UNEXFKCTET) SFGCESS. 319 



hunt for the nest of a Richardson's Skua. Presently 

 he arose from his seat upon the side of the 

 turnpike, and came running towards us at a rare 

 pace. I was curious to know what was the 

 matter, and s])eedily discovered that the liquor 

 had warmed his heart to such an extent that he 

 was bubbling over with Dutch courage, and 

 quite ready to defy a whole regiment of game- 

 keepers. 



We were back in the hotel by six o'clock 



CROFTERS HUT, OUTER HEBRIDES. 



with pictures of the nest, eggs, or young of four 

 additional species to our collection; and our guide's 

 fortune was greater than that of the Yorkshireman 

 who met a friend and gladdened him with the 

 information, ''Ay, lad, l)ut I had a grand day on't. 

 I were drunk by ten o'clock i' t' mornin'." 



In the afternoon, whilst out for a stroll on an 

 inhabited part of the island, we came upon two 

 old men cutting peats. We got into conversation 

 with them, and I volunteered to take a hand with 

 the spade. The one who was using it good- 

 naturedly complied witli my request, and it was 

 quite ludicrous to see the pair of tliem stand agape 

 with astonishment at the skill with wliich a mere 

 English tourist could handle the tool. 



