22 the ornithologist's guide 



firmed this view by assenting to the opinion of 

 the sailors, that they were devils, who, in the 

 shape of seals, destroyed their fishing-nets, adding, 

 i{ It seems more than probable that evil spirits 

 frequented both the land and the sea. 5 ' 



I shall now return, after this long digression, 

 to give a description of my own proceedings. 

 Immediately after my landing I set about the 

 business of my journey, and having procured 

 lodgings, the next thing necessary was to engage 

 a man as servant, to accompany me either in the 

 boat or on shore. I had not much difficulty in 

 accomplishing this, and selected one who, with 

 many other good qualifications, was a pretty good 

 shot, and who on many occasions was very 

 useful to me in that capacity. I engaged this 

 man on both my visits to the Shetland Islands, 

 and only speak the truth and pay him a just 

 compliment when I say, he was at all times very 

 attentive, and, above all, perfectly honest and 

 faithful in the discharge of his duty. The wages 

 I paid him were nine shillings per week, whether 

 I had occasion for his services or not, and an 

 additional allowance of spirits and biscuit, the 

 quantity of which was regulated by our journey 

 and the state of the weather ; he was also to have 

 the blubber of the seals, if any were shot. I next 



