stery of his disappearance, and
vent his displeasure at me for having taken him from his
comfortable home. As I looked at the goblin cat my head reeled and
I fell on the deck.

"Next morning all was calm and bright; but we were disabled, and it
was necessary to put back for repairs. You may think what you like,
mates, but as sure as we're here, it was nothing but the cat that
brought on the gale and gave me my ill luck; the worst calamity of
all being the loss of the pilot and his crew."

"Ay," said Bailie Duke, "but the cat had nothing to do with the
loss of the pilots. Nobody can be blamed for that but Carver
Kinlay."

"No," added Oliver Gray, "a greater rascal than Carver never set
foot in Orkney, nor a braver man than Ericson."

"Well," said Captain Wemyss, "this Kinlay may do as he likes, but I
for one will have no business with him."

"Nor I neither," said Captains Johnson and Miller at once.

"He's no proper pilot," said Gray, "and has no right to run a
boat."

"I'm afraid, gentlemen," put in Lloyd's agent with a tone of
authority, "you're a wee bit too late in bringing forward your
objections, for I'm informed that Kinlay has already taken out all
necessary papers, and is now a duly certified pilot."

"What!" exclaimed Abernethy. "I'd sooner employ young Ericson here
than Kinlay; I'm sure the lad kens more about the coast."

"I'd trust that lad to take my ship through any channel in Orkney,"
added Captain Gordon. "He brought us through on Sunday, and I never
saw a pilot--except his father--handle a ship with greater skill."

Mr. Gordon was speaking thus in my praise, when who should walk
into the inn but Carver Kinlay himself.

Carver had on a new suit of clothes of blue cloth, and his high
boots, reaching above the knees, were newly polished with oil. At
his waist he wore a leather belt from which was suspended a long
sheath knife. He walked in with a jaunty air of self importance,
but with a slightly unsteady gait, which showed how he had been
celebrating his appointment. He approached Captain Wemyss, and
addressed him.

"Ye'll be weighing anchor on Monday morning, captain, I suppose?
What time shall I come aboard?"

"I never asked you to come aboard my ship, my man," said Captain
Wemyss. "What is it you want?"

"Why, d'ye not know I'm the pilot?"

Captain Abernethy interrupted him, and drew him round by the
shoulder to face the company, saying:

"You'd not be the pilot if you hadna gott