soon as
you decide. But if you can't join us, send your friend. Good
evening!"

As the young lieutenant walked away with a great clattering of his
long sword, I looked at his laced cocked hat and his epaulettes,
and fancied myself in a similar uniform. However, my native
simplicity came to my rescue, and, good as this opportunity of
serving my Queen appeared, I yet thought fondly of the pilot's
busy, perilous life. Something told me that it was my destiny to be
a pilot, as my fathers for three generations had been before me.

I went into Oliver Gray's inn, and there found my skipper, Davie
Flett, awaiting me. He was talking with a little old man, whom I
soon recognized as Isaac the Dutch Jew, who had bought the viking's
ruby from Tom Kinlay. When I entered, Isaac retired to a far corner
of the parlour and watched me closely as I talked with Captain
Flett.

"When do we sail, captain?" I asked, as I sat down beside the
skipper.

"Tomorrow night," said he.

And I judged that I should now have to determine without delay
which of the three appointments I should take--remain with Flett,
join the revenue cutter, or become a pilot.

"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.

"No, tha