"Next morning all was calm and bright; but we were disabled, and it
was necessary to put back for repairs. You may think what you like,
mates, but as sure as we're here, it was nothing but the cat that
brought on the gale and gave me my ill luck; the worst calamity of
all being the loss of the pilot and his crew."
"Ay," said Bailie Duke, "but the cat had nothing to do with the
loss of the pilots. Nobody can be blamed for that but Carver
Kinlay."
"No," added Oliver Gray, "a greater rascal than Carver never set
foot in Orkney, nor a braver man than Ericson."
"Well," said Captain Wemyss, "this Kinlay may do as he likes, but I
for one will have no business with him."
"Nor I neither," said Captains Johnson and Miller at once.
"He's no proper pilot," said Gray, "and has no right to run a
boat."
"I'm afraid, gentlemen," put in Lloyd's agent with a tone of
authority, "you're a wee bit too late in bringing forward your
objections, for I'm informed that Kinlay has already taken out all
necessary papers, and is now a duly certified pilot."
"What!" exclaimed Abernethy. "I'd sooner employ young Ericson here
than Kinlay; I'm sure the lad kens more about the coast."
"I'd trust that lad to take my ship through any channel in Orkney,"
added Captain Gordon. "He brought us through on Sunday, and I never
saw a pilot--except his father--handle a ship with greater skill.
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