WIIITE-TAILED EAGLE. 
ground ; a nest of the White-tailed had been already discovered, and this they were anxious that I should 
proceed to on the first opportunity. Being several miles from the lodge, it was quite possible that it might 
he robbed by the fishermen from some of the adjacent islands, who occasionally visited that part of the coast 
in boats in search of seaweed, which they gathered for manure to put on their small pieces of cultivated 
ground. This weed and the roofs of their houses, which they arc forced to remove once a year when the thatch 
is completely rotted by smoke and soot, form the only dressing that their land ever gets. 
“ Sunday, 29tli. Luckily, although cold, the morning was fine, the minister having arrived the night before 
and put up at the lodge on purpose to preach in the district to the fishermen and crofters who lived in the 
small villages on the coast. A sail was spread over three oars on the bleak hillside opposite the lodge, and 
beneath this shelter, which much resembled the wigwam of an Indian chief, the minister held forth, first in 
English and then in Gaelic, to a congregation of nearly one hundred persons, who mostly arrived in boats, only 
a few crossing the hills on foot. For at least a couple of hours they sat on the damp grass and heather, exposed 
to the biting cold east wind and a drifting rain that set in some time before the service was concluded, evidently 
listening with the greatest attention to the exhortations of the preacher. The minister himself afterwards told 
me that wet or fine, hail, snow, or sunshine, the people would be there if possible ; and although several were at 
times laid up by the exposure, and some not unfrcqucntly died from the effects of the cold, they would never 
miss a chance when lie came into the district two or three times a year. The only absentees, he stated, were a 
few of the poor old bodies, who were kept away by the absolute want of clothes to appear in. 
“ 30th. We did not make a particularly early start for the Eagle’s nest, as the minister was returning home 
today, and I stopped to take leave of him. Before our departure he gave a short farewell service inside the 
lodge to the inmates and some of the men; This unfortunately received an unexpected and somewhat protracted 
interruption. It had, I suppose, been imagined that the minister would confine the service to reading portions 
of the scripture and prayers ; to conclude, however, lie gave out a hymn, and as no preparations had been made 
for moving the dogs of the establishment, it caused a slight delay while ‘ Scamp,’ a roguish terrier basking in 
front of the fire, was hustled from the room, and two stout serving lassies were despatched to the kitchen to 
help ‘Athol,’ a magnificent retriever, to sustain himself under the trials in store for him. 
“ All went well during the first verse ; with the exception of a stifled whimper from ‘ Scamp ’ there was 
not the slightest interruption. This, however, was but the calm before the storm : after a short pause the 
second verse was commenced ; then a sound like a smothered groan was heard, and next a prolonged and 
melancholy howl proclaimed the fact that ‘ Athol ’ refused to be pacified. Large as a donkey and powerful as a 
bull his voice was perfectly deafening, and a stoppage was made while a couple of men were told off to assist in 
preserving order. No sooner was a beginning again attempted than it was obvious that further reinforcements 
were necessary. ‘ Scamp ’ had now broken loose, and having taken to the stairs, lie resolutely refused to bo 
either caught or comforted. At last he was driven to some remote corner, where his miserable yells were 
scarcely audible ; then, with a congregation sadly reduced in numbers, the singing was recommenced and 
continued to the end.” 
I should not have mentioned this incident, only it tends to show how peculiarly devout and reverent is the 
disposition of the people, and how deeply impressed they are by the sanctity of all matters connected with 
religion. Had such an interruption taken place during prayers in most English households, I am afraid the 
solemn nature of the proceedings would have been sadly interfered with ; but, although the pauses were long 
and somewhat trying, not the slightest signs of a smile were visible on the countenances of any of those 
assembled. 
“ At last we were off, our impedimenta (consisting of ropes, traps, and provisions) furnishing loads for 
about half a dozen keepers and gillies. It was past midday before we reached the neighbourhood of the nest ; 
the weather, although dull, having been fine, a part of the journey had been performed by boat. 
