It is believed that there is a "beest i' the sea for ilky beest o' the laan" (land), said a Portessie man to me.[1]
It was a custom to go to the sea, and draw a pailful of water, and take it along with a little seaweed to the house on the morning of New Year's Day. (Portessie.)
Dog Stories.
A fisherman in Crovie had a collie dog. He was always at hand when the boats were putting to sea. One morning when the men were on the beach making ready to go to the fishing, the dog got into a great state of excitement, rushed about, and laid hold of the men when putting the lines into the boats. His conduct was such, that the men did not go to sea. Scarcely had they got their lines back to their houses, than a great storm suddenly burst over the Firth. Several boats were lost from the other villages.
On another occasion, the owner of the dog was going with his boat to the south to sell his dried cod and ling. The dog was to be taken along with him. The boat was to sail from Gardenstone, another village about a mile distant. It was with the utmost difficulty the dog could be induced to follow his master. But no sooner did he reach the boat, than he bolted, and ran back, rushed into the house, and hid under one of the beds. He was taken by force from his hiding-place, and carried to the boat. The voyage was performed, and the boat was returning, and had come as far north as Stonehaven, when a heavy storm came down, the boat was driven ashore in the early morning, and two of the crew perished. The third one escaped through the intervention of the dog. He had become entangled about the wreck, and could not free himself. The dog ran to the town, went up to the first man he met, began barking and pulling at him in such a way as to arouse his attention. Off the dog went. The man followed, and soon saw what had happened. The fisherman was rescued. This took place many years ago, but the dog still lives in the memory of the fisher folks.
- ↑ Folk-Lore Journal, vol. iii. p. 183.
