FOLK-LORE FROM UNST. 203 



corn which he had been guarding, as it was observed 

 that he objected to being overlooked, and resented such 

 interference by laying the screivs in Tierda (scattering 

 the corn stacks). Broonie seemed to have taken a 

 whole neighbourhood under his protection, and was 

 seen gliding from yard to yard in the cold evenings, 

 casting his spells upon the crop. The people felt sorry 

 for Broonie, exposed to the chill night air, so they made 

 a cloak and hood for him, and laid it in a yard which 

 he frequented. Broonie took the well-intentioned gift 

 as an offence, for he was never seen again. 



Any woman who has been fortunate enough to see 

 a Trow affirms that he always appeared to walk — or 

 rather skip — backwards. He seemed to have no diffi- 

 culty in doing so, but got over the ground as quickly 

 as if he had been moving along like an ordinary mortal. 

 I dare say those who have frequently to appear before 

 royalty would wish to take lessons from a Trow in the 

 art of walking backwards. I have noted that men 

 usually see Trows moving forward after the common 

 way, and I have no doubt the seeming eccentricity is 

 simply a mark of good breeding, for Trows evidently 

 honour the gentle sex. 



There was a girl, whose mother had been taken by 

 the Trows at the girl's birth, who grew up to be a lovely 

 creature, with golden hair. Such hair had never been 

 seen in Unst, so long, soft, shining. It fell in golden 

 waves about her, and such an unusual mode of wearing 

 it created much wonder. No maiden — not even a 

 child — ever permitted her hair to fall as it pleased 



