
thorough knowledge of human nature, and especially of
the weak points in the character of his superior officer,
had got himself constituted her protector and guardian.
Why he should have allowed himself to become an
accomplice in effecting her abduction may appear at
first sight strange and contradictory, but a moment's
reflection will show that it was all but impossible for
him to act otherwise. It must be remembered that
he was only one of the party; and even if any plan
for her escape had been practicable, he did not know
how far he could rely on the men under his command;
besides, Lelah Halcro never would have sought her
own safety while her lover's fate was uncertain, and
had she been left at liberty, would have fled to his
rescue, with the risk of rendering the tragedy of that
memorable night still more terrible than it was.
The first glance at the lovely face and form of Lelah
Halcro awakened in the bosom of Bill Ericson such
emotions as he could not conceal. She strikingly
resembled his own dear Polly, as he loved to call her,
though many years had passed since he had laid her
under the green sod; but he cherished her memory with
undying affection, and felt called upon to protect one
who so much resembled her, as he would have protected
her. He therefore eagerly took advantage of the
captain's superstitious fears, and adopted such a
course as would not only protect the object of his
solicitude from danger, but bring her into a closer
relationship with himself; and in such a way as the
sincerity and generosity of his feelings could be best
manifested, and yet without compromising his position
as an officer of the ship.
That Lelah Halcro, a peasant girl, and with such
a limited education as her position in life commanded,
should so act the heroine, and put forth such power as
to strike terror into the heart of the bold and lawless
M


178
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
smuggler, may to some appear strange, if not improbable;
but how many instances does history furnish of a similar
nature? The poet says-
"O woman! in our hours of ease,
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please;
When pain and sorrow wring the brow,
A ministering angel thou.”
And in the hour of trial, or in defence of assailed virtue,
woman establishes a still higher claim to the name of
angel, and has often risen to an altitude of power, and
grandeur of character, which has smitten the spoiler as
with a blast from Heaven, and turned his craven heart
into water.
See Lelah Halcro, on a calm summer eve, when
seated by her lover's side, soft and gentle as the
cushat dove, her sweet silvery voice musical as an angel's
whisper, and her eyes beaming forth the tenderest
emotions of the soul; and then see her a captive in the
cabin of the "Bockanier," and in the hated presence of her
betrayer, and fully conscious of the peril to which she is
exposed, and you see how the glorious nobility of virtue
has changed the simple maiden into the heroine; her
matchless beauty giving power and force to that torrent
of eloquence which flowed from her lips, the very words
of which came to her as if by inspiration, because few of
them were to be found in her native dialect.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
179
CHAPTER XX.
I sigh for Scotia's home, and I gaze across the sea,
But I cannot get a glimpse o' my ain countree.
GILFILLAN.
As we saw, when Lelah Halcro awoke to conscious-
ness in the cabin of the " Bockanier," she could not com-
prehend why she was in such a place, nor how she had
been brought there; but when the dreaded name of
"Jack Smith" was understood by her, the mystery was
solved, and the dark plot in which he had been engaged
was laid bare as if by a flash of lightning. She saw in
a moment the danger she was in, and the only means by
which she could escape from it. She did not fall on her
knees and implore him to release her for the sake of
friends and home, for she well knew that Jack Smith
neither feared God nor regarded man. There was only
one power on earth which could overawe him, and that
was the power of superstition, which held such a sway
over the minds of men in that age, and more especially the
class to which he belonged; and this power she wielded
with such effect as to produce the happy results of
being removed from his hated presence, and safe from his
machinations.
Three days and nights of a fair wind filling the broad
sails of the "Bockanier," and making her skim the ocean
like a bird, brought in sight the low lines of the Dutch
coast. During all that time Bill faithfully attended to
the wants of his lovely charge, giving the cook special
directions on her account, and producing for her table
the best the ship could afford, which, owing to the
smoothness of the sea, and her exemption from sea-
sickness, she was able to partake of. He also did all in
his power to alleviate the anguish of her mind, caused


180
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
by the dreadful uncertainty which hung over the fate of her
lover, and the thoughts of the sorrow in which she knew
her friends were plunged,-mourning her as one dead.
Bill took special precautions to protect her from intru-
sion, by allowing her to lock the cabin door on the
inside, opening it only when he gave the password of
his own name. The captain was fully aware of how
he was loathed by his captive, and that any attempt on
his part to make advances towards her might be attended
with dreadful consequences, the thought of which had
already so scared him. He was therefore content to
trust to time and the influence of Widow Vanderboor to
bring Lelah to a different state of mind. On the vessel's
arrival, therefore, at Overflakkee, he allowed her to de-
part in the boat with Bill and two seamen without see-
ing her, merely remarking to Bill as he was about to
leave,-
"Tell Missus Vanderboor as how I shall steer up
river next voyage, and see my little kitty wake, an' hopes
by that time she's got her as tame as a duck."
"All right, cap'n," replied Bill; "I shall go over all
that sort o' dead reckonin' when I get up; and no manner
of doubts the missus will know how many fives make fif-
teen, and have it all straight and square next trip."
So saying, Bill returned to the cabin to assist Lelah to
the boat, and the captain walked forward to give orders
to the sailors doing duty there.
The owner of a vast fortune and of wide domains, if
languishing on a bed of sickness, or racked with pain,
would, if health could be restored, feed sweetly on a
crust, and sleep soundly on a straw pallet. So it was
with Lelah Halcro; dark and dreary was the path
which her feet had trodden during the past few days and
nights, lengthened as they were into ages; and darker
still was the future upon which she was entering. But
to be relieved from the power and presence of the man
whom she looked upon as the murderer of her lover was
relief indeed, and a soothing of her sorrows; and the


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
181
expression of this feeling passed in fitful gleams over her
sad countenance as the boat glided on her course up the
smooth waters of the Maas.
During the passage few words were exchanged, as
Bill had previously fully acquainted Lelah with his de-
sign, and the arrangements to be made for her safety,-
being first to privately inform Widow Vanderboor of
Lelah's history, her abduction, and the supposed murder
of her lover by Captain Smith; and next, if he did not
find sufficient reason to trust Widow Vanderboor as
Lelah's protector and guardian, to run any personal risk
on her account, in order to find her a place of safety be-
yond the captain's reach or knowledge.
On Bill's arriving with his fair companion at the house
of Widow Vanderboor, he announced himself with,
"Gooden Dach, mein good Frau Vanderboor," and then
introducing Lelah, continued,-"dis moy meshie come to
you from Capitain Smitz of de' Bockanier;' he come up
river next voyage and see you, but not dis time."
"Oh, ver goot, ver goot," replied the widow, grasp-
ing Lelah's hand between both hers; "mein ver dear
freund, Capitain Smitz, freund be mein freund, and mein
leetle Gretchen's freund; and du stay long time, and be so
freundlich vit us."
“Thank you, my good lady," faintly replied Lelah, as
she sank on a couch to which she had been led by the
kind widow.
The ominous words which the latter had just uttered,
and indicating her friendship for Captain Smith, shot
through the heart of the fair Lelah with a thrill of
terror; for she imagined how her own safety might be
compromised in such a relationship, and forgot at the
moment what Bill had previously assured her of, that if
he found any reason to doubt Widow Vanderboor's
fidelity as her protectress, he should find some other
place of safety for her, and leave the other two seamen
to return to the ship without him.
Widow Vanderboor, ignorant of the true cause of what


182
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
troubled her fair visitor, attributed it to fatigue, and
therefore sympathizingly remarked, "Ah, mein ver poor
kind, ship not goot for Fraulein; but be better in von
two days; and den go out vit mein own Tochter to de
pretty garten, and dat make Fraulein vell."
Bill guessed the cause of Lelah's distress, and there-
fore thought it better to make an explanation at once to
Widow Vanderboor, so as to save any further misunder-
standing. He therefore, addressing her, said-
"Me would sprach with you in this odder room for
one small moment, and mine friend, Lelah, will rest a
leetle."
"Ver goot, ver goot," replied the widow, as she led
the way to the adjoining apartment.
"Now, mine good friend," Bill began, when both were
seated, "me want to tell you dat Capitain Smitz is one
bad man.
He has killed-murdered this poor child's
sweetheart, and torn her away from her fadder and
modder, and dey tink she is lost-drowned by fallin' over
de rocks; and he now want you to help to force this poor
child to marry him.”"
"Ah, mein Gott! I sall die," she exclaimed, as she
turned ashy pale and trembled with terror.
"Is it pos-
sible," she added, after a pause, "dat what you tell me of
Capitain Smitz is true?"
"Yes, mine good lady," Bill replied, "it is all true, I
know it is; and dis is why I want to tell you dat you
keep and protect dis poor child, and I will pay you mine
own self.
Not that she can ever be mine sweetheart t;
but I love her for mine own poor sweetheart's sake dat
is dead, and I shall never marry anoder."
"Ah, mine goot brave mate!" exclaimed the widow,
as she burst into tears, "Gott vill bless you, and dis poor
kind shall be mine kind, like mine own dear Gretchen;
and not till dis poor heart beats no more in mein bosom,
and not till Capitain Smitz steps over mine dead bodie,
shall any harm come to dis dear freund of yours, and you
shall pay noting."


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
183
The declaration of such noble and generous sentiments
by this warm-hearted and amiable lady, was more than
Bill's already overstrained feelings could bear, and the
emotion he felt deprived him of the power of utterance.
He clasped his hands over his face to hide his tears,
while his stalwart frame shook with suppressed sobs.
"Ah, mine dear lady!" he at length exclaimed, "God
will bless you, and Bill will pray for you when far away
on the billow; though he may not do that for himself.
Your kindness to dis poor lamb, now lonely and forlorn,
will bring down Heaven's best blessings upon you; and
dis is poor Bill's earnest prayer, and he is sure it will
come so."
66
Tank you, mein ver dear freund," sighed the widow,
as she wiped the tears from her face; "but we must now
see Fraulein Lelah, and say vords to comfort her." So
saying, she opened the door, and Bill rushing up to
Lelah, who had now fully recovered, exclaimed, “Thank
God, Lelah, it is now all square! This noble lady is your
safeguard, and under her roof no one can harm you.
The load is now off my mind, and I shall die happy
whenever that time comes; and so goodbye, I shall come
and see you again next voyage."
66
Nay, nay! mine dear friend," cried the kind-hearted
widow, "you sit down and get some refreshments vit
us, and see mein Gretchen who comes here, and vill be
so happy to see you and von new freund, Fraulein Lelah;"
and the widow pointed to her daughter, approaching by
a winding path which led through the gay parterres
which surrounded the chateau on all sides.
While the table was being covered with the choicest
viands the house could afford, Gretchen entered. She
was a lovely rosy girl about fourteen years of age, who,
smiling and blushing, was led by her mother to Lelah,
and introduced as "mein own Gretchen, your sister;
and then turning to Gretchen, she said—
"Meine liebe, diese junge Dame wird mit uns bleiben. Sie
mussen zu ihr freundlich sein, und wersuchen sie glücklich


184
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
machen den ihre Freunde sind gestorben, und sie ist sehr
unglücklich.
66
Ya, meine Mutter," replied Gretchen, "ich will sie
lieben als eine Schwester."
The repast being over, Bill arose to take his departure,
and after taking an affectionate farewell of Lelah, Widow
Vanderboor, and her daughter, he hurried to the boat
with feelings of mingled joy and sadness. He felt his
heart oppressed by a sense of melancholy at parting
from Lelah, and had a presentiment that he would see
her no more; but the complete success of his mission, and
the safety and happiness of one who lay so near his
heart, was in some measure a soothing of his grief. Poor
Bill, the coming event had indeed cast its shadow before,
and his presentiment that he should see Lelah Halcro
no more, alas! proved too true; for, on her returning
voyage to Shetland, the "Bockanier" was lost, and all
hands on board perished in a fearful hurricane which she
encountered when off the Doggerbank, but her fate was
not known till long after, when a fragment of wreck,
bearing her name, was picked up on the Shetland coast.
It was not till many years after that the sad and
untimely fate of her generous friend and protector be-
came known to Lelah, and then she mourned him as a
brother; and her already wounded heart bled afresh at
the loss of one whose friendship was so pure, so noble,
and unselfish, and who was willing to sacrifice even his
life in defence of her who never could return him any
favour. No doubt poor Bill died like a true British
sailor, and left this changing scene, this vale of tears,
with few regrets, for—
What was this world to him?
His Polly was no more;
She was not here to meet again,
But on the other shore.
And as the path there lay,
Deep through the yawning wave,
He smiled as one came rolling on,
To seal his ocean grave!


