Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt:...glyed shield). Nothing comes more welcome to the gunwale of the haf boat. It provided a valuable nabert (bait), and on its toothsome fish the crew feasted when on shore. The blugga-banes of the halibut were stuck in the waa d da lodge and under the eft hinnie spot d da sixern for luck. A large skate frequently formed part of the catch, and when deposited in the shott its formidable caudle appendage was a source of annoyance to the man in the kavel, until he took his shone and sneed off her skovie (cut off the tail). The hauling of the lines in ordinary circumstances occupied from four to six hours. It will be readily understood that these small boats, going to such a distance from the land and having such a length of lines to haul by hand, would be frequently overtaken by a storm, and ran the risk of being overwhelmed in making the wild headlands of Shetland. Though accidents did occur, yet it is matter for surprise that they were not more frequent. This was not so much owing to the sea-worthiness of the boats themselves, as to the skill and dexterity with which they were handled, In old times they never used the sail except they could "lie course." When a storm came off the land they manned the oars and andowed ahead; and if the storm continued any length of time with severity, they ran the risk of being driven off and lost. But the most dangerous sailing, and that which required the most dexterous management, was running before the wind in a storm. We shall again imagine ourselves on board a haf boat. The wind is blowing towards the land in angry gusts. The billows of the heavy ground swell toss their heads on high, and burst in angry roar. The waves chase each other in wild confusion. How frail does our craft appear! tossed like a chip...