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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/23725-8.txt b/23725-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..034671f --- /dev/null +++ b/23725-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7221 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Viking Boys, by Jessie Margaret Edmondston +Saxby + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Viking Boys + + +Author: Jessie Margaret Edmondston Saxby + + + +Release Date: December 3, 2007 [eBook #23725] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VIKING BOYS*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 23725-h.htm or 23725-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/7/2/23725/23725-h/23725-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/7/2/23725/23725-h.zip) + + + + + +VIKING BOYS + +by + +J. M. E. SAXBY + +Author of "The Yarl's Yacht" Etc. + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: "Then there came a sudden flare of light, which showed +that Yaspard was trying to illuminate the scene."--_Page_ 216] + + + +London +Nisbet & Co. Ltd. +22 Berners Street. W.1 +1892 + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAP. + + I. "CALLED AFTER THAT WORK WHICH HE HAD TO DO" + II. "AH, MANY A MEMORY OF HOW YE DEALT WITH ME" + III. "WIDE TOLD OF IS THIS" + IV. "HAPPY WAS HE IN HIS WARRING" + V. "THOU ART YOUNG AND OVER-BOLD" + VI. "NOW EACH GOES HIS WAY" + VII. "THE CARL ON THE CLIFF TOP" + VIII. "THEREFORE THEY GO THEIR WAYS" + IX. "NO NEED OF BINDING OR SALVING HERE" + X. "MAY THE GODS GIVE US TWAIN A GOOD DAY" + XI. "FAIR FELLOW DEEM I THE DARK-WINGED RAVEN" + XII. "ENOUGH AND TO SPARE OF BALE IS IN THY SPEECH" + XIII. "HE IS YOUNG AND OF LITTLE KNOWLEDGE" + XIV. "OH, BE THOU WELCOME, HERE" + XV. "AND PEACE SHALL BE SURER" + XVI. "FOR NAUGHT HE WOTTED, NOR MIGHT SEE CLEARLY" + XVII. "NO GOOD IT BETOKENETH" + XVIII. "OH, NEED SORE AND MIGHTY" + XIX. "SO HE SHUT ME IN SHIELD-WALL" + XX. "FROM THE HANDS OF MY KINSFOLK" + XXI. "NOUGHT HAD'ST THOU TO PRAISE" + XXII. "GIVE YE GOOD COUNSEL" + XXIII. "AND BOUND FAST THEIR SWORDS IN WEBS GOODLY WOVEN" + XXIV. "MEET AND RIGHT IT IS, FAIR LORD, THAT I SHOULD GO" + XXV. "AND THERETO THEY PLIGHTED TROTH BOTH OF THEM" + XXVI. "THAT WORK SHALL BE WROUGHT" + XXVII. "OF THE VOLSUNGS' KIN IS HE" + XXVIII. "SEA-RUNES GOOD AT NEED" + XXIX. "GREAT IS THE TROUBLE OF FOOT ILL-TRIPPING" + XXX. "SWEET SIGHT FOR ME THOU TWAIN TO SET EYES ON" + XXXI. "HILD UNDER HELM" + XXXII. "HAIL FROM THE MAIN THEN COMEST THOU HOME" + + + + +VIKING-BOYS. + + +CHAPTER 1 + +"CALLED AFTER THAT WORK WHICH HE HAD TO DO." + +"How I wish I had lived hundreds of years ago, when the Vikings lived; +it must have been prime!" + +He was a Shetland boy of fifteen who so spoke, and he was addressing +his young sister of eleven. They were sitting on a low crag by the +shore, dangling their feet over the water, which flowed clear and +bright within a short distance of their toes. They were looking out +upon a grand stretch of ocean studded with islands of fantastic shape, +among which numerous boats were threading their way. It was a fair +summer afternoon, and the fishing boats were returning from the far +haaf[1] laden with spoil. It had not required a great stretch of +imagination to carry Yaspard Adiesen's thoughts from the scene before +him to the olden days, when his native Isles were the haunts of +Vikinger, whose ships were for ever winging their way over those waters +bearing the spoils of many a stormy fight. + +"Yes," the boy went on; "what glorious fun it must have been in those +days; such fighting and sailing and discovering new places; such heaps +of adventures of all sorts. Oh, how grand it must have been!" + +"I suppose it was," answered Signy; "but then these people long ago did +not have all the nice things we have--books, you know, and--and +everything!" + +"Oh, tuts! They had Scalds to sing their history--much nicer than your +musty books." + +"Perhaps!" said the girl. She loved books with a mighty love, but she +adored her brother, and what he said she accepted, whether it commended +itself to her judgment or not. + +"There is no 'perhaps' about it, Signy," he retorted a little sharply. +"It is fact--so there! It must have been far more jolly in Shetland +then than it is now. Everything so tame and commonplace: mail-day once +a week, sermon every Sunday, custom-house officers about, chimney-pot +hats and tea! Bah!" Yaspard caught up a pebble and flung it to skim +over the water as a relief to his feelings, which received a little +additional comfort from Signy's next words. + +"Hats are certainly very ugly, especially when they are tied on with +strings, as Uncle Brüs wears his; and when a sermon lasts an hour it is +tiresome. Yes, and the custom-house people and the revenue cutter are +horrid--though the cutter is very pretty, and the officers look rather +nice in uniform. But it is very nice to get letters, Yaspard; and tea +is nice. Why, what on earth would Mam Kirsty and Aunt Osla do without +tea?" and Signy laughed as she looked up in her brother's face. + +He was not unreasonable, and admitted the comfort of the cup which +cheers and a weekly mail-bag. He even allowed that the sloop which +looked after her Majesty's dues was a tidy little craft, and that a +kirk and Sunday service were advantages of no ordinary kind. "But," +having admitted so much, he said, "why couldn't we have all that, and +still be Vikings? why not live like heroes? why not roam the seas, and +fight and discover and bring home spoil, and wear picturesque garments, +as well as go to church and drink tea?" + +"Well, people _do_," answered Signy. "There is always somebody going +exploring and getting into the most terrible scrapes. And don't you +often say that the British people are true sons of the Norsemen, and +prove it by the way they are always sending out more and more ships, +and bringing home more and more riches. As for the fighting--oh dear! +There was Waterloo not so very very long ago; and the papers say, you +know, that we are going to fight the Russians very soon. There's +always plenty of fighting--if that's what makes a Viking." + +"Oh, bother! girls don't understand," Yaspard muttered; and then there +was a long silence, which was broken at last by the lad clapping his +hands together and shouting, "Hurrah! I've got an idea! a splendid +idea! The very thing!" He sprang to his feet and tossed back his +golden-brown curls, and stood like a young Apollo all aglow with life +and ardour. + +"You always look so beautiful, Yaspard, when you have an idea!" said +the worshipping little sister, gazing her admiration of the handsome +lad, who was the hero of all her dreams. + +He laughed. He was accustomed to her homage--if the truth be told, he +took it as his right. + +"Never mind about my beauty at present, but come along, for I must set +my idea to work at once. I wonder I never thought of it before." + +"Ah, do wait a very little longer, brodhor," the girl begged. When +coaxing or caressing him, she always used the old form of the word, +which signified the dearest relationship she knew. They were orphans, +and "brother" was Signy's nearest as well as dearest friend alive. He +never could resist the soft tone and word, so answered-- + +"Why do you want to stay here?" + +"I have been watching Loki fish, and it is so funny; I want to see when +he _will_ be satisfied. He has been at it for hours." + +Loki was a pet cormorant, and Yaspard had taught him to seek food for +himself in the voe. The affectionate bird, though allowed such +licence, never failed to return to Boden when hunger was satisfied; and +at all times he would come at once to his master's call. + +Yaspard stood for a minute looking at the bird as it swam about, every +now and then taking a sudden leap and "header" after some unwary +sillack. There were shoals of small cod-fish in the voe, and Loki had +no difficulty in filling his most capacious maw. His mode of fishing +was certainly comical, but Yaspard was not so interested in the matter +as Signy, therefore his eyes were soon roving again to the islets and +boats. + +Presently his attention became riveted on a smart skiff rounding the +headlands in a manner which proved that she was managed by skilful +hands. As the boat drew nearer, rising lightly on the waves, Yaspard +said, "Yes, it's the _Laulie_. What splendid sea-boys those lads of +Lunda are! They are always off somewhere; always having some grand fun +on the water. They are making for Havnholme now, and I expect they +mean to stay there all night. Oh, bother feuds and family fights! I +wish I were with them." + +"They must be nice boys," said Signy. "It does seem very sad that you +can't have them for chums. I can't see why our grandfathers' quarrels +and Uncle Brüs's grumpiness should hinder you from being friends with +the only boys of our rank within reach of Boden." + +"It is a horrible nuisance. But never mind! I'll make the family feud +work into my idea, sure as can be! There, Signy; there goes Loki with +five dozen sillacks in his maw, so let's go too." + +The cormorant had had enough. He began to flap along the surface of +the sea until it was possible for him to rise in steady flight. Then +he floated high overhead and took a straight course for the Ha' of +Boden. + +Yaspard caught up Signy in his arms; and as he swung along towards home +he chanted-- + + "As with his wings aslant + Sails the fierce cormorant + Seeking some rocky haunt, + With his prey laden; + So toward the open main, + Beating to sea again, + Through the wild hurricane + Bore I the maiden." + + +When he finished the verse he put his sister down. "There," he +exclaimed; "there is a small hint at a part of my new idea." + +"What is your idea, Yaspard?" + +But Yaspard laughed and shook his head. "I can't tell you yet. It +isn't shaped at all yet, but by-and-by you shall hear all about it, and +help with it too, Mootie;[2] only, mind, it's a secret. You must not +tell a soul." + +"I never tell any of your secrets," Signy answered, with gentle +reproach in her tone; and her brother answered promptly, "No, you never +tell on me, that is true--though you sometimes let things out by +mistake. But you are a trump all the same, Signy; you are; and as good +as a boy. I sometimes wish you were a boy. But if you were you'd +plague me. Small boys always do plague their big brothers--but _you_ +never plague me. Never!" + +She squeezed his hand tight and was perfectly happy while they walked +on, and Yaspard whistled "the Hardy Norseman." + +After executing a few bars he said, "I am going across the voe, and you +must not mind if I do not take you with me. I want to have a long talk +with the Harrison boys. But if you come down to the noost[3] when I +return, I'll take you for a little sail." + +"I'll be there, brodhor," said Signy. She was always "there" when +Yaspard required or requested. + +They walked along the shore until they reached a quay of very modest +pretensions, where a small boat was lying ready for use. Their home +was not many yards from the beach, and was situated on a green sloping +point of land almost surrounded by the waters of Boden voe. + +Yaspard jumped into the boat, hauled up the sail, shoved off, and was +soon speeding across the mile of water, which was the broadest bit of +that winding picturesque fiord. + +Signy stood a minute to watch him. She would have stood longer, but +out of the house bounced a big dog, barking and evidently greatly +excited over something. + +"Well, Pirate, what is the matter with you?" the girl asked, as the dog +rushed up to her. For answer Pirate caught her skirt gently in his +mouth, and indicated as plainly as if he had expressed himself in +choicest English that he desired her presence indoors. + +So indoors Signy went without more ado. + + + +[1] "Haaf," deep-sea fishing. + +[2] "Mootie," little one. + +[3] "Noost," boat-shelter. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +"AH, MANY A MEMORY OF HOW YE DEALT WITH ME." + +When Yaspard reached the other shore he was met by two boys, one his +own age, the other about thirteen. These were Laurence and Gilbert +Harrison, sons of Mr. Adiesen's factotum, and they were usually styled +Lowrie and Gibbie. + +Boden was a small island, and there were only three houses on it, +namely, the Ha', the factor's house, and Trullyabister, a very ancient +dwelling nearly in ruins. Every house in Shetland has a name of its +own, so has every knoll and field and crag and islet, therefore the Ha' +was called Moolapund, and the Harrisons' house Noostigard. To attend +church the inhabitants were obliged to cross to a neighbouring island, +and this the majority of them did very regularly. Stores were brought +twice a year from the town of Lerwick; and it seldom happened that +these ran short, for Miss Adiesen was a shrewd housewife and James +Harrison a notable manager; also the Laird was somewhat eccentric, and +objecting strongly to all society outside of Boden, did not like that +"provisions short" should be made an excuse for frequent expeditions to +the larger islands. + +The isolated life of Boden had certain charms of its own for a +scientist like Mr. Adiesen, and a quiet domestic creature like his +sister, whose happiness had been wrecked in early life, and who desired +nothing better than to hide herself at Moolapund and devote her life to +the wants of her lost twin-brother's children. + +Boden was a pleasant home to the Harrisons', for they were a large +family, simple crofters, content in each other's society, and +cherishing no earthly ambition. It was a satisfactory retreat from the +world for Gaun Neeven, who lived alone with a half-witted attendant in +the old house of Trullyabister. It was a paradise to little Signy, +whose imaginative, romantic nature found infinite delight in the beauty +of the Isle, in its myriads of sea-fowl, in its grand-encircling ocean, +in the freedom and poetry of life with such environs. But to a strong +lad like Yaspard, full of vitality, longing for action and the company +of his fellows, there was less to content him, and much to stir in him +that spirit of mischief which attends on every energetic boy not +blessed with wise guardians, and with plenty of time on his hands. + +"Come into the boat, boys," said Yaspard, as he ran his skiff to the +noost; and the brothers, nothing loth, scrambled aboard. + +"I ran across," said our hero, plunging at once into his subject, "to +tell you about a magnificent scheme I have in my head. I am going to +be a Viking!" + +If he had announced his intention of becoming Czar of all the Russias +these boys would have taken it as a matter of course. They merely +opened their eyes and said "Weel?" Yaspard had rather expected to +surprise them, and was a little disconcerted by the way his startling +intention was received. + +"I've told you heaps about Vikinger," he said; "you know just what I +mean, eh?" + +"Weren't they pirates?" Gibbie asked. + +"No--at least they would be called that now, but it was different when +they lived. There was no way of discovering new lands and getting lots +of riches, being great men and doing all sorts of grand things, except +by becoming Vikings. It was the only way." + +"But they killed people, and robbed, and made slaves. Everybody was +frightened when a Viking ship hove in sight," said Lowrie, who was +rather reflective for his age and station. + +"So they did; but it could not be helped. Besides, every one tried to +do the same. And for the matter of that, don't people do the same now? +Don't they fight still, and in a worse way? for the Vikinger only laid +on man for man, but now any nation who invents the most murderous +machine for shooting can mow down armies of men miles off. As for the +stealing--what is half the trade of the world but a kind of civil +picking of somebody's pocket--a 'doing' of some one. And slavery; bah! +slaves enough in Britain while the pressgang can carry off any man it +likes. But there--what's the good of such talk? I'm not going to be a +Viking in a bad way, so you need not be afraid. It will all be for +adventure, and glory and daring, and jolly good fun, I tell you." + +"All right; we're game for whatever you please," answered the Harrisons. + +After that Yaspard entered into some details of his scheme, and +explained portions in which he specially required their co-operation. +They were soon as enamoured of the project as he, and eager to begin a +career which promised such scope for wild adventure. Some time slipped +past while the confabulation lasted, and the dusk of a Shetland summer +evening--the poetic "dim"--had fallen upon Boden before the lads +separated. + +"I'll be over again to-morrow early," said Yaspard, as he pulled out +from the shore; "mind you have some armour ready by the time I come." + +The light breeze which had wafted him to Noostigard had fallen to a +calm, therefore the sail was of no use; but a pair of oars in his +muscular hands soon carried the little _Osprey_ to her quay, and there +Signy was waiting. + +"I've been longer than I meant to be, Mootie," he called out; "I am +afraid it is too late to take you off." + +"Never mind," she answered; "I don't want to go now. There has been +such a disturbance in the house--such a terrific upset. It has made me +laugh and cry--I hardly know which I ought to do now about it." + +"An upset!" Yaspard exclaimed. "Praise the powers, as Mam Kirsty says. +I'm glad the humdrum has had a break. What was it, Signy?" + +"It was a letter." + +"A letter! Was that all?" + +"All!" exclaimed the girl; "you won't say a letter is a little 'all' +when you hear what it did. The mailbag came across this afternoon when +we were sitting at the Teng, never thinking!--and uncle got a letter +from the young Laird of Lunda which made him furious. You know what +happens when Uncle Brüs is angry." + +"I know. I'm glad it does not happen often, poor old man! Well, what +next?" + +"He rampaged, and set Aunt Osla off crying. Then he began experiments +with that new chemical machine, and nearly blew up the house. The +windows of his Den are smashed, and you never saw anything like the +mess there is in it--broken glass, books, methylated spirits, +specimens, everything." