human
Hello, Jack, what's troubling you now?
gpt
Troubling me! Well, I suppose it is troubling me, too. The fact is, Ericson, I've been asked to take command of the new pilots.
human
Well, man, that's surely nothing to look so gloomy about, is it?
gpt
No, lad; and I wouldna trouble sae muckle if I could see my way clear to takin' the offer. But, ye see, Halcro, I canna do the piloting without a boat.
human
I see, I see. Ay, Jack, but that's a pity, man. And ye canna get the money towards buying the St. Magnus?
gpt
No; the St. Magnus is for sale, I weel ken that, and she's a right good boat. But where can a poor crofter body like me get the siller, think ye?
human
Weel, I was thinkin' of yersel for one, Halcro?
gpt
Of me!
human
Ay, and Jimmie Crageen, and Ronald Ray from Kirbister, and Steenie Barrie; all o' them good honest men and weel acquainted wi' the Orkneys. What d'ye say, Halcro? Will ye join us?
gpt
I canna say, Jack. Ye see there's the Falcon. I couldna leave Davie Flett very well; though I'll not deny I'd rather be a pilot than anything else.
human
Weel, ye'll think of it any way; and if we can get the money, there's no doubt but we'll manage the business right enough.