264 "OFF TO THE HERRING." [CHAP. vi. 



have been carried inland in the morning, in order that they 

 might be thoroughly dried, have been brought to the boat in a 

 cart or waggon. On board there is a keg of water and a bag of 

 bread or hard biscuit ; and in addition to these simple neces- 

 saries, our boat contains a bottle of whisky which we have 

 presented by way of paying our footing. The name of our 

 skipper is Francis Sinclair, and a very gallant-looking fellow 

 he is ; and as to his dress why, his boots alone would ensure 

 the success of a Surrey melodrama ; and neither Truefit nor 

 Eoss could satisfactorily imitate his beard and whiskers. 

 Having got safely on board a rather difficult matter in a 

 crowded harbour, where the boats are elbowing each other for 

 room we contrive, with some labour, to work our way out of 

 the narrow-necked harbour into the bay, along with the nine 

 hundred and ninety-nine boats that are to accompany us in 

 our night's avocation. The heights of Pulteneytown, which 

 command the quays, are covered with spectators admiring 

 the pour-out of the herring fleet and wishing with all 

 their hearts " God speed" to the venturers : old salts who 

 have long retired from active seamanship are counting 

 their " takes" over again ; and the curer is mentally reck- 

 oning up the morrow's catch. Janet and Jeanie are smil- 

 ing a- kindly good-bye to " farther," and hoping for the safe 

 return of Donald or Murdoch ; and crowds of people are 

 scattered on the heights, all taking various degrees of interest 

 in the scene, which is stirringly picturesque to the eye of the 

 tourist, and suggestive to the thoughtful observer. 



Bounding gaily over the waves, which are crisping and 

 curling their crests under the influence of the land-breeze, our 

 shoulder-of-mutton sail filled with a good capful of wind, we 

 hug the rocky coast, passing the ruined tower known as " the 

 Old Man of Wick," which serves as a capital landmark for the 

 fleet. Soon the red sun begins to dip into the golden west, 

 burnishing the waves with lustrous crimson and silver, and 



