TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 21 



her waterproof dress, but the Shetlander grew 

 pale with fear when he observed the stormy 

 waters he had to cross, and particularly with 

 such a conveyance ; he therefore very prudently 

 begged leave of the matron that he might be per- 

 mitted, for his better preservation, to cut a few 

 holes in her sides and flanks, in order to procure 

 between her skin and flesh a more secure fasten- 

 ing for his hands and feet. The request being 

 complied with the man grasped the neck of the 

 seal, and committed himself to her care ; she 

 scrupulously performed her promise, and landed 

 him in safety on the shore, when he immediately 

 went in search of the skin, which he was success- 

 ful in finding, and brought it to the lady. They 

 parted mutually satisfied, Groga taking with her 

 the skin of her son, the only thing that would 

 restore him to his lost home, one of those coral 

 mansions, over which the sea spreads its green 

 mantle. 



Seals were regarded by the Shetlanders in the 

 earlier periods of Christianity as fallen angels, 

 who for some act they had committed were con- 

 demned to dwell in the sea, with the privilege of 

 assuming other forms. They had also the name 

 of Sea Frows given them, as be.onging to the 

 Prince of Darkness. Brand seems to have con*- 