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Yaspard, cutting short Signy's story; "don't tell me +more. Let's go and see." + +He fastened up his boat, took his sister's hand, and ran quickly up the +brae to his home. + +There indeed was a scene of devastation, as far as the scientist's +study was concerned. It looked as though a volcano had irrupted there: +bookshelves were overturned, chairs and tables were sprawling legs in +air, liquids were oozing in rainbow hues over manuscripts, odours of +the most objectionable kind filled the air. A tame raven was hopping +among the debris, with an eye to choice "remains" dropping from broken +jars; a strange-looking fish was gasping its last breath on the sofa, +among broken fragments of its crystal tank. A huge grey cat was +standing, with her back arched, on the mantelpiece--the only place she +deemed secure--surveying the scene, and ready for instant flight, or +fight, if another explosion seemed imminent. + +Pirate was lying at the open door, watching the movements of Thor (the +raven), whose depredatory proclivities were well known to the dog. +Thor, perfectly aware that a detective's eye was upon him, did not +venture to abstract any of the wreckage, but assumed an air of careless +curiosity as he hopped about among Mr. Adiesen's demoralised treasures. + +Mr. Adiesen himself had disappeared. He had been stunned for a few +moments by the explosion; but on recovering he only waited to realise +the ruin he had wrought, and then, seizing a favourite geological +hammer, he raced away to the rocks to practise what stood him in place +of strong language. + +No one had dared to attempt restoring order in the Den; the maids would +not have set foot within its door for their lives. Miss Adiesen was +soothing her nerves with tea, which Mam Kirsty was administering with +loud and voluble speech. + +"My! what a sight!" Yaspard exclaimed, as he looked into the study. +"And what a smell! It's enough to frighten the French," and he turned +into the parlour, where his aunt was comforting her nerves after her +favourite manner, as I said. + +"You've been having a high old time, auntie," he cried, laughing. "I +never saw such a rare turn-out in Moolapund before." + +"You may say so," sobbed Aunt Osla. "It is a 'turn-out' and a 'high +old' business. We were near going high enough, let alone your uncle, +whose escape is nothing short of a miracle. I always said there would +be mischief done with those mixtures and glass tubes, and machines for +heating dangerous coloured stuff. A rare turn-out! Yes; there is not +much left in his room to turn out--it's all turned. But it isn't the +specimens and all that I mind so very much, after all, though that is +bad enough, considering all the time and money he has spent on them. +It is the--the cause of all this that--that breaks my heart. Oh dear!" +and she broke out a-weeping again. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +"WIDE TOLD OF IS THIS." + +"What had young Garson said to make Uncle Brüs so angry?" asked Yaspard. + +"He did not say much that was unpleasant--even from our point of view. +It is the letter of a gentleman anyway; and I know very well that his +mother's son could not say or do or think anything that was not like a +gentleman. I knew her, poor dear, when we were both young. See, here +is the letter. You may read it. It was flung to me. Your uncle did +not care who saw it, or who knows about his 'feud'--oh, I'm sick of the +word." + +Yaspard smoothed out the letter, which his uncle had crushed up in his +rage, and read-- + + +"DEAR MR. ADIESEN,--I very much regret being obliged to remind you once +more that Havnholme is part of the Lunda property, and that it was my +dear father's wish that the sea-birds on the island should not be +molested. + +"I shall always be very pleased to give you, or any other naturalist, +every facility for studying the birds in their haunts, but I cannot +(knowing as I do so well the mind of my late father in this matter) +permit innocent creatures to be disturbed and distressed as they have +been of late. You know the circumstances to which I allude. + +"I do wish (as my father so long wished) that you would meet me and +have a friendly talk, when I have no doubt we could smooth this +matter--I mean your grievance regarding Havnholme. It seems so +unneighbourly, not to say unchristian, to keep up a quarrel from +generation to generation. + +"Pardon me if it seems presumptuous of a young fellow like me to write +thus to you; but I feel as it I were only the medium through which my +good noble father were making his wishes known. If you will allow me, +I will call upon you at some early time.--Yours sincerely, FRED GARSON." + + +"It's a very decent letter," said Yaspard, "and everybody who knows the +young Laird says he is a brick; but I know how Uncle Brüs would flare +up over this. One has only to utter 'holme' or 'Lunda' in uncle's +hearing if one wants to bring the whole feud about one's ears." + +Here Signy put in her soft little voice. "But it really was a shame +about the birds, Yaspard. You said so, you know; and oh, I have dreamt +about them ever so often, poor things!" + +"That's true. Still, uncle persists that the holme is his property; +and the Lairds of Lunda have always got the name of land-grabbers." + +Miss Osla looked up at the boy with a kind of terror in her eyes. "O +Yaspard," she cried, "don't you begin that way too. Don't you believe +all that's told you. Don't you take up that miserable, wicked--yes, +wicked--quarrel." + +"Easy, easy, Aunt Osla! I haven't dug up the hatchet yet. But can you +tell me what was the true origin of that affair?" + +"I don't believe anybody ever knew what it began about, or why. The +Garsons and Adiesens were born quarrelling with one another, I think." + +"But surely you know about the particular part of the family feud which +had to do with Havnholme?" + +"Even _that_ began before I was born, and it was about some land that +was exchanged. Your great-grandfather wanted all this island to +himself, and he offered the Laird of Lunda some small outlying islands +instead of the piece of Boden which belonged to _him_. Mr. Garson +agreed, so they 'turned turf'[1] and settled the bargain; and a body +would have thought that was enough. But no! By-and-by they got +debating that the bargain had not been a fair one, then that Havnholme +was not included with the other skerries, and so it went as long as +they lived. After that their sons took it up, and disputed, and +fought, and never got nearer the truth, for there were no papers to be +found to prove who was right; and the tenants who had witnessed the +'turning of turf' would only speak as pleased their master. They +wrangled all their lives about it. One would put his sheep on the +holme, and the other would promptly go and shove the poor beasts into +the sea. One would build a skeö,[2] and the other would pull it down. +These were lawless days, and men might do as they pleased." + +"Just like Vikinger," said Yaspard, who quite enjoyed the story. +"Well?" + +"They never would speak to each other, even if they met at the church +door, or at a neighbour's funeral. It was very sinful; and they would +not let their children become acquainted. My father made me drop +acquaintance with my school friend when she married Mr. Garson, for no +reason but because she married the son of his enemy. It has been the +same since your uncle came to be Laird. If your father had lived it +would have been different, for _he_ bore ill-feeling to no one; but he +was so much away with his ship, he never got a chance to put things +right; which I _know_ he could have done, for the Laird of Lunda--who +died two years ago--was one of the best of men. A land-grabber! My +friend's husband. He was as good a man as Shetland ere saw. He tried +again and again to be friends with Brüs, but it was no use, and it will +be of no use his boy trying. I know." + +"_Something_ shall be of use," muttered Yaspard; then aloud he asked, +"Will uncle answer this letter?" + +"My dear, he's done it. There is his answer on the table. He read it +to me, and I felt as if I were listening to a clap of thunder." + +"What did he say?" + +"He said that Havnholme was his, and that he meant to do with his own +as he pleased. And he said, 'If you set foot in Boden you will receive +the thrashing which such a coxcomb deserves.' He told me to send the +Harrison boys across the sound in your little boat early to-morrow, and +they were to leave the letter at the post-office. They were not to go +to the Ha' for their lives. Brüs never told me to do a harder thing +than to send such a letter to the son of my friend--to the poor lad who +is trying to live like his true-hearted father, and to be at peace with +all men! It is a cruel thing." And here Miss Osla began to weep again. + +Yaspard went to the table and picked up the letter, read the address, +and put it in his pocket. "Leave this affair to me, auntie," he said; +"I'll see that Fred Garson gets the letter, and gets it right properly." + +Poor Miss Adiesen was too much troubled to notice anything peculiar in +Yaspard's words or expression, but Signy did, and as he left the room +she followed and asked in a whisper-- + +"Is it going to fit into your idea, brodhor?" + +"Fits like the skin to a sealkie," said he. + +Yaspard went up the stairs four steps at every stride until he reached +the attics. One of these was used for lumber, and into it he went. +There was a marvellous collection of things in that room, but Yaspard +knew what he had come for, and where to find it. He pulled some broken +chairs from off an old chest which had no lid, and was piled full of +curious swords, cutlasses, horse-pistols, battle-axes, some foils and +masks, and a battered old shield. Not one of all these implements had +been in use for a century--some were of far more ancient date. They +had neither edge, nor point, nor power of any sort beyond what might +lie in their weight if it were brought into play. Yaspard gathered up +as many of these weapons as he could carry, and bore them off to his +own room, where he proceeded to scrub the rust from them with some +sandpaper and a pair of woollen socks. He whistled at his task, and +was infinitely pleased with his own thoughts, which ran something like +this:-- + +"Oh yes! I'll make it work. I'll turn this old feud into a rare old +lark, I will. How nicely it all fits in for to-morrow--the Harrison +boys to go with the letter in my boat, and the Manse boys spending the +night on Havnholme! What times those boys have, to be sure. They go +everywhere, and stay just as long as they please. I could not count +how many times this summer they have camped out for the night on +Havnholme, and the Grün holme, and the Ootskerries. Guess they'll be +surprised at the waking up they'll get tomorrow!" + +When he had cleaned up the armour to his satisfaction, he sat down to +his desk and wrote a letter, which pleased him so much that he read it +twice aloud, and ended by saying-- + +"Prime! I didn't know that I could express myself so well on paper. +It's as good as Garson's own. I wonder what he will say!" + +Then Yaspard went down to supper, and while demolishing his porridge he +said, "Will you make me up a bit of ferdimet,[3] auntie? I am going +off early to-morrow to fish. (It's true," he added to himself, "for +I'll take a rod and fish a fish to make it true.") + +"I suppose the Harrisons go with you?" said Aunt Osla. "Don't forget +about your uncle's message to Lunda." + +"No, I won't forget." + +"You could run across to the post-office before going to fish, and get +it over," she added. + +Yaspard often went on such expeditions, therefore there was nothing +unusual in his proceedings on the present occasion, but Signy detected +a new fire in his eyes, and a twitching of the mouth that suggested +ideas! Moreover, she had been on the stair when he came out of the +lumber-room with his arms full of weapons, and Signy's soul was +troubled about its hero. + + + +[1] The old Shetland way of taking possession of land. + +[2] "Skeö," a shed for drying fish in. + +[3] "Ferdimet," food for a journey. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +"HAPPY WAS HE IN HIS WARRING." + +When the sun was well up next morning, which meant about three o'clock, +Yaspard came downstairs, carrying his armour, and treading softly, as +he did not wish to disturb anybody. Pirate was dozing in the porch, +but when the lad appeared he got up and followed him to the quay. +Signy's eyes too followed--for she had heard her brother leave his +room--and again her heart was troubled when she saw the weapons of +warfare. All unconscious of her gaze, he proceeded to stow these into +his boat, where Pirate had stepped gravely, and Signy's soul was +comforted as she returned to her bed murmuring, "Any way, he has Pirate +with him, and Pirate is more than a match for anything!" + +Yaspard was soon across the voe, and he soon had the Harrisons out of +their beds. When they reached the beach Lowrie pulled out of a +fish-chest two neatly made wooden swords, two slings, two bows, and a +sheaf of arrows. As he handed some to his brother he said to Yaspard, +"We made the swords last night, and most of the arrows. I think they +are a great improvement on the last." + +"Yes, certain!" was the ready answer; but Yaspard's eyes gleamed as he +pointed to his ancestral old iron, and said, "What think you of mine?" + +"Oh, grand! splendid!" they cried. + +"You are going to have a share--a loan of them, I mean." And then he +rapidly explained what he purposed doing, and what he wished them to +do. As the boat slipped rapidly along, the lads rigged themselves for +action. Playing at "Robinson Crusoe" and "Hawk eye" had been favourite +games, therefore they were provided with all sorts of belts and pouches +for holding every conceivable kind of weapon; and queer figures they +looked when their war toilet was complete, and they sat down to talk +over their scheme and project a great many more. + +Once outside of Boden voe, it did not take long to reach Havnholme. +The _Laulie_ was lying along the crags safely moored there, and her +crew were asleep in the old shed, where they had spent many a night +before. They had had a long day of exciting sport, and were wrapped in +sleep more profound than usual. + +But when the _Osprey_ came within hailing distance, Yaspard ran up a +black flag and raised a shout of "A Viking! a Viking!" His companions +took up the cry, and Pirate, setting his fore-paws on the bow, barked +and howled like mad. Such a hullaballoo was enough to waken anybody, +and the Lunda boys--half-awake--rushed out of the shed, and stood +staring in dumb-foundered amazement at the foe! + +The Harrisons burst out laughing at the ludicrous spectacle of four +lads rubbing their eyes, scratching their heads, shaking themselves +straight in their clothes, and looking as if there never had been half +an idea in one of their minds. But Yaspard shouted in grandiloquent +style-- + +"You, lads of Lunda there, listen! We are Vikinger in search of glory +and spoil, and all the rest of it. But we do not take our enemy +unawares. We would not assail slumberers. We are nineteenth century +enough to fight fair. So now, look to yourselves!" + +During these few minutes the _Osprey_ had reached the crags, and was +alongside of the _Laulie_. As he finished speaking the young marauder, +leaning over to the other boat, undid her painter, and hitching it to +his own boat, shouted to his companions to row off again. They pulled +out from the shore, and the _Laulie_ was captured before her crew had +waked up enough to comprehend what was going on. + +"It's Yaspard Adiesen masquerading like an ass," said Harry Mitchell at +last. + +"It will only be a bit of fun," Gloy Winwick ventured to say, for by +that time he had recognised Lowrie and Gibbie. They were his cousins, +and he had often met them, and heard of the curious games which young +Adiesen invented for their amusement and his own. "There will be nae +harm in it. It's just his way. He's queer." + +The last half of his remarks was given in an aside to Tom Holtum, but +Tom only growled, "Bother the fellow! What does he mean by such +preposterous impudence?" + +Tom's temper was easily roused; and, followed by the others, he ran to +the crag and shouted, "Give us none of your humbug! Bring back the +boat, or it will be the worse for you!" + +A mocking laugh was all the answer he got; and this so exasperated Tom +that he was about to fling a volley of abuse to the enemy, but Harry +checked him. Harry was always the first to look at a thing from more +points than one, and now he said in an undertone, "I expect it is only +some nonsensical make-believe. Yaspard is a baby in some ways, I am +told; and he never exchanges a word with gentlemen's sons--lives +horribly alone, you know. Let's humour him a bit, and see what it will +come to." + +Tom grunted, but Bill and Gloy seconded Harry, so Harry called out, "I +say, you might as well come on shore first and tell us what's up, and +then let us start fair all round." + +"I'd like to," burst from Yaspard in his natural and impulsive manner, +"but I mustn't. Uncle Brüs has forbidden me to be friends with _any_ +of you Lunda fellows, because of the family feud, you know. But I'm +tired of having no chums, and living as I do, so I'm resolved to be a +Viking; and as you are all my enemies, I shall, of course, try to +harass you in every way I can, to fight you, and carry off your +property, and conquer you, and--and--have some good fun!" + +Tom and Harry instantly got the right kind of inspiration about the +matter, and replied, "All right, we're your men! strongest fend off!" +but Gloy exclaimed, "I think he must be going off his head," and Bill +called out furiously, "Conquer us! come and try, if you dare." + +"I'll dare another day, youngster," answered the Viking loftily; "but +listen now" (addressing the others): "I've got your boat, and you must +agree to what I ask before I will let you have her again." + +"Impudence!" shouted Tom. + +"Tuts, man, let him haver," said Harry; then to Yaspard, "Well, go on." + +"Are you captain of that crew?" Yaspard asked. + +"In the absence of my elders and betters, yes!" + +"Well, I want you to take a letter (it is really two letters, one +inside the other) to the young Laird of Lunda. He is captain, chief, +yarl, and all the rest of it, over you and your island." + +"If it's a proper letter I'll take it," Harry answered promptly. + +"One of the letters is quite proper; but, proper or no proper, uncle's +note must also reach Mr. Garson, and you must promise to give it +faithfully before I give you the _Laulie_. She's a splendid little +craft. She would make a glorious Viking's bark! I am tempted to keep +my spoil." + +While they were talking Bill said to Gloy very loudly, "Never mind the +jabber, boy. Come for a swim before breakfast! I'm off." They +stripped and went in, and as they did so they whispered together and +winked knowingly, then began to race and splash in the water as if they +had no thought in their heads but the enjoyment of the moment, while +the rival captains continued the engrossing debate. + +Harry was not unwilling to carry the letter, but he did not like to be +threatened into doing it. + +"Suppose I refuse?" he said. + +"Then I go off with your boat, and you remain prisoned on Havnholme." + +"You could be severely punished if you did so." + +"If you are mean enough to tell, and bring grown people and lawyers +into the business," retorted Yaspard. + +"I see no harm in taking the letter to Fred," said Tom then. + +Tom strongly objected to telling tales. He also scented some rare +shindies in the game Yaspard was playing, and Harry, seeing that the +situation was an awkward one, agreed. + +"Is that all?" he asked. But before the enemy could reply there came a +shout from Tom, a howl from Yaspard, a screech from the Harrisons, and +loud laughter from Gloy in the water. + +Gloy and Bill had taken advantage of the attention of the others being +chiefly directed to those on shore, and had, as if by accident, swam +nearer to the boats. Then Gloy had held the Harrisons in talk while +Bill quietly contrived to swim to that side of the _Laulie_ which was +farthest from the other boat. No one was aware of his movements until +he had swiftly crawled into the _Laulie_. Leaning over the side, he +slipped the painter from the thole-pin round which it hung, and then +shoving with all his might, he sent the skiffs a good way apart at once. + +"After him, boys!" Yaspard cried; but the boys were not ready. Gloy +had come alongside and had caught hold of Gibbie, Lowrie was laughing +like to split his sides at the sight of Bill, nude and dripping, gaping +like a fresh caught cod, rowing for his life. The _Laulie_ was safe +back at her favourite crag in a minute more, and Yaspard could only +comfort himself for being so outwitted by making a captive of Gloy. + +"He isn't worth much without his clothes," Harry told all who cared to +hear. + +"We'll paint him," retorted Yaspard, and Gloy began to think that his +position was awkward, to say the least of it; but Tom, whose +good-humour had been completely restored by Bill's clever manoeuvre, +said-- + +"You might just as well come along and have some breakfast with us, and +then we can arrange the campaign, and settle about ransom for the +captive." + +There was no resisting such a suggestion, especially as it did not hint +at compromise of the "position." + +The _Osprey_ came to land, and Gloy was permitted to go and resume his +garments, after giving his word of honour to respect the parole. + +A white handkerchief was tied to a fishing-rod, which was planted in +the skeö wall, and under that flag of truce the rival parties made +merry in lighting a fire, boiling water, and feasting heartily on the +good things which the Manse boys never failed to find in their ferdimet +basket. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +"THOU ART YOUNG AND OVER-BOLD." + +As they ate they talked, you may be sure. The Lunda boys were +decidedly in favour of Yaspard's scheme--was there ever a boy who would +have objected to any such prank? They saw no harm in it whatever, only +Harry said-- + +"We must consult Fred Garson; we never go in for any big thing without +consulting Fred." + +"Of course," Yaspard answered cheerfully. "He will let you read my +letter, and you will see by it that I expect he will have a finger in +the pie--not to take part in the war, but just to look on and kind of +see fair-play, you know, and umpire us when we fall out. He is a nice +fellow, people say." + +"There is no one like him," said Harry, with that hearty enthusiasm +which all the lads of Lunda displayed when their chief was mentioned. + +"What a pity it is," Bill chimed in, "that Eric and Svein are away, +and--too old now for this kind of thing." + +"I am glad they are too old," replied Yaspard, "for that leaves our +number about equal." + +"Four to three! you are in a minority," said Tom. + +"There is Pirate," Yaspard answered, with a smile, and Pirate wagged +his tail, as much as to say, "I'm ready for any or all of you." + +"Oh, if dogs are to be in it," laughed Tom, "there's Watchie, that +Svein rescued off a skerry; and there's old toothless Tory at the +Manse. But now, what about the hapless captive? What do you price him +at, Mr. Viking?" + +"Twenty pebbles wet with the waves of Westervoe," was the instant +reply, at which the lads roared. + +"We don't carry our beach about in our pockets," one of them said, as +soon as the laugh subsided. + +"Then I must keep my captive till you bring his price." And Yaspard +stuck to that, and urged his arguments so well that finally it was +agreed that he should hold Gloy till his friends produced the +stipulated ransom. + +The prisoner did not seem very distressed. He had never been to Boden, +and he anticipated having a good time during his captivity. He took +for granted that his prison would be Noostigard, the home of his +cousins--so little did he understand the mind and method of a Viking +boy! + +It is no part of my intention to tell you just now what those boys +arranged. They hugely enjoyed laying plans, and we shall hear +presently how these were carried out. + +Before parting they engaged in a preliminary combat--we might be nearer +the right term for it if we called it a knightly joust. + +Gloy and Pirate were not in the tournament, for Yaspard had said the +magic words "On guard" to his dog, and pointed out Gloy, who did not +from that moment dare to move from the spot. The wooden swords were +given to Bill and Gibbie; Tom and Lowrie had two huge broadswords which +had been rendered harmless by chopping sticks. The rival captains +chose two rapiers rusted to their sheaths. + +It was a famous joust. The old iron clashed and sounded very terrible. +The young heroes fought valiantly. Presently Bill's wooden sword broke +in two, and he ought to have owned himself beaten, but he didn't. He +caught Gibbie in a true wrestler's grip, and soon they were rolling +together on the sandy seashore. + +Tom very soon settled Lowrie by striking his mighty heavy weapon from +his hand; but this victory was of no account in the general action when +Harry's rapier went spinning over his head, and he went down on his +back before the vigorous fencing of Yaspard. He was on his feet, +however, in time to witness the final roll over of Bill and Gibbie. +They had reached the water's edge, and the incoming tide washed over +them, putting a most effectual stop to their wrestling-match. Choking +with sand, and wet with spray, they let go of each other and jumped to +their feet, panting, but happy, and declaring that "it wasn't a bad +round, that." + +All agreed that the joust had ended in a draw between the two parties, +so--highly pleased with themselves and their new acquaintances--both +crews got into the boats, and were soon sailing in opposite directions +away from Havnholme. + +When the _Osprey_ reached Boden, Yaspard ran her into a small geo +(creek) near the mouth of the voe. The cliffs which formed the geo +were lofty, and overhung a strip of dry white sand. The place looked +almost like a cave. There was no way out of the geo by land, and +Yaspard said, as the boat grounded, "This will be a splendid place for +a prison." + +"Gracious! you're never going to leave me here?" exclaimed Gloy in a +kind of comical dismay. + +"Yes, here! what could be better? It is a very nice place. I've spent +many a happy hour in this geo reading and fishing. Now, don't be +frightened. I won't leave you long;--only till I see if the coast is +clear, so that we can carry you to a real prison. We'll call this the +Viking's Had,[1] and in his Had he means to keep you for a little +while." + +"Oh, come, this is too much," Lowrie remonstrated. + +"Not at all. You know very well that Uncle Brüs will not let anybody +from Lunda set foot on the island. If he chanced to see Gloy he would +make us take him straight away again; and he would ask so many +questions that I should be obliged to tell the whole affair. Now, if +we keep him here till the evening, we can then bring him without fear +of discovery to a safe place. I know of a splendid place for his +prison--so comfortable, and under a roof too! And see, here is a lot +of ferdimet left; and" (pulling a small book from his coat pocket) +"here is 'Marmion' to amuse you, Gloy. I'll leave you my +fishing-rod--lots of sillacks about the geo. Oh, you won't think the +time long till we come again." + +Gibbie and Gloy exchanged rueful glances, and Lowrie, scratching his +head, said, "I'm no' just sure that my faither will like our having a +hand in ony such prank, sir." + +The Harrisons were very much in earnest when they addressed Yaspard as +"Sir," and he did not like it, for it usually meant that they were +going to oppose some darling project of his. He did not suggest +concealment; he knew that these boys always recounted all their +adventures to their parents; but he rather counted on James Harrison +seeing no harm in what he proposed, and therefore "winking" at it. + +"Your father will not mind one bit if you tell him that I am going to +use up that ridiculous old feud in this business. Believe me, he won't +see any harm in it." + +"But our own cousin, and his first visit to Boden?" said Lowrie, only +half satisfied. + +Here Gibbie struck in: "It's only a little bit of fun, Lowrie; don't +let us make a fuss, for that may spoil all." + +Gloy glanced around the geo, evidently calculating how far his powers +of climbing were fit to cope with the walls of his prison; and Yaspard, +guessing his thought, said, "I shall leave Pirate on guard with you." + +Gloy resigned himself to fate, and patting the dog, he assured Yaspard +that he didn't mind staying in the geo a few hours--even days--if that +would help to demolish the quarrels which had kept poor young Adiesen +so isolated from his kind. + +"You're a brick," the others declared. Then Pirate got his +instructions, and the _Osprey_ went on her homeward way. + +When she had disappeared in a curve of the fiord, a tiny punt came out +from behind some crags which formed part of the geo. The punt was +propelled by no unskilful hand, although its solitary occupant used a +geological hammer more often than an oar. We may judge what Gloy +Winwick felt like when he recognised the new-comer to be the dreaded +Laird of Boden! + +In blissful ignorance of the fact that his uncle had been so near, and +had heard every word of their conference, Yaspard landed the Harrisons +at their own noost; and promising to return for them at dusk, he took +himself to Moolapund. There Signy was looking out eagerly for him, and +great was her joy at his safe return. The little girl's lively +imagination had been conjuring up all sorts of terrible adventures +through which her hero might be passing, and she looked anxiously at +him and his boat for signs of a fray. None were visible, not even the +armour, for it had been stowed under the foot-boards. + +"What have you done with Pirate?" Signy asked. + +Now Yaspard was a very truthful boy, and could not tell a "whopper" to +save his life. "Pirate is all right," he answered; "and if you will +come up to my room, Mootie, I'll tell you my great secret, for it has +begun to work. Only think!" + +There were few things he loved more than his bright little sister's +sympathy. He was never so happy as when pouring into her ears the +story of his exploits. He thoroughly enjoyed telling her all about his +expedition to Havnholme, and his pleasure was not even damped by the +tears rising in her blue eyes when he described Gloy a prisoner in the +geo with Pirate for jailer. + +"Wasn't it a good lark, Signy? Don't I make a ripping Viking, &c.?" + +She smiled in spite of her compassion, but she said, "Oh, brodhor, you +know he is only a poor boy. If it had been one of the others it would +not have mattered so much; but Gloy Winwick is a poor widow's son, and +an only son, and it seems just a little--horrid." + +"I never thought of it that way," Yaspard said, looking very +crestfallen; "but it can't be helped now, any way. However, I'll make +it up to him afterwards. He shan't lose by this, I tell you." + +Signy twined her arms round his neck, and whispered softly, "Brodhor, +is it quite--quite right, do you think, to do what Uncle Brüs would be +very angry about?" + +"I don't think it's _wrong_ any way," the lad replied. "I haven't +disobeyed uncle, and I haven't told any stories. I've only---- There, +Signy; if it seems a mean or deceitful thing I've done, I'll set that +right in a jiffy. I'll just go and tell Uncle Brüs about it myself." + +"How brave you are, brodhor! How straight you go at things, to be +sure!" + +"And how round the corner and round my neck you go with things, +Mootie-ting!" laughed he; then more gravely asked, "Where is uncle, do +you know?" + +"He is out, as usual, after specimens: he has been out a long time." + +"Oh, well, I'll tell him when he comes." + + + +[1] "Had," the den of a wild animal. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +"NOW EACH GOES HIS WAY." + +Some hours later Mr. Adiesen appeared at his own door laden with blocks +of serpentine, fragments of lichen, moss, seaweed, and shells. Yaspard +followed him into a little room which was doing duty as a study until +the Den was restored to order, and as the scientist put down his +treasures the lad said--in a trembling voice, be it confessed--"I want +to tell you about something, uncle; something I've been doing." + +"Well, go on," said Mr. Adiesen, not looking up, and in a very grim +tone. + +"I--I--there used to be--I've heard you say--that our ancestors were +Vikings; and I--I thought I'd be--a Viking." + +Yaspard got so far, and stuck. It was hard to go on telling of his +romantic fancy and wild escapade with that grave face before him. + +"You thought you'd be a Viking," Mr. Adiesen repeated calmly, then +paused, and asked in ice-cold tones, "Well, what else do you wish to +say?" + +"I think it right to tell you--I feel I ought--even about what--I +mean--in fun;--but, uncle," and again poor Yaspard came to a deadlock, +and might never have made a satisfactory confession if help had not +come to him in the form of Signy. + +She had been hovering about the door in much trepidation, and, fearing +that her brother's courage might fail him, she stole to his side, put +her hand in his, looked fearlessly at Uncle Brüs, and said-- + +"He has not done anything to be ashamed of, uncle; only we thought you +ought to know, because it came out of the feud partly." + +The Laird's brows came together in a frown, but he was very fond of +Signy. She was his one "weakness," Aunt Osla said, and said truly. + +"Let Yaspard speak for himself, my dear," her uncle answered gently, +while his grim feature relaxed as he looked at her; and the boy, braced +by the touch of the little hand in his, blurted out-- + +"I wanted to know the lads of Lunda, and have some fun, as they have +and most boys have; and I couldn't be friends with them because you had +forbidden that, so I took up the feud in a sort of way on my own +account, and determined to make raids upon them, and have fights +(sham-fights) and do as the Vikings did--in a kind of play, of course. +They are the enemy; and we could make-believe to slaughter and capture +each other, and----" + +Mortal man could stand no more than that. Mr. Adiesen, drawing his +brows together savagely to hide his strong inclination to burst into +laughter, called his nephew by some not complimentary names, and +dismissed him abruptly, saying, "Go along with you, and take your fun +any way you please. Only remember--no friendships with Lunda folk. +Play with them under the black flag, if that gives you amusement; and +see that your Viking-craze keeps within the bounds of civilised laws." + +Yaspard escaped, rejoicing; but Signy lingered to ask, "Would you +object to taking prisoners, uncle?" + +"Child, let him prison every man and boy in Lunda if he likes--if he +can catch them." + +Signy flew to tell her brother of this further concession, and Mr. +Adiesen shut the door upon himself. If the young folks had listened +outside that door they would have heard a curious noise; but whether it +meant that the old man was growling to himself or suppressing laughter, +we, who do not know Mr. Adiesen's moods very well, cannot tell. + +Yaspard was only too glad to get off so easily, and paused for nothing, +but, racing off to his boat with Signy, was soon sailing up the +voe--not across, as before, for his destination was not Noostigard. + +Boden voe is very beautiful It curves between steep shores, and at one +place narrows so much that you could almost touch either shore with a +sillack-rod from a boat passing through. When it is ebb-tide you can +walk dry-shod across this passage (called the Hoobes). Here the voe +terminates in a lovely little basin, almost land-locked, and placid as +a mountain tarn. + +Where the voe ends there is only a mere neck of land. It rises +abruptly from both sides, and is crowned by a peak known as the Heogne. + +Under shelter of the Heogne, and commanding a magnificent view of +islands and ocean-wastes, stands the old dwelling of Trullyabister. +Mr. Neeven was the cousin of Mr. Adiesen: he left Shetland in his early +youth, and no one heard whether he was alive or dead for thirty years. +Then he returned to his native land, a gloomy, disappointed man, hard +to be recognised as the light-hearted lad who had gone away to make a +fortune in California, and be happy ever afterwards. It seemed that he +had made the fortune, but the happiness had eluded him. He would give +no account of his life, and seldom cared to converse with any one +except Brüs Adiesen, from whom he asked and readily obtained the +half-ruined home of their fathers. Two or three rooms were made +habitable; the half-witted brother of James Harrison was hired as +attendant; cart-loads of books were brought from the South (by which +vague term the Shetlanders mean Great Britain); and Gaun Neeven settled +himself in that wild, lone spot, purposing to end his days there. He +was there when Yaspard was very small, therefore the boy always +associated his hermit-relative with the "haunted" house of Boden; and +as he grew older, and the romantic side of his character developed +rapidly, he was greatly attracted to Trullyabister and its queer +occupants--fule-Tammy being, in his way, as mysterious a recluse as his +master. + +Yaspard found a great many excuses for going to Trullyabister, although +he very rarely was permitted to enter Mr. Neeven's rooms, and was never +allowed near the "haunted" portion of the dwelling. But Tammy was +usually pleased enough to see him, and would entertain the boy with +many strange legends of the old house; for Tammy was shrewd and +imaginative; his "want" exhibited itself in no outrageous manner, but +rather in a kind of low cunning and feebleness of will. It was Tammy's +talent for story-telling, and his skill as a player of the violin, +which drew Yaspard to him. Also the lad felt a kind of pity for the +creature, and tried, in his plain boy-fashion, to instruct him, and +make him "a little more like other folk." + +Signy did not like fule-Tammy: she did not like his sidelong, leering +expression; and she always avoided him, notwithstanding her brother's +oft-repeated declaration that the man "wasn't so bad as he looked." +Therefore, when Yaspard moored the _Osprey_ at the head of the voe, and +announced his intention of running up the hill to have a word with +Tammy, Signy said-- + +"I'll stay on the beach, brodhor. There are lovely shells about, and I +can gather a heap while you are away." + +"All right," said he, and up the hill he bounded, while Signy set +herself to picking up shells. She was soon so interested in her +occupation that she forgot how time slips past, and was not aware that +Yaspard had been absent a whole hour when he returned looking very much +annoyed. + +"Bother that fellow!" he said, as he helped Signy into the boat and +took his place at the oars. + +"You mean fule-Tammy?" she asked. + +"Of course. The impudence of _him_, to say I mayn't have any +tumble-down bit of Trullyabister for a play-place! I had it all so +nicely planned--to hide Gloy there, and bring our armour and our spoil +there. It was just the very place. It _is_ an old Viking's place--at +least one bit of it is said to be. But I'll circumvent fule-Tammy yet." + +"Why not ask permission from Mr. Neeven?" Signy ventured to suggest; +but Yaspard shook his head. + +"He would not hear of such a thing. Besides, that would take all the +secrecy and dark plotting and fun out of it all. But, never mind, I'll +have my prisoner in Trullyabister in spite of everything." + +No cloud rested for many minutes on Yaspard's smooth brow, and very +soon he was laughing merrily as he pulled his boat along. + +As they neared Moolapund, Loki came slowly sailing homewards, and, +feeling heavy and lazy after a long day's fishing, gravely dropped into +the boat, and looked at Yaspard as much as to say, "Your oars are +better able than my wings at present." + +"Just look at the Parson! What a cool customer he is!" laughed +Yaspard. He had given Loki the nickname of "Parson" because of his +white choker and dignified visage. + +Just then another pair of dark-hued wings hove near, and Thor, the +majestic raven which was Mr. Adiesen's particular pet, alighted on the +bow with a croak so hoarse and solemn that Signy cried out, "Oh dear, +how very eerie this is! How terribly grave Thor and Loki are! They +make me feel creepy." + +"I shall take them with me on some of my Viking raids," Yaspard +exclaimed. "Just as the Vikinger did, you know. They always carried a +raven with them; and as for Loki--he can be an imp, or a Valkyrur. It +sounds quite fine, doesn't it?" + +Chatting gaily they reached the shore, and as soon as the boat touched, +Thor and Loki flew off in stately flight to the house. Signy followed +on foot, wishing she had wings; and Yaspard, shoving off again, went +across to Noostigard. + +He had a hearty tea with the Harrisons. He was a great favourite in +the factor's house, and was always allowed to be there as much as he +pleased, for Mrs. Harrison was a religious as well as judicious woman, +and exercised a very wholesome influence over the somewhat spoilt and +wayward boy. + +Her sons had told her all about the expedition to Havnholme, and she +was delighted when Yaspard informed them that Uncle Brüs had not +disapproved. + +"Ye mun bring puir Gloy _here_ before ye pit him in prison," she +laughingly called out, when twilight came and the three boys set off +for the geo. + +When they were out of hearing the factor remarked with a thoughtful +smile, "It's a strange way the young anes hae o' turning trouble intae +fun, and makin' guid come oot o' ill." