hem for the fishing."

And taking the fishhooks from his desk he again examined them
attentively, admiring the fine workmanship displayed in the turn of
their points.

"My lad, these are fine hooks for a sea trout," he continued;
"you'll have gotten them from Kirkwall, no doubt?"

"No," I said. "Father got them from one of the captains. I'd like
if you'd keep some of them, Mr. Drever;" and I offered him three of
the best.

"Oh no, no!" he exclaimed, "I could not think of taking them from
you. I didn't mean that.

"But maybe, well, maybe I might just have the loan of one of them
to try this afternoon. I'm going away to Kirbister to see if I can
catch a few sea trout."

"Kirbister for sea trout!" said I, knowing that on the subject of
fishing I might venture to disagree with even so practised an
angler as Andrew Drever. "If you're seeking sea trout you need go
no further than the Bush. There's not a stream in the Mainland
equal to the Bush. Take the hooks, sir, and I'll warrant you'll
bring home a full basket."

"Well, I'll take your advice and try the Bush, for it's aye the
lads that find out the best waters. Thank you for the hooks,
Halcro. Away with you; and see you're not so late at the school
another morning."

And as I scampered down the brae, I knew that he was watching me
from the door.

In the street I found Tom Kinlay and two other boys waiting for me,
and arranging an excursion across the hills to Skaill Bay to hunt
for seals. It was an expedition in which I very readily agreed to
join, and it was arranged that we should meet early in the
afternoon on the moor between Voy and Crua Breck.

Chapter IV. Sandy Ericson, Pilot.

My home was close beside the school. There were only a few steps to
skip across the narrow main street, and a turn into the Anchor
Close brought me to my mother's door. Many of my companions,
however, had several miles to travel. Tom and Thora Kinlay lived at
Crua Breck farm, distant from Stromness four miles; and little
Hilda Paterson, the youngest girl in the school, lived at her
father's croft away beyond Stenness, and walked the five
miles--barefooted--twice a day.

When I got home the brose for dinner was cooling on the windowsill,
and my mother was frying the fish I had caught in the morning. My
sister Jessie sat near the window plaiting straw--an industry
common in Orkney at that time.

"Hello, Hal! back already?" Jessie exclaimed, putting her work
aside as I