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
185
Also beneath that wave sunk, to rise no more, the bold
and lawless man, the noted smuggler Jack Smith, with
all his sins upon his head; unless, indeed, he sought for-
giveness at the eleventh hour. But here the curtain
must fall-we dare follow him no further.
If any earthly pleasure could heal a broken heart,
Lelah Halcro might have been happy; for in her new
home she experienced at the hands of Widow Vander-
boor more than a mother's kindness, while her daughter
loved Lelah as her adopted sister with the most devoted
affection, and studied by a thousand endearing ways to
carry Lelah's thoughts from the sorrows of the past to
the enjoyments of life, which were now so fully put
within her reach.
Widow Vanderboor studiously avoided any mention of
Lelah's past sorrows, and tried by every means in her
power to wean her thoughts from them. She had every
reason to believe, from what Bill Ericson had told her,
that Lelah's lover was no longer alive, and therefore, to
return to her native land would only be to open up the
wound afresh in her heart, and leave her in a solitary
home to brood in silent sorrow over her irreparable loss,
deprived at the same time of those soothing influences
which, in her present position, refined society and loving
sympathy could so well supply. She therefore considered
it her duty even to conceal from Lelah the knowledge of any
chance which might occur for her returning to her native
land; but this was a very remote contingency indeed,
as, by the loss of the "Bockanier," the only connecting
link between Widow Vanderboor and the sea-coast was
broken; nor was she likely again to receive visits from
any one from that quarter.
Fraulein Gretchen had just finished her education, and
perceiving that Lelah, though several years older than
herself, was deficient in everything, at once undertook,
as a pleasing duty and labour of love, to instruct her
adopted sister; and this she did with a zeal and earnest-
ness which soon produced the most gratifying results.


186
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Lelah Halcro proved a very apt scholar, and her
progress was such as both pleased and surprised her
kind friends. She soon learned to speak the German
language fluently, which was Widow Vanderboor's mother
tongue. She also made great progress in music, draw-
ing, and indeed in all the accomplishments which Fraulein
Gretchen herself possessed.
Thus Lelah's time was fully occupied either with her
studies, or walking out with Gretchen in those sylvan
retreats which the banks of the Waal so amply afforded.
It was therefore only when she retired to rest, and when
her head was laid on her pillow, that she could indulge
in the luxury of tears. Then indeed "she wept sore in
the night time, and her tears were on her cheeks," but
they were blessed tears of relief, and quenched the burn-
ing sorrow which consumed her heart; and she was
thus enabled, with the commencement of each new day,
to put on that air of contentment and happiness which she
considered it her duty to show to her kind friends as the
only reward she could give them for all their kindness
and care of her.
Thus years rolled on, but the wound in the heart of
Lelah Halcro healed not.
"Time but the impression deeper makes,
As streams their channels deeper wear,"
she could well say, for ever and anon, the face and form
of her long lost Olla stood before her, as he appeared in
the happy days of their plighted love; and oft friendly
sleep opened dreamland, and brought back the bright
visions of the past, the trysting-place by the sea-shore,
and all the sweet memories which crowded round those
happy meetings; but, alas! it was only a dream, for
"Her sorrows awoke with the dawning of morn,
And the voice in her dreaming ear melted away."
Eight long years had come and gone, and Lelah Hal-
cro was still the adopted daughter of Widow Vander-
boor, and the loved sister of Fraulein Gretchen; but as


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
187
the latter had recently become betrothed to a wealthy
Dutch merchant, her walks with Lelah were not quite
so frequent, and thus the latter was left much by herself,
and which, indeed, she seemed to desire.
Her native beauty, so bright and dazzling when it
bloomed in all its rustic freshness, had now become more
spirituelle by sorrow, by the influence of education and
refined society; but her smiles, once so sunny, still shone
through the veil of melancholy which hung over her
lovely countenance-that countenance which no one could
look upon without being moved; and many conquests she
would have made amongst the young mynheers in the
land of her sojourn; but Widow Vanderboor and her
daughter knowing how sternly her purpose was fixed,
did all in their power to prevent her being molested in
any way by unwelcome addresses.
Then
When walking alone, or when seated by the river,
and screened from view by the tall willows which skirted
its banks, her thoughts were occupied by strange musings.
She would then go back in thought to the land of her
birth, and feel a yearning to see it once more.
would come up before her the vision of her murdered
lover, and the thought that even were she to go back
now it must make her heart bleed afresh; and, besides,
how could she leave those who had been more than
mother and sister to her? And as she tried to banish the
subject from her mind, this question would flash back
again, Was her lover really dead? Was there not a
possibility that he might still be alive? And if this were
barely possible, ought she not to go back, even if it were
only to know the worst, and settle for ever those doubts
which distressed her? Perhaps her father and mother
were dead; and if so, then she would only make a short
stay, and return again to Holland, to live and die beside
her adopted mother and sister.
These musings so long and often occupied her mind,
and formed what to her might be called a feast of joy and
sorrow, that she tried to put her thoughts in verse; and


188
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
in doing so, she sought words to suit a very old air
which she remembered mothers in her native country
singing when putting their babes asleep. As she remem-
bered, it was sung in a low plaintive voice, like a wail of
sorrow, as if the unknown future of the babe was the
burden of the mother's grief.
To such an air Lelah's words, as will be seen, were
singularly appropriate. She called it
THE EXILE'S LAMENT.
Break, O heart, or cease thine aching!
Let thine anguish now be o'er;
Friendly sleep, with no awaking,
Seal mine eyelids evermore.
Death, O death, why dost thou flee me
When I love thy cold embrace?
When from sorrow thou canst free me!
When from woe my soul release!
Long I've pined in silent anguish,
In this strange and foreign land;
Yet in grief I still must languish,
By a cruel murderer's hand.
Yes! that hand is stained with crimson;
See my lover's blood thereon!
See him like a hero dying!
All unaided, all alone!
Loving hands, O lift him softly!
Smooth the pillow for his rest!
Kiss, for me, his brow still lovely;
Spread bright daisies on his breast.
Bear him gently, lay him softly
Down into his narrow bed:
Let the sod be green and flowery
That wraps my darling lover's head!
But, methinks, a spirit whispers,
"Olla lives, and oft for me
Watches by the murmuring billow,
Gazes on the silent sea."


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS:
189
By the pale moonlight he wanders
Weary, lonely, and forlorn ;
By our trysting-place, the Headland,
There his hapless fate to mourn.
Shall I meet him, O my lover—
Shall I yet his form embrace?
Shall our sorrow yet be over--
Shall I see his smiling face?
Trosswick banks, shall I behold you,
Towering with your crags on high?
Shall your dark outlines unfold you
To my tearful, longing eye?
Sumburgh Beacon, brightly gleaming
Like a twinkling guiding star;
Will thy light, so joyful streaming,
Guide me where my treasures are?
Guide me o'er the stormy billow,
Where my youthful feet did roam,
From the land of flood and willow,
To my own dear native home!


190
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER XXI.
The wind grew loud, and the sea grew rough,
And the ship was rent in twain.
BALLAD.
IT was on a beautiful evening in autumn, when the
russet clothing of tree and shrub, and the scattered
leaves resting on the moist pathways, told that Ichabod
was being written on summer's charms, and that gloomy
winter was near at hand. Lelah was resting on her
favourite rustic seat, which was beautifully trellised
around by creeping plants, and concealed from view on
the river by the tall reeds which grew thickly on its
banks. She had just finished the last stanza of her
song, and as its mournful cadence died away in the
calm evening air, she thought she heard voices proceed
from the river, and again the sound of oars dipping the
water. Startled and surprised she sprang to her feet,
and tripped lightly over the smooth lawn towards an
opening in the reedy screen through which a view of the
river could be obtained; but just as she reached this
spot, a boat shot past within a few yards of the shore,
with two seamen pulling, and a man seated in the stern,
dressed like an English captain. The moment this per-
son saw her, he raised his hat, and signalled the rowers
to stop the boat.
"Pardon me, gentle lady," said the stranger, "but I
wish to speak to you; and I do so in English, because I
have just been listening to the words of your song, which,
indeed, has quite overpowered me, and filled my heart
with strange emotions, for in that song you have men-
tioned my native land."
"And where is your native land, may I inquire?"
3
1


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
191
said Lelah, trembling with excitement, and scarcely able
to articulate the words.
"Shetland is my native country, and Trosswick and
Sumburgh, which you mentioned in your song, are spots
which gladdened my youthful eyes, and are still dear to
my heart."
"Great heaven!" exclaimed Lelah in a whisper, and
then added more audibly, “And what is your name, sir,
may
66
I ask?"
My name," replied the captain, is Tom Yunson, and
my father's name is Yacob, and he is still alive in the vil-
lage of Trosswick, for one of my men has come from that
quarter not long ago."
Lelah's excitement had now become insupportable,
and she felt her strength giving way; but she was able
to say, in a faint tremulous voice, Does your sailor
know any one of the name of Olla Ollison there?"
66
"Yes," replied the captain; "I have just been hear-
ing from him all the home news, and there is such a
man still alive and well; but he lives as a hermit, and
people think him a strange person, because he goes often
to the sea-shore, and sits there alone."
"O God! is it possible?" she exclaimed, and then
fainted away, falling softly against the mossy bank
near which she stood.
Quick as lightning the captain sprang from the boat,
which was now close to the river's bank, and raising her
in his arms, sprinkled her face with water, which one of
the sailors brought him, and Lelah quickly recovered, and
was led by the captain to a rustic seat close by.
"This is a strange adventure, gentle lady," said the
captain, again addressing her; "and I beg you will tell
me your name, for surely some wonderful fate has led
me to find you here."
"My name is Lelah Halcro," replied Lelah; “I'm a
country woman of your own, and the news you have
brought me is passing strange, and has quite over-
powered me."


192
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
"Merciful Providence!" cried the captain, grasping
her hand, “is it possible you are really Lelah Halcro?
Now I understand it all. You were carried off by that
scoundrel Jack Smith in the Bockanier;' but, thank
God, all will be well yet; you will find your sweetheart
alive and well, and my ship is at your service."
"O, am I asleep or awake; or is this a vision again
from dreamland to mock me?" soliloquised Lelah, clasp-
ing her hands, as a flood of tears came to her relief.
"It is no dream, my lady," replied the captain; "but
if you have any doubt, see, there is my name,” and he
bared his arm, showing her his name in full, tatooed
with an anchor and chain entwined around it.
"There,
you see," he added, "that is true blue; and if you come
with me, you shall have my cabin to yourself, and
everything I can do to make you comfortable, and only
a three days' run to Sumburgh Head."
"I thank you, and may God bless you for your kind-
ness," said Lelah; "but leave me alone a short time that
I may collect my thoughts, and I will decide."
"All right, my lady," replied the captain; "we will lie
concealed down there by the clump of willows, until you
make up your mind, and will be here at the time you
appoint.'
19
"I will return in half-an-hour," she replied, as she
lightly ascended the bank, and hurried to her favourite
bower. As soon as she reached its quiet retreat, she
threw herself on her knees, and poured out her soul in
fervent thanks for the glad tidings which had been
brought to her, and imploring Divine aid to guide her in
deciding the momentous question which she had only one
short half-hour left to consider.
Shortly she arose from her knees, and her purpose was
fixed; for something like a voice from Heaven whis-
pered the word in her ear, "Go;" but the pang of leaving
her dear friends without seeing them shot through her
heart like an arrow, and her purpose again faltered.
Should she yet go back and tell them all, and ask per-


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
193
mission to go with these strangers? This was her duty,
and gladly would she have performed it; but would
Widow Vanderboor and her daughter trust her in the
hands of strangers? Would they believe the report that
her lover was still alive, and permit her to cross the
tempestuous sea, now so far advanced as the season
was?
All this she feared they would not do, and much
less would they trust her again to walk by herself; and
thus the last chance of ever seeing her native land again
might be lost.
"It must be now or never!" she cried; "but I will
write and explain all, and leave it in the bower here."
So saying, she opened a portfolio, which she carried with
her, and spreading out a sheet, wrote a letter in German,
of which the following is a translation:—
"DEAREST MOTHER AND SISTER,-O, pity and for-
give me. I must leave you for a little time. My lover is
still alive, and I must go and see him. I go in a ship to
my native land; and a countryman I know and can trust
takes me there. His boat came by accident to the river's
bank, near my bower; and I thought to come first and tell
you all, but feared you would not believe me, nor trust me
to go with strangers, and then I would see my long lost
lover no more. But my heart bleeds to leave you, my
dearest loving friends; but I will return and seek your
forgiveness on my knees. Yes, I will soon come back,
and pour out my heart in gratitude to you for all your
kindness and care of me.-Your ever affectionate and
loving daughter and sister,
"LELAH HALCRO."
This letter, wet with tear-drops, she folded and
addressed, and, laying it on the rustic seat, hurried to
the boat, which was waiting for her at the appointed
place.
"Here you are, my dear lady," said the captain, as he
N


194
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
sprang out of the boat, and assisted Lelah to step on
board; and then seating himself by her side in the stern,
he said, addressing the sailors-
"Now, my lads, give way, and keep close by the
left bank of the river; then we shall not be observed
from the shore."
The men bent their oars, and the boat shot onward,
gliding swiftly and smoothly down the broad bosom of
the river.
Lelah spoke but little, for her thoughts were swallowed
up in pondering over the marvellous events of the day,
which had indeed been so strangely brought about.
When Lelah did not return at the usual time, Widow
Vanderboor and her daughter went to seek her in her
accustomed walks, and, coming to her bower, they found
the letter there, which had been left for them. On read-
ing its contents, they were both struck speechless with
grief and astonishment, but their faith in her remained
unshaken; they understood why she feared to come and
see them before going away. The distress of the part-
ing scene, and the fear that they would oppose her going
at all, were the powerful motives which had forced her to
leave them so abruptly. The assurance which she gave
in her letter that her lover was still alive, filled their
hearts with gladness; for they knew that nothing else
in this world could ever remove sorrow from her heart,
and enable her again to enjoy life; and they knew she
would fulfil her promise, and return to see them at the
earliest opportunity. With these thoughts they com-
forted and consoled themselves, until they should hear
further intelligence from her.
The reader will remember that, in a former portion of
this narrative, it was stated that old Yacob had a son at
sea, from whom he had received no intelligence for many
years; for Tom Yunson had seen many strange lands,
and been where he had no opportunity of communicating
th those friends he left behind. Returning, how-
at last to a British port, he got the command of a
F


