"But how far is this place Kirkwall?" asked Captain Gordon. "How long will it take us to get there?"
"How far! Oh! only a matter of a few hours' sail," said Abernethy. "I've got my pinnace out, and we'll have a fine jaunt. Come along!"
"No. I've to see old Flett this morning to pay him some money. Besides, we're too many for the pinnace. Can we not go by road?"
And Captain Gordon looked to me for an answer.
"You can get Oliver Gray's pony and gig," I replied. "It's about fourteen miles by road."
"Will you come with me, then, Halcro?" he asked.
"Certainly; I'll be very glad. I know the way well."
The two other skippers, with Mr. Watt and the rest, then made arrangements for their boating party, intending to sail round to Scapa, and thence walk across the little peninsula to Kirkwall.
When Mr. Gordon had brushed himself up a bit, we went ashore together and found out Davie Flett, whose business occupied very little of the captain's time, and soon we were at the door of Oliver Gray's inn watching his Shetland pony being harnessed into the gig.
"Now, Halcro, are you going to drive? Up you get," said Mr. Gordon.