"I don't know yet. We might do some shooting here. Is there much fowl about?"
"Ye'll get shellduck noo, an' a few teal; whaups, too, if ye're wanting them, but the lag-geese an' the bernicle are no' here yet." He paused and added: "I wouldna' say but it might be better if ye bide until they come."
Andrew looked hard at him.
"Why?"
"I'm thinking ye're wanted here. It would be an ill thing to see Appleyard gang doon, and it might be yours some day."
"It's my cousin's and he's younger than I am," Andrew answered with a frown.
"Just that! Ye're leal, we ken. Weel, as ye're fond o' the young laird, it might be wiser to keep an eye on him. He's overmuch under yon foreigner's thumb."
"How's the fishing?" Andrew asked pointedly.
The old fellow broke into a slow chuckle.
"It might be better an' it might be waur; there's ower many o' the Board's watchers here awa' for my liking. An' noo, I'll need to win ashore before the tide's on the bank."