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +"THE CARL ON THE CLIFF TOP." + +Our Viking-boys were not long rowing out the voe that evening. The +twilight had come sufficiently for their purpose. It had not brought +darkness, but it indicated that a late hour had come, when the +inhabitants of Boden were probably at rest indoors. They were so +busily engaged laying plans that they did not comment upon the perfect +silence which reigned in the geo as they approached. The splash of +their oars and the tones of their voices were loud enough to have +warned Gloy of their approach, and cause him to make some response. +But he didn't. + +A joyous bark from Pirate was the first thing to draw the attention, +and then the lads noticed that the dog was alone. + +"Guess Gloy is taking a nap, stupid fellow!" Yaspard remarked, and then +he hallooed as they ran the light skiff high and dry upon the sand. + +No answer came to the halloo, and a brief glance sufficed to show that +their prisoner was not in the geo. The place was small and without any +corner for concealment. It was light enough to see all round the geo. +Of a certainty Gloy was not slumbering, and Gloy was not there! + +The lads were too amazed to utter a word, but Pirate made up for their +silence by barking and howling his delight at being in company once +more. Dogs are very social, and solitude had not been pleasing to +Pirate. The first person to speak was Lowrie, and a certain amount of +satisfaction was displayed in his countenance: he rather believed in +his own cuteness, and thought he had found the solution of the puzzle. + +"It was stupid of us," he said, "to forget that Gloy can take the water +like a sealkie. He would swim round the rocks till he reached an easy +landing-place. There are plenty quite near." + +"Pirate was on guard," said Yaspard, "and would not have allowed him to +quit the geo unless I had given a word of command. Besides, Gloy let +us understand that he would not try to escape, and knew that I trusted +him, therefore took no further precautions." + +"Perhaps a boat came by and picked him up," Lowrie answered, scratching +his head for some new ideas. + +"Has any boat been near Boden voe to-day?" + +"We have not seen any. I think faither wad have kent if any boat had +been this way, for he has gleg een in respect o' boats." + +"There is only one boat he would have gone with, and that is the +_Laulie_," said Yaspard musingly. "Perhaps the Manse boys came after +us in real Viking fashion, and in that case----" + +"Hi!" Gibbie exclaimed then, catching sight of Yaspard's fishing-rod, +stuck upright in the sand at the farther side of the geo. A bit of +white paper fluttering on top of the rod had drawn Gibbie's attention, +and he was not long in seizing upon this. It had been carefully tied +to the line and fastened on the rod, and when the paper was released +the three eagerly put their heads together to read what was written +inside. + +In Gloy's cramped, unformed caligraphy was traced a few words, +mysterious, but, on the whole, reassuring. + +"I'm all right. I haven't broken faith with you, and no more has +Pirate; but you need not be scared about me.--I am still THE PRISONER." + +"Well, this beats everything!" Yaspard exclaimed then grasping Pirate +by his shaggy coat, he cried, "Oh, my dog, if you could speak English! +I believe you could if you tried. Tell us, Pirate, where has our +lawful captive gone?" + +Pirate yelped and jumped around, then ran to the boat and looked +wistfully at his master as much as to say, "Why do you remain in such a +horrid hole? This is no place for you or me." + +Interpreting his actions aright, the Viking said, "I suppose you are +about right, doggie; you've been here too long already, and there is +nothing to keep _us_ here any longer." + +Considerably crestfallen and perplexed, they left the geo, and sailed +slowly up the voe once more, asking one another what was to be done +next. + +"I suppose we must believe that Gloy is all right," said Lowrie, "so we +needn't concern ourselves about his life at the present time." + +"He says he is still the prisoner," said Yaspard musingly; then after a +long pause he added, "Look here, boys, we might as well go on with this +night's performance as far as we can without our captive. We can +possess ourselves of his intended 'cell' (in spite of this horrid +'sell'), and we can make it ready for him as we intended, in the hope +that he will render himself into the hands of his conquerors as a true +knight should." + +"All serene," was Lowrie's reply; and Gibbie added, "Just so." + +So in the grey, quiet "dim" the _Osprey_ swept silently through the +Hoobes and brought up at the "dyke-end," where she had stopped in the +afternoon when Signy was the Viking's sole companion. + +Yaspard alone jumped on shore. "Keep her off," he whispered, as if an +army of enemies were in ambush close by; "don't fasten her until I give +the signal that the coast is clear." + +Having so given his orders, he set off up the hill, dodging behind turf +walls and creeping along knolls, so that no watchful eyes at +Trullyabister could detect his approach. + +There is no real night in those regions when summer is in its prime, +therefore Yaspard's precautions were necessary if he required to steal +unawares upon the scene. + +When within a short distance of the old house a backdoor suddenly +opened and fule-Tammy came out carrying a peat-keschie. He was going +to the stack for fuel, and the particular stack he meant to visit +happened to be the very object behind which Yaspard crouched. + +"If," thought the boy, "he comes round _this_ end of the stack I'm done +for." + +But Tammy didn't. He always attacked a peat-stack from the point +nearest the house, so he placed his keschie[1] at a convenient height +on the broken side of the stack, and lazily proceeded to fill it with +peats. Tammy had a habit, common in half-wits, of talking loudly to +himself, and as he filled his keschie he declaimed in Yaspard's +hearing-- + +"Na, na! I ken wha wad get the raiding-strake[2] if I was to gie them +the run o' the raubit-house; and where wad a' my night-sports be? and +what wad come o' the Trows if I let the boys rumble ower a'?" + +As he piled the peats he went on talking in a disconnected, and to +Yaspard, very incomprehensible, manner about midnight revels and +strange beings who doubtless had a certain kind of existence in Tammy's +imagination. Only one thing he said attracted the boy's serious +attention, and remained in his recollection to throw light on future +events. + +As Tammy raised the keschie to his shoulder he exclaimed in a kind of +exultation, "They think me a puir 'natural,' that can do nae gude to +man or beast, but for a' that it's myself that's pit mair light upon +wir isle as ever men and money will pit, though the Laird--puir +body--speaks aboot it evermair, and evermair will speak. Yea, yea! +puir Tammy and his pate-keschie does mair for ill-luckit, wandering +sea-folk than does the muckle kirk and the peerie[3] queen pit +together. And, though I say it that shouldna, puir Tammy kens when tae +wake and when tae sleep better than them that has their heads fu' o' +brains and books forby." + +So maundering, Tammy returned to the house, and closed the back-door +behind him, and then Yaspard stole round to the uninhabited and ruined +portion of the house to reconnoitre. + +When satisfied that the "coast was clear," he whistled softly in such +perfect imitation of a golden plover, that the Harrisons, waiting for +that same signal, were not quite sure that it was Yaspard, and no bird. +But when the wild musical notes had been repeated three distinct times, +they knew that it was their captain's call. + +Fastening the boat to the dyke-end, they hastened to raise the +foot-boards and open lockers fore and aft. From these hiding-places +they took a curious assortment of articles--a blanket and towel, armour +in plenty, a knife, fork, plate, and mug; two candles, a box of +matches, and a basket of nondescript victuals. Stowing these into two +keschies brought for the purpose, they slung the baskets on to their +backs, and marched confidently up the hill, assured that Yaspard would +give the alarm if danger was to be apprehended. + +They reached his side without any adventure, and then all three +clambered over the broken wall into what had been a goodly +apartment--now roofless and in ruin. At the farther end of this room +there was a low doorway, leading to a dark passage; and as Yaspard +walked boldly towards it Gibbie said in a frightened whisper, "No' that +way! surely no' _that_ way? Yon passage ends in the haunted room." + +"The haunted room, you goose, is just the place that is to be our +captive's cell," replied the Viking. + +"I thought ye meant _this_ room, or some other bit that's fallen tae +ruin," Gibbie muttered, and hesitating to follow the others, who went +boldly along the passage, intending to enter the haunted room by a +broken doorway of which Yaspard had been aware. His chagrin was great +to find that aperture closed by a number of stout boards nailed firmly +across it. + +"What a bother! Now, I wonder why on earth this has been done?" +Yaspard exclaimed aloud, disappointment overcoming caution; but he was +recalled to the "position" on hearing some strange sounds on the other +side of the boarding, evidently provoked by his own unguarded tones. +The sounds were like a child's cry, blended with the sharp short +barking noise which is supposed to be the manner in which trows give +expression to their mirth; and these vocal utterances were supplemented +by a sound of scratching and thumping applied to the boards. + +The boys retreated into the outer room, where Gilbert had remained. He +was leaning over the ruin, looking up at a window in the angle of the +wall, and when the others reached him he said in tones of fear, "Look! +there is a light in the haunted room!" + + + +[1] A basket. + +[2] "Raiding-strake," the final blow which clears up everything. + +[3] "Peerie," little. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +"THEREFORE THEY GO THEIR WAYS." + +I ought to explain that the passage leading to that "haunted" chamber +sloped upwards steeply enough to require a step here and there along +it. It might even be called a stairway; therefore the little +room--which had been the goal of Yaspard's present raid--was situated +on a much higher level than the larger and more dilapidated apartment. + +It was not possible to walk round and peep into the room, from which a +flickering light was streaming through a tiny slit in the thick wall +that did duty for a window. But we must not suppose that the courage +of a Viking-boy was going to be daunted by trow-laughter or +ghost-lights. No; nor by stone walls and high windows! The walls of +Trullyabister were rugged, and, on _that_ side at any rate, perforated +by holes convenient for supporting the toe of a boot, and for otherwise +assisting an athletic youth, thirsting for information, to solve the +mysteries of the interior. + +"I'll know what it means, or----" Yaspard did not finish his sentence +in words; he shut his mouth up tight, and, scrambling over the ruins +like a monkey, he was soon climbing up to the window. + +The Harrisons watched him with intense interest, and when his hands +were on the window-sill their excitement reached a climax. + +It was with some difficulty that the bold adventurer raised himself +high enough to see into the room, and it was only for one instant that +he occupied such a position. Just as his face appeared at the window +another face--a horrid face, from which a pair of large melancholy eyes +glowed with a wild fierce light--presented itself opposite Yaspard, and +stared out at him in a manner to startle the stoutest man alive. + +Our hero did not wait for a second glance at that dreadful apparition, +but descended from his equivocal position much more rapidly than he had +reached it. + +"What was it? Tell us quick," whispered Lowrie, and both he and his +brother were trembling with fear. They had caught a glimpse of the +face that had met Yaspard's, and its unearthly appearance had been +greatly exaggerated by the shadows and the distance. Although they +were too intelligent to credit any story of trows, they had lively +imaginations, and had been bred in a land where the mysteries of +creation take fantastic shapes in the minds of a wonder-loving and +superstitious peasantry. They had shrunk from penetrating the secrets +of that haunted room, and were not altogether surprised, though +entirely frightened, that "something" had "appeared" to rebuke and +check their leader's audacity. + +While Yaspard gasped for breath after his hasty descent the Harrisons +again begged, "Tell us quick about it," but Yaspard was in no hurry to +tell. He retreated again into the ruin, whither his companions +followed, and, sitting down by the loaded keschies, he cast his eyes on +the ground and would not speak. + +There was something awesome in the silence, in the surroundings, in the +whole adventure, therefore it is not to be wondered that Lowrie felt +creepy, and Gibbie's teeth chattered in his head. + +At last the elder brother took courage to say, "Let's go back to our +boat. There's nae gude tae be got o' sitting here like gaping fish +left dry and high upon a skerry." + +"Put the keschies in the passage, anyway," said Yaspard, agreeing to +the proposal; but the Harrisons were not willing to enter that passage +again, so they suggested another hiding-place, namely, the chimney, +which was stopped up and grown over _above_, but had capacious ledges +inside which suited admirably for the purpose they required. Their +things were deposited there, and then the three adventurers stole +silently away from Trullyabister, two feeling crestfallen and very +uncomfortable, the third plunged in thought, and looking the beau ideal +of a pirate chief meditating over some dark and deadly project. + +It was not until the _Osprey_ had passed the Hoobes, and was being +swiftly rowed to Noostigard, that Yaspard broke the eerie silence which +he had maintained in a most unusual manner. "It all works in!--works +in beautiful!" he remarked. Now, that was not at all the kind of +speech the others had expected, and their amazement was so great that +they paused in their rowing and gazed at him in speechless astonishment. + +He laughed then, his own hearty laugh, which somehow had the effect of +dissipating all the fears with which they had been beset, but did not +diminish their surprise and curiosity. + +"Ye might tell us _now_!" they begged, in coaxing tones; and Yaspard +answered, "I just believe Mr. Neeven is a wizard, and Tammy a sort of +trow. Anyway, they are as bad as Vikings, for they have captured a +poor lady and shut her up in the haunted room, with her baby too--all +just the way people did ages ago! And now, don't you see, we've got to +rescue them; we are the noble warriors who defend the weak and rescue +them from thraldom!" + +"Has he gone stark mad?" Gibbie asked of Lowrie. + +"Not he," retorted Yaspard. "He is telling you the exact +truth--believe it or not, as you please. I saw the mother, and I saw +the baby; and I saw the back--I am glad he wasn't looking _my_ way--of +their tyrant and jailer, Mr. Neeven. So there!" + +"A mother and baby in the haunted room! But how did they get there, +can anybody imagine?" + +"They _are_ there, and that is enough for us." + +"It's the strangest thing I ever heard tell o'," ejaculated Lowrie; +"and yet," he added, "we must allow we did hear something uncommonly +like a bairn greetin'." + +"Of course we did," retorted Yaspard. + +"But what kind of a critter was it came to the window?" Gibbie asked. +"That was surely no human critter." + +"The prettiest lady in creation would cast an ugly shadow from that +hole," was the ready reply, which satisfied the brothers, who believed +that their imaginations, and the dread they were in, as well as the +uncertain light, had caused them to fancy they saw something peculiar. +They were then quite ready to denounce Mr. Neeven for his inhuman +conduct, and eager to devise some plan by which the poor prisoners +might be rescued. + +Yaspard had no difficulty in winning their approval of his next plan; +and indeed, so ardently did they desire to set about it, that they were +almost sorry when he said, "Easy, easy, boys! One thing at a time! +Don't let us forget, in our haste to be after _this_ business, that we +have other important matters on hand. We have to find Gloy, and we +have to meet the lads of Lunda at Havnholme this afternoon. We haven't +much time on our hands, if Gloy has to be found before we go to receive +his ransom." + +"Strikes me," muttered Gibbie, "that we are in a mess about Gloy." + +"It's puzzling, but it will all come right," was the chief's reply, +spoken in his usual cheery style, which cleared the cloud from Gibbie's +brow, and sent him home believing as implicitly as before that Yaspard +would find a way of making things come straight. "He always does," the +brothers agreed, as they softly stole up to their room, leaving the +Viking to paddle himself across the voe. + +At breakfast next morning Mrs. Harrison asked in some surprise what +they had done with Gloy, for she had expected her nephew would +certainly be brought to her house. She was not a little disturbed on +hearing of his disappearance, but the factor said, "There's nae harm +come to the lad. Ye need not be