Page:Shetland Folk-Lore - Spence - 1899.pdf/117

 printed page these recollections of the past will meet with the approbation of every lover of the “Old Rock.”

Of all classes, fishermen appear to have been most superstitious. No doubt this arose in a great measure from the nature of their hazardous and precarious calling. The ever fitful wind and changing sea, the lottery of fish catching, the imminent peril and hairbreadth escapes to which they were exposed, fostered a belief in the supernatural.

When a fisherman left his house to proceed to his boat, it was considered most unlucky to call after him, even though he had left something very essential behind; and he was very particular as to meeting a person by the way, lest they should have an “evil eye” or an “ill fit.” It was considered a good omen to meet an imbecile or a person deformed from the birth, These were called “Gude's pör,” and were suitable aamas bairns. After meeting one of such, if the voyage had been at all