Feats on the Fiord, by Harriet Martineau. 

________________________________________________________________________This book was first published in a collection of stories, "ThePlayfellow, " along with "The Crofton Boys", "The Peasant and the Prince"and "The Settlers at Home. " However, being of a somewhat whimsicalnature, it later attracted artists and publishers with a bent in thatdirection. This is the original version, dating from the mid nineteenthcentury. 

________________________________________________________________________FEATS ON THE FIORD, BY HARRIET MARTINEAU. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

ERLINGSEN'S "AT HOME. "

Every one who has looked at the map of Norway must have been struck withthe singular character of its coast. On the map it looks so jagged, such a strange mixture of land and sea, that it appears as if there mustbe a perpetual struggle between the two, --the sea striving to inundatethe land, and the land pushing itself out into the sea, till it ends intheir dividing the region between them. On the spot, however, thiscoast is very sublime. The long straggling promontories aremountainous, towering ridges of rock, springing up in precipices fromthe water; while the bays between them, instead of being rounded withshelving sandy shores, on which the sea tumbles its waves, as in bays ofour coast, are, in fact, long narrow valleys, filled with sea, insteadof being laid out in fields and meadows. The high rocky banks shelterthese deep bays (called fiords) from almost every wind; so that theirwaters are usually as still as those of a lake. For days and weekstogether, they reflect each separate tree-top of the pine-forests whichclothe the mountain sides, the mirror being broken only by the leap ofsome sportive fish, or the oars of the boatman as he goes to inspect thesea-fowl from islet to islet of the fiord, or carries out his nets orhis rod to catch the sea-trout or char, or cod, or herrings, whichabound, in their seasons, on the coast of Norway. 

It is difficult to say whether these fiords are the most beautiful insummer or in winter. In summer, they glitter with golden sunshine; andpurple and green shadows from the mountain and forest lie on them; andthese may be more lovely than the faint light of the winter noons ofthose latitudes, and the snowy pictures of frozen peaks which then showthemselves on the surface: but before the day is half over, out come thestars, --the glorious stars which shine like nothing that we have everseen. There, the planets cast a faint shadow, as the young moon doeswith us: and these planets, and the constellations of the sky, as theysilently glide over from peak to peak of these rocky passes, are imagedon the waters so clearly that the fisherman, as he unmoors his boat forhis evening task, feels as if he were about to shoot forth his vesselinto another heaven, and to cleave his way among the stars. 

Still as everything is to the eye, sometimes for a hundred milestogether along these deep sea-valleys, there is rarely silence. The earis kept awake by a thousand voices. In the summer, there are cataractsleaping from ledge to ledge of the rocks; and there is the bleating ofthe kids that browse there, and the flap of the great eagle's wings, asit dashes abroad from its eyrie, and the cries of whole clouds ofsea-birds which inhabit the islets; and all these sounds are mingled andmultiplied by the strong echoes, till they become a din as loud as thatof a city. Even at night, when the flocks are in the fold, and thebirds at roost, and the echoes themselves seem to be asleep, there isoccasionally a sweet music heard, too soft for even the listening ear tocatch by day. Every breath of summer wind that steals through thepine-forests wakes this music as it goes. The stiff spiny leaves of thefir and pine vibrate with the breeze, like the strings of a musicalinstrument, so that every breath of the night-wind, in a Norwegianforest, wakens a myriad of tiny harps; and this gentle and mournfulmusic may be heard in gushes the whole night through. This music, ofcourse, ceases when each tree becomes laden with snow; but yet there issound, in the midst of the longest winter night. There is the rumble ofsome avalanche, as, after a drifting storm, a mass of snow, too heavy tokeep its place, slides and tumbles from the mountain peak. There isalso, now and then, a loud crack of the ice in the nearest glacier; and, as many declare, there is a crackling to be heard by those who listenwhen the northern lights are shooting and blazing across the sky. Noris this all. Wherever there is a nook between the rocks on the shore, where a man may build a house, and clear a field or two;--wherever thereis a platform beside the cataract where the sawyer may plant his mill, and make a path from it to join some great road, there is a humanhabitation, and the sounds that belong to it. Thence, in winter nights, come music and laughter, and the tread of dancers, and the hum of manyvoices. The Norwegians are a social and hospitable people; and theyhold their gay meetings, in defiance of their arctic climate, throughevery season of the year. 

On a January night, a hundred years ago, there was great merriment inthe house of a farmer who had fixed his abode within the arctic circle, in Nordland, not far from the foot of Sulitelma, the highest mountain inNorway. This dwelling, with its few fields about it, was in a recessbetween the rocks, on the shore of the fiord, about five miles fromSaltdalen, and two miles from the junction of the Salten's Elv (river)with the fiord. It was but little that Erlingsen's fields wouldproduce, though they were sheltered from the coldest winds, and thesummer sunshine was reflected from the rocks, so as to make this littlefarm much more productive than any near which were in a more exposedsituation. A patch of rye was grown, and some beans and oats; and therewas a strip of pasture, and a garden in which might be seen turnips, radishes, potatoes, lettuce and herbs, and even some fruits, --a fewraspberries, and a great many cherries. There were three or four horseson the farm, five cows, and a small flock of goats. In summer, thecattle and flock were driven up the mountain, to feed on the pasturesthere; and during the seven months of winter, they were housed and fedon the hay grown at home, and that which was brought from the mountain, and on a food which appears strange enough to us, but of which cows inNorway are extremely fond:--fish-heads boiled into a thick soup withhorse-dung. At one extremity of the little beach of white sand whichextended before the farmer's door was his boat-house; and on his boat heand his family depended, no less than his cows, for a principal part oftheir winter subsistence. Except a kid or a calf now and then, no meatwas killed on the farm. Cod in winter, herrings in spring, trout andsalmon in summer, and salted fish in winter, always abounded. Reindeermeat was regularly purchased from the Lapps who travelled round amongthe settlements for orders, or drove their fattened herds from farm tofarm. Besides this, there was the resource of game. Erlingsen and hishousemen brought home from their sporting rambles, sometimes a youngbear, sometimes wild ducks, or the noble cock-of-the-woods, as big as aturkey, or a string of snipes, or golden plovers, or ptarmigan. Theeggs of sea-birds might be found in every crevice of the islets in thefiord, in the right season; and they are excellent food. Once a year, too, Erlingsen wrapped himself in furs, and drove himself in his sledge, followed by one of his housemen on another and a larger, to the greatwinter fair at Tronyem, where the Lapps repaired to sell their frozenreindeer meat, their skins, a few articles of manufacture, and wheretravelling Russian merchants came with the productions of otherclimates, and found eager customers in the inhabitants who thronged tothis fair to make their purchases. Here, in exchange for the salt-fish, feathers, and eider-down which had been prepared by the industry of hisfamily, Erlingsen obtained flax and wool wherewith to make clothing forthe household, and those luxuries which no Norwegian thinks of goingwithout, --corn-brandy, coffee, tobacco, sugar, and spices. Large mouldcandles were also sold so cheap by the Russians that it was worth whileto bring them home for the use of the whole family, --even to burn in thestables and stalls, as the supply of bears' fat was precarious, and thepine-tree was too precious, so far north, to be split up into torches, while it even fell so short occasionally as to compel the family to burnpeat, which they did not like nearly so well as pine-logs. It wasMadame Erlingsen's business to calculate how much of all these foreignarticles would be required for the use of her household for a wholeyear; and, trusting to her calculations, which were never found to bewrong, her husband came home from the winter fair heavily enough ladenwith good things. 

Nor was it only what was required for his own every-day household thathe brought. The quantity of provisions, especially corn-brandy, tobacco, coffee, and sugar, consumed in hospitality in Norway, is almostincredible; and retired as the Erlingsens might appear to dwell, theywere as hospitable, according to their opportunities, as any inhabitantof Bergen or Christiana. They gave feasts at Christmas, and on everyoccasion that they could devise. The occasion, on the particularJanuary day mentioned above, was the betrothment of one of thehouse-maidens to a young farm-servant of the establishment. I do notmean that this festival was anything like a marriage. It was merely anengagement to be married; but this engagement is a much more formal andpublic affair in Norway (and indeed wherever the people belong to theLutheran church) than with us. According to the rites of the Lutheranchurch, there are two ceremonies, --one when a couple become engaged, andanother when they are married. In Norway, this betrothment gives thecouple a certain dignity beyond that of the unengaged, and more libertyof companionship, together with certain rights in law. This makes up tothem for being obliged to wait so long as they often must before theycan marry. In a country, scattered over with farmers, like Norway, where there are few money transactions, because people provide for theirown wants on their own little estates, servants do not shift theirplaces, and go from master to master, as with us. A young man and womanhave to wait long, --probably till some houseman dies or removes, beforethey can settle; and then they are settled for life, --provided for tilldeath, if they choose to be commonly industrious and honest. The storyof this betrothment at Erlingsen's will explain what I have just said. 

As Madame Erlingsen had two daughters growing up, and they were no lessactive than the girls of a Norwegian household usually are, she hadoccasion for only two maidens to assist in the business of the dwellingand the dairy. 

Of these two, the younger, Erica, was the maiden betrothed to-day. Noone perhaps rejoiced so much at the event as her mistress, both forErica's sake, and on account of her two young daughters. Erica was notthe best companion for them; and the servants of a Norwegian farmer arenecessarily the companions of the daughters of the house. There wasnothing wrong in Erica's conduct or temper towards the family. She had, when confirmed, [Note 1] borne so high a character, that many placeswere offered her, and Madame Erlingsen had thought herself veryfortunate in obtaining her services. But, since then, Erica hadsustained a shock which hurt her spirits, and increased a weakness whichshe owed to her mother. Her mother, a widow, had brought up her childin all the superstitions of the country, some of which remain in fullstrength even to this day, and were then very powerful; and the poorwoman's death at last confirmed the lessons of her life. She had stayedtoo long one autumn day at the Erlingsen's; and, being benighted on herreturn, and suddenly seized and bewildered by the cold, had wanderedfrom the road, and was found frozen to death in a recess of the forestwhich it was surprising that she should have reached. Erica neverbelieved that she did reach this spot of her own accord. Having hadsome fears before of the Wood-Demon having been offended by one of thefamily, Erica regarded this accident as a token of his vengeance. Shesaid this when she first heard of her mother's death; and no reasoningsfrom the zealous pastor of the district, no soothing from her mistress, could shake her persuasion. She listened with submission, wiping awayher quiet tears as they discoursed; but no one could ever get her to saythat she doubted whether there was a Wood-Demon, or that she was notafraid of what he would do if offended. 

Erlingsen and his wife always treated her superstition as a weakness;and when she was not present, they ridiculed it. Yet they saw that ithad its effect on their daughters. Erica most strictly obeyed theirwish that she should not talk about the spirits of the region with Orgaand Frolich; but the girls found plenty of people to tell them what theycould not learn from Erica. Besides what everybody knows who lives inthe rural districts of Norway, --about Nipen, the spirit that is alwaysso busy after everybody's affairs, --about the Water-sprite, anacquaintance of every one who lives beside a river or lake, --and aboutthe Mountain-Demon, familiar to all who lived so near Sulitelma; besidesthese common spirits, the girls used to hear of a multitude of othersfrom old Peder, the blind houseman, and from all the farm-people, downto Oddo, the herd-boy. Their parents hoped that this taste of theirsmight die away if once Erica, with her sad, serious face and subduedvoice, were removed to a house of her own, where they would see hersupported by her husband's unfearing mind, and occupied with domesticbusiness more entirely than in her mistress's house. So MadameErlingsen was well pleased that Erica was betrothed; and she could onlyhave been better satisfied if she had been married at once. 

For this marrying, however, the young people must wait. There was nohouse, or houseman's place, vacant for them at present. There was aprospect, however. The old houseman Peder, who had served Erlingsen'sfather and Erlingsen himself for fifty-eight years, could now no longerdo the weekly work on the farm which was his rent for his house, field, and cow. He was blind and old. His aged wife, Ulla, could not leavethe house; and it was the most she could do to keep the dwelling inorder, with occasional help from one and another. Housemen who makethis sort of contract with farmers in Norway are never turned out. Theyhave their dwelling and field for their own life and that of theirwives. What they do, when disabled, is to take in a deserving young manto do their work for the farmer, on the understanding that he succeedsto the houseman's place on the death of the old people. Peder and Ullahad made this agreement with Erica's lover, Rolf; and it was understoodthat his marriage with Erica should take place whenever the old peopleshould die. 

It was impossible for Erica herself to fear that Nipen was offended, atthe outset of this festival day. If he had chosen to send a wind, theguests could not have come; for no human frame can endure travelling ina wind in Nordland on a January day. Happily, the air was so calm thata flake of snow, or a lock of eider-down, would have fallen straight tothe ground. At two o'clock, when the short daylight was gone, the starswere shining so brightly, that the company who came by the fiord wouldbe sure to have an easy voyage. Almost all came by the fiord, for theonly road from Erlingsen's house led to so few habitations, and was sonarrow, steep, and rocky, that an arrival by that way was a rare event. The path was now, however, so smooth with frozen snow, that more thanone sledge attempted and performed the descent. Erlingsen and some ofhis servants went out to the porch, on hearing music from the water, andstood with lighted pine-torches to receive their guests, when, approaching from behind, they heard the sound of the sleigh-bells, andfound that company was arriving both by sea and land. 

It was a pretty sight, --such an arrival. In front, there was the headof a boat driving up upon the white beach, and figure after figureleaping out, and hastening to be welcomed in the porch; while, in themidst of the greeting, the quick and regular beat of a horse's feet washeard on the frozen ground, and the active little animal rushed into thelight, shaking his mane and jingling his bells, till suddenly checked bythe driver, who stood upright at the back of the sledge, while theladies reclined, so wrapped in furs that nothing could be seen of themtill they had entered the house, and issued forth from the room wherethey threw off their pelisses and cloaks. Glad had the visitors been, whether they came by land or water, to arrive in sight of the lighteddwelling, whose windows looked like rows of yellow stars, contrastingwith the blue ones overhead; and more glad still were they to be usheredinto the great room, where all was so light, so warm, so cheerful! Warmit was, to the farthest corner; and too warm near the roaring andcrackling fires; for the fires were of pine-wood. Rows upon rows ofcandles were fastened against the walls, above the heads of the company;the floor was strewn with juniper twigs; and the spinning-wheels, thecarding boards, every token of household labour was removed, except aloom, which remained in one corner. In another corner was a welcomesight--a platform of rough boards, two feet from the floor, and on ittwo stools. This was a token that there was to be dancing; and indeedOddo, the herd-boy, old Peder's grandson, was seen to have his clarionetin his belt, as he ran in and out on the arrival of fresh parties. 

Before four o'clock, the whole company, consisting of about forty, hadarrived. They walked about the large room, sipping their strong coffee, and helping one another to the good things on the trays which werecarried round, --the slices of bread-and-butter, with anchovies, orshreds of reindeer ham or tongue, or thin slices of salt cheese. Whenthese trays disappeared, and the young women who had served themreturned into the room, Oddo was seen to reach the platform with a hop, skip, and jump, followed by a dull-looking young man with a violin. Theoldest men lighted their pipes, and sat down to talk, two or threetogether. Others withdrew to a smaller room, where card-tables were setout; while the younger men selected their partners, and handed themforth for the gallopade. The dance was led by the blushing Erica, whosemaster was her partner. It had never occurred to her that she was notto take her usual place, and she was greatly embarrassed, not the lessso that she knew that her mistress was immediately behind, with Rolf forher partner. Erica might, however, have led the dance in any country inEurope. All the women in Norway dance well, being practised in it fromtheir infancy, as an exercise for which the leisure of their longwinter, and the roominess of their houses, afford scope. Every womanpresent danced well, but none better than Erica. 

"Very well!" "very pretty!" "very good!" observed the pastor, M. Kollsen, as he sat, with his pipe in his mouth, looking on. M. Kollsenwas a very young man; but the men in Norway smoke as invariably as thewomen dance. "Very pretty, indeed! They only want double the number tomake it as pretty a dance as any in Tronyem. "

"What would you have, sir?" asked old Peder, who sat smoking at hiselbow. "Are there not eleven couple? Oddo told me there were elevencouple; and I think I counted so many pairs of feet as they passed. "

"Let me see:--yes, you are right, Peder; there are eleven couples. "

"And what would you have more, sir? In this young man's father'stime--"

"Rolf's father's?"

"No, sir, --Erlingsen's. Ah! I forgot that Erlingsen may not seem toyou, or any stranger, to be young, but Ulla and I have been used to callhim so, and I fear I always shall, as I shall never see the furrows inhis face. It will be always smooth and young to me. My Ulla says thereis nothing to be sorry for in that, and she does not object to mythinking so of her face. But, as I was saying, in the elder Erlingsen'stime we thought we did well when we set up nine couples at Yule: andsince then, the Holbergs and Thores have each made out a new farm withinten miles, and we are accustomed to be rather proud of our elevencouples. Indeed, I once knew it twelve, when they got me to stand upwith little Henrica, --the pretty little girl whose grave lies behind, just under the rock. But I suppose there is no question but there arefiner doings at Tronyem. "

"Of course--of course, " said the young clergyman. "But there are manyyouths in Tronyem that would be glad of so pretty a partner as M. Erlingsen has, if she would not look so frightened. "

"Pretty she is, " said Peder. "As I remember her complexion, it looks asif it was made by the reflection of our snows in its own clearness. Andwhen you do get a full look into her eyes, how like the summer sky theyare--as deep as the heavens in a midsummer noon! Did you say she looksfrightened, sir?"

"Yes. When does she not? Some ghost from the grave has scared her, Isuppose; or some spirit that has no grave to lie still in, perhaps. Itis a great fault in her that she has so little faith. I never met withsuch a case. I hardly know how to conduct it. I must begin with thepeople about her, --abolish their superstitions, --and then there may be achance for her. Meanwhile I have but a poor account to give to thebishop [Note 2] of the religion of the district. "

"Did you say, sir, that Erica wants faith? It seems to me that I neverknew any one who had so much. "

"You think so because there is no idea in this region of what faith is. A prodigious work indeed my bishop has given me to do. He himselfcannot be aware what it is, till I send him my report. One mightsuppose that Christianity had never been heard of here, by the absurdcredulity one meets with in the best houses, --the multitude of good andevil spirits one hears of at every turn. I will blow them all to thewinds presently. I will root out every superstition in a circle oftwenty miles. "

"You will, sir?"

"I will. Such is my duty as a Christian pastor. "

"Do you suppose you can, sir?"

"Certainly. No doubt of that. What sort of a pastor must he be whocannot vindicate his own religion?"

"These beliefs, sir, were among us long before you were born; and Ifancy they will last till some time after you are dead. And, what ismore, I should not wonder if your bishop was to tell you the same thingwhen you send him your report of us. "

"I thought you had had more faith, Peder. I thought you had been abetter Christian. "

"However that may be, " said Peder, "I have some knowledge of the peopleabout us, having lived nearly fourscore years in the parish; andperhaps, sir, as you are young, and from a distance, you would allow meto say a word. May I?"

"O, certainly. "

But while M. Kollsen gave this permission, he took his pipe from hismouth, and beat time with it upon his knee, and with his foot upon theground, to carry off his impatience at being instructed. 

"My advice would be, sir, with all respect to you, " said Peder, "thatyou should lead the people into everything that you think true and good, and pass over quietly whatever old customs and notions you do notunderstand or like. I have so much belief in the religion you are toteach as to feel sure that whatever will not agree with it will die outof its way if let alone. But if religion is brought in to hurt thepeople's feelings and notions, that religion will be the thing tosuffer. "

"I must judge for myself about such matters, of course, " said M. Kollsen. He was meditating a change of place, to escape furtherlecturing about his duty, when Peder saved him the trouble of leavinghis comfortable seat by rising and moving away towards the fire. Peder's pipe was smoked out, and he was going for more tobacco to theplace where tobacco was always to be found--in a little recess above thefireplace. He felt his way carefully, that he might not interfere withthe dancers, or be jostled by them; but he had not far to go. Onefriend begged to be sent for anything he wanted; another, with a quickereye, brought him tobacco; and a third led him to his seat again. Alllooked with wonder at M. Kollsen, surprised that he, Peder's companionat that moment, young and blessed with eyesight, could let the blind oldman leave his seat for such a reason. M. Kollsen whiffed away, however, quite unconscious of what everybody was thinking. 

"This waltz, " said Peder, when the dancers had begun again, "does notseem to go easily. There is something amiss. I think it is in themusic that the fault lies. My boy's clarionet goes well enough; no fearof Oddo's being out. Pray, sir, who plays the violin at this moment?"

"A fellow who looks as if he did not like his business. He is frowningwith his red brows as if he would frown out the lights. "

"His red brows! O, then it is Hund. I was thinking it would be hardupon him, poor fellow, if he had to play to-night; yet, not so hard asif he had to dance. It is weary work dancing with the heels when theheart is too heavy to move. You may have heard, sir, for everyone knowsit, that Hund wanted to have young Rolf's place, and, some say, Ericaherself. Is she dancing, sir, if I may ask?"

"Yes, with Rolf. What sort of a man is Rolf--with regard to thesesuperstitions, I mean? Is he as foolish as Erica--always frightenedabout something?"

"No, indeed. It is to be wished that Rolf was not so light as he is--soinconsiderate about these matters. Rolf has his troubles and hisfaults; but they are not of that kind. "

"Enough, " said M. Kollsen, with a voice of authority. "I rejoice tohear that he is superior to the popular delusions. As to his troublesand his faults, they may be left for me to discover all in good time. "

"With all my heart, sir. They are nobody's business but his own, and, may be, Erica's. Rolf has a good heart, and I doubt not Ulla and Ishall have great comfort in him. He lives with us, sir, from this nightforwards. There is no fear that he will wish us in our graves, thoughwe stand between him and his marriage. "

"That must be rather a painful consideration to you. "

"Not at all, sir, at present. Ulla and I were all the happier, wethink, to this day, for having had four such years as these young peoplehave before them to know one another in, and grow suitable in notionsand habits, and study to please one another. By the time Rolf and Ericaare what we were, one or both of us will be underground, and Rolf willhave, I am certain, the pleasant feeling of having done his duty by us. It is all as it should be, sir; and I pray that they may live to say atour age what Ulla and I can say at the same season of our lives. "

The pastor made no answer. He had not heard the last few words; forwhat Peder said of being underground had plunged him into a reverieabout Peder's funeral sermon, which he should, of course, have topreach. He was pondering how he should at once do justice to Peder'svirtues and mark his own disapprobation of the countenance Peder gave tothe superstitions of the region in which he lived. He must keep in viewthe love and respect in which the old man was held by everybody, and yethe must bear witness against the great fault above mentioned. Hecomposed two or three paragraphs in his imagination which he thoughtwould do, and then committed them to memory. He was roused from thisemployment by a loud laugh from the man whose funeral he was meditating, and saw that Peder was enjoying life at present as much as the youngest, with a glass of punch in his hand, and a group of old men and womenround him recalling the jests of fifty years ago. 

"How goes it, Rolf?" said his master, who, having done his duty in thedancing-room, was now making his way to the card-tables, in anotherapartment, to see how his guests there were entertained. Thinking thatRolf looked very absent, as he stood, in the pause of the dance, insilence by Erica's side, Erlingsen clapped him on the shoulder, andsaid, "How goes it? Make your friends merry. "

Rolf bowed and smiled, and his master passed on. 

"How goes it?" repeated Rolf to Erica, as he looked earnestly into herface. "Is all going on well, Erica?"

"Certainly. I suppose so. Why not?" she replied. "If you see anythingwrong, --anything omitted, be sure and tell me. Madame Erlingsen wouldbe very sorry. Is there anything forgotten, Rolf?"

"I think you have forgotten what the day is: that is all. Nobody thatlooked at you, love, would fancy it to be your own day. You lookanything but merry. Hardly a smile from you to-night! And that is agreat omission. "

"O, Rolf, there is something so much better than merriment!"

"Yes, love; but where is it? Not in your heart to-night, Erica. "

"Yes, indeed, Rolf. "

"You look as dull, --as sad, --you and Hund, as if--"

"Hund!" repeated Erica, glancing around the room for Hund, and notseeing him till her lover reminded her that Hund was the musician. "Hund does seem dull enough to be sure, " said she, smiling; "I hope I donot often look like that. "

"I am more sorry for him than you are, I see, " said Rolf, brighteningwhen he found how entirely Hund had been absent from her thoughts. "Iam more sorry for Hund than you are: and with good reason, for I knowwhat the happiness is that he has missed, poor fellow! But yet I thinkyou might feel a little more for him. It would show that you know howto value love. "

"Indeed I am very sorry for him; but more for his disappointment aboutthe house than any other. To-day once over, he will soon fix his loveon somebody else. Perhaps we shall be dancing on his betrothment-daybefore the year is out. "

"Then I hope his girl will look merrier than you do to-night, " mutteredRolf, with a sigh. "O, Erica! I wish you would trust me. I could takecare of you, and make you quite happy, if you would only believe it. Ah! I know what that look means. I know you love me, and all that; butyou are always tormenting yourself--"

"I think I know one who is cleverer still at tormenting himself, " saidErica, with a smile. "Come, Rolf, no more tormenting of ourselves orone another! No more of that after to-day! What is to-day worth, if itis not to put an end to all doubts of one another?"

"But where is the use of that, if you still will not believe that I cankeep off all trouble from you--that nothing in the universe shall touchyou to your hurt, while--"

"O, hush! hush!" said Erica, turning pale and red at the presumption ofthis speech. "See, they are waiting for us. One more round beforesupper. "

And in the whirl of the waltz she tried to forget the last words Rolfhad spoken; but they rang in her ears; and before her eyes were imagesof Nipen overhearing this defiance, --and the Water-sprite planningvengeance in its palace under the ice, --and the Mountain-Demon laughingin scorn, till the echoes shouted again, --and the Wood-Demon waitingonly for summer to see how he could beguile the rash lover. Ericafinished her dance; but when the company and the men of the householdwere seated at the supper-table, and she had to help her mistress andthe young ladies to wait upon them, she trembled so that she couldscarcely stand. It was so very wrong of Rolf to be always defying thespirits!

Long was the supper, and hearty was the mirth round the table. Peoplein Norway have universally a hearty appetite, --such an appetite as weEnglish have no idea of. Whether it is owing to the sharp climate, orto the active life led by all, --whatever may be the cause, such is thefact. This night, piles of fish disappeared first; and then joint afterjoint of reindeer venison. The fine game of the country was handedround, cut up; and little but the bones was left of a score of birds. Then there were preserved fruits, and berries, eaten with thick cream;--almost every dish that could be thought of made of the rich cream of thenorth. Erica recovered herself as the great business went on, and whileher proud lover watched her, forgetting his supper, he thought tohimself that no one of the fair attendants trod so lightly as Erica--noone carved so neatly--no one handed the dishes so gracefully, or was soquick at seeing to whom the most respect and attention were owing. Perhaps this last thought was suggested by Rolf's perceiving that, either by her own hand or another's, the hottest dishes and the nicestbits were found, all supper-time, close to his elbow. Madame Erlingsen, he decided, with all her experience, did not do the duties of the tableso well; and the young ladies, kind and good-tempered as they were, would never, by any experience, become so graceful as Erica. 

At last appeared the final dish of the long feast--the sweet cake, withwhich dinner and supper in Norway usually conclude. While this wassliced and handed round, Rolf observed that Erica looked anxiouslytowards him. He took no notice, hoping that she would come and speak tohim, and that he should thus be the gainer of a few of her sweet words. She did come, and just said, "The cake and ale are here, Rolf. Will you carry them?"

"O, the treat for old Nipen. Yes, I will carry them, " replied Rolf, rising from his seat. 

It is the custom in the country regions of Norway to give the spiritNipen a share at festival times. His Christmas cake is richer than thatprepared for the guests; and, before the feast is finished, it is laidin some place out of doors, where, as might be expected, it is never tobe found in the morning. Everybody knew therefore why Rolf rose fromhis seat, though some were too far off to hear him say that he wouldcarry out the treat for old Nipen. 

"Now, pray do not speak so, --do not call him those names, " said Erica, anxiously. "It is quite as easy to speak so as not to offend him. Pray, Rolf, to please me, do speak respectfully. And promise me to playno tricks, but just set the things down, and come straight in, and donot look behind you. Promise me, Rolf. "

Rolf did promise, but he was stopped by two voices, calling upon him. Oddo, the herd-boy, came running to claim the office of carrying outNipen's cake; and M. Kollsen, from his seat, declared that he could notcountenance any superstitious observances, --would not indeed permit anyso gross as this in his presence. He requested that the company mighthave the benefit of the cake, and made a speech in ridicule of allspirits and fairies so very bold and contemptuous, that all present whohad to go home that night looked in consternation at their host. Ifsuch language as M. Kollsen's were allowed, they looked for nothingless than to have their way beset by offended spirits; so that Erlingsenmight hear in the morning of some being frozen, some being lost in thefiord, and others tumbled from precipices. M. Erlingsen made haste tospeak. He did not use any scruples with the young clergyman. He toldhim that every one present would be happy at all times to hear him speakon the matters belonging to his office. He had discharged his office inthe morning, in betrothing Rolf and Erica he was now resting from hisbusiness as a guest at that table; and he would, of course, allow thatthe direction of the festivity rested with the host and hostess, whosedesire it was that everything should be done which was agreeable to thefeelings and habits of the greater number of the guests. 

It was settled in a moment that Nipen should have his cake; which soshocked and annoyed M. Kollsen that he declared he would not remain tosanction anything so impious, and requested that his boatmen might becalled from their suppers, and desired to have his boat readyimmediately. No entreaties would soften him: go he would. 

It appeared, however, that he could not go. Not a man would row him, after what he had just said of Nipen. All were sure that a gust wouldblow the boat over, the minute she was out of reach of land; or that arock would spring up in deep water, where no rock was before; or thatsome strong hand would grasp the boat from below, and draw it down underthe waters. A shudder went round as these things were prophesied, and, of course, M. Kollsen's return home that night was out of the question, unless he would row himself. At first, he declared he should do this;but he was so earnestly entreated to attempt nothing so rash, that heyielded the point, with a supercilious air which perhaps concealed moresatisfaction than he chose to avow to himself. He insisted on retiringimmediately, however, and was shown to his chamber at once by Erlingsenhimself, who found, on his return, that the company were the better forthe pastor's absence, though unable to recover the mirth which he hadput to flight. Erica had been shedding a few tears, in spite of strongefforts to restrain them. Here was a bad omen already, --on the very dayof her betrothment; and she saw that Hund thought so; for there was agloomy satisfaction in his eye, as he sat silently watching all thatpassed. 

She could not help being glad that Oddo renewed his request to beallowed to carry out Nipen's cake and ale. She eagerly put the ale-caninto his hand, and the cake under his arm; and Oddo was going out, whenhis blind grandfather, hearing that he was to be the messenger, observedthat he should be better pleased if it _were_ somebody else; for Oddo, though a good boy, was inquisitive, and apt to get into mischief bylooking too closely into everything, --having never a thought of fear. Everybody knew this to be true, though Oddo himself declared that he wasas frightened as anybody sometimes. Moreover, he asked what there wasto pry into, on the present occasion, in the middle of the night, andappealed to the company whether Nipen was not best pleased to be servedby the youngest of a party. This was allowed, and he was permitted togo, when Peder's consent was obtained, his mistress going to the doorwith him, and seeing him off, putting him in mind that the dancing couldnot begin again till he returned to take up his clarionet. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. The rite of confirmation is thought much more of in Norway thanwith us. The preparation for it is longer and more strict; and thedestiny of young people for life depends much on how they pass throughit. A person who has not been confirmed is looked upon as one without acharacter and without knowledge; while those who pass well stand high incredit; and if they have to earn their living, are sure of goodsituations. --In the newspapers in Norway you may see among theadvertisements, "A _confirmed_ shop-boy wants a place. " "Wanted a_confirmed_ girl, who can cook;" which means that their having beenconfirmed proves that they are considered respectable, and not deficientin capacity or knowledge. 

Note 2. A hundred years ago Nordland was included in the diocese ofTronyem. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

ODDO'S WALK. 

The place where Nipen liked to find his offerings was at the end of thebarn, below the gallery which ran round the outside of the building. There, in the summer, lay a plot of green grass, and in the winter asheet of pure frozen snow. Thither Oddo shuffled on, over the slipperysurface of the yard, and across the paddock, along the lane made by thesnow-plough between high banks of snow; and he took prodigious pains, between one slip and another, not to spill the ale. He looked more likea prowling cub than a boy, wrapped as he was in his wolf-skin coat andhis fox-skin cap doubled down over his ears. 

As may be supposed from Oddo's declaring that he was sometimesfrightened, he was a brave boy. A cowardly boy would not have said it;a cowardly boy would not have offered to go at all; a cowardly boywould, if he had been sent, have wished that the house-door might beleft open, that he might see the cheerful yellow light from within;whereas Oddo begged his mistress to shut the door, that his grandfathermight not be made to feel his rheumatism by any draught, as he sat attable. A cowardly boy would have run as fast as he could, perhapsslipping or falling, and spilling the ale; and when his errand was done, he would have fled home, without looking behind him, fancying everythinghe saw and heard a spirit or a wild beast. Oddo did very differentlyfrom this. As usual, he was too busy finding out how everythinghappened to feel afraid, as a less inquisitive boy would. 

The cake steamed up in the frosty air under his nose, so warm, andspicy, and rich, that Oddo began to wonder what so very superior a cakecould be like. He had never tasted any cake so rich as this, nor hadany one in the house tasted such: for Nipen would be offended if hiscake was not richer than anybody's else. Oddo wondered more and morehow this would taste, till, before he had crossed the yard, he wonderedno longer. He broke a piece off, and ate it; and then wondered whetherNipen would mind his cake being just a little smaller than usual. Aftera few steps more, the wonder was how far Nipen's charity would go, forthe cake was now a great deal smaller, and Oddo next wondered whetheranybody could stop eating such a cake when it was once tasted. He wassurprised to see, when he came out into the starlight, at the end of thebarn, how small a piece was left. He stood listening whether Nipen wascoming in a gust of wind, and when he heard no breeze stirring, helooked about for a cloud where Nipen might be. There was no cloud, asfar as he could see. The moon had set, but the stars were so bright asto throw a faint shadow from Oddo's form upon the snow. There was nosign of any spirit being angry at present: but Oddo thought Nipen wouldcertainly be angry at finding so very small a piece of cake. It mightbe better to let the ale stand by itself, and Nipen would perhapssuppose that Madame Erlingsen's stock of groceries had fallen short; atleast, that it was in some way inconvenient to make the cake on thepresent occasion. So, putting down his can upon the snow, and holdingthe last fragment of the cake between his teeth, he seized a birch polewhich hung down from the gallery, and by its help climbed one of theposts, and got over the rails into the gallery, whence he could watchwhat would happen. To remain on the very spot where Nipen was expectedwas a little more than he was equal to; but he thought he could stand inthe gallery, in the shadow of the broad eaves of the barn, and wait fora little while. He was so very curious to see Nipen, and to learn howit liked its ale!

