CHAPTER XVII.

They man their boats, and all the young men arm,

With whatsoever might the monsters harm;

Pikes, halberds, spits, and darts, that wound afar,

The tools of peace, and implements of war.

Now was the time for vigorous lads to show

What love or honour could incite them to;--

A goodly theatre, where rocks are round

With reverend age and lovely lasses crown'd.

_Battle of the Summer Islands._

The morning which succeeds such a feast as that of Magnus Troil, usually

lacks a little of the zest which seasoned the revels of the preceding

day, as the fashionable reader may have observed at a public breakfast

during the race-week in a country town; for, in what is called the best

society, these lingering moments are usually spent by the company, each

apart in their own dressing-rooms. At Burgh-Westra, it will readily be

believed, no such space for retirement was afforded; and the lasses,

with their paler cheeks, the elder dames, with many a wink and yawn,

were compelled to meet with their male companions (headaches and all)

just three hours after they had parted from each other.

Eric Scambester had done all that man could do to supply the full means

of diverting the ennui of the morning meal. The board groaned with

rounds of hung beef, made after the fashion of Zetland--with

pasties--with baked meats--with fish, dressed and cured in every

possible manner; nay, with the foreign delicacies of tea, coffee, and

chocolate; for, as we have already had occasion to remark, the situation

of these islands made them early acquainted with various articles of

foreign luxury, which were, as yet, but little known in Scotland, where,

at a much later period than that we write of, one pound of green tea was

dressed like cabbage, and another converted into a vegetable sauce for

salt beef, by the ignorance of the good housewives to whom they had been

sent as rare presents.

Besides these preparations, the table exhibited whatever mighty potions

are resorted to by _bons vivans_, under the facetious name of a "hair of

the dog that bit you." There was the potent Irish Usquebaugh--right

Nantz--genuine Schiedamm--Aquavitæ from Caithness--and Golden Wasser

from Hamburgh; there was rum of formidable antiquity, and cordials from

the Leeward Islands. After these details, it were needless to mention

the stout home-brewed ale--the German mum, and Schwartz beer--and still

more would it be beneath our dignity to dwell upon the innumerable sorts

of pottage and flummery, together with the bland, and various

preparations of milk, for those who preferred thinner potations.

No wonder that the sight of so much good cheer awakened the appetite and

raised the spirits of the fatigued revellers. The young men began

immediately to seek out their partners of the preceding evening, and to

renew the small talk which had driven the night so merrily away; while

Magnus, with his stout old Norse kindred, encouraged, by precept and

example, those of elder days and graver mood, to a substantial

flirtation with the good things before them. Still, however, there was

a long period to be filled up before dinner; for the most protracted

breakfast cannot well last above an hour; and it was to be feared that

Claud Halcro meditated the occupation of this vacant morning with a

formidable recitation of his own verses, besides telling, at its full

length, the whole history of his introduction to glorious John Dryden.

But fortune relieved the guests of Burgh-Westra from this threatened

infliction, by sending them means of amusement peculiarly suited to

their taste and habits.

Most of the guests were using their toothpicks, some were beginning to

talk of what was to be done next, when, with haste in his step, fire in

his eye, and a harpoon in his hand, Eric Scambester came to announce to

the company, that there was a whale on shore, or nearly so, at the

throat of the voe! Then you might have seen such a joyous, boisterous,

and universal bustle, as only the love of sport, so deeply implanted in

our nature, can possibly inspire. A set of country squires, about to

beat for the first woodcocks of the season, were a comparison as petty,

in respect to the glee, as in regard to the importance of the object;

the battue, upon a strong cover in Ettrick Forest, for the destruction

of the foxes;(_m_) the insurrection of the sportsmen of the Lennox, when

one of the Duke's deer gets out from Inch-Mirran; nay, the joyous rally

of the fox-chase itself, with all its blithe accompaniments of hound and

horn, fall infinitely short of the animation with which the gallant sons

of Thule set off to encounter the monster, whom the sea had sent for

their amusement at so opportune a conjuncture.