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
195
vessel bound for Holland, which vessel was now lying
at Overflakkee, waiting for a cargo.
The leisure thus afforded Captain Yunson he employed
in making excursions in his gig up the canals and rivers
of the country, and it was on one of these excursions up
the Waal that he was led by Providence to the spot of
Lelah Halcro's residence, and thus made the means of
fulfilling his father's earnest wish, expressed by him on
the last occasion when he parted from the hermit; his
words, as the reader will remember, being, "An' I
earnestly pray dat her dat wis taen awa fae you may yet
be restored ta you, an' dat me or mine may in some wy
or idder be da means o' bringin' dis aboot."
On reaching the ship, Captain Yunson conducted
Lelah to the cabin, which he gave up entirely for her
accommodation.
The ship's cargo being now completed, her broad sails
were unfurled to a prosperous breeze, and as the ship
went on her course, and as the low-lying coast-line of
Holland became lost to view, how overwhelming were the
thoughts that crowded upon Lelah's mind! Here she
was once again the solitary occupant of a cabin; but
how changed the scene! Then she was a trembling
captive, leaving with heart-rending sorrow her native
land, and before her the dark unknown future; now
the dark cloud had rolled away, and the star of hope
again twinkled brightly in the serene sky of the future.
She had drunk the bitter cup of human sorrow to its
dregs, and now the cup of pleasure which had been put
into her hands was so intoxicating, so overwhelming,
that she trembled as she put it to her lips. But, alas,
how unstable are all hopes! how transient are life's best
joys! for they are indeed like
"The snowflake on the river-
A moment seen, then gone for ever."
Or, again, when the goal has been almost reached, one
false step, and the prize is lost for ever, and Lelah


196
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
Halcro is yet once more to be the sport of cruel fate;
and when just near her native land, and ready to fly to
the arms of her lover, the angry waves are to raise their
foaming crests as a barrier in her path, and the wild
tempest moan in rage as she stretches forth her hand to
secure the precious fruit-the reward of all her sorrow
and suffering.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
197
CHAPTER XXII.
The wind grew loud, and the sea grew rough,
And the ship was rent in twain.
BALLAD.
THE reader will remember Halloween, when the merry
gathering of lads and lasses surrounded the hospitable
hearth of Bawby o' Brigstanes, and when the approach
of a south-east storm forced that happy company to
break up at an earlier hour than usual.
But a
On that memorable night the "Ocean Spray," bear-
ing the precious and priceless freight of a lovely woman,
became the sport of the raging tempest, and drifted
helplessly on to destruction. Captain Yunson had
sighted the bold rugged promontory of Sumburgh Head,
and was shaping his course for the sheltered bay of
Levenwick, when the storm broke upon him.
few hours more, and he would have reached the haven
of safety; but, alas ! it was to be otherwise; his gallant
ship was soon to be cruelly gored to death by the
pointed rocks of Sloga Head, and beaten to splinters by
the mighty waves which rolled upon the rocky beach of
Trosswick.
It was about ten o'clock at night, when the prelude to
the coming storm told the experienced eye and ear that
a tempest was following hard behind. Fitful gusts shot
through the valley of Trosswick, and a hoarse murmur
came from the distant cliffs, while dark masses of clouds
from east to west fled athwart the sky, like demons
chasing each other. Another hour, and the hurricane
reached its height-one loud unbroken roar sweeping on
with resistless force, and making every cottage tremble
to its foundation, while masses of churned froth from the


198
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
seething waves as they rolled on the shore, were carried
high in the air over the house tops, and far into the loch
beyond.
Ere the tempest reached its height, men could be seen,
clad in sea-going attire, securing boats and corn stacks,
by placing additional ropes, and heavy stones to anchor
them to the earth, that they might better withstand the
fury of the blast.
"He's a wild nicht, Tammie," shouted Rasme Rudder-
head to Tammie Toughlands, as the latter was putting an
additional "fastie" on a screw.
"Ay, man, he's dat," shouted Tammie in reply;
nicht 'ill be heard o' yet, tak du my wird fir dat.”
"dis
"Man, dey say dere wis a ship seen aff da head aboot
day-set," again roared Rasme, his voice barely audible
above the roar of the tempest.
"Düs du say sae? den Lord hae mercy apo' der
souls," ejaculated Tammie; "fir dere's nae ship can live
in dae sea dat he's on just noo."
"Ay, I fear it, man," cried Rasme; and then added,
"kens du if auld Yacob has tried to lay da wind da
nicht yet?"
"I never ken, boy; bit I sall geng alang een noo and
see," roared Tammie, as he bent his head to the blast,
and made for old Yacob's dwelling. On reaching it he
found the door shut, and on knocking loudly old Yacob
came, and removing a spade with which it was barred,
called out-
"Whaa's dere?"
"It's me, Yacob," cried Tammie.
"O, it's dee, Tammie," said Yacob, opening the door
and admitting him, and then quickly bolting it again by
the same primitive appliance; and in doing so it required
all the strength of his body to hold against the force of
the wind which pressed the door inwards.
"I just lüikit in alang," explained Tammie, as Yacob
and he advanced towards the inner end of the cottage,
ye tocht ye wid be able ta come fort and try
ta


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
199
and lay da wind; fir, man, he's fearful ootside; and dey
say dere wis a ship seen i' da east sea just afore dayset,
sae it's muckle needit baith by laand an' sea if da strent
o' da wind cud be broken ony wy."
"O spaek na till him, spaek na till him," groaned
Peggy, rocking herself to and fro in her chair, with her
hands clasped and resting on her lap, "unnatural bein'
dat he is," she continued; "kennin' dat his bairn is tossin'
upo' da ragin' sea, an' he sittin' here wi' a hert as hard
as da nedder mill-stane, an' winna geng oot ta sober da
wind, though weel he can dü it, as he's düne afore; an'
every minit I'm fearin' da tinbill 'ill be laid within da
cauld steede, an' den we'll nidder hae hoose nor hald ta
geng ta; but we'll no be brunt i' da ruins, dat's ae Lord's
mercy; fir ye see, Tammie, I'm whumbled da kettle ower
da fire in case o' ony thing happenin', though it's geen
me my death o' cauld up trow da soles o' my feet;" and
Peggy placed her feet against the sides of the kettle,
which covered the few remaining embers on the hearth,
now nearly put out by the formidable extinguisher which
had been placed over them.
"O deil dore dee, Peggy," said Yacob, "an' haud dy
tongue aff me some time; what gude can my layin' da
wind dü, I winder? I can thole da wind as lang as da
ruif bides on; bit I canna thole dy everlastin' sharg, dats
warr den ony nor-east storm dat ever blew."
"Ay, bit Yacob," interposed Tammie, "I tink Peggy
is in da richt dis time; ye ken ye've aften laid da wind
afore noo, whin dere wis mebbe no sae muckle need fir
it, an' if it does nae gude it 'ill dü nae ill, ony wy."
"Ah, weel, boy," said the good-natured Yacob, "if it
'ill please dee I'm shüre I can try it; sae come awa an'
we'll see whidder it can dü ony gude or no." So saying,
Yacob arose and pulled his knitted cap down over his
ears, and buttoning up his jacket, took his staff in his
hand, and stepping out over the floor, was followed by
Tammie.
When they got outside, Yacob placed himself on the


200
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
"brig-stane," with his face towards the east, and taking
his staff in his left hand, raised his right arm, and pro-
nounced the following incantation, sawing the wind with
his arm as he spoke :-
"Robbin cam ower da vaana wi' a shü nü; Twabbie,
Toobie, Keeliken Kollickin, Palktrick alanks da robin.
Güid sober da wind."1
But the wind sobered not; the spirit of the storm, as
if in mockery of such feeble attempts to propitiate his
.wrath, raged still more furiously, and drove the clouds
of salt spray, hail, and sleet, with hurricane force, against
the earth, so that old Yacob had to beat a hasty retreat
to his cottage; and Tammie, taking the shelter of the
yard dyke, reached his own habitation in safety.
Few in the village of Trosswick slept that awful night,
for the tempest raged with unabated violence, and the
inmates of many a cottage crowded round their cheerless
and fireless hearth, expecting every moment that the roof
which covered their heads would be scattered to the
winds, and they left exposed to the pitiless blast.
As dawn approached the gale slightly moderated, and
all able-bodied men were soon astir to see that their boats
were safe, and if any wrecks had been thrown upon the
shore during the night.
A
As the foremost of the men approached the head of
the creek, fragments of wreck, consisting of pieces of
bulwark, spars with torn sails and rigging attached,
were seen scattered along the beach, or wildly tossed on
the crests of mighty waves, which, one after another,
rolled upon the shore in mountains of snowy foam.
life-buoy was also picked up with the name "Ocean
Spray" painted on it. All this convinced the men that
the hull of a vessel must have struck on some of the
1 These are the exact words of an incantation used by the old
men of a bygone generation, when they wished to "lay the wind."
The words were repeated to the author by an old woman some years
ago.
Th
betw
As
A
STARE
their
Herm
Cowat
Came


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
201
outlying skerries, and two men were therefore despatched
to reconnoitre the shore along the north side of the Ness,
but they had not proceeded far along the cliff when they
were seen to stop suddenly, and point towards the scarf
skerries. Then came a wild and thrilling cry, borne on
the wings of the blast-
"A ship! a ship! on the scarf skerries." Fast the
thrilling news spread, and, like another fiery cross, was
carried with breathless speed from cottage to cottage,
from village to village, arousing alike the stripling and
the greyhaired sage, who soon were seen running side
by side to the scene of the disaster.
In a short space of time the shore was lined with
hundreds of spectators, all eagerly straining their eyes
in the direction of the stranded vessel, her form now
being seen from the beach; but owing to the haze caused
by the drifting spray, it was impossible to discern whether
any survivors remained. The ship, evidently a brig, had
struck on the seaward side of the rock; and as the waves
rolled against her she had been gradually forced up its
sloping surface until her prow rested on its highest
elevation, and her stern still exposed to the fury of the
tempest.
The flood-tide was now setting in, and it was there-
fore evident that the stranded vessel could not long
remain in her present position, but must soon be swept
by the force of the waves into the deep water which lay
between her and the shore.
As eager groups were watching in breathless suspense
the tremendous waves, as they rolled over the skerry, and
sometimes almost burying the dark hull of the vessel in
their seething foam, the startling cry was raised, "The
Hermit! the Hermit!" and soon all eyes were turned
towards the hermit's hut on the Ness, from which he
came running at his utmost speed down the declivity of
the headland, his form bending against the blast, and
his long hair floating behind.
A few moments more, and he reached the beach, his


202
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
eye flashing, and his whole being as if under the influ-
ence of some powerful spell.
66
"Thoughtless men!" he exclaimed, as he advanced
through the crowd, "See you not that there are sur-
vivors on yonder wreck, and soon they must perish!
The flood tide is advancing; not a moment is to be lost!"
"O, Mr Ollison," exclaimed old Yacob (who was
amongst the crowd), as he rushed forward and grasped
the hermit's hand," what can men dü in da face o' a
sea like dis? We canna see fae here whidder ony o' da
crew is still left; bit if dey ir, den Lord hae mercy on der
souls, fir nane here can help dem."
"But I will help them," cried the hermit, "or perish in
the attempt." With this, he divested himself of his
clothing, all to his shirt and trousers; and taking the
kerchief from his neck, bound it round his head, thereby
closely concealing his flowing locks within its folds. He
next grasped the end of a rope which lay coiled at his
feet, and tying it securely round his waist, again
addressed the crowd-
66
"Fellow countrymen !" he said, in a solemn and stern
voice, as you hope for mercy in the world to come, I
ask you now to aid me in this work of mercy.
You see
every moment the flood tide is gaining strength, and
those mighty waves will soon sweep the ill-fated vessel
from her present position; therefore obey the instruc-
tions I now give you, and mark that I will wait until I see
a wave approaching, which I know must overwhelm the
ill-fated vessel, and sweep her from the rock, and then
as that wave rolls back, I will dive through the one
that succeeds it, and swim to the survivors, if they can be
saved. They are now clinging to the bowsprit, and
that spar will part soon, as the vessel leaves the rock;
when I reach the floating spar I will raise my arm as a
signal, if the survivors are still on it. Then draw the
rope quickly to land, waiting till the highest wave ap-
proaches, so that the spar may be carried on its crest to
the top of the beach; then let some of your strongest


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
203
men be ready, with ropes around their waists, to save
us from being drawn back again by the receding
wave."
66
"We will do all you say," exclaimed a hundred
voices, while old Yacob, with tears streaming down his
cheeks, threw his arms round the hermit, crying, "O
what is dis ye're gaen ta dü, Mr Ollison-cast your ain
life awa in tryin' to save idders? Na, na; fir da Lord's
sake an' my sake, dünna tempt Providence; fir nae
mortal man can face dis awful sea, every lay comin' in
laek da hill o' Hallilee."
"Tempt me not, Yacob," sternly replied the hermit;
"you know not what you say. In a vision last night I
saw this scene before me, and now the hour is come
when release from my sorrow is at hand; but whether
in life or death this is to be accomplished I know not.
God's will be done. Duty calls me here, and my mission
must be fulfilled."
As he uttered these words, a mighty wave rolled upon
the shore, and sent its floating foam to the highest ele-
vation of the beach, and then went back with a voice of
thunder, caused by the loosened rocks and boulders
striking against each other as they rolled down in the
descending torrent which madly rushed to meet the suc-
ceeding wave.
Swift as the receding waters fled down the declivity,
the hermit followed, drawing the rope after him; and as
the next wave, like a wall of emerald, rose high over his
head, he was seen to throw his arms round a fragment
of rock which projected like a pillar from the beach, and
was instantly lost to view in the roaring seething waters
which rolled over him, and sent its floods of foam higher
up the beach than before. ¹
"O God, he is lost! and there the ship is gone at last!"
broke from hundreds of voices, as the moving masses of
awe-struck spectators swayed to and fro in an agony of
1 See Note Q. Native Courage.


