THE BASS ROCK. 263 



very nutritious, and there is fine shelter in the clefts from 

 every winter storm, whatever its drift. 



If the look-up was astounding, the look-down was 

 appalling. I certainly felt little inclined to covet the 

 esteemed post of cliffman ; which office, the old sailor told 

 me with no small pride, his father had held for thirty 

 years. He had succeeded him for a few years ; but gave it 

 up, as he was too weak to throw the young solands clear 

 of the rock into the sea beneath. To do this effectually 

 requires a very powerful arm. Many years ago, an aspir- 

 ing blacksmith, trusting to his ponderous strength, offered 

 to descend the Bass Hock. The ropes were adjusted, and 

 he was lowered over the first shelf, As soon as he caught 

 sight of the blue sea, and the abyss between, he went raving 

 mad, and would not move. The people in the boat below 

 perceived his state, and made signs to let him down, which 

 was done by main force. It took several men to hold him 

 in the boat ; but, in about a month, he regained his 

 faculties. He is now an old man ; but to this day has 

 never spoken slightingly of a cliffman's duties, or volun- 

 teered his unsolicited services. 



About sixty years ago, when Canty Bay was much 

 infested by smugglers, there lived below Tantallan a 

 family of the name of Kelly. They were men of great 

 resolution and herculean strength. The old tar said he 

 had seen one of them take a pipe of smuggled wine upon 

 his knee and drink out of the " bunghole." He was not 

 at all pleased to see me smile at the relation of this feat. 

 The grandson of this family had the reputation of being 



