Mk. QlamVOBD'i History and Description of the Kelp Manufacture. 249 



is rapidly advancing upon them, and the weeds are beginning to float, 

 enclosed within the swaddled rope, the extreme ends of which are drawn 

 up as far as possible upon the shore, and securely fastened to a rock or 

 stone. The company are now at liberty for a couple of hours or so, and 

 with the exception of one or two men who may bo left in charge of the 

 rope, if con.-idi'n-d ins. cure, they proceed towards their temporary hut or 

 caliin, situated within a short distance of where they have been working. 

 Their firo is rekindled, the pot with writer is soon boiling, and the meal 

 stirred in ; when ready, the whole, which is usually pretty thick, is turned 

 out into a wooden cog, and when cold enough, supped. This, with sour 

 milk or treacle and water, followed with a bit of bannock and a drink of 

 spring water, constitutes tho chief ingredients of their diet. On this 

 simple fare these men live for two, three, or four months almost uninter- 

 ruptedly without experiencing any disease — with the occasional exception 

 of boils upon their legs or arms — and always apparently in good health 

 and spirits. For many hours each day they are exposed to all weathers, 

 wet to the skin with salt or rain water, mostly always with salt water, 

 and yet with few or no bad results ; on the contrary, it is said they 

 improve in health while so engaged, and if I may judge from my own 

 experience, I should certainly say, they do. For the most part these men 

 are tough and sinewy, possess great strength, and when they choose 

 evince much agility. There are few or no corpulent men amongst the 

 islanders. 



When the tide is full, the men proceed again to the shore, and draw 

 the rope as far in as possible upon the beach, or if it is not a convenient 

 spot for landing, the boat is put in requisition, and the rope, with the 

 encircled wreck, is hauled into port. The boat is manned with four men 

 — one man at each oar, with one at the bow and one at the stern. The 

 end of the rope attached to the wreck is securely fastened to the stern of 

 the boat, and hauled along. If, however, the tide or current be 

 against them, different tactics are necessary. The boat shoots ahead 

 of the rope as far as its painter will allow, the man at the bow throws out 

 his anchor, and when securely fixed the whole body haul in the rope 

 towards the boat, the same operation is repeated until they reach their 

 destination or "port." This is usually, if possible, a gently sloping 

 beach, free from large stones and gravel, where easy access can be 

 had to the inland, and where there is ample freo room to dry and sort the 

 la for burning. The rope is now secured at the highest of tide, and 

 when tho tide recedes the wreck is left dry. During the next ebb tide 

 the weeds are carried higher up on the beach or upon the grass, and if 

 there bo sufficient time, spread out to dry in the sun's rays. The time 

 of the company is thus pretty much taken up with the various operations, 

 which aro conducted with considerable regularity and system. The 

 Weeds which have been cut during the Ipring tides, and which may 

 be nearly dried, aro fully dried and burned during the days of neap or 

 small tides. It is of the utmost importance for all their operations that 



