The Herring-Curer's Visitor

IN the year 1665, Alexander Wood, eldest son to the Laird of Nether Benholm, in Angus, having ended his apprenticeship with a merchant in Edinburgh, told Mr. James Walker that (in the year 1662 or 1663) he had been employed by his master to go to the Lewis to make up herring; and being there, and having a good tack of herring, their salt and casks were all made use of, and then they being idle, he began to fret that his master had delayed so long to supply them; and being one day drinking in a country house, and complaining, he went to the door of the house, and there followed him a countryman, who said to him, "If you will give me a small hire, I’ll tell you what has become of the ship you are looking for;" and without more ado he set his foot upon the gentleman’s foot, in which time he saw the ship in a great storm, ready to perish, and the seamen casting out their lading to lighten the ship; but when the countryman’s foot was off he saw nothing. The ship at that time was about a 100 miles from them, and about 48 hours thereafter she came into the same harbour, and had been in the same condition he saw her in at that time the countryman’s foot was on his foot.