THE DOCTOR. 31 



but he always had unbounded faith in the sea-boat 

 qualities of a Shetland sixaerin, and in the consummate 

 skill of Shetland boatmen in managing it. Carefully- 

 seeing that the boat was well ballasted and equipped, 

 he stepped on board. A small closely-reefed sail was 

 hoisted, and away the buoyant little craft flew before 

 the gale, heading for a safe landing-place in Fetlar 

 some six or eight miles distant. I was afterwards 

 told by the helmsman that, although he had been at 

 sea in many a fierce storm, he had never been so near 

 being engulfed as he was several times on that 

 memorable night. 



Meantime we at home were kept in great anxiety. 

 Next day little snow fell, but the wind blew nearly as 

 hard as ever. Night came, but no word of or from 

 our father arrived ; and another day dawned and still 

 no news. It was a dreadful time for us. We could 

 endure the harrowing suspense no longer, and so shortly 

 after noon my brother and I — stout, hardy lads, who were 

 well accustomed to rough weather and stormy seas — 

 set off for Uyeasound, to seek for some intelligence. 

 Arrived at the sound side we found, rather from the 

 anxious and troubled looks of the men than from 

 much they said, that a very general fear was prevailing 

 amongst them that the doctor and boat's-crew had 

 been swallowed up in the raging sea. One old weather- 

 beaten salt, whose opinion we asked, was evasive and 

 gave not much encouragement. " There was," he said, 

 "no better seaman in Shetland than the helmsman. 

 If any man could handle a boat in a storm and heavy 



