Read Online Island of Wings by Karin Altenberg - Free Book Online

spirited murders and accidents. The MacKenzies were much intrigued to hear about the suggestions of an abolition of the slave trade. George and Dick’s brother Isaac, who was trading in Jamaica, had sent them word of societies of black men calling for their freedom. Amongst the other news, Mrs MacKenzie was particularly horrified to hear of the unfortunate statesman William Huskisson who had been killed by one of the new locomotives that transported people along the recently built railway line from Liverpool to Manchester. She had seen a picture of a locomotive the previous year and it had terrified her; but to think that it could kill a man, and a Member of Parliament at that!
    The two brothers continued to ask the minister about the nature of the island and its people.
    â€˜I was struck,’ said Mr George Atkinson, ‘by the good looks of the inhabitants as they turned out to meet us on the landing rocks.’
    â€˜Yes,’ agreed the minister enthusiastically, ‘although they are rather short they present neat and compact specimens of the human form.’
    â€˜I have never seen teeth as white as theirs; did you not notice their teeth?’ asked Mrs MacKenzie of no one in particular as if the thought had just occurred to her.
    â€˜Oh yes, I did indeed,’ said the other Mr Atkinson. ‘However, I was mainly impressed by the air of intelligence which they conveyed.’
    Lizzie, who did not feel qualified to comment on the intelligence of the St Kildans, continued to remark on their looks. ‘The women have the finest flowing locks and yet their hair has never known a comb and the only water that cleanses it is the mists and rains of the Atlantic!’
    â€˜Although I think,’ Dick disagreed, ‘that the women are not generally so good-looking as the men. The negligence in their dress is not becoming!’ He seemed to be blushing.
    â€˜Is it possible then,’ George, who was greatly interested in the nature of man, mused, ‘that these natives have become quite sublime creatures by being bred in such an awe-inspiring environment?’
    The minister laughed at this and remarked, ‘You must not ennoble them with more excellent virtues than they deserve, for they are quite crude in many ways.’
    â€˜How so?’ asked George eagerly.
    â€˜Well, for example, however much effort I put into teaching them the Scriptures, it is as if they will not take them to their hearts. They can repeat the catechism like a child repeats a nursery rhyme, but they do not seem to feel the weight of its truth on their souls. Nor do they let it influence their life and conversation. Indeed –’ the minister was heated now by that missionary zeal – ‘I have heard them swear in the most medieval manner!’
    â€˜Medieval, sir?’ Dick, who was secretly fascinated by all forms of vice, looked suddenly interested.
    â€˜Oh yes. They use un-Protestant expressions such as “by the Book!”, “by Mary!”, “by the Sacred Name!”– and worse still! And some of the traditional songs which they are so fond of are frankly appalling! I do not think their manner of Christianity has changed since the Norsemen came to these islands.’
    They were all quiet for a moment taking in this information while the minister calmed down.
    â€˜Would it be possible to visit them in their homes?’ asked George.
    â€˜Of course. I will take you to the clachan this afternoon,’ MacKenzie replied without hesitation.
    â€˜ Clachan ?’ Dick was still keen to know more details about the native life.
    â€˜Oh, it is the local term for that miserable little hamlet of theirs,’ the minister translated helpfully.
    Dick pondered this for a moment before he asked, ‘On our departure from Harris we were assured that we would imbibe a stench from living amongst the natives that will adhere to us for five or six weeks. Indeed some friends told