"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,