Jack was standing looking down
into the water, with his two hands deep in his trousers pockets,
and his face bearing an expression of curious indecision.
"Hello, Jack, what's troubling you now?" I asked, approaching him.
"Troubling me! Well, I suppose it is troubling me, too. The fact
is, Ericson, I've been asked to take command of the new pilots."
"Well, man, that's surely nothing to look so gloomy about, is it?"
"No, lad; and I wouldna trouble sae muckle if I could see my way
clear to takin' the offer. But, ye see, Halcro, I canna do the
piloting without a boat."
"I see, I see. Ay, Jack, but that's a pity, man. And ye canna get
the money towards buying the St. Magnus?"
"No; the St. Magnus is for sale, I weel ken that, and she's a right
good boat. But where can a poor crofter body like me get the
siller, think ye?"
"'Deed, I dinna ken, Jack; but maybe the siller will come somehow.
There's many a one in Orkney would advance it for you, surely.
Dinna be cast down about it, man. What about your crew?"
"Weel, I was thinkin' of yersel for one, Halcro?"
"Of me!"
"Ay, and Jimmie Crageen, and Ronald Ray from Kirbister, and Steenie
Barrie; all o' them good honest men and weel acquainted wi' the
Orkneys. What d'ye say, Halcro? Will ye join us?"
"I canna say, Jack.
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