frightened. It's plain enough some +boat has come by, and the men have insisted on his going wi' them. +For, mind ye, yon geo is a dangerous place if a high tide happened tae +set in." + +He would not listen to his boys' arguments against such an explanation. +Neither Gloy's declaring himself still "The Prisoner," nor Pirate's +honesty as policeman, could shake Harrison's belief in his own theory +of the matter. "You'll see I'm right," he ended with; "but I wad like +tae ken what way young master is going tae redd it up wi' the lads o' +Lunda. My word! he will hae a bourne keschie o' crabs to sort wi' +them, if he canno' tell what's come o' their maute." [1] + +While Gibbie had been answering questions and their parents had been +talking, Lowrie was fidgeting in his chair, trying to gather courage to +tell the yet more startling incident which occurred during the midnight +trespass on Trullyabister. + +At last he managed to say, "Faither, I never could hae thought that Mr. +Neeven was a--was a bairn-stealer and a wumman-stealer." + +James Harrison stared at his son, as well he might, and one of the +older girls cried out, "What in a' the world have ye got in your crazy +head, Lowrie?" + +Then Lowrie told all he knew about the mother and baby prisoned in the +haunted room, and his father listened to the story with a preternatural +solemnity of countenance. + +Mrs. Harrison, the girls, and small children stared and were dumb, as +Lowrie enlarged upon the baby wails which had stirred his soul, and the +great glowing eyes that had appeared for one brief moment at the small +window. It was all the most remarkable tale that had ever been told at +Noostigard, and it was not spoilt by any verbal interruption. + +When the story was ended Harrison asked, in a curious low voice that +seemed shaken by some strange emotion, "And so ye'll be for letting out +Mr. Neeven's prisoners instead o' shutting up your ain? Weel, my boys, +tak care that ye dinna find yoursel's in a trap, as mony a wild fellow +o' a sea-rover has found himsel' in times past. Mind ye, yon Vikings, +that ye hae sae muckle sang about, did not aye come aff wi' the best o' +it. Sometimes they had tae tak their turn in the prisons too." + +"Yaspard will tak care _we_ don't come off second best," said the boys +confidently; but their father shook his head. + +"I'm thinking," he said, "ye'll find ye've got a _rale_ Viking tae deal +wi' if ye tackle Mr. Neeven, or meddle wi' ony o' his affairs. I wadna +be in Yaspard Adiesen's shoes if he gets intil Mr. Neeven's birse." [2] + +"But, faither, it's a crying shame of him to keep such puir critters +prisoned in such a place; and surely Yaspard is right to wish to set +them free." + +"I'll no say he's wrang. I think it is a shame, but I'm just warning +you tae be careful;--I mean that ye tell your chief (as ye ca' him) tae +be careful--very careful." + +"We'll tell him what you say," they answered. + +Harrison would not allow his wife or girls to discuss the matter, and a +significant look he gave them served to silence them on the subject for +that time. + + + +[1] "Maute," a comrade, chum, or _mate_. + +[2] Bristles. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +"NO NEED OF BINDING OR SALVING HERE." + +That afternoon the _Osprey_, with the three young rovers and Pirate +aboard, went out the voe. They were not so jubilant as they had +expected to be when sailing to meet the foe, for they were not at all +sure how the lads of Lunda would receive their story of Gloy's +disappearance. + +The place of meeting was Havnholme, and when they neared that island +Yaspard's quick eyes detected the _Laulie_ moored by the crags and a +group of boys standing near the skeö watching for the Boden boat. + +"They've come in force!" our Viking exclaimed. "Five of them, no less! +and one's a man!" + +"Why, one is Gloy!" cried Gibbie; and--in more subdued tones--Lowrie +added "And the man is Mr. Garson, the young Laird o' Lunda!" + +"_That's_ jolly!" Yaspard said; "but how Gloy got there beats me to +imagine," and he cast a reproachful glance at Pirate, who was looking +up into his master's face with such an expression of fidelity in his +honest brown eyes that the boy could not resist their appeal. He took +the dog's head between his hands and said, "No, Pirate, I will not +think _you_ broke faith with me." + +"The mystery will soon be cleared up now," remarked Lowrie, as he +lowered the sail and directed his brother to row gently, so that they +might bring up alongside of the _Laulie_. + +By the time their boat was moored to the crags, the Lunda boys and +their chief were standing there, all grinning from ear to ear. As for +Gloy, he was all "one huge laugh," Yaspard said, with some exasperation +in his tone. + +"I suppose I mustn't shake hands with you, Mr. Garson," the Viking +said, addressing himself to Fred as he jumped on shore; but Fred +laughed and caught both of Yaspard's hands in his as he replied, +"Nonsense, man! You ought to know that _honourable_ enemies do not +scruple to shake hands even on the eve of battle. I was exceedingly +pleased with your letter, and very glad to make your acquaintance under +_any_ circumstances." + +"Even Uncle Brüs could not hold out against a fellow like you!" Yaspard +exclaimed, as he returned that hearty hand-clasp, and looked into the +winsome, manly face, so much endowed with the magnetic power that drew +all hearts to Fred Garson. + +They all laughed at Yaspard's words, but they all knew how potent was +Fred's spell, and did not wonder at the boy's enthusiasm. + +"I suppose," said Fred then, "that before I answer your letter we +should explain about your captive, taken in fair war, and here ready to +yield himself back into your hands if you are not satisfied with his +explanation and the ransom we bring." + +"It's here--just as you stipulated," Bill Mitchell exclaimed, rattling +a little tin pail he carried; "pebbles wet with the waves of Westervoe. +See!" and he jerked off the lid and showed some stones in a pail full +of salt water. + +"If I were Gloy," burst forth the blunt and tactless Tom Holtum, "I'd +be ashamed of being valued at such a trumpery price. If you had priced +him against a bit of lichen torn from the Head of Calloster, which +might have cost us our lives to procure, _that_ would have been more +like the thing. But beach stones in salt water, bah!" + +"Tom, lad!" said Fred gently, "if you were living in a city far from +Lunda--as I have been--you would put a higher price on pebbles wet with +the sea that girdles the old isle. I picked up a small stone myself, +when I left home for the first time, and I carried it always in my +pocket. I keep it still for sake of its memories; one values a trifle +for reasons known only to himself." + +His companions had not reached the age when boys learn to put a little +sentiment into their actions, so they only stared in surprised silence; +but Yaspard fully appreciated what Fred said, and remarked, "It was a +little like that way that I was thinking when I bade them bring those +pebbles. I must not go to Westervoe myself, so I thought I'd like to +have something from it. I thought I should feel more like one of you +boys--not so much by myself, and all that sort of thing--if I could +handle something that reminded me of you." Then, tossing back his head +rather proudly, as he caught Tom winking to Bill, he added, "You value +that flag at your masthead for what it reminds you of--not its mere +money value. _I_ might call it a dirty old rag, but _you_ price it +highly. I dare say you see what I mean now. I'm not good at +explaining myself." + +They broke into a cheer, and Tom's voice was the loudest of the lot. +"Oh, you're not a bad sort," he tried, "and you must take our chaff in +good part. You'll see enough of Westervoe before you're done with +_us_, I'll be bound; and as for adventures--why, man, you're providing +us with them! You are the inventor of adventure. Take out a patent, +and you'll make a fortune out of us, for we love that sort of thing +better than a miser loves his money." + +"I'm burning tae hear Gloy's story," said Lowrie, as soon as Tom gave +any one a chance to speak. So Gloy was shoved to the front, and bidden +to "speak up, and speak quick," which he did right willingly. + +"It was Mr. Adiesen in his dingy," he said. "He was ahint the skerry +when we were in the geo, and heard a'." + +"I might have guessed as much if I had not been an ass," Yaspard +exclaimed. "I might have known that Pirate would only obey one of us +from Moolapund." + +"Was the Laird awfu' angry?" Gibbie asked. + +"Yes, he was; but when I tell'd him as weel as I could hoo it a' cam +aboot, and hoo lonesome Mr. Yaspard was, and hoo he had heard a' about +wis o' Lunda and wir ploys and vaidges, and hoo he wanted tae hae the +like too;--weel, the Laird o' Boden mused like upo' what I said; and +then he took oot his pocketbook and wrate a peerie letter wi' his +pencil. And then he bade me come inta the dingy, and I was tae row +ower tae Lunda wi' him. Sae I did as I was bid--after asking his leave +tae pit yon message for you upo' the rod. He asked me a heap aboot wis +a'--I mean aboot the Manse folk, and Dr. Holtum's bairns, and maist +aboot our young Laird and Miss Isobel and the lady. And when we cam' +tae Lunda he bade me land and carry the note he had written tae Dr. +Holtum, and after that I was tae do as I liked aboot mysel'. Then he +rowed awa' again. And so noo my tale is ended;" and, having so +delivered himself of the longest speech he ever made in his life, Gloy +sprawled on the turf, and lay kicking his heels in the sunshine, +feeling himself to be the hero of the hour. + +Yaspard drew a long breath. He could scarcely believe it true that his +uncle had allowed himself to be so near Lunda, and to be so interested +in its young people. "What next, I wonder?" he muttered, and looked at +Fred, who answered the inquiry in the Viking's gaze by saying-- + +"I am not at liberty to tell what Mr. Adiesen wrote to Dr. Holtum; but +it wasn't like what he wrote to _me_, and it wasn't bad at all. So let +your mind be at rest on that point. You are as free as ever to carry +on your Viking course." + +"Father said," Tom interrupted, "that _we_ are now at liberty to bring +you as a prisoner to Lunda, if we can catch you as easily as you caught +Gloy, so you will have to look out." + +"I'll be delighted, quite delighted!" was the answer, which sent the +enemy into fits of laughter. + +Then Harry asked, trying to look very grave, and extending the tin pail +towards Yaspard-- + +"You accept this ransom, and the captive is free?" + +"Place the precious ore in our bark," said the Viking chief, handing +the pail to Gibbie. + +"And take care," said Harry, "that you don't scrape your bark on an oar +as you do it." + +"The perpetrator of such atrocious puns ought to be severely punished," +retorted Yaspard. + +"He is always sorry for them afterwards," said Bill. + +"I wish I were _not_ free," muttered Gloy. "I wanted to go to +Noostigard," and he exchanged regretful looks with his cousins; but +Fred lifted the cloud from their spirits. + +"I am going to ask you," he said, addressing Yaspard, "to take me with +you to Boden; and perhaps you will allow Gloy to come as my henchman?" + +"You! what? Why, didn't Uncle Brüs--you're never going to beard the +lion in his den." + +"That is just what I intend," Fred answered, smiling. + +"But--oh, you know _I'd_ like it--but you will be insulted. It will be +horrid. There will be a row, sure as anything. I can't bear to think +of what he may say; and, being an old man, you won't like to answer +back, and--you have no idea what bitter words Uncle Brüs says when he +is angry." + +Yaspard's eyes filled with tears, and he hung his head for shame, as he +pictured to himself the reception which that gracious, gallant young +knight was likely to receive in Boden. + +"Don't fear!" said Harry Mitchell, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder. +"Our captain has a way of his own of turning thunder-clouds into +sunshine." + +"He has a temper, and he likes to be monarch of all he surveys," added +Tom; "but he is the finest fellow out; and he will tackle old +Adiesen--beg pardon, the Laird of Boden--in just the properest way. +You needn't be afraid to give Fred a passage in your boat." + +"And Gloy, please, sir," added the Harrisons. + +"I am at Mr. Garson's service," said Yaspard. Then a brilliant idea +came into his head, dispelling in a moment all his doubts and fears. +"I'll tell you what," he cried, "you shall meet my little sister first, +and _she_ shall take you to Uncle Brüs. He will do anything for her. +She is always there when my boat is coming in, and we'll hand you over +to Signy. That's the ticket!" + +"Sisters are towers of strength, arks of refuge in a storm," said Fred. + +"Well, that's settled," remarked Tom, "so the best you can do is to be +off as quickly as possible and get it over. _We_ will go and lay our +lines at the Ootskerries, and have some sport till you return. When +will that be?" + +"Don't wait for us," said Fred. "I may be detained, and your mothers +might be anxious. When you've hauled your lines just go home, and I'll +trust to being safely despatched to Lunda from Boden." + +The Mitchells and Tom got into the _Laulie_, and were soon sailing to +their favourite fishing-ground, while the others embarked in the +_Osprey_ and made tacks for Boden voe. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +"MAY THE GODS GIVE US TWAIN A GOOD DAY." + +When they arrived there it was as Yaspard had said. Signy was on the +beach waiting for her brother, and great was her surprise to see Fred +in the _Osprey_. + +But when her brother explained, and told her of the part they expected +her to play, the little girl's heart began to beat with the wildest +hopes and fears that ever stirred in one so young. + +The shadow of that terrible family feud had early fallen on her gentle +spirit, and the vivid imagination which made her almost realise many +merely ideal fancies had exaggerated that inherited enmity into +something too dreadful to put into words. Such thoughts had been +fostered, of course, by the inconsiderate way in which Mr. Adiesen had +spoken and acted, never thinking, as he ought to have done, of the +tender years of one who marked his words--never caring that his +sentiments were the reverse of Christian. I think he rather "prided +himself" upon the feud as a thing pertaining to his family tree, and to +be cherished along with the motto on his crest! No one had dared to +tell the Laird of Boden plainly that he was acting as no civilised--far +less God-fearing--man should act, and he had never taken himself to +task upon the subject. Consequently he had put no restraint on his +speech, nor cared who heard him, when denouncing the Lairds of Lunda +and all pertaining to them! + +Signy would, of her own free will, as soon have put her hand into a +red-hot fire as have asked Uncle Brüs to receive Fred Garson in a +hospitable manner; but she was made of fine metal, and would carry out +Yaspard's wishes, although all the thunders of Thor and Odin were ready +to burst on her little head. + +She put her hand frankly into that of Fred and walked up to the house, +soon followed by Yaspard, who had only lingered a moment to give some +instructions to the Harrisons before they left, with Gloy, for their +home. + +When Moolapund was reached Yaspard said to Signy, "Take Mr. Garson to +the parlour, and I will go and tell Aunt Osla he is here." + +The parlour, you may remember, was being used as a study while the Den +was undergoing renovation; and Mr. Adiesen was sitting at a table +examining some pieces of rock which greatly delighted him, for he was +saying to himself, in tones of extreme satisfaction, "I knew it! I was +convinced of it! I always believed it was to be found in those +islands! and _I_ am the discoverer!" + +"Uncle!" said the soft little voice, and the scientist turned round to +face his hereditary foe! + +He had never seen Fred, but some striking traits peculiar to his race, +made it easy for Mr. Adiesen to recognise a Garson in the bold youth +who stood there smiling and holding out the hand of good-fellowship. + +The old man was completely taken aback. The instinct of hospitality, +which is held like a sacred thing among Shetlanders, bade him receive +with a measure of courtesy whoever chanced to come under his +"rooftree," but another instinct, as deeply rooted, and more ready to +exhibit itself, was also moving within him. + +Fortunately no time was given him to choose between two courses. Signy +caught his hand between her own, kissed it with quick fervency, and +laid it in that of Fred, saying as she did so, "Dear Uncle Brüs, for my +sake, for your own little Signy's sake." + +They did not give him a single moment to recover himself--not a single +demon of hatred, jealousy, or pride got a chance to reassert its power +in time to prevent that hand-clasp; and before he could speak either, +the ground was half cut from under him! + +As if they had been meeting every day, and were old friends, Fred said, +as their hands met, "How do you do? I see _you_ have triumphed where +even the famous geologist Congreve failed. We have chipped the rocks +for years, and Mr. Congreve has searched high and low, in Lunda and +Burra Isle, in every skerry and locality where that" (pointing to the +beautifully veined bits of mineral) "ought to be found, but without +success. Allow me to congratulate you on such a discovery. You are to +be envied, Mr. Adiesen. May I take a near view of your specimens?" + +How it came about no one could ever tell, but a few minutes later +Yaspard and Aunt Osla, coming in much trepidation to the parlour, found +Fred and Mr. Adiesen in amicable conversation over the stones, while +Signy stood between her uncle's knees, with his arm around her, and his +fingers lovingly twined among her bright curls! + +Aunt Osla was nervous and tearful, and would have made a scene, no +doubt, but for Fred's admirable tact. He addressed her, as he had done +the Laird, just as if they were ordinary acquaintances meeting in the +most matter-of-fact, every-day kind of manner. Wrath and sentiment +alike collapsed before such commonplace salutations, and both Mr. +Adiesen and his sister felt they would only make themselves ridiculous +if they met young Garson's simple civility with any expression of +deeper feelings. + +So the conversation glided smoothly into the well-worn and useful +channels of ordinary talk about the weather, and the crops, and the +fishing, and "the South," until Miss Adiesen was at her ease enough to +say, "I hope your dear mother is well?" + +"She is regaining strength and a degree of cheerfulness, thank you," +said Fred; and then quite naturally, as if he knew he were talking on a +subject interesting to his hearers, he went on to speak of the trial +they had passed through in the loss of his father; and when he had said +just enough about that he quietly glided into Mr. Adiesen's favourite +themes, surprising the old gentleman considerably by his knowledge of +natural science and his intelligent appreciation of the scientist +himself! + +Yaspard sat near, a delighted listener, while Fred, using his utmost +powers of fascination, talked Uncle Brüs into good humour, and so paved +the way to an amicable adjustment of some of the differences between +the rival Lairds. + +It