PUFFIN 



But I really do not know which was the more surprised at 

 my cinematograph, the birds or the St. Kildans themselves. The 

 latter are used to the ordinary camera, but a box with a long 

 tube, and a handle which the operator turned, completely baffled 

 them ; and perhaps I may be excused for digressing from my 

 subject for a moment and mentioning two amusing little incidents. 

 While on St. Kilda I was anxious to secure animated pictures 

 of the whole life of the islands, but found it exceedingly difficult 

 to get the natives to face my infernal machine, as many of them 

 imagined my kinematograph to be. I made several attempts to 

 photograph the women with their spinning-wheels. However, at 

 last I did induce one woman to give me a sitting, but only after 

 offering rather a heavy bribe, and then she insisted upon being 

 taken where none of her neighbours could see her. I got 

 everything ready, brought out her spinning wheel, and then the 

 lady herself was helped to the spot. In about twenty or thirty 

 seconds the terrible ordeal was all over, as far as she was 

 concerned, and I gave her the sum agreed upon. I believe that 

 this good soul was conscience-smitten at receiving such a sum 

 for such a short piece of work, for about an hour later her 

 daughter, who could speak but little English, came to me, held 

 out her hand, which contained the sum I had given her mother, 

 less sixpence, and exclaimed, ' Mother says, too much money ' ! 



Another little incident, which had rather a tragic sequel, 

 occurred while I was trying to photograph the women milking the 

 cows. I had made many attempts to do this, and at last 

 determined to go to the glen where the milking took place, and 

 wait for the milkmaids to appear. But the time for this came 

 and went, and then I discovered that they were watching me from 

 the hills above, and refused to come down while I remained near. 

 So I interviewed one of the maids who said that it was their 

 intention to remain there until it was dark, if necessary. 



61 M 