There he stood in the shadow, hearing nothing but his own munching;though there was not much of that: for as he came near the end, he tookonly a little crumb at a time, to spin out the treat; for never wasanything so good! Then he had nothing to do but listen: but thewaterfall was frozen up; and the mill stood as still as if it was notmade to move. If the wheel should creak, it would be a sign that Nipenwas passing. 

Presently he heard something. 

"Music!" thought he. "I never heard that it liked music; and I don'tthink it can know much about music, for this is not at all sweet. Thereagain! That was a sort of screech. O, how stupid I am!" thought heagain. "So much for my head being full of Nipen! It is only Hund, tuning his violin, because they have all done supper. They will bewaiting for me. I wish this Nipen would make haste. It can't be veryhungry;--that is clear. "

He grew more and more impatient as the minutes passed on, and he wasaware that he was wanted in the house. Once or twice he walked slowlyaway, looking behind him, and then turned again, unwilling to miss thisopportunity of seeing Nipen. Then he called the spirit, --actuallybegged it to appear. His first call was almost a whisper; but he calledlouder and louder by degrees, till he was suddenly stopped by hearing ananswer. 

The call he heard was soft and sweet. There was nothing terrible in thesound itself; yet Oddo grasped the rail of the gallery with all hisstrength, as he heard it. The strangest thing was, it was not a singlecry; others followed, --all soft and sweet; but Oddo thought that Nipenmust have many companions: and he had not prepared himself to see morespirits than one. As usual, however, his curiosity grew more intense, from the little he had heard; and he presently called again. Again hewas answered, by four or five voices in succession. 

"Was ever anybody so stupid!" cried the boy, now stamping with vexation. "It is the echo, after all! As if there was not always an echo here, opposite the rock! It is not Nipen at all. I will just wait anotherminute, however. "

He leaned in silence on his folded arms; and had not so waited for manyseconds before he saw something moving on the snow at a little distance. It came nearer and nearer, and at last quite up to the can of ale. 

"I am glad I stayed, " thought Oddo. "Now I can say I have seen Nipen. It is much less terrible than I expected. Grandfather told me that itsometimes came like an enormous elephant or hippopotamus; and neversmaller than a large bear. But this is no bigger than--let me see--Ithink it is most like a fox. I should like to make it speak to me. They would think so much of me at home, if I had talked with Nipen. "

So he began gently, "Is that Nipen?"

The thing moved its bushy tail, but did not answer. 

"There is no cake for you to-night, Nipen. I hope the ale will do. Isthe ale good, Nipen?"

Off went the dark creature, without a word, as quick as it could go. 

"Is it offended?" thought Oddo: "or is it really what it looks like, --afox? If it does not come back, I will go down presently, and seewhether it has drunk the ale. If not, I shall think it is only a fox. "

He presently let himself down to the ground by the way he had come up, and eagerly laid hold of the ale-can. It would not stir. It was asfast on the ground as if it was enchanted, which Oddo did not doubt wasthe case; and he started back, with more fear than he had yet had. Thecold he felt on this exposed spot soon reminded him, however, that thecan was probably frozen to the snow, --which it might well be, afterbeing brought warm from the fire-side. It was so. The vessel had sunkan inch into the snow, and was there fixed by the frost. 

None of the ale seemed to have been drunk; and so cold was Oddo by thistime, that he longed for a sup of it. He took first a sup, and then adraught: and then he remembered that the rest would be entirely spoiledby the frost if it stood another hour. This would be a pity, hethought; so he finished it, saying to himself that he did not believeNipen would come that night. 

At that very moment he heard a cry so dreadful that it shot, like suddenpain, through every nerve of his body. It was not a shout of anger: itwas something between a shriek and a wail, --like what he fancied wouldbe the cry of a person in the act of being murdered. That Nipen washere now, he could not doubt; and at length Oddo fled. He fled thefaster, at first, for hearing the rustle of wings; but the curiosity ofthe boy even now got the better of his terror, and he looked up at thebarn where the wings were rustling. There he saw, in the starlight, theglitter of two enormous round eyes, shining down upon him from the ridgeof the roof. But it struck him at once that he had seen those eyesbefore. He checked his speed, stopped, went back a little, sprang uponce more into the gallery, hissed, waved his cap, and clapped hishands, till the echoes were all awake again; and, as he had hoped, thegreat white owl spread its wings, sprang off from the ridge, and sailedaway over the fiord. 

Oddo tossed up his cap, cold as the night was, so delighted was he tohave scared away the bird which had for a moment scared him. He hushedhis mirth, however, when he perceived that lights were wandering in theyard, and that there were voices approaching. He saw that the householdwere alarmed about him, and were coming forth to search for him. Curious to see what they would do, Oddo crouched down in the darkestcorner of the gallery to watch and listen. 

First came Rolf and his master, carrying torches, with which theylighted up the whole expanse of snow as they came. They looked roundthem without any fear, and Oddo heard Rolf say--

"If it were not for that cry, sir, I should think nothing of it. But myfear is that some beast has got him. "

"Search first the place where the cake and ale ought to be, " saidErlingsen. "Till I see blood, I shall hope the best. "

"You will not see that, " said Hund, who followed, his gloomy countenancenow distorted by fear, looking ghastly in the yellow light of the torchhe carried. "You will see no blood. Nipen does not draw blood. "

"Never tell me that any one that was not wounded and torn could send outsuch a cry as that, " said Rolf. "Some wild brute seized him, no doubt, at the very moment that Erica and I were standing at the doorlistening. "

Oddo repented his prank when he saw, in the flickering light behind thecrowd of guests, who seemed to hang together like a bunch of grapes, thefigures of his grandfather and Erica. The old man had come out in thecold for his sake; and Erica, who looked as white as the snow, had nodoubt come forth because the old man wanted a guide. Oddo now wishedhimself out of the scrape. Sorry as he was, he could not help beingamused, and keeping himself hidden a little longer, when he saw Rolfdiscover the round hole in the snow where the can had sunk, and heardthe different opinions of the company as to what this portended. Mostwere convinced that his curiosity had been his destruction, as they hadalways prophesied. What could be clearer by this hole than that the alehad stood there, and been carried off with the cake, and Oddo with it, because he chose to stay and witness what is forbidden to mortals?

"I wonder where he is now?" said a shivering youth, the gayest dancer ofthe evening. 

"O, there is no doubt about that; any one can tell you that, " repliedthe elderly and experienced M. Holberg. "He is chained upon a wind, poor fellow, like all Nipen's victims. He will have to be shut up in acave all the hot summer through, when it is pleasantest to be abroad;and when the frost and snow come again, he will be driven out with alash of Nipen's whip, and he must go flying wherever his wind flieswithout resting or stopping to warm himself at any fire in the country. Every winter now, when Erlingsen hears a moaning above his chimney, hemay know it is poor Oddo, foolish boy!"

"Foolish boy! but one can't help pitying him, " said another. "Chainedastride upon the wind, and never to be warm again!"

Oddo had thus far kept his laughter to himself, but now he could containhimself no longer. He laughed aloud, and then louder and louder as heheard the echoes all laughing with him. The faces below, too, were sovery ridiculous--some of the people staring up in the air, and others atthe rock where the echo came from; some having their mouths wide open, others their eyes starting, and all looking unlike themselves in thetorchlight. His mirth was stopped by his master. 

"Come down, sir, " cried Erlingsen, looking up at the gallery. "Comedown this moment. We shall make you remember this night as well perhapsas Nipen could do. Come down, and bring my can and the ale and thecake. The more pranks you play to-night the more you will repent it. "

Most of the company thought Erlingsen very bold to talk in this way; buthe was presently justified by Oddo's appearance on the balustrade. Hismaster seized him as he touched the ground, while the others stoodaloof. 

"Where is my ale-can?" said Erlingsen. 

"Here, sir;" and Oddo held it up dangling by the handle. 

"And the cake? I bade you bring down the cake with you. "

"So I did, sir. "

And to his master's look of inquiry the boy answered by pointing downhis throat with one finger, and laying the other hand upon his stomach. "It is all here, sir. "

"And the ale in the same place?"

Oddo bowed, and Erlingsen turned away without speaking. He could nothave spoken without laughing. 

"Bring this gentleman home, " said Erlingsen, presently to Rolf; "and donot let him out of your hands. Let no one ask him any questions till heis in the house. " Rolf grasped the boy's arm, and Erlingsen wentforward to relieve Peder, though it was not very clear to him at themoment whether such a grandchild was better safe or missing. The oldman made no such question, but hastened back to the house with manyexpressions of thanksgiving. 

As the search-party crowded in among the women, and pushed all beforethem into the large warm room, M. Kollsen was seen standing on thestair-head, wrapped in the bear-skin coverlid. 

"Is the boy there?" he inquired. 

Oddo showed himself. 

"How much have you seen of Nipen, hey?"

"Nobody ever had a better sight of it, sir. It was as plain as I seeyou now, and no further off. "

"Nonsense, --it is a lie, " said M. Kollsen. 

"Do not believe a word he says, " advised the pastor, speaking to thelisteners. "There is the folly of giving such an opportunity to a childof making himself important. If he had had his share of the cake, withthe rest of us at table, he would have taken it quietly, and beenthankful. As it is, it will be harder work than ever to drive out thesewicked superstitions. Go, get along!" he cried to Oddo; "I do not wantto hear a word you have got to say. "

Oddo bowed, and proceeded to the great room, where he took up hisclarionet, as if it was a matter of course that the dancing was to beginagain immediately. He blew upon his fingers, however, observing thatthey were too stiff with cold to do their duty well. And when he turnedtowards the fire, everyone made way for him, in a very different mannerfrom what they would have dreamed of three hours before. Oddo had hiscuriosity gratified as to how they would regard one who was believed tohave seen something supernatural. 

Erlingsen saw that something must be done on the spot, to clear up theaffair. If his guests went home without having heard the mysteries ofthe night explained, the whole country would presently be filled withwild and superstitious stories. He requested Peder to examine the boy, as Oddo stood more in awe of his grandfather than of anyone else; andalso because Peder was known to be so firm a believer in Nipen, that hisjudgment would be more readily received than that of an unbeliever. When seriously questioned, Oddo had no wish to say anything but thetruth; and he admitted the whole, --that he had eaten the entire cake, drunk all the ale, seen a fox and an owl, and heard the echoes in answerto himself. As he finished his story, Hund, who was perhaps the mosteager listener of all, leaped thrice upon the floor, snapping hisfingers, as if in a passion of delight. He met Erlingsen's eye full ofseverity, and was quiet; but his countenance still glowed withexultation. 

The rest of the company was greatly shocked at these daring insults toNipen: and none more so than Peder. The old man's features worked withemotion, as he said in a low voice that he should be very thankful ifall the mischief that might follow upon this adventure might be borne bythe kin of him who had provoked it. If it should fall upon those whowere innocent, never surely had boy been so miserable as his poor ladwould then be. Oddo's eyes filled with tears, as he heard this; and helooked up at his master and mistress, as if to ask whether they had noword of comfort to say. 

"Neighbour, " said Madame Erlingsen to Peder, "is there any one here whodoes not believe that God is over all, and that he protects theinnocent?"

"Is there any one who does not feel, " added Erlingsen, "that theinnocent should be gay, safe as they are in the good-will of God andman? Come, neighbours, --to your dancing again! You have lost too muchtime already. Now, Oddo, play your best, --and you, Hund. "

"I hope, " said Oddo, "that if any mischief is to come, it will fall uponme. We'll see how I shall bear it. "

"Mischief enough will befall you, boy, --never doubt it, " said hismaster, "as long as you trifle with people's feelings as you have doneto-night. Go. Make up for it all you can. "

The dancing was spiritless, and there was little more of it. The mirthof the meeting was destroyed. The party broke up at three, instead offive or six; and it might have been earlier still, but for theunwillingness of every family present to be the first to go upon thelake, or to try the road. At last, all understood one another'sfeelings by their own; and the whole company departed at once in twobands, --one by water, and the other by land. Those who went in sleighstook care that a heavy stone was fastened by a rope to the back of eachcarriage, that its bobbing and dancing on the road might keep off thewolves. Glad would they have been of any contrivance by which theymight as certainly distance Nipen. Rolf then took a parting kiss fromErica in the porch, pushed Oddo on before, and followed with Peder. Erica watched them quite to the door of their own house, and then camein, and busied herself in making a clearance of some of the confusionwhich the guests had left behind. 

"Oddo could not get a word from you, Erica, " observed her mistress; "noteven a look in answer to his `good night'. "

"I could not, madam, " answered Erica, tears and sobs breaking forth. "When I think of it all, I am so shocked, --so ashamed!"

"How ashamed?"

"Nipen has been so favourable to us to-day, madam! not a breath of windstirring all the morning, so that nobody was disappointed of coming!And then to serve it in this way! To rob it, and mock it, and brave itas we have done!--So ungrateful!--so very wrong!"

"We are very sorry for Oddo's trick, --your master and I, " said MadameErlingsen; "but we are not in the least afraid of any further harmhappening. You know we do not believe that God permits his children tobe at the mercy of evil or capricious spirits. Indeed, Erica, we couldnot love God as we should wish to love Him, if we could not trust in Himas a just and kind protector. Go to rest now, Erica. You have donequite enough since you left your bed. Go to rest now. Rest your heartupon Him who has blessed you exceedingly this day. Whatever others do, do not you be ungrateful to Him. Good sleep to you, Erica! Sleep offyour troubles, that Rolf may see nothing of them in the morning. "

Erica smiled; and when Orga and Frolich saw the effect of what theirmother had said, they too went to rest without trembling at every one ofthe noises with which a house built of wood is always resounding. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

OLAF AND HIS NEWS. 

When M. Kollsen appeared the next morning, the household had so much ofits usual air that no stranger would have imagined how it had beenoccupied the day before. The large room was fresh strewn with evergreensprigs; the breakfast-table stood at one end, where each took breakfast, standing, immediately on coming downstairs. At the bottom of the roomwas a busy group. The shoemaker, who travelled this way twice a year, had appeared this morning, and was already engaged upon the skins whichhad been tanned on the farm, and kept in readiness for him. He wasinstructing Oddo in the making of the tall boots of the country; andOddo was so eager to have a pair in which he might walk knee-deep in thesnow when the frosts should be over, that he gave all his attention tothe work. Peder was twisting strips of leather, thin and narrow, intowhips. Rolf and Hund were silently intent upon a sort of work which theNorwegian peasant delights in, --carving wood. They spoke only to answerPeder's questions about the progress of the work. Peder loved to hearabout their carving, and to feel it; for he had been remarkable for hisskill in the art, as long as his sight lasted. 

Erlingsen was reading the newspaper, which must go away in the pastor'spocket. Madame was spinning; and her daughters sat busily plying theirneedles with Erica, in a corner of the apartment. The three wereputting the last stitches to the piece of work which the pastor was alsoto carry away with him, as his fee for his services of yesterday. Itwas an eider-down coverlid, of which Rolf had procured the down, fromthe islets in the fiord frequented by the eider-duck, and Erica hadwoven the cover and quilted it, with the assistance of her young ladies, in an elegant pattern. The other house-maiden was in the chambers, hanging out the bedding in an upper gallery to air, as she did on alldays of fair weather. 

The whole party rose when M. Kollsen entered the room, but presentlyresumed their employments, except Madame Erlingsen, who conducted thepastor to the breakfast-table, and helped him plentifully to reindeerham, bread-and-butter, and corn-brandy, --the usual breakfast. M. Kollsen carried his plate and ate, as he went round to converse witheach group. First, he talked politics a little with his host, by thefire-side; in the midst of which conversation Erlingsen managed tointimate that nothing would be heard of Nipen to-day, if the subject waslet alone by themselves: a hint which the clergyman was willing to take, as he supposed it meant in deference to his views. Then he complimentedMadame Erlingsen on the excellence of her ham, and helped himself again;and next drew near the girls. 

Erica blushed, and was thinking how she should explain that she wishedhis acceptance of her work, when Frolich saved her the awkwardness bysaying--

"We hope you will like this coverlid, for we have made an entirely newpattern on purpose for it. Orga, you have the pattern. Do show M. Kollsen how pretty it looks on paper. "

M. Kollsen did not know much about such things; but he admired as muchas he could. 

"That lily of the valley, see, is mamma's idea; and the barberry, answering to it, is mine. That tree in the middle is all Erica's work--entirely; but the squirrel upon it, we never should have thought of. Itwas papa who put that in our heads; and it is the most original thing inthe whole pattern. Erica has worked it beautifully, to be sure. "

"I think we have said quite enough about it, " observed Erica, smilingand blushing. "I hope M. Kollsen will accept it. The down is Rolfspresent. "

Rolf rose, and made his bow, and said he had had pleasure in preparinghis small offering. 

"And I think, " said Erlingsen, "it is pretty plain that my little girlshave had pleasure in their part of the work. It is my belief that theyare sorry it is so nearly done. "

M. Kollsen graciously accepted the gift, --took up the coverlid andweighed it in his hand, in order to admire its lightness, compared withits handsome size; and then bent over the carvers, to see what work wasunder their hands. 

"A bell-collar, sir, " said Hund, showing his piece of wood. "I ammaking a complete set for our cows, against they go to the mountain, come summer. "

"A pulpit, sir, " explained Rolf, showing his work in his turn. 

"A pulpit! Really! And who is to preach in it?"

"You, sir, of course, " replied Erlingsen. "Long before you came, --fromthe time the new church was begun, we meant it should have a handsomepulpit. Six of us, within a round of twenty miles, undertook the sixsides; and Rolf has great hopes of having the basement allotted to himafterwards. The best workman is to do the basement, and I think Rolfbids fair to be the one. This is good work, sir. "

"Exquisite, " said the pastor. "I question whether our native carversmay not be found to be equal to any whose works we hear so much of inPopish churches, in other countries. And there is no doubt of thesuperiority of their subjects. Look at these elegant twining flowers, and that fine brooding eagle! How much better to copy the beautifulworks of God that are before our eyes, than to make durable pictures ofthe Popish idolatries and superstitions, which should all have beenforgotten as soon as possible! I hope that none of the impiousidolatries which, I am ashamed to say, still linger among us, will findtheir way into the arts by which future generations will judge us. "

The pastor stopped, on seeing that his hearers looked at one another, asif conscious. A few words, he judged, would be better than more; and hewent on to Peder, passing by Oddo without a word of notice. The partyhad indeed glanced consciously at each other; for it so happened thatthe very prettiest piece Rolf had ever carved was a bowl on which he hadshown the water-sprite's hand (and never was hand so delicate as thewater-sprite's) beckoning the heron to come and fish when the riverbegins to flow. 

When Erica heard M. Kollsen inquiring of Peder about his old wife, shestarted up from her work, and said she must run and prepare Ulla for thepastor's visit. Poor Ulla would think herself forgotten this morning, it was growing so late, and nobody had been over to see her. 

Ulla, however, was far from having any such thoughts. There sat the oldwoman, propped up in bed, knitting as fast as fingers could move, andsinging, with her soul in her song, though her voice was weak andunsteady. She was covered with an eider-down quilt, like the first ladyin the land; but this luxury was a consequence of her being old and ill, and having friends who cared for her infirmities. There was no otherluxury. Her window was glazed with thick flaky glass, through whichnothing could be seen distinctly. The shelf, the table, theclothes-chest, were all of rough fir-wood; and the walls of the housewere of logs, well stuffed with moss in all the crevices, to keep outthe cold. There are no dwellings so warm in winter and cool in summeras well-built log-houses; and this house had everything essential tohealth and comfort: but there was nothing more, unless it was the greensprinkling of the floor, and the clean appearance of everything the roomcontained, from Ulla's cap to the wooden platters on the shelf. 

"I thought you would come, " said Ulla. "I knew you would come, and takemy blessing on your betrothment, and my wishes that you may soon be seenwith the golden crown [Note 1]. I must not say that I hope to see youcrowned, for we all know, --and nobody so well as I, --that it is I thatstand between you and your crown. I often think of it, my dear--"

"Then I wish you would not, Ulla: you know that. "

"I do know it, my dear, and I would not be for hastening God'sappointments. Let all be in His own time. And I know, by myself, howhappy you may be, --you and Rolf, --while Peder and I are failing anddying. I only say that none wish for your crowning more than we. O, Erica! you have a fine lot in having Rolf. "

"Indeed, I know it, Ulla. "

"Do but look about you, dear, and see how he keeps the house. And ifyou were to see him give me my cup of coffee, and watch over Peder, youwould consider what he is likely to be to a pretty young thing like you, when he is what he is to two worn-out old creatures like us. "

Erica did not need convincing about these things, but she liked to hearthem. 

"Where is he now?" asked Ulla. "I always ask where everybody is, atthis season; people go about staring at the snow, as if they had no eyesto lose. That is the way my husband did. Do make Rolf take care of hisprecious eyes, Erica. Is he abroad to-day, my dear?"

"By this time he is, " replied Erica, "I left him at work at thepulpit--"

"Ay! trying his eyes with fine carving, as Peder did!"

"But, " continued Erica, "there was news this morning of a lodgment oflogs at the top of the foss [Note 2]; and they were all going, exceptPeder, to slide them down the gully to the fiord. The gully is frozenso slippery, that the work will not take long. They will make a raft ofthe logs in the fiord, and either Rolf or Hund will carry them out tothe islands when the tide ebbs. "

"Will it be Rolf, do you think, or Hund, dear?"

"I wish it may be Hund. If it be Rolf, I shall go with him. O, Ulla!I cannot lose sight of him, after what happened last night. Did youhear? I do wish Oddo would grow wiser. "

Ulla shook her head, and then nodded, to intimate that they would nottalk of Nipen; and she began to speak of something else. 

"How did Hund conduct himself yesterday? I heard my husband's account:but you know Peder could say nothing of his looks. Did you mark hiscountenance, dear?"

"Indeed, there was no helping it, any more than one can help watching astorm-cloud as it comes up. "

"So it was dark and wrathful, was it, --that ugly face of his? Well itmight be, dear; well it might be!"

"The worst was, --worse than all his dark looks together, --O, Ulla! theworst was his leap and cry of joy when he heard what Oddo had done, andthat Nipen was made our enemy. He looked like an evil spirit when hefixed his eyes on me, and snapped his fingers. "

Ulla shook her head mournfully, and then asked Erica to put another peaton the fire. 

"I really should like to know, " said Erica, in a low voice, when sheresumed her seat on the bed, "I am sure you can tell me if you would, what is the real truth about Hund, what it is that weighs upon hisheart. "

"I will tell you, " replied Ulla. "You are not one that will go babblingit, so that Hund shall meet with taunts, and have his sore heart madesorer. I will tell you, my dear, though there is no one else but ourmistress that I would tell, and she, no doubt, knows it already. Hundwas born and reared a good way to the south, not far from Bergen. Inmid-winter four years since, his master sent him on an errand of twentymiles, to carry some provisions to a village in the upper country. Hedid his errand, and so far all was well. The village people asked himfor charity to carry three orphan children on his sledge some miles onthe way to Bergen, and to leave them at a house he had to pass on hisroad, where they would be taken care of till they could be fetched fromBergen. Hund was an obliging young fellow then, and he made noobjection. He took the little things, and saw that the two elder werewell wrapped up from the cold. The third he took within his arms and onhis knee as he drove, clasping it warm against his breast. So those saywho saw them set off; and it is confirmed by one who met the sledge onthe road, and heard the children prattling to Hund, and Hund laughingmerrily at their little talk. Before they had got half-way, however, apack of hungry wolves burst out upon them from a hollow to the right ofthe road. The brutes followed close at the back of the sledge, and--"

"O, stop!" cried Erica; "I know that story. Is it possible that Hund isthe man? No need to go on, Ulla. "

But Ulla thought there was always need to finish a story that she hadbegun, and she proceeded. 

"Closer and closer the wolves pressed, and it is thought Hund saw oneabout to spring at his throat. It was impossible for the horse to gofaster than it did, for it went like the wind; but so did the beasts. Hund snatched up one of the children behind him, and threw it over theback of the sledge, and this stopped the pack for a little. On gallopedthe horse, but the wolves were soon crowding round again, with the bloodfreezing on their muzzles. It was easier to throw the second child thanthe first, and Hund did it. It was harder to give up the third--thedumb infant that nestled to his breast, but Hund was in mortal terror;and a man beside himself with terror has all the cruelty of a pack ofwolves. Hund flung away the infant, and just saved himself. Nobody athome questioned him, for nobody knew about the orphans, and he did nottell. But he was unsettled and looked wild; and his talk, whenever hedid speak, night or day, was of wolves, for the three days that heremained after his return. Then there was a questioning along the roadabout the orphan children; and Hund heard of it, and started off intothe woods. By putting things together--what Hund had dropped in hisagony of mind, and what had been seen and heard on the road, the wholewas made out, and the country rose to find Hund. He was hunted like abear in the forest and on the mountain; but he had got to the coast intime, and was taken in a boat, it is thought, to Hammerfest. At anyrate, he came here as from the north, and wishes to pass for a northernman. "

"And does Erlingsen know all this?"

"Yes. The same person who told me told him. Erlingsen thinks he mustmeet with mercy, for that none need mercy so much as the weak; andHund's act was an act of weakness. "

"Weakness!" cried Erica, with disgust. 

"He is a coward, my dear; and death stared him in the face. "

"I have often wondered, " said Erica, "where on the face of the earththat wretch was wandering: and it is Hund! And he wanted to live inthis very house, " she continued, looking round the room. 

"And to marry you, dear. Erlingsen would never have allowed that. Butthe thought has plunged the poor fellow deeper, instead of saving him, as he hoped. He now has envy and jealousy at his heart, besides theremorse which he will carry to his grave. "

"And revenge!" said Erica, shuddering. "I tell you he leaped for joythat Nipen was offended. Here is some one coming, " she exclaimed, starting from her seat, as a shadow flitted over the thick window-pane, and a hasty knock was heard at the door. 

"You are a coward, if ever there was one, " said Ulla, smiling. "Hundnever comes here, so you need not look so frightened. What is to bedone if you look so at dinner, or the next time you meet him? It willbe the ruin of some of us. Go, --open the door, and do not keep thepastor waiting. "

There was another knock before Erica could reach the door, and Frolichburst in. 

"Such news!" she cried; "you never heard such news. "

"I wish there never was any news, " exclaimed Erica, almost pettishly. 

"Good or bad?" inquired Ulla. 

"O, bad, --very bad, " declared Frolich, who yet looked as if she wouldrather have it than none. "Here is company. Olaf, the drug-merchant, is come. Father did not expect him these three weeks. "

"This is not bad news, but good, " said Ulla. "Who knows but he maybring me a cure?"

"We will all beg him to cure you, dear Ulla, " said Frolich, stroking theold woman's white hair smooth upon her forehead. "But he tells usshocking things. There is a pirate-vessel among the islands. She wasseen off Soroe, some time ago; but she is much nearer to us now. Therewas a farm-house seen burning on Alten fiord, last week; and as thefamily are all gone, and nothing but ruins left, there is little doubtthe pirates lit the torch that did it. And the cod has been carried offfrom the beach, in the few places where any has been caught yet. "

"They have not found out our fiord yet?" inquired Ulla. 

"O, dear! I hope not. But they may, any day. And father says, thecoast must be raised, from Hammerfest to Tronyem, and a watch set tillthis wicked vessel can be taken or driven away. He was going to send arunning message both ways; but here is something else to be done first. "

"Another misfortune?" asked Erica, faintly. 

"No: they say it is a piece of very good fortune;--at least, for thosewho like bears' feet for dinner. Somebody or other has lighted upon thegreat bear that got away in the summer, and poked her out of her den, onthe fjelde. She is certainly abroad, with her two last year's cubs; andtheir traces have been found just above, near the foss. Olaf had heardof her being roused; and Rolf and Hund have found her traces. Oddo hascome running home to tell us: and father says he must get up a huntbefore more snow falls, and we lose the tracks, or the family mayestablish themselves among us, and make away with our first calves. "

"Does he expect to kill them all?"

"I tell you, we are all to grow stout on bears' feet. For my part, Ilike bears' feet best on the other side of Tronyem. "

"You will change your mind, Miss Frolich, when you see them on thetable, " observed Ulla. 

"That is just what father said. And he asked how I thought Erica andStiorna would like to have a den in their neighbourhood when they go upto the mountain for the summer. O, it will be all right when the huntis well over, and all the bears dead. Meantime, I thought they were atmy heels as I crossed the yard. "

"And that made you burst in as you did. Did Olaf say anything aboutcoming to see me? Has he plenty of medicines with him?"

"O, certainly. That was the thing I came to say. He is laying out hismedicines, while he warms himself; and then he is coming over, to seewhat he can do for your poor head. He asked about you, directly; and heis frowning over his drugs, as if he meant to let them know that theymust not trifle with you. "

Ulla was highly pleased, and gave her directions very briskly about thearrangement of the room. If it had been the grandest apartment of apalace, she could not have been more particular as to where everythingshould stand. When all was to her mind, she begged Erica to step over, and inform Olaf that she was ready. 

When Erica opened the door, she instantly drew back, and shut it again. 

"What now?" asked Frolich. "Are all the bears in the porch?"

"Olaf is there, " replied Erica, in a whisper, "talking with Hund. "

"Hund wants a cure for the head-ache, " Frolich whispered in return; "ora charm to make some girl betroth herself to him;--a thing which no girlwill do, but under a charm: for I don't believe Stiorna would when itcame to the point, though she likes to be attended to. "

When Olaf entered, and Hund walked away, Frolich ran home, and Ericastood by the window, ready to receive the travelling doctor's opinionand directions if he should vouchsafe any. 

"So I am not the first to consult you to-day, " said Ulla. "It is ratherhard that I should not have the best chance of luck, having been so longill. "

Olaf assured her that he would hear no complaints from another till hehad given her the first-fruits of his wisdom in this district of hisrounds. Hund was only inquiring of him where the pirate-schooner was, having slid down from the height, as fast as his snow-skaits would carryhim, on hearing the news from Oddo. He was also eager to know whencethese pirates came, --what nation they were of, or whether a crewgathered from many nations. Olaf had advised Hund to go and ask thepirates themselves all that he wanted to know; for there was no one elsewho could satisfy him. Whereupon Hund had smiled grimly, and gone backto his work. 

Erica observed that she had heard her master say that it was foolish toboast that Norway need not mind when Denmark went to war, because itwould be carried on far out of sight and hearing. So far from this, Erlingsen had said, that Denmark never went to war but pirates came toravage the coast, from the North Cape to the Naze. Was not this thecase now? Denmark had gone to war; and here were the pirates come tomake her poor partner suffer. 

Olaf said this explained the matter: and he feared the business of thecoast would suffer till a time of peace. Meanwhile, he must mind hisbusiness. When he had heard all Ulla's complaints, and ordered exactlywhat she wished--large doses of camphor and corn-brandy to keep off thenight-fever and daily cough, he was ready to hear whatever else Ericahad to ask, for Ulla had hinted that Erica wanted advice. 

"I do not mind Ulla hearing my words, " said Erica. "She knows mytrouble. "

"It is of the mind, " observed Olaf, solemnly, on discovering that Ericadid not desire to have her pulse felt. 

"Yesterday was--I was--" Erica began. 

"She was betrothed yesterday, " said Ulla, "to the man of her heart. Rolf is such a young man--"

"Olaf knows Rolf, " observed Erica. "An unfortunate thing happened atthe end of the day, Olaf. Nipen was insulted. " And she told the storyof Oddo's prank, and implored the doctor to say if anything could bedone to avert bad consequences. 

"No doubt, " replied Olaf. "Look here! This will preserve you from anyparticular evil that you dread. " And he took from the box he carriedunder his arm a round piece of white paper, with a hole in the middle, through which a string was to be passed, to tie the charm round theneck. Erica shook her head. Such a charm would be of no use, as shedid not know under what particular shape of misfortune Nipen'sdispleasure would show itself. Besides, she was certain that nothingwould make Rolf wear a charm; and she disdained to use any securitywhich he might not share. Olaf could not help her in any other way; butinquired with sympathy when the next festival would take place. Then, all might be repaired by handsome treatment of Nipen. Till then, headvised Erica to wear his charm, as her lover could not be the worse forher being so far safe. Erica blushed: she knew, but did not say, thatharm would be done which no charm could repair if her lover saw hertrying to save herself from dangers to which he remained exposed: andshe did not know what their betrothment was worth, if it did not givethem the privilege of suffering together. So she put back the charminto its place in the box, and, with a sigh, rose to return to thehouse. 

In the porch she found Oddo, eating something which caused him to makefaces. Though it was in the open air, there was a strong smell ofcamphor, and of something else less pleasant. 

"What are you doing, Oddo?" asked Erica: the question which Oddo wasasked every day of his life. 

Oddo had observed Olaf's practice among his patients of the household, and perceived that, for all complaints, of body or mind, he gave the twothings camphor and asafoetida, --sometimes together, and sometimesseparately; and always in corn-brandy. Oddo could not refrain fromtrying what these drugs were like; so he helped himself to some of each;and, as he could get no corn-brandy till dinner-time, he was eating themedicines without. Such was the cause of his wry faces. If he had beenanything but a Norway boy, he would have been the invalid of the houseto-day, from the quantity of rich cake he had eaten: but Oddo seemed toshare the privilege, common to Norwegians, of being able to eatanything, in any quantity, without injury. His wry faces were from noindigestion, but from the savour of asafoetida, unrelieved by brandy. 

Wooden dwellings resound so much as to be inconvenient for those whohave secrets to tell. In the porch of Peder's house, Oddo had heard allthat passed within. It was good for him to have done so. He becamemore sensible of the pain he had given, and more anxious to repair it. "Dear Erica, " said he, "I want you to do a very kind thing for me. Doget leave for me to go with Rolf after the bears. If I get one strokeat them, --if I can but wound one of them, I shall have a paw for myshare; and I will lay it out for Nipen. You will, will you not?"

"It must be as Erlingsen chooses, Oddo: but I fancy you will not beallowed to go just now. The bears will think the doctor's physic-sledgeis coming through the woods, and they will be shy. Do stand a littlefurther off. I cannot think how it is that you are not choked. "

"Suppose you go for an airing, " said the doctor, who now joined them. "If you must not go in the way of the bears, there is a reindeer, --"

"O, where?" cried Oddo. 

