10 VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 



directed by a small gleam of light from an aper- 

 ture in the top. 



The island of Bressay lies to the east of Main- 

 land, and is about four miles long, and two 

 broad. 



Adjoining to this Island, and on the south-east 

 side of it, lies the small but fertile Island of Noss, 

 the south headland of which is not less than four 

 hundred and eighty feet in perpendicular height. 

 Opposite to this, and distant ninety-six feet from 

 the island, stands another perpendicular rock or 

 holm, of the same height, quite level at the top, 

 and producing excellent pasture for sheep. 



To transport them there, however, might well 

 have been thought impossible; but human in- 

 genuity requires only the exhibition of difficulties 

 in order to overcome them. An islander climb- 

 ed up the rock, and having fastened some ropes 

 to stakes he drove into the soil on the top, threw 

 them across the intervening chasm to the head- 

 land, where they were in like manner fastened. 

 A cradle or basket was then drawn along these 

 ropes, and sheep are thus transported to, and 

 from the holm ; and the eggs or young of the 

 sea-fowl, which there breed in vast numbers, fall 

 an easy prey to the skill and industry of man. 



