Captain Wat Frew sails the Wee Stot out of Cairnholm harbour on errands he describes as coastal trade, with papers that tend to arrive some days after the cargo. His accounts are elastic, his manifests poetic, and his acquaintance among the excise men warm on both sides. Half the company owes him money, which he permits, finding a debtor makes a more attentive friend than a creditor.
He is obliging in the matter of small commissions — a case of this, a bottle of that, no questions tendered and none accepted — and can be found most evenings at the harbour end of town, standing rounds he will later itemise. He is welcome at the Manor and at Hartfield House alike, on the understanding that the silver is counted afterward in a spirit of affection.