was not till tea had been served, and the day was far spent, that +Fred asked the loan of a boat, and his young friend Yaspard's crew, to +take him back to Lunda. Permission was given, of course; and when our +Viking-boy went off to get the _Osprey_ ready Signy went too, and Aunt +Osla disappeared to indite a letter to her old friend, Fred's mother. +Thus the two men were left alone, which was exactly what Fred desired, +and he was not long in taking advantage of an opportunity he had been +devoutly desiring would come. + +"What a fine lad that is!" he said, speaking of Yaspard. "He is quite +the ideal Hialtlander!" + +"He is rather too fond of romance and the like," answered the old man; +but he smiled, for he was fond of his nephew, and liked to hear him +praised. + +"Yes, I think with you that there is an excess of romantic sentiment in +his character; and that kind of thing is apt to become exaggerated into +eccentricity or foolishness. I suppose he can't help it, living so +much within himself, as it were." + +"Possibly--that is--so!" Mr. Adiesen replied slowly. + +"I hope," Fred resumed, and he smiled very pleasantly, "that this +Viking fancy he has taken up may be of service to him in bringing him +into contact with boys of his own age and rank. The young Mitchells +are capital fellows, and _you_ know better than most folk what sort of +companions he is likely to find in Dr. Holtum's family." + +"The Doctor is a man in a thousand. He did me a service I am not +likely to forget on this side the grave. I don't see him as often +as--might be under different circumstances. But I respect him. Yes, +young man, I respect Dr. Holtum!" And the frown which had gathered on +the old man's brow at mention of the Mitchells cleared up more rapidly +than Fred had dared to hope for. + +"I don't know how we should get along without Dr. Holtum--we young +ones, I mean," he remarked. "He enters so much into all our fun, and +then he is so very clever too, a first-rate scientist. They have a +'menagerie,' as large and interesting as your own, at Collaster. And +the twins--they are a little older than your lovely little niece, but +she would find them companionable, for she is older than her years, I +think. I suppose it will be with her as it is with Yaspard in some +respects?" + +"Signy is quite contented without girls' society, and she can never +become either eccentric or foolish," Mr. Adiesen said hurriedly; but +all the same he suddenly had a vision of his pet growing up to be +peculiar, and an old maid perhaps resembling Aunt Osla, or some other +of the many spinster ladies whose insular life had doomed them to that +fate. + +"My sister Isobel and I," said Fred, "always feel that we are more +fortunate than the greater number of Lairds' families in having so many +companions in our island. It has been desperately good for me, I know, +to have such clever chaps as Eric Mitchell and Svein Holtum for my +chums." + +"And your sister? Dr. Holtum's girls are younger?" + +"Yes, and Isobel suffers in consequence. We all make a great fuss over +Isobel, and she thinks a little too much of her own consequence. But +still she has advantages--from the society of ladies, for +instance--which your Signy cannot have." + +The entrance of Signy herself put a stop to the conversation, but Fred +was satisfied that he had sown good seed which would produce the right +kind of fruit by-and-by. When he left Boden his heart was light within +him. He took Mr. Adiesen's insolent note from his pocket and tore it +to bits, scattering them on the sea, and saying within himself, "A soft +answer turneth away wrath;" then to Yaspard he said, "Now, Sir Viking, +for _your_ letter. You want the answer, don't you?" + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +"FAIR FELLOW DEEM I THE DARK-WINGED RAVEN." + +Yaspard and Fred were alone in the boat. There was a pleasant breeze +blowing fair, and Yaspard had preferred taking his passenger himself, +leaving the Harrisons to entertain Gloy at Noostigard. Thus the +conversation between the two could be as confidential as they pleased. + +"I wonder," said Fred, "if you know that it was your letter that +brought me to Boden?" + +The Viking opened his eyes very wide. Evidently he knew nothing of the +sort, and Fred laughed as he glanced over the sheet of paper which had +come out of his pocket with that other letter. + +"I don't believe you have the least idea _how_ good a letter it is. My +mother cried over it, and Isobel declared the writer ought to be +crowned king of every 'vik' in Shetland." + +"Oh, come!" Yaspard exclaimed, blushing hotly at his own praises so +sung. + +We will take the liberty of looking over Fred Garson's shoulder, and +reading that epistle which had done so much good. + + +"DEAR MR. GARSON,--My uncle has directed that the enclosed letter shall +be sent to you, so I must put it with this. It is none of _my_ +business to judge him, and I am sure _you_ will not forget that he is +an old man, and has been bred up with a lot of old-fangled fads, and +lives a very solitary kind of life. I want you to know that I have +begun a kind of game which I expect will give me a chance of meeting +some of your Lunda fellows. I would take it as a great honour if you +would keep an eye upon us in this matter, and umpire us when we get +anyhow mixed about the rights of the game. I hope to find the Manse +boys at Havnholme, and will tell them, so that they can explain to you. +I am going to pretend to be a Viking, and make raids. But I'd like +_you_ to know something more about it than the mere play and nonsense. + +"I just hate that horrid, miserable quarrel, which uncle speaks about +as The Feud; it seems such a stupid, cruel sort of thing. Poor Aunt +Osla cries about it, and my little sister and I are sometimes so +unhappy over it that we vow we shall make an end of it when we are +grown up. It is so awfully hard to think that there are so many boys +and girls like us growing up in Lunda, and we can't know them because +of the Feud. The truth is, I have not patience to wait till I am grown +up. It will be too late then, for I shall have lost my boy-friends +while I was a boy. Now, I hope you will understand that my Viking +exploits have got a really good kind of idea at the bottom of them; so +if you hear of fights, and forays, and the like, you will know that I +am trying in that way to 'settle' this hideous old vampire of a fend. +It's the only way I could think of while Uncle Brüs feels as he does. + +"I know you are a right good fellow, as your father was, and you will +help me. I do need a good fellow's help, and you can't think how my +heart seems sometimes like to burst with longing to be with other boys +and like other boys. People talk of your minister, how good he is; and +of Mrs. Mitchell, and that splendid boy Frank who died. And I hear of +all _you_ do for the poor people, and about the Lady. Aunt Osla has a +heap to tell about _her_. I think I would not be so selfish and so +foolish as I am if I could talk to some of you Lunda folk, and _see_ +how you live. But I must obey Uncle Brüs, and I must not annoy him; so +it's hard to see how I can clear up matters unless I go on the +'war-path,' and _you_ help me to manage our 'sham' so that it does not +harm anybody. Trusting you, I am your honest admirer and hereditary +foe, + +"YASPARD ADIESEN. + +"P.S.--Please, dear Mr. Garson, forgive Uncle Brüs, and pray, as I do, +that somebody may persuade him how silly and really sinful a feud can +be." + + +"Yes, it's a prime letter," remarked Fred; "and nothing but that letter +(particularly the postscript) would have made me pass over---- Bah! +what is the use of thinking more about it." + +But even then his face flushed, and his naturally imperious temper +rose, as he recalled the rude, angry words which Mr. Adiesen had +written. There was a short silence, which Yaspard was the first to +break, "You have made a lot of people happy to-day, Mr. Garson," he +said very gratefully. + +"I hope this is only the beginning of good times for us all," was the +answer. "But now, I wonder what is going to be your next adventure?" + +"I expect they'll grow one out of another. By the way, what shall we +do about Gloy?" + +"He isn't your prisoner now, but your guest, so you must let him return +when he pleases. No doubt the Mitchells will have some plan in head +for making capital out of Gloy's presence in Boden." + +They chatted in the most friendly manner till they reached Lunda, when +they parted with mutual regret and many assurances that they should +meet again at no very distant time. + +The wind was even more favourable for the voyage back, and Yaspard's +little boat went swiftly and easily along. He leaned back and let her +go, while giving himself up to ecstatic dreams of adventure in which +his new acquaintance played the important part. He had adopted Fred +Garson for his hero, and was already setting him in the chief place in +every airy castle of his imagination; but fancy's flight was +interrupted by flight of another kind. As he lay back, gazing more +into the air than on the course before him, his attention was drawn to +a party of shooies (Arctic skuas) badgering a raven, who was greatly +annoyed, and seemed at a sore disadvantage--a position which the lordly +bird seldom allows himself to be in. + +These shooies live chiefly by preying on other birds. They are winged +parasites; they are very audacious, and fear no foe. Although they are +not larger than a pigeon, they are not afraid to lay siege to an erne +or a glaucus gull, and they will often do so as much for amusement as +for gain. + +"Mr. Corbie is in a fix," quoth Yaspard to himself, as he watched the +swift, graceful evolutions of the shooies as they darted through the +air buffeting and tormenting the unfortunate raven, whose harsh, fierce +croak and futile efforts to escape were quite pitiful though amusing. + +"If he doesn't gain land somehow he's done for, poor wretch: he is +tired now, and can't keep on wing much longer; if he touches the water +it's all up with him. Poor old corbie! they must have been after him a +long time." Thus our Viking soliloquised, as his boat glided on until +it was passing below the aerial battlefield. + +At that moment Sir Raven, uttering a loud and prolonged scream, shot +downward and alighted on the thwart next Yaspard, too exhausted to do +more than utter one faint croak, which might have been a parting +anathema on the shooies, but which charity impels me to believe was an +expression of thankfulness for such an ark of refuge as the boat of a +Viking. + +Yaspard leaned quickly forward, exclaiming, "Why, can it be? Yes, sure +enough--Thor, old fellow, how came you to be in such a plight?" + +Still gasping, but self-possessed, Thor hopped from the thwart on to +Yaspard's arm, and then, turning up one side of his head, he leered at +the shooies in such an expressive and ludicrous manner that the boy +went into fits of laughter, even though one of the shooies swooped so +near in its baffled anger as to touch his hair. + +Thor snuggled up to his master, and began to smooth his ruffled plumes +a bit, while Yaspard, tossing his hand about, so frightened the winged +banditti that they flew away, and Thor was satisfied. + +It was only when this interesting episode was over that our young rover +allowed his vision to return to the homeward course; but when his +glance fell upon the sea ahead he saw a sight to rejoice the spirit of +a Viking. Near the mouth of Boden voe, straight before him, keeping +watch for him, lay the _Laulie_, her blue flag with its golden star +flying merrily at the mast-head, her white sail spread, her jolly crew +all alert and "on the war-path." + +She was cruising about the entrance to the fiord, with the obvious +intention of preventing the _Osprey_ from reaching her own lawful +domain. + +Up Yaspard sprung, and keenly surveyed the enemy's position and his +own, calculating his "chances" with as much anxiety as if life and +honour were at stake. He did not dream of turning aside, or trying to +reach any harbour of refuge save his own voe; but he knew that to pass +the _Laulie_ in safety would require considerable manoeuvring and +daring seamanship. + +With utmost pleasure, and + + "The stern joy that warriors feel + In foemen worthy of their steel," + +he drew from the locker his black Viking flag and ran it aloft, smiling +as the ugly thing spread itself in the breeze. + +Thor watched this performance with profound gravity and attention; and +when Yaspard resumed his position Sir Raven solemnly hopped away and +took up a position on the bow, with his weather-eye sagaciously fixed +upon the black flag high overhead. He had so lately suffered so much +from dark-hued things flying above him that he was suspicious of that +pennon's intentions, and felt it necessary to observe its movements +with the closest heedfulness. + +Yaspard, however, put another construction on the bird's behaviour. +"You're a genuine old brick!" he said; "a real Viking's raven, and no +mistake, Thor. Now I call that very fine of you, to take your proper +place on my prow. They'll think I've trained you to it. What prime +fun this is, to be sure!" + +Thor lifted his shoulders, bent forward his head, and croaked as +dismally as ever his congeners croaked over a field of the slain in +days gone by; and Yaspard nodded to him, then gave entire attention to +the management of his boat. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +"ENOUGH AND TO SPARE OF BALE IS IN THY SPEECH." + +We may be sure that the _Laulie's_ crew watched our hero's movements +with quite as much interest as he noted theirs, and when his +battle-flag was seen they shouted for joy. + +"He knows what we are up to. He has challenged us," Harry Mitchell +exclaimed with great satisfaction. "Now, boys, we've got to nail him +before he passes Yelholme." + +"His boat goes very fast; she is light too, and he has her well in +hand," Tom remarked critically as the _Osprey_ drew nearer, skimming +the waves as airily and swiftly as any bird. + +Yelholme, to which reference had been made, lay near the course Yaspard +was on. If the _Laulie_ could not intercept Yaspard before he reached +the little island she would lose ground by being obliged to tack a good +deal, while he, having the wind with him, would easily get ahead. + +"If it becomes a chase we haven't a chance," said Harry, "so we must +try and cut him off at the holme." + +But Yaspard knew pretty well what their tactics were likely to be, and +acted accordingly. + +It is not possible to describe with any degree of accuracy the very +clever way in which the boats tried to circumvent each other; how the +_Osprey_ dodged here and there, striving to outrace the other, and how +the _Laulie_ gallantly defeated every attempt so made. At last +Yaspard, seeing that nothing but a very bold effort had any chance of +success, determined to try a delicate manoeuvre. His boat, being +smaller and lighter than the _Laulie_, could venture much nearer a +skerry or holme. He resolved to run straight for Yelholme. He knew +that the other boat would do likewise, but approaching from another +point, would be obliged to lower sail and trust to the oars. He hoped +he could keep "on wing," and round the holme in safety before the +_Laulie_ had got on the same course. Accordingly he altered his +tactics, and sent his skiff careening toward the holme as if he meant +to dash right into it. + +"What on earth is he up to now?" Bill exclaimed in wonder; "he will be +under our stern in a jiffy if he holds on like that." + +"If he passes astern he will reach the holme and be round it before us. +We must not allow that; drop the sail, Bill," said Harry. + +Down went the _Laulie's_ sail, and in a short time she was rowing +swiftly for the same point that the _Osprey_ seemed bent on gaining. +Yaspard did not alter his course one bit until he was within talking +distance of the enemy, and dangerously near the holme. + +"Don't be rash, man," Harry sung out. "You will be flung on the holme +by that undertow on the lee side." + +Even as he spoke Yaspard saw the danger he had not considered, and +promptly dropped his sail. By that time the boats were almost within +an oar's length of each other, but the _Osprey_ was ahead. With +wondrous speed the Viking-boy had his oars out, and would soon have +been round the holme and on his course again, but at that moment Tom +Holtum caught up a coil of rope lying handy, and flung it like a lasso +over the _Osprey_. The bight fell over her rudder and horn, and before +the hapless Viking could leave his seat or lift a finger to save +himself, his boat was hauled alongside of the _Laulie_, and he was +captured. + +"Fairly caught!" cried Bill, leaning over to thump him on the back, +while Tom clutched the _Osprey_ with both hands, determined that she +should not escape. + +Then Yaspard struck his colours, and remarked, "You need not be so +particular with your grappling-irons, Holtum; I yield myself to the +fortune of fair fight." + +"Come aboard us," said Harry. "You did awfully well, and needn't mind +that Tom's dodge was more successful than yours. It was a low kind of +trick on the whole, but we were determined to make you our prisoner." + +By that time Yaspard was in the _Laulie_, and his boat towing ignobly +in the rear. Thor, puzzled out of his dignity by such extraordinary +proceedings, afraid to trust himself with his master in the enemies' +hands, and too tired to seek refuge in flight, then gave vent to his +feelings in speech-- + +"Uncle, uncle. Croak! bad boy! croak! croak! croak! Yap! yap! yap! +Pirate; hi, good dog! Dog! Uncle! oh my!" + +He had never spoken so much at one time before, but the situation +called for a supreme effort. + +When he concluded his oration, amid yells of laughter, Thor turned up +his eyes till nothing but a streak of white was visible, and shoved his +beak among the feathers on one shoulder as if he meant to go to sleep. + +"What a fellow, to be sure!" exclaimed Tom. "He licks Crawbie all to +nothing." + +Harry explained to Yaspard that Crawbie was a hoodie crow belonging to +Svein Holtum, and a great talker, but nothing like Thor in that respect. + +Harry was soon on his hobby, and would have discoursed on birds for an +hour if Bill had not stopped him by asking, "Well, boys, what's the +next move?" + +"Home, of course," said Harry; "at least, to Collaster first, for the +Viking is Tom's prize, and must be taken to the Doctor's house." + +"I should like that hugely," said the captive; "but may I beg you to +remember my anxious and sorrowing relations, who will strain dim eyes +in vain and all the rest of that sort of thing. They'll be horribly +frightened at Moolapund if I am not back there tonight, and it's late +now." + +A long discussion followed as to how the Boden folk were to be informed +of the Viking's position. One suggestion was that a Manse boy was to +return to Boden in the _Osprey_, tell the tale, and bring Gloy away; +but that plan was rejected, because Yaspard declared that his +"followers" would seize the messenger, and hold both him and Gloy as +hostages for their captain. + +Then a brilliant idea occurred to Harry, who had always been the most +reflecting boy of the lot. + +"I'll tell you what to do. Send Thor with a message tied to his leg. +That was what Svein did once, when he was hurt and in Vega. Crawbie +had gone after him; and he carved two words on the cover of his +pocket-book, tied it to Crawbie, and Crawbie went to Collaster with it." + +"Splendid! Yes, the very thing!" the others cried. + +So a hard-boiled egg was taken from the ferdimet, and laid temptingly +on Yaspard's hand as a lure for Thor, who was evidently averse to +trusting himself in the _Laulie_. But his weakness was an egg, and he +soon flopped across to his master's knee, where he was detained for +"further orders." + +"Will he go home?" was the next debatable point. Yaspard thought Thor +would, if they made it sufficiently plain to his corvidaeous intellect +that he must not remain with the boats. + +"He has often followed me, poor old chap!" said Yaspard. "I dare say +he was coming on my tracks when the shooies fell foul of him; he will +return to Moolapund if I drive him off. He won't halt by the way now, +for it is near his roosting time, and he is tired to boot." + +They did as Svein Holtum had shown them how, and tearing the cover from +a pocket-book, tied it securely to Thor's leg. To make assurance +doubly sure, a duplicate was fixed around his neck. Yaspard wrote on +these boards-- + +"Captured on the high seas; taken in chains to Collaster.