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

as they leaned their backs against the straw roof and chatted cheerfully in their strange language. The man who had greeted them on the rocks, a handsome man of about forty years old, with a stripy woollen vest, was talking purposefully and pointing at different men in turn.
    â€˜What are they doing?’ asked Dick breathlessly.
    â€˜This is the mòd , the assembly where they decide on the activities of the day,’ answered the minister. ‘They normally meet in the morning, but their routines have been altered by your arrival. Donald MacKinnon, the maor, or the headman, who is the man over there –’ he pointed towards the handsome man with the striped vest – ‘will portion out the rock amongst the cragsmen and enquire into the state of the equipment. He will also settle any minor disputes which may have occurred during the previous day. At the moment I should think they are also dividing the responsibility for housing the three sailors whom you brought from Rodel.’
    â€˜It is much like a parliament then?’ George suggested. ‘A parliament which serves the same democratic principles as that of any free state or nation.’
    â€˜Yes, it is true that they are largely used to governing their own affairs,’ agreed the minister.
    â€˜My word! These men are not just living in primitive simpli­city – they are as free as most enlightened people can ever dream to be! If St Kilda is not the Utopia we have sought so long, where will it be found?’
    â€˜You forget that their morality is much underdeveloped.’ The minister was slightly alarmed by George’s suggestion. ‘I face a laborious task and it will take some time before I can raise these men in the echelons of humanity – they will need much instruction in all matters which concern the nature of their husbandry as well as the salvation of their souls!’
    â€˜Forgive me, sir, but do you not think that we have something to learn from them?’ George insisted.
    â€˜I believe that we must all strive towards a society based on advanced moral integrity as the foundation for happiness. The society which you and I come from, Mr Atkinson, has evolved quite a lot further in this respect, and so I feel it is my obligation in this case to impart rather than to receive knowledge.’
    â€˜But these people live so close to God’s creation – this world is still pure and unspoilt by industry and commerce. Their prin­ciples of community and democracy may provide a useful reminder to some in our society who are driven by ambition and self-advancement.’ George could not be stopped. Maybe this was the answer he had been looking for – perhaps the St Kildans held the solution for humankind. ‘The St Kildans prove that we can survive in a society without money, arms, care, politics or taxes!’
    Dick, sensing that their host was getting much annoyed, broke in to bring the conversation on to safer ground. ‘You said we might be able to visit one of their dwellings, Reverend?’
    â€˜Yes, yes, of course. I will speak to MacKinnon,’ he answered absent-mindedly.
    George and Dick looked around the yard as MacKenzie went to talk to the natives. The men were all idly leaning against walls or squatting on boulders while their womanfolk were busy with a variety of chores. Dick nudged George and hinted towards a group of young women who were plucking the breast feathers of some puffins. A number of other live puffins were tied together by their feet and hanging from a protruding roof beam, noiselessly awaiting their fate. Feathers were whirling through the air. The young women were talking and giggling and glaring at the two Sassenachs from under the shade of their cotton headscarves. Their gowns were hitched up by the cord around their waists so that their skirts did not reach further than their knees. Their bare legs were tanned by the May sun, and downy feathers were