330 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



o'clock, and then dancing was renewed with no dimi- 

 nution of spirit. 



About nine o'clock a distant shot was heard. 

 " Griilacks ! " (Shetlandic for guisers or maskers) 

 " Griilacks ! " was the cry ; and the dance in progress 

 was instantly stopped in mid career. The gunner 

 flew for his old musket and fired off the shot of 

 welcome, without which the griilacks would not have 

 approached the house. Presently six men entered, 

 clad in most fantastic garb, which thoroughly disguised 

 them. Some wore a rude straw tunic, reaching to the 

 knee ; some a short petticoat ; each had a white or 

 striped cotton shirt over his coat ; and a gigantic 

 high-peaked straw-hat, liberally trimmed with festoons 

 of narrow ribbon of various colours, adorned his head ; 

 while a thin handkerchief concealed his face, but did 

 not blindfold him ; and in his hand he carried a stout 

 stick at least four feet long. The Skudler, or chief of 

 the band of griilacks, is distinguished from the others 

 by the more gaudy and elaborate decorations of his 

 head-dress. Welcomed by the friendly shot, these 

 strangely-attired maskers stepped boldly forward and 

 appropriated the middle space of the kitchen floor, 

 flourishing their sticks and striking the floor with them, 

 and snorting and grunting in a manner peculiar to 

 griilacks and pigs, but saying never a word. Presently, 

 Frsedie struck up the lively strains of the " Foola Keel," 

 and they danced, first by themselves, and then for an 

 hour with the girls. Then they discovered themselves, 

 had some very substantial refreshments, and departed. 



