[Illustration: Decorative scroll] FOOTNOTE: 4: Speaking of island doctors reminds me that Dr. Moyle has recently retired from practice in the Isles of Scilly, where he has been the sole medical practitioner for over forty years. He is spoken of with love and respect by all the islanders, and no wonder, for he has been a wonderful old man. His patients were scattered over the five inhabited islands, and never once did he fail to go when summoned. On many a wild winter night has he been called up to cross the rough sea to attend, perhaps, on some poor fisherman's child. Dressed in an oilskin coat, sou'wester and big boots, he was always ready to go, and scarcely looked like a medical man. The people have shown their regard for him in a handsome manner. Without the aid of bazaars or other such institutions, they have raised funds enough to present him with a life-long annuity of L52. [Illustration: Decorative chapter heading] CHAPTER XVI. YARNS: THE CABBAGES WHICH HUNG THEIR HEADS--THE RAFT OF SPRUCE--VOYAGE OF THE "DEWDROP"--A LUCKY FAMILY--A DEEP, DEEP DRAUGHT--THE MAIRE'S CAT. Alec behaved splendidly while I was unable to help myself. He fished, and by hook or by crook--or rather, by hook and by net--procured whatever I cared for, beside which he killed the surviving pig, which had now grown into an immense fellow, so that we had a good supply of meat, although somewhat fat; but of this I ate little, preferring a more vegetable diet, although at times I took a little meat, but not often. When the day's work was over he would sit in the twilight and spin yarns to me of his own curious experiences, one or two of which I cannot refrain from repeating here. "Did you ever do any smuggling?" I asked him one day. "Well," said he, "that's rather personal, is it not? But still, I may as well tell you truly--I have. But as it is now very risky work, and some of my experience is recent, I shall not tell you of my own adventures in that line of business, though I see but little harm in outwitting a revenue officer, and at the same time enabling your neighbours to obtain a luxury or two, which otherwise they would never have. Did I ever do any smuggling? Rather! and my father and grandfather before me. In fact, in the village of my birth a man is thought little of who has not, at some time or other, been 'smarter than a revenue officer.'" These remarks aroused my curiosity, so I asked, "Were you ever caught at the game?"