204
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
excitement. It was when this mighty wave, like a
mountain, came towering on, that the dark hull of the
vessel was seen trembling on its summit, and then in a
moment disappeared in the yawning valley behind. That
same moment, the hermit's rope was drawn quickly from
the shore; and just as the wave broke and poured itself
down in one mighty cataract of green, streaked with
broken foam, he was seen like a dark speck on the snowy
bosom of the waters beyond-striking out as only an
expert swimmer could, and struggling hard to reach the
floating spar, which had parted from the vessel, just as
he predicted it would.
"There, he has it!" broke wildly from the crowd on
the shore, as he was seen grasping the spar with its
precious freight (for two survivors were seen on it).
Now he attaches the rope to it-there his arm is raised
as a signal, and the rope is quickly drawn in by strong
arms, as a mighty swelling wave follows. A piercing
cry breaks from the beach, as the spar with its living
freight rises aloft on the broken wave, and then rolls over
and over in the wild seething maelström, which rushes
hither and thither in foaming wavelets, like sheeted
spectres still bent on the work of destruction; but onwards
and upwards, as if guided by unseen hands, that priceless
spar is borne, and twenty brawny arms are ready to
receive it. Three human forms, apparently lifeless, are
secured to that spar by ropes. Now it is grasped by
strong men, standing deep amid the roaring flood; back
the wave rolls with awful force; and but for the ropes
which secure those brave men to the shore, their destruc-
tion is inevitable. Another moment, and the spar with its
precious burden is lifted bodily and carried high up the
beach-snatched from the devouring flood-from the
very jaws of death.
"The hermit- -a sailor-a woman-are saved!" broke
in wild acclamation from a thousand voices, as their three
apparently lifeless bodies were loosed from the spar, and
carried on stretchers to the nearest houses, followed by
1
<


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
205
crowds of weeping, sympathizing women, and many not
less feeling-hearted men; while the greater number
remained on the beach to await the not less exciting
event of the breaking up of the hull of the vessel, and
sharing in the much-coveted plunder which was soon to
lie scattered along the beach.¹
"Oh, care an' dule, care an' düle!" mournfully solilo-
quised old Yacob, as he assisted to carry his friend from
the beach to his own house "I kent weel dis wid hap-
pen, bit he widna be appered;2 an' noo, puir man, he's
casen awa his ain life, an' no düne muckle gude idder; fir,
ales! I doot dey twa püir craters dats been brocht
ashore 'ill never come back ta dis warld agen. Oh, da
dangers o' da sea! da weary, weary sea! Ales! ales! I
winder whaur my puir bairn can be wi' sic a tempest as
dis has been; shürely, shürely, dem dats upo' da laand,
and hes a rüif ower der head, an' soond sleep i' der bed,
hes muckle ta be tankful fir, tho' dey sud eat sparely an'
cled barely at times."
1 See Note R. Wreckers,
2 Prevented.


206
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER XXIII.
Turn, Angelina, ever dear,
My charmer turn and see
Thy own, thy own, thy long-lost Edwin here,
Restored to love and thee.
GOLDSMITH.
THE mournful procession now reached old Yacob's
door, and was met by Peggy, who, notwithstanding her
generally unbending and unlovable nature, was much
moved by the sad spectacle before her; for the hermit's
cheek was pale and blanched, and his apparently lifeless
body, like an ocean waif, was covered by froth and frag-
ments of seaweed.
66
"O, püir bodie, püir bodie," she murmured, "get him
tae da fire, an' get warm blankets aboot him, an' he'll
mebbe come ta life yet; an' get oot da Yule bottle,
Yacob, an' mak a drap o' het punch, an' try an' get it
doon wi' him. Ales! ales a me! little ken I whaur my
bairn is; mebbe, fir oucht I ken, some ane hes da sam ta
dü fir him da day. O dear a me! dear a me!" and Peggy
took blankets from one of the wooden box-beds and
spread them on the "restin'" chair, while Yacob, assisted
by the other men who had helped to carry the hermit,
divested him of his wet clothes, and supplied their place
with garments of his own.
A blazing fire was on the hearth, and the hermit was
quickly wrapped in the warm blankets, with the heavy
bed-rug placed over him, then bottles of hot-water were
placed at his feet, while the Yule bottle was cheerfully
uncorked, and the warm mixture prepared as Peggy
directed. Happily those humane and anxious efforts
were at last crowned with success, and the hermit
slowly revived, and the first words he was able faintly
1


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
207
to whisper were, "Where are the survivors of the wreck;
and are they attended to?"
"Yea, yea, dat are dey, Mr Ollison," eagerly replied
Yacob; "but ye maunna try an' speak muckle yet, ye're
no able fir it; tho' it's just laek you, aye tinkin aboot
idders, an' no carin' aboot yersell. The man bodie ye
saved is in Tammie's hoose up by, an' weel taen care o',
an' sae is da woman or lady, fir she's mair laek dat;
shu's in Rasme's neist door, an' dere's signs o' life in dem.
baith, da Lord be praised fir His mercies."
"Amen," sighed the hermit, as he clasped his hands,
while his lips moved in silent prayer.
Old Yacob spoke truly, for Lelah Halcro and Captain
Yunson, the only survivors of the "Ocean Spray," were
ministered to by loving hearts and willing hands, and
every effort made for their recovery, which the limited
means of their humble but kindhearted attendants could
afford.
As formerly mentioned, the "Ocean Spray," when
caught in a hurricane near the coast of Shetland, tried to
bear up for the sheltered bay of Levenwick; but just
when off Trosswick, the vessel was struck by a tremendous
wave, which carried away her bulwarks, and threw her
on her beam-ends; and, while thus drifting on a lee-
shore, at the mercy of wind and waves, the crew managed
to cut away the masts and rigging, which allowed the
vessel to right herself, and then they let go both anchors,
in the hope that she might ride out the storm; but, owing
to the great depth of water, the anchors had little or no
hold, and their noble but now disabled bark therefore
drifted helplessly on to destruction. Then the captain
called all hands on the quarter-deck, and addressing
them, said, "Now, lads, it is all over with us; and there-
fore I need only say, it is every man for himself, and
God for us all. I will remain with the vessel until I see
the last of her, for the lady under my charge must have
my attention as long as that can be of any avail. If,
therefore, you think you can save yourselves in the long-


208
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
.
boat, I will not prevent you trying to do so, though I
think the attempt is hopeless; so then, farewell, comrades!
may we all meet in a better world, where the storms of
life shall be no more known." So saying, the captain
shook hands with them all, and the crew immediately
proceeded to launch the long-boat; but as the dismantled
vessel was rolling helplessly in the deep trough of the
sea, with her broadside to the waves, this was a work of
great difficulty. At last, when the crew had all got into
the boat, and just as they were trying to cast loose, a
mighty wave broke over the ship, and, overwhelming the
boat, every soul found a watery grave.
The captain then returned to the cabin, and, lifting the
terrified and almost speechless Lelah in his arms, bore
her to the deck; and then, as the vessel neared the rocks,
he secured her and himself to the bowsprit-the rest is
known to the reader.
Little dreamed those good Samaritans of the momentous
issues which trembled in the balance, as they watched by
the couch on which lay the pale and prostrate form of
Lelah Halcro. The feeble pulse throbbed, and then
paused, and the lamp of life glimmered in the socket, as
if it would go out for ever; but as the darkest hour is
just before the dawn, so the dawn of returning life in the
bosom of Lelah Halcro was to usher in for her once
more the day of happiness-the return of departed joys
which had so long been shrouded in the darkness of
sorrow.
It was not till Captain Yunson had regained conscious-
ness, and was able to speak to those around him, that
the villagers of Trosswick knew who Lelah was, and then
surprise and joy was seen depicted on every countenance.
But it was agreed by all that her life, as well as that of
the hermit, depended on keeping them in ignorance of
each other's presence, until such time as they would be
able to bear the overwhelming transports of joy which <
their meeting must bring.
"Where am I?" faintly inquired Lelah, as she looked
1
$


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
209
dreamily around on the strange faces which surrounded
her couch.
"Ye're in your ain native laand, my bonnie lady," re-
plied Mrs Rudderhead, approaching close to her patient's
bedside; "bit, dear cratur, ye maunna try to spaek just
yet, fir ye're odious weak; bit praise be ta da Lord dat
ye're in life, fir nane o' wis tocht ye wid ever come dis
lent."
"Yes, Ithank God for my deliverance," faintly murmured
Lelah, as she clasped her hands in the attitude of prayer;
and then again, after a pause, she enquired, "What is the
name of this place, and can you tell me if the captain or
any of the crew are saved?"
"Yea, Lord be praised, the captain is saved," replied
Mrs Rudderhead, "bit a da rest o' da crew is lost, mem, fir
naethin' bit a miracle cud save ony cratur in sic a fearful
tempest. Dis place, lammit, is a lang wy fae your ain
hame, bit ye'll be pitten dere safe and soond as shine as
ye're able to muve aboot."
"Thank you, kind friend," faintly replied Lelah, as she
again closed her eyes, for she felt she was not able to
dwell upon the thought that she was once more in her
native land, much less could she think of the renewal of
sorrow which such a visit might bring with it.
"How is the captain, and has he been able to see his
wife yet?" anxiously enquired the hermit of Yacob as
the latter stood by his bedside.
"Na, no he, Mr Ollison," replied Yacob, "bit we're
hoopin' he'll be able ta see her da morn's efternüin, an'
if shu's able ta be upo' her feet, dey're baith comin' ta see
you; fir dey're just oot o' a patience ta tank you, as dey're
tanked da Lord already, fir savin' der lives in sic a wy
as ye did, fir da laek wis never heard or seen in da isle
o' Shetland afore, an' winna be forgotten as lang as ony
ane is alive dat saw it."
"
"I shall rejoice to see them," replied the hermit, little
dreaming of the sense in which this prediction was to be
so truly verified.


210
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
While old Yacob spoke, he could scarcely conceal his
emotion. The thought that his friend the hermit was
so very near his long-lost Lelah, and yet not to know it,
nor be able to receive the intelligence, was overwhelming,
and every moment seemed an age, until the happy meet-
ing should take place.
Old Yacob only knew Captain Yunson as the captain
of the shipwrecked vessel, for years had so changed the
appearance of the latter, that neither his father nor
mother could recognize him; and he thought it wise to
conceal his relationship from them until he had fully
recovered. It was known, however, in the village that
his name was Yunson, but that being a common name in
the islands, no one had any reason to suppose that he
was old Yacob's son. The hermit had come to the very
natural conclusion, that the lady he was the means of
saving was the captain's wife; and for reasons already
explained, old Yacob felt the necessity of saying nothing
which could alter this opinion in the hermit's mind, until
it was safe to allow their meeting together to take place.
On the evening of the third day after the wreck of
the "Ocean Spray" had strewed the rocky beach of
Trosswick, her valuable cargo of tobacco, gin, and
other Dutch commodities forming a rich prize to the
islanders who looked upon it as their lawful right,-
the low slanting rays of the sun gilded the Ness, and
nature breathed in soft repose, while the murmur of the
yet restless waves fell mournfully on the ear, as they
sullenly broke along the distant cliffs.
It was then that Lelah Halcro, leaning on the arm of
Captain Yunson, directed her steps to old Yacob's dwell-
ing. She looked pale and anxious, but her native beauty
shone out in all its loveliness, for she wore a rustic dress
which had been supplied to her by her kind hostess, and
this seemed to enhance or bring back that charming
implicity of manner and artless modesty which those
ho formerly knew her could so well remember.
they approached old Yacob's cottage, Peggy


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
211
occupied her accustomed seat in the high-backed
"straen" chair, while the hermit sat in the arm-chair on
the opposite side of the fire, and old Yacob paced the
floor with hurried steps, breathing heavily, and showing
other symptoms of extreme agitation; for he knew of
Lelah's approaching visit, and every moment to him
seemed an age.
"Sit dee doun," Yacob, said Peggy in a half angry
tone, "an spaek ta da jantleman, an' no geng figin' aboot
da hoose yon wy, blawin' an puffin' like a pellick, as if
dy judgment hed left dee."
To this Yacob replied not, for at that moment Captain
Yunson and Lelah entered, and as they advanced through
the narrow entrance between the two wooden dormitories,
the hermit rose to meet them, and Yacob in a tremulous
voice said, "I need na tell you, Mr Ollison, wha dis is
dat's come ta see you."
The hermit shook hands with Captain Yunson, and then
gently taking Lelah's hand in his, he gazed for a moment
in her face, and then exclaimed, in a wild and piercing cry,
which sent a thrill to every heart, "My God, my Lelah!"
and they were instantly locked in each other's arms.
The scene was so touching, so overwhelming, that old
Yacob sobbed aloud like a child, and the captain turned
his face to the wall to hide the tears that flowed fast
down his weather-beaten cheek. Peggy sprang to her
feet, uttering a kind of mournful croon, while she ran
to the hevel daffock¹ for a little water to sprinkle on
Lelah's face, for the latter had fainted away in the
hermit's arms. In a few moments she revived, and,
then raising her soft loving eyes, brimful of tears, looked
in the hermit's face, and throwing her arms around his
neck, sobbed aloud in transports of joy.
The hermit now led Lelah to a seat on the settle by
the fireside, soothing her with words of fond affection,
and trying to suppress, as far as he could, his own
I Water pail.