The multifarious stores of Burgh-Westra were rummaged hastily for all

sorts of arms, which could be used on such an occasion. Harpoons,

swords, pikes, and halberds, fell to the lot of some; others contented

themselves with hay-forks, spits, and whatever else could be found, that

was at once long and sharp. Thus hastily equipped, one division, under

the command of Captain Cleveland, hastened to man the boats which lay in

the little haven, while the rest of the party hurried by land to the

scene of action.

Poor Triptolemus was interrupted in a plan, which he, too, had formed

against the patience of the Zetlanders, and which was to have consisted

in a lecture upon the agriculture, and the capabilities of the country,

by this sudden hubbub, which put an end at once to Halcro's poetry, and

to his no less formidable prose. It may be easily imagined, that he took

very little interest in the sport which was so suddenly substituted for

his lucubrations, and he would not even have deigned to have looked upon

the active scene which was about to take place, had he not been

stimulated thereunto by the exhortations of Mistress Baby. "Pit yoursell

forward, man," said that provident person, "pit yoursell forward--wha

kens whare a blessing may light?--they say that a' men share and share

equals-aquals in the creature's ulzie, and a pint o't wad be worth

siller, to light the cruise in the lang dark nights that they speak of.

Pit yoursell forward, man--there's a graip to ye--faint heart never wan

fair lady--wha kens but what, when it's fresh, it may eat weel eneugh,

and spare butter?"

What zeal was added to Triptolemus's motions, by the prospect of eating

fresh train-oil, instead of butter, we know not; but, as better might

not be, he brandished the rural implement (a stable-fork) with which he

was armed, and went down to wage battle with the whale.

The situation in which the enemy's ill fate had placed him, was

particularly favourable to the enterprise of the islanders. A tide of

unusual height had carried the animal over a large bar of sand, into the

voe or creek in which he was now lying. So soon as he found the water

ebbing, he became sensible of his danger, and had made desperate efforts

to get over the shallow water, where the waves broke on the bar; but

hitherto he had rather injured than mended his condition, having got

himself partly aground, and lying therefore particularly exposed to the

meditated attack. At this moment the enemy came down upon him. The front

ranks consisted of the young and hardy, armed in the miscellaneous

manner we have described; while, to witness and animate their efforts,

the young women, and the elderly persons of both sexes, took their place

among the rocks, which overhung the scene of action.

As the boats had to double a little headland, ere they opened the mouth

of the voe, those who came by land to the shores of the inlet, had time

to make the necessary reconnoissances upon the force and situation of

the enemy, on whom they were about to commence a simultaneous attack by

land and sea.

This duty, the stout-hearted and experienced general, for so the Udaller

might be termed, would intrust to no eyes but his own; and, indeed, his

external appearance, and his sage conduct, rendered him alike qualified

for the command which he enjoyed. His gold-laced hat was exchanged for a

bearskin cap, his suit of blue broadcloth, with its scarlet lining, and

loops, and frogs of bullion, had given place to a red flannel jacket,

with buttons of black horn, over which he wore a seal-skin shirt

curiously seamed and plaited on the bosom, such as are used by the

Esquimaux, and sometimes by the Greenland whale-fishers. Sea-boots of a

formidable size completed his dress, and in his hand he held a large

whaling-knife, which he brandished, as if impatient to employ it in the

operation of _flinching_ the huge animal which lay before them,--that

is, the act of separating its flesh from its bones. Upon closer

examination, however, he was obliged to confess, that the sport to which

he had conducted his friends, however much it corresponded with the

magnificent scale of his hospitality, was likely to be attended with its

own peculiar dangers and difficulties.

