"I've just been speaking with Lieutenant Fox of the Clasper," I
said. "He wants me to go into the revenue business."
"Ay! and so you're to be a blue jacket, eh?" mused Flett, without
offering any objection to my leaving the Falcon.
"No," I replied, "I'm not sure yet that I'll join them, captain.
The fact is, I have also seen Jack Paterson, and he wants me to
become a pilot."
"That's more in your line, my lad. Tak' my advice and join the
pilots. Ye'll do better as a pilot than anything else. It's in your
blood. As for the Falcon, I said when you came aboard us that you
could easily leave if you chanced upon something better. We can
soon get another lad to fill your berth. Maybe ye ken a lad yersel'
that would come aboard us?"
"Ay, that I do," I responded. "There's Robbie Rosson, he'd be glad
of the chance."
"Bring him to me then, Halcro, and we'll take him along with us
next trip to see if he likes it."
Here was a fortunate opportunity. By my own advancement I was to be
the means of helping my two school companions. Willie Hercus was to
join the revenue cutter; Robbie Rosson was to go aboard the Falcon.
As for myself, I may say that it was a foregone conclusion with me
that I should take to the piloting.
"Has Paterson got a boat yet, Halcro?" asked the skipper.
Pages:
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343