"I saw one, --all alone, --on the Salten heights. If you run that way, with the wind behind you, the deer will give you a good run;--upSulitelma, if you like, and you will have got rid of the camphor beforeyou come back. And be sure you bring me some Iceland moss, to pay mefor what you have been helping yourself to. "

When Oddo had convinced himself that Olaf really had seen a reindeer onthe heights, three miles off, he said to himself, that if deer do notlike camphor, they are fond of salt; and he was presently at thesalt-box, and then quickly on his way to the hills with his bait. Heconsidered his chance of training home the deer much more probable thanthat Erlingsen and his grandfather would allow him to hunt the bears:And he doubtless judged rightly. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. Peasant brides in Norway wear, on their wedding-day, a coronetof pasteboard, covered with gilt paper. 

Note 2. Waterfall. Pine-trunks felled in the forest are drawn over thefrozen snow to the banks of a river, or to the top of a waterfall, whence they may be either slid down over the ice, or left to be carrieddown by the floods, at the melting of the snows in the spring. 

CHAPTER FOUR. 

ROVING HERE AND ROVING THERE. 

The establishment was now in a great hurry and bustle for an hour, afterwhich time it promised to be unusually quiet. 

M. Kollsen began to be anxious to be on the other side of the fiord. It was rather inconvenient, as the two men were wanted to go indifferent directions, while their master took a third, to rouse thefarmers for the bear-hunt. The hunters were all to arrive before nightwithin a certain distance of the thickets where the bears were nowbelieved to be. On calm nights it was no great hardship to spend thedark hours in the bivouac of the country. Each party was to shelteritself under a bank of snow, or in a pit dug out of it, an enormous fireblazing in the midst, and brandy and tobacco being plentifullydistributed on such occasions. Early in the morning the director of thehunt was to go his rounds, and arrange the hunters in a ring enclosingthe hiding-place of the bears, so that all might be prepared, and nowaste made of the few hours of daylight which the season afforded. Assoon as it was light enough to see distinctly among the trees, orbushes, or holes of the rocks where the bears might be couched, theywere to be driven from their retreat, and disposed of as quickly aspossible. Such was the plan, well understood, in such cases throughoutthe country. On the present occasion it might be expected that thepeasantry would be ready at the first summons, as Olaf had told hisstory of the bears all along the road. Yet, the more messengers andhelpers the better; and Erlingsen was rather vexed to see Hund go withalacrity to unmoor the boat, and offer officiously to row the pastoracross the fiord. His daughters knew what he was thinking about, andafter a moment's consultation, Frolich asked whether she and the maidStiorna might not be the rowers. 

Nobody would have objected if Hund had not. The girls could row, thoughthey could not hunt bears; and the weather was fair enough; but Hundshook his head, and went on preparing the boat. His master spoke tohim, but Hund was not remarkable for giving up his own way. He wouldonly say that there would be plenty of time for both affairs, and thathe could follow the hunt when he returned, and across the lake he went. 

Erlingsen and Rolf presently departed, accompanied by Olaf, who was gladof an escort for a few miles, though nothing was further from hisintention than going near the bears. The women and Peder were thus leftbehind. 

They occupied themselves to keep away anxious thoughts. One began somenew nets, for the approaching fishing season; another sat in the loom, and the girls appealed to their mother very frequently, about thebeauties of a new quilting pattern they were drawing. Old Peder sang tothem too; but Peder's songs were rather melancholy, and they had not theeffect of cheering the party. Hour after hour they looked for Hund. His news of his voyage, and the sending him after his master, would besomething to do and to think of; but Hund did not come. Stiorna at lastlet fall that she did not think he would come yet, for that he meant tocatch some cod before his return; he had taken tackle with him for thatpurpose, she knew, and she should not wonder if he did not appear tillthe morning. 

Every one was surprised, and Madame Erlingsen highly displeased. At thetime when her husband would be wanting every strong arm that could bemustered, his servant chose to be out fishing, instead of obeyingorders. The girls pronounced him a coward, and Peder observed that to acoward, as well as a sluggard, there was ever a lion in the path. Ericadoubted whether this act of disobedience arose from cowardice, for therewere dangers in the fiord, for such as went out as far as the cod. Shesupposed Hund had heard--

She stopped short, as a sudden flash of suspicion crossed her mind. Shehad seen Hund inquiring of Olaf about the pirates, and his strangeobstinacy about this day's boating looked much as if he meant to learnmore. 

"Danger in the fiord!" repeated Orga. "O, you mean the pirates; theyare far enough from our fiord, I suppose. If ever they do come, I wishthey would catch Hund, and carry him off. I am sure we could spare themnothing they would be so welcome to. "

Madame Erlingsen saw that Erica was turning red and white, and resolvedto ask, on the first good opportunity, what was in her mind about Hund, for no one was more disposed to distrust and watch him than the ladyherself. 

The first piece of amusement that occurred was the return of Oddo, whopassed the windows, followed at a short distance by a wistful-lookingdeer, which seemed afraid to come quite up to him, but kept its branchedhead outstretched towards the salt which Oddo displayed, dropping a fewgrains from time to time. At the sight all crowded to the windows butFrolich, who left the room on the instant. Before the animal had passedthe servants' house (a separate dwelling in the yard), she appeared inthe gallery which ran round the outside of it, and showed to Oddo a cordwhich she held; he nodded, and threw down some salt on the snowimmediately below where she stood. The reindeer stooped its head, instead of looking out for enemies above, and thus gave Frolich a goodopportunity to throw her cord over its antlers. She had previouslywound one end round the balustrade of the gallery, so that she had notwith her single strength to sustain the animal's struggles. 

The poor animal struggled violently when it found its head no longer atliberty, and, by throwing out its legs, gave Oddo an opportunity tocatch and fasten it by the hind leg, so as to decide its fatecompletely. It could now only start from side to side, and threatenwith its head when the household gathered round to congratulate Oddo andFrolich on the success of their hunting. The women durst only hastilystroke the palpitating sides of the poor beast; but, Peder, who hadhandled many scores in his lifetime, boldly seized its head, and feltits horns and the bones from whence they grew, to ascertain its age. 

"Do you fancy you have made a prize of a wild deer, boy?" he asked ofhis grandson. 

"To be sure, " said Oddo. 

"I thought you had had more curiosity than to take such a thing forgranted, Oddo. See here! Is not this ear slit?"

"Why, yes, " Oddo admitted; "but it is not a slit of this year or last. It may have belonged to the Lapps once upon a time; but it has been wildfor so long that it is all the same as if it had never been in a fold. It will never be claimed. "

"I am of your opinion there, boy. I wish you joy of your sport. "

"You may: for I doubt whether anybody will do better to-day. Hund willnot, for one, if it is he who has gone out with the boat; and I think Icannot be mistaken in the handling of his oar. "

"Have you seen him? Where? What is he doing?" asked one and another. 

Before Oddo could answer, Madame Erlingsen desired that he would go homewith his grandfather, and tell Ulla about the deer, while he warmedhimself. She did not wish her daughters to hear what he might have totell of Hund. Stiorna too was better out of the way. Oddo had not halftold the story of the deer to his grandmother, when his mistress andErica entered. 

"Did you not see M. Kollsen in the boat with Hund?" she inquired. 

"No. Hund was quite alone, pulling with all his might down the fiord. The tide was with him, so that he shot along like a fish. "

"How do you know that it was Hund you saw?"

"Don't I know our boat? And don't I know his pull? It is no more likeRolf's than Rolf's is like master's. "

"Perhaps he was making for the best fishing-ground as fast as he could. "

"We shall see that by the fish he brings home. "

"True. By supper-time we shall know. "

"Hund will not be home by supper-time, " said Oddo, decidedly. 

"Why not? Come, say out what you mean. "

"Well, I will tell you what I saw. I watched him rowing as fast as hisarm and the tide would carry him. It was so plain that there was a planin his head, that I forgot the deer in watching him; and I followed onfrom point to point, catching a sight now and then, till I had gone agood stretch beyond Salten heights. I was just going to turn back whenI took one more look, and he was then pulling in for the land. "

"On the north shore or south?" asked Peder. 

"The north--just at the narrow part of the fiord, where one can see intothe holes of the rocks opposite. "

"The fiord takes a wide sweep below there, " observed Peder. 

"Yes; and that was why he landed, " replied Oddo. "He was then but alittle way from the fishing-ground, if he had wanted fish. But he droveup the boat into a little cove, a narrow dark creek, where it will liesafe enough, I have no doubt, till he comes back: if he means to comeback. "

"Why, where should he go? What should he do but come back?" askedMadame Erlingsen. 

"He is now gone over the ridge to the north. I saw him moor the boat, and begin to climb; and I watched his dark figure on the white snow, higher and higher, till it was a speck, and I could not make it out. "

"That is the way you will lose your eyes, " exclaimed Ulla. "How oftenhave I warned you, --and many others as giddy as you! When you have lostyour eyes, you will think you had better have minded my advice, and nothave stared at the snow after a runaway that is better there than here. "

"What do you think of this story, Peder?" asked his mistress. 

"I think Hund has taken the short cut over the promontory, on businessof his own at the islands. He is not on any business of yours, dependupon it, madam. "

"And what business can he have among the islands?"

"I could say that with more certainty if I knew exactly where thepirate-vessel is. "

"That is your idea, Erica, " said her mistress. "I saw what yourthoughts were, an hour ago, before we knew all this. "

"I was thinking then, madam, that if Hund was gone to join the pirates, Nipen would be very ready to give them a wind just now. A baffling windwould be our only defence; and we cannot expect that much from Nipento-day. "

"I will do anything in the world, " cried Oddo, eagerly. "Send meanywhere. Do think of something that I can do. "

"What must be done, Peder?" asked his mistress. "There is quite enoughto fear, Erica, without a word of Nipen. Pirates on the coast, and onefarm-house seen burning already!"

"I will tell you what you must let me do, madam, " said Erica. "Indeedyou must not oppose me. My mind is quite set upon going for the boat, --immediately--this very minute. That will give us time--it will give ussafety for this night. Hund might bring seven or eight men upon us overthe promontory: but if they find no boat, I think they can hardly workup the windings of the fiord in their own vessel to-night;--unless, indeed, " she added, with a sigh, "they have a most favourable wind. "

"All this is true enough, " said her mistress; "but how will you go?Will you swim?"

"The raft, madam. "

"And there is the old skiff on Thor islet, " said Oddo. "It is a ricketylittle thing, hardly big enough for two; but it will carry down Ericaand me, if we go before the tide turns. "

"But how will you get to Thor islet?" inquired Madame Erlingsen. "Iwish the scheme were not such a wild one. "

"A wild one must serve at such a time, madam, " replied Erica. "Rolf hadlashed several logs before he went. I am sure we can get over to theislet. See, madam, the fiord is as smooth as a pond. "

"Let her go, " said Peder. "She will never repent. "

"Then come back, I charge you, if you find the least danger, " said hermistress. "No one is safer at the oar than you; but if there is aripple in the water, or a gust on the heights, or a cloud in the sky, come back. Such is my command, Erica. "

"Wife, " said Peder, "give her your pelisse; that will save her seeingthe girls before she goes. And she shall have my cap, and then there isnot an eye along the fiord that can tell whether she is man or woman. "

Ulla lent her deerskin pelisse willingly enough; but she entreated thatOddo might be kept at home. She folded her arms about the boy withtears; but Peder decided the matter with the words, "Let him go; it isthe least he can do to make up for last night. Equip, Oddo. "

Oddo equipped willingly enough. In two minutes he and his companionlooked like two walking bundles of fur. Oddo carried a frail-basket, containing rye-bread, salt-fish, and a flask of corn-brandy; for inNorway no one goes on the shortest expedition without carryingprovisions. 

"Surely it must be dusk by this time, " said Peder. 

It was dusk; and this was well, as the pair could steal down to theshore without being perceived from the house. Madame Erlingsen gavethem her blessing, saying that if the enterprise saved them from nothingworse than Hund's company this night, it would be a great good. Therecould be no more comfort in having Hund for an inmate; for some impropersecret he certainly had. Her hope was that, finding the boat gone, hewould never show himself again. 

"One would think, " continued the lady, when she returned from watchingErica and Oddo disappear in the dusk--"one would think Erica had neverknown fear. Her step is as firm and her eye as clear as if she hadnever trembled in the course of her life. "

"She knows how to act to-night, " said Peder; "and she is going intodanger for her lover, instead of waiting at home while her lover goesinto danger for her. A hundred pirates in the fiord would not make hertremble as she trembled last night. Rather a hundred pirates than Nipenangry, she would say. "

"There is her weakness, " observed her mistress. 

"Can we speak of weakness after what we have just seen--if I may say so, madam?"

"I think so, " replied Madame Erlingsen. "I think it a weakness in thosewho believe that a just and tender Providence watches over us all, tofear what any power in the universe can do to them. "

"M. Kollsen does not make progress in teaching the people what you say, madam. He only gets distrusted by it. "

"When M. Kollsen has had more experience, he will find that this is nota matter for displeasure. He will not succeed while he is displeased atwhat his people think sacred. When he is an older man, he will pity theinnocent for what they suffer from superstition; and this pity willteach him how to speak of Providence to such as our Erica. But here aremy girls coming to seek me. I must meet them, to prevent their missingErica. "

"Get them to rest early, madam. "

"Certainly; and you will watch in this house, Peder, and I at home. "

"Trust me for hearing the oar at a furlong off, madam. "

"That is more than I can promise, " said the lady; "but the owl shall notbe more awake than I. "

CHAPTER FIVE. 

THE WATER-SPRITES' DOINGS. 

Erica now profited by her lover's industry in the morning. He had sofar advanced with the raft that, though no one would have thought oftaking it in its present state to the mouth of the fiord for shipment, it would serve as a conveyance in still water for a short distancesafely enough. 

And still, indeed, the waters were. As Erica and Oddo were busily andsilently employed in tying moss round their oars to muffle their sound, the ripple of the tide upon the white sand could scarcely be heard, andit appeared to the eye as if the lingering remains of the daylightbrooded on the fiord, unwilling to depart. The stars had, however, beenshowing themselves for some time; and they might now be seen twinklingbelow almost as clearly and steadily as overhead. As Erica and Oddo puttheir little raft off from the shore, and then waited, with their oarssuspended, to observe whether the tide carried them towards the isletthey must reach, it seemed as if some invisible hand was pushing themforth to shiver the bright pavement of constellations as it lay. Starafter star was shivered, and its bright fragments danced in their wake;and those fragments reunited and became a star again as the watersclosed over the path of the raft, and subsided into perfect stillness. 

The tide favoured Erica's object. A few strokes of the oar brought theraft to the right point for landing on the islet. They stepped ashore, and towed the raft along till they came to the skiff, and then theyfastened the raft with the boat-hook which had been fixed there for theskiff. This done, Oddo ran to turn over the little boat, and examineits condition: but he found he could not move it. It was frozen fast tothe ground. It was scarcely possible to get a firm hold of it, it wasso slippery with ice; and all pulling and pushing of the two togetherwas in vain, though the boat was so light that either of them could havelifted and carried it in a time of thaw. 

This circumstance caused a good deal of delay: and, what was worse, itobliged them to make some noise. They struck at the ice with sharpstones; but it was long before they could make any visible impression;and Erica proposed, again and again, that they should proceed on theraft. Oddo was unwilling. The skiff would go so incomparably faster, that it was worth spending some time upon it: and the fears he had hadof its leaking were removed, now that he found what a sheet of ice itwas covered with, --ice which would not melt to admit a drop of waterwhile they were in it. So he knocked and knocked away, wishing that theechoes would be quiet for once, and then laughing as he imagined theghost-stories that would spring up all round the fiord to-morrow, fromthe noise he was then making. 

Erica worked hard too; and one advantage of their labour was that theywere well warmed before they put off again. The boat's icy fasteningswere all broken at last: and it was launched: but all was not ready yet. The skiff had lain in a direction east and west; and its north side hadso much thicker a coating of ice than the other, that its balance wasdestroyed. It hung so low on one side as to promise to upset with atouch. 

"We must clear off more of the ice, " said Erica. "But how late it isgrowing!"

"No more knocking, I say, " replied Oddo. "There is a quieter way oftrimming the boat. "

He fastened a few stones to the gunwale on the lighter side, and took ina few more for the purpose of shifting the weight, if necessary, whilethey were on their way. 

They did not leave quiet behind them, when they departed. They hadroused the multitude of eider-ducks, and other sea-fowl, which throngedthe islet, and which now, being roused, began their night-feeding andflying, though at an earlier hour than usual. When their discordantcries were left so far behind as to be softened by distance, theflapping of wings and swash of water, as the fowl plunged in, still madethe air busy all round. 

The rowers were so occupied with the management of their dangerouscraft, that they had not spoken since they left the islet. The skiffwould have been unmanageable by any maiden and boy in our country; but, on the coast of Norway, it is as natural to persons of all ages anddegrees to guide a boat as to walk. Swiftly but cautiously they shotthrough the water, till, at length, Oddo uttered a most hideous croak. 

"What do you mean?" asked Erica, hastily glancing round her. 

Oddo laughed, and looked upwards as he croaked again. He was answeredby a similar croak, and a large raven was seen flying homewards over thefiord for the night. Then the echoes all croaked, till the whole regionseemed to be full of ravens. 

"Are you sure you know the cove?" asked Erica, who wished to put an endto this sound, unwelcome to the superstitious. "Do not make that birdcroak so; it will be quiet if you let it alone. Are you sure you canfind the cove again?"

"Quite sure. I wish I was as sure that Hund would not find it againbefore me. Pull away. "

"How much farther is it?"

"Farther than I like to think of. I doubt your arm holding out. I wishRolf was here. "

Erica did not wish the same thing. She thought that Rolf was, on thewhole, safer waging war with bears than with pirates; especially if Hundwas among them. She pulled her oar cheerfully, observing that there wasno fatigue at present; and that when they were once afloat in theheavier boat, and had cleared the cove, there need be no hurry, --unless, indeed, they should see something of the pirate-schooner on the way: andof this she had no expectation, as the booty that might be had where thefishery was beginning was worth more than anything that could be foundhigher up the fiords:--to say nothing of the danger of running up intothe country, so far as that getting away again depended upon oneparticular wind. 

Yet Erica looked behind her after every few strokes of her oar; andonce, when she saw something, her start was felt like a start of theskiff itself. There was a fire glancing and gleaming and quivering overthe water, some way down the fiord. 

"Some people night-fishing, " observed Oddo. "What sport they will have!I wish I was with them. How fast we go! How you can row when youchoose! I can see the man that is holding the torch. Cannot you seehis black figure? And the spearman, --see how he stands at the bow, --nowgoing to cast his spear! I wish I was there. "

"We must get farther away, --into the shadow somewhere, --or wait, "observed Erica. "I had rather not wait, --it is growing so late. Wemight creep along under that promontory, in the shadow, if you would bequiet. I wonder whether you can be silent in the sight ofnight-fishing. "

"To be sure, " said Oddo, disposed to be angry, and only kept from it bythe thought of last night. He helped to bring the skiff into the shadowof the overhanging rocks, and only spoke once more, to whisper that thefishing-boat was drifting down with the tide, and that he thought theircove lay between them and the fishing-party. 

It was so. As the skiff rounded the point of the promontory, Oddopointed out what appeared like a mere dark chasm in the highperpendicular wall of rock that bounded the waters. This chasm stilllooked so narrow, on approaching it, that Erica hesitated to push herskiff into it, till certain that there was no one there. Oddo, however, was so clear, that she might safely do this, so noiseless was theirrowing, and it was so plain that there was no footing on the rocks bywhich he might enter to explore, that in a sort of desperation, andseeing nothing else to be done, Erica agreed. She wished it had beensummer, when either of them might have learned what they wanted byswimming. This was now out of the question; and stealthily thereforeshe pulled her little craft into the deepest shadow, and crept into thecove. 

At a little distance from the entrance it widened; but it was a wonderto Erica that even Oddo's eyes should have seen Hund moor his boat herefrom the other side of the fiord; though the fiord was not more than agunshot over in this part. Oddo himself wondered, till he recalled howthe sun was shining down into the chasm at the time. By starlight theoutline of all that the cove contained might be seen; the outline of theboat, among other things. There she lay! But there was something abouther which was unpleasant enough. There were three men in her. 

What was to be done bow? Here was the very worst danger that Erica hadfeared--worse than finding the boat gone--worse than meeting it in thewide fiord. What was to be done?

There was nothing for it but to do nothing--to lie perfectly still inthe shadow, ready, however, to push out on the first movement of theboat to leave the cove; for, though the canoe might remain unnoticed atpresent, it was impossible that anybody could pass out of the covewithout seeing her. In such a case, there would be nothing for it but arace--a race for which Erica and Oddo held themselves prepared, withoutany mutual explanation; for they dared not speak. The faintest whisperwould have crept over the smooth water to the ears in the larger boat. 

One thing was certain--that something must happen presently. It isimpossible for the hardiest men to sit inactive in a boat for any lengthof time in a January night in Norway. In the calmest nights the cold isonly to be sustained by means of the glow from strong exercise. It wascertain that these three men could not have been long in their places, and that they would not sit many moments more without some change intheir arrangements. 

They did not seem to be talking; for Oddo, who was the best listener inthe world, could not discover that a sound issued from their boat. Hefancied they were drowsy; and, being aware what were the consequences ofyielding to drowsiness in severe cold, the boy began to entertain highhopes of taking these three men prisoners. The whole country would ringwith such a feat, performed by Erica and himself. 

The men were, however, too much awake to be made prisoners of atpresent. One was seen to drink from a flask, and the hoarse voice ofanother was heard grumbling, as far as the listeners could make out, atbeing kept waiting. The third then rose to look about him, and Ericatrembled from head to foot. He only looked upon the land, however, declared he saw nothing of those he was expecting, and began to warmhimself as he stood, by repeatedly clapping his arms across his breast, in the way that hackney-coachmen and porters do in England. This wasHund. He could not have been known by his figure, for all persons lookalike in wolf-skin pelisses; but the voice and the action were his. Oddo saw how Erica shuddered. He put his finger on his lips, but Ericaneeded no reminding of the necessity of quietness. 

The other two men then rose; and, after a consultation, the words ofwhich could not be heard, all stepped ashore one after another, andclimbed a rocky pathway. 

"Now, now!" whispered Erica. "Now we can get away!"

"Not without the boat, " said Oddo. "You would not leave them the boat!"

"No--not if--but they will be back in a moment. They are only gone tohasten their companions. "

"I know it, " said Oddo. "Now two strokes forward. "

While she gave these two strokes, which brought the skiff to the sternof the boat, Erica saw that Oddo had taken out a knife, which gleamed inthe starlight. It was for cutting the thong by which the boat wasfastened to a birch pole, the other end of which was hooked on shore. This was to save his going ashore to unhook the pole. It was well forhim that boat-chains were not in use, owing to the scarcity of metal inthat region. The clink of a chain would certainly have been heard. 

Quickly and silently he entered the boat and tied the skiff to itsstern, and he and Erica took their places where the men had sat oneminute before. They used their own muffled oars to turn the boat round, till Oddo observed that the boat oars were muffled too. Then voiceswere heard again. The men were returning. Strongly did the twocompanions draw their strokes till a good breadth of water lay betweenthem and the shore, and then till they had again entered the deep shadowwhich shrouded the mouth of the cove. There they paused. 

"In with you!" some loud voice said, as man after man was seen inoutline coming down the pathway; "in with you! We have lost time enoughalready. "

"Where is she? I can't see the boat, " answered the foremost man. 

"You can't miss her, " said one behind, "unless the brandy has got intoyour eyes. "

"So I should have said; but I do miss her. It is very incomprehensibleto me. "

Oddo shook with stifled laughter as he partly saw and partly overheardthe perplexity of these men. At last one gave a deep groan, and anotherdeclared that the spirits of the fiord were against them, and there wasno doubt that their boat was now lying twenty fathoms deep at the bottomof the creek, drawn down by the strong hand of an angry water-spirit. Oddo squeezed Erica's little hand as he heard this. If it had beenlight enough, he would have seen that even she was smiling. 

One of the men mourned their having no other boat, so that they mustgive up their plan. Another said that if they had a dozen boats, hewould not set foot in one after what had happened. He should gostraight back, the way he came, to their own vessel. Another said hewould not go till he had looked abroad over the fiord for some chance ofseeing the boat. This he persisted in, though told by the rest that itwas absurd to suppose that the boat had loosed itself, and gone out intothe fiord, in the course of the two minutes that they had been absent. He showed the fragment of the cut thong in proof of the boat not havingloosed itself, and set off for a point on the heights which he saidoverlooked the fiord. One or two went with him, the rest returning upthe narrow pathway at some speed--such speed that Erica thought theywere afraid of the hindmost being caught by the same enemy that hadtaken their boat. Oddo observed this too, and he quickened their paceby setting up very loud the mournful cry with which he was accustomed tocall out the plovers on the mountain side on sporting days. No soundcan be more melancholy; and now, as it rang from the rocks, it was sounsuitable to the place, and so terrible to the already frightened men, that they ran on as fast as the slipperiness of the rocks would allow, till they were all out of sight over the ridge. 

"Now for it, before the other two come out above us there!" said Oddo;and in another minute they were again in the fiord, keeping as much inthe shadow as they could, however, till they must strike over to theislet. 

"Thank God that we came!" exclaimed Erica. "We shall never forget whatwe owe you, Oddo. You shall see, by the care we take of yourgrandfather and Ulla, that we do not forget what you have done thisnight. If Nipen will only forgive, for the sake of this--"

"We were just in the nick of time, " observed Oddo. "It was better thanif we had been earlier. "

"I do not know, " said Erica. "Here are their brandy-bottles, and manythings besides. I had rather not have had to bring these away. "

"But if we had been earlier, they would not have had their fright. Thatis the best part of it. Depend upon it, some that have not said theirprayers for long will say them to-night. "

"That will be good. But I do not like carrying home these things thatare not ours. If they are seen at Erlingsen's, they may bring thepirates down upon us. I would leave them on the islet, but that theskiff has to be left there too, and that would explain our trick. "

Erica would not consent to throw the property overboard. This would berobbing those who had not actually injured her, whatever theirintentions might have been. She thought that if the goods were leftupon some barren, uninhabited part of the shore, the pirates wouldprobably be the first to find them; and that, if not, the rumour of suchan extraordinary fact, spread by the simple country-people, would besure to reach them. So Oddo carried on shore, at the first stretch ofwhite beach they came to, the brandy-flasks, the bearskins, thetobacco-pouch, the muskets and powder-horns, and the tinder-box. Hescattered these about just above high-water mark, laughing to think howreport would tell of the sprite's care in placing all these articles outof reach of injury from the water. 

Oddo did not want for light while doing this. When he returned, hefound Erica gazing up over the towering precipices, at the Northernlights, which had now unfurled their broad yellow blaze. She was gladthat they had not appeared sooner, to spoil the adventure of the night;but she was thankful to have the way home thus illumined, now that thebusiness was done. She answered with so much alacrity to Oddo'squestion whether she was not very weary, that he ventured to say twothings which had before been upon his tongue, without his having courageto utter them. 

"You will not be so afraid of Nipen any more, " observed he, glancing ather face, of which he could see every feature by the quivering light. "You see how well everything has turned out. "

"O, hush! It is too soon yet to speak so. It is never right to speakso. There is no knowing till next Christmas, nor even then, that Nipenforgives; and the first twenty-four hours are not over yet. Pray do notspeak any more, Oddo. "

"Well, not about that. But what was it exactly that you thought Hundwould do with this boat and those people? Did you think, " he continued, after a short pause, "that they would come up to Erlingsen's to rob theplace?"

"Not for the object of robbing the place, because there is very littlethat is worth their taking, far less than at the fishing-grounds; notbut they might have robbed us, if they took a fancy to anything we have. No! I thought, and I still think, that they would have carried offRolf, led on by Hund--"

"O, ho! carried off Rolf! So here is the secret of your wonderfulcourage to-night--you who durst not look round at your own shadow lastnight! This is the secret of your not being tired--you who are out ofbreath with rowing a mile sometimes!"

"That is in summer, " pleaded Erica; "however, you have my secret, as yousay, a thing which is no secret at home. We all think that Hund bearssuch a grudge against Rolf, for having got the houseman's place--"

"And for nothing else?"

"That, " continued Erica, "he would be glad to--to--"

"To get rid of Rolf, and be a houseman, and get betrothed instead ofhim. Well: Hund is balked for this time. Rolf must look to himselfafter to-day. "

Erica sighed deeply. She did not believe that Rolf would attend to hisown safety, and the future looked very dark, --all shrouded by her fears. 

By the time the skiff was deposited where it had been found, both therowers were so weary that they gave up the idea of taking the raft intow, as for full security they ought to do. They doubted whether theycould get home, if they had more weight to draw than their own boat. Itwas well that they left this incumbrance behind, for there was quiteperil and difficulty enough without it, and Erica's strength and spiritsfailed the more the further the enemy was left behind. 

A breath of wind seemed to bring a sudden darkening of the friendlylights which had blazed up higher and brighter, from their firstappearance till now. Both rowers looked down the fiord, and uttered anexclamation at the same moment. 

"See the fog!" cried Oddo, putting fresh strength into his oar. 

"O Nipen! Nipen!" mournfully exclaimed Erica. "Here it is, Oddo, --thewest wind!"

The west wind is, in winter, the great foe of the fishermen of thefiords: it brings in the fog from the sea, and the fogs of the ArcticCircle are no trifling enemy. If Nipen really had the charge of thewinds, he could not more emphatically show his displeasure towards anyunhappy boatman than by overtaking him with the west wind and fog. 

"The wind must have just changed, " said Oddo, pulling exhaustingstrokes, as the fog marched towards them over the water, like a solidand immeasurably lofty wall. "The wind must have gone right round in aminute. "

"To be sure, --since you said what you did of Nipen, " replied Erica, bitterly. 

Oddo made no answer, but he did what he could. Erica had to tell himnot to wear himself out too quickly, as there was no saying how longthey should be on the water. 

How long they had been on the water, how far they had deviated fromtheir right course, they could not at all tell, when, at last, more byaccident than skill, they touched the shore near home, and heardfriendly voices, and saw the light of torches through the thick air. The fog had wrapped them round so that they could not even see thewater, or each other. They had rowed mechanically, sometimes touchingthe rock, sometimes grazing upon the sand, but never knowing where theywere till the ringing of a bell, which they recognised as the farm bell, roused hope in their hearts, and strengthened them to throw off thefatal drowsiness caused by cold and fatigue. They made towards thebell, and then heard Peder's shouts, and next saw the dull light of twotorches which looked as if they could not burn in the fog. The old manlent a strong hand to pull up the boat upon the beach, and to lift outthe benumbed rowers, and they were presently revived by having theirlimbs chafed, and by a strong dose of the universal medicine--corn-brandy and camphor--which in Norway, neither man nor woman, youngnor old, sick nor well, thinks of refusing upon occasion. 

When Erica was in bed, warm beneath an eider-down coverlid, her mistressbent over her and whispered, "You saw and heard Hund himself?"

"Hund himself, madame. "

"What shall we do if he comes back before my husband is home from thebear-hunt?"

"If he comes, it will be in fear and penitence, thinking that all thepowers are against him. But O, madame, let him never know how it reallywas!"

"He must not know. Leave that to me, and go to sleep now, Erica. Youought to rest well, for there is no saying what you and Oddo have savedus from. I could not have asked such a service. My husband and I mustsee how we can reward it. " And her kind and grateful mistress kissedErica's cheek, though Erica tried to explain that she was thinking mostof some one else, when she undertook this expedition. 

"Then let him thank you in his own way, " replied Madame Erlingsen. "Meantime, why should not I thank you in mine?"

Stiorna here opened her eyes for an instant. When she next did so, hermistress was gone; and she told in the morning what an odd dream she hadhad of her mistress being in her room, and kissing Erica. It was sodistinct a dream that, if the thing had not been so ridiculous, shecould almost have declared that she had seen it. 

CHAPTER SIX. 

SPRING. 

Great was Stiorna's consternation at Hund's non-appearance the next day, seeing as she did, with her own eyes, that the boat was safe in itsproper place. She had provided salt for his cod, and a welcome forhimself; and she watched in vain for either. She saw, too, that no onewished him back. He was rarely spoken of; and then it was with dislikeor fear: and when she wept over the idea of his being drowned, orcarried off by hostile spirits, the only comfort offered her was thatshe need not fear his being dead, or that he could not come back if hechose. She was, indeed, obliged to suppose, at last, that it was hischoice to keep away; for amidst the flying rumours that amused theinhabitants of the district for the rest of the winter, --rumours of themovements of the pirate-vessel, and of the pranks of the spirits of theregion, there were some such clear notices of the appearance of Hund, --so many eyes had seen him in one place or another, by land and water, byday and night, that Stiorna could not doubt of his being alive, and freeto come home or stay away as he pleased. She could not conceal fromherself that he had probably joined the pirates; and heartily as thesepirates were feared throughout the Nordland coasts, they were not moreheartily hated by any than by the jealous Stiorna. 

Her salt was wanted as much as if Hund had brought home a boatful ofcod; and she might have given her welcome to the hunting-party. Erlingsen and Rolf came home sooner than might reasonably have beenexpected, and well laden with bear's flesh. The whole family of bearshad been found and shot. The flesh of the cubs had been divided amongthe hunters; and Erlingsen was complimented with the feet of the oldbear, as it was he who had roused the neighbours, and led the hunt. Busy was every farm-house (and none so busy as Erlingsen's) in saltingsome of the meat, freezing some, and cooking a part for a feast on theoccasion. 

Erlingsen kept a keen and constant look-out upon the fiord, in the midstof all the occupations and gaieties of the rest of the winter. Hiswife's account of the adventures of the day of his absence made himanxious; and he never went a mile out of sight of home, so vivid in hisimagination was the vision of his house burning, and his family at themercy of pirates. Nothing happened, however, to confirm his fears. Theenemy were never heard of in the fiord; and the cod-fishers who came up, before the softening of the snow, to sell some of their produce in theinterior of the country, gave such accounts as seemed to show that thefishing-grounds were the object of the foreign thieves; for foreign theywere declared to be: some said Russian; and others, a mixture fromhostile nations. This last information gave more impulse to the love ofcountry for which the Norwegians are remarkable, than all that had beenreported from the seat of war. The Nordlanders always drank success totheir country's arms, in the first glass of corn-brandy at dinner. Theypaid their taxes cheerfully; and any newspaper that the clergyman put incirculation was read till it fell to pieces; but, the neighbourhood offoreign pirates proved a more powerful stimulant still. The standingtoast, _Gamle Norge_ (Old Norway), was drunk with such enthusiasm, thatthe little children shouted and defied the enemy; and the baby in itsmother's lap clapped its hands when every voice joined in the nationalsong, _For Norge_. Hitherto the war had gone forward upon the soil ofanother kingdom; it seemed now as if a sprinkling of it--a little of itsexcitement and danger--was brought to their own doors; and vehement wasthe spirit that it roused; though some thefts of cod, brandy, and alittle money, were all that had really happened yet. 

