You will have gathered from Andrew Drever's remark about the
fishhooks that he was something of a fisher. He was a fisher; but
he was also a naturalist, and he varied the hard duties of the
school by making frequent excursions across the hills in search of
objects for his favourite study. In addition to the maps and
diagrams that hung on the whitewashed walls of the schoolroom there
were many cases containing stuffed birds, such as guillemots,
terns, owls, and ouzels; and specimens of the small quadrupeds of
the locality, including a weasel and a fine pair of otters. All of
these specimens had been prepared and stuffed by himself, and upon
a side table by the window he kept a collection of curious stones
and old coins that he had found on his wanderings.
Andrew's heart was in both of his occupations. He loved his birds
and his curiosities, and I think he loved his pupils. Often, as he
sat on his high stool behind his desk, with a severity in his
features which his position seemed to demand, I have seen his brown
eyes soften as they looked round the circle of faces, and I have
known that he had some affection for each one of us. Out of school
hours he took great interest in our pursuits, giving to the girls
advice in the arrangement of colour in their needlework, and to the
boys many a valuable hint for the hooking of trout. He knew no
distinctions of rank or social position. A laird's son was treated
by him with the same dignity or kindness that was shown to the son
of a poor kelp burner; and the coveted seat at the head of the
class was as often occupied by a poor fisherman's lad as by the
better dressed, but not better educated, son of the Inspector of
Fisheries, or the bright little daughter of so great a man as
Lloyd's agent.
Towards the close of morning school, Peter, the jackdaw, announced
by the fluttering of his wings and his chattering that a stranger
was coming to the door, and very soon Mr. Duke, one of the bailies
of the town, entered the school. We had learnt to expect something
good to come of the bailie's visits, and this occasion was no
exception.
He sat down on one of the low forms near Mr. Drever's desk, and
took from his waistcoat pocket a large silver snuffbox.
"Well, Andrew," he cheerily exclaimed, taking a copious pinch
between his finger and thumb and handing the box to the master,
"here's a glorious morning for you, eh? Ay, man, and how are all
your bairns? I see ye aye keep up your number. And who have you at
the head of the class the day? Is it Thora again?"
"Yes," replied Andrew, giving a resounding sneeze and loudly
blowing his nose. "Yes, its just Thora again. She's kept it all the
morning. You see, sir, they all take the same places before the
day's out: whatever way they begin, the smartest are sure to get to
the top."
"Ay, ay, just so," mused the bailie, again opening his snuffbox.
"They're like a pack o' cards--shuffle them as ye will before the
game begins, the honours must still come together at the finish.
"Well, Thora, lassie," he continued, turning round to Thora Kinlay,
"and how are ye all up at Crua Breck?"
"Oh, we're all fine, thank you, sir," said the girl; "only Crumpie
fell over the Neban bank yestreen and broke her leg."
"Ah, indeed! but that's most serious; poor Crumpie!--and that's the
new cow, is it? or is it the old horse?"
"It's the old cow, sir," said Thora, apparently wondering at the
bailie's ignorance.
Then Mr. Duke thrust his hand deep into his pocket and brought it
out again full of keys and money. He selected one of the coins and
handed it to Thora, saying, "There's to you, Thora; that's for
getting to the head of the class."
From his seat he then questioned several of us regarding our
lessons and our homes, and finally he stood up and addressed us
all, saying: "I have come in this morning, bairns, to ask Mr.
Drever to give you all a half holiday. The whaling ships are to
sail by this afternoon's tide, and as many of you have brothers and
fathers aboard, I don't doubt that Mr. Drever will let you away;"
and he added, turning to the master, "What do you say, Andrew?"
"I'm sure, sir," said Mr. Drever, "I have no objections to offer;"
and he looked out through the window as though to satisfy himself
that the weather was suitable for an afternoon's fishing.
Mr. Duke then went into the inner room to have a gossip with old
Grace Drever. The schoolmaster pronounced the benediction, and we
flocked noisily outside.
As I was leaving with Robbie Rosson, Mr. Drever called me back.
"Don't leave the hooks here, Ericson," he said; "you'll be needing
them for the fishing."
And taking the fishhooks from his desk he again examined them
attentively, admiring the fine workmanship displayed in the turn of
their points.
"My lad, these are fine hooks for a sea trout," he continued;
"you'll have gotten them from Kirkwall, no doubt?"
"No," I said. "Father got them from one of the captains. I'd like
if you'd keep some of them, Mr. Drever;" and I offered him three of
the best.
"Oh no, no!" he exclaimed, "I could not think of taking them from
you. I didn't mean that.
"But maybe, well, maybe I might just have the loan of one of them
to try this afternoon. I'm going away to Kirbister to see if I can
catch a few sea trout."
"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.