That could be the only way in which he could obtain
spirits or other illicit goods at a lower rate than through the
ordinary channels of commerce; and the pilot's evasion of the
question regarding excise almost confirmed my suspicions.
Kinlay walked slowly away, and when he had disappeared, Davie Flett
turned round to me with open arms as though he would embrace me.
"Halcro, my lad," said he, "I am real glad to see you. Thank the
Lord ye're safe!"
"I might say the same to you, captain," said I. "How were ye
rescued, and where are Peter and Jerry?"
"Peter and Jerry are at Oliver Gray's," he answered. "Come, let us
join them. As for mysel', why, there's nothing much to tell. I was
picked up by the boat ten minutes after I dropped owerboard. We
searched about for you all night. But ye mind what a mist was ower
the sea. It was no wonder we lost sight of the schooner. But ye're
safe, and that's a blessing."
The skipper then began to ask me a multitude of questions
concerning the behaviour of the schooner. But we were now passing
through the narrow street and I was interrupted; for we overtook
old Colin Lothian, the wandering beggar, who was trudging along
over the frost-covered stones with his dog at his heels.
"Weel, Colin, auld crony," exclaimed the skipper as we came
alongside the old man, "you're aye travelling.
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