l property was for sale in the island of
Whalsey, nearly the only portion of the whole island which did not
belong to the Lunnasting family. He at once authorised the principal
legal man in the island to purchase it for him at any cost.

"I have a mind to have it," he observed; "remember my ancestors came
from Whalsey, and I should like, perchance, to end my latter days
there."

Great was his satisfaction, on his return, to find that the property was
his. "That is well," he remarked; "and now, in case of my death, I wish
to settle it on my young friend Rolf Morton. You can get the necessary
documents drawn up, I hope, before I sail: we seamen learn one piece of
wisdom, at all events--the uncertainty of life--however slow we may be
to pick up others; and, therefore, when we sail, leave our last will and
testament behind us. You'll take care of this for me, and act upon it,
should I never return to desire it altered."

The lawyer promised to see his friend's bequest attended to, but many
years passed before he was called on to act in the matter. Not only did
Captain Scarsdale come back, but with young Rolf Morton as his
companion, he took up his abode for several years, during the winter, in
a farm-house which he had considerably improved on his newly purchased
property; he claimed relationship, which was fully acknowledged, with
the Brindister family, and he and Lawrence, who took also very speedily
to Rolf, soon became fast friends. He was invited also to become a
frequent guest at Lunnasting Castle, though he showed but little
inclination to accept the hospitality of its inmates.

Andrew Scarsdale, however, did not give up the sea. Though possessed of
a moderate independence he did not wish to lead an idle life, but every
summer he sailed to Greenland in command of a whaler, and most years
took Rolf with him: wishing at the same time that his young ward should
have the advantages of a liberal education, he sent him for two years to
Aberdeen, that he might acquire some knowledge in those branches in
which he was himself unable to afford him instruction. Rolf made up by
perseverance for what he wanted in talent, and thus, with Captain
Scarsdale's help, he obtained not only a necessary knowledge of nautical
affairs, but as large an amount of general information as most seafaring
men of his position at that time possessed. It might have been better
if the good captain, who was now advancing in years, had remain