The Pirate

Note III. (#n_Note2_3_18_24)– The Pictish Burgh.

83

Jarto, my dear.

84

The MacRaws were followers of the MacKenzies, whose chief has the name of Caberfae, or Buckshead, from the cognisance borne on his standards. Unquestionably the worthy piper trained the seal on the same principle of respect to the clan-term which I have heard has been taught to dogs, who, unused to any other air, dance after their fashion to the tune of Caberfae.

85

The spells described in this chapter are not altogether imaginary. By this mode of pouring lead into water, and selecting the part which chances to assume a resemblance to the human heart, which must be worn by the patient around her or his neck, the sage persons of Zetland pretend to cure the fatal disorder called the loss of a heart.

86

So at least says an Orkney proverb.

87

Jokul, yes, sir; a Norse expression, still in common use.

88

The Bicker of Saint Magnus, a vessel of enormous dimensions, was preserved at Kirkwall, and presented to each bishop of the Orkneys. If the new incumbent was able to quaff it out at one draught, which was a task for Hercules or Rorie Mhor of Dunvegan, the omen boded a crop of unusual fertility.

89

Luggie, a famous conjurer, was wont, when storms prevented him from going to his usual employment of fishing, to angle over a steep rock, at the place called, from his name, Luggie’s Knoll. At other times he drew up dressed food while they were out at sea, of which his comrades partook boldly from natural courage, without caring who stood cook. The poor man was finally condemned and burnt at Scalloway.

90

Note IV. (#n_Note2_4_19_24)– Antique Coins found in Zetland.

91

Young unbroke horse.

92

In Gaelic, there.

93

It is very curious that the grouse, plenty in Orkney as the text declares, should be totally unknown in the neighbouring archipelago of Zetland, which is only about sixty miles distance, with the Fair Isle as a step between.

94

The pirates gave this name to the black flag, which, with many horrible devices to enhance its terrors, was their favourite ensign.

95

It was anciently a custom at Saint Olla’s Fair at Kirkwall, that the young people of the lower class, and of either sex, associated in pairs for the period of the Fair, during which the couple were termed Lambmas brother and sister. It is easy to conceive that the exclusive familiarity arising out of this custom was liable to abuse, the rather that it is said little scandal was attached to the indiscretions which it occasioned.

96

See an explanation of this promise, Note II. (#n_Note2_2_16_24) of this volume.

97

Note V. (#n_Note2_5_21_24)– Character of Norna.

98

Note VI. (#n_Note2_6_21_24)– Birds of Prey.

99

This was really an exploit of the celebrated Avery the pirate, who suddenly, and without provocation, fired his pistols under the table where he sat drinking with his messmates, wounded one man severely, and thought the matter a good jest. What is still more extraordinary, his crew regarded it in the same light.

100

A ship going fast through the sea is said to cut a feather, alluding to the ripple which she throws off from her bows.

101

Commonly called by landsmen, Spanish dollars.

102

Liquor brewed for a Christmas treat.

103

A well, in the language of those seas, denotes one of the whirlpools, or circular eddies, which wheel and boil with astonishing strength, and are very dangerous. Hence the distinction, in old English, betwixt wells and waves, the latter signifying the direct onward course of the tide, and the former the smooth, glassy, oily-looking whirlpools, whose strength seems to the eye almost irresistible.

104

Note VII. (#n_Note2_7_23_24)– The Standing Stones of Stennis.

105

We have been able to learn nothing with certainty of Bunce’s fate; but our friend, Dr Dryasdust, believes he may be identified with an old gentleman, who, in the beginning of the reign of George I., attended the Rose Coffee-house regularly, went to the theatre every night, told mercilessly long stories about the Spanish Main, controlled reckonings, bullied waiters, and was generally known by the name of Captain Bounce.

106

We may suppose the beads to have been of the potent adderstone, to which so many virtues were ascribed.

107