The interval of security gave Rolf a good opportunity to ridicule andcomplain of Erica's fears. He laughed at the danger of an attack fromHund and his comrades, as that danger was averted. He laughed at thewest wind and fog sent by Nipen's wrath, as Erica had reached home inspite of it. He contended that, so far from Nipen being offended, therewas either no Nipen, or it was not angry, or it was powerless; foreverything had gone well; and he always ended with pointing to the_deer_--a good thing led to the very door--and to the result of thebear-hunt--a great event always in a Nordlander's life, and, in thisinstance, one of most fortunate issue. There was no saying how many ofthe young of the farm-yard would live and flourish, this summer, onaccount of the timely destruction of this family of bears. So Rolfworked away, with a cheerful heart, as the days grew longer, --nowmending the boat, --now fishing, --now ploughing, and then rolling logsinto the melting-streams, to be carried down into the river, or into thefiord, when the rush of waters should come from the heights ofSulitelma. 

Hard as Rolf worked, he did not toil like Oddo. Between them, they hadto supply Hund's place, --to do his work. Nobody desired to see Hundback again; and Erlingsen would willingly have taken another in hisstead, to make his return impossible; but there was no one to be had. It was useless to inquire till the fishing season should be over: andwhen that was over, the hay and harvest season would follow so quickly, that it was scarcely likely that any youth would offer himself till thefirst frosts set in. It was Oddo's desire that the place should remainvacant till he could show that he, young as he was, was worth as much asHund. If any one was hired, he wished that it might be a herd-boy, under him; and strenuously did he toil, this spring, to show that he wasnow beyond a mere herd-boy's place. It was he who first fattened, andthen killed and skinned the reindeer, --a more than ordinary feat, as itwas full two months past the regular season. It was he who watched themaking of the first eider-duck's nest, and brought home the first down. All the month of April, he never failed in the double work of thefarm-yard and islet. He tended the cattle in the morning, and turnedout the goats, when the first patches of green appeared from beneath thesnow: and then he was off to the islet, or to some one of the breedingstations among the rocks, punctually stripping the nests of the down, asthe poor ducks renewed the supply from their breasts; and as carefullystaying his hand, when he saw, by the yellow tinge of the down, that theduck had no more to give, and the drake had now supplied what wasnecessary for hatching the eggs. Then he watched for the eggs; andnever had Madame Erlingsen had such a quantity brought home; though Oddoassured her that he had left enough in the nests for every duck to haveher brood. Then he was ready to bring home the goats again, long beforesunset, --for, by this time, the sun set late, --and to take his turn atmending any fence that might have been injured by the spring-floods; andthen he never forgot to wash and dress himself, and go in for hisgrandmother's blessing; and after all, he was not too tired to sit up aslate as if he were a man, --even till past nine sometimes, --spending thelast hour of the evening in working at the bell-collars which Hund hadleft half done, and which must be finished before the cattle went to themountain: or, if the young ladies were disposed to dance, he was nevertoo tired to play the clarionet, though it now and then happened thatthe tune went rather oddly; and when Orga and Frolich looked at him, tosee what he was about, his eyes were shut, and his fingers looked as ifthey were moving of their own accord. If this happened, the youngladies would finish their waltz at once, and thank him, and his mistresswould wish him good night; and when he was gone, his master would tellold Peder that that grandson of his was a promising lad, and verydiligent; and Peder would make a low bow, and say it was greatly owingto Rolf's good example; and then Erica would blush, and be kinder thanever to Oddo the next day. 

So came on and passed away the spring of this year at Erlingsen's farm. It soon passed; for spring in Nordland lasts only a month. In thatshort time had the snow first become soft, and then dingy, and thenvanished, except on the heights, and in places where it had drifted. The streams had broken their long pause of silence, and now leaped andrushed along, till every rock overhanging both sides of the fiord wasmusical with falling waters, and glittering with silver threads, --forthe cataracts looked no more than this in so vast a scene. Every millwas going, after the long idleness of winter; and about the bridgeswhich spanned the falls were little groups of the peasants gathered, mending such as had burst with the floods, or strengthening such as didnot seem secure enough for the passage of the herds to the mountain. 

Busy as the maidens were with the cows that were calving, and with thecare of the young kids, they found leisure to pry into the promise ofthe spring. In certain warm nooks, where the sunshine was reflectedfrom the surrounding rocks, they daily watched for what else mightappear, when once the grass, of brilliant green, had shown itself frombeneath the snow. There they found the strawberry and the wildraspberry promising to carpet the ground with their white blossoms;while in one corner the lily of the valley began to push up its pairs ofleaves; and from the crevices of the rock, the barberry and the dwarfbirch grew, every twig showing swelling buds, or an early sprout. 

While these cheerful pursuits went on out of doors during the one busymonth of spring, a slight shade of sadness was thrown over the householdwithin by the decline of old Ulla. It was hardly sadness; it was littlemore than gravity; for Ulla herself was glad to go; Peder knew that heshould soon follow; and every one else was reconciled to one who hadsuffered so long going to her rest. 

"The winter and I are going together, my dear, " said she one day, whenErica placed on her pillow a green shoot of birch which she had takenfrom out of the very mouth of a goat. "The hoary winter and hoary Ihave lived out our time, and we are departing together. I shall makeway for you young people, and give you your turn, as he is giving way tospring; and let nobody pretend to be sorry for it. Who pretends to besorry when winter is gone?"

"But winter will come again, so soon and so certainly, Ulla, " saidErica, mournfully: "and when it is come again, we shall still miss you. "

"Well, my dear, I will say nothing against that. It is good for theliving to miss the dead, as long as they do not wish them back. As forme, Erica, I feel as if I could not but miss you, go where I may. "

"O, do not say that, Ulla. "

"Why not say it if I feel it? Who could be displeased with me forgrasping still at the hand that has smoothed my bed so long, when I amgoing to some place that will be very good, no doubt, but whereeverything must be strange at first? He who gave you to me, to be mynurse, will not think the worse of me for missing you, wherever I maybe. "

"There will be little Henrica, " observed Erica. "Ah yes! there isnothing I think of more than that. That dear child died on my shoulder. Fain would her mother have had her in her arms at the last; but she wasin such extremity that to move her would have been to end all at once;and so she died away, with her head on my shoulder. I thought then itwas a sign that I should be the first to meet her again. But I shalltake care and not stand in the way of her mother's rights. "

Here Ulla grew so earnest in imagining her meeting with Henrica, stillfancying her the dependent little creature she had been on earth, thatshe was impatient to be gone. Erica's idea was that this child mightnow have become so wise and so mighty in the wisdom of a better world, as to be no such plaything as Ulla supposed; but she said nothing tospoil the old woman's pleasure. 

When Peder came in, to sit beside his old companion's bed, and sing herto sleep, she told him that she hoped to be by when he opened his nowdark eyes upon the sweet light of a heavenly day; and, if she might, shewould meantime make up his dreams for him, and make him believe that hesaw the most glorious sights of old Norway, --more glorious than are tobe seen in any other part of this lower world. There should be no endto the gleaming lakes, and dim forests, and bright green valleys, andsilvery waterfalls that he should see in his dreams, if she might havethe making of them. There was no end to the delightful things Ullalooked forward to, and the kind things she hoped to be able to do forthose she left behind, when once she should have quitted her presenthelpless state: and she thought so much of these things, that when M. Kollsen arrived, he found that, instead of her needing to be reconciledto death, she was impatient to be gone. The first thing he heard hersay, when all was so dim before her dying eyes, and so confused to herfailing ears, that she did not know the pastor had arrived, was that shewas less uneasy now about Nipen's displeasure against the young people. Perhaps she might be able to explain and prevent mischief: and if not, the young people's marriage would soon be taking place now, and thenthey might show such attention to Nipen as would make the spirit forgiveand forget. 

"Hush, now, dear Ulla!" said Erica. "Here is the pastor. "

"Do not say `Hush'!" said M. Kollsen, sternly. "Whatever is said ofthis kind I ought to hear, that I may meet the delusion. I must haveconversation with this poor woman, to prevent her very last breath beingpoisoned with superstition. You are a member of the Lutheran Church, Ulla?"

With humble pleasure, Ulla told of the satisfaction which the Bishop ofTronyem, of seventy years ago, had expressed at her confirmation. Itwas this which obtained her a good place, and Peder's regard, and allthe good that had happened in her long life since. Yes: she was indeeda member of the Lutheran Church, she thanked God. 

"And in what part of the Scriptures of our church do you find mentionof--of--(I hate the very names of these pretended spirits). Where inthe Scriptures are you bidden or permitted to believe in spirits anddemons of the wood and the mountain?"

Ulla declared that her learning in the Scriptures was but small. Sheknew only what she had been taught, and a little that she had picked up:but she remembered that the former Bishop of Tronyem himself had hung upan axe in the forest, on Midsummer Eve, for the wood-demon's use, if itpleased. 

Peder observed that we all believe so many things that are not foundmentioned in the Scriptures, that perhaps it would be wisest andkindest, by a dying bed, where moments were precious, to speak of thosehigh things which the Scriptures discourse of, and which all Christiansbelieve. These were the subjects for Ulla now: the others might bereasoned of when she was in her grave. 

The pastor was not quite satisfied with this way of attending the dying;but there was something in the aged man's voice and manner quiteirresistible, as he sat calmly awaiting the departure of the lastcompanion of his own generation. M. Kollsen took out his Bible, andread what Ulla gladly heard, till her husband knew by the slackenedclasp of her hand that she heard no longer. She had become insensible, and before sunset had departed. 

Rolf had continued his kind offices to the old couple with the utmostrespect and propriety, to the end refusing to go out of call during thelast few days of Ulla's decline: but he had observed, with some anxiety, that there was certainly a shoal of herrings in the fiord, and that itwas high time he was making use of the sunny days for his fishing. Inorder to go about this duty without any delay, when again at liberty, hehad brought the skiff up to the beach for repair, and had it nearlyready for use by the day of the funeral. The family boat was too largefor his occasions, now that Hund was not here to take an oar: and heexpected to do great things alone in the little manageable skiff. 

When he had assisted Peder to lay Ulla's head in the grave, and guidedhim back to the house, Rolf drew Erica's arm within his own, and led heraway, as if for a walk. No one interfered with them; for the familyknew that their hearts must be very full, and that they must have muchto say to each other, now that the event had happened which was to causetheir marriage very soon. They would now wait no longer than to payproper respect to Ulla's memory, and to improve the house and itsfurniture a little, so as to make it fit for the bride. 

Rolf would have led Erica to the beach; but she begged to go first tosee the grave again, while they knew that no one was there. The gravewas dug close by the little mound beneath which Henrica lay. Henrica'swas railed round, with a paling which had been fresh painted--a taskwhich Erlingsen performed with his own hands every spring. Theforget-me-not, which the Nordlanders plant upon the graves of those theylove, overran the hillock, and the white blossoms of the wild strawberrypeeped out from under the thick grass; so that this grave looked aperfect contrast to that of Ulla, newly-made and bare. The loverslooked at this last with dissatisfaction. 

"It shall be completely railed in before to-morrow night, " said Rolf. 

"But cannot we dress it a little now? I could transplant someflower-roots presently, and some forget-me-not from Henrica's hillock, if we had sods for the rest. Never mind spoiling any other nook. Thegrass will soon grow again. "

Rolf's spade was busy presently; and Erica planted and watered till thenew grave, if it did not compare with the child's, showed tokens ofcare, and promise of beauty. 

"Now, " said Rolf, when they had done, and put away their tools, and satdown on the pine log from which the pales were to be made, so that theirlengthening shadows fell across the new grave, --"now, Erica, you knowwhat she who lies there would like us to be settling. She herself saidher burial day would soon be over; and then would come our wedding-day. "

"When everything is ready, " replied Erica, "we will fix; but not now. There is much to be done;--there are many uncertainties. "

"Uncertainties! What uncertainties? I know of none--except indeed asto--"

Rolf stopped to peel off, and pull to pieces, some of the bark of thepine trunk on which he was sitting. Erica looked wistfully at him; hesaw it, and went on. 

"It is often an uncertainty to me, Erica, after all that has happened, whether you mean to marry me at all. There are so many doubts, and somany considerations, and so many fears!--I often think we shall never beany nearer than we are. "

"That is your sort of doubt and fear, " said Erica, smiling. "Who isthere that entertains a worse?"

"I do not want any rallying or joking, Erica. I am quite serious. "

"Seriously then--are we not nearer than we were a year ago? We arebetrothed; and I have shown you that I do believe we are to be married, if--"

"Ay, there. `If' again. "

"If it shall please the Powers above us not to separate us, by death orotherwise. "

"Death! at our age! And separation! when we have lived on the same farmfor years! What have we to do with death and separation?"

Erica pointed to the child's grave, in rebuke of his rash words. Shethen quietly observed that they had enemies, --one deadly enemy not veryfar off, if nothing were to be said of any but human foes. Rolfdeclared that he had rather have Hund for a declared enemy than for acompanion. Erica understood this very well; but she could not forgetthat Hund wanted to be houseman in Rolfs stead, and that he desired toprevent their marriage. 

"That is the very reason, " said Rolf, "why we should marry as soon as wecan. Why not fix the day, and engage the pastor while he is here?"

"Because it would hurt Peder's feelings. There will be no difficulty insending for the pastor when everything is ready. But now, Rolf, thatall may go well, do promise not to run into needless danger. "

"According to you, " said Rolf, smiling, "one can never get out ofdanger. Where is the use of taking care, if all the powers of earth andair are against us? You think me as helpless, under Nipen's breath, asthe poor infant that put out into the fiord the other day in a tub. "

"I am not speaking of Nipen now, --(not because I do not think of it;)--Iam speaking of Hund. Do promise me not to go more than four miles downthe fiord. After that, there is a long stretch of precipices, without asingle dwelling. There is not a boat that could put off, --there is notan eye or an ear that could bear witness what had become of you, if youand Hund should meet there. "

"If Hund and I should meet there, I would bring him home, to settle whatshould become of him. "

"And all the pirates? You would bring them all in your right hand, androw home with your left! For shame, Rolf, to be such a boaster!Promise me not to go beyond the four miles. "

"Indeed I can only promise to go where the shoal is. Four miles!Suppose you say four furlongs, love. "

"I will engage to catch herrings within four furlongs. "

"Pray take me with you; and then I will carry you four times four milesdown, and show you what a shoal is. Really, love, I should like toprove to you how safe the fiord is to one who knows every nook andhiding-place from the entrance up. If fighting would not do, I couldalways hide. "

"And would not Hund know where to look for you?"

"Not he. He was not brought up on the fiord, to know its ways, and itsholes and corners: and I told him neither that, nor anything else that Icould keep from him; for I always mistrusted Hund. --Now, I will tellyou, love. I will promise you something, because I do not wish to hurtyou, as you sometimes hurt me with disregarding what I say, --with beingafraid, in spite of all I can do to make you easy. I will promise younot to go further down, while alone, than Vogel islet, unless it isquite certain that Hund and the pirates are far enough off in anotherdirection. I partly think, as you do, and as Erlingsen does, that theymeant to come for me the night you carried off their boat: so I will beon the watch, and go no further than where they cannot hurt me. "

"Then why say Vogel islet? It is out of all reasonable distance. "

"Not to those who know the fiord as I do. I have my reasons, Erica, forfixing that distance and no other; and that far I intend to go, whethermy friends think me able to take care of myself or not. "

"At least, " pleaded Erica, "let me go with you. "

"Not for the world, my love. " And Erica saw, by his look of horror atthe idea of her going, that he felt anything but secure from thepirates. He took her hand, and kissed it again and again, as he saidthat there was plenty for that little hand to do at home, instead ofpulling the oar in the hot sun. "I shall think of you all while I amfishing, " he went on. "I shall fancy you making ready for the seater. [Note 1. ] As you go towards Sulitelma any day now, you may hear thevoices of a thousand waterfalls, calling upon the herdmen and maidens tocome to the fresh pastures. How happy we shall be, Erica, when we onceget to the seater!"

Erica sighed, and pressed her lover's hand as he held hers. 

"While I am fishing, " he went on, "I shall fancy our young mistresses, and Stiorna and you, washing all your bowls in juniper-water, ready foryour dairy. I know how the young ladies will contrive that all of mycarving shall come under your hand. And I shall be back with my fishbefore you are gone, that I may walk beside your cart. I know just howfar you will ride. When we get the first sight of the grass waving, asthe wind sweeps over it on the mountain side, you will spring from thecart, and walk with me all the rest of the way. "

"All this would be well, " said Erica, "if it were not for--"

"For what, love? For Nipen, again! If you will not mind what I sayabout your silly fears, you shall hear from the pastor how wicked theyare. I see him yonder, in the garden. I will call him--"

"No, no! I know all he has to say, " declared Erica. 

But Rolf carried the case before M. Kollsen: and M. Kollsen, glad ofevery opportunity of discoursing on this subject, came and took Rolfsseat, and said all he could think of in contempt of the spirits of theregion, till Erica's blood ran cold to hear him. It was not kind ofRolf to expose her to this: but Rolf had no fears himself, and was notaware how much she suffered under what the clergyman said. The loverstood by watching, and was so charmed with her gentle and submissivecountenance and manner, while she could not own herself convinced, thathe almost admired her superstition, and forgave her doubts of his beingable to take care of himself, while his deadly enemy on earth mightpossibly be assisted by the offended powers of the air. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. Each Norway farm which is situated within a certain distance ofthe mountains has a mountain pasture, to which the herds and flocks aredriven in early summer, and where they feed till the first frosts comeon. The herdmen and dairy-women live on the mountain, beside theircattle, during this season, and enjoy the mode of life extremely. Themountain pasture belonging to a farm is called the Seater. Theprocession of herds and flocks, and herdmen and dairy-women with theirutensils, all winding up the mountain--"going to the seater, " is apretty sight on an early summer's day. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

VOGEL ISLET. 

Who was ever happier than Rolf, when abroad in his skiff, on one of themost glorious days of the year? He found his angling tolerablysuccessful near home; but the further he went, the more the herringsabounded; and he therefore dropped down the fiord with tide, fishing ashe receded, till all home objects had disappeared. First, thefarm-house, with its surrounding buildings, its green paddock, andshining white beach, was hidden behind the projecting rocks. Then Thorislet appeared to join with the nearest shore, from which its bushes ofstunted birch seemed to spring. Then, as the skiff dropped lower andlower down, the interior mountains appeared to rise above the rockswhich closed in the head of the fiord, and the snowy peak of Sulitelmastood up clear amidst the pale blue sky; the glaciers on its sidescatching the sunlight on different points, and glittering so that theeye could scarcely endure to rest upon the mountain. When he came tothe narrow part of the fiord, near the creek which had been the scene ofErica's exploit, Rolf laid aside his rod, with the bright hook thatherrings so much admire, to guide his canoe through the currents causedby the approach of the rocks, and contraction of the passage; and hethen wished he had brought Erica with him, so lovely was the scene. Every crevice of the rocks, even where there seemed to be no soil, wastufted with bushes, every twig of which was bursting into the greenestleaf, while, here and there, a clump of dark pines overhung some busycataract, which, itself over-shadowed, sent forth its little clouds ofspray, dancing and glittering in the sunlight. A pair of fishing eagleswere perched on a high ledge of rock, screaming to the echoes, so thatthe dash of the currents was lost in the din. Rolf did wish that Ericawas here when he thought how the colour would have mounted into hercheek, and how her eye would have sparkled at such a scene. 

Lower down, it was scarcely less beautiful. The waters spread out againto a double width. The rocks were, or appeared to be lower; and now andthen, in some space between rock and rock, a strip of brilliant greenmeadow lay open to the sunshine; and there were large flocks offieldfares, flying round and round, to exercise the newly-fledged young. There were a few habitations scattered along the margin of the fiord;and two or three boats might be seen far off, with diminutive figures ofmen drawing their nets. 

"I am glad I brought my net too, " thought Rolf. "My rod had done goodduty; but if I am coming upon a shoal, I will cast my net, and be home, laden with fish, before they think of looking for me. "

Happy would it have been if Rolf had cast his net where others werecontent to fish, and had given up all idea of going further than wasnecessary: but his boat was still dropping down towards the islet whichhe had fixed in his own mind as the limit of his trip; and the longsolitary reach of the fiord which now lay between him and it wastempting both to the eye and the mind. It is difficult to turn backfrom the first summer-day trip, in countries where summer is lessbeautiful than in Nordland; and on went Rolf, beyond the bounds ofprudence, as many have done before him. He soon found himself in astill and somewhat dreary region, where there was no motion but of thesea-birds which were leading their broods down the shores of the fiords, and of the air which appeared to quiver before the eye, from theevaporation caused by the heat of the sun. More slowly went the canoehere, as if to suit the quietness of the scene, and leisurely and softlydid Rolf cast his net: and then steadily did he draw it in, so rich infish that when they lay in the bottom of the boat, they at once sank itdeeper in the water, and checked its speed by their weight. 

Rolf then rested awhile, and looked ahead for Vogel islet, thinking thathe could not now be very far from it. There it lay looming in theheated atmosphere, spreading as if in the air, just above the surface ofthe water, to which it appeared joined in the middle by a dark stem, asif it grew like a huge sea-flower. There is no end to the strangeappearances presented in northern climates by an atmosphere so differentfrom our own. Rolf gazed and gazed as the island grew more like itselfon his approach; and he was so occupied with it as not to look about himas he ought to have done at such a distance from home. He was roused atlength by a shout, and looked towards the point from which it came; andthere, in a little harbour of the fiord, a recess which now actually laybehind him--between him and home--lay a vessel; and that vessel, he knewby a second glance, was the pirate-schooner. 

Of the schooner itself he had no fear, for there was so little wind thatit could not have come out in time to annoy him; but there was theschooner's boat, with five men in it--four rowing and one steering--already in full pursuit of him. He knew, by the general air and nativedress of the man at the helm, that it was Hund; and he fancied he heardHund's malicious voice in the shout which came rushing over the waterfrom their boat to his. How fast they seemed to be coming! How thespray from their oars glittered in the sun, and how their wakelengthened with every stroke! No spectator from the shore (if there hadbeen any) could have doubted that the boat was in pursuit of the skiff, and would snap it up presently. Rolf saw that he had five determinedfoes gaining upon him every instant; and yet he was not alarmed. He hadhad his reasons for thinking himself safe near Vogel islet; andcalculating for a moment the time of the tide, he was quite at his ease. As he took his oars he smiled at the hot haste of his pursuers, and atthe thought of the amazement they would feel when he slipped throughtheir fingers; and then he began to row. 

Rolf did not overheat himself with too much exertion. He permitted hisfoes to gain a little upon him, though he might have preserved thedistance for as long as his strength could have held out against that ofthe four in the other boat. They ceased their shouting when they sawhow quietly he took his danger. They really believed that he was notaware of being their object, and hoped to seize him suddenly, before hehad time to resist. 

When very near the islet, however, Rolf became more active, and hisskiff disappeared behind its southern point while the enemy's boat wasstill two furlongs off. The steersman looked for the reappearance ofthe canoe beyond the islet; but he looked in vain. He thought, and hiscompanions agreed with him, that it was foolish of Rolf to land upon theislet, where they could lay hands on him in a moment; but they couldonly suppose he had done this, and prepared to do the same. They rowedquite round the islet; but, to their amazement, they could not onlyperceive no place to land at, but there was no trace of the canoe. Itseemed to them as if those calm and clear waters had swallowed up theskiff and Rolf in the few minutes after they had lost sight of him. Hund thought the case was accounted for when he recalled Nipen'sdispleasure. A thrill ran through him as he said to himself that thespirits of the region had joined with him against Rolf, and swallowedup, almost before his eyes, the man he hated. He put his hands beforehis face for a moment, while his comrades stared at him; then, thinkinghe must be under a delusion, he gazed earnestly over the waters as faras he could see. They lay calm and bright, and there was certainly nokind of vessel on their surface for miles round. 

The rowers wondered, questioned, uttered shouts, spoke altogether, andthen looked at Hund in silence, struck by his countenance, and finishedby rowing two or three times round the islet, slowly, and looking up itsbare rocky sides, which rose like walls from the water; but nothingcould they see or hear. When tired of their fruitless search theyreturned to the schooner, ready to report to the master that the fiordwas enchanted. 

Meantime, Rolf had heard every plash of their oars, and every tone oftheir voices, as they rowed round his place of refuge. He was not onthe islet, but in it. This was such an island as Swein, the sea-king offormer days, took refuge in; and Rolf was only following his example. Long before, he had discovered a curious cleft in the rock, very narrow, and all but invisible at high-water, even if a bush of dwarf-ash andbirch had not hung down over it. At high-water, nothing larger than abird could go in and out beneath the low arch; but there was a cavernwithin, whose sandy floor sloped up to some distance above high-watermark. In this cavern was Rolf. He had thrust his little skiff betweenthe walls of rock, crushing in its sides as he did so. The bushesdrooped behind him, hanging naturally over the entrance as before. Rolfpulled up his broken vessel upon the little sandy beach, within thecave, saved a pile of his fish, and returned a good many to the water, and then sat down upon the sea-weeds to listen. There was no light buta little which found its way through the bushy screen and up from thegreen water; and the sounds--the tones of the pirates' voices, and thesplash of the waters against the rocky walls of his singular prison--came deadened and changed to his ear; yet he heard enough to be awarehow long his enemies remained, and when they were really gone. 

It was a prison indeed, as Rolf reflected when he looked upon his brokenskiff. He could not imagine how he was to get away; for his friendswould certainly never think of coming to look for him here: but he putoff the consideration of this point for the present, and turned awayfrom the image of Erica's distress when he should fail to return. Heamused himself now with imagining Hund's disappointment, and the reportswhich would arise from it; and he found this so very entertaining thathe laughed aloud; and then the echo of his laughter sounded so verymerry that it set him laughing again. This, in its turn, seemed torouse the eider-ducks that thronged the island; and their clatter andcommotion was so great overhead that any spectator might have beenexcused for believing that Vogel islet was indeed bewitched. 

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

A SUMMER APARTMENT. 

"Humph! How little did the rare old sea-king think, " said Rolf tohimself, as he surveyed his cave--"how little did Swein think, when heplayed this very trick, six hundred years ago, that it would save a poorfarm-servant from being murdered, so many centuries after! Many thanksto my good grandmother for being so fond of that story! She taught itthoroughly to me before she died; and that is the reason of my beingsafe at this moment. I wish I had told the people at home of my havingfound this cave; for, as it is, they cannot but think me lost; and howErica will bear it, I don't know. And yet, if I had told them, Hundwould have heard it; or, at least, Stiorna, and she would have managedto let him know. Perhaps it is best as it is, if only I can get back intime to save Erica's heart from breaking. But for her, I should notmind the rest being in a fright for a day or two. They are a little aptto fancy that the affairs of the farm go by nature--that the fields andthe cattle take care of themselves. They treat me liberally enough; butthey are not fully aware of the value of a man like me; and now theywill learn. They will hardly know how to make enough of me when I goback. Oddo will be the first to see me. I think, however, I should letthem hear my best song from a distance. Let me see--which song shall itbe? It must be one which will strike Peder; for he will be the first tohear, as Oddo always is to see. Some of them will think it is a spiritmocking, and some that it is my ghost; and my master and madame willtake it to be nothing but my own self. And then, in the doubt among allthese, my poor Erica will faint away; and while they are throwing waterupon her face, and putting some camphorated brandy into her mouth, Ishall quietly step in among them, and grasp Peder's arm, and pull Oddo'shair, to show that it is I myself; and when Erica opens her eyes, sheshall see my face at its very merriest; so that she cannot possibly takeme for a sad and solemn ghost. And the next thing will be--"

He stopped with a start, as his eye fell upon his crushed boat, lying onits side, half in the water and half out. 

"Ah!" thought he, in a changed mood, "this is all very fine--thisplanning how one pleasant thing will follow upon another; but I forgotthe first thing of all. I must learn first how I am to get out. "

He turned his boat about and about, and shook his head over everybruise, hole, or crack that he found, till he finished with a nod ofdecision that nothing could be done with it. He was a good swimmer; butthe nearest point of the shore was so far off that it would be all hecould do to reach it when the waters were in their most favourablestate. At present, they were so chilled with the melted snows that werepouring down from every steep along the fiord, that he doubted thesafety of attempting to swim at all. What chance of release had hethen?

If he could by any means climb upon the rocks in whose recesses he wasnow hidden, he might possibly fall in with some fishing-boat which wouldfetch him off; but, besides that the pirates were more likely to see himthan anybody else, he believed there was no way by which he could climbupon the islet. It had always been considered the exclusive property ofthe aquatic birds with which it swarmed, because its sides rose soabruptly from the water, so like the smooth stone walls of a loftybuilding, that there was no hold for foot or hand, and the summit seemedunattainable by anything that had not wings. Rolf remembered, however, having heard Peder say that when he was young there might be seenhanging down one part of the precipice the remains of a birchen ladder, which must have been made and placed there by human hands. Rolfdetermined that he would try the point. He would wait till the tide wasflowing in, as the waters from the open sea were somewhat less chilledthan when returning from the head of the fiord; he would take the watersat their warmest, and try and try again to make a footing upon theislet. Meantime he would not trouble himself with thoughts of being aprisoner. 

His cave was really a very pretty place. As its opening fronted thewest, he found that even here there might be sunshine. The golden lightwhich blesses the high and low places of the earth did not disdain tocheer and adorn even this humble chamber, which, at the bidding ofnature, the waters had patiently scooped out of the hard rock. Somehours after darkness had settled down on the lands of the tropics, andlong after the stars had come out in the skies over English heads, thiscave was at its brightest. As the sun drew to its setting, near themiddle of the Nordland summer night, it levelled its golden rays throughthe cleft, and made the place far more brilliant than at noon. Theprojections of the rough rock caught the beam, during the few minutesthat it stayed, and shone with a bright orange tint. The beach suddenlyappeared of a more dazzling white, and the waters of a deeper green, while, by their motion, they cast quivering circles of reflected lightupon the roof, which had before been invisible. Rolf took this briefopportunity to survey his abode carefully. He had supposed, from thepleasant freshness of the air, that the cave was lofty; and he now sawthat the roof did indeed spring up to a vast height. He saw also thatthere was a great deal of drift-wood accumulated; and some of it throwninto such distant corners as to prove that the waves could dash up to amuch higher waterline, in stormy weather, than he had supposed. Nomatter! He hoped to be gone before there were any more storms. Tiredand sleepy as he was, so near midnight, he made an exertion, while therewas plenty of light, to clear away the sea-weeds from a space on thesand where he must to-morrow make his fire, and broil his fish. Thesmell of the smallest quantity of burnt weed would be intolerable in soconfined a place: so he cleared away every sprout of it, and laid someof the drift-wood on a spot above high-water mark, picking out thedriest pieces of fire-wood he could find for kindling a flame. 

When this was done, he could have found in his heart to pick up shells, so various and beautiful were those which strewed the floor of his cave:but the sunbeam was rapidly climbing the wall, and would presently begone, so he let the shells lie till the next night (if he should stillbe here), and made haste to heap up a bed of fine dry sand in a corner;and here he lay down as the twilight darkened, and thought he had neverrested on so soft a bed. He knew it was near high-water, and he triedto keep awake, to ascertain how nearly the tide filled up the entrance;but he was too weary, and his couch was too comfortable for this. Hiseyes closed in spite of him, and he dreamed that he was broad awakewatching the height of the tide. For this one night, he could restwithout any very painful thoughts of poor Erica, for she was preparedfor his remaining out till the middle of the next day, at least. 

When he awoke in the morning, the scene was marvellously changed fromthat on which he had closed his eyes. His cave was so dim that he couldscarcely distinguish its white floor from its rocky sides. The waterwas low, and the cleft therefore enlarged, so that he saw at once thatnow was the time for making his fire--now when there was the freestaccess for the air. Yet he could not help pausing to admire what hesaw. He could see now a long strip of the fiord, --a perspective ofwaters and of shores, ending in a lofty peak still capped with snow, andglittering in the sunlight. The whole landscape was bathed in light, aswarm as noon; for, though it was only six in the morning, the sun hadbeen up for several hours. As Rolf gazed, and reckoned up the sum ofwhat he saw, --the many miles of water, and the long range of rocks, hefelt, for a moment, as if not yet secure from Hund, --as if he must beeasily visible while he saw so much. But it was not so, and Rolf smiledat his own momentary fear, when he remembered how, as a child, he hadtried to count the stars he could see at once through a hole pricked bya needle in a piece of paper, and how, for that matter, all that we eversee is through the little circle of the pupil of the eye. He smiledwhen he considered that while, from his recess, he could see the unitednavy of Norway and Denmark, if anchored in the fiord, his enemy couldnot see even his habitation, otherwise than by peeping under the busheswhich overhung the cleft--and this only at low-water; so he began tosing, while rubbing together, with all his might, the dry sticks of firwith which his fire was to be kindled. First they smoked, and then, bya skilful breath of air, they blazed, and set fire to the heap; and bythe time the herrings were ready for broiling, the cave was so filledwith smoke that Rolf's singing was turned to coughing. 

Some of the smoke hung in soot on the roof and walls of the cave, curling up so well at first, that Rolf almost thought there must be someopening in the lofty roof which served as a chimney; but there was not, and some of the smoke came down again, issuing at last from the mouth ofthe cave. Rolf observed this, and, seeing the danger of his place ofretreat being thus discovered, he made haste to finish his cookery, resolving that, if he had to remain here for any length of time, hewould always make his fire in the night. He presently threw water overhis burning brands, and hoped that nothing had been seen of the processof preparing his breakfast. 

The smoke had been seen, however, and by several people, but in such away as to lead to no discovery of the cave. From the schooner, Hundkept his eyes fixed on the islet, at every moment he had to spare. Either he was the murderer of his fellow-servant, or the islet wasbewitched; and if Rolf was under the protection and favour of the powersof the region, he, Hund, was out of favour, and might expect badconsequences. Whichever might be the case, Hund was very uneasy; and hecould think of nothing but the islet, and look no other way. Hiscompanions had at first joked him about his luck in getting rid of hisenemies, but, being themselves superstitious, they caught the infectionof his gravity, and watched the spot almost as carefully as he. 

As their vessel lay higher up in the fiord than the islet, they were onthe opposite side from the crevice, and could not see from whence thesmoke issued. But they saw it in the form of a light cloud hanging overthe place. Hund's eyes were fixed upon it, when one of his comradestouched him on the shoulder. Hund started. 

"You see there, " said the man, pointing. 

"To be sure I do; what else was I looking at?"