212
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
emotion. The captain also stepped forward, and taking
Peggy's withered hand in his, and looking enquiringly
in her face, said, "Do you not know me?"
"Na, na, Lord ken o' you, sir, fir I ken you no,"
replied Peggy; " bit nae maitter fir dat, ye're wilcome here
as if ye hed a been my ain an' only bairn dat's been
lang fae me, an' dat mebbe I'll never see agen in dis
life. Lord open your wy afore you, an' bring you safely
to your ain hame, fir ye're brocht joy ta mony a sorrowful
hert in bein' da means o' bringin dis dear cratur ta her
ain native laand."
"Mother, can't you recognize your own Tom?" said
the captain, and his voice quivered as he spoke.
"O my son!" shrieked the old woman, as she locked her
arms round his brawny shoulders with a deathlike grasp,{
and then fainted away. Old Yacob also threw his arms
round his son's neck, while the latter supported his
mother in his arms till she came to herself.
This touching scene was scarcely over, when Lelah's
father and mother arrived. Then followed another scene
still more affecting if possible than that which preceded
it; for Lelah was to them as one risen from the dead,
and then tears of joy fell fast while they pressed her
to their bosoms with all the yearning tenderness of
parental love.
As soon as tears were dried and some degree of
composure obtained, old Yacob brought out the Yule
bottle, and Peggy devoted her attention to the teapot,
also preparing pancakes, fresh eggs, and rich butter (for
her butter profit had been recovered by the use of a new
charm), and when all was ready, the happiest company
sat around old Yacob's humble festive board that ever
shared his hospitality.
66
Eh, Mr Ollison, what a day is dis ta mind apon,"
said old Yacob, when he had an opportunity to speak
to the hermit alone. "I kent lang sin syne dere wis sontin
winderful gaen ta happen, an' ye'll mind dat I said sae
in your ain hoose. Shürely, shürely, muckle raisin hes


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
213
every ain o' 'is to say wi' Dauvid, 'Let us praise da
Lord fir his goodness, and fir his wonderful works unto
da children o' men.' Oh, dear-a-me! ta tink, efter sic
a life o' separation an' sorrow as ye're baith hed, ta meet
agen in dis world, an' fir my ain son ta come back agen
in sic a winderful wy till his ain native place: it's shürely
an truly da Lord's düins, an' mervellous in our eyes.
Aye, as da paraphrase says, "da hallowed morn sall
chase awa da sorrows o' da nicht," an' as da sorrows o'
da nicht o' affliction is noo chased awa fae wir herts, an'
da gledsome sunshine o' hop an' happiness agen glintin'
brichtly ower wir heads, sae may wir herts owerflow wi'
gratitude, an' wir days, few or mony as dey be, may dey
be hallowed in da service o' Him wha's mercy is abüne
a' his idder warks, an' nae mercy cud a come ta me mair
joyful den da shange dats come ower wir Peggy sin dis
ship wis wracked. It lüiks as if da storm dat blew da
püir ship apo' da rocks o' Trosswick hed blawn every
breath o' flytin' oot o' Peggy's body; an' Lord keep it
sae, if it's no feyness wi' her! Eh, Mr Ollison, if shü hed
aye been as güid as shu's been dis efternüin, auld Yacob's
head widna been sae muckle laek a lint tap as it is da
day."
To these impressive and touching remarks the hermit
was about to reply, when some one announced at the
door that the horse was ready which was to convey
Lelah to her father's house. The happy company there-
fore broke up, and Lelah was placed on horseback, and
accompanied on her way home by her father and mother,
and a large number of friends and villagers who joined
in the joyful procession.
The hermit returned once more to his hut on the Ness,
no longer to sit solitary by its lonely hearth, but to plan
arrangements for fulfilling those engagements which a
new and happy era in his life now rendered necessary.


214
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
CHAPTER XXIV.
The bride she cometh into the hall,
Red as a rose is she.
COLERIDGE.
Two short weeks passed, and the herald of day, one
December morning, came forth in rosy smiles, and casting
his slanting mellow rays athwart the frost-bespangled
earth, made it sparkle and twinkle in serene beauty, like
a field of countless diamonds. The sparrows on house-
top and hedge chirped in unusually clear and musical notes,
and the circling flocks of fluttering cushats appeared like
queens from fairy-land, all dressed in honour of some
great event, for their necks gleamed in the sunshine in
colours of the richest shading hues of green and gold,
and their soft eyes sparkled with a darker and more
beautiful lustre than usual. And why was all this?
Why were nature and nature's children in such a state
of preparation and expectation? Just because a wedding
company was about to walk in procession to the manse
of Skelaburg. The bridesmaids, all blooming and rosy,
their gay muslin caps trimmed with a profusion of
red and blue ribbon, while the bridegroom's men were
all dressed in their best, and as fine strapping fellows
as ever were reared upon the "Lot o' Huandal."
There they start. The bride wears a pure white silk
dress and gay cap, which is more profusely adorned with
ribbon than the rest. Her smile is of surpassing sweet-
ness, and her matchless beauty is the wonder and admira-
tion of all beholders. The bridegroom walks with a bold
and elastic step, his elegant dress and polished manners
dicating his superior rank in life.
Eager and smiling groups crowd at every cottage-door
aze at the procession as it passes, and the merry


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
215
music of the fiddle comes thrilling on the calm sunny air,
as the fiddler, leading the way a few yards in advance,
plays the half joyous, half melancholy air of the "Bride's
March," the words being—
Now must I leave both father and mother,
Now must I leave both sister and brother,
Now must I leave both kith and kin,
An' follow the fate o' a frem'd man's son.
The gunner follows at the same distance in the
rear, and ever and anon sends out a tiny puff of blue curling
smoke, while the report of his gun echoes in loud crackle
amongst the stone dykes and "fairy knowes" which
skirt the path.
Need the reader be told that the hermit of Trosswick-
ness and his fair Lelah are the happy bride and bride-
groom in this happy marriage procession, and that the
venerable minister of the parish is about to tie the in-
dissoluble knot of their happiness, as soon as the com-
pany shall assemble in his front dining-room, which has
got an extra dusting and sorting-up for the occasion?
It was indeed a rare circumstance for a marriage
ceremony to be performed in this apartment, the
kitchen being always used for that purpose; and this
circumstance was a source of great satisfaction to the
worthy pastor, for he attributed, in no small degree, the
stability and permanency of his work to the domesti-
cating influence which the savoury smells and "feast
of fat things" in his capacious kitchen exercised over
the devotees at Hymen's altar. He could point
proudly to the work of thirty long years, during
which innumerable knots had been tied in that homely
and comfortable culinary apartment, and not in a single
instance had ever the fastening slipped, until the material
itself was reduced to the condition of "old junk," while
many elegant and highly finished knots done in the draw-
ing-room and in the decorated hall, had" pulled through"
under the first strain.
As soon as the ceremony was over the procession again


216
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
formed, and the well-rosined bow drew from the merry
and sympathetic fiddle the joyous marching strains of
"Wooed an' married an' a,"
until arriving at the house of the bride's father, where the
company halted on the green to witness the ceremony of
breaking the bride's-cake. This hymeneal bakemeat was no
pyramid of ornamental sugar, surmounted by satin flags and
silver-gilt flowers, but a plain home-made oatcake, which,
being broken in fragments in a basket, and thrown over
the bride's head, were eagerly picked up by the lads and
lasses to place under their pillows at night, when each
hoped to see in dreamland the image of a future bride
or bridegroom.¹
Inside the cottage all was bustle and preparation for
prolonged festivities.2 Large peat-fires, "but" and
"ben," blazed on the hearth, and whole quarters of
smoke-dried mutton, "reisted" geese, and pork hams,
were served up in large wooden Norway plates, scrubbed
and polished for the occasion. On groaning tables rose
towers and pyramids of "Burstan brünies,' "beremeal
bannocks,"
""saft scones" and "hard scones," -a large
proportion of which was contributed by the "auld folk,”
for no heads of families, invited to a wedding, would have
accepted the invitation without bringing along with them
a suitable present in the shape of food supplies.
"9
As soon as the company were seated, and the clatter
of plates and knives, with the muffled hum of half-arti-
culated sentences, showed that there were no idlers at
the festive board, brimming "remicles" of home-brewed
ale, and newly broached kegs of smuggled Dutch gin,
were brought in, and flowing bumpers in horn and glass
were quaffed in native fashion, while homely toasts and
witty jokes went round; and all this 200 miles from the
1 See Note S. "Bridecake."
2 Up to the beginning of the present century, it was customary in
Shetland to continue a wedding for three or four days and nights,
and sometimes for a whole week.


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
217
nearest exciseman. No wonder a huge bonfire blazed
on the Wart, and that loud laughter and merry music
made the reek-stained rafters of old Eric Halcro's
cottage dirl with the glorious din.
It was when the "seven starns"¹ twinkled over a point
on Noness Head, marking the hour of 10 o'clock, that
the fiddler again opened his reek-stained fiddle-case, and
enlivened the scene by playing "Wooed and Married
an' a,"
," "Saw ye my Pot-Ladle?" and other appropriate
airs. At 12 o'clock, the whole company proceeded to
the barn-the fiddler leading the way. This primitive
ball-room had been swept and garnished for the occasion,
and the sheaves of black-oats snugly and evenly arranged
in one end, so as to form a convenient resting-place for
tired dancers or onlookers. One lamp in the kiln-door,
and six "lowin' collies" swinging from as many rafters,
sent out a blaze of light which illuminated every part of
the barn.
Now the fiddler mounts the steps of the kiln-door, and
taking his seat on the second from the top-
on
"Screws his pins and plinks his strings,
An' rubs his bow wi' roset,"
and then strikes up the appropriate reel of "Mally, put
the kettle on." Soon as the soul-stirring music thrills
the ear, eight merry dancers spring to the floor.
"Reel!" cries the leader of the dance, and round they
wheel through a figure of 8. Then, partners opposite,
they tread to a measure in quick step, silver-buckled
shoes and woollen "smucks" beating the earthen floor in
rapid and well-timed thuds.
There, on the right, is the queen of the ball-the bride
herself, in all her queenly beauty and polished grace, her
charming native simplicity enhanced by the rustic cos-
tume she wears, for she has laid aside her bridal attire,
that she may more fully and freely participate in the
nuptial rejoicings now begun, and make her brides'-maids
feel that she is as one of themselves. Her partner
1 Pleiades.


218
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
opposite is no longer the dreaded and awe-inspiring
recluse of Trosswickness, but a happy bridegroom in the
full glory of his manhood. His countenance beams with
joy as he gazes on his lovely bride, no phantom now in
dreamland to mock him with unreal bliss, but his own
loving and long-lost Lelah. Lightly he skims through
the reel, merrily he steps the dance, his silver-buttoned
jerkin, and knee-breeches of Flemish cloth, showing off
his handsome figure to great advantage. His hair, which
once fell in wild confusion around his shoulders, is now
twisted in the handsome queu of the period, bound with
silken cord, and decorated with blue ribbon. Next the
bridegroom, and no less nimble in his step, dances
Johnnie o' Greentaft, with his partner and future bride,
bonnie Annie Leslie. Next is Captain Yunson, who has
chosen for his partner Jeannie o' Voe, and a handsome
couple they are; and last, but not least, in the foursome
reel, is Lowrie o' Lingigirt and Girzie o' Glufftown, soon
to dance more merrily at their own wedding.
Now faster and faster the fiddler's elbow flies as the
merry bow trembles on each sympathetic string, and
thrills out the foot inspiring strain, and faster and faster
the dancers trip on "the light fantastic toe," and wheel
in giddy flight, crying " Houch!" "Reel!" "Success ta
da bride an' da bridegrüm," and "Success ta da fiddler.”
At last the knight of the bow gallantly gives the kissing
signal, which he does by drawing his bow quickly across
the strings behind the bridge, and giving out a shrill
sound or squeak, imitative of a kiss, and then "Kiss da
lasses!" is repeated by four voices, while four arms en-
circle four necks, and four smacks are distinctly heard.
The reel being ended, eight tired dancers recline on
the sheaves, while other eight take their places on the
floor; and after all the "young folk” have had their turn
in the same order of precedence as they walked in pro-
cession to the manse, old Eric, as Master of Ceremonies,
enters the barn, carrying a brimming "remicle" of ale,
followed by the best man carrying a keg of Dutch gin,


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
219
and the bride's mother a large straw-basket full of oat-
cakes, pancakes, ale-horns, and dram-glasses.
66
Noo, folk, come an' hae a dram an' a bite, an' den ye
can dance agen," says old Eric, as "remicle," keg, and
basket are deposited on an old oak table placed at one
side of the barn.
"Here's ta da bride an' da bridegrüm's helt," resounds
on all sides, as horns and glasses are drained, and then
filled, and emptied again-to "da fiddler's helt," and
"da company's helt a-roond.”
The repast being over, loud calls were made for the
"auld folks'" reels, and four venerable pairs at once took
the floor. At "da head o' da flüir” was old Yacob and
Peggy; next them Eric Halcro and his wife Medgie;
then Tammie Toughlands and his wife Joan; and last,
Rasme Rudderhead, and his wife Doratty.
The fiddler plays up "Saw ye my Pot-ladle?" a slow
and appropriate reel, and away the dancers skip; four red
nightcaps, with ribbon-tied tails streaming behind, chase
four large high-crowned white muslin "toys" till partners
opposite, and then the red "tapped" night-caps and
muslin "toys" go bobbing up and down as fast as the
fiddler's elbow follows his bow.
66
Dance, Peggy, dance," cries Yacob, as he merrily
pats the barn-floor in his well-quilted "smucks," his
honest face radiant with smiles, and his aged yet manly
form encased in a new suit of wadmal-teased, carded,
spun, and sewed by his venerable partner opposite.
"Dance, Yacob, dance!" screams Peggy, as in "high
jinks" she flings herself right and left, and gives a see-
saw motion with her head and arms, as if she supposed
herself the veritable pot-ladle at work, which the fiddler
is musically inquiring after.
"Naebody deein' da nicht, Mr Ollison," whispers old
Yacob, with suppressed merriment, as he skips past
1 A sort of woollen "carpets" or sandals, formerly worn by natives
of Shetland.


