The Maid of Sker

I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire with work enough of my own to do and trouble enough of my own to heed in getting my poor living. Yet no peace there is for me among my friends and neighbours unless I will set to and try—as they bid me twice a-day perhaps—whether I cannot tell the rights of a curious adventure which it pleased Providence should happen off and on amidst us now for a good many years and with many ins and outs to it. They assure me also that all good people who can read and write for ten or it may be twenty miles around the place I live in will buy my book—if I can make it—at a higher price perhaps per lb. than they would give me even for sewin which are the very best fish I catch: and hence provision may be found for the old age and infirmities now gaining upon me every time I try to go out fishing.