"Well, what is it?" inquired the man. "Has your friend got a visitor, --come a great way this morning? They say the mountain-sprite travels inmist; if so, it is now going; see, there it sails off, --melts away. Itis as like common smoke as anything that ever I saw. What say you totaking the boat, and trying again whether there is no place where yourfriend might not land, and be now making a fire among the birds' nests?"

"Nonsense!" cried Hund. "What became of the skiff, then?"

"True, " said the man; and, shaking his head, he passed on, and spoke tothe master. 

In his own secret mind, the master of the schooner did not quite likehis present situation. The little harbour was well sheltered and hiddenfrom the observation of the inhabitants of the upper part of the fiord:but, after hearing the words dropped by his crew, the master did notrelish being stationed between the bewitched islet and the head of thefiord, where all the residents were, of course, enemies. He thoughtthat it would be wiser to have a foe only on the one hand, and the opensea on the other, even at the sacrifice of the best anchorage. As therewas now a light wind, enough to take his vessel down, he gave ordersaccordingly. 

Slowly, and at some distance, the schooner passed the islet, and all onboard crowded together to see what they could see. None, --not even themaster with his glass, --saw anything remarkable: but all heardsomething. There was a faint muffled sound of knocks, --blows such aswere never heard in a mere haunt of sea-birds. It was evident that thebirds were disturbed by it; they rose and fell, made short flights andcame back again, fluttered, and sometimes screamed so as to overpowerall other sounds. But if they were quiet for a minute, the knock, knock, was heard again, with great regularity, and every knock went toHund's heart. 

The fact was, that after breakfast, Rolf soon became tired of havingnothing to do. The water was so very cold, that he deferred till noonthe attempt to swim round the islet. He once more examined his boat, and though the injuries done seemed irreparable, he thought he hadbetter try to mend his little craft than do nothing. After collectingfrom the wood in the cave all the nails that happened to be sticking init, and all the pieces that were sound enough to patch a boat with, hemade a stone serve him for a hammer, straightened his nails upon anotherstone, and tried to fasten on a piece of wood over a hole. It wasdiscouraging work enough, but it helped to pass the hours till therestless waters should have reached their highest mark in the cave, whenhe would know that it was noon, and time for his little expedition. 

He sighed as he threw down his awkward new tools and pulled off hisjacket, for his heart now began to grow very heavy. It was about thetime when Erica would be beginning to look for his return, and when orhow he was ever to return he became less able to imagine, the more hethought about it. As he fancied Erica gazing down the fiord from thegallery, or stealing out, hour after hour, to look forth from the beach, and only to be disappointed every time, till she would be obliged togive him quite up, and yield to despair, Rolf shed tears. It was thefirst time for some years, --the first time since he had been a man, andwhen he saw his own tears fall upon the sand, he was ashamed. Heblushed, as if he had not been all alone, dashed away the drops, andthrew himself into the water. 

It was too cold by far for safe swimming. All the snows of Sulitelmacould hardly have made the waters more chilly to the swimmer than theyfelt at the first plunge; but Rolf would not retreat for this reason. He thought of the sunshine outside, and of the free open view he shouldenjoy, dived beneath the almost closed entrance, and came up on theother side. The first thing he saw was the schooner, now lying belowhis island; and the next thing was a small boat between him and it, evidently making towards him. When convinced that Hund was one of thethree men in it, he saw that he must go back, or make haste to finishhis expedition. He made haste, swam round so close as to touch the warmrock in many places, and could not discover, any more than before, anytrace of a footing by which a man might climb to the summit. There wasa crevice or two, however, from which vegetation hung, still leftunsearched. He could not search them now, for he must make haste home. 

The boat was indeed so near when he had reached the point he set outfrom, that he used every effort to conceal himself; and it seemed thathe could only have escaped by the eyes of his enemies being fixed on thesummit of the rock. When once more in the cave, he rather enjoyedhearing them come nearer and nearer, so that the bushes which hung downbetween him and them shook with the wind of their oars, and dipped intothe waves. He laughed silently when he heard one of them swear that hewould not leave the spot till he had seen something, upon which anotherrebuked his presumption. Presently, a voice, which he knew to beHund's, called upon his name, at first gently, and then more and moreloudly, as if taking courage at not being answered. 

"I will wait till he rounds the point, " thought Rolf, "and then give himsuch an answer as may send a guilty man away quicker than he came. "

He waited till they were on the opposite side, so that his voice mightappear to come from the summit of the islet, and then began with themelancholy sound used to lure the plover on the moors. The men in theboat instantly observed that this was the same sound used whenErlingsen's boat was spirited away from them. It was rather singularthat Rolf and Oddo should have used the same sound, but they probablychose it as the most mournful they knew. Rolf, however, did not stopthere; he moaned louder and louder, till the sound resembled thebellowing of a tormented spirit enclosed in the rock; and theconsequence was, as he had said, that his enemies retreated faster thanthey came. Never had they rowed more vigorously than now, fetching alarge circuit, to keep at a safe distance from the spot, as they passedwestward. 

For the next few days Rolf kept a close watch upon the proceedings ofthe pirates, and saw enough of their thievery to be able to layinformations against them, if ever he should again make his way to atown or village, and see the face of a magistrate. He was glad of theinterest and occupation thus afforded him, --of even this slight hope ofbeing useful; for he saw no more probability than on the first day, ofrelease from his prison. The worst of it was that the season forboating was nearly at an end. The inhabitants were day by day drivingtheir cattle up the mountains, there to remain for the summer; and theheads of families remained in the farm-houses, almost alone, and littlelikely to put out so far into the fiord as to pass near him. So poorRolf could only catch fish for his support, swim round and round hisprison, and venture a little further, on days when the water felt ratherless cold than usual. To drive off thoughts of his poor distressedErica, he sometimes hammered a little at his skiff; but it was too plainthat no botching that he could perform in the cave would render thebroken craft safe to float in. 

One sunny day, when the tide was flowing in warmer than usual, Rolfamused himself with more evolutions in bathing than he had hithertoindulged in. He forgot his troubles and his foes in diving, floating, and swimming. As he dashed round a point of the rock, he saw something, and was certain he was seen. Hund appeared at least as much bewitchedas the island itself, for he could not keep away from it. He seemedirresistibly drawn to the scene of his guilt and terror. Here he wasnow, with one other man, in the schooner's smallest boat. Rolf had todetermine in an instant what to do, for they were within a hundredyards, and Hund's starting eyes showed that he saw what he took for theghost of his fellow-servant. Rolf raised himself as high as he couldout of the water, throwing his arms up above his head, fixed his eyes onHund, uttered a shrill cry, and dived, hoping to rise to the surface atsome point out of sight. Hund looked no more. After one shriek ofterror and remorse had burst from his white lips, he sank his head uponhis knees, and let his comrade take all the trouble of rowing homeagain. 

This vision decided Hund's proceedings. Half-crazed with remorse, heleft the pirates that night. After long consideration where to go, hedecided upon returning to Erlingsen's. He did not know to what extentthey suspected him; he was pretty sure that they held no proofs againsthim. Nowhere else could he be sure of honest work, --the first objectwith him now, in the midst of his remorse. He felt irresistibly drawntowards poor Erica, now that no rival was there; and if, mixed with allthese considerations, there were some thoughts of the situation ofhouseman being vacant, and needing much to be filled up, it is no wonderthat such a mingling of motives took place in a mind so selfish asHund's. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

HUND'S REPORT. 

Hund performed his journey by night, --a journey perfectly unlike anythat was ever performed by night in England. He did not for a momentthink of going by the fiord, short and easy as it would have been incomparison with the land road. He would rather have mounted all thesteeps, and crossed the snows of Sulitelma itself, many times over, thanhave put himself in the way a second time of such a vision as he hadseen. Laboriously and diligently, therefore, he overcame thedifficulties of the path, crossing ravines, wading through swamps, scaling rocks, leaping across water-courses, and only now and thenthrowing himself down on some tempting slope of grass, to wipe hisbrows, and, where opportunity offered, to moisten his parched throatwith the wild strawberries which were fast ripening in the shelterednooks of the hills. It was now so near midsummer, and the nights wereso fast melting into the days, that Hund could at the latest scarcelysee a star, though there was not a fleece of cloud in the whole circleof the heavens. While yet the sun was sparkling on the fiord, andglittering on every farm-house window that fronted the west, all aroundwas as still as if the deepest darkness had settled down. The eagleswere at rest on their rocky ledge, a thousand feet above the waters. The herons had left their stand on the several promontories of thefiord, and the flapping of their wings overhead was no more heard. Theraven was gone home; the cattle were all far away on the mountainpastures; the goats were hidden in the woods which yielded the tendershoots on which they subsisted. The round eyes of a white owl staredout upon him here and there, from under the eaves of a farm-house; andthese seemed to be the only eyes besides his own that were open. Hundknew as he passed one dwelling after another, --knew as well as if he hadlooked in at the windows, --that the inhabitants were all asleep, evenwith the sunshine lying across their very faces. 

Every few minutes he observed how his shadow lengthened, and he longedfor the brief twilight which would now soon be coming on. Now, hisshadow stretched quite across a narrow valley, as he took breath on aridge crossed by the soft breeze. Then, the shadow stood up against aprecipice, taller than the tallest pine upon the steep. Then the yellowgleam grew fainter, the sparkles on the water went out, and he saw thelarge pale circle of the sun sink and sink into the waves, where thefiord spread out wide to the south-west. Even the weary spirit of thisunhappy man seemed now to be pervaded with some of the repose whichappeared to be shed down for the benefit of all that lived. He walkedon and on; but he felt the grass softer under his feet, --the air coolerupon his brow; and he began to comfort himself with thinking that he hadnot murdered Rolf. He said to himself that he had not laid a finger onhim, and that the skiff might have sunk exactly as it did, if he hadbeen sitting at home, carving a bell-collar. There could be no doubtthat the skiff had been pulled down fathoms deep by a strong hand frombelow; and if the spirits were angry with Rolf, that was no concern ofRolf's human enemies. --Thus Hund strove to comfort himself; but it wouldnot do. The more he tried to put away the thought, the more obstinatelyit returned, that he had been speeding on his way to injure Rolf whenthe strange disappearance took place; and that he had long hated andenvied his fellow-servant, however marvellously he had been preventedfrom capturing or slaying him. These thoughts had no comfort in them;but better came after a time. 

He had to pass very near M. Kollsen's abode; and it crossed his mindthat it would be a great relief to open his heart to a clergyman. Hehalted for a minute, in sight of the house, but presently went on, saying to himself that he could not say all to M. Kollsen, and wouldtherefore say nothing. He should get a lecture against superstition, and hear hard words of the powers he dreaded; and there would be noconsolation in this. It was said that the Bishop of Tronyem was cominground this way soon, in his regular progress through his diocese, andeverybody bore testimony to his gentleness and mercy. It would be bestto wait for his coming. Then Hund began to calculate how soon he wouldcome; for aching hearts are impatient for relief; and the thought hownear midsummer was, made him look up into the sky, --that beautiful indexof the seasons in a northern climate. There were a few extremely faintstars--a very few, --for only the brightest could now show themselves inthe sky where daylight lingered so as never quite to depart. Apale-green hue remained where the sun had disappeared, and a deep-redglow was even now beginning to kindle where he was soon to rise. Justhere, Hund's ear caught some tones of the soft harp music which thewinds make in their passage through a wood of pines; and there was afragrance in the air from a new thatch of birch-bark just laid upon aneighbouring roof. This fragrance, that faint vibrating music, and thesoft veiled light were soothing; and when, besides, Hund pictured tohimself his mind relieved by a confession to the good bishop--perhapscheered by words of pardon and of promise, the tears burst from hiseyes, and the fever of his spirit was allayed. 

Then up came the sun again, and the new thatch reeked in his beams, andthe birds shook off sleep, and plumed themselves, and the peak ofSulitelma blushed with the softest rose-colour, and the silvery fishleaped out of the water, and the blossoms in the gardens opened, thoughit was only an hour after midnight. Every creature except man seemedeager to make the most of the short summer season, --to waste none of itsbright hours, which would be gone too soon;--every creature except man;but man must have rest, be the sun high or sunk beneath the horizon: sothat Hund saw no face, and heard no human voice, before he found himselfstanding at the top of the steep rocky pathway, which led down toErlingsen's abode. 

Hund might have known that he should find everything in a differentstate from that in which he had left the place; but yet he was rathersurprised at the aspect of the farm. The stable-doors stood wide; andthere was no trace of milk-pails. The hurdles of the fold were piledupon one another in a corner of the yard. It was plain that herd, flock, and dairy-women were gone to the mountain: and, though Hunddreaded meeting Erica, it struck upon his heart, to think that she wasnot here. He felt now how much it was for her sake that he had comeback. 

He half resolved to go away again: but from the gallery of the housesome snow-white sheets were hanging to dry; and this showed that someneat and busy female hands were still here. Next, his eye fell upon theboat which lay gently rocking with the receding tide in its tiny cove;and he resolved to lie down in it and rest, while considering what to donext. He went down, stepping gently over the pebbles of the beach, lesthis tread should reach and waken any ear through the open windows, laydown at the bottom of the boat, and, as might have been expected, fellasleep as readily as an infant in a cradle. 

Of course he was discovered; and, of course, Oddo was the discoverer. Oddo was the first to come forth, to water the one horse that remainedat the farm, and to give a turn and a shake to the two or three littlecocks of hay which had been mown behind the house. His quick eye notedthe deep marks of a man's feet in the sand and pebbles, below high-watermark, proving that some one had been on the premises during the night. He followed these marks to the boat, where he was amazed to find theenemy (as he called Hund) fast asleep. Oddo was in a great hurry totell his grandfather (Erlingsen being on the mountain); but he thoughtit only proper caution to secure his prize from escaping in his absence. 

He summoned his companion, the dog which had warned him of many dangersabroad, and helped him faithfully with his work at home; and nothingcould be clearer to Skorro than that he was to crouch on the thwarts ofthe boat, with his nose close to Hund's face, and not to let Hund stirtill Oddo came back. Then Oddo ran, and wakened his grandfather, whomade all haste to rise and dress. Erica now lived in Peder's house. She had taken her lover's place there, since his disappearance; as theold man must be taken care of, and the house kept; and her mistressthought the interest and occupation good for her. Hearing Oddo's story, she rushed out, and her voice was soon heard in passionate entreaty, above the bark of the dog, which was trying to prevent the prisoner fromrising. 

"Only tell me, " Erica was heard to say, "only tell me where and how hedied. I know he is dead, --I knew he would die; from that terrible nightwhen we were betrothed. Tell me who did it, --for I am sure you know. Was it Nipen?--Yes, it was Nipen, whether it was done by wind or water, or human hands. But speak, and tell me where he is. O, Hund, speak!Say only where his body is, and I will try--I will try never to speak toyou again--never to--"

Hund looked miserable; he moved his lips; but no sound was heardmingling with Erica's rapid speech. 

Madame Erlingsen, who, with Orga, had by this time reached the spot, laid her hand on Erica's arm, to beg for a moment's silence, made Oddocall his dog out of the boat, and then spoke, in a severe tone, to Hund. 

"Why do you shake your head, Hund, and speak no word? Say what youknow, for the sake of those whom, we grievously suspect, you have deeplyinjured. Say what you know, Hund. "

"What I say is, that I do not know, " replied Hund, in a hoarse andagitated voice. "I only know that we live in an enchanted place, hereby this fiord, and that the spirits try to make us answer for theirdoings. The very first night after I went forth, this very boat wasspirited away from me, so that I could not come home. Nipen had a spiteagainst me there, to make you all suspect me. I declare to you that theboat was gone, in a twinkling, by magic, and I heard the cry of thespirit that took it. "

"What was the cry like?" asked Oddo, gravely. 

"Where were you that you were not spirited away with the boat?" askedhis mistress. 

"I was tumbled out upon the shore, I don't know how, " declaredHund:--"found myself sprawling on a rock, while the creature's criesbrought my heart into my mouth as I lay. "

"Alone?--were you alone?" asked his mistress. 

"I had landed the pastor some hours before, madame; and I took nobodyelse with me, as Stiorna can tell; for she saw me go. "

"Stiorna is at the mountain, " observed madame, coolly. 

"But, Hund, " said Oddo, "how did Nipen take hold of you when it laid yousprawling on the rock? Neck and heels? Or, did it bid you go andharken whether the pirates were coming, and whip away the boat beforeyou came back? Are you quite sure that you sprawled on the rock at allbefore you ran away from the horrible cry you speak of? Our rocks arevery slippery, when Nipen is at one's heels. "

Hund stared at Oddo, and his voice was yet hoarser when he said that hehad long thought that boy was a favourite with Nipen; and he was sure ofit now. 

Erica had thrown herself down on the sand, hiding her face on her hands, on the edge of the boat, as if in despair of her misery being attendedto, --her questions answered. Old Peder stood beside her, stroking herhair tenderly; and he now spoke the things she could not say. 

"Attend to me, Hund, " said Peder, in the grave, quiet tone which everyone regarded. "Hear my words, and, for your own sake, answer them. Wesuspect you of being in communication with the pirates yonder: wesuspect that you went to meet them when you refused to go hunting thebears. We know that you have long felt ill-will towards Rolf, --envy ofhim, --jealousy of him;--and--"

Here Erica looked up, pale as ashes, and said, "Do not question himfurther. There is no truth in his answers. He spoke falsehood evennow. "

Peder saw how Hund shrank under this, and thought the present the momentto get truth out of him, if he ever could speak it. He therefore wenton to say--

"We suspect you of having done something to keep your rival out of theway, in order that you might obtain the house and situation, --andperhaps something else that you wish. "

"Have you killed him?" asked Erica, abruptly, looking full in his face. 

"No, " returned Hund, firmly. From his manner everybody believed thismuch. 

"Do you know that anybody else has killed him?"

"No. "

"Do you know whether he is alive or dead?"

To this Hund could, in the confusion of his ideas about Rolf's fate andcondition, fairly say "No:" as also to the question, "Do you know wherehe is?"

Then they all cried out, "Tell us what you do know about him. "

"Ay, there you come, " said Hund, resuming some courage, and putting onthe appearance of more than he had. "You load me with foul accusations;and when you find yourselves all in the wrong, you alter your tone, andput yourselves under obligation to me for what I will tell. I willtreat you better than you treat me; and I will tell you plainly why. Irepent of my feelings towards my fellow-servant, now that evil hasbefallen him--"

"What? O what?" cried Erica. 

"He was seen fishing on the fiord, in that poor little worn-out skiff. I myself saw him. And when I looked next for the skiff, it was gone, --it had disappeared. "

"And where were you?"

"Never mind where I was. I was not with him, but about my own business. And I tell you, I no more laid a finger on him or his skiff than anyone of you. "

"Where was it?"

"Close by Vogel islet!"

Erica started, and, in one moment's flush of hope, told that Rolf hadsaid, he should be safe at any time near Vogel islet. Hund caught ather words so eagerly as to make a favourable impression on all, who saw, what was indeed the truth, that he would have been glad to know thatRolf was alive. Their manner so changed towards Hund, that if Stiornahad been there, she would have triumphed. But the more they consideredthe case, the more improbable it seemed that Rolf should have escapeddrowning. 

"Mother, what do you think?" whispered the gentle Orga. 

"I think, my dear, that we shall never forgive ourselves for lettingRolf go out in that old skiff. "

"Then you think, --you feel quite sure, --mother, that Nipen had nothingto do with it. "

"I feel confident, my dear, that there is no such being as Nipen. "

"Even after all that has happened?--after this, following upon Oddo'sprank that night?"

"Even so, Orga. We suffer by our own carelessness and folly, my love:and it makes us neither wiser nor better to charge the consequence uponevil spirits;--to charge our good God with permitting revengeful beingsto torment us, instead of learning from his chastisements to sin in thesame way no more. "

"But, mother, if you are right, how very far wrong all these othersare!"

"It is but little, my child, that the wisest of us knows: but there is awhole eternity before us, every one, to grow wise in. Some, " and shelooked towards Oddo, "may outgrow their mistakes here; and others, "looking at old Peder, "are travelling fast towards a place whereeverybody is wiser than years or education can make us here. Yourfather and I do wish, for Frolich and you, that you should rest yourreverence, your hopes and fears, on none but the good God. Do we notknow that not even a sparrow falleth to the ground without his will?"

"Poor Erica would be less miserable if she could think so, " sighed Orga. "She will die soon, if she goes on to suffer as she does. I wish thegood bishop would come: for I do not think M. Kollsen gives her anycomfort. Look now! what can she have to say to Hund?"

What Erica had to say to Hund was, "I believe some of the things youhave told. I believe that you did not lay hands on Rolf. "

"Bless you! Bless you for that!" interrupted Hund, almost forgettinghow far he really was guilty in the satisfaction of hearing these wordsfrom the lips that spoke them. 

"Tell me, then, " proceeded Erica, "how you believe he really perished. --Do you fully believe he perished?"

"I believe, " whispered Hund, "that the strong hand pulled him down--downto the bottom. "

"I knew it, " said Erica, turning away. 

"Erica, --one word, " exclaimed Hund. "I must stay here--I am verymiserable, and I must stay here, and work and work till I get somecomfort. But you must tell me how you think of me--you must say thatyou do not hate me. "

"I do hate you, " said Erica, with disgust, as her suspicions of hiswanting to fill Rolf's place were renewed. "I mistrust you, Hund, moredeeply than I can tell. "

"Will no penitence change your feelings, Erica? I tell you I am asmiserable as you. "

"That is false, like everything else that you say, " cried Erica. "Iwish you would go, --go and seek Rolf under the waters--"

Hund shuddered at the thought, as it recalled what he had seen and heardat the islet. Erica saw this, and sternly repeated, "Go and bring backRolf from the deeps; and then I will cease to hate you. Ah! I see thedespair in your face. Such despair never came from any woman's wordswhere there was not a bad conscience to back them. "

Hund felt that this was true, and made no reply. 

As Erica slowly returned into Peder's house, Oddo ran past, and wasthere before her. He closed the door when she had entered, put his handwithin hers, and said, "Did Rolf really tell you that he should be safeanywhere near Vogel islet?"

"Yes, " sighed Erica, --"safe from the pirates. That was his answer whenI begged him not to go so far down the fiord: but Rolf always had ananswer when one asked him not to go into danger. You see how itended;--and he never would believe in _that_ danger. "

"I shall never be happy again, if this is Nipen's doing, " said Oddo. "But, Erica, you went one trip with me, and I know you are brave. Willyou go another? Will you go to the islet, and see what Rolf could havemeant about being safe there?"

Erica brightened for a moment; and perhaps would have agreed to go: butPeder came in; and Peder said he knew the islet well, and that it wasuniversally considered that it was now inaccessible to human foot, andthat that was the reason why the fowl flourished there as they did in noother place. Erica must not be permitted to go so far down among thehaunts of the pirates. Instead of this, her mistress had just decidedthat, as there were no present means of getting rid of Hund, --as indeedhis depressed state of spirits seemed to give him some title to bereceived again, --and as Erica could not be expected to remain just nowin his presence, she should set off immediately for the mountain, andrequest Erlingsen to come home. This was only hastening her departureby two or three days. At the seater she would find less to try herspirits than here: and when Erlingsen came he would, if he thoughtproper, have Hund carried before a magistrate; and would, at least, setsuch inquiries afloat through the whole region as would bring to lightanything that might chance to be known of Rolf's fate. 

Erica could not deny that this was the best plan that could be pursued, though she had no heart for going to the seater, any more than for doinganything else. Under Peder's urgency, however, she made up her bundleof clothes, took in her hand her lure [Note 1], with which to call homethe cattle in the evenings, bade her mistress farewell privately, andstole away without Hund's knowledge, while Oddo was giving him meat anddrink within the house. Old Peder listened to her parting footsteps;and her mistress watched her up the first hill, thinking to herself howunlike this was to the usual cheerful departure to the mountain dairies. Never, indeed, had a heavier heart burdened the footsteps of thewayfarer, about to climb the slopes of Sulitelma. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. The Lure is a wooden trumpet, nearly five feet long, made oftwo hollow pieces of birch-wood, bound together, throughout the wholelength, with slips of willow. It is used to call the cattle together ona wide pasture; and is also carried by travelling parties, to save therisk of any one being lost in the wilds. Its notes, which may be heardto a great distance, are extremely harsh and discordant; having none ofthe musical tone of the Alp-horn, --(the cow-horn used by the Swiss forthe same purpose, )--which sounds well at a distance. 

CHAPTER TEN. 

SEEKING THE UPLANDS. 

Now that the great occasion was come, --that brightest day of the year, --the day of going to the seater, how unlike was it to all that the lovershad imagined and planned! How unlike was the situation of the two!There was Rolf, cooped up in a dim cave, his heart growing heavy as hisear grew weary of the incessant dash and echo of the waters! And herewas Erica on the free mountain side, where all was silent, except theoccasional rattle of a brook over the stones, and the hum of a cloud ofsummer flies. The lovers were alike in their unhappiness only: andhardly in this, so much the most wretched of the two was Erica. 

The sun was hot; and her path occasionally lay under rocks whichreflected the heat upon the passenger. She did not heed this, for theaching of her heart. Then she had to pass through a swamp, whenceissued a host of mosquitoes, to annoy any who intruded upon theirdomain. It just occurred to Erica that Rolf made her pass this place onhorseback last year, well veiled, and completely defended from thesestinging tormentors: but she did not heed them now. When, somewhathigher up, she saw in the lofty distance a sunny slope of long grassundulating in the wind, like the surface of a lake, tears sprang intoher eyes; for Rolf had said that when they came in sight of the wavingpasture, she would alight, and walk the rest of the way with him. Instead of this, and instead of the gay procession from the farm, musical with the singing of boys and girls, the lowing of the cows, andthe bleating of the kids, all rejoicing together at going to themountain, here she was alone, carrying a widowed heart, and wanderingwith unwilling steps further and further from the spot where she hadlast seen Rolf!

She dashed the tears from her eyes, and looked behind her, at theentrance of a ravine which would hide her from the fiord and thedwelling she had left. Thor islet lay like a fragment of the leafyforest cast into the blue waters; but Vogel islet could not be seen. Itwas not too far down to be seen from an elevation like this; but it washidden behind the promontories by which the fiord was contracted. Ericacould see what she next looked for, --knowing, as she did, preciselywhere to look. She could see the two graves belonging to thehousehold, --the two hillocks which were railed in behind the house: butshe turned away sickening at the thought that Rolf could not even have agrave; that that poor consolation was denied her. She looked behind herno more; but made her way rapidly through the ravine, --the more rapidlybecause she had seen a man ascending by the same path at no greatdistance, and she had little inclination to be joined by a party ofwandering Laplanders, seeking a fresh pasture for their reindeer; stillless by any neighbour from the fiord, who might think civility requiredthat he should escort her to the seater. This wayfarer was walking at apace so much faster than hers, that he would soon pass; and she wouldhide among the rocks beside the tarn [small lake upon a mountain] at thehead of the ravine till he had gone by. 

It was refreshing to come out of the hot, steep ravine upon the grass atthe upper end of it. Such grass! A line of pathway was trodden in itstraight upwards, by those who had before ascended the mountain; butErica left this path, and turned to the right, to seek the tarn whichthere lay hidden among the rocks. The herbage was knee-deep, and gaywith flowers, --with wild geranium, pansies, and especially with theyellow blossoms which give its peculiar hue and flavour to the Gammelcheese, and to the butter made in the mountain dairies of Norway. Through this rich pasture Erica waded till she reached the tarn whichfed the stream that gambolled down the ravine. The death-coldunfathomed waters lay calm and still under the shelter of the rockswhich nearly surrounded them. Even where crags did not rise abruptlyfrom the water, huge blocks were scattered; masses which seemed to havelain so long as to have seen the springing herbage of a thousandsummers. 

In the shadow of one of these blocks, Erica sank down into the grass. There she, and her bundle, and her long lure were half-buried; and this, at last, felt something like rest. Here she would remain long enough tolet the other wayfarer have a good start up the mountain; and by thattime she should be cool and tranquillised:--yes, tranquillised; for hereshe could seek that peace which never failed when she sought it asChristians may. She hid her face in the fragrant grass, and did notlook up again till the grief of her soul was stilled. --Then her eye andher heart were open to the beauty of the place which she had made hertemple of worship; and she gazed around till she saw something thatsurprised her. A reindeer stood on the ridge, his whole form, from hisbranching head to his slender legs, being clearly marked against thebright sky. He was not alone. He was the sentinel, set to watch onbehalf of several companions, --two or three being perched on ledges ofthe rock, browsing, --one standing half-buried in the herbage of thepasture, and one on the margin of the water, drinking as it would nothave dreamed of doing if the wind had not been in the wrong quarter forletting him know how near the hidden Erica was. 

This pretty sight was soon over. In a few moments the whole companyappeared to take flight at once, without her having stirred a muscle. Away they went, with such speed and noiselessness that they appeared notto touch the ground. From point to point of the rock they sprang, andthe last branchy head disappeared over the ridge, almost before Ericacould stand upright, to see all she could of them. 

She soon discovered the cause of their alarm. She thought it could nothave been herself; and it was not. The traveller, who she had hoped wasnow some way up the mountain, was standing on the margin of the tarn, immediately opposite to her, so that the wind had carried the scent tothe herd. The traveller saw her at the same moment that she perceivedhim; but Erica did not discover this, and sank down again into thegrass, hoping so to remain undisturbed. She could not thus observe whathis proceedings were; but her ear soon informed her that he was closeby. His feet were rustling in the grass. 

She sat up, and took her bundle and lure, believing now that she mustaccept the unwelcome civility of an escort for the whole of the rest ofthe way, and thinking that she might as well make haste, and get itover. The man, however, seemed in no hurry. Before she could rise, hetook his seat on the huge stone beside her, crossed his arms, made nogreeting, but looked her full in the face. 

She did not know the face, nor was it like any that she had ever seen. There was such long hair, and so much beard, that the eyes seemed theonly feature which made any distinct impression. Erica's heart nowbegan to beat violently. Though wishing to be alone, she had notdreamed of being afraid till now: but now it occurred to her that shewas seeing the rarest of sights--one not seen twice in a century; noother than the mountain-demon. Sulitelma, as the highest mountain inNorway, was thought to be his favourite haunt; and considering hisstrange appearance, and his silence, it could hardly be other thanhimself. 

The test would be whether he would speak first; a test which sheresolved to try, though it was rather difficult to meet and return thestare of such a neighbour without speaking. She could not keep this upfor more than a minute: so she sprang to her feet, rested her lure uponher shoulder, took her bundle in her hand, and began to wade backthrough the high grass to the pathway, almost expecting, when shethought of her mother's fate, to be seized by a strong hand, and castinto the unfathomable tarn, whose waters were said to well up from thecentre of the earth. Her companion, however, merely walked by her side. As he did not offer to carry her bundle, he could be no countryman ofhers. There was not a peasant in Nordland who would not have had morecourtesy. 

They walked quietly on till the tarn was left some way behind. Ericafound she was not to die that way. Presently after, they came in sightof a settlement of Lapps, --a cluster of low and dirty tents, round whichsome tame reindeer were feeding. Erica was not sorry to see these;though no one knew better than she the helpless cowardice of thesepeople; and it was not easy to say what assistance they could affordagainst the mountain-demon. Yet they were human beings, and wouldappear in answer to a cry. She involuntarily shifted her lure, to beready to utter a call. The stranger stopped to look at the distanttents, and Erica went on, at the same pace. He presently overtook her, and pointed towards the Lapps with an inquiring look. Erica onlynodded. 

"Why you no speak?" growled the stranger, in broken language. 

"Because I have nothing to say, " declared Erica, in the sudden vivacityinspired by the discovery that this was probably no demon. Her doubtswere renewed, however, by the next question. 

"Is the bishop coming?"

Now, none were supposed to have a deeper interest in the holy bishop'stravels than the evil spirits of any region through which he was topass. 

"Yes, he is coming, " replied Erica. "Are you afraid of him?"

The stranger burst into a loud laugh at her question: and very like amocking fiend he looked, as his thick beard parted to show his widemouth, with its two ranges of teeth. When he finished laughing, hesaid, "No, no--we no fear bishop. "

"`We!'" repeated Erica to herself. "He speaks for his tribe, as well ashimself. "

"We no fear bishop, " said the stranger, still laughing. "You nofear--?" and he pointed to the long stretch of path--the prodigiousascent before them. 

Erica said there was nothing to fear on the mountain for those who didtheir duty to the powers, as it was her intention to do. Her firstGammel cheese was to be for him whose due it was; and it should be thebest she could make. 

This speech she thought would suit, whatever might be the nature of hercompanion. If it was the demon, she could do no more to please him thanpromise him his cheese. 

Her companion seemed not to understand or attend to what she said. Heagain asked if she was not afraid to travel alone in so dreary a place, adding, that if his countrywomen were to be overtaken by a stranger likehim, on the wilds of a mountain, they would scream and fly; all which heacted very vividly, by way of making out his imperfect speech, andtrying her courage at the same time. 

When Erica saw that she had no demon for a companion, but only aforeigner, she was so much relieved as not to be afraid at all. Shesaid that nobody thought of being frightened in summer time in hercountry. Winter was the time for that. When the days were long, sothat travellers knew their way, and when everybody was abroad, so thatyou could not go far without meeting a friend, there was nothing tofear. 

"You go abroad to meet friends, and leave your enemy behind. "

At the moment, he turned to look back. Erica could not now helpwatching him, and she cast a glance homewards too. They were so high upthe mountain that the fiord and its shores were in full view; andmore;--for the river was seen in its windings from the very skirts ofthe mountain to the fiord, and the town of Saltdalen standing on itsbanks. In short, the whole landscape to the west lay before them, fromSulitelma to the point of the horizon where the islands and rocks meltedinto the sea. 

The stranger had picked up an eagle's feather in his walk; and he nowpointed with it to the tiny cove in which Erlingsen's farm might beseen, looking no bigger than an infant's toy, and said, "Do you leave anenemy there, or is Hund now your friend?"

"Hund is nobody's friend, unless he happens to be yours, " Erica replied, perceiving at once that her companion belonged to the pirates. "Hund iseverybody's enemy; and, above all, he is an enemy to himself. He is awretched man. "

"The bishop will cure that, " said the stranger. "He is coward enough tocall in the bishop to cure all. When comes the bishop?"

"Next week. "

"What day, and what hour?"

