194 



PORTLAND STONE QUARRIES. 



they could lay their hand on from their neighbours, including 

 wearing apparel, which could be redeemed by paying a small 

 tribute. On that day there was no law to interfere. The custom 

 is said to have originated from an attack upon the islanders by some 

 foreigners, who killed all the men they could find on the island and 

 saved the women alive. Many men hid themselves, and when 

 the foreigners thought they had gained the confidence of the women 

 and were safe they and the men who were hidden rose and killed 

 the foreigners. 