--THE VIKING." + +Then he tossed Thor up from his hand, crying, "Shoo! off with you! +Home now!" But Thor flitted no farther than the _Osprey_, and, +settling in his favourite place at the bow, began to pull viciously at +the book-boards. + +Bill hauled the smaller boat alongside and clambered into her, making +noise and demonstration enough, as he did so, to scare any ordinary +bird; but Thor did not stir from the spot until Bill's hands were +almost on him. Then he merely hopped from the one boat to the other, +remarking as he did it, "Just so!" which of course sent the boys off +yelling as before with wild laughter. + +Now, no self-respecting raven will endure to be laughed at, especially +when he is merely repeating a boy's pet phrase. Nor will he tamely +submit to being chased from stem to stern with shouts of "Shoo! shoo!" +Thor felt trebly insulted just then; possibly he believed that "Shoo! +shoo!" had something to do with shooies, and the allusion was ill-timed +he considered. + +After much noise and hustling, and what Thor looked upon as unseemly +action, he came to the conclusion that a boat is not always an ark of +refuge, nor is one's master always to be depended upon as a sure help +in time of need. With these thoughts came a recollection of the +comforts of Moolapund and the more fit companionship of Mr. Adiesen. +That settled the point in Thor's mind. + +"Bad boy! Shoo!" he burst forth wrathfully, and then screeching out, +"Uncle, Pirate, uncle, uncle, uncle!" he spread his great wings and +took a bee-line for Moolapund. + +Loud hurrahs followed him; but Thor never looked back once, never +turned to the right or the left, but, swift as possible in his cumbered +condition, flew home, and alighting on the parlour window-sill, began +to jabber every word he knew, without the least attention to either +grammar or construction of words, and in such excited tones that Mr. +Adiesen's attention was drawn to him. Thor was admitted at once, and +freed from his burden. Then the message was read; and while the Laird +read, Miss Osla and Signy waited in fear and trembling, but never a +word spoke the old man. + +"What has that boy been doing?" the boy's aunt asked at length. + +"Taking his turn at being captive, as I warned him might happen." + +"Oh, Uncle Brüs, have they taken Yaspard?" Signy cried in great +excitement. + +"'Captured on the high seas; taken in chains to Collaster.--THE +VIKING,'" Mr. Adiesen read with impressive solemnity; and Miss Osla, +scarcely understanding what was the state of the case, or whether her +brother was joking, or the reverse, exclaimed-- + +"Dear, dear! whatever has he been about now? He is the very strangest +boy. To Collaster! in chains! What a foolish, foolish boy! He must +have been interfering with some of those young Mitchells. Of course +Mr. Garson has nothing to do with his nonsense!" + +Mr. Adiesen had walked out of the room long before she stopped; and her +bewilderment was much increased by Signy saying delightedly-- + +"Captured! and taken to Collaster! Oh, how pleased brodhor must be!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +"HE IS YOUNG AND OF LITTLE KNOWLEDGE." + +The lads found that it was so late when they neared Lunda, that it +would be best to divide, one boat going to Collaster, and the other +proceeding to Westervoe; so Tom and Yaspard (the latter on a kind of +parole) were transferred to the _Osprey_, which immediately made sail +for Collaster, while the Manse boat conveyed the Mitchells to their own +home. + +The Holtums were lingering over their supper when Tom presented +himself, bringing his captive with hands fastened together by a lanyard +borrowed from Harry Mitchell for the purpose. The captive's glowing +face, afire with fun and joyous anticipation, did not accord with the +humiliating position in which he was introduced by Tom; and his +reception by the Doctor and Mrs. Holtum certainly did not indicate +anything like hostile feeling. + +The lanyard was laughingly untied by the Doctor, who said, as he +released and shook Yaspard's hands, "I am sure you can trust your +prisoner with so much liberty, Tom." + +"Of course," said Tom; "I didn't see the fun of roping him at all, but +he would have it so, and the Mitchells said it looked more ship-shape." + +"Besides," added Yaspard, "I wanted Uncle Brüs to know that I didn't +come here of my own free will and free-handed." + +"I quite understand," replied the Doctor, very much amused at the whole +affair. "But _now_ it is quite proper that your manacles be removed. +You remember how the Black Prince treated his French prisoners? My Tom +must not be less courteous to a Viking! Now, boys, let us hear how all +this came about." + +Nothing loth, Tom and Yaspard related their adventures, and very +entertaining these were; but when they described the sending home of +Thor, Dr. Holtum's face grew somewhat grave, and he seemed pondering +within himself. + +When Tom had conducted his prisoner to his cell--which was one of the +best bedrooms--and returned to bid good-night, his father said, "Tom, +lad, I am not altogether satisfied that yon corbie was a trustworthy +messenger. Suppose he did _not_ carry news of Yaspard to Moolapund?" + +"Yaspard never doubted he would." + +The Doctor shook his head. "If," he said, "by any chance they have +_not_ heard of the boy they will be very anxious about him. I think +you must take a note from me to the fishing-station. Some of the boats +will be leaving for the haaf even now, and as they run past Boden, I am +sure one of them will put in there with my letter." + +"Let me go with it, father!" Tom cried eagerly. "I am not a bit tired +or sleepy; and it will be such fun. Do let me go!" + +Permission was given, a note to Mr. Adiesen written by Dr. Holtum, and +Tom despatched as envoy. He soon found a skipper willing to land him +on Boden, and in the grey, quiet night, this most prosaic of the Lunda +lads was started on a somewhat eerie journey. A great deal of time +would have been lost if the haaf-boat had carried him into Boden voe, +so Tom good-naturedly requested to be put ashore at the nearest point, +determined to walk across the island to Moolapund. Tom had declared +that he was neither tired nor sleepy, but he was both; and by the time +he had walked over a mile of Boden heath he was fain to stop more than +once and take a brief rest. Each time he sat down on the soft, +fragrant verdure, he felt less inclined to get up. How it happened at +last he never knew, but Tom sat down by an old planticrü,[1] and +remained there; and there he was lying in blissful slumber when the sun +was well up over the Heogue, and Gaun Neeven had come out for an early +stroll. He always took his walks abroad when the rest of the Boden +folk were in their beds, therefore it was believed that he seldom went +out at all. + +If a philosopher like Mr. Neeven, who had passed through many years of +most exciting life, could be surprised, he was when, coming around the +planticrü, he stumbled upon Tom Holtum, spread out at ease, and +unconscious of his position. + +The man stood stock still for some minutes, contemplating the prostrate +figure, until a grim smile gradually spread over his melancholy +countenance; then stooping, he touched Tom's face and said, "Wake up, +lad, wake up!" + +Tom's eyes were wide open in a moment, and he sat up and stared at the +disturber of his repose. + +"What are you doing here?" Mr. Neeven asked, in his usual stern tones, +which did not help to clarify Tom's understanding of his own position. +He stammered some very incoherent words, which were no explanation at +all, and did not even attempt to get on his feet. + +Mr. Neeven was not a patient man. "Get up," he said, "and come with +me. I must know what you mean by skulking about my house in the +night-time." + +Tom rose slowly, and then discovered that he was in the near vicinity +of Trullyabister. + +"This is a pretty fix," thought he, as he followed Mr. Neeven. "I +believe I'll bolt!" + +But a moment's reflection showed him how futile any attempt at escape +would be, so he silently proceeded in Mr. Neeven's wake, repenting him +sorely for being so foolish as to fall asleep that night. + +When they were in the dismal apartment where the recluse spent the +greater part of his time poring over books and nursing his gloomy +thoughts, he pointed to a chair, and taking one himself, said briefly-- + +"Now give a proper account of yourself." + +Tom could be concise and to the point in speech as well as Mr. Neeven, +and having recovered his usual _sang-froid_, he explained his +appearance in Boden in few plain words. + +It was the first Gaun Neeven had heard of his young relative turning +Viking, and he was surprised to find a strange something within himself +leap and stir warmly at the tale of Yaspard's adventures, even though +told in Tom's unvarnished matter-of-fact style. Was it not a like +"craze" which had rioted within his own blood when he was a boy, and +had sent him out into the world to fight and jostle men, to win renown, +and prove his manhood by risking life and limb in all kinds of mad +adventure? Nothing had so moved that self-contained, moody man for +years, and even obtuse Tom could see that his story had touched some +hidden spring of feeling. The stern lines had relaxed, and there was a +softer though more intense light in the man's eyes. + +Taking advantage of what he would have styled "a melting mood," Tom +begged to be allowed to carry his father's letter to its destination. +"And after that," he said, "on the honour of a gentleman, I will come +back to you, and you can make of me what you please." + +"The letter shall go to Mr. Adiesen at a proper hour," replied Mr. +Neeven. "He is asleep at present, and I happen to know he is _not_ +uneasy about his nephew. You had better lie down on this sofa and +finish your own nap, while I finish my walk. Later I will tell you +what I require you to do." + +He walked out of the room, shutting the door with a key, and leaving +Tom a veritable prisoner. + +"He might have trusted me," muttered Tom; "but since he hasn't put me +on my honour, I shall do my best to escape---- Gracious! what's that?" + +The lad was very wide-awake, and not the least inclined to go to sleep +again. His exclamation had been caused by a curious sharp barking +noise, mingled with plaintive crying, which roused Tom's pity as well +as astonishment. He ran to the window, fancying the sounds came from +that side, and hoping to see something to explain what they meant. He +was not disappointed. The window of the haunted room was not far from +that of Mr. Neeven's sitting-room, and at that window Tom saw the same +unearthly visage which had startled Yaspard and the Harrisons. + +"Whe-e-ew!" whistled Tom, thrusting his fists far down his pockets, as +was his wont when the solution of any difficulty penetrated the +somewhat "thick skin" which enveloped his remarkably sound and shrewd +understanding. + +He stood some time staring thoughtfully at the creature, who stared +back at him as no lady of modest demeanour ought to have done; but we +must not forget that she was a captive, and looking for a deliverer, +and therefore to be excused in part. + +"Poor soul!" muttered Tom, as the baby's wails once more broke the +beautiful silence of that smiling, sun-watched night-time. "It's a +horrible shame. I wish I could let them out. It would serve the old +boy right. But it's too risky a job for me to undertake by myself. +Oh, well! when I get back to Lunda--if I'm not going to be shut up as +she is--I'll get the Manse boys to help. Bet Harry Mitchell will +devise a way of circumventing both Mr. Neeven and Mr. Adiesen." + +Then Tom tried the window, hoping to make his exit by it, but found it +was nailed down beyond his power to unfasten. + +"Never heard of such a thing in Shetland before," growled Tom. "What's +he afraid of here? One would think Boden was the abode of thieves or +pirates at this rate. Anyway, there are plenty of books about." + +He found an interesting book about the buccaneers of the Spanish Main, +so, lying down on the sofa, he was soon lost in the volume, and forgot +that he was in durance vile. + + + +[1] Planticrü,--a _circular_ enclosure. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +"OH, BE THOU WELCOME HERE." + +When Mr. Neeven returned to his house the Laird of Boden was with him, +and Tom was desired to hand over Dr. Holtum's letter, which he did with +alacrity. + +After perusing it carefully, Mr. Adiesen said, "And so you are the +Doctor's son? You are not very like your father. He was a very +handsome youth when he was your age." + +Tom laughed, and there was that in his plain, honest face, which +pleased both the gentlemen perhaps more than fine features would have +done. + +"I try to be like father in other ways," said he; "but my brother Svein +is as like him as can be. You would like Svein. He is very clever as +well as good-looking. People who can judge say so!" + +That hearty brotherly speech added still more to the good impression +Tom had made, and the two men studied him silently for a minute or two, +"as they might some curious starfish," Tom remarked later, when +recounting all that took place. + +"You are to come with me now," said Mr. Adiesen at last. "I dare say +you will be glad of some breakfast. Come along, and we will settle +what is to be done about Yaspard afterwards." + +They went off to Moolapund, leaving Mr. Neeven alone; and very much +alone he felt himself to be. It was strange, passing strange, thought +he, that the "chatter" of a very ordinary boy should have caused such a +curious revolution within him. What did it mean? Had he not lived his +life of action? had he not tasted the fruit of knowledge until it had +palled on his appetite? Had he not his books for company--books, which +could not irritate, and contradict, and bother, as human beings are +prone to do? + +"A boy is a happy creature!" Gaun Neeven said to himself with a sigh, +as he picked up the book Tom had been reading; "a happy sort of animal +on the whole. I could wish myself a boy once more!" + +Meanwhile Tom Holtum was being introduced at Moolapund, where he was +very soon at his ease, and chatting away with his wonted fearless +candour, which Harry had been heard to call "impudence and vanity +rolled up in whale's blubber." + +His host was in wonderfully good humour, and contrived to get a good +deal of information regarding life in Lunda out of Tom, without +allowing it to appear that he was at all interested in the people of +that isle. + +"I suppose," he said by-and-by, "that I must find a way of sending you +back; and there is that boy Winwick has to go also. But Yaspard's +misadventure must teach us a lesson. You will have to give me your +word that those who convey you to Lunda shall not be intercepted in the +performance of a neighbourly courtesy as he was." + +"Oh, sir!" Tom cried hotly; "why, we never looked at it like _that_, +nor did Yaspard. It was agreed that we should try and nab each other +anywhere and anyhow outside of our own voes. If you had asked Fred +Garson to safeguard the Viking, we would not have meddled with him." + +"And poor brodhor," Signy exclaimed, "would not have been enjoying +himself at Collaster!" + +"I think," said Uncle Brüs suddenly, "that Yaspard has met Vikings as +mad as himself. Now, Master Tom, can you tell how he is going to +recover his liberty and his boat 'captured on the high seas,' eh?" + +"I thought I'd talk to his followers--as he calls those Harrison +boys--and they may help him. Of course they are the proper persons to +negotiate about his ransom," and Tom grinned. + +Signy volunteered to go with him to Noostigard; so the ponies were +saddled, and off the couple set. + +Such a claver as there was, to be sure, when Tom and the Harrisons met! +The brothers were for seizing Tom in place of Yaspard; and nothing but +Signy's vehement protestations that he was under a flag of truce, so to +speak, prevented their carrying out some desperate measure of the sort. +They wouldn't see the difference between Yaspard caught at sea _after_ +discharging a hospitable duty, and Tom a messenger of peace. + +"Weel," said Lowrie at last, "will ye tak' one o' us in his place, +then?" + +"No, we won't--not a dozen of you!" answered Tom. + +"Oh, boys!" Signy exclaimed then, "Yaspard promised at the very first +that I should have a share in his Viking-ploy. It would be just lovely +if you would take _me_ with you, to beg for his freedom. You know +that's how the ladies used to do for their knights." + +"When they happened to be their fathers or brothers," said Tom; "and +then the girls were married to the knights' enemies, and they all lived +happily ever after." + +"I'm not going to marry you EVER, so that isn't to be the way this +time," retorted the little lady, with immense spirit. + +"Very well," he answered calmly, "then it will be some other fellow. +But upon my word I think it would be a very jolly plan to take you with +us; only--will your uncle permit it?" + +"I'll try and coax him. He is really dear and good, if you only would +believe it; and I don't think that he is going to be so camsterie[1] +about Lunda folk now that he has seen Mr. Garson. I just think Mr. +Garson is splendid. He makes me think of Prince Charlie and Sir Philip +Sidney. He looks so like a real hero, does he not?" + +"Fred is to be the other fellow ten years hence," thought Tom, but he +wisely held his tongue. + +Uncle Brüs was not so very difficult to persuade as Signy had imagined. +Perhaps, if she had seen Dr. Holtum's letter, she would have found a +reason for his unexpected complacence; but Signy was too glad at the +permission given to waste thoughts on "reasons why." She would hardly +wait to carry out Aunt Osla's request that her best frock must be worn +on such an important occasion, and nothing short of Mam Kirsty's tears +could have reconciled her to wasting time in brushing out her abundant +hair into a profusion of curls, and otherwise making herself "a credit +tae them 'at aws (owns) her." + +But when she was released from those loving feminine hands and went +down to the little quay with Uncle Brüs to join the boys, Tom Holtum +thought he had