Erica did not choose to gratify so close a curiosity as this. She didnot reply; and while silent, was not sorry to hear the distant sound ofcattle-bells, and Erlingsen's cattle-bells too. The stranger did notseem to notice the sound, even though quickening his pace to suitErica's, who pressed on faster when she believed protection was at hand. And yet the next thing the stranger said brought her to a full stop. --He said he thought a part of Hund's business with the bishop would be toget him to disenchant the fiord, so that boats might not be spiritedaway almost before men's eyes; and that a rower and his skiff might notsink like lead one day, and the man be heard the second day, and seenthe third, so that there was no satisfactory knowledge as to whether hewas really dead. Erica stopped, and her eager looks made the inquirywhich her lips could not speak. Her eagerness put her companion on hisguard, and he would explain no further than by saying that the fiord wascertainly enchanted, and that strange tales were circulating all roundits shores--very striking to a stranger;--a stranger had nothing more todo with the wonders of a country than to listen to them. He wanted toturn the conversation back to Hund. Having found out that he was atErlingsen's, he next tried to discover what he had said and done sincehis arrival. Erica told the little there was to tell--that he seemedfull of sorrow and remorse. She told this in hope of a furtherexplanation about drowned men being seen alive; but the stranger stoppedwhen the bells were heard again, and a woman's voice singing, nearerstill. He complimented Erica on her courage, and turned to go back theway he came. 

"Stay, " said Erica. "Do come to the dairy, now you are so near. "

The man walked away rapidly. 

"My master is here close at hand; he will be glad to see a stranger, "she said, following him, with the feeling that her only chance ofhearing something of Rolf was departing. The stranger did not turn, butonly walked faster and with longer strides down the slope. 

The only thing now to be done was to run forwards, and send a messengerafter him. Erica forgot heat, weariness, and the safety of herproperty, and ran on towards the singing voice. In five minutes shefound the singer, Frolich, lying along the ground and pickingcloud-berries with which she was filling her basket for supper. 

"Where is Erlingsen?--quick--quick!" cried Erica. 

"My father? You may just see him with your good eyes, --up there. "

And Frolich pointed to a patch of verdure on a slope high up themountain, where the gazer might just discern that there were haycocksstanding, and two or three moving figures beside them. 

"Stiorna is there to-day, besides Jan. They hope to finish thisevening, " said Frolich; "and so here I am, all alone: and I am glad youhave come to help me to have a good supper ready for them. Their hungerwill beat all my berry-gathering. "

"You are alone?" said Erica, discovering that it was well that thepirate had turned back when he did. "You alone, and gathering berries, instead of having an eye on the cattle! Who has an eye on the cattle!"[Note 1. ]

"Why, no one, " answered Frolich. "Come now, do not tease me withbidding me remember the Bishop of Tronyem's cattle. The undergroundpeople have something to do elsewhere to-day; they give no heed to us. "

"We must give heed to them, however, " said Erica. "Show me where thecattle are, and I will collect them, and have an eye on them till supperis ready. "

"You shall do no such thing, Erica. You shall lie down here and pickberries with me, and tell me the news. That will rest you and me at thesame time; for I am as tired of being alone as you can be of climbingthe mountain. --But why are your hands empty? Who is to lend youclothes? And what will the cows say to your leaving your lure behind, when you know they like it so much better than Stiorna's?"

Erica explained that her bundle and lure were lying on the grass, alittle way below; and Frolich sprang to her feet, saying that she wouldfetch them presently. Erica stopped her, and told her she must not go:nobody should go but herself. She could not answer to Erlingsen forletting one of his children follow the steps of a pirate, who mightreturn at any moment. 

Frolich had no longer any wish to go. She started off towards thesleeping-shed, and never stopped till she had entered it, and driven aprovision-chest against the door, leaving Erica far behind. 

Erica, indeed, was in no hurry to follow. She returned for her bundleand lure: and then, uneasy about the cattle being left without an eyeupon them, and thus confided to the negligence of the undergroundpeople, she proceeded to an eminence where two or three of her cows weregrazing, and there sounded her lure. She put her whole strength to it, in hope that others, besides the cattle, might appear in answer; for shewas really anxious to see her master. 

The peculiar and far from musical sounds did spread wide over thepastures, and up the slopes, and through the distant woods, so that thecattle of another seater stood to listen, and her own cows began tomove, --leaving the sweetest tufts of grass, and rising up from theircouches in the richest herbage, to converge towards the point whence shecalled. The far-off herdsman observed to his fellow that there was anew call among the pastures; and Erlingsen, on the upland, desired Janand Stiorna to finish cocking the hay, and began his descent to hisseater, to learn whether Erica had brought any news from home. 

Long before he could appear, Frolich stole out trembling, and lookinground her at every step. When she saw Erica, she flew over the grass, and threw herself down in it at Erica's feet. 

"Where is he?" she whispered. "Has he come back?"

"I have not seen him. I dare say he is as far off by this time as theBlack Tarn, where I met with him. "

"The Black Tarn! And do you mean that--no, you cannot mean that youcame all the way together from the Black Tarn hither. Did you run? Didyou fly? Did you shriek? Oh, what did you do?--with a pirate at yourheels!"

"By my side, " said Erica. "We walked and talked. "

"With a pirate! But how did you know it was a pirate? Did he tell youso?"

"No: and at first I thought, "--and she sank her voice into a reverentialwhisper, --"I thought for some time it was the demon of this place. WhenI found it was only a pirate, I did not mind. "

"Only a pirate! Did not mind!" exclaimed Frolich. "You are thestrangest girl! You are the most perverse creature! You think nothingof a pirate walking at your elbow for miles, and you would make a slaveof yourself and me about these underground people, that my father laughsat, and that nobody ever saw. --Ah! you say nothing aloud; but I know youare saying in your own mind, `Remember the Bishop of Tronyem's cattle. '"

"You want news, " said Erica, avoiding, as usual, all conversation abouther superstitions. "How will it please you that the bishop is coming?"

"Very much, if we had any chance of seeing him. Very much, whether wesee him or not, if he can give any help, --any advice... My poor Erica, I do not like to ask, but you have had no good news, I fear. "

Erica shook her head. 

"I saw that in your face, in a moment. Do not speak about it till youtell my father; he may help you--I cannot; so do not tell me anything. "

Erica was glad to take her at her word. She kissed Frolich's hand, which lay on her knee, in token of thanks, and then inquired whether anyGammel cheese was made yet. 

"No, " said Frolich, inwardly sighing for news. "We have the whey, butnot sweet cream enough till after this evening's milking; so you arejust in time. "

Erica was glad, as she could not otherwise have been sure of the demonhaving his due. 

"There is your father, " said Erica. "Now do go and gather more berries, Frolich; there are not half enough, and you cannot be afraid of thepirate, with your father within call. Now do go. "

"You want me not to hear what you have to tell my father, " said Frolich, unwilling to depart. 

"That is very true. I shall tell him nothing till you are out ofhearing; he can repeat to you what he pleases afterwards, and he willindulge you all the more for your giving him a good supper. "

"So he will, and I will fill his cup myself, " observed Frolich. "Hesays the corn-brandy is uncommonly good, and I will fill his cup till itwill not hold another drop. "

"You will not reach his heart that way, Frolich. He knows to a dropwhat his quantity is, and there he stops. "

"I know where there are some manyberries [Note 2] ripe, " said Frolich, "and he likes them above all berries. They lie this way, at the edge ofthe swamp, where the pirate will never think of coming. "

And off she went, as Erica rose from the grass to curtsey to Erlingsenon his approach. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. It is a popular belief in Norway that there is a race offairies or magicians living underground, who are very covetous ofcattle; and that, to gratify their taste for large herds and flocks, they help themselves with such as graze on the mountains; making dwarfsof them to enable them to enter crevices of the ground, in order todescend to the subterranean pastures. This practice may be defeated, asthe Norwegian herdsman believes, by keeping his eye constantly on thecattle. 

A certain Bishop of Tronyem lost his cattle by the herdsmen havinglooked away from them, beguiled by a spirit in the shape of a noble elk. The herdsmen, looking towards their charge again, saw them reduced tothe size of mice, just vanishing through a crevice in the hill-side. Hence the Norwegian proverb used to warn any one to look after hisproperty, "Remember the Bishop of Tronyem's cattle. "

Note 2. The Molteboeer, or Manyberries, so called from its clusteredappearance. It is a delicious fruit, amber-coloured when ripe, andgrowing in marshy ground. 

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

DAIRY-MAIDS' TALK. 

It may be supposed that Erlingsen was anxious to be at home, when he hadheard Erica's story. He was not to be detained by any promise ofberries and cream for supper. He put away the thought even of his hay, yet unfinished on the upland, and would not hear nothing that Frolichhad to say of his fatigue at the end of a long working day. He tooksome provision with him, drank off a glass of corn-brandy, kissedFrolich, promised to send news, and, if possible, more helping hands, and set off, at a good pace, down the mountain. 

The party he left behind was a dull one. When Jan came in to supper hebecame angry that he was left to get in the hay alone; even Stiornacould not help him to-morrow, for the cheese-making had already been putoff too long while waiting for Erica's arrival, and it must now bedelayed no longer. It was true some one was to be sent from below, butsuch an one could not arrive before the next evening, and Jan wouldmeanwhile have a long day alone, instead of having, as hitherto, hismaster for a comrade. Stiorna, for her part, was offended at the wish, openly expressed by all, that Hund might not be the person sent; she wassure he was the only proper person, but she saw that he would meet withno welcome, except from her. 

Scarcely a word was spoken till Erica and Frolich were about theircheese-making the next morning. Erica had rather have kept the cattle, but Frolich so earnestly begged that she would let Stiorna do that, asshe could not destroy the cattle in her ill-humour, while she mighteasily spoil the cheese, that Erica put away her knitting, tied on herapron, tucked up her sleeves, and prepared for the great work. 

"There! let her go!" cried Frolich, looking after Stiorna, as she walkedaway slowly, trailing her lure after her. "She may knit all herill-humour into her stocking, if she likes, as Hund is to wear it, andthat is better than putting it into our cheese. Erica, " said thekind-hearted girl. "You are worth a hundred of her. What has she todisturb her, in comparison with you?--and yet you do just what I askyou, and work at our business as if nothing was the matter. If youchose to cry all day on the two graves down there at home, nobody couldthink it unreasonable. "

Erica was washing the bowls and cheese-moulds in juniper-water at thismoment; and her tears streamed down upon them at Frolich's kind words. 

"We had better not talk about such things, dear, " said she, as soon asshe could speak. 

"Nay, now, I think it is the best thing we can do, Erica. Here, pour methis cream into the pan over the fire, and I will stir, while you strainsome more whey. My back is towards you, and I cannot see you; and youcan cry as you like, while I tell you all I think. "

Erica found that this free leave to cry unseen was a great help towardsstopping her tears; and she ceased weeping entirely while listening toall that Frolich had to say in favour of Rolf being still alive andsafe. It was no great deal that could be said; only that Hund's newswas more likely to be false than true, and that there was no otherevidence of any accident having happened. 

"My dear!" exclaimed Erica; "where is he now, then?--why is he not here?O, Frolich! I can hardly wonder that we are punished when I think ofour presumption. When we were talking beside those graves on the day ofUlla's funeral, he laughed at me for even speaking of death andseparation. `What! at our age!' he said. `Death at our age, --andseparation!'--and that with Henrica's grave before our eyes!"

"Then, perhaps, this will prove to be a short and gentle separation, toteach him to speak more humbly. There is no being in the universe thatwould send death to punish light gay words, spoken from a joyful heart. If there were, I and many others should have been in our graves longsince. Why, Erica! this is even a worse reason than Hund's word. Now, just tell me, Erica, would you believe anything else that Hund said?"

"In a common way, perhaps not: but you cannot think what a changed manhe is, Frolich. He is so humbled, so melancholy, so awe-struck, that heis not like the same man. "

"He may not be the better for that. He was more frightened than anybodyat the moment the owl cried, on your betrothment night, when you fanciedthat Nipen had carried off Oddo. Yet never did I see Hund moremalicious than he was half an hour afterwards. I doubt whether any suchfright would make a liar into a truthful man, in a moment. "

Erica now remembered and told the falsehood of Hund about what he wasdoing when the boat was spirited away:--a falsehood told in the verymidst of the humiliation and remorse she had described. 

"Why there now!" exclaimed Frolich, ceasing her stirring for a moment tolook round; "what a capital story that is! and how few people know it!and how neatly you catch him in his fib! And why should not somethinglike it be happening now with Rolf? Rolf knows all the ins and outs ofthe fiord: and if he has been playing bo-peep with his enemies among theislands, and frightening Hund, is it not the most natural thing in theworld that Hund should come scampering home, and get his place, and saythat he is lost, while waiting to see whether he is or not!--O dear!"she exclaimed after a pause, during which Erica did not attempt tospeak, "I know what I wish. "

"You wish something kind, dear, I am sure, " said Erica, with a deepsigh. 

"We have so many, --so very many nice, useful things, --we can go up themountains and sail away over the seas, --and look far abroad into thesky. I only wish we could do one little thing more. I really think, having so many things, we might have had just one little thing moregiven us;--and that is wings. I grudge them to yonder screaming eagles, when I want them so much. "

"My dear child, what strange things you say?"

"I do so very much want to fly abroad, just for once, over the fiord. If I could but look down into every nook and cove between Thor Islet andthe sea, I would not be long in bringing you news. If I did not seeRolf, I would tell you plainly. Really, at such times it seems very oddthat we have not wings. "

"Perhaps the time may come, dear. "

"I can never want them so much again. "

"My dear, you cannot want them as I do, if I dared to say such boldthings as you do. You are not weary of the world, Frolich. "

"What! this beautiful world? Are you weary of it all, Erica?"

"Yes, dear. "

"What! of the airy mountains, and the silent forests, and the lonelylakes, and the blue glaciers, with flowers fringing them? Are you quiteweary of all these?"

"O that I had wings like a dove! Then would I flee away, and be atrest. " Erica hardly murmured these words; but Frolich caught them. 

"Do you know, " said she, softly, after a pause, "I doubt whether we canfind rest by going to any place, in this world or out of it, unless--if--The truth is, Erica, I know my father and mother think that peoplewho are afraid of selfish and revengeful spirits, such as demons andNipen, can never have any peace of mind. Really religious people havetheir way straight before them;--they have only to do right, and God istheir friend, and they can bear everything, and fear nothing. But thepeople about us are always in a fright about some selfish being oranother not being properly humoured, and so being displeased. I wouldnot be in such bondage, Erica, --no, not for the wings I was longing forjust now. I should be freer if I were rooted like a tree, and withoutsuperstition, than if I had the wings of an eagle, with a belief inselfish demons. "

"Let us talk of something else, " said Erica, who was at the very momentconsidering where the mountain-demon would best like to have his Gammelcheese laid. "What is the quality of the cream, Frolich? Is it as goodas it ought to be?"

"Stiorna would say that the demon will smack his lips over it. Come andtaste. "

"Do not speak so, dear. "

"I was only quoting Stiorna--"

"What are you saying about me?" inquired Stiorna, appearing at the door. "Only talking about the cream and the cheese? Are you sure of that?Bless me! what a smell of the yellow flowers! It will be a primecheese. "

"How can you leave the cattle, Stiorna?" cried Erica. "If they are allgone when you get back--"

"Well, come, then, and see the sight. I get scolded either way, always. You would have scolded me finely to-night if I had not called you tosee the sight--"

"What sight?"

"Why there is such a procession of boats on the fiord, that you wouldsuppose there were three weddings happening at once. "

"What can we do?" exclaimed Frolich, dolefully looking at the cream, which had reached such a point as that the stirring could not cease fora minute without risk of spoiling the cheese. 

Erica took the long wooden spoon from Frolich's hand, and bade her runand see where the bishop was going to land. The cream should not spoilwhile she was absent. 

Frolich bounded away over the grass, declaring that if it was thebishop, going to her father's, she could not possibly stay on themountain for all the cheeses in Nordland. --Erica remained alone, patiently stirring the cream, and hardly heeding the heat of the fire, while planning how the bishop would be told her story, and how he wouldexamine Hund, and perhaps be able to give some news of the pirates, andcertainly be ready with his advice. Some degree of hope arose withinher as she thought of the esteem in which all Norway held the wisdom andkindness of the bishop of Tronyem: and then again she felt it hard to beabsent during the visit of the only person to whom she looked forcomfort. 

Frolich returned after a long while, to defer her hopes a little. Theboats had all drawn to shore on the northern side of the fiord, where, no doubt, the bishop had a visit to pay before proceeding toErlingsen's. The cheese-making might yet be done in time, even ifFrolich should be sent for home, to see and be seen by the good bishop. 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

PEDER ABROAD. 

The day after Erica's departure to the dairy, Peder was sitting alone inhis house, weaving a frail-basket. Sometimes he sighed to think howempty and silent the house appeared to what he had ever known it before. Ulla's wheel stood in the corner, and was now never to be heard, anymore than her feeble, aged voice, which had sung ballads to the last. Erica's light, active step was gone for the present, and would it everagain be as light and active as it had been? Rolf's hearty laugh wassilent; perhaps for ever. Oddo was an inmate still, but Oddo was muchaltered of late, and who could wonder? Though the boy was strangelyunbelieving about some things, he could not but feel how wonders andmisfortunes had crowded upon one another since the night of his defianceof Nipen. 

From the hour of Hund's return, the boy had hardly been heard to speak. All these thoughts were too melancholy for old Peder, and, to break thesilence, he began to sing as he wove his basket. 

He had nearly got through a ballad of a hundred and five stanzas, whenhe heard a footstep on the floor. 

"Oddo, my boy, " said he, "surely you are in early. Can it bedinner-time yet?"

"No, not this hour, " replied Oddo, in a low voice, which sank to awhisper as he said, "I have left Hund laying the troughs to water themeadow, and if he misses me, I don't care. I could not stay;--I couldnot help coming;--and if he kills me for telling you, he may, for tellyou I must. "

And Oddo went to close and fasten the door, and then he sat down on theground, rested his arms on his grandfather's knees, and told his storyin such a low tone that no "little bird" under the eaves could "carrythe matter. "

"O grandfather, what a mind that fellow has! he will go crazy withhorror soon. I am not sure that he is not crazy now. "

"He has murdered Rolf, has he?"

"I can't be sure, but the oddest thing is that he mixes up wolves withhis rambling talk. Rolf can hardly have met with mischief from any wolfat this season. "

"No, boy; not Rolf. But did not. Hund speak of orphan children, andhow wolves have been known to devour them when snow was on the ground?"

"Why, yes, " said Oddo, surprised at such a guess. 

"There was a reason for Hund's talking so of wolves, my dear. Tell mequick what he said of Rolf, and what made him say anything to you, --toan inquisitive boy like you. "

"He is like one bewitched, that cannot hold his tongue. While I wasbringing the troughs, one by one, for him to lay, where the meadow wasdryest, he still kept muttering and muttering to himself. As often as Icame within six yards of him, I heard him mutter, mutter; then, when Ihelped him to lay the troughs, he began to talk to me. I was not in themind to make him many answers, but on he went, just the same as if I hadasked him a hundred questions. "

"It was such an opportunity for a curious boy, that I wonder you didnot. "

"Perhaps I might, if he had stopped long enough. But if he stopped fora moment to wipe his brows, he began again before I could well speak. He asked me whether I had ever heard that drowned men could show theirheads above water, and stare with their eyes, and throw their armsabout, a whole day, --two days, after they were drowned. "

"Ay! indeed! Did he ask that?"

"Yes, and several other things: he asked whether I had ever heard thatthe islets in the fiord were so many prison-houses. "

"And what did you say?"

"I wanted him to explain; so I said they were prison-houses to theeider-ducks when they were sitting, for they never stir a yard fromtheir nests. But he did not heed a word I spoke; he went on aboutdrowned men being kept prisoners in the islets, moaning because theycan't get out. And he says they will knock, knock, as if they couldcleave the thick hard rock. "

"What do you think of all this, my boy?"

"Why, when I said I had not heard a word of any such thing, even from mygrandmother or Erica, he declared he had heard the moans himself, --moaning and crying; but then he mixed up something about the barking ofwolves that made confusion in the story. Though he had been hot justbefore, there he stood shivering, as if it was winter, as he stood inthe broiling sun. Then I asked him if he had seen dead men swim andstare, as he said he had heard them moan and cry. "

"And what did he say then?"

"He started bolt upright, as if I had been picking his pocket. He wasin a passion for a minute, I know, if ever he was in his life. Then hetried to laugh as he said what a lot of new stories--stories of spirits, such stories as people love--he should have to carry home to the north, whenever he went back to his own place. "

"In the north, --his own place in the north! He wanted to mislead youthere, boy. Hund was born some way to the south. "

"No, was he really? How is one to believe a word he says, except whenhe speaks as if he was in his asleep, --straight out from his conscience, I suppose? He began to talk about the bishop next, wanting to know whenI thought he would come, and whether he was apt to hold private talkwith every sort of person at the houses he stayed at. "

"How did you answer him? You know nothing about the bishop's visits. "

"So I told him: but, to try him, I said I knew one thing, --that aquantity of fresh fish would be wanted when the bishop comes with histrain; and I asked him whether he would go fishing with me, as soon aswe should hear that the bishop was drawing near. "

"He would not agree to that, I fancy. "

"He asked how far out I thought of going. Of course I said to Vogelislet, --at least as far as Vogel islet. Do you know, grandfather, Ithought he would have knocked me down at the word. He mutteredsomething, I could not hear what, to get off. By that time we werelaying the last trough. I asked him to go for some more, and the minutehe was out of sight I scampered here. Now, what sort of a mind do youthink this fellow has?"

"Not an easy one, it is plain. It is too clear also that he thinks Rolfis drowned. "

"But do you think so, grandfather?"

"Do you think so, grandson?"

"Not a bit of it. Depend upon it, Rolf is all alive, if he is swimmingand staring, and throwing his arms about in the water. I think I seehim now. And I will see him, if he is to be seen, alive or dead. "

"And pray, how?"

"I ought to have said if you will help me. You say, sometimes, grandfather, that you can pull a good stroke with the oar still: and Ican steer as well as our master himself: and the fiord never was stillerthan it is to-day. Think what it would be to bring home Rolf, or somegood news of him. We would have a race up to the seater afterwards tosee who could be the first to tell Erica. "

"Gently, gently, boy! What is Rolf about not to come home, if he'salive?"

"That we shall learn from him. Did you hear that he told Erica heshould go as far as Vogel islet, dropping something about being safethere from pirates and everything?"

Peder really thought there was something in this. He sent off Oddo tohis work in the little meadow, and himself sought out Madame Erlingsen, who, having less belief in spirits and enchantments than Peder, was inproportion more struck with the necessity of seeing whether there wasany meaning in Hund's revelations, lest Rolf should be perishing forwant of help. The story of his disappearance had spread through thewhole region; and there was not a fisherman on the fiord who had not, bythis time, given an opinion as to how he was drowned. But Madame waswell aware that, if he were only wrecked, there was no sign that hecould make that would not terrify the superstitious minds of theneighbours, and make them keep aloof, instead of helping him. Inaddition to all this, it was doubtful whether his signals would be seenby anybody, at a season when every one who could be spared was gone upto the dairies. 

As soon as Hund was gone out after dinner, the old man and his grandsonput off in the boat, carrying a note from Madame Erlingsen to herneighbours along the fiord, requesting the assistance of one or tworowers on an occasion which might prove one of life and death. Theneighbours were obliging. The Holbergs sent a stout farm-servant withdirections to call at a cousin's, lower down, for a boatman; so that theboat was soon in fast career down the fiord, --Oddo full of expectation, and of pride in commanding such an expedition; and Peter being relievedfrom all necessity of rowing more than he liked. 

Oddo had found occasionally the truth of a common proverb; he had easilybrought his master's horses to the water, but could not make them drink. He now found that he had easily got rowers into the boat, but that itwas impossible to make them row beyond a certain point. He had used asmuch discretion as Peder himself about not revealing the precise placeof their destination; and when Vogel islet came in sight, the twohelpers at once gave him hints to steer so as to keep as near the shore, and as far from the island, as possible. Oddo gravely steered for theisland, notwithstanding. When the men saw that this was his resolution, they shipped their oars, and refused to strike another stroke, unlessone of them might steer. That island had a bad reputation: it wasbewitched or haunted; and in that direction the men would not go. Theywere willing to do all they could to oblige: they would row twenty mileswithout resting, with pleasure; but they would not brave Nipen, nor anyother demon, for any consideration. 

"How far off is it, Oddo?" asked Peder. 

"Two miles, grandfather. Can you and I manage it by ourselves, thinkyou?"

"Ay, surely, if we can land these friends of ours. They will waitashore till we call for them again. "

"I will leave you my supper if you will wait for us here, on thisheadland, " said Oddo to the men. 

The men could make no other objection than that they were certain theboat would never return. They were very civil--would not accept Oddo'ssupper on any account--would remain on the watch--wished their friendswould be persuaded; and, when they found all persuasion in vain, declared they would bear testimony to Erica, and as long as they shouldlive, to the bravery of the old man and boy who thus threw away theirlives in search of a comrade who had fallen a victim to Nipen. 

Amidst these friendly words the old man and his grandson put off oncemore alone, making straight for the islet. Of the two Peder was thegreater hero, for he saw the most ground for fear. 

"Promise me, Oddo, " said she, "not to take advantage of my not seeing. As sure as you observe anything strange, tell me exactly what you see. "

"I will, grandfather. There is nothing yet but what is so beautifulthat I could not, for the life of me, find out anything to be afraid of. The water is as green as our best pasture, as it washes up against thegrey rock. And that grey rock is all crested and tufted with greenagain wherever a bush can spring. It is all alive with sea-birds, aswhite as snow, as they wheel about it in the sun. "

"'Tis the very place, " said Peder, putting new strength into his oldarm. Oddo rowed stoutly too for some way, and then he stopped to ask onwhat side the remains of a birch ladder used to hang down, as Peder hadoften told him. 

"On the north side; but there is no use in looking for that, my boy. That birch ladder must have rotted away with frost and wet long and longago. "

"It is likely, " said Oddo; "but thinking that some man must have put itthere, I should like to see whether it really is impossible for one witha strong hand and light foot to mount this wall. I brought our longestboat-hook on purpose to try. Where a ladder hung before, a foot musthave climbed; and if I mount, Rolf may have mounted before me. "

It chilled Peder's heart to remember the aspect of the precipice whichhis boy talked of climbing; but he said nothing, feeling that it wouldbe in vain. This forbearance touched Oddo's feelings. 

"I will run into no folly, trust me, " said he. "I do not forget thatyou depend on me for getting home; and that the truth, about Nipen andsuch things, depends, for an age to come, on our being seen at homeagain safe. But I have a pretty clear notion that Rolf is somewhere onthe top there. "

"Suppose you call him, then. "

Oddo had much rather catch him. He pictured to himself the pride andpleasure of mastering the ascent; the delight of surprising Rolf asleepin his solitude, and the fun of standing over him to waken him, andwitness his surprise. He could not give up the attempt to scale therock: but he would do it very cautiously. 

Slowly and watchfully they passed round the islet, Oddo seeking with hiseye any ledge of the rock on which he might mount. Pulling off hisshoes, that his bare feet might have the better hold, and stripping offalmost all his clothes, for lightness in climbing, and perhaps swimming, he clambered up to more than one promising spot, and then, finding thatfurther progress was impossible, had to come down again. At last;seeing a narrow chasm filled with leafy shrubs, he determined to try howhigh he could reach by means of these. He swung himself up by means ofa bush which grew downwards, having its roots firmly fixed in a creviceof the rock. This gave him hold of another, which brought him in reachof a third; so that, making his way like a squirrel or a monkey, hefound himself hanging at such a height, that it seemed easier to go onthan to turn back. For some time after leaving his grandfather, he hadspoken to him, as an assurance of his safety. When too far off tospeak, he had sung aloud, to save the old man from fears; and now thathe did not feel at all sure whether he should ever get up or down, hebegan to whistle cheerily. He was pleased to hear it answered from theboat. The thought of the old man sitting there alone, and his returnwholly depending upon the safety of his companion, animated Oddo afreshto find a way up the rock. It looked to him as like a wall as any otherrock about the islet. There was no footing where he was looking;--thatwas certain. So he advanced farther into the chasm, where the rocks sonearly met that a giant's arm might have touched the opposite wall. Here there was promise of release from his dangerous situation. At theend of a ledge, he saw something like poles hanging on the rock, --somework of human hands, certainly. Having scrambled towards them, he foundthe remains of a ladder, made of birch poles, fastened together withthongs of leather. This ladder had once, no doubt, hung from top tobottom of the chasm; and its lower part, now gone, was that ladder ofwhich Peder had often spoken as a proof that men had been on the island. 

With a careful hand, Oddo pulled at the ladder; and it did not give way. He tugged harder, and still it only shook. He must try it; there wasnothing else to be done. It was well for him now that he was used todangerous climbing, --that he had had adventures on the slippery, crackedglaciers of Sulitelma, and that being on a height with precipices below, was no new situation to him. He climbed, trusting as little as possibleto the ladder, setting his foot in preference on any projection of therock, or any root of the smallest shrub. More than one pole cracked:more than one fastening gave way, when he had barely time to shift hisweight upon a better support. He heard his grandfather's voice calling, and he could not answer. It disturbed him, now that his joints werestrained, his limbs trembling, and his mouth parched so that his breathrattled as it came. 

He reached the top, however. He sprang from the edge of the precipice, unable to look down, threw himself on his face, and panted and trembled, as if he had never before climbed anything less safe than a staircase. Never before, indeed, had he done anything like this. The feat wasperformed, --the islet was not to him inaccessible. This thought gavehim strength. He sprang to his feet again, and whistled loud andshrill. He could imagine the comfort this must be to Peder; and hewhistled more and more merrily till he found himself rested enough toproceed on his search for Rolf. 

Never had he seen a place so full of water-birds and their nests. Theirnests strewed all the ground; and they themselves were strutting andwaddling, fluttering and vociferating in every direction. They wereperfectly tame, knowing nothing of men, and having had no experience ofdisturbance. The ducks that were leading their broods allowed Oddo tostroke their feathers; and the drakes looked on, without taking anyoffence. 

"If Rolf is here, " thought Oddo, "he has been living on most amiableterms with his neighbours. "

After an anxious thought or two of Nipen, --after a glance or two roundthe sky and shores for a sign of wind, --Oddo began in earnest his questof Rolf. He called his name, --gently, --then louder. 

There was some kind of answer. Some sound of human voice he heard, hewas certain; but so muffled, so dull, that whence it came he could nottell. It might even be his grandfather, calling from below. So hecrossed to quite the verge of the little island, wishing with all hisheart that the birds would be quiet, and cease their civility of allanswering when he spoke. When quite out of hearing of Peder, Oddocalled again, with scarcely a hope of any result, so plain was it to hiseyes that no one resided on the island. On its small summit there wasreally no intermission of birds' nests;--no space where any one had laindown;--no sign of habitation, --no vestige of food, dress, or utensils. With a saddened heart, therefore, Oddo called again; and again he wassure there was an answer; though whence and what he could not make out. He then sang a part of a chant that he had learned by Rolf singing it ashe sat carving his share of the new pulpit. He stopped in the middle, and presently believed that he heard the air continued, though the voiceseemed so indistinct, and the music so much as if it came fromunderground, that Oddo began to recall, with some doubt and fear, thestories of the enchantment of the place. It was not long before heheard a cry from the water below. Looking over the precipice he sawwhat made him draw back in terror: he saw the very thing Hund haddescribed, --the swimming and staring head of Rolf, and the arms thrownup in the air. Not having Hund's conscience, however, and having muchmore curiosity, he looked again; and then a third time. 

"Are you Rolf, really?" asked he, at last. 

"Yes; but who are you, --Oddo or the demon, --up there where nobody canclimb? Who are you?"

"I will show you. We will find each other out, " thought Oddo, with adetermination to take the leap, and ascertain the truth. He leaped, andstruck the water at a sufficient distance from Rolf. When he came upagain, they approached each other, staring, and each with some doubt asto whether the other was human or a demon. 

"Are you really alive, Rolf?" said the one. 

"To be sure I am, Oddo, " said the other: "but what demon carried you tothe top of that rock, that no man ever climbed?"

Oddo looked mysterious, suddenly resolving to keep his secret for thepresent. 

"Not that way, " said Rolf. "I have not the strength I had, and I can'tswim round the place now. I was just resting myself when I heard youcall, and came out to see. Follow me home. "

He turned, and began to swim homewards. Oddo had the strongestinclination to go with him, to see what would be revealed; but therewere two objections. His grandfather must be growing anxious; and hewas not perfectly sure yet whether his guide might not be Nipen inRolf's likeness, about to lead him to some hidden prison. 

"Give me your hand, Rolf, " said the boy, bravely. 

It was a real, substantial, warm hand. 

"I don't wonder you doubt, " said Rolf. "I can't look much likemyself, --unshaven, and shrunk, and haggard as my face must be. "

Oddo was now quite satisfied; and he told of the boat and hisgrandfather. The boat was scarcely farther off than the cave; and poorRolf was almost in extremity for drink. The water and brandy he broughtwith him had been finished, nearly two days, and he was sufferingextremely from thirst. He thought he could reach the boat, and Oddo ledthe way, bidding him not mind his being without clothes till they couldfind him some. 

Glad was the old man to hear his boy's call from the water: and his facelighted up with wonder and pleasure when he heard that Rolf was not farbehind. He lent a hand to help him into the boat, and asked noquestions till he had given him food and drink. He reproached himselffor having brought neither camphor nor asafoetida, to administer withthe corn-brandy. Here was the brandy, however; and some water, andfish, and bread, and cloud-berries. Great was the amazement of Pederand Oddo at Rolf's pushing aside the brandy, and seizing the water. When he had drained the last drop, he even preferred the cloud-berriesto the brandy. A transient doubt thence occurred whether this was Rolfafter all. Rolf saw it in their faces, and laughed: and when they hadheard his story of what he had suffered from thirst, they were quitesatisfied, and wondered no longer. 

He was all impatience to be gone. It tried him more now to think howlong it would be before Erica could hear of his preservation than tobear all that had gone before. Being without clothes, however, it wasnecessary to visit the cave, and bring away what was there. In truth, Oddo was not sorry for this. His curiosity about the cave was so great, that he felt it impossible to go home without seeing it; and theadvantage of holding the secret knowledge of such a place was one whichhe would not give up. He seized an oar, gave another to Rolf; and theywere presently off the mouth of the cave. Peder sighed at their havingto leave him again: but he believed what Rolf said of there being nodanger, and of their remaining close at hand. One or the other camepopping up beside the boat, every minute, with clothes, or net, orlines, or brandy-flask, and finally with the oars of the poor brokenskiff; being obliged to leave the skiff itself behind. Rolf did notforget to bring away whole handsful of beautiful shells, which he hadamused himself with collecting for Erica. 

At last, they entered the boat again; and while they were dressing, Oddocharmed his grandfather with a description of the cave, --of the dark, sounding walls, the lofty roof, and the green tide breaking on the whitesands. It almost made the listener cool to hear of these things: but, as Oddo had remarked, the heat had abated. It was near midnight, andthe sun was going to set. Their row to the shore would be in the cooltwilight: and then they should take in companions, who, fresh from rest, would save them the trouble of rowing home. 

