246 HISTORY OF THE 



ting out. But when the fifhery proves unfuccefsful, 

 or barely fufficient to keep them in neceflaries, it is 

 eafier to conceive than relate, the general diftrefs of 



whole 



was impoffible for us to underftand the meaning-of their cries ; 

 only we had reafon to believe that they were greatly afifedted by our 

 danger. From the repeated fignals they made, we concluded at 

 laft, that in their opinion, we might lately weigh. Trufting to 

 their fuperior fkill, and our patience being quite exhaufted, we 

 took the hint without lofs of time. But after approaching the 

 Saddle, in fpite of our united efforts, we were foon reduced to the 

 difagreeabie necefiity of (heering off. 



A little to the weft of this rock, there is a fandy beach, accefli- 

 ble only at low .water. Here is a fort of landing-place though ex-, 

 tremely dangerous, and for that reafon feldom attempted, unlels 

 the weather be very favourable. To this beach the people ran in 

 a body, after having directed us to the fame place. We obeyed wil- 

 lingly, and they, with an amazing intrepidity flew into the water 

 to meet us ; a moil defperate adventure, in which any other race 

 of men would hardly think of engaging, were they to fee their 

 neareft relations in the fame danger. The difpofition they made 

 was this : After having divided and formed themfelves into two 

 lines, the two ableit men among them marched forward into the 

 iea, each in the front of his own little corps. Thofe next in ftrength 

 and ftature, feized thefe two leaders by the middle, and the reft, 

 from one end of each row to the other, clung faft to thofe imme- 

 diately before them, wading forward till thofe who were foremoft 

 in the rank, and after them every one elfe in the order in which he 

 flood, got hold of the boat. Thofe who go from year to year to 

 St. Kilda, always take the precaution to v^rap a ftrong rope round 

 the ftern of their boat, and tie another to the prow. As foon as 

 the St. Kildians have pofted themfelves round it, they immediately 

 hand about the two ropes from one to another, till the women and 

 children who Hand upon the beach come at it, fo as to have their 

 fhare of the work. This operation, which is fo very neceflary, be- 

 ing foon over, a general fignal is given, and every individual ex- 

 erts himfelf with ail his ftrength and fpirit : The confequence is, 

 the boat and every thing contained in it, are with furprifing quick- 

 nefs and dexterity hauled on beyond the reach of the iea. 



All the ftrength of this art was with the greateft alacrity tried 

 upon this occafion, and with a fuccefs beyond any thing I could 

 have expected. Without giving time to any one of us to jump out 

 into the water, the St. Kildians hoifted up, almoft in a moment, 

 pur little yeflel, ourfelves, and all the luggage that belonged to us, 

 to a dry part of the ft rand. 



- In St. Kilda, the miferable may find relief as well as elfewhere. 

 We were received there by a very hofpitable race of Barbarians (if any- 

 one 