220
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
where the bridegroom is seated on the sheaves, and jerks
out his thumb towards Peggy, who was skipping through
the dance before him.
"Naebody laek a beddral da nicht, Mr Ollison," more
audibly whispers Yacob, as the reel again brings him
back to the sheaves, and upon which he rolls in a fit of
smothered laughter, his face expanding into a round rosy
disc, like a frosty moon, and his fat sides shaking under
his two broad hands, which he holds on tightly to lessen
the strain on his diaphragm. "Naebody yatterin' noo,"
he again screams out, as the tears roll over his cheeks,
and this fit of laughing is succeeded by a fit of coughing
which threatens to end tragically.
"Be no a füle, Yacob," cries Peggy, as she foots
away by herself, opposite Yacob's empty place. "Come
awa noo, Yacob-reel," again cries Peggy, as Yacob
quickly recovers the use of his faculties, and his place on
the floor at the same time. Old Yacob's hilarity on this
occasion arose from three causes. First, certain horns
of home-brewed ale and glasses of Dutch gin, which had
made him "as happy as a king;" second, Peggy's appear-
ance in general, and her step in particular; and, third,
the contrast between her normal condition at home and
her abnormal condition at the wedding.
On still went the old folks' reel, but slower and slower
the red night-caps nodded to the white muslin "toys," and
slower and slower the sympathizing fiddler drew the bow,
till at last "kiss da lasses" was screeched out behind the
bridge, and four red night-caps disappeared inside four
muslin toys, and four soughs were heard; but whether it
was the wind whistling, or 66
auld folks kissin'," there was
no time left to inquire, for at that moment loud calls
were made for the Bride's Reels, and eight bonny lasses
stepped on the floor, as the fiddler played up
"The Scallaway Lasses."
Like seven queen bees chasing one butterfly, seven
brides'-maids followed the bride, skimming in giddy flight
through the reel without stopping, until the report of a


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
221
gun was heard outside, and then all eyes were turned
towards the barn-door, and several voices shouted, "Da
guisers, da guisers!" as the "scuddler" or captain
entered with three of his men. The former was dressed
in straw kilt, with tippet and high conical hat of the
same material, but profusely decorated with ribbon. His
face was covered with a blue veil, and in his hands he
carried a "bent" brush with a long handle, which he
twirled about with great velocity, making a snoring
noise, and producing a similar sound through his nose.
This he did as he shuffled along the floor, followed by
his men, who were all dressed like their captain, except-
ing the large bunch of ribbon or favour which the latter
wore at the apex of his hat.
After going through various pantomimic performances,
and chasing the girls around the barn with their brushes,
the guisers laid aside their sweeping implements, and
prepared for the dance, the captain leading out the bride,
and his men choosing their partners; and after all the
bride's-maids had danced, the guisers drank the bride and
bridegroom's health in silence, quaffing the liquor through
their veils, and then making their exit incognito.
The bride and bridegroom now retired, leaving the rest
of the company to continue the merriment till "the cock
wis crawin' and the day wis dawin'," and then many a
tired dancer reclined in primitive innocence on the sheaves;
and, by the passport of a fragment of oatcake beneath
the cereal pillow, roamed through dreamland in quest of
future brides and bridegrooms.
In the kiln door the fiddler reposed in deep slumber
beside his fiddle, snoring unmusical bass, and mumbling
dreamy toasts to visions of brimming horns of nut-brown
ale, and flowing glasses of Hollands gin.
At nine o'clock the company assembled for breakfast,
and at ten o'clock dancing was resumed, and so continued
for three days and nights, with intervals of playing at
football, or running "comalae" on the green.
On the fourth day, the young men held the "weddin'


222
SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES; OR,
treat," which was simply continuing the marriage festivi-
ties and rejoicings for another day and night; and this
they did at their own expense, as an expression of their
goodwill towards the newly married couple, and also as
a return for the liberal entertainment which had been
provided for all the wedding-guests.
On the morning of the fifth day, after paying the
fiddler, and distributing among the poor of the district
numerous baskets of fragments from the festive board,
the company broke up, and all returned to their respective
homes, to live in happy anticipation of the next wedding
to take place in the district.
What now remains of the strange and eventful history
of the Hermit of Trosswickness and his fair Lelah, is
soon told, and must rejoice the reader's heart; for the
sun of prosperity had now arisen upon their path, and a
happy future was before them, to compensate for all past
sorrows and suffering.
After remaining a few days with his father-in-law,
the Laird of Noss (no longer "The Hermit"), accom-
panied by his wife and Captain Yunson, proceeded to
Lerwick, intending to sail by the first vessel leaving for
Holland; for it was Lelah's earnest desire to visit with-
out delay her kind benefactresses, Widow Vanderboor
and her daughter, and to convey to them an account of
all that had befallen her since the day of her sudden
departure from them.
Arriving in Lerwick, they were so fortunate as to find
the "Vanderstein of Yesselmonde lying wind-bound
for Holland, and in this vessel they at once embarked.
Three days of a fair wind brought them in sight of the
Dutch coast; and after other three days, they arrived at
the house of Widow Vanderboor, where they were re-
ceived with unbounded joy, and entertained in high
festival for many days in the midst of a brilliant
assembly; parting again with many regrets.
On returning to the coast, Captain Yunson obtained
of a vessel bound for Scotland, and therefore


THE HERMIT OF TROSSWICKNESS.
223
invited Lelah and her husband to accompany him,
arranging to land them at Lerwick before proceeding to
his port of destination.
After an equally prosperous voyage, the vessel arrived
in Lerwick, and the Laird of Noss and his happy wife
proceeded to their future home, which was in Bressay,
there to enjoy the happiness which now awaited them.
Nor in his day of prosperity did the "Hermit of
Trosswickness" forget those whom duty or affection
brought to his remembrance.
Rasme Rudderhead and Tammie Toughlands were put
in possession of farms on his property.
By his kindness and liberality, old Yacob's declining
years were rendered happy, and this happiness increased
as Peggy's failing strength tended to bring about a
change for the better in her walk and conversation-the
latter, however, continuing many years after the former
had ceased.
Bawby o' Brigstanes kept up her merry evening
gatherings to the last, liberally supported alike by old
and young-the former for matrimonial favours experi-
enced, the latter for similar favours expected; and lastly,
the Laird of Noss, in the spirit of David when he said,
"Is there yet any remaining of the house of Saul to whom
I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" sought out
some distant relations of Bill Ericson's, and bestowed
upon them many marks of his favour.
During the future years in the life of the Laird of Noss
and his happy wife, they made an annual journey to
Dunrossness, visiting the old retreat on the Ness, the
trysting-place by the shore, and other scenes of their
former joys and sorrows; and often by the domestic
hearth were those scenes recalled to memory, when a
cherub occupant of the cradle was hushed to peaceful
slumber by a mother's voice singing
"THE EXILE'S LAMENT."


"
C
-


NOTES TO SHETLAND FIRESIDE TALES.
Note A, page 1. TROSSWICKNESS.
Trosswickness is a small promontory on the east side of the main-
land of Shetland, about 5 miles north of Sumburgh Head, and 4
miles east of Fitful Head. With the exception of a narrow margin
of green pasture skirting the irregular outline of the precipitous
cliffs which guard the eastern extremity of the Ness, the whole
region is wild and barren in the extreme, and no hermit could
desire a more befitting emblem of his state than that presented by
the sterile and stony wilderness which everywhere meets the eye.
""
On the highest elevation of this headland, and within a hundred
yards of the edge of the cliff, are the ruins of an ancient "Brough'
or "Peight's "house (as such structures are named by the natives).
That so many similar structures in Shetland are found along the
coast-line, and occupying positions where the widest range of view
can be obtained, points distinctly to the inference that the primitive
builders of those erections must have intended them for watch towers
as well as places of habitation-the necessity for their former use
arising from the frequent and unwelcome visits of the Vikings or
sea-robbers from the coast of Scandinavia, or other hostile ap-
proaches. The name Trosswickness applies to both sides of the bight
or creek of Trosswick; but it is on the southern headland, lying
between Trosswick and Voe, that the scene of the story is laid.
Note B, page 2. SHETLAND MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
It is characteristic of a primitive people that they cling fondly
to old manners and customs, and thus a century may pass over
them and leave little or no change in their ideas or mode of life.
This fact has enabled the author to place the time of his story about
the middle of last century, and yet draw many of its incidents from
the experiences of his own boyhood. Old people then living could
carry their recollection back to the middle of the previous century;
Р


226
NOTES.
and thus by his own observation, together with the testimony of
others, he has had the means of comparing the manners and cus-
toms of the Shetland peasantry for a period of more than 120 years.
Note C, page 4. PECULIARITIES OF THE SHETLAND DIALECT.
That the old Norse or Icelandic language of the present day
was once the language spoken by the natives of Shetland there can
be no doubt, for the evidence of this is still to be found in the
Norse derivation of names of places throughout the islands, every
creek and headland, every village and croft, bearing names only
slightly modified by the dominant influence of the later Scottish
element. As additional evidence of this, we have the direct testi-
mony of George Buchanan, the historian; the Rev. Mr Brand, who
wrote in 1700; and also Sir Robert Sibbald, in 1711.
With the arrival of the early Scotch settlers, their language was
gradually introduced, and hence the origin of what we now find,
viz.-a mixed dialect with a Norse idiom. How very early this
change took place, seems to be indicated by the remarkable cir-
cumstance that some words found only in the works of the rhym-
ing chroniclers of the 14th and 15th centuries, and long since ceased
to be spoken in other parts of Great Britain, are still used by the
natives of Shetland. But, early as the Scottish dialect began to
incorporate itself with the Norse language, it is remarkable how
distinctly the Norse idiom has been retained by the entire exclusion
of the lisping sound of th at the beginning of words.
The English sound of this double consonant is almost pecu-
liar to the English language.
A foreigner either cannot or will not pronounce it, and the Shet-
lander of the present day follows the example of his ancestors by
substituting d for the hated th. Thus, for this, that, then, they,
them, thou, he says dis, dat, den, dey, dem, du, and so of all words
beginning with th. This and other peculiarities lead to consider-
able confusion both in sense and grammar: thus the English noun
den is to the Shetlander an adverb; and the word clash, a verb, is
in the Shetland dialect a noun, meaning gossip or scandal, and so
of numerous other examples which might be given. But notwith-
standing those defects, the Shetland dialect possesses, in common
with many other dialects, what is often lost when they become the
vehicle of written communication and of the higher kinds of oral
address, viz., richness of inflection, friendly familiarity, and
naturalness; and it is on this account that the author has made
use of the dialect where he found it an advantage to do so, there
being numerous instances where the full meaning of Shetland
words and phrases finds no proper equivalent in English.


