f a hill on the
small island of Bressay, one of the Shetland group. Hence the eye
ranged over the northern ocean, while to the eastward appeared the isle
of Noss, with the rocky Holm of Noss beyond, the abode of numberless
sea-fowl, and to be reached by a rope-way cradle over a broad chasm of
fearful depth. The house, roofed with stone, and strongly-built, as it
needed to be to withstand the fierce gales blowing over that wild sea,
was surrounded by patches of cultivated ground, without trench or bank,
or a tree to be seen far or near.

Archy stopped when he heard his sister's voice; for, though headstrong
and obstinate, he loved her more than any other human being.

"I am going over to Lerwick to see Max Inkster," he answered, looking
back at her. "The `Kate' sails to-morrow, and I promised him a visit
before he goes."

"Oh, surely you don't forget that our mother told you she wished you
would not have anything to say to that man!" exclaimed Maggie. "He is
bad in many ways, and he can only do you harm."

"I am not going to be led by any one," answered Archy. "I like to hear
his tales of the sea, and his adventures when chasing the whale, or
hunting white bears, and those sort of things away in Greenland, and
perhaps some day I may go to sea myself, and I want to know what sort of
a life I am likely to lead. I am not going to be kept digging potatoes,
and tending cattle and sheep all my life."

"Oh Archy! don't think of it," said Maggie. "It would break our
mother's heart to have you go. You know that our father was lost at
sea, and so was uncle Magnus, and many other relations and friends. God
will bless you, and you will be far happier, if, in obedience to her,
you give up your wild notions and stay at home."

"I am not going to be dictated to, Maggie, by mother or you," exclaimed
Archy. "Max is a fine fellow, notwithstanding what you say. He is
expecting me, and I am not going to break my engagement; so, good-bye,
Maggie. Go back home, and look after mother--that's your duty, which
you are so fond of talking about."

Maggie, finding that her arguments were of no avail, returned home, as
she could not venture longer to leave her mother, who was ill in bed.

Archy took his way till he was out of sight of the house, and then from
beneath a large stone, he pulled out a bundle, which he slung at the end
of a stick over his shoulder, and proceeded across the island till he
came to the shore of the soun