FARNE ISLANDS AND THEIR BIRDS 167 



"going" for me. A party of tourists visited the 

 island one afternoon, and one of them, not knowing 

 his ass-ship's tastes, held out about three ounces of 

 "twist" for him to smell. Greatly to his discom- 

 fiture, and the donkey's delight, this was at once 

 snatched away, and the happy creature trotted off 

 to a quiet corner to enjoy the largest and most 

 luxuriant "chew" he had ever indulged in. After a 

 time he came back, and a lady tourist patted him 

 and put her arm round his neck ; but no sooner 

 was he thus caressed than he resumed his exciting 

 exercises, so the visitors, judging that discretion was 

 the better part of valour, left the island. After their 

 departure the donkey's antics would have delighted 

 Lord George Sanger himself. 



A few years ago there used to be a goat on the 

 island, and a very amusing tale was told me about 

 this knowing animal. Someone arranged to sleep in 

 St. Cuthbert's Tower, and his friends jokingly told 

 him that he would be sure to see the mediaeval saint's 

 ghost when darkness fell. However, he laughed at 

 such a suggestion, and made out that he was not 

 afraid. At dusk he took a walk round the island, 

 and stayed out until it was dark. On his return to 

 the tower he repeatedly heard a rustling noise near, 

 and then thought he saw a shadowy form go past 

 once or twice, and by the time he reached the door 

 of the tower his nerves were to some extent upset. 