NOTES.
227
Note D, page 7. FAIRIES.
The belief in fairies has been amongst the superstitions common to
perhaps all European nations, and can be traced back to the early
ages of the Indo-European race. The name 66
fairy" does not admit
of any distinct definition except in a local sense, because the general
character and disposition of those imaginary beings have been ever
found to vary, and to take their colouring from the social habits of
the people amongst whom they were supposed to dwell, as well as
from the geographical features of the country which_those people
inhabited. Thus, in a flat pastoral country such as England, the
fairy was gentle and loving, useful in domestic affairs, and ever
ready to perform generous and praiseworthy actions; while, in a
mountainous country, such as Scandinavia or the Highlands of
Scotland, the fairy was cruel, mischievous, and so destitute of
any sort of virtue as to fully justify the opinion of its demoniacal
origin.
In Shetland, as might be expected, fairies were of the Scandina
vian type. Their origin was traced to the Fall, when the angels
who joined in Satan's rebellion were cast out, and those who fell in
the sea became mermaids and mermen; and those on the land be-
came fairies or "hillfolk,” which is evidently a corruption of the
Danish "Ellefolk."
They were composed of males and females of very diminutive sta-
ture, something like human dwarfs. Their clothing was always green
in colour, fitting close to the limbs, as became beings capable of per-
forming such sprightly and agile feats as they indulged in. They
walked barefoot, and both sexes wore a sugar-loaf hat of extraordinary
altitude. They were capable of rendering themselves invisible to
the human eye, and of seeing as mortals could not. This power was
obtained by anointing the eyes of the baby fairy at birth with an
eye-salve prepared by fairy art. Their dwelling-places were fairy
"knowes," or tumuli, in which were plain homely places of abode,
and nothing of that gorgeous splendour and enchanting grandeur
which eastern fiction has described. The northern fairy, however,
knew how to enjoy life, and revelled in noisy mirth, and on the
"light fantastic toe" tripped to the merry music of the fiddle as
only a fairy could. These carousals generally took place after
some successful raid upon the property of mortals above ground,
for, like the clan M'Gregor, the fraternity had a strong penchant
for black cattle. Though fond of music, they had no genius for
the art; as on the occasion of a wedding or at Yule rejoicings, they
were under the necessity of charming away some expert fiddler from
the upper regions, who was, however, always sent safely back, but
suffered from a certain jumble or confusion of intellect for some


228
NOTES.
days after the event. Though deficient in the art of instrumental
music, their vocal performances were of a high order, and on calm
summer evenings the soft strains which sometimes fell upon mortal
ears in the neighbourhood of fairy dwellings were such as could only
come from Fairyland.
The author remembers, when a boy, an old woman telling, as a
"winter fireside tale," her experience of fairies or hillfolk, and that
in her youth it was customary to sit near "hillfolk's knowes" in
the summer evenings, and listen to the sweet music which pro-
ceeded from them.
Those fairies followed no honest calling, but were a kind of re-
spectable banditti, helping themselves to human or animal subject
as occasion required, but doing it in such a way as to give as little
offence as possible. If they wanted a cow, they did not flourish
their dirks in the air and yell like a lot of wild, hungry M'Gregors;
they went invisibly to work, and aimed an elf-arrow as near
"Crummie's" heart as possible. As soon as the shaft was felt, the
wounded animal showed symptoms of distress by rolling her eyes
wildly and "brülin," as if in a death-struggle. If the shot was a
good one, the effigy, which was prepared beforehand, was now left as
the dead animal in the room of the real one, which was quietly trans-
ported to their subterranean dwelling to garnish the fleshpots of
Fairyland. If the elf-arrow was blunt, as very often happened,
it did not penetrate the hide of the animal, but left an indentation
or vacuum below the skin, which in time became equally fatal; but
here the village cow doctress interposed with her Archangel tar,
gunpowder, steel, and incantations, and by means of such weapons,
offensive and defensive, fairly beat the enemy off the field. The
author has witnessed several such cases, and carefully examined the
supposed wound, as well as watched the efficacy of the supposed
means of cure.
When it suited their purposes to carry off a human subject, their
procedure differed to the extent of sometimes leaving a living sub-
stitute, but the imposture was generally detected by the quality
of the article; for example, for a fair plump healthy child the sub-
stitute was a dwarfish ill-thriven creature, which was a burden to
itself and a trouble to everybody. In order to recover the proper
child, it was necessary to sweep the substitute out of the cottage
door along with ashes or other refuse. This operation was gene-
rally performed by the child's mother, who thereafter sat by the
fireside and watched the door until her own child, in all its
health and beauty, walked in, when she at once rushed to the door,
and, shutting it, described a circle round the child, and then
ejaculated, "God save my bairn!" On one occasion the fairies
were so incensed at being outwitted in this way, that they formed
a ring outside the consecrated circle, and blew their breaths upon
those inside it, until their skins were covered with huge blisters.


NOTES.
229
Other characteristics and peculiarities of fairies will be found in
the different fairy tales given in the work, and which are rendered
as nearly as possible in the exact words of the native storyteller.
Note E, page 9. SHETLAND SURNAMES.
The curious practice existed in Shetland amongst the peasant
class till about the beginning of the present century, of the Christian
name of the father of a family being used as the surname of his child-
ren. Thus, a son of Jaarm (Jeremiah) Edemson would be Eddie
(Adam) Jaarmson; or, a son of Laurence Robertson might be Hans
Laurenceson, and in the same way the daughter of Erasmus Ollason
would be known as Osla Rasmeson. This of course rendered trac-
ing the genealogy of families beyond a generation or two a matter
of much difficulty.
Note F, page 17.
CALVINISM.
There can be no doubt that Calvinism, as a system of religious
doctrine, and as it was taught by the early reformers, has stood in
closer relationship to human progress and general enlightenment
than any other creed since the world began; but while this is true
in a general sense, it does not hold true with the same force in
particular cases. Shetland has shown but little progress under
the influence of its teaching, because its effect upon the native
mind was rather to confirm than uproot the remnant of that Pagan
belief in Fatalism which was common to almost all the nations of
antiquity, and, like other superstitions, lingered longer in those
remote islands than in most other places. Calvinism, as em-
bodied in the standards of the Church and taught by old divines,
was not the kind of axe to lay to the root of this Upas tree, but in
its ultimate conclusions rather affirmed than denied the Pagan belief.
"God foreordained whatsoever comes to pass" was the funda-
mental principle of Calvinistic doctrine-a doctrine true in itself
when viewed by the eye of intelligence, and in connection with
God's sovereign will as the Great First Cause working through
the operation of law, and recognising human agency as a necessary
factor, but pernicious and derogatory to the Divine character when
viewed through the mists of ignorance and superstition, which
obliterated any proper line of demarcation, and made Divine pro-
vidence little else than a household deity of Greek or Roman
mythology, and, as such, superintending and determining the
most trivial affairs of human life.
The rude, unlettered islander, with his mind still biassed by the
lingering influence of this Pagan belief of Fatalism, was further


230
NOTES.
taught the doctrines of election and predestination. How was he
against this to balance the human element of freewill and respon-
sibility? If every event, with all its varied circumstances and most
remote influences upon human life and destiny, were known and
determined beforehand, human action could not alter what was so
decreed; such action could only be the effect but never the cause
of anything.
So truly does this represent the case, that even in the present
day the Shetland peasant could not utter a dozen sentences on
any subject connected with human effort or enterprise, without
showing the influence of his Calvinistic teaching. No doubt this
has fostered, as it still does, devout feeling and submission under
difficulties and trials, but it has also proved a formidable obstacle
in the path of individual enterprise and general progress.
Note G, page 69.
NORWAY WITCHES AND WIZARDS.
History proves that the influence of any system of religious
belief lingers amongst a people long after that belief has ceased
to be recognised as a national faith, and thus it is that traces of
Scandinavian mythology exist even in our own' time, faint and
distorted no doubt, but still sufficiently marked to identify them
with the more elaborate originals which they represent.
The belief that witches and wizards came from the coast of
Norway disguised as seals, was entertained by many of the
Shetland peasantry even so late as the beginning of the present
century; and it is worthy of note that the supposed object of those
unwelcome relations of the Phocidae family was plunder, evidently
showing that the seal-wizard was just the Viking or sea-robber of
former ages.
The terrors which those marauders once inspired still
existed in the native mind by tradition and impression, though the
real danger had passed away. Time and superstition had changed
the form, and the supernatural had gradually assumed the place of
the natural. It was not, however, supposed that those familiar
spirits, in their sea-dress, actually carried off the goods and chattels
of the natives, but they accomplished the same purpose by a much
easier process. They charmed away whatever they set their mind
on-such as fish, cattle, sheep, farm-produce, &c., just as the house-
wife versed in black art charmed away her neighbour's butter-
"profit.' It is highly probable that the ancient belief in mermaids
and mermen, which can be traced to the Arab seamen and Greeks,
tended to connect the seal with those supposed diabolical adventures
of Norwegian wizards. Again, there was the difficulty of shooting
the seal while swimming, owing to his singular capacity of diving
the fire, i. e., diving as the powder flashed in the pan of a flint-
and before the shot could reach him. Besides these, many


NOTES.
231
incidents might occur in the experience of the seal-hunter, which
were perplexing to his untutored mind, and which he could not
refer to any natural or mechanical principle known to him. These
thoughts are suggested by an incident which occurred in the author's
own experience of seal-shooting, which was as follows:-
In the Shetland Islands, the home and breeding-place of the seal
is in some wave-worn cave, guarded from the approach of man by
inaccessible cliffs. He also has the sagacity, when fishing near
frequented places, to keep beyond gun reach of the shore; but this
rule was departed from in the case of an aged patriarch of unusual
size for a common seal (Phoca Vitulina), which evidently wished to
enjoy a little quiet during the declining years of his life, and for
this purpose selected for his home a deep pool formed by two natural
jetties of rock in the neighbourhood of the author's birthplace.
This pool was overlooked on the north side by a high turreted rock,
forming by its rugged pinnacles an excellent place of concealment
for the sportsman. During the day this venerable denizen of the
deep fished quietly along the shore north or south of his pool, but
always returned thither in the evening, where he amused himself
by frequently diving and rising to the surface at short intervals.
This continued for several years, till at last the author became
possessed of the much-prized gift of a gun, and after proving him-
self a good sportsman with smaller game, he resolved on the more
daring exploit of bagging the old gentleman of the pool. Putting
in therefore a double charge of swan-post and some heavy slugs
(similar to those used for shooting Irish landlords), he climbed the
rock on the north side, and concealing himself behind two sharp
natural turrets, waited for a chance. In a few minutes the old
wizard broke the surface, rising to his flippers, shaking the water
from his grizzly beard, and snorting loudly as if his extreme corpu-
lency had put him out of breath even by the little exercise he was
indulging in.
"Now, mind yourself, old fellow," was whispered, as the gun was
levelled at the occipital region of his cranium. The trigger pulled,
but missed fire. The piece was now drawn back, priming examined,
flint touched up, frizzel scraped, and all made ready for his next
rise. Gun again levelled, trigger pulled, but not a spark would the
flint strike. For two long hours was the process repeated, at inter-
vals of about ten minutes, but with the same result-the gun would
not go off. Amazed and perplexed, the author now determined to
examine the lock carefully, as he believed some spring had gone
wrong. He therefore shook the powder clean out of the pan, and
cleared it from the touchhole as far in as the chamber. With the
piece now lying across his knees, and pointing away from the seal,
he pulled the trigger just to see the action of the frizzel-spring,
when lo! the gun went off with a loud report, reverberating along
the rocky steeps which stretched away in the distance.


232
NOTES.
Now, here was a case of an excellent fowling-piece, which was
never known to miss fire, when it is pointed towards the seal no
amount of human ingenuity and perseverance can make it go off;
but no sooner is it pointed in the opposite direction than off it goes,
though under conditions which rendered such an occurrence almost
an impossibility. Was it not therefore natural and excusable to
conclude that the cause lay in the seal and not in the gun? and
ever since that occurrence took place, the author has felt it a neces-
sity that we should first require to know all that our forefathers
experienced before we condemn their beliefs as the offspring of
ignorance and stupidity.
Note H, page 65. SUPERSTITION OF THE EVIL EYE.
The belief that any housewife versed in the black arts of Necro-
mancy can, by charms and incantations, increase the supply of
butter in her own churn in proportion as she has the power to
diminish that of her neighbours, has long prevailed in Shetland, as
well as in some other parts of Scotland.
This superstition is one form of the ancient and general belief in
an Evil Eye, which belief has not been confined to the nations of
Northern Europe, but existed even amongst the enlightened Greeks
and Romans. The Greeks called it Ophthalmos Baskanos, and the
Romans used the verb Fascinare to express the same idea.
How this and similar beliefs, now looked upon as childish and
absurd, and all but vanished before the light of science and general
intelligence, should once have been so firmly believed in by men
of all ranks and conditions of life, and by nations socially and
geographically widely separated, is one of those interesting and
perplexing questions to which modern inquiry is directed. How,
for example, did the belief arise that the human eye possessed the
power of charming or bewitching in an evil sense?
Is it not pos-
sible that an answer to this may be found in the fact, that the
mesmeric power of the eye was known to the ancients, not as a
physiological phenomenon connected with psychology, but as a
mysterious, unnatural, and demoniacal power exercised on the willing
subjects of the Prince of Darkness?
If we can suppose a case where the ancient mesmerist accidentally,
and unknown to himself, made this power felt by gazing in the
countenance of another person, nothing was more natural than to
connect the innocent and unconscious operator with any misfortunes
which might afterwards befall the individual who had thus felt the
power of his mysterious gaze; and, once a foundation laid, human
invention and exaggeration could do the rest. Whether this may be
the true explanation or not, certain it is that the belief of an evil
eye has had a common origin, and was connected with the exercise
of some remarkable power or faculty not common to men.


