What will the lad
want wi' a gun?"
"But I'd like to give it him, pilot. He'll soon learn how to use it
properly.
"Won't you, Halcro?
"And as for shooting himself, why, remember the magic stone,
pilot."
Father muttered something to the effect that it was very good of
the captain; and I, who was overwhelmed with gratitude for his
kindness, feebly added my thanks. So Captain Gordon gave me the
fowling piece, together with a canister of gunpowder, and
sufficient swan shot, I thought, to kill all the wild fowl in
Orkney.
As I was leaving the ship, joyous in the possession of these ample
materials for a whole summer of sport, and was bidding farewell to
Captain Gordon, the mate came towards us at the rail and touched
his hat.
"Well, Marshall, d'you want anything sent ashore?" asked the
skipper.
"Yes, sir," said Marshall, "I want to tell you that the men are
grumbling about this cat being brought aboard. You know how
superstitious they are. They want the lad to take it away with him
again."
"Their objections are silly and childish, Marshall," said Mr.
Gordon. "They know that the ship is overrun with mice."
"Yes, yes, sir; that's all very well. But they won't have the cat
aboard; and I think you'd better have the beast sent off."
"The men are a pack of fools.
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