When all were too tired to talk, and the oars were dipping somewhatlazily, and the breeze had died away, and the sea-birds were quiet, oldPeder, who appeared to his companions to be asleep, raised his head, andsaid, "I heard a sob. Are you crying, Oddo?"

"Yes, grandfather. "

"What is your grief, my boy?"

"No grief--anything but grief now. I have felt more grief than you knowof though, or anybody. I did not know it fully myself till now. "

"Right, my boy: and right to say it out, too. "

"I don't care now who knows how miserable I have been. I did notbelieve, all the time, that Nipen had anything to do with thesemisfortunes--"

"Right, Oddo, " exclaimed Rolf, now. 

"But I was not quite certain: and how could I say a word against it whenI was the one to provoke Nipen? Now Rolf is safe, and Erica will behappy again, and I shall not feel as if everybody's eyes were upon me, and know that it is only out of kindness that they do not reproach me ashaving done all the mischief. I shall hold up my head again now, assome may think I have done all along: but I did not in my own eyes, --no, not in my own eyes, for all these weary days that are gone. "

"Well, they are gone now, " said Rolf. "Let them go by and beforgotten. "

"Nay, --not forgotten, " said Peder. "How is my boy to learn if heforgets--"

"Don't fear that for me, grandfather, " said Oddo, as the tears stillstreamed down his face. "No fear of that. I shall not forget theselast days, --no, not as long as I live. "

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT. 

The comrades who were waiting and watching on the point were duly amazedto see three heads in the boat on her return; and duly delighted to findthat the third was Rolf, --alive, and no ghost. They asked question uponquestion, and Rolf answered some fully and truly, while he showedreserve upon others; and at last, when closely pressed, he declaredhimself too much exhausted to talk, and begged permission to lie down inthe bottom of the boat and sleep. Upon this, a long silence ensued. Itlasted till the farm-house was in sight at which one of the rowers wasto be landed. Oddo then exclaimed, "I wonder what we have all beenthinking about. We have not settled a single thing about what is to besaid and done; and here we are almost in sight of home, and Hund'scunning eyes. "

"I have settled all about it, " replied Rolf, raising himself up from thebottom of the boat, where they all thought he had been sleeping soundly. "My mind, " said he, "is quite clear. The first thing I have decidedupon is that I may rely on the honour of our friends here. You haveproved your kindness, friends, in coming on this expedition, but forwhich I should have died in my hole, like a superannuated bear in itsden. This is a story that the whole country will hear of; and ourgrandchildren will tell it on winter nights, when there is talk of thewar that brought the pirates on our coasts. Your names will go abroadwith the story, comrades, and, on one condition, with high honour: andthat condition is, that you say not a word beyond the family you livein, for the next few days, of the adventure of this night, or of yourhaving seen me. More depends on this than you know of now; more than Iwill tell, this day, to any person but my master. My good old friendthere will help me to a meeting with my master, without asking aquestion as to what I have to say to him. Will you not, Peder?"

"Surely. I have no doubt you are right, " replied Peder. 

The neighbours were rather sorry, but they could not object. Theysmiled at Oddo, and nodded encouragement, when he implored Rolf to fix atime when everything might be known, and to answer just this and justthat little inquiry. 

"Oddo, " said his grandfather, "be a man among us men. Show that yourhonour is more to you than your curiosity. "

"Thank you, grandfather, I will. I will ask only one more question; andthat Rolf will thank me for. Had we not better fix some place, far awayfrom Hund's eyes and thoughts, for my master and Rolf to have theirtalk; and then I will guide my master--"

"Guide your master, " cried Rolf, laughing, "when your master knew everyrock and every track in the country years enough before you were born!"

"You did not let me finish, " said Oddo. "You may want a messenger, --heor you; and I know every track in the country: and there is no oneswifter of foot, or that can keep counsel better. "

"That is true, Rolf, " said Peder. "If the boy is too curious to knoweverything, it is not for the sake of telling it again. If you shouldhappen to want a messenger, it may be worth attending to what he says. "

"I have no objection to add that to my plan, if Erlingsen pleases, " saidRolf. "I must see Erlingsen; but there is another person that I mustmake haste to see, --that I would fly to if I could. What I wish is, that my master would meet me on the road to where she is; supposing Hundto remain at home. "

He was told that there was no fear of Hund's roving while the bishop wasdaily expected. Rolf having been out of the way, the whole story of thejourney of the bishop of Tronyem had to be told him. It made himthoughtful; and he dropped a word or two of satisfaction, as if it hadthrown new light upon what he was thinking of. 

"All this, " said he, "only makes me wish the more to see Erlingsenimmediately. I should say the best way will be for you to set me ashoresomewhere short of home, and ask Erlingsen to meet me at the Black Tarn. There cannot be a quieter place: and I shall be so far on my way to theseater. "

"If you will just make a looking-glass of the Black Tarn, " said Oddo, "you will see that you have no business to carry such a face as yours tothe seater. Erica will die of terror at you for the mountain-demon, before you can persuade her it is only you. "

"I was thinking, " observed one of the rowers, who relished the idea ofgoing down to posterity in a wonderful story, --"I was just thinking thatyour wisest way will be to take a rest in my bed at Holberg's, withoutanybody knowing, and shave yourself with my razor, and dress in mySunday clothes, and so show yourself to your betrothed in such a trim asthat she will be glad to see you. "

"Do so, Rolf, " urged Peder. Everybody said "Do so, " and agreed thatErica would suffer far less by remaining five or six hours longer in herpresent state of mind, than by seeing her lover look like a ghastlysavage, or perhaps hearing that he was lying by the roadside, dying ofhis exertions to reach her. Rolf tried to laugh at all this: but hecould not contradict it. He would not hear a word of any messengerbeing sent. He declared that it would only torment her, as she wouldnot believe in his return till she saw him: and he dropped somethingabout everybody being so wanted at home that nobody ought to stray. 

All took place as it was settled in the boat. Before the people onHolberg's farm had come in to breakfast, Rolf was snug in bed, with alarge pitcher of whey by the bedside, to quench his still insatiablethirst. No one but the Holbergs knew of his being there; and he gotaway unseen in the afternoon, rested, shaven, and dressed, so as to lookmore like himself, though still haggard. Packing his old clothes into abundle, which he carried with a stick over his shoulder, and laden withnothing else but a few rye-cakes, and a flask of the everlastingcorn-brandy, he set forth, thanking his hosts very heartily for theircare, and somewhat mysteriously assuring them that they would hearsomething soon, and that meantime they had better not have to be soughtfar from home. 

As he expected, he met no one whom he knew. Nine-tenths of theneighbours were far away on the seaters, and of the small remainder, almost all were attending the bishop on the opposite shore of the lake. Rolf shook his head at every deserted farm-house that he passed, thinking how the pirates might ransack the dwellings, if they shouldhappen to discover that few inhabitants remained in them but those whoselimbs were too old to climb the mountain. He shook his head again whenhe thought what consternation he might spread through these dwellings bydropping at the doors the news of how near the pirate-schooner lay. Itseemed to be out of the people's minds now because it was out of sight, and the bishop had become visible instead. As for the security whichsome talked of from there being so little worth taking in the Nordlandfarm-houses, --this might be true if only one house was to be attacked, and that one defended: but half-a-dozen ruffians, coming ashore, tosearch eight or ten undefended houses in a day, might gather enoughbooty to pay them for their trouble. Of money they would find little ornone; but in some families there were gold chains, crosses, andear-rings, which had come down from a remote generation, or silvergoblets and tankards. There were goats worth carrying away for theirmilk, and spirited horses and their harness, to sell at a distance. There were stores of the finest bed and table linen in the world; sacksof flour, cellars full of ale, kegs of brandy, and a mass of tobacco inevery house. Fervently did Rolf wish, as he passed by these comfortabledwellings, that the enemy would cast no eye or thought upon theircomforts till he should have given such information in the properquarters as should deprive them of the power of doing mischief in thisneighbourhood. 

Leaving the last of the farm-houses behind, he ascended the ravine, andcame out upon the expanse of rich herbage which Erica had trodden but afew days before. He thought, as she had done, of his own description oftheir journeying together to the seater, and of the delight with whichshe would leap from the cart to walk with him on the first sight of thewaving grass upon the upland. His heart beat joyously at the thought, instead of mourning like hers. He was transported with happiness whenhe thought how near he was to her now, and on the eve of a season ofdelight, --a few balmy summer weeks upon the pastures, to be followed byhis marriage. This affair of the pirates once finished, was ever man sohappy as he was going to be? The thought made him spring as lightlythrough the tall grass that lay between him and the Black Tarn as thereindeer from point to point of the mountain steep. 

The breeze blew in his face, refreshing him with its coolness, and withthe fragrance of the birch, with which it was loaded. But it broughtsomething else, --a transient sound which surprised Rolf, --voices of men, who seemed, if he could judge from so rapid a hint, to be talkingangrily. He began to consider whom, besides Oddo, Erlingsen could havethought it safe or necessary to bring with him, or whether it wassomebody met with by chance. At all events, it would be wisest not toshow himself, and to approach with all possible caution. Cautiously, therefore, he drew near, keeping a vigilant watch all around, and readyto pop down into the grass on any alarm. Being unable to see any onenear the tarn, he was convinced the talkers must be seated under thecrags on its margin, and he therefore made a circuit, to get behind therocks, and then climbed a huge fragment, which seemed to have beentoppled down from some steep, and to have rolled to the brink of thewater. Two stunted pines grew out from the summit of this crag, andbetween these pines Rolf placed himself, and looked down from thence. 

Two men sat on the ground in the shadow of the rock: one was Hund, andthe other must undoubtedly be one of the pirate crew. His dress, arms, and broken language all showed him to be so; and it was, in fact, thesame man that Erica had met near the same place; though that she had hadsuch an adventure was the last thing her lover dreamed of as he surveyedthe man's figure from above. This man appeared surly. Hund wasextremely agitated. 

"It is very hard, " said he, "when all I want is to do no harm toanybody, --neither to my old friends nor my new acquaintances, --that Icannot be let alone. I have done too much mischief in my life already. The demons have made sport of me;--it is their sport that I have as manylives to answer for as any man of twice my age in Nordland; and now thatI would be harmless for the rest of my days--"

"Don't trouble yourself to talk about your days, " interrupted thepirate; "they will be too _few_ to be worth speaking of, if you do notput yourself under our orders again. You are a deserter; and as adeserter you go back with me, unless you choose to go as a comrade. "

"And what might I expect that your orders would be, if I went with you?"

"You know very well that we want you for a guide. That is all you areworth. In a fight, you would only be in the way, unless--indeed, youcould contrive to get out of the way. "

"Then you would not expect me to fight against my master and hispeople?"

"Nobody was ever so foolish as to expect you to fight, more or less, Ishould think. No; your business would be to pilot us to Erlingsen's, and answer truly all our questions about their ways and doings. "

"Surprise them in their sleep!" muttered Hund. "Wake them up with thelight of their own burning roofs! And they would know me by that light!They would point me out to the bishop;--they would find time in theirhurry to mark me for the monster they might well think me. "

"Yes; you would be in the front, of course, " observed the pirate. "Butthere is one comfort for you, --if you are so earnest to see the bishopas you told me you were, my plan is the best. When once we lock himdown on board our schooner, you can have him all to yourself. You canconfess your sins to him the whole day long; for nobody else will want aword with either of you. You can show him your enchanted island down inthe fiord, and see if he can lay the ghost for you. "

Hund sprang to his feet in an agony of passion. The well-armed piratewas up as soon as he. Rolf drew back two paces to be out of sight, ifby chance they should look up, and armed himself with a heavy stone. Heheard the pirate say--

"You can try to run away, if you like. I shall shoot you through thehead before you have gone five yards. And you may refuse to return withme; and then I shall know how to report of you to my captain. I shalltell him that you are lying at the bottom of this lake--if it has abottom--with a stone tied round your neck, like a drowned wild cat. Ihope you may chance to find your enemy there, to make the place thepleasanter. "

Rolf could not resist the impulse to send his heavy stone into themiddle of the tarn, to see the effect upon the men below. He gave agood cast on the very instant, and prodigious was the splash as thestone hit the water precisely in the middle of the little lake. The mendid not see the cause of the commotion that followed; but, starting andturning at the splash, they saw the rings spreading in the dark waterswhich had lain as still as the heavens but a moment before. How couldtwo guilty, superstitious men doubt that the waters were thrown intoagitation by the pirate's last words? Yet they glanced fearfully roundthe whole landscape, far and near. They saw no living thing but a hawk, which, startled from its perch on a scathed pine, was wheeling round inthe air in an unsteady flight. The pirate pointed to the bird with onehand, while he laid the other on the pistol in his belt. 

"Yes, " said Hund, trembling; "the bird saw it. Did you see it?"

"See what?"

"The water-sprite, Uldra. Before you throw me in to the water-sprite, we will see which is the strongest. " And in desperation, Hund, unarmedas he was, threw himself upon the pirate, sprang at his throat, and bothwrestled with all their force. Rolf could not but look; and he saw thatthe pirate had drawn forth his pistol, and that all would be over withHund in a moment if he did not interfere. He stood forward between thetwo pine stems on the ridge of the rock, and uttered very loud themournful cry which had so terrified his enemies at Vogel islet. Thecombatants flew asunder as if parted by a flash of lightning. Bothlooked up to the point whence the sound had come, and there they sawwhat they supposed to be Rolf's spectre pointing at them, and the eyesstaring as when looking up from the waters of the fiord. How couldthese guilty and superstitious men doubt that it was Rolf's spectrewhich, rising through the centre of the tarn, had caused the latecommotion in its waters? Away they fled, at first in differentdirections; but it amused Rolf to observe that, rather than be alone, Hund turned to follow the track of the tyrant who had just beenthreatening and insulting him, and driving him to struggle for his life. 

"Ay, " thought Rolf, "it is his conscience that makes me so much moreterrible to him than that ruffian. I never hurt a hair of his head; andyet, through his conscience, my face is worse than the blastinglightning to his eyes. --When will all the people hereabouts find out, asmy mistress said when I was a boy, --when will people find out that thedemons and sprites they live in fear of all come out of their own headsand hearts? Here, in Hund's case, is guilt shaping out visionswhichever way he turns. Not one of his ghost-stories is there formonths past, but I am at the bottom of; and that only through hisconsciousness of hating and wanting to injure me. Then, in the oppositecase--of one as innocent as the whitest flower in all this pasture--inmy Erica's case, the ghosts she sees are all from passions that leaveher heart pure, but bewilder her eyes. It is the fear that she wasearly made subject to, and the grief that she feels for her mother, thatcreate demons and sprites for her. The day may come, if I can make herhappy enough, when I may convince her that, for all she now thinks, shenever yet saw a token of any evil spirit--of any spirit but the Good Onethat rules all things. What a sigh she will give--what a free breathinghers will be, the day when I can show her, as plainly as I see myself, that it is nothing but her own fears and griefs that have crossed herpath, and she never doubting that they were demons and sprites!Heigh-ho! Where is Erlingsen? It is nothing short of cruel to keep mewaiting to-day, of all days, and in this spot of all places, almostwithin sight of the seater where my poor Erica sits pining, and seeingnothing of the pastures, but only with her mind's eye, the sea-caveswhere she thinks these limbs are stretched, cold and helpless, as in agrave. A pretty story I shall have to tell her, if she will onlybelieve it, of another sort of sea-cave. "

To pass the time, he took out the shells he had collected for Erica, andadmired them afresh, and planned where she would place them, so as bestto adorn their sitting-room, when they were married. Erlingsen arrivedbefore he had been thus engaged five minutes; and indeed before he hadbeen more than a quarter of an hour altogether at the place of meeting. 

"My dear master!" exclaimed Rolf, on seeing him coming, "have pity onErica and me; and hear what I have to tell you, that I may be gone. "

"You shall be gone at once, my good fellow! I will walk with you, andyou shall tell your story as we go. "

Rolf shook his head, and objected that he could not, in conscience, takeErlingsen a step further from home than was necessary, as he was onlytoo much wanted there. 

"Is that Oddo yonder?" he asked. "He said you would bring him. "

"Yes: he has grown trustworthy of late. We have had fewer heads andhands among us than the times require since Peder grew old and blind, and you were missing, and Hund had to be watched instead of trusted. Sowe have been obliged to make a man of Oddo, though he has the years of aboy, and the curiosity of a woman. I brought him now, thinking that amessenger might be wanted, to raise the country against the pirates; andI believe Oddo, in his present mood, will be as sure as we know he canbe swift. "

"It is well we have a messenger. Where is the bishop?"

"Just going to his boat, at this moment, I doubt not, " repliedErlingsen, measuring with his eye the length of the shadows. "Thebishop is to sup with us this evening. "

"And how long to stay?"

"Over to-morrow night, at the least. If many of the neighbours shouldbring their business to him, it may be longer. My little Frolich willbe vexed that he should come while she is absent. Indeed, I should notmuch wonder if she sets out homeward when she hears the news you willcarry, so that we shall see her at breakfast. "

"It is more likely, " observed Rolf, "that we shall see the bishop up themountain at breakfast. Ah! you stare; but you will find I am not out ofmy wits when you hear what has come to my knowledge since we parted, andespecially within this hour. "

Erlingsen was indeed presently convinced that it was the intention ofthe pirates to carry off the Bishop of Tronyem, in order that his ransommight make up to them for the poverty of the coasts. He heard besidessuch an ample detail of the plundering practices which Rolf hadwitnessed from his retreat as convinced him that the strangers, thoughin great force, must be prevented by a vigorous effort from doingfurther mischief. The first thing to be done was to place the bishop insafety on the mountain; and the next was so to raise the country as thatthese pirates should be certainly taken when they should come withinreach. 

Oddo was called, and entrusted with the information which had to beconveyed to the magistrate at Saltdalen. He carried his master'stobacco-pouch as a token, --this pouch, of Lapland make, being well knownto the magistrate as Erlingsen's. Oddo was to tell him of the danger ofthe bishop, and to request him to send to the spot whatever force couldbe mustered at Saltdalen; and moreover to issue the budstick, [Note 1]to raise the country. The pirates having once entered the upper reachof the fiord, might thus be prevented from ever going back again, andfrom annoying any more the neighbourhood which they had so longinfested. 

Erlingsen promised to be wary on his return homewards, so as not to fallin with the two whom Rolf had put to flight. He said, however, that ifby chance he should cross their path, he did not doubt he could alsomake them run, by acting the ghost or demon, though he had not had Rolfsadvantage of disappearing in the fiord before their eyes. They werealready terrified enough to fly from anything that called itself aghost. 

The three then went on their several ways, --Oddo speeding over theridges like a sprite on a night errand, and Rolf striding up the grassyslopes like (what he was) a lover anxious to be beside his betrothed, after a perilous absence. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. When it is desired to send a summons or other message over adistrict in Norway where the dwellings are scattered, the budstick issent round by running messengers. It is a stick, made hollow, to holdthe magistrate's order, and a screw at one end to secure the paper inits place. Each messenger runs a certain distance, and then delivers itto another, who must carry it forward. If any one is absent, thebudstick must be laid upon the "house-father's great chair, by thefire-side;" and if the house is locked, it must be fastened outside thedoor, so as to be seen as soon as the host returns. Upon greatoccasions it was formerly found that a whole region could be raised in avery short time. The method is still in use for appointments on publicbusiness. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

MIDNIGHT. 

This was the day when the first cheese of the season was found to beperfect and complete. Frolich, Stiorna, and Erica examined itcarefully, and pronounced it a well-pressed, excellent Gammel cheese, such as they should not be ashamed to set before the bishop, andtherefore one which ought to satisfy the demon. It now only remained tocarry it to its destination, --to the ridge where the first cheese of theseason was always laid for the demon, and where, it appeared, heregularly came for his offering, as no vestige of the gift was ever tobe found the next morning, --only the round place in the grass where ithad lain, and the marks of some feet which had trodden the herbage. 

"Help me up with it upon my head, Stiorna, " said Erica. "If Frolichlooks at it any longer, she will grudge such a cheese going where itought. Is not that the thought that is in your mind at this moment, Frolich, dear?"

"No. I do not grudge it, " replied Frolich. "My mother says it is rightfreely to give whatever the feelings of those who help us require. "

"And you do thus freely give, --my mistress and all who belong to her, without a sign of grudging, " declared Erica. "But, would you not bebetter pleased if the gift required was a bunch of mossflowers, or abasket of cloud-berries?"

"Perhaps so;--yet, no; I think not. Our good cheeses are not wasted. They do not lie and rot in the sun and the mists. Somebody has thebenefit of them, whether it be the demon or not. "

"Who else should it be?" asked Stiorna. "There is not a man, woman, orchild, on any seater in Sulitelma, who would touch a cheese laid out forthe mountain-demon. "

"Perhaps not. I never watched, to see what happens when the Gammelcheese is left alone. I only say I do not grudge our cheese, assomebody has it. I will carry it myself, in token of good-will, if youwill let me, Erica. Here, --shift it upon my head. "

Erica would not hear of this, and began to walk away with her load, begging Stiorna to watch the cattle, --not once to take her eye off them, till she should return to assume her watch for the night hours. 

"I know why you will not let me carry the cheese, " said Frolich, smiling. "You are thinking of Oddo with the cake and ale. Nobody butyou must deposit offerings henceforward. You are afraid I should eat upthat cheese, almost as heavy as myself. You think there would not be aparing left for the demon, by the time I got to the ridge. "

"Not so, " replied Erica. "I think that he to whom this cheese isdestined had rather be served by one who does not laugh at him. And itis a safer plan for you, Frolich. "

And off went Erica with her cheese. 

The ridge on which she laid it would have tempted her at any other timeto sit down. It was green and soft with mosses, and offered ascomfortable a couch to one tired with the labours of the day as any tobe found at the farm. But, to-night it was to be haunted: so Ericamerely stayed to do her duty. She selected the softest tuft of moss onwhich to lay the cheese, put her offering reverently down, and thendiligently gathered the brightest blossoms from the herbage around, andstrewed them over the cheese. She then walked rapidly homewards, without once looking behind her. If she had had the curiosity andcourage to watch for a little while, she would have seen her offeringcarried off by an odd little figure, with nothing very terrible in itsappearance; namely, a woman about four feet high, with a flat face, andeyes wide apart, wearing a reindeer garment like a waggoner's frock, ared comforter about her neck, a red cloth cap on her head, a blueworsted sash, and leather boots up to the knee:--in short, such aLapland girl as Erica would have given a rye-cake to as charity, butwould not have thought of asking to sit down, even in her master'skitchen;--for the Norwegian servants are very high and saucy towards theLapps who wander to their doors. It is not surprising that the Lappswho pitch their tents on the mountain should like having a fine Gammelcheese for the trouble of picking it up: and the company whose tentsErica had passed on her way up to the seater, kept a good look-out uponall the dairy people round, and carried off every cheese meant for thedemon. While Erica was gathering and strewing the blossoms, this girlwas hidden near: and, trusting to Erica's not looking behind her, therogue swept off the blossoms, and threw them at her, before she had goneten yards, trundled the cheese down the other side of the ridge, made acircuit, and was at the tents with her prize before supper-time! Whatwould Erica have thought if she had beheld this fruit of so manymilkings and skimmings, so much boiling and pressing, devoured by greedyLapps in their dirty tent?

On her way homewards, Erica remembered that this was Midsummer Eve, --aseason when her mother was in her thoughts more than at any other time, for Midsummer Eve is sacred in Norway to the Wood-Demon, whose victimshe believed her mother to have been. Every woodman sticks his axe intoa tree that night, that the demon may, if he pleases, begin the work ofthe year by felling trees, or making a fagot. Erica hastened to theseater, to discover whether Erlingsen had left his axe behind, andwhether Jan had one with him. 

Jan had an axe, and remembering his duty, though tired and sleepy, wasjust going to the nearest pine grove with it when Erica reached home;she seized Erlingsen's axe and went also, and stuck it in a tree, justwithin the verge of the grove, which was in that part a thicket, fromthe growth of underwood. This thicket was so near the back of the dairythat the two were home in five minutes; yet they found Frolich almost asimpatient as if they had been gone an hour. She asked whether theirheathen worship was done at last, so that all might go to bed, orwhether they were to be kept awake till midnight by more mummery?

Erica replied by showing that Jan was already gone to his loft over theshed, and begging leave to comb and curl Frolich's hair, and see her torest at once. Stiorna was asleep; and Erica herself meant to watch thecattle this night. They lay couched in the grass, all near each other, and within view, in the mild slanting sunshine, and here she intended tosit, on the bench outside the home-shed, and keep her eye on them tillmorning. 

"You are thinking of the Bishop of Tronyem's cattle, " said Frolich. 

"I am, dear. This is Midsummer Eve, you know, --when, as we think, allthe spirits love to be abroad. "

"You will die before your time, Erica, " said the weary girl. "Thesespirits give you no rest of body or mind. What a day's work we havedone! And now you are going to watch till twelve, one, two o'clock! Icould not keep awake, " she said, yawning, "if there was one demon at thehead of the bed, and another at the foot, and the underground peoplerunning like mice all over the floor. "

"Then go and sleep, dear; I will fetch your comb, if you will just keepan eye on the cattle for the moment I am gone. "

As Erica combed Frolich's long fair hair, and admired its shine in thesunlight, and twisted it up behind, and curled it on each side, theweary girl leaned her head against her, and dropped asleep. When allwas done, she just opened her eyes to find her way to bed, and say, "Youmay as well go to bed comfortably, for you will certainly drop asleephere, if you don't there. "

"Not with my pretty Spiel in sight. I would not lose my white heiferfor seven nights' sleep. You will thank me when you find your cow, andall the rest, safe in the morning. Good night, dear. "

And Erica closed the door after her young mistress, and sat down on thebench outside, with her face towards the sun, her lure by her side, andher knitting in her hands. She was glad that the herd lay so that bykeeping her eye on them she could watch that wonder of Midsummer nightwithin the Arctic Circle, the dipping of the sun below the horizon, toappear again immediately. She had never been far enough to the north tosee the sun complete its circle without disappearing at all, but she didnot wish it; she thought the softening of the light which she was aboutto witness, and the speedy renewing of day, more wonderful andbeautiful. She sat soothed by her employment and by the tranquillity ofthe scene, and free from fear. She had done her duty by the spirits ofthe mountain and the wood; and in case of the appearance of any objectthat she did not like, she could slip into the house in an instant. Herthoughts were therefore wholly Rolf's. She could endure now tocontemplate a long life spent in doing honour to his memory by theindustrious discharge of duty. She would watch over Peder, and receivehis last breath, --an office which should have been Rolf's. She wouldsee another houseman arrive, and take possession of that house, andbecome betrothed and marry: and no one, not even her watchful mistress, should see a trace of repining in her countenance, or hear a tone ofbitterness from her lips. It should be her part to see that others werehappier than she had been. However weary her heart might be, she woulddance at every wedding, --of fellow-servant or of young mistress. Shewould cloud nobody's happiness, but would do all she could to makeRolf's memory pleasant to those who had known him, and wished him well. She thought she could do all this in prospect of the day when her graveshould be dug beside those of Peder and Ulla, and when her spirit shouldmeet Rolf, and learn at length how he had died, and be assured that hehad watched over her as faithfully as she had remembered him. 

As these thoughts passed through her mind, making her future life appearshorter and less dreary than she could have imagined possible a fewhours before, her fingers were busily at work, and her eyes rested onthe lovely scene before her. From the elevation at which she was, itappeared as if the ocean swelled up into the very sky, so high was thehorizon line: and between lay a vast region of rock and river, hill anddale, forest, fiord, and town, part in golden sunlight, part in deepshadow, but all, though bright as the skies could make it, silent asbecame the hour. As Erica found that she could glance at the sun itselfwithout losing sight of the cattle, which still lay within her indirectvision, she carefully watched the descent of the orb, anxious to observeprecisely when it should disappear, and how soon its golden spark wouldkindle up again from the waves. When its lower rim was just touchingthe waters, its circle seemed to be of an enormous size, and its wholemass to be flaming. Its appearance was very unlike that of thecomparatively small, compact, brilliant luminary which rides the sky atnoon. Erica was just thinking so, when a rustle in the thicket, withinthe pine grove, made her involuntarily turn her head in that direction. Instantly remembering that it was a common device of the undergroundpeople for one of them to make the watcher look away, in order thatothers might drive off the cattle, she resumed her duty, and gazedsteadfastly at the herd. They were safe--neither reduced to the size ofmice, nor wandering off, though she had let her eye glance away fromthem. 

The sky, however, did not look like itself. There were two suns in it. Now, Erica really did quite forget the herd for some time, even her dearwhite heifer, --while she stared bewildered at the spectacle before hereyes. There was one sun, --the sun she had always known, --half sunk inthe sea, while above it hung another, round and complete; somewhat lessbright perhaps, but as distinct and plain before her eyes as any objectin heaven or earth had ever been. Her work dropped from her hands, asshe covered her eyes for a moment. She started to her feet, and thenlooked again. It was still there, though the lower sun was almost gone. As she stood gazing, she once more heard the rustle in the wood. Though it crossed her mind that the Wood-Demon was doubtless theremaking choice of his axe and his tree, she could not move, and had noteven a wish to take refuge in the house, so wonderful was thisspectacle, --the clearest instance of enchantment she had ever seen. Wasit meant for good, --a token that the coming year was to be a doublybright one? If not, how was she to understand it?

"Erica!" cried a voice at this moment from the wood, --a voice whichthrilled her whole frame. "My Erica!"

She not only looked towards the wood now, but sprang forwards: but hereyes were so dazzled by having gazed at the sun that she could seenothing. Then she remembered how many forms the cunning demon couldassume, and she turned back, thinking how cruel it was to delude herwith her lover's voice, when, instead of his form, she should doubtlesssee some horrid monster: most likely a hippopotamus, or, at best, anovergrown bear, showing its long, sharp, white teeth, to terrify her. She turned in haste, and laid her hand on the latch of the door, glancing once more at the horizon. 

There was now no sun at all. The burnish was gone from every part ofthe landscape, and a mild twilight reigned. 

One good omen had vanished; but there was still enchantment around; foragain she heard the thrilling "Erica. "

There was no huge beast glaring through the pine stems, and tramplingdown the thicket; but, instead, there was the figure of a man advancingfrom the shadow into the pasture. 

"Why do you take that form?" said the trembling girl, sinking down onthe bench. "I had rather have seen you as a bear. Did you not find theaxe? I laid it for you. Pray, --pray, come no nearer. "

"I must, my love, to show you that it is your own Rolf. Erica, do notlet your superstition come for ever between us. "

She held out her arms;--she could not rise, though she strove to do so. Rolf sat beside her, --she felt his kisses on her forehead, --she felt hisheart beat, --she felt that not even a spirit could assume the very tonesof that voice. 

"Do forgive me, " she murmured; "but it is Midsummer Eve; and I felt sosure--"

"As sure of my being the demon as I am sure there is no cruel spirithere, though it is Midsummer Eve. Look, love! See how the day smilesupon us!"

And he pointed to where a golden star seemed to kindle on the edge ofthe sea. It was the sun again, rising after its few minutes of absence. 

"I saw two just now, " cried Erica, --"two suns. Where are we, really?And how is all this? And where do you come from?"

And she gazed, still wistfully, --doubtfully in her lover's face. 

"I will show you, " said he, smiling. And while he still held her withone arm, lest, in some sudden fancy, she should fly him as a ghost, heused the other hand to empty his pockets of the beautiful shells he hadbrought, tossing them into her lap. 

"Did you ever see such, Erica? I have been where they lie in heaps. Did you ever see such beauties?"

"I never did, Rolf; you have been at the bottom of the sea. "

And once more she shrank from what she took for the grasp of a drownedman. 

"Not to the bottom, love, " replied he, still clasping her hand. "Ourfiord is deep; perhaps as deep as they say. I dived as deep as a manmay, to come up with the breath in his body; but I could never find thebottom. Did I not tell you that I should go down as far as Vogelisland; and that I should there be safe?"

"Yes! You did--you did!"

"Well! I went to Vogel island; and here I am safe!"

"It _is_ you! We are together again!" she exclaimed now in full belief. "Thank God! Thank God!"

As she wept upon his shoulder, he told her where he had been, whatperils he had met, how he had been saved, and how he had arrived thefirst moment he could; and then he went on to declare that their enemieswould soon be disposed of, that they would be married, that they wouldtake possession of Peder's house, and make him comfortable, and wouldnever be separated again as long as they lived. 

They did not heed the time, as they talked and talked; and Rolf was justtelling how he had more than once seen a double sun, without finding anyremarkable consequences follow, when Stiorna came forth with hermilk-pails, just before four o'clock. She started and dropped one ofher pails, when she saw who was sitting on the bench; and Erica startedno less at the thought of how completely she had forgotten the cattleand the underground people all this time. The herd was all safe, however, --every cow as large as life, and looking exactly like itself;so that the good fortune of this Midsummer Eve had been perfect. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

MOUNTAIN FARE. 

The appearance of Stiorna reminded the lovers that it was time to beginthe business of the morning. They startled Stiorna with the news that alarge company was coming to breakfast. Being in no very amiable tempertowards happy lovers, she refused, after a moment's thought, to believewhat they said, and set down sulking to her task of milking. So Rolfproceeded to rouse Jan; and Erica stepped to Frolich's bedside, andwaked her with a kiss. 

"Erica! No--can it be?" said the active girl, up in a moment. "Youlook too happy to be Erica. "

"Erica never was so happy before, dear; that is the reason. You wereright, Frolich--bless your kind heart for it! Rolf was not dead. He ishere. "

Frolich gallopaded round the room like one crazy, before proceeding todress. 

"Whenever you like to stop, " said Erica, laughing, "I have some goodnews for you too. "

"I am to go and see the bishop!" cried Frolich, clapping her hands, andwhirling round on one foot, like an opera-dancer. 

"Not so, Frolich. "

"There, now! You promise me good news, and then you won't let me go andsee the bishop, when you know that is the only thing in the world I wantor wish for. "

"Would it not be a great compliment to you, and save you a great deal oftrouble, if the bishop were to come here to see you?"

"Ah! that would be a pretty sight! The Bishop of Tronyem over theankles in the sodden, trodden pasture--sticking in the mud of Sulitelma!The Bishop of Tronyem sleeping upon hay in the loft, and eating hisdinner off a wooden platter! That would be the most wonderful sightthat Norland ever saw. "

"Prepare, then, to see the Bishop of Tronyem drink his morning coffeeout of a wooden bowl. Meantime, I must go and grind his coffee. --Seriously, Frolich, you must make haste to dress and help. The pirateswant to carry off the bishop for ransom. Erlingsen is raising thecountry. Hund is coming here as a prisoner; and the bishop, and mymistress, and Orga to be safe; and if you do not help me, I shall havenothing ready, for Stiorna does not like the news. "

Never had Frolich dressed more quickly. She thought it very hard thatthe bishop should see her when she had nothing but her dairy dress towear; but she was ready all the sooner for this. Erica consoled herwith the belief that the bishop was the last person who could besupposed to make a point of a silk gown for a mountain maiden. 