The animal, upwards of sixty feet in length, was lying perfectly still,

in a deep part of the voe into which it had weltered, and where it

seemed to await the return of tide, of which it was probably assured by

instinct. A council of experienced harpooners was instantly called, and

it was agreed that an effort should be made to noose the tail of this

torpid leviathan, by casting a cable around it, to be made fast by

anchors to the shore, and thus to secure against his escape, in case the

tide should make before they were able to dispatch him. Three boats were

destined to this delicate piece of service, one of which the Udaller

himself proposed to command, while Cleveland and Mertoun were to direct

the two others. This being decided, they sat down on the strand, waiting

with impatience until the naval part of the force should arrive in the

voe. It was during this interval, that Triptolemus Yellowley, after

measuring with his eyes the extraordinary size of the whale, observed,

that in his poor mind, "A wain with six owsen, or with sixty owsen

either, if they were the owsen of the country, could not drag siccan a

huge creature from the water, where it was now lying, to the sea-beach."

Trifling as this remark may seem to the reader, it was connected with a

subject which always fired the blood of the old Udaller, who, glancing

upon Triptolemus a quick and stern look, asked him what the devil it

signified, supposing a hundred oxen could not drag the whale upon the

beach? Mr. Yellowley, though not much liking the tone with which the

question was put, felt that his dignity and his profit compelled him to

answer as follows:--"Nay, sir--you know yoursell, Master Magnus Troil,

and every one knows that knows any thing, that whales of siccan size as

may not be masterfully dragged on shore by the instrumentality of one

wain with six owsen, are the right and property of the Admiral, who is

at this time the same noble lord who is, moreover, Chamberlain of these

isles."

"And I tell you, Mr. Triptolemus Yellowley," said the Udaller, "as I

would tell your master if he were here, that every man who risks his

life to bring that fish ashore, shall have an equal share and partition,

according to our ancient and loveable Norse custom and wont; nay, if

there is so much as a woman looking on, that will but touch the cable,

she will be partner with us; ay, and more than all that, if she will but

say there is a reason for it, we will assign a portion to the babe that

is unborn."(_n_)

The strict principle of equity, which dictated this last arrangement,

occasioned laughter among the men, and some slight confusion among the

women. The factor, however, thought it shame to be so easily daunted.

"_Suum cuique tribuito_," said he; "I will stand for my lord's right and

my own."

"Will you?" replied Magnus; "then, by the Martyr's bones, you shall have

no law of partition but that of God and Saint Olave, which we had before

either factor, or treasurer, or chamberlain were heard of!--All shall

share that lend a hand, and never a one else. So you, Master Factor,

shall be busy as well as other folk, and think yourself lucky to share

like other folk. Jump into that boat," (for the boats had by this time

pulled round the headland,) "and you, my lads, make way for the factor

in the stern-sheets--he shall be the first man this blessed day that

shall strike the fish."

The loud authoritative voice, and the habit of absolute command inferred

in the Udaller's whole manner, together with the conscious want of

favourers and backers amongst the rest of the company, rendered it

difficult for Triptolemus to evade compliance, although he was thus

about to be placed in a situation equally novel and perilous. He was

still, however, hesitating, and attempting an explanation, with a voice

in which anger was qualified by fear, and both thinly disguised under an

attempt to be jocular, and to represent the whole as a jest, when he

heard the voice of Baby maundering in his ear,--"Wad he lose his share

of the ulzie, and the lang Zetland winter coming on, when the lightest

day in December is not so clear as a moonless night in the Mearns?"

This domestic instigation, in addition to those of fear of the Udaller,

and shame to seem less courageous than others, so inflamed the

agriculturist's spirits, that he shook his _graip_ aloft, and entered

the boat with the air of Neptune himself, carrying on high his trident.

The three boats destined for this perilous service, now approached the

dark mass, which lay like an islet in the deepest part of the voe, and

suffered them to approach without showing any sign of animation.

Silently, and with such precaution as the extreme delicacy of the

operation required, the intrepid adventurers, after the failure of their

first attempt, and the expenditure of considerable time, succeeded in

casting a cable around the body of the torpid monster, and in carrying

the ends of it ashore, when an hundred hands were instantly employed in

securing them. But ere this was accomplished, the tide began to make

fast, and the Udaller informed his assistants, that either the fish must

be killed, or at least greatly wounded, ere the depth of water on the

bar was sufficient to float him; or that he was not unlikely to escape

from their joint prowess.

