Chapter 1

THE GREAT SEA WATERS

Gray sky, brown waters, as a bird that flies
My heart flits forth to these;
Back to the winter rose of Northern skies,
Back to the Northern seas.

* * * * *

The sea is His, and He made it.

I saw a man of God coming over the narrow zigzag path that led across a
Shetland peat moss. Swiftly and surely he stepped. Bottomless bogs of
black peat-water were on each side of him, but he had neither fear nor
hesitation. He walked like one who knew his way was ordered, and when
the moss was passed, he pursued his journey over the rocky moor with the
same untiring speed. Now and then he sang a few lines, and now and then
he lifted his cap, and stood still to listen to the larks. For the larks
sing at midnight in the Shetland summer, and to the music of their
heaven-soaring songs he set one sweet name, and in the magical radiance
over land and sea had that momentary vision of a beloved face which the
second-sight of Memory sometimes grants to a pure, unselfish love. Then
with a joyful song nestling in his heart, he went rapidly forward. And
the night was as the day, for the moon was full and the rosy spears of
the Aurora were charging the zenith from every point of the horizon.

Very early he came to a little town. It was asleep and there was no
sound of life in it; but a large yacht was lying at the silent pier with
steam visible, and he went directly to her. During the full tide she had
drifted a few feet from land, but he took the open space like a longer
step, walked straight to the wheel, and softly whistled.

Then the Captain came quickly up the companion-way, and there was light
and liking on his face, as he said,

"Welcome, sir! I was expecting thee."

"To be sure. I sent you word I should be here before sunrising. Are you
ready to sail?"

"Quite ready, sir."

"Then cast off at once," and immediately there was movement all through
the boat--the sound of setting sail, the lifting of the anchor, the rush
of steam, and the hoarse melancholy voices of the sailors. Then the man
laid his hand on the wheel, and with wind and tide in her favor, the
yacht was soon racing down the great North Sea.

"It is Yoden's time at the wheel, sir," said the Captain. "If so be he
is wanted."

"He is not wanted yet. I am going to take her as far as the Hoy--if it
suits you, Captain."

"Take your will, sir. I am always well suited with it."

Now John Hatton was a cotton-spinner, but he knew the ways of a boat,
and the winds and tides that would serve her, and the road southward she
must take; and at his will she went, as if she was a solan flying for