at tied firmly on the
back of his head.

But in spite of his primitive appearance he was a man of wealth and
influence, the banker of the island, liked and trusted of all
men--except Peter Fae. With Peter he had come often in conflict; he
had superseded him in a civil office, he had spoken slightingly of
some of Peter's speculations, and, above all offenses, in a recent
kirk election he had been chosen Deacon instead of Peter. They were
the two rich men of Lerwick, and they were jealous and distrustful of
each other.

"Jan Vedder," said Tulloch, cheerily, "I would speak with thee; come
to my house within an hour."

It was not so fine a house as Peter's, but Jan liked its atmosphere.
Small glass barrels of brandy stood on the sideboard; there was a case
of Hollands in the chimney corner; fine tobacco, bloaters, and
sturgeons' roes were in comfortable proximity. A bright fire of peats
glowed on the ample hearth, and the Udaller sat eating and drinking
before it. He made Jan join him, and without delay entered upon his
business.

"I want to sell 'The Solan,' Jan. She is worth a thousand pounds for a
coaster; or, if thou wishes, thou could spoil Skager's trips with her.
She is half as broad as she is long, with high bilge, and a sharp
bottom; the very boat for these seas--wilt thou buy her?"

"If I had the money, nothing would be so much to my liking."

"Well, then, thy wife brought me L50 yesterday; that makes thy
account a little over L600. I will give thee a clear bill of sale and
trust thee for the balance. 'Tis a great pity to see a good lad like
thee going to waste. It is that."

"If I was in thy debt, then thou would own a part of me. I like well
to be my own master."

"A skipper at sea doth what he will; and every one knows that Jan
Vedder is not one that serves. Remember, thou wilt be skipper of
thy--own--boat!"

Jan's eyes flashed joyfully, but he said, "My wife may not like I
should use the money for this purpose."

"It is a new thing for a man to ask his wife if he can spend this or
that, thus or so. And to what good? Margaret Vedder would speak to her
father, and thou knows if Peter Fae love thee--or not."

These words roused the worst part of Jan's nature. He remembered, in a
moment, all the envy and wonder he would cause by sailing out of
harbor skipper of his own boat. It was the very temptation that was
irresistible to him. He entered into Tulloch's plan with all his
heart, and before he lef