NOTES.
233
Against this view may be urged what has been advanced by some
writers on the subject of mesmerism, viz., that the operator has no
power except what is permitted by the will of his subject; no
doubt, in many cases, the power of the operator may be equally
balanced by the existing will of the subject; but as no resistance
can be offered by an unconscious subject, it surely follows that a
highly susceptible individual, ignorant of the subject of mesmerism,
may be influenced by one possessing enormous mesmeric power,
even although that power may be only accidentally put forth.
Note I, page 68. CUP DIVINATION.
It was a maxim with the nations of antiquity, that if there are
gods, they care for men, and if they care for men they must be
desirous to impart a knowledge of future events, because, by this
means, man would know how to obtain the good and avoid the evil;
but the great difficulty lay in the question, how to find suitable
vehicles of communication by which the gods might be propitiated
to vouchsafe to men this needed knowledge.
The ancient Chaldeans sought in the starry heavens to know the
fate of nations and of individuals; and the middle ages, for the
same purpose, looked in Auguries and Auspices.
There was Axinomancy, the art of discovering the perpetration
of a crime, by poising an axe on the top of a pole, and judging of
guilt or innocence by the direction in which it fell. Belomancy,
shooting with arrows. Bibliomancy, opening the Bible and observ-
ing the first passage which occurred. Botanomancy, divination by
plants and flowers. Capnomancy, divination by smoke. Cheiro-
mancy, reading the lineaments of the hand. Cosinomancy, divina-
tion by using a sieve and pair of shears. Crystallomancy, divina-
tion by crystals or precious stones. Cup divination, cup reading.
Geomancy, divination by pebbles. Hydromancy, divination by
water, or by a mirror. Lithomancy, divination by stones. Oneiro-
mancy, divination by dreams. Pyromancy, divination by fire.
Rabdomancy, divination by the divining rod, &c. A strange list of
delusions indeed, we may now say; and equally strange it is that so
many of them have come down to our own day, it being within the
author's memory when Bibliomancy, Cheiromancy, Botanomancy,
Cosinomancy, Cup divination, Oneiromancy, and Pyromancy were
all practised in the Shetland Islands, at least to such an extent as
renders it easy to identify each particular superstition with its more
elaborate prototype.
Cup divination by the ancients was a more aristocratic perform-
ance than its more modern disciples could attain to. The former
placed precious stones, with inscriptions on them, upon gold leaf, and
dropped them into water contained in a glass cup, and read the signs


234
NOTES.
on its surface; while the latter used a stoneware cup and a few tea
grounds, forming pictures by the fortuitous arrangement of stalks
and broken leaf. The author has often had these pointed out and
explained to him by an expert; and by a little help of the imagina-
tion, wonderful pictures they make of things both animate and
inanimate. In foretelling events by the aid of those pictures, the
order of time is reckoned from the brim of the cup downwards, the
brim being the present, the bottom the distant future, and the scale
being days, months, or years, according as the nature of the case
requires. The author is bound to say that he has known many
wonderful predictions by cup diviners followed by as wonderful
fulfilments.
Note K, page 51. SHETLAND Ballads and MUSIC.
Shetland now possesses no ancient songs or ballads known to
have been written by native authors, and it is extremely doubtful
if any such have ever existed; nor is this to be wondered at, when
we consider that the bulk of the native population were for cen-
turies the objects of severe oppression, and that education or higher
culture scarcely existed.
The petty tyrants who ruled them as with a rod of iron, took
care also to keep them in ignorance as the most likely means to
reconcile them to their lot; besides, in the doubtful possession of
ignoble peace, they knew nothing of the "pomp and circumstance
of war," and little of the thrilling theme of romantic love-themes
to which the national airs, songs, and ballads of all nations owe
their origin.
There was evidently only one path in which the ancient Shetlanders
cared to seek artistic distinction, and that was as a musician and .
composer of reel music; and in this he has certainly excelled, for
Shetland reel music, so far as it goes, is equal to anything of the
kind to be found in Scotland, or perhaps in any other country.
The Shetlander of the olden time knew little enjoyment but
such as the domestic circle and the social gathering afforded. His
toilsome occupation and frequent absence from home during nine
months of the year, made the return of winter especially grateful
to him. Then his fare was best, his leisure most; his courtships,
marriages, and merry-makings made him forget for a time both
tyrant and toil, and revel in the enjoyment of that " gaytime"
which every Martinmas brought with it.
His fiddle the only instrument of music known to him-
was the centre of attraction in every social gathering, and never
failed to call forth that wild athletic exercise and those powers of
endurance which he could so well exhibit in the native dance or
"foursome reel," when the home-brewed ale went round in flowing
1


NOTES.
235
66
cogs," or the smuggled keg of Dutch gin was broached to honour
some "rant" or wedding.
Here, then, according to the universal law of supply and demand,
reel music was supplied because it was wanted; to play the fiddle
was an accomplishment eagerly sought after by all lads having a
musical ear; and those of them who possessed a genius in this way
were able, through the course of time, to add original compositions,
and all such compositions exhibit the same characteristics, being
light, stirring, and expressive of feelings of exuberant mirth and
rollicking jollity.
Note L, page 104. TRADE WITH NORWAY.
It is within the author's recollection when only two small sailing
vessels were employed in the trade with Scotland. Then, and more
especially in earlier times, the principal trade of the islands was
carried on with the Norwegians and Dutch.
Shetland was entirely dependent on Norway for her supply of
wood, and to a large extent for that of fishing boats, which were
brought over just as they were finished in the builder's yard. They
were put together chiefly by "treenails" or wooden pins; but as
these were not considered by the Shetland fishermen to be sufficiently
safe, the boards were farther fastened by iron rivets.
Like every-
thing else which came from Norway, these boats were looked upon
with suspicion, and unlucky or "misforn" knots had to be searched
for by some aged son of Neptune, expert in such matters, before
the boat was allowed to float.
Note M, page 113.
PYROMANCY.
Pyromancy, or divination by fire, was common amongst the
Greeks and Romans.
In offering sacrifices to the gods, the manner in which the victim
was consumed was held to prognosticate good or evil. If the sacri-
fice burned clear of smoke and did not crackle, the omen was favour-
able, but otherwise it was not.
In Shetland, pyromancy was closely allied to cup reading-half
consumed brands taking the place of tea grounds. When a peat fire
is nearly consumed, some of the brands often remain standing in an
upright position in the light white ashes by which they are sur-
rounded. And it was the fancied resemblance which those brands
bore to persons, animals, ships, &c., which furnished the fire reader
with the means of foretelling events. One solitary upright brand,
resembling a man or woman, was always called a “guest,” i.e., a
stranger or visitor from a distance. If it could be guessed who the


236
NOTES.
person might be, and if welcome, the brand was lifted in the tongs
and placed in the centre of the fire, and other brands heaped around
it; but if the person was looked upon as an intruder, the brand was
dipped in a tub of water, so that the individual represented might
get a drenching of rain if he or she attempted the journey.
Note N, page 114. BAWBY OF BRIGSTANES.
The original of Bawby o' Brigstanes was a well-knowu village
gossip bearing the same Christian name, in whose cottage the
author spent many happy evenings when a boy.
Note O, page 136.
SUPERSTITIONS OF FISHERMEN.
Shetland fishermen, in common with many of their brethren
elsewhere, believe that in going to the fishing if they meet
certain persons they will have luck, and if they meet others, the
very reverse will happen; hence all their acquaintance come to be
divided into lucky and unlucky people.
So far as those persons are themselves concerned, they may be
lucky or fortunate, though the baleful influence they exercise on
the calling of others may be of the most marked description. The
author has known fishermen on going to the fishing take a different
road, in order to avoid meeting with certain individuals whom they
saw approaching, or do what is alluded to in the verse-send a
member of their own family out to meet them purposely, as a
protection from the evil influence of a bad foot when on the way
to the boat.
Note P, page 232. SAILORS' SUPERSTITIONS.
The allusion here is to a well-known sailor's yarn, which is
told as follows:-
Jack and Bill were messmates. Jack made his money "spin"
as fast as he got it, but Bill was saving and penurious, and
hoarded his money, which he kept in a bag concealed in his
hammock. Jack coming to know this conceived the horrible
design to murder his shipmate, in order to get possession of the
money; and to accomplish this without the deed being discovered,
he one night approached Bill's hammock, where he was sleeping,
and pierced him behind the ear with a sail needle, which, while it
penetrated the brain, left almost no perceptible external wound.
In the morning the man was found dead in his hammock, and the
believing he had died a natural death, ordered the body


NOTES.
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66
to be sewed up in a hammock, and committed to the deep, with the
usual formalities of a burial at sea. The same night the watch on
duty were startled by hearing a voice from the foretop give the
usual warning-call, Stand from under," which sailors always do
before sending anything down on deck. The watch knowing that
no one was aloft, were so terror-stricken that none of them had
courage to give the response, "Let go;" but as the voice still
continued the call, and waxing louder and more stern each time,
it broke the stillness of the night. At last, one more courageous
that the rest answered, "Let go," and down fell with a heavy thud
on the deck the murdered man's body, sewed in the hammock just
as it was put overboard. The captain was then called, and all
hands summoned on deck, when each of the crew was put through
the ordeal of touching the body. When it came to the murderer's
turn he stepped forward trembling, and with horror depicted in
his countenance, and for a moment hesitated; but the stern voice of
the captain quickened his movements, and he touched the corpse,
when at once from behind the murdered man's ear spurted out a
stream of blood. The murderer was at once seized, put in irons,
and soon after paid the penalty of his crime, when the vessel arrived
at her port of destination.
Note Q, page 282. NATIVE COURAGE.
A young lad, who was one of the author's youthful companions,
once performed a feat similar to that assigned to the Hermit of
Trosswickness.
It was on a dark December day, when a fearful south-east storm
raged along the coast, and strewed the shore with wreck. Huge
waves rolled with thunderous dash against the dark precipitous
cliffs, and sent the rock-beaten spray like pillars of cloud to
the sky.
In one of those gios or creeks, with which the coast-line is here
indented, this lad with a number of others lay watching the
landing of wreck, which was borne in by the waves, when observing
a piece of plank which had got fixed between two rocks far down
the beach, he determined to get possession of it. Divesting
himself therefore of his outer garments, he stood ready till the
receding wave enabled him to run down the beach to the spot
where the fragment of wreck was; then, just as the next wave with
foaming crest rose high over his head, he threw his arms around
pinnacle of rock, and clung to it, while over him rushed the
roaring flood. Soon as the wave again rolled back, he sprang to
his feet, wrenched the plank from its hold, and ran for his life,
chased to the top of the beach by a wild mountain wave, foaming
and hissing as if in rage at being deprived of its prey.


238
NOTES.
Note R, page 284. WRECKERS.
If anything could tempt the law-abiding, peacefully-disposed
Shetlander to deviate from the even tenor of his way, it would be
a wreck cast upon his rugged and inhospitable shore. Then indeed
the old instincts of his race appear, and the spirit of the wreck is
upon him.
No fatigue or privation can discourage him, no
danger can appal him, if a fragment of wreck can be secured, no
matter how trifling its value. He feels this as a ruling passion,
which he can neither resist nor explain, and it can only indeed be
explained upon the principle, that the love of any pursuit peculiar
to a race will live long after that pursuit has been abandoned,
and that the influence of habit rests upon races as well as upon
individuals.
A former generation of Shetlanders, in common with the inhabit-
ants of every isolated place around the British coast in those times,
considered that the spoils of the sea were their own, and hesitated
not to appropriate such whenever an opportunity offered. Time
and enlightenment have changed all that, but at least in the case
of Shetlanders the old feeling remains, just as the modern sports-
man with a full purse and a well-stocked larder, pursues the
game with the same ardour and unwearied perseverance as did his
hungry ancestor whose dinner depended on the fortunes of the
chase. In both cases alike all consideration of the value of the
object to be gained is lost in the intense pleasure of pursuing it.
If any one objects to this comparison, the author can only ask such
an individual to suspend his judgment till he has witnessed the
scene of a shipwreck in a storm on the Shetland coast, with salvers
at work.
Compared with a shipwreck and a whale hunt in Shetland, both
of which the author has witnessed, the princely pursuit of deer-
stalking is tame, and grouse shooting only a childish amusement.
Note S, page 304. BRIDECAKE.
The use of bridecake can be traced back to the Romans, and
amongst that ancient people consisted of a cake of wheat or
barley, which was symbolical of that unity of heart and life
which the married state was supposed to bring.
The practice of breaking the cake over the bride's head as she
entered her new home, is evidently a usage of very remote antiquity,
and was
once universal both in England and Scotland. In
Shetland, an oat cake is used, which being broken in fragments
is put in a basket, and thrown over the bride's head, just as she
returns after the marriage ceremony has been performed. Here
·


NOTES.
239
then is an act of crowning or consecrating, just as ancient kings
were consecrated by pouring holy oil on their heads, and there
can be little doubt that the former claims as great antiquity as
the latter. Bread is the staff of life, and was therefore a fitting
symbol by which to consecrate or appoint the new-made wife to the
duties of her office, and as guide and ruler in her own little
domestic kingdom. Modern usages, and the growth of luxury,
have converted bridecake into a highly ornamental piece of con-
fectionery, and in this way shorn it of all its original, symbolic
meaning; and thus it is, that for what a people sometimes gain in
advanced civilization and refinement, much is lost in what is
beautiful, simple, and natural.
NOTE.
For Motto at Chapter XXI read—
Rich the treasure,
Sweet the pleasure-
Sweet is pleasure after pain.
DRYDEN.
COMMERCIAL PRINTING COMPANY, EDINBURGH.


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