190 THE BIRDS OF IONA AND MULL. 



2*7 th. — To Staffa with Mr Baker of Norfolk; he sketched 

 while I shot scarts. 



olst. — Sailed about Island of Storms. Shot a scart and 

 guillemot. 



September 6 th. — Picnicked on top of Staffa. 



October 4th. — Launched the ' Scarbh ; ' put some oatcake 

 and three leeks into the bag. There was already one leak in the 

 boat, which I got by running into the ' Breadalbane's ' anchor 

 the other day. Took Dash and the two dodaigs ; landed Mr 

 M'Vean over the ferry, and then about four p.m. sailed out of the 

 Sound. Had a stiff' breeze running along the south coast of 

 Mull ; let fly the sheet two or three times ; night overtook me 

 as I passed Lochbuie, and the wind fell light and baffling. As I 

 got fairly into the Sound of Mull, the moon rose ; tide was 

 setting me south, the wind was variable, and there were passing 

 squalls of wind and hail. The night looked wild, and I was 

 afraid of the moon becoming obscured, so I determined to stand 

 across the Sound at once, and take my chance of what land I 

 should make. Soon after midnight, as far as I could guess, I 

 approached an island, where I determined to wait till daylight, 

 as I saw a bad squall coming up. After coasting a little way 

 round the lee side of the island, I went into a little bay, where, 

 to my delight, I found a lobster-box anchored in the middle ; so 

 I moored the boat to the box, took down the mast, spread the 

 sail over the stern-sheets, and, creeping beneath it, I wrapped 

 myself up in my plaid, with my three dogs round me. The 

 night was squally, and I heard the tide roaring, but the boat 

 lay very snug, and I slept pretty well, in spite of its being 



