Shetland Folk-Lore
the fore-room, while the ballast was placed in the mid-room, where the mast stood. The post-room was always kept empty for the purpose—as its name implies—of ousing or discharging water.
Each man's share of tows or lines was termed a packie, and consisted of from 12 to 16 bouchts or hanks of lines, each measuring 40 fathoms. The hooks of wrought iron were wupped to bidds about four feet long, and placed along the ground line at a distance of nine yards apart. The fleet of lines carried was thus very considerable—extending to over four miles, and mounting 900 to 1000 hooks.
With reference to fishing hooks, it may be mentioned here that prior to the introduction of iron or steel hooks fish were caught by means of a small bit of hard wood or a splinter of bone from two to four inches long, attached to the end of the tome or skoag. This pin with the bait was held in position by a wrapping of coarse wool called vaav. When the fisher-
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