"Wherefore," said he, "we must set to work, and the factor shall have

the honour to make the first throw."

The valiant Triptolemus caught the word; and it is necessary to say that

the patience of the whale, in suffering himself to be noosed without

resistance, had abated his terrors, and very much lowered the creature

in his opinion. He protested the fish had no more wit, and scarcely more

activity, than a black snail; and, influenced by this undue contempt of

the adversary, he waited neither for a further signal, nor a better

weapon, nor a more suitable position, but, rising in his energy, hurled

his graip with all his force against the unfortunate monster. The boats

had not yet retreated from him to the distance necessary to ensure

safety, when this injudicious commencement of the war took place.

Magnus Troil, who had only jested with the factor, and had reserved the

launching the first spear against the whale to some much more skilful

hand, had just time to exclaim, "Mind yourselves, lads, or we are all

swamped!" when the monster, roused at once from inactivity by the blow

of the factor's missile, blew, with a noise resembling the explosion of

a steam-engine, a huge shower of water into the air, and at the same

time began to lash the waves with his tail in every direction. The boat

in which Magnus presided received the shower of brine which the animal

spouted aloft; and the adventurous Triptolemus, who had a full share of

the immersion, was so much astonished and terrified by the consequences

of his own valorous deed, that he tumbled backwards amongst the feet of

the people, who, too busy to attend to him, were actively engaged in

getting the boat into shoal water, out of the whale's reach. Here he lay

for some minutes, trampled on by the feet of the boatmen, until they lay

on their oars to bale, when the Udaller ordered them to pull to shore,

and land this spare hand, who had commenced the fishing so

inauspiciously.

While this was doing, the other boats had also pulled off to safer

distance, and now, from these as well as from the shore, the unfortunate

native of the deep was overwhelmed by all kinds of missiles,--harpoons

and spears flew against him on all sides--guns were fired, and each

various means of annoyance plied which could excite him to exhaust his

strength in useless rage. When the animal found that he was locked in by

shallows on all sides, and became sensible, at the same time, of the

strain of the cable on his body, the convulsive efforts which he made to

escape, accompanied with sounds resembling deep and loud groans, would

have moved the compassion of all but a practised whale-fisher. The

repeated showers which he spouted into the air began now to be mingled

with blood, and the waves which surrounded him assumed the same crimson

appearance. Meantime the attempts of the assailants were redoubled; but

Mordaunt Mertoun and Cleveland, in particular, exerted themselves to the

uttermost, contending who should display most courage in approaching the

monster, so tremendous in its agonies, and should inflict the most deep

and deadly wounds upon its huge bulk.

The contest seemed at last pretty well over; for although the animal

continued from time to time to make frantic exertions for liberty, yet

its strength appeared so much exhausted, that, even with the assistance

of the tide, which had now risen considerably, it was thought it could

scarcely extricate itself.

Magnus gave the signal to venture nearer to the whale, calling out at

the same time, "Close in, lads, he is not half so mad now--The Factor

may look for a winter's oil for the two lamps at Harfra--Pull close in,

lads."

Ere his orders could be obeyed, the other two boats had anticipated his

purpose; and Mordaunt Mertoun, eager to distinguish himself above

Cleveland, had, with the whole strength he possessed, plunged a

half-pike into the body of the animal. But the leviathan, like a nation

whose resources appear totally exhausted by previous losses and

calamities, collected his whole remaining force for an effort, which

proved at once desperate and successful. The wound, last received, had

probably reached through his external defences of blubber, and attained

some very sensitive part of the system; for he roared aloud, as he sent

to the sky a mingled sheet of brine and blood, and snapping the strong

cable like a twig, overset Mertoun's boat with a blow of his tail, shot

himself, by a mighty effort, over the bar, upon which the tide had now

risen considerably, and made out to sea, carrying with him a whole grove

of the implements which had been planted in his body, and leaving behind

him, on the waters, a dark red trace of his course.

