3o6 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



bank, and of his house being more roomy and comfort- 

 able than the cottages of his neighbours, was a sort of 

 big-wiff — " boss " our American cousins would call him 

 — amongst the Muness folk, hospitably invited us to his 

 house. " You can't attempt to cross the hills to Balta- 

 sound to-night : come with me. You won't expect fine 

 fare or fine lodgings. But we'll find something for you, 

 though it may be plain. And the wife keeps a tidy 

 house, and will give you a hearty welcome." We were 

 too glad of any shelter to be in the least particular : but 

 in truth there was no occasion for James's apologies. 

 While we were securing our boat and piltacks, he 

 despatched a messenger to inform the gudewife what 

 guests she would have for the night. So when we 

 arrived we found a blazing peat-fire both " but " and 

 *' ben," and sundry preparations actively going on for 

 a repast. James's comely wife met us at the door 

 with a bright smile and kindly welcome, " Come awa', 

 come awa'," she said to me. I'm blithe blithe ta 

 see ony bairn o' the doctor's. Bliss him ! if it hadna 

 been for him, when I was sae ill and thocht I wis 

 deein', I wid hae been lying i' the kirkyaird lang sin 

 syne." Very soon, with the keenest of keen appetites, 

 we were doing ample justice to excellent ham and egg, 

 beautiful oatmeal-cakes, flour scones, and butter, and 

 tea such as Shetlanders know well — none better — how 

 to brew. What more could we desire ? In due time 

 supper followed, consisting of piltacks and fine mealy 

 potatoes. By way of nightcap the men had a decorous 

 dram to finish off with. I was a teetotaler — indeed in 



