DEATH OF THE OTTER- KILLER. 335 



fish produce. The bottom of the boat, now covered with 

 some thousand herrings, glowed with a Uving light, 

 which the imagination could not create, and the pencil 

 never imitate. The shades of gold and silvery gems 

 were rich beyond description ; and much as I had heard of 

 phosphoric splendour before, every idea I had formed 

 fell infinitely short of its reality. 



The same care with which we entered disembarrassed 

 us of the midnight fishing ; every boat we passed pressed 

 hard to throw in a " cast of skuddawns* for the strange 

 gentleman,** meaning me ; and such was the kindness 

 of these hospitable creatures, that had I been a very 

 Behemoth I should have this night feasted to satiety 

 on their bounty. 



The wind, which had been asleep, began now to sigh 

 over the surface, and before we had cleared the outer 

 back-ropes, the sea-breeze came curUng *' the midnight 

 wave." The tide was flowing fast, and having stepped 

 the mast, we spread our large lug, and the light galley 

 slipped speedily ashore. A fire which I had noticed 

 above the Lodge kindling gradually, fanned by the rising 

 night- breeze, sprang at once into a glorious flame ; and 

 through the darkness its intense light must have been for 

 many leagues discernible. I broke my cousin's musing, 

 to ask what it was. 



" That, my friend, is one of our ancient customs ; 

 that is our beal-fire. It is lighted to notify that a death 

 has occurred, and ere long you will see it answered 

 by some of our friends and kindred. Poor old man ! 

 none deserved it better, for he would have attended religi- 

 ously to such observances, had any of my family preceded 

 him to the grave. He lighted my father's beal-fire, and 

 ♦ Anglice, Herrings. 



