CH. VI. FERRY FROM TONGUE. 77 



CHAPTEK VI. 



Ferry from Tongue— Difficulties of our Start— Seals— Shep- 

 herds, etc. — Emigration — Heilam Inn — Storm — River Hope 

 — Drive to Durness — Cave — Rock Pigeons — Inn at Rhi- 

 connich — Search for Osprey's Nest — Swimming to Nest — 

 Loch of the Eagle Fisher— Stalking the Osprey — Row up 

 the Bay — Loss of Fishing Line— Scowrie— Island of Handa 

 — Innumerable Birds, etc. 



Our start from Tongue for Durness was amusing, 

 though not without difficulty. We had to cross a 

 ferry immediately below the inn ; but on going to 

 the ferry-house and raising the flag that signified 

 the want of a large ferry-boat (the boats being on 

 the opposite side of the bay), we after some delay 

 were answered by the arrival of a small sailing- 

 boat, far too narrow to take over either horse or 

 carriage. On making inquiry of the ferryman, he 

 told us that the large boat was at present out of 

 the water and under repair, but that if we could 

 wait ten clays or a fortnight it might be ready. 

 This did not sound promising ; but I settled the 

 difficulty by sending the horse to a point, from 

 which a boy was to bring him across a part of the 

 sands fordable at low water. We then took the 

 boat off the wheels, which we managed to stow 



