human
And how's business in the islands, Davie?
gpt
Fairly weel! fairly weel! said the captain.
human
Nothing to complain o', ye ken.
gpt
Ay, I see! said Carver;
human
Ah! and what business is that, pilot?
gpt
Oh, I dinna just ken that, but ye canna aye sail on the same tack. Now, supposin', for instance, ye were to start something in the liquor line. Ye have grand facilities for that, have ye not?
human
I'll not deny that I have the facilities, observed Flett, with a curious twinkle in his eye.
gpt
But ye see, pilot, there's no demand for liquor in the islands. What for would I tak' spirits to the crofters when the poor folk canna more than pay for their bannocks?
human
Why, man alive, ye can surely make a demand? Just carry a good supply of spirits in yer schooner, and I warrant ye'll do a grand trade.
gpt
Ye're maybe no far wrang there, said Davie thoughtfully.
human
But then, there's another difficulty, pilot; where will the spirits come from?
gpt
Why, man, said Kinlay, lowering his voice,
human
Ay, like enough, returned Flett, with a look in his face that Carver did not observe.
gpt
Like enough--excise paid, of course?
human
Oh! we needna say anything about the excise, Davie, said the pilot, looking uneasy.
gpt
What does't matter about the excise?
human
Weel, Carver Kinlay, it's the first time I have heard of a pilot having a hand in that business. But, no doubt, a pilot has grand facilities. However that may be, I'm not sure that the Orkney crofters would welcome such a new line of business. Anyway, I have more respect for the crofters and for their poor families than to think of starting such a damnable traffic; nor am I in the least disposed to turn a schooner of mine into a floating grog shop. Good morning, pilot!