“Oo ay—but it iss not the wee precipices, it iss the big hull behind them that we ca’ the Eagle Cliff.”
“Oh, indeed! I saw that cliff in a peculiar manner as I came along,” said Barret giving a description of the scene.
“Ay; it iss sometimes seen like that,” said Ian; “an’ we often see the eagle, but it’s no’ possible to git a shot at that crater. The laird is real keen to bring it doon, for it plays the mischief among the lambs, an’ him an’ his freen’s hes aften tried, but they hev not manicht it yet.”
Thus chatting they soon reached the raft, and found the disconsolate party waiting impatiently for them.
“Shall we leave it where it lies, or drag it further up on the beach?” asked Mabberly, referring to the raft.
“Ye petter haul it a wee higher up,” said Ian, examining the machine with much interest; “for when it comes on to plow there’s a heavy sea here. Weel, weel, but it iss a strange contrivance!”
“Ay; an’ also a useful one,” said the skipper, drily—at least as duly as was possible in the circumstance.
“Noo, shentlemen, I think we had petter be goin’.”
It was indeed time, for although the weather was warm and fine, the sun had set, and their damp garments began to feel uncomfortable.
At the Cove the whole party was accommodated in a single-roomed hut, which chanced to be empty at the time. Here the hospitable fishermen spread nets for bedding, and with plaids made up for the lack of blankets. They also kindled a large peat fire, and put on a pot of potatoes, and some splendid sea-trout, while Mrs Anderson prepared oat-cakes at her own fire, and sent them in as required.