PRIMITIVE NORTH SEA MEN 35 



vegetables, and groceries down the piers or on the quays 

 of some quaint haven. They crowd into their confined 

 and evil-smelling quarters, and make themselves com- 

 fortable and happy. To this end they brew innocuous 

 drinks, or mix strong spirit with the contents of the 

 water-cask, though there are primitive North Sea men 

 who hold it more than half a sin to favour such un- 

 natural alliances. 



The tale is told and, like many other stories, it 

 may be true of the Scotch skipper whose lugger was in 

 port for the week-end. He gave the boy a sovereign, 

 strictly charging him to lay it out in food and drink to 

 the best advantage. In due season the youth returned, 

 bearing half a dozen bottles of whisky and a penny 

 loaf. For a moment the master gazed admiringly, then 

 exclaimed despairingly, " Heaven forgive you, boy ! 

 Whatever shall we do wi' all this bread ? " 



