A TRIP TO SHETLAND. 403 



of gain. Not only is it valuable on account of its pro- 

 ducts, which human ingenuity has utilized for so many 

 purposes ; hut as the nursery of a race of skilful and 

 hardy seamen, in whom the old Norse blood, with its love 

 of adventure, its indefatigable courage, and its unconquer- 

 able resolve, seems to flow uncorrupted. 



Those of our readers who feel an irresistible desire to 

 take part in a whale-hunt, but are unwilling to voyage so 

 far as Melville Bay or North Greenland, should make a 

 trip to Shetland. The "caaing" whale is a frequent 

 visitor to its rocky coast ; and the spotted whale is not 

 uncommon. True it is that the great Greenland or 

 right whale, the Balcena mysticetus, seldom puts in an 

 appearance ; but very pretty sport, for those adventur- 

 ously inclined, may be got out of a " caaing " whale. 



As soon as a shoal of these " monsters of the deep " is 

 descried, the news rapidly spreads from one hamlet to 

 another, and everybody repeats the cry of " Whales ! 

 whales ! whales ! " The farmer abandons his oxen, and 

 the fisherman throws aside his lines, and the housewife 

 deserts her knitting, and the children fling away their 

 playthings, and a general rush to the boats takes place. 

 All are eager for the fray, and hasten to collect their 

 weapons kitchen-knives, harpoons, lances, and the like. 

 The principal personage of the crowd takes the command, 

 marshals his flotilla into something like order, and leads 

 the way out to sea. 



On approaching the enemy, the boats creep slowly 

 round them, making every possible effort to interpose 

 between the whales and the open sea. When successful 

 in this manoeuvre, they begin to close in upon the pack, 

 and force it towards some shallow and sandy bay. Dur- 



