The Pilot.——A Tobermory Lassie.
The evening was given up to recreation, including dancing to the music of the ship’s band, under the awning on the promenade deck, which, lighted up with electric lamps, made a spacious and brilliant ballroom. This was carried on in presence of nearly the whole population of Tobermory, which had come out, on Sir Donald’s invitation, to see the stately ship. The performances were not by any means confined to the saloon folks. Our stalwart pilot, relieved of his duties for the night, came out strong in the ‘reels’; and, having shown his paces in a ‘fling’ with our chief, he was in great request with the Tobermory lassies, with one of whom he engaged in a kind of terpsichorean duel, which reminded the spectators of
‘The dancing pair that, simply, sought renown
By holding out to tire each other down.’
Another hero of the dance was one of the quartermasters, who was a match for any of the natives, or, for that matter, for any of the crew, engineers or seamen. It was a case of ‘one down, another come on,’ and the contest might have lasted till break of day. Unfortunately, however, the festivities were marred by a heavy downpour of rain; but that did not prevent the singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and ‘God save the Queen,’ or hearty cheers for our host, before the party broke up. One could not but feel sorry for the poor people who had to find their way to the shore in the dark, and through the pelting, pitiless rain.
Ardtornish Castle.
V
ROUND ABOUT SKYE