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I had not known that there was such a cave at that spot, although, indeed, I prided myself upon my knowledge of the whole coastline from Rora to Birsay. I accordingly determined to explore the cliff at some future time. I must not omit to mention that Willie Hercus and Robbie Rosson duly delivered up to Mr. Drever their shares of Jarl Haffling's treasure.
"Thora Kinlay," he said, "finish the conjugation where Jessie Grey left off." I was again at the window. Mr. Drever looked towards a fair-haired, blue-eyed girl who stood directly opposite to him. At her throat there was a cowslip a rare flower in Orkney.
Grace was finally prevailed upon much to the satisfaction of the dominie to give up her cat; and it was arranged that I should take Baudrons out to the ship before school time on the following morning. I was preparing to leave with Jessie and Captain Gordon, when Mrs. Drever called me to her near the fire. "Come here, Halcro, laddie.
Drever was interesting himself specially on her account in the capacity of a guardian, and he was soon to accompany her to Denmark and leave her there, probably for several years. It was a fresh, breezy, August afternoon. In the open sea, far out, east of the Skerries, we were scudding along blithely, with a flock of seagulls flying wantonly in our wake.
Really, I beg your pardon; but I was told that Mistress Drever had dealings with such things; and although I am not exactly superstitious " "Never mind, sir, never mind. It's just some ignorant lads have been making up the story; and it's all one to me, for I know well it's not true. There was once a woman in Stromness, I will allow, who used to sell favourable winds to the sailors.
"But, Andrew, man, how do you explain their keeping Thora and bringing her up as their own bairn if, as you affirm, she was known to be the daughter of other parents?" "Simply in this way," said Mr. Drever; "Carver, you see, knew very well that Mr. Quendale was expected back in Orkney. He kept the girl, as his wife confesses, hoping for a ransom from so wealthy a father.
The drowned woman was recognized by Quendale as his wife, and she was afterwards buried with the child in the old burying ground of Yeskenaby. "Two days afterwards that is to say on the fifth day after the wreck Ephraim Quendale and the Danish sailor left Orkney." Here Andrew Drever put his hand in his breast pocket and drew out a paper.
"Just two dozen," I quietly replied, yet not so quietly but Mr. Drever heard me. "Yes, Ericson," said he sternly, "you stay to make up the number of your fish. But why do you not remember that you have a duty in making up the number of your class at school?" "I'm very sorry, sir," I said; "but I'll not do it again." "See that you do not.
Andrew Drever, who was exceedingly well versed in the antique lore of the Orkneys, once told us in school of a Runic inscription he had seen in the Maes Howe at Stenness. It was interpreted to the effect that one of the old vikings "had found much fee in Orkhow," and that this treasure had been buried "to the northwest."
Beyond a doubt it will do so; and ye'll see, Halcro, that it was far better for you and the other two lads to put the viking's treasure into my hands, instead o' makin' fools o' yersels as Tom Kinlay has done." "I am sure, sir, I am perfectly satisfied," I said. "And now, Mr. Drever, I suppose you will wish me to give up my magic stone? Must it go to Edinburgh with the rest?" "The talisman?
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