"There goes to sea your cruise of oil, Master Yellowley," said Magnus,

"and you must consume mutton suet, or go to bed in the dark."

"_Operam et oleum perdidi_," muttered Triptolemus; "but if they catch me

whale-fishing again, I will consent that the fish shall swallow me as he

did Jonah."

"But where is Mordaunt Mertoun all this while?" exclaimed Claud Halcro;

and it was instantly perceived that the youth, who had been stunned when

his boat was stove, was unable to swim to shore as the other sailors

did, and now floated senseless upon the waves.

We have noticed the strange and inhuman prejudice, which rendered the

Zetlanders of that period unwilling to assist those whom they saw in the

act of drowning, though that is the calamity to which the islanders are

most frequently exposed. Three men, however, soared above this

superstition. The first was Claud Halcro, who threw himself from a small

rock headlong into the waves, forgetting, as he himself afterwards

stated, that he could not swim, and, if possessed of the harp of Arion,

had no dolphins in attendance. The first plunge which the poet made in

deep water, reminding him of these deficiencies, he was fain to cling to

the rock from which he had dived, and was at length glad to regain the

shore, at the expense of a ducking.

Magnus Troil, whose honest heart forgot his late coolness towards

Mordaunt, when he saw the youth's danger, would instantly have brought

him more effectual aid, but Eric Scambester held him fast.

"Hout, sir--hout," exclaimed that faithful attendant--"Captain Cleveland

has a grip of Mr. Mordaunt--just let the twa strangers help ilk other,

and stand by the upshot. The light of the country is not to be quenched

for the like of them. Bide still, sir, I say--Bredness Voe is not a bowl

of punch, that a man can be fished out of like a toast with a long

spoon."

This sage remonstrance would have been altogether lost upon Magnus, had

he not observed that Cleveland had in fact jumped out of the boat, and

swum to Mertoun's assistance, and was keeping him afloat till the boat

came to the aid of both. As soon as the immediate danger which called so

loudly for assistance was thus ended, the honest Udaller's desire to

render aid terminated also; and recollecting the cause of offence which

he had, or thought he had, against Mordaunt Mertoun, he shook off his

butler's hold, and turning round scornfully from the beach, called Eric

an old fool for supposing that he cared whether the young fellow sank or

swam.

Still, however, amid his assumed indifference, Magnus could not help

peeping over the heads of the circle, which, surrounding Mordaunt as

soon as he was brought on shore, were charitably employed in

endeavouring to recall him to life; and he was not able to attain the

appearance of absolute unconcern, until the young man sat up on the

beach, and showed plainly that the accident had been attended with no

material consequences. It was then first that, cursing the assistants

for not giving the lad a glass of brandy, he walked sullenly away, as

if totally unconcerned in his fate.

The women, always accurate in observing the telltale emotions of each

other, failed not to remark, that when the sisters of Burgh-Westra saw

Mordaunt immersed in the waves, Minna grew as pale as death, while

Brenda uttered successive shrieks of terror. But though there were some

nods, winks, and hints that auld acquaintance were not easily forgot, it

was, on the whole, candidly admitted, that less than such marks of

interest could scarce have been expected, when they saw the companion of

their early youth in the act of perishing before their eyes.

Whatever interest Mordaunt's condition excited while it seemed perilous,

began to abate as he recovered himself; and when his senses were fully

restored, only Claud Halcro, with two or three others, were standing by

him. About ten paces off stood Cleveland--his hair and clothes dropping

water, and his features wearing so peculiar an expression, as

immediately to arrest the attention of Mordaunt. There was a suppressed

smile on his cheek, and a look of pride in his eye, that implied

liberation from a painful restraint, and something resembling gratified

scorn. Claud Halcro hastened to intimate to Mordaunt, that he owed his

life to Cleveland; and the youth, rising from the ground, and losing all

other feelings in those of gratitude, stepped forward with his hand

stretched out, to offer his warmest thanks to his preserver. But he

stopped short in surprise, as Cleveland, retreating a pace or two,

folded his arms on his breast, and declined to accept his proffered

hand. He drew back in turn, and gazed with astonishment at the

ungracious manner, and almost insulting look, with which Cleveland, who

had formerly rather expressed a frank cordiality, or at least openness

of bearing, now, after having thus rendered him a most important

service, chose to receive his thanks.

