110 NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OP THE BELL ROCK. 



effort to beat up to the Rock, but with the wind still freshen- 

 ing and the flood tide dead against her, it was utterly hopeless 

 to expect any assistance in that direction. Save the deserted 

 lightship no other sail was in sight. Taking the landing- 

 master cautiously aside, to avoid alarming the men, he 

 explained their dangerous situation. After consultation, it 

 was decided that everything of weight should be abandoned, 

 the men to strip their upper clothing, the two boats to be 

 manned to their utmost capacity, and the remainder of the 

 men to support themselves in the water by clinging to the 

 gunwales. By this means they hoped to drift down on the 

 Smeaton, a perilous journey under such circumstances, even in 

 quiet weather, but in the now disturbed state of the sea, a 

 forlorn hope. The workings being now awash with the 

 flowing tide the usual signal for ceasing work the workmen 

 were in the act of retiring to the boats to don their shoes and 

 stockings when they noticed* the absence of the boat, and 

 realised their danger. On attempting to address them with 

 his proposal, Mr Stevenson found his mouth so parched that 

 he was totally unable to articulate a single word. Stooping 

 to moisten his lips with sea water, he was suddenly startled 

 by the gladsome shout of "A boat! A boat! "and looking 

 around, there, sure enough, a large boat was seen through the 

 haze making straight for the Rock. This opportune arrival 

 proved to be James Spink, the Bell Rock pilot, employed in 

 carrying letters between Arbroath and the Rock. For his 

 services on this occasion it is gratifying to learn that in after 

 years Spink was in receipt of a pension from the Board, and 

 permitted to wear the uniform and badge of the Lighthouse 

 Service. 



Paidle-fish are now fairly numerous, their nests, with 

 attendant cocks, being met with 011 every hand. While 

 observing one of these nests the other day, at low water, 

 I had an interesting experience of the necessity for the 

 surveillance exercised by the cock. Stretched along the 

 rock, my face close to the surface of the pool, I had an 

 excellent view of the nest and its guardian, two feet below. 



