244 The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



previously arranged with him to take them out after 

 sunset for work with the surface net. 



On the homeward course, as they passed a yacht 

 lying in the bay, their man called to those on board 

 that they were to take the boat up before eight 

 o'clock and leave it at the pier for the captain. At 

 eight o'clock the two naturalists returned to the pier, 

 and found their man there with a nice clean boat. 

 They stepped into it, and another gentleman who 

 was on the pier followed, without a word being ex- 

 changed between them during the time they were 

 out. It was not for long, because their man would 

 not go to the place that suited their purpose. 



As there was a rivulet which entered the bay close 

 to the pier, they wanted to go further out to be 

 beyond the influence of the fresh water. But the 

 boatman would only row them from side to side, 

 instead of straight out into k the bay, as they desired, 

 maintaining that if they went out the tide would be 

 against them and too strong to allow of their getting 

 home that night. As it was no use fighting longer 

 with him, they returned home. 



When he had brought their traps up to the hotel 

 he asked for his money, which was handed to him, 

 without any abatement from what had been agreed 

 upon, although his behaviour had nearly frustrated 

 the object of the excursion. Estimating his services 

 in inverse proportion to their value, he cursed and 

 swore at the payment made. Was that what they 

 would offer him for the work he had done ? 



Mr. Robertson, whose kindly and generous temper 

 is not incapable of firmness upon occasion, replied 