A consultation about the arrangements was held before the door by thefour who were all in a good humour; for Stiorna remained aloof. This, like other mountain dwellings, was a mere sleeping and eating shed, onlycalculated for a bare shelter at night, at meals, and from occasionalrain. There was no apartment at the seater in which the bishop couldhold an audience, out of the way of the cooking and other householdtransactions. It could not be expected of him to sit on the benchoutside, or on the grass, like the people of the establishment; for, unaccustomed as he was to spend his days in the open air, his eyes wouldbe blinded and his face blistered by the sun. The young people casttheir eyes on the pine-wood as the fittest summer parlour for him, if itcould be provided with seats. 

Erica sprang forward to prevent any one from entering the wood till sheshould have seen what state the place was in on this particular morning. No trees had been felled, and no branches cut since the night before, and the axes remained where they had been hung. The demon had notwanted them, it seemed, and there was no fear of intruding upon him now. So the two young men set to work to raise a semicircular range of turfseats in the pleasantest part of the shady grove. The central seat, which was raised above the rest, and had a footstool, was well cushionedwith dry and soft moss, and the rough bark was cut from the trunk of thetree against which it was built; so that the stem served as acomfortable back to the chair. Rolf tried the seat when finished; andas he leaned back, feasting his eyes on the vast sunny landscape whichwas to be seen between the trees of the grove, he declared that it wasinfinitely better to sit here than in the bishop's stall in Tronyemcathedral. 

"Surely, " said Erica, whom he had summoned to see the work, "when Godplants a lofty mountain overlooking the glorious sea, with the heavensthemselves for a roof, He makes a temple with which no church built bymen can compare. I suppose men build cathedrals in cities because theyare not so happy as to have a mountain to worship on. "

"How I pity the countries that have no glorious mountains!" criedFrolich; "especially if few of their people live in sight of the vastsea, or in the heart of deep forests. "

And, by one impulse, they all struck up the national air "For Norge, "--athanksgiving for their home being planted in the midst of the northernseas. 

All being done now for which a strong arm was wanted, Rolf declared thathe and Jan must be gone to the farm. Not a man could be spared from theshores of the fiord, till the affairs of the pirates should be settled. Erica ought to have expected to hear this: but her cheek grew white asit was told. She spoke no word of objection, however, seeing plainlywhat her lover's duty was. 

She turned towards the dairy when he was gone, instead of indulgingherself with watching him down the mountain. She was busy skimming bowlafter bowl of rich milk, when Frolich ran in to say that Stiorna haddressed herself, and put up her bundle, and was setting forth homewards, to see, as she said, the truth of things there;--which meant, of course, to learn Hund's condition and prospects. It was now necessary to tellher that she would presently see Hund brought up to the seater aprisoner: and that the farm was no place for any but fighting-men thisday. To save her feelings and temper, Erica asked her to watch theherd, leading them to a point whence she could soonest see the expectedcompany mounting the uplands. 

Frolich shook her head often and mournfully over the breakfast. Theskill and diligent hands of two people could not, up in the clouds here, cover the long table in a way which appeared at all creditable toNordland eyes. Do what they would, it was only bread, cheese, butter, berries, and cream: and then berries and cream, butter, cheese, andbread. They garnished with moss, leaves, and flowers; they disposedtheir few bowls and platters to the best advantage, --taking some fromthe dairy which could ill be spared. It was still but a poor apologyfor a feast; and Frolich looked so ready to cry as to make Erica laugh. 

Presently, however, there were voices heard from the hill above. Sometraveller who had met the budstick had reported the proceedings below, and the news had spread to a northern seater. The men had gone down tothe fiord and here were the women, with above a gallon of strawberries, fresh gathered, and a score of plovers' eggs. --Next appeared a pony, coming westward over the pasture, laden with panniers containing atender kid, a packet of spices, a jar of preserved cherries, and a fewof the present season, early ripe; and a stone bottle of ant-vinegar[Note 1]. Frolich's spirits rose higher and higher, as more people camefrom below, sent by Rolf on his way down. A deputation of Lapps camefrom the tents, bringing reindeer venison, and half of a fine Gammelcheese. Before Erica had had time to pour out a glass of corn-brandyfor each of this dwarfish party, in token of thanks, and because it isconsidered unlucky to send away Lapps without a a treat, other mountaindwellers came with offerings of tydder, roer, ryper, and jerper [Note2]: so that the dresser was loaded with game enough to feed half ahundred hungry men. 

Some of these willing neighbours stayed to help. One went to pick morecloud-berries on the edge of the nearest bog. Another rode off, on thepony, to beg a supply of sugar from a house where it was known toabound. Two or three more cleared a space for a fire behind a thicket, and prepared to broil the venison and stew the kid, while others satdown to pluck the game. The Lapps, as being dirty and despised, weregot rid of as soon as possible. 

Erica and Frolich returned to their breakfast-table, to make the newarrangements now necessary, and place the fruits and spices. Ericaclosely examined the piece of Gammel cheese brought by the Lapps, andthen, with glowing cheeks, called Frolich to her. 

"What now?" said Frolich. "Have you found a way of telling fortuneswith the hard cheese, as some pretend to do with the soft curds?"

"Look here, " said Erica. "What stamp is this? The cheese has beenscraped, --almost pared, you see: but they have left one little corner. And whose stamp is there?"

"Ours, " said Frolich, coolly. "This is the cheese you laid out on theridge last night. "

"I believe it. I see it, " exclaimed Erica. 

"Now, dear Erica, do not let us have the old story of your beingfrightened about what the demon will say and do. Nobody but you will besurprised that the Lapps help themselves with good things that liestrewing the ground. You know I gave you a hint, just twelve hourssince, of what would become of this same cheese. "

"You did, " admitted Erica. To Frolich's delight and surprise, sheappeared too busy, --or was rather, perhaps, too happy--to lament thismischance, as she would formerly have done. Possibly she comfortedherself with thinking, that if the demon had set its heart upon thecheese, it might have been beforehand with the Lapps. She contentedherself with setting apart the dish till her mistress should decide whatought to be done with it. Just when a youth from the highest pasture onSulitelma had come, running and panting, to present Frolich with ahandful of fringed pinks and blue gentian, plucked from the very edge ofthe glacier, so that their colours were reflected in the ice, Stiornaappeared, in haste, to tell that a party, on horseback and on foot, werewinding out of the ravine, and coming straight up over the pasture. --Allwas now certainty; and great was the bustle, to put out of sight allunseemly tokens of preparation. In the midst of the hurry, Frolichfound time to twist some of her pretty flowers into her pretty hair; sothat it might easily chance that the bishop would not miss her silkgown. --When, however, were unfashionable mothers known to forget theinterests of their daughters? Madame Erlingsen never did! and she nowengaged one of the bishop's followers to ride forward with a certainbundle which Orga had carried on her lap. The man discharged his errandso readily that, on the arrival of the train, Frolich was seen sodressed, walking "in silk attire, " as to appear to all eyes as thedaughter of the hostess. 

The bishop's reputation preceded him, as is usual in such cases. 

"Where is he now?"

"How far off is he?"

"Why does he not come?" asked one and another of the expectant people, of those who first appeared before the seater. 

"He is at the tents, speaking to the Lapps. "

"Speaking to the Lapps! Impossible! What Lapp would ever dream ofbeing spoken to by a bishop of Tronyem?"

"He is with them, however. When I left him, he was just stooping toenter one of their tents. "

"Now, you must be joking. The Lapps are low people enough in the openpasture: but in their tents, pah!"

He did not go in without a reason. There was a sick child in the tent, who could not come out to him. The mother wished him to see andpronounce upon the charms she was employing for her child's benefit, andhe himself chose to be satisfied whether any medical knowledge which hepossessed could avail to restore the sick. Nothing was more certainthan that the Bishop of Tronyem was in a Lapland tent. The fact wasconfirmed by M. Kollsen, who next appeared, musing as he rode, with acountenance of extreme gravity. He would fain have denied that hisbishop was smiling upon Lapps who wore charms; but he could not. Hemuttered that it was very extraordinary. 

"Quite as much so, " whispered Erica to Frolich, "as that the Holiestshould be found in the house of a publican. "

"What is that?" inquired the vigilant M. Kollsen. "What was yourremark?"

Erica blushed deeply; but Frolich readily declared what it was that shehad said: and in return M. Kollsen remarked on the evil of ignorantpersons applying Scripture according to their own narrow notions. 

"Two--four--eight horses, " observed a herdsman. "I think the neighboursshould each take one or two; or here will soon be an end of Erlingsen'snew hay. This lot of pasture will never feed eight horses, besides hisown and the herd. "

"Better than having them carried off by the pirates, " said a neighbour. "But I will run home and send a load of grass. "

In such an amiable mood did the bishop find all who were awaiting him athis place of refuge. On their part, they were persuaded that hedeserved all their love, even if he had some low notions about theLapps. 

As the bishop's horse, followed by those which bore the ladies, reachedthe house-door, all present cried, "Welcome to the mountain!"

"Welcome to Sulitelma!"

The bishop observed that, often as he had wished to look abroad fromSulitelma, and to see with his own eyes what life at the seaters waslike, he should have grown old without the desire being gratified, butfor the design of the enemy upon him. It was all he could do to go therounds of his diocese, from station to station below, without thinkingof journeys of pleasure. Yet here he was on Sulitelma!

When he and M. Kollsen and the ladies had dismounted, and were enteringthe house to breakfast, the gazers found leisure to observe the hindmostof the train of riders. It was Hund, with his feet tied under hishorse, and the bridle held by a man on each side. He had seen and heardtoo much of the preparations against the enemy to be allowed to remainbelow, or at large anywhere, till the attack should be over. He couldnot dismount till some one untied his legs; and no one would do thattill a safe place could be found, in which to confine him. It was anawkward situation enough, sitting there bound before everybody's eyes;and not the less for Stiorna's leaning her head against the horse, andcrying at seeing him so treated: and yet Hund had often been seen, onsmall occasions, to look far more black and miserable. His face now wasalmost cheerful. Stiorna praised this as a sign of bravery; but thetruth was, the party had been met by Rolf and Jan, going down themountain. It was no longer possible to take Rolf for a ghost: and, though Hund was as far as possible from understanding the matter, he wasunspeakably relieved to find that he had not the death of his rival toanswer for. It made his countenance almost gay to think of this, evenwhile stared at by men, women, and children, as a prisoner. 

"What is it?" whimpered Stiorna, --"what are you a prisoner for, Hund?"

"Ask them that know, " said Hund. "I thought at first that it was onRolfs account; and now that they see with their own eyes that Rolf issafe, they best know what they have to bring against me. "

"It is no secret, " said Madame Erlingsen. "Hund was seen with thepirates, acting with and assisting them, when they committed variousacts of thievery on the shores of the fiord. If the pirates are taken, Hund will be tried with them for robberies at Thore's, Kyril's, Tank'sand other places along the shore, about which information has been givenby a witness. "

"Thore's, Kyril's, Tank's!" repeated Hund to himself; "then there mustbe magic in the case. I could have sworn that not an eye on earthwitnessed the doings there. If Rolf turns out to be the witness, Ishall be certain that he has the powers of the region to help him. "

So little is robbery to be dreaded at the seaters, that there really wasno place where Hund could be fastened in, --no lock upon any door, --not awindow from which he might not escape. The zealous neighbourstherefore, whose interest it was to detain him, offered to take it inturn to be beside him, his right arm tied to the left of another man. And thus it was settled. 

After breakfast, notice was given that the party who had travelled allnight wished to repose for a few hours; all others therefore withdrew, to secure quiet some within the pine-wood, others to the nearest breezyhill, to gossip and sport, while some few took the opportunity of goinghome, to see after their cattle, or other domestic affairs, intending toreturn in the afternoon. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. Ants abound in Norway, both in the forests and on themountains. Some, of a large kind, are boiled for the sake of the(formic) acid they contain; and the water when strained is used forvinegar. It is as good as weak vinegar. 

Note 2. Tydder and roer are the cock and hen of the wild bird called inScotland the capercailzie. The ryper is the ptarmigan. The jerper isof the grouse species. --Lloyd's "Field Sports of the North of Europe. "

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

OLD TALES AND BETTER TIDINGS. 

When the bishop came forth in the afternoon to take his seat in theshade of the wood, those who were there assembled were singing "ForNorge. " Instead of permitting them to stop, on account of his arrival, he joined in the song, and solely because his heart was in it. Seldomhad he witnessed such a scene as this; and as he looked around him, andsaw deep shades and sunny uplands, blue glaciers above, green pasturesand glittering waters below, and all around herds on every hill-side, hefelt his love of old Norway, and his thankfulness for being one of hersons, as warm as that of any one of the singers in the wood. Out of thefulness of his heart, the good bishop addressed his companions on thegoodness of God in creating such a land, and placing them in it, withtheir happiness so far in their own hands as that little worthy of beingcalled evil could befall them, except through faults of their own. M. Kollsen, who had before uttered his complaints of the superstition ofhis flock, hoped that his bishop was now about to attack the mischiefvigorously. 

The bishop, however, only took his seat, --the mossy seat prepared forhim, --and declared himself to be now at the service of any who wished toconsult or converse with him. Instead of thrusting his own opinions andreproofs upon them, as it was M. Kollsen's wont to do, he waited forthe people to open their minds to him in their own way, and by thismeans, whatever he found occasion to say had double influence fromcoming naturally. The words dropped by him that day to the anxiousmother awaiting the confirmation of her child, --to the young personpreparing for that important event, --to the bereaved, --to thepenitent, --to the thoughtless, --and to those who wondered why God hadgiven them so many rich blessings--what the good bishop said to allthese was so fit and so welcome, that not a word was forgotten throughlong years after, and he was quoted half a century after he had been inhis grave, as old Ulla had quoted the good bishop of Tronyem of her day. 

In a few hours many of the people were gone for the present, --some beingwanted at home, and others for the expected affair on the fiord. Thebishop and M. Kollsen had thought themselves alone in their shadyretreat when they saw Erica lingering near among the trees. With a kindsmile, the bishop beckoned to her, and bade her sit down, and tell himwhether he had not been right in promising, a while ago, that God wouldsoothe her sorrows with time, as is the plan of his kind providence. Heremembered well the story of the death of her mother. Erica repliedthat not only had her grief been soothed, but that she was now soblessed that her heart was burdened with its gratitude. She wished, --she needed to pour out all that she felt; but M. Kollsen was there, andshe could not speak quite freely before him. He, for his part, observedthat, if she was now so happy, she must have given up some of hersuperstitions, for certainly he had never known any one less likely toenjoy peace than Erica, on all occasions on which he had seen her, --sogreat was her dread of evil spirits on every hand. 

"I wish, " said Erica, with a sigh, --"I do wish I knew what to thinkabout Nipen. "

"Ay! here it comes, " observed M. Kollsen, folding his arms, as if foran argument. 

Encouraged by the bishop, Erica told the whole story of the last fewmonths, from the night of Oddo's prank to that which found her at thefeet of her friend, for she had cast herself down at the bishop's feet, sitting as she had done in her childhood, looking up in his face. 

"You want to know what I think of all this?" said the bishop, when shehad done. "I think that you could hardly help believing as you havebelieved, amidst these strange circumstances, and with your mind full ofthe common accounts of Nipen. Yet I do not believe there is any suchspirit as Nipen, or any demon in the forest, or on the mountain. Didyou ever hear what spirits everybody in this country believed in beforethe blessed gospel was brought to old Norway?"

"I have heard of Thor, that yonder islet was named after; and that, whenthere was a tempest, with rolling thunder, such as we never hear in thisregion, the people used to say it was Thor driving his chariot over themountain-ridge. "

"That was what people said of the thunder. What they said of fire andfrost was that they were giants called Loke and Thrym, who dwelt in adreadful tempestuous place, at the end of the earth, and came abroad todo awful things among men. The giant Frost drove home his horses atnight, --the hail-clouds that sped through the air; and there sat thegiant on the frost winds, combing the manes of his horses as they went. Fire was a cunning demon that stole in where it was not wanted: and whenonce in, it devoured all that it chose, till it rose into the sky atlast in smoke. --Then there was the giant Aegir, who brought in squallsfrom the sea, and made whirlpools in the fiords. "

"Why, that is like Nipen. "

"Very like Nipen;--perhaps the same. Then there was the good god Balder(the white god), who made everything bright and beautiful, and ripenedthe fruits of the earth. This god Balder was the sun. Then there werethe three magical women, the Fates, who made men's lives happy ormiserable. Did you ever hear how these giants and Fates were worshippedbefore Jehovah and Christ were known in this land?"

"I have heard Ulla sing many old songs about these and more; and howThor and two companions as mighty as himself were travelling, andentered a curious house for the night; and wandered about in the greathouse, being frightened at a strange loud noise outside: and how theyfound in the morning that this house was the mitten of a giant, infinitely greater than themselves; and that what they had taken for aseparate chamber in the great house was the thumb of his mitten; andthat the strange noise was the snoring of this giant Skrymir, who wasasleep close by, after having pulled off his mittens. "

"That is one of the many tales belonging to the old religion of thiscountry. And how did this old religion arise?--Why, the people sawgrand spectacles every day, and heard wonders whichever way they turned;and they supposed that the whole universe was alive. The sun as ittravelled they thought was alive, and kind and good to men. The tempestthey thought was alive, and angry with men. The fire and frost theythought were alive, pleased to make sport with men. "

"As people who ought to know better, " observed M. Kollsen, "now thinkthe wind is alive, and call it Nipen, or the mist of the lake and river, which they call the sprite Uldra. "

"It is true, " said the bishop, "that we now have better knowledge, andsee that the earth, and all that is in it, is made and moved by One GoodSpirit, who, instead of sporting with men, or being angry with them, rules all things for their good. But I am not surprised that some ofthe old stories remain, and are believed in still, --and by good anddutiful Christians too. The mother sings the old songs over the cradle;and the child hears tell of sprites and demons before it hears of thegood God who `sends forth the snow and rain, the hail and vapour, andthe stormy winds fulfilling his word. ' And when the child is grown tobe a man or woman, the northern lights shooting over the sky, and thesighing of the winds in the pine-forest, bring back those old songs, andold thoughts about demons and sprites; and the stoutest man trembles. Ido not wonder; nor do I blame any man or woman for this; though I wishthey were as happy as the weakest infant, or the most worn-out old man, who has learned from the gentle Jesus to fear nothing at any time, because his Father is with him. "

"But what is to be done?" asked M. Kollsen. 

"The time will come, " said the bishop, "when the mother will sing to herbabe of the gentle Jesus; and tell her growing child of how he loved tobe alone with his Father in the waste and howling wilderness; and badehis disciples not be afraid when there was a tempest on the wide lake. Then, when the child grows up to be a man, if he finds himself alone onthe mountain or in the forest, he will think of Jesus, and fear nodemon: and if a west wind and fog should overtake a woman in her boat onthe fiord, " he continued, looking with a smile at Erica, "she will neverthink of Nipen, but rather that she hears her Saviour saying, `Why areye afraid, O! ye of little faith?'"

Erica hid her face, ashamed under the good man's smile. 

"In our towns, " continued he, "much of this blessed change is alreadywrought. No one in my city of Tronyem now fears the angry and cunningfire-giant Loke; but every citizen closes his eyes in peace when hehears the midnight cry of the watch, `Except the Lord keep the city, thewatchman waketh but in vain. ' [The watchman's call in the towns ofNorway. ] In the wilds of the country every man's faith will hereafter behis watchman, crying out upon all that happens, `It is the Lord's hand:let Him do what seemeth to Him good!' This might have been said, Erica, as it appears to me, at every turn of your story, where you and yourfriends were not in fault. "

He went on to remark on the story she had told him; and she was reallysurprised to find that there was not the slightest reason to supposethat any spirit had been employed to vex and alarm her. The fog and thepirates had overtaken and frightened many in the fiord with whom Nipenhad no quarrel. Rolfs imprisonment, and all the sorrows that belongedto it, had been owing to his own imprudence. The appearance of a doublesun the night before was nothing uncommon, and was known to take placewhen the atmosphere was in a particular state. She herself had seenthat no Wood-Demon had touched the axes in this very grove last night;and that it was no mountain-sprite, but a Laplander, who had taken upthe first Gammel cheese. She had also witnessed how absurdly mistakenHund had been about the boat having been spirited away, and Vogel islandbeing enchanted, and Rolf's ghost being allowed to haunt him. Here wasa case before her very eyes of the way in which people withsuperstitious minds may misunderstand what happens to themselves. 

"Oh!" exclaimed Erica, dropping her hands from before her glowing face, "if I dared but think there were no bad spirits--if I dared only hopethat everything that happens is done by God's own hand, I could beareverything! I would never be afraid again!"

"It is what I believe, " said the bishop. Laying his hand on her head, he continued, "We know that the very hairs of your head are allnumbered. I see that you are weary of your fears--that you have longbeen heavy-laden with anxiety. It is you, then, that He invites totrust Him when He says by the lips of Jesus, `Come, ye that are wearyand heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. '"

"Rest--rest is what I have wanted, " said Erica, while her tears flowedgently; "but Peder and Ulla did not believe as you do, and could notexplain things; and--"

"You should have asked me, " said M. Kollsen; "I could have explainedeverything. "

"Perhaps so, sir; but--but, M. Kollsen, you always seemed angry; andyou said you despised us for believing anything that you did not: and itis the most difficult thing in the world to ask questions which oneknows will be despised. "

M. Kollsen glanced in the bishop's face, to see how he took this, andhow he meant to support the pastor's authority. The bishop looked sad, and said nothing. 

"And then, " continued Erica, "there were others who laughed--even Rolfhimself laughed; and what one fears becomes only the more terrible whenit is laughed at. "

"Very true, " said the bishop. "When Jesus sat on the well in Samaria, and taught how the true worship was come, He neither frowned on thewoman who inquired, nor despised her, nor made light of her superstitionabout a sacred mountain. "

There was a long silence, which was broken at last by Erica asking thebishop whether he could not console poor Hund, who wanted comfort morethan she had ever done. The bishop replied that the demons who mosttormented poor Hund were not abroad on the earth or in the air, butwithin his breast--his remorse, his envy, his covetousness, his fear. He meant, however, not to lose sight of poor Hund, either in the prisonto which he was to travel to-morrow, or after he should come out of it. 

Here Frolich appeared running to ask whether those who were in the grovewould not like to look forth from the ridge, and see what good thebudstick had done, and how many parties were on their way from allquarters to the farm. 

M. Kollsen was glad to rise and escape from what he thought aschooling, and the bishop himself was as interested in what was going onas if the farm had been his home. He was actually the first at theridge. 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

THE WATCH ON THE HILL. 

This part of the mountain was a singularly favourable situation forseeing what was doing on the spot on which every one's attention wasfixed this day. While the people on the fiord could not see what wasgoing forward at Saltdalen, nor those at Saltdalen what were themovements of the farm, the watchers on the ridge could observe theproceedings at all the three points. The opportunity was much improvedby the bishop having a glass--a glass of a quality so rare at that time, that there would probably have been some talk of magic and charms, if ithad been seen in Olaf's hands, instead of the bishop's. 

By means of this glass, the bishop, M. Kollsen, or Madame Erlingsenannounced, from time to time, what was doing, as the evening advanced;--how parties of two or three were leaving Saltdalen, creeping towards thefarm under cover of rising grounds, rocks, and pine-woods;--how smallcompanies, well-armed, were hidden in every place of concealment nearErlingsen's;--and how there seemed to be a great number of women aboutthe place. This was puzzling. Who these women could be, and why theyshould choose to resort to the farm when its female inhabitants had leftit for safety, it was difficult at first to imagine. But the truth soonoccurred to Frolich. No doubt some one had remembered how strange andsuspicious it would appear to the pirates, who supposed the bishop to beat the farm, that there should be no women in the company assembled tomeet him. No doubt, these people in blue, white, and green petticoats, who were striding about the yards, and looking forth from the galleries, were men dressed in their wives' clothes, or in such as Erlingsenfurnished from the family chests. This disguise was as good as anambush, while it also served to give the place the festive appearancelooked for by the enemy. It was found afterwards that Oddo had acted aslady's maid, fitting the gowns to the shortest men, and dressing uptheir heads, so as best to hide the shaggy hair. Great numbers werecertainly assembled before night; yet still a group might be seen nowand then, winding down from some recess of the wide-spreading mountain, making circuits by the ravines and water-courses, so as to avoidcrossing the upland slopes, which the pirates might be surveying bymeans of such a glass as the bishop's. 

The bishop was of opinion that scarcely a blow would be struck, --sogreat was the country force, compared with that of the pirates. Hebelieved that the enemy would be overpowered and disarmed, almostwithout a struggle. Erica, who could not but tremble, with fear as wellas expectation, blessed his words in her heart: and so, in truth, didevery woman present. 

No one thought of going to rest, though Madame Erlingsen urged it uponthose over whom she had influence. Finding that Erica had sat up towatch the cattle the night before, she compelled her to go and lie down:but no compulsion could make her sleep; and Orga and Frolich did thebest they could for her, by running to her with news of any freshappearance below. Just after midnight, they brought her word that thebishop had ordered every one but M. Kollsen away from the ridge. Theschooner had peeped out from behind the promontory, and was stealing upwith a soft west wind--

"A west wind!" exclaimed Erica. "Any fog?"

"No, not a flake of mist. Neither you nor any one will say that Nipenis favourable to the enemy to-night, Erica. "

"You will hear me say less of Nipen, henceforward, " said Erica. 

"That is wise for to-night, at least. Here is the west wind; but onlyto waft the enemy into our hands. But have you really left offbelieving in Nipen, and the whole race of sprites?"

These words jarred on Erica's yet timid feelings. She replied that shemust take time for thought, as she had much to think about: but thebishop had to-day spoken words which she believed would, when wellconsidered, lift a heavy load from her heart. 

The girls kindly left this impression undisturbed, and went on todescribe how the schooner was working up, and why the bishop thoughtthat the people at the farm were aware of every inch of her progress. 

Erica sprang from the bed, and joined the group who were sitting on thegrass, awaiting the sunrise, and eagerly listening for every word fromtheir watchman, the bishop. He told when he saw two boats full of menput off from the schooner, and creep towards Erlingsen's cove under theshadow of the rocks. He told how the country-people immediatelygathered behind the barn, and the house, and every outbuilding; and, atlength, when the boats touched the shore, he said--

"Now come and look yourselves. They are too busy now to be observingus. "

Then how eyes were strained, and what silence there was, broken only byan occasional exclamation, as it became certain that the decisive momentwas come! The glass passed rapidly from hand to hand; but it revealedlittle. There was smoke, covering a struggling crowd: and such gazersas had a husband, a father, or a lover there, could look no longer. Thebishop himself did not attempt to comfort them, at a moment when he knewit would be in vain. In the midst of all this, some one observed twoboats appearing from behind the promontory, and making directly andrapidly for the schooner; and presently there was a little smoke theretoo;--only a puff or two; and then all was quiet till she began to hangout her sails, which had been taken in, and to glide over the waters inthe direction of a small sandy beach, on which she ran straight up, tillshe was evidently fast grounded. 

"Excellent!" exclaimed M. Kollsen. "How admirably they are conductingthe whole affair! The retreat of these fellows is completely cut off, --their vessel taken, and driven ashore, while they are busy elsewhere. "

"That is Oddo's doing, " observed Orga, quietly. 

"Oddo's doing! How do you know? Are you serious? Can you see? Or didyou hear?"

"I was by when Oddo told his plan to my father, and begged to be allowedto take the schooner. My father laughed so that I thought Oddo would befor going over to the enemy. "

"No fear of that, " said Erica. "Oddo has a brave, faithful heart. "

"And, " said his mistress, "a conscience and temper which will keep himmeek and patient till he has atoned for mischief that he thinks he hasdone. "

"I must see more of this boy, " observed the bishop. "Did your fathergrant his request?" he inquired of Orga. 

"At last he did. Oddo said that a young boy could do little good in thefight at the farm; but that he might lead a party to attack theschooner, in the absence of almost all her crew. He said it was no morethan a boy might do, with half a dozen lads to help him; for he hadreason to feel sure that only just hands enough to manage her would beleft on board; and those the weakest of the pirate party. My fathersaid there were men to spare; and he put twelve, well-armed, underOddo's orders. "

"Who would submit to be under Oddo's command?" asked Frolich, laughingat the idea. 

"Twice twelve, if he had wanted so many, " replied Orga. "Between thegoodness of the joke and their zeal, there were volunteers in plenty, --my father told me, as he was putting me on my horse. "

In a very few minutes, all signs of fighting were over at the farm. Butthere was a fire. The barn was seen to smoke, and then to flame. Itwas plain that the neighbours were at liberty to attend to the fire, andhad no fighting on their hands. They were seen to form a line from theburning barn to the brink of the water, and to hand buckets till thefire was out. The barn had been nearly empty; and the fire did notspread farther; so that Madame Erlingsen herself did not spend onegrudging thought on this small sacrifice, in return for theirdeliverance from the enemy, who, she had feared, would ransack herdwelling, and fire it over her children's heads. She was satisfied andthankful, if indeed the pirates were taken. 

At the bishop's question about who would go down the mountain for news, each of Hund's guards begged to be the man. The swiftest of foot waschosen; and off he went, --not without a barley-cake and brandy-flask, --at a pace which promised speedy tidings. 

As Madame Erlingsen hoped in her heart, he met a messenger despatched byher husband; so that all who had lain down to sleep, --all but herself, that is, --were greeted by good news as they appeared at thebreakfast-table. The pirates were all taken, and on their way, bound, to Saltdalen, there to be examined by the magistrate, and, no doubt, thence transferred to the jail at Tronyem. Hund was to followimmediately, either to take his trial with them, or to appear asevidence against them. 

One of the pirates was wounded, and two of the country-people; but not alife was lost; and Erlingsen, Rolf, Peder, and Oddo were all safe andunhurt. 

Oddo was superintending the unlading of the schooner, and was appointedby the magistrate, at his master's desire, head-guard of the property, as it lay on the beach, till the necessary evidence of its having beenstolen by the pirates was taken; and the owners could be permitted toidentify and resume their property. Oddo was certainly the greatest manconcerned in the affair, after Erlingsen. And like a really great man, Oddo's head was not turned with his importance, but intent on theperfect discharge of his office. When it was finished, and he returnedto his home, he found he cared more for the pressure of hisgrandfather's hand upon his head, as the old man blessed his boy, thanfor all the praises of the whole country round. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

TO CHURCH. 

An idea occurred to everybody but one, within the next few hours, whichoccasioned some consultation. Everybody but Erica felt and said that itwould be a great honour and privilege, but one not undeserved by thedistrict, for the Bishop of Tronyem to marry Rolf and Erica before heleft Nordland. The bishop wished to make some acknowledgment for thezealous protection and hospitality which had been afforded him; and hesoon found that no act would be so generally acceptable as his blessingthe union of these young people. He spoke to Madame Erlingsen about it:and her only doubt was whether it was not too soon after the burial ofold Ulla. If Peder, however, should not object on this ground, no oneelse had a right to do so. 

So far from objecting, Peder shed tears of pleasure at the thought. Hewas sure Ulla would be delighted, if she knew;--would feel it an honourto herself that her place should be filled by one whose marriage-crownshould be blessed by the bishop himself. Erica was startled, and hadseveral good reasons to give why there should be no hurry: but she wasbrought round to see that Rolf could go to Tronyem, to give his evidenceagainst the pirates, even better after his marriage than before, becausehe would leave Peder in a condition of greater comfort: and she evensmiled to herself as she thought how rapidly she might improve theappearance of the house during his absence, so that he should delight init on his return. When the bishop assured her that she should not behurried into her marriage within two days, but that he would appoint aday and hour when he should be at the distant church, to confirm theyoung people resident lower down the fiord, she gratefully consented, wondering at the interest so high and reverend a man seemed to feel inher lot. When it was once settled that the wedding was to be next week, she gave hearty aid to the preparations, as freely and openly as if shewas not herself to be the bride. 

The bishop embarked immediately on descending the mountain. Hisconsiderate eye saw, at a glance, that there was necessarily muchconfusion at the farm, and that his further presence would be aninconvenience. So he bade his host and the neighbours farewell, for ashort time, desiring them not to fail to meet him again at the church, on his summons. 

The kindness of the neighbours did not cease when danger from the enemywas over. Some offered boats for the wedding procession; several sentgilt paper to adorn the bridal crown which Orga and Frolich were making:and some yielded a more important assistance still. They put trustypersons into the seater, and over the herd, for two days; so that allErlingsen's household might be at the wedding. Stiorna preferred makingbutter, and gazing southwards, to attending the wedding of Hund's rival;but every one else was glad to go. Nobody would have thought of urgingPeder's presence; but he chose to do his part, --(a part which no onecould discharge so well), --singing bridal songs in the leading boat. 

The summons arrived quite as soon as it could have been looked for; andthe next day there was as pretty a boat procession on the still watersof the fiord as had ever before glided over its surface. Within thememory of man, no bride had been prettier, --no crown more glittering, --no bridegroom more happy; no chanting was ever more soothing than oldPeder's--no clarionet better played than Oddo's, --no bridesmaids moregay and kindly than Orga and Frolich. The neighbours were hearty intheir cheers as the boats put off; and the cheers were repeated fromevery settlement in the coves and on the heights of the fiord, and wereagain taken up by the echoes, till the summer air seemed to be full ofgladness. The birds of the islands, and the leaping fish, might perhapswonder as the train of bowery boats floated down, --for every boat wasdressed with green boughs and garlands of flowers;--but the matter wasunderstood and rejoiced in by all others. 

To conclude, the bishop was punctual, and kindly in his welcome of Ericato the altar. He was also graciously pleased with Rolfs explanationthat he had not ventured to bring a gift for so great a dignitary; butthat he hoped the bishop would approve of his giving his humble offeringto the church instead. The six sides of the new pulpit were nearlyfinished now; and Rolf desired to take upon himself the carving of thebasement as his marriage fee. As the bishop smiled approbation, M. Kollsen bowed acquiescence; and Rolf found himself in prospect of indoorwork for some time to come. 

Erica carried home in her heart, and kept there for ever, certain wordsof the bishop's address, which he uttered with his eye kindly fixed uponhers. "Go, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. So shall younot be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth byday: nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for thedestruction that wasteth at noon-day. When you shall have made the Lordyour habitation, you shall not fear that evil may befall you, or thatany plague shall come nigh your dwelling. 

"Go: and peace be on your house!"