i66 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



it lay heavy on our hearts that a man — and such a 

 man, with such a goodly presence and such a bold 

 spirit — should die like an otter trapped in a snare; 

 and so, we — we went to the rock in the dark hour of 

 nicht, and we lowered a Jceschie [basket] to him with 

 food and cordials and clothes — everything to keep in 

 life. And then — when we knew that our men meant 

 to stone the poor defenceless captive to death, our 

 souls were melted with pity ; so we took the boat and 

 helped him to escape. We were not afraid of the 

 Denschman : and, truth to tell, he can be kind and 

 centle like other men. Or ere he left the isle — all 

 in the mirk hour— he promised that, because of what 

 we had done, he would never harry Unst again. No 

 doubt, it was wrong of us, father; but then, oh, be 

 mindful that the plight he was in could not fail to 

 touch lasses' hearts. And if good instead of harm 

 come of it — nay, has come of it — ye need not trouble 

 yourself more, but forgive us, and trust the Densch- 

 man to keep his word. He will do so. We all know 

 that a viking stands to his promise, whate'er betide." 



"The lass has spoken words of wisdom," said a 

 prudent matron, eyeing the viking's royal gifts ; and a 

 laughing seaman added : " Ay, and what would come 

 of us poor men if lasses were not pitiful, and not just 

 altogether wise at times ! " 



So the old udaller forgave his daughters, and — as 

 legend says — " after that Unst was often benefited, and 

 never more harried, by the Denschman," whose " h^d " 

 is still pointed out to the inquiring stranger. 