"It is enough," said Cleveland, observing his surprise, "and it is

unnecessary to say more about it. I have paid back my debt, and we are

now equal."

"You are more than equal with me, Captain Cleveland," answered Mertoun,

"because you endangered your life to do for me what I did for you

without the slightest risk;--besides," he added, trying to give the

discourse a more pleasant turn, "I have your rifle-gun to boot."

"Cowards only count danger for any point of the game," said Cleveland.

"Danger has been my consort for life, and sailed with me on a thousand

worse voyages;--and for rifles, I have enough of my own, and you may

see, when you will, which can use them best."

There was something in the tone with which this was said, that struck

Mordaunt strongly; it was miching malicho, as Hamlet says, and meant

mischief. Cleveland saw his surprise, came close up to him, and spoke in

a low tone of voice:--"Hark ye, my young brother. There is a custom

among us gentlemen of fortune, that when we follow the same chase, and

take the wind out of each other's sails, we think sixty yards of the

sea-beach, and a brace of rifles, are no bad way of making our odds

even."

"I do not understand you, Captain Cleveland," said Mordaunt.

"I do not suppose you do,--I did not suppose you would," said the

Captain; and, turning on his heel, with a smile that resembled a sneer,

Mordaunt saw him mingle with the guests, and very soon beheld him at

the side of Minna, who was talking to him with animated features, that

seemed to thank him for his gallant and generous conduct.

"If it were not for Brenda," thought Mordaunt, "I almost wish he had

left me in the voe, for no one seems to care whether I am alive or

dead.--Two rifles and sixty yards of sea-beach--is that what he points

at?--It may come,--but not on the day he has saved my life with risk of

his own."

While he was thus musing, Eric Scambester was whispering to Halcro, "If

these two lads do not do each other a mischief, there is no faith in

freits. Master Mordaunt saves Cleveland,--well.--Cleveland, in requital,

has turned all the sunshine of Burgh-Westra to his own side of the

house; and think what it is to lose favour in such a house as this,

where the punch-kettle is never allowed to cool! Well, now that

Cleveland in his turn has been such a fool as to fish Mordaunt out of

the voe, see if he does not give him sour sillocks for stock-fish."

"Pshaw, pshaw!" replied the poet, "that is all old women's fancies, my

friend Eric; for what says glorious Dryden--sainted John,--

'The yellow gall that in your bosom floats,

Engenders all these melancholy thoughts.'"

"Saint John, or Saint James either, may be mistaken in the matter," said

Eric; "for I think neither of them lived in Zetland. I only say, that if

there is faith in old saws, these two lads will do each other a

mischief; and if they do, I trust it will light on Mordaunt Mertoun."

"And why, Eric Scambester," said Halcro, hastily and angrily, "should

you wish ill to that poor young man, that is worth fifty of the other?"

"Let every one roose the ford as he finds it," replied Eric; "Master

Mordaunt is all for wan water, like his old dog-fish of a father; now

Captain Cleveland, d'ye see, takes his glass, like an honest fellow and

a gentleman."

"Rightly reasoned, and in thine own division," said Halcro; and breaking

off their conversation, took his way back to Burgh-Westra, to which the

guests of Magnus were now returning, discussing as they went, with much

animation, the various incidents of their attack upon the whale, and not

a little scandalized that it should have baffled all their exertions.

"I hope Captain Donderdrecht of the Eintracht of Rotterdam will never

hear of it," said Magnus; "he would swear, donner and blitzen, we were

only fit to fish flounders."[46]

FOOTNOTES:

[46] The contest about the whale will remind the poetical reader of

Waller's Battle of the Summer Islands.