53 the ornithologist's guide 



taken the regular road, but crossing the moors ia 

 a direction most agreeable to myself and to save 

 distance. When I returned to Lerwick two fishing- 

 ships had arrived from Greenland, and reported 

 that the Abram of Hull might be expected daily. 



On the 1 1th I went out at the north entrance of 

 the harbour, and shot one young Black Guillemot on 

 the water, being the first I had seen from the nest. 

 On the 22nd, while crossing over one of the hills, 

 I observed with my glass a ship out at sea appa- 

 rently steering for the harbour. There being little 

 wind at the time, I did not think she would be able 

 to get in that night ; however, I returned home 

 expecting it might be the Abram, and commenced 

 preparing my things for the passage. At eleven 

 o'clock at night the ship came to anchor, and she 

 proved to be the vessel 1 had expected. Early the 

 next morning I got my packages, &c. on board. 

 The Captain having settled his business on shore 

 we weighed anchor at eleven o'clock, and with a fair 

 wind proceeded out of the harbour, bidding adieu, 

 though I trusted not for the last time, to bleak 

 and barren Shetland, over whose mountains I had 

 had many severe days' toil. To its hospitable in- 

 habitants I shall ever feel grateful ; for from them 

 I received the greatest kindness and attention, and 

 for them T shall ever entertain the highest respect. 