never seen a sweeter vision of a ladye faire than she +appeared in her cream-white frock and navy-blue cloak and hat, her +shining hair hanging about the lovely little face, and her eyes shining +like stars on a frosty night. + +"You'll never need to beg one word," he declared; "you will break the +Viking's chains with the glint of your eyes. He was considered _my_ +booty, and I am ready this moment to give him up to you without a +single condition. So there!" + +"Thank you, but I don't want my knight for nothing," Signy replied, +with a saucy toss of the head, as she stepped into the boat. Then +turning to her uncle, she said, "Good-bye, dear uncle; we--Yaspard and +I--will be back soon." + +"Not to-night, sir, if you please," Tom cried eagerly; "we shall want +to keep her a little while;" and the Laird answered, "It shall be as +Dr. Holtum may think best. Take care of her, boys." + +As the boat rowed away he looked fondly after the child, and thought +that never did a fairer maid than his darling Signy go on a mission of +love. + +As the Boden boat went sliding along the coast of Lunda, purposing to +bring up at Collaster, Tom saw their young laird riding over the hill, +and as the distance was not great, the lad stood up and waved and +yelled to attract Fred's notice. He was successful, and the horseman +came rapidly to the beach, while the boat drew close in-shore. + +A few words sufficed to explain matters, for Fred had seen Dr. Holtum +that morning, and knew of Tom's expedition. + +"And you have been allowed to bring the little lady to Lunda?" Fred +said. "I think you had better land her here, for there is a good deal +of rough water round the Head of Collaster to-day, and she may get some +spray. Will you let me carry you on Arab to the Doctor's house, Signy?" + +"I think that would be nice," she answered; and Tom said, "You had +better go with Fred." + +The boat was brought along some crags, and Tom, jumping out, lifted +Signy on shore; then, resuming his place, shoved off again, saying as +he waved them good-bye, "You will be there before us, I suppose, but we +will not be long behind you; so look alive, if you don't want to be +beat." + +Fred had dismounted, and he and Signy stood together watching the boat +get on her course again. + +Then Fred said, laughing, "I shall feel like some robber chief carrying +off a fair prize when I ride away with you! You will not be afraid to +trust me and Arab, I hope?" + +"No! of course I can trust you," was Signy's ready answer. + +He sprang into his saddle, and then with the aid of his hand and +stirrup Signy climbed lightly to the place before him, and settled +herself there composedly. + +"This is how I used to have delightful rides with Uncle Brüs," she +said; "but he could not hold me so firmly as you do, and once his pony +stumbled and I had a fall, and he never would let me up beside him +again." + +"When my sister was a little girl like you, she was never so happy as +when our father took her up like this; and sometimes he would ride +miles and miles with her. Don't you like Arab's step? I always think +there never was a horse like him. He was a present to me on my +birthday--the last gift of my dear father." + +"How you must love him! He goes as easy as a sail-boat on a smooth +sea." + +And then Arab was put at a gallop, to Signy's delight. She was +perfectly safe (and felt herself to be so) with that strong arm around +her, and that firm hand holding the reins. She enjoyed that ride +immensely, and remembered the pleasure of it for a long time; but Fred +remembered it all his life long, because from that moment he could date +a new colour in his life, a kind of thought and feeling which were +novel in his experience. + + + +[1] Headstrong and cross-grained. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +"AND PEACE SHALL BE SURER." + +A large party were stationed on the lawn at Collaster when Fred rode +up. His sister and Mrs. Mitchell had come to plan a picnic in honour +of Yaspard, and the Manse boys were of course "to the fore" on such an +occasion. The Holtum girls, with the Doctor, his wife, and the Viking, +were all there. If it had been pre-arranged it could not have been +managed better. + +"It's like a bit out of a book," Signy said in a whisper, as Arab +pranced up to the door, and everybody there struck an attitude +(unconsciously) with quite dramatic effect. + +Yaspard was the first to speak and act. + +"Signy! have you come from Boden on a witch's broomstick? Where did +you find her, Mr. Garson?" he said, as he lifted his little sister from +the saddle. + +"I've come to ransom you, brodhor," said she; and then she was given up +to the ladies to be petted and welcomed with the greatest tenderness, +while Fred explained; and the appearance of the boat sent Yaspard and +the Mitchell boys racing off to the quay. + +It had been arranged that the picnic should consist of an excursion up +the gill (ravine) near the Ha' at Blaesound, and a strawberry tea in +the Ha' garden. Fred and his mother were very anxious to draw Yaspard +within the circle of their best affections, but they knew they must be +careful not to touch Mr. Adiesen's weak points in extending the hand of +friendship to his nephew. He would, as likely as not, resent their +well-meant intentions if they invited the boy to their house, but a +picnic under Dr. Holtum's auspices to the neighbourhood of the Ha' was +different. + +Any of us who remember the recorded adventures of the Lads of Lunda and +the Yarl of Burra Isle, will know with what perfect success +entertainments of the sort were conducted by the Garsons or any of +their friends. There seldom had been a day more happily spent by those +young folks than _that_ day, and each and all combined to make it a +period of unclouded bliss to Yaspard and Signy. + +They revelled in the society of so many charming girls and fine boys, +and thought that life could need nothing more than the pleasure such +companionship afforded. How they enjoyed the scramble up the gill, the +fun bubbling up constantly, the manner in which the fathers and mothers +shared in the children's play; the running and singing and laughter; +the dainty meal of cake and chicken and strawberries with rich cream, +dispensed--after a very un-English but wholly satisfactory manner--in +heaped platefuls! The scent of flowers, the sunshine and universal +hilarity, cast a spell over Signy, and she sat on the garden turf +eating her strawberries without speaking for some time, but radiant +with happiness. + +"Are you dreaming, or composing an ode, little lady?" Fred asked her, +after having watched the soft play of her expressive features for some +minutes. + +"I was--thinking, and I never enjoyed anything so much before; +but"--and she looked up wistfully--"I was wishing too that there had +never been any feud, and that Uncle Brüs could see for himself how good +you all are. _I wish he could!_" + +"I hope he will before long. I think, now the ice is broken, that it +will all come right, little one." + +I ought to have mentioned before that the Harrison boys had gone with +Gloy to see his mother, and had been directed to return in their own +boat to Boden before night; so when the Holtums, with their guest and +the Viking, returned to Collaster at dayset, they were just in time to +see James Harrison's boat disappear round the Head of Collaster. + +"I am so glad," said Yaspard, "that uncle gave you leave to come and to +stay overnight, Mootie." + +"I wish she might remain some days," said Mrs. Holtum; but the Doctor, +understanding best the kind of man Mr. Adiesen was, remarked, "That +will be next time. We must not take more than his lairdship has +conceded. By-and-by we may venture to stretch a point with him." + +"What has been settled about the captive Viking?" Harry Mitchell then +asked. "I am sorry to remind you, Yaspard, in such an abrupt manner of +your precarious position; but we must not forget that we have to make +capital of you." + +"I offered him free, gratis, and for nothing to this high and haughty +miss; but she tossed her curls and declined my civility," answered Tom. + +"There would be no fun in that," Yaspard said in an aside; and Signy +remarked, "Brodhor is worth a great deal to me, and he ought to be +worth a lot to his captors. Just put a price on him that I am able to +pay, and you shall have it." + +"Bravo!" shouted the boys in chorus. + +"Do you then absolutely refuse my princely offer?" Tom asked her, and +the little girl replied boldly-- + +"Yes. I'd be ashamed to take him for nothing." + +"The lads of Lunda," answered he loftily, "don't make bargains with +ladies. If you won't take my offer you're 'out of it,' miss! Now, Sir +Viking, let me tell you under what condition I will set you free. You +shall give me your royal word--on the faith of a Viking--that you will +give me your assistance in a deed of high emprise which I have vowed to +perform." + +"Why, Harry," exclaimed Bill, "you could not have said that in a more +booky way yourself!" + +"I haven't got another word of the sort in my vocabulary, so must +return to my usual style, gentlemen," said Tom. "The long and the +short of it is, when I was a prisoner at Trullyabister, I discovered +that I was not the only poor wretch whom the ogre had nabbed. There +are others----" + +"Oh, goloptious!" shouted Yaspard, interrupting Tom without the least +ceremony. "You have found out the very thing I meant to tell you. I +meant to ask you fellows to help me." + +"Then it would seem," said Dr. Holtum, smiling--for he had had a +private talk with Tom, and had come to a conclusion of his own--"that +Yaspard's 'knightly quest' and Tom's 'deed of high emprise' are one and +the same. You have my approval, boys; only let me warn you to be very +wary, for if you do _not_ succeed you will have no support from any +one, and may find yourselves in an awkward fix." + +"Doctor!" Harry exclaimed, "did the lads of Lunda ever fail to carry +out their schemes, or squirm out of the ugliest fix in creation?" + +"I must own," laughed the Doctor, "that collectively you have a +wonderful faculty for emerging with _eclat_ from every adventure; but I +can't say as much for you individually." + +"One for you, Tom," whispered Bill. + +"And one for yourself," retorted Tom. + +Meantime Signy had crept into Yaspard's arms, and was coaxing him to +tell her the secret; but he put her off with a promise of telling it +when they were on the way home. "And, Mootie," he added thoughtfully, +"I believe we ought not to stay here very long to-morrow, just that +Uncle Brüs may see that we aren't anxious to take the greatest +advantage of his permission. Besides, we don't want him to feel that +we like being away from Boden so awfully much." + +She squeezed his hand. She understood him perfectly, and Yaspard, +laughing into her upraised eyes, said aloud, "Here is a little girl who +wouldn't contradict me for worlds, and is agreed with me in stating +that the _Osprey_ must be on wing to-morrow morning." + +But when to-morrow morning came there had been a breeze in the night +which had raised the sea a bit, and Dr. Holtum would not permit them to +leave until it had subsided, notwithstanding the Viking's declaration +that he never minded such a small thing as that. + +"My boat and I go out in rough weather," he declared; "and even Signy +would laugh at the idea of calling this a 'rough morning!'" + +The Doctor was firm, however, and the morning slipped happily away in +the pleasant companionship of so many new and agreeable friends. + +It was arranged that the Lunda boys were to run across to Boden on the +evening of the following day, to carry out the mysterious plans of Tom +and Yaspard. They were to wait at the geo for Yaspard and his chums, +and the mighty deed was to be done at the witching hour of night. So +they planned, and put aside with unwonted impatience the Doctor's +declaration that there was going to be unsettled weather, and that they +must not count upon being able to carry out their scheme in such an +expeditious way. + +"I don't know what has come to father," Tom muttered; "he is quite +scarey: he proposes that some of us go in the boat with you, Yaspard; +or that we escort you in our own boat!" + +The Viking's face flushed hotly, for he knew himself to be an expert +"seaman," and it was exasperating that anybody should be afraid for +him; but Harry Mitchell soothed his wounded pride by saying, "I expect +the Doctor is thinking of Signy. He is always so careful that girls +shall not be frightened--and she might be, you know, if she saw a big +wave alongside, and no one with her but you." + +"Signy wouldn't be afraid if she were left floating in mid-ocean on a +plank _with me_," Signy's brother made answer. + +So the _Laulie_ did not go farther than the Head of Collaster, but took +the way to Westervoe when the _Osprey_ set her face to Boden. + +There was not much wind, but a long and gentle swell, and the little +boat went dancing over the waves in a manner wholly delightful to the +brother and sister. + +"This is delicious, brodhor," said Signy, "and we have had a splendid +time; but it is nice to be going home. Now tell me about your quest." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +"FOR NAUGHT HE WOTTED, NOR MIGHT SEE CLEARLY." + +"You remember, Mootie, about the big row concerning Havnholme--I mean +the last disturbance which made Fred Garson write to uncle?" + +"I know a little about it. Uncle killed a number of birds, and a poor +seal?" + +"That wasn't quite how things went, though we heard that was it. We +were told correctly enough about the birds; and I must say I think +Uncle Brüs thinks too much of science and specimens, and too little of +lives. But we did not hear the right way about the seal I have heard +something about it from Fred, and I don't wonder he was so indignant. +It seems they had a tame seal at the Ha'. It had been given to Miss +Garson when it was very young. Its mother had been killed by some +Cockney tourists, and the Laird of Lunda took the little seal home. It +was a great pet, and used to go and fish for itself in Blaesound, but +would always come home when tired or called upon." + +"Just as Loki does," said Signy. + +"Yes; and they were all very fond of it. But after the Laird died, his +people were a good deal away from the Ha', and the pets were +neglected--servants are so stupid in that way--and so it happened that +the seal was out in Blaesound one day, and didn't come back as usual. +Fred says he heard it had become shy, and a bit wild, through not being +petted, and perhaps it went off of its free will; but he believes it +lost its way among the skerries, and would have returned if it had +known how, or if any one had had the sense to go and look for it as +soon as it was missed. Anyway, it was lost. When the family came home +it was looked for everywhere, and Fred promised a large reward to any +one who should bring it back; but all in vain. Sometimes fishermen +would come and tell how they had seen a sealkie on a skerry that was +not a bit frightened when they came near, but dropped into the water +when they tried to catch it. Others said that a sealkie had followed +their boat, and had looked at them as if it wanted to be friends; and +Fred was sure that it must be Trullya, for no wild seal acts like that. +But though he went to the places where these men had seen the seal, +_he_ never saw it. Then it happened that the Manse boys, passing +Havnholme one day, saw a seal creeping up to the old skeö; and they +were quite sure that it was the lost Trullya, for wild seals don't go +up on land like that. Moreover, the seal kept looking around, and +never minding a boat not far off, and the boys were as convinced that +it was the Ha' pet as I am sure you are mine. They were going to land +at once and capture it, when Uncle Brüs, with Harrison and fule-Tammy, +came along in this boat, and Uncle ordered the Manse boys to get along. +There was a row, for the boys stuck to it, and said they _would_ land, +for the island was Fred's, and the seal belonged to him as well. Of +course you know how uncle would rampage at that. He was so angry he +threatened to shoot them if they came one bit nearer; and they declared +afterwards that they were sure he would have done it. While the row +was going on the seal disappeared, and the boys, believing it had +dropped into the sea and that there was no hope of securing it, decided +to quit. But as they sailed away and uncle's boat landed, they saw the +poor sealkie's head peep round the skeö; then there were shots fired, +and fule-Tammy shouted at the pitch of his voice, 'Ye've got him, sir, +got him! dead as a door-nail!' The Mitchells were too disgusted to +wait for anything more. They sailed home and told Fred." + +"It was horrible, Yaspard--very horrible. How could uncle be so cruel +to a poor sealkie, and yet be so kind to me?" + +Yaspard laughed. "There is a difference between you and Trullya, +Mootie! But now comes the nice bit of my story. The seal wasn't +killed at all! Fule-Tammy told me all about it. He said it had a +young one with it, and they had been spending the night in the skeö. +Uncle does not often miss his mark, but he had missed when he shot at +the seal. Perhaps he missed on purpose, only shot to aggravate the +Manse boys. When he got to the skeö the creature was there, having +hastened back to her little one, and they were easily captured. Uncle +told Harrison that he must not let even his boys know that the seals +had been taken alive." + +Signy could keep silence no longer, but clapped her hands delightedly +and cried, "It's as good as a fairy story, brodhor. Oh, I am glad, for +of course they are still alive; uncle would never kill them then." + +"Yes, they are alive, and they are in the haunted room at +Trullyabister. They were smuggled there so that even I should not +know; but Tammy can't keep a secret, and he told me one day that Mr. +Neeven had charge of the seal and her baby. I did not dream they were +in the haunted room; but when the Harrison boys and I were on the prowl +the other night I found it out; and then I determined I would restore +the sealkie to Fred Garson. I told the Harrisons there were a mother +and child imprisoned at Trullyabister, and that we must free them from +thraldom." + +"And Tom Holtum has found it out too; and that is your quest? How +fine!" + +"It is prime, Signy, prime! We are not going to tell the Garsons a +word about it till we restore their lost pet, for we are all convinced +it is their seal." + +"But won't uncle be dreadfully angry if you interfere? Won't he stop +all your Vikinging and our meeting----" + +"If," Yaspard interrupted, "I were fool enough to show my hand in the +matter. No, no, Mootie, you don't understand a bit. We shall manage +it so cleverly that uncle and Mr. Neeven will take for granted the +sealkie escaped of herself. You see, Uncle Brüs makes laws for himself +that are not proper, so he can't grumble if they don't work to his +satisfaction at all times." + +"I wish, though, that we could just beg for the seal, and settle it +nicely," said Signy. + +"Not a bit of good; that would make more fuss still, and unsettle +everything, and--I'd lose my fun." + +The _Osprey_ was not far from Yelholme by that time, and Yaspard, +pointing to the little isle, said, "It was that old rock with the green +nightcap that caused my capture." + +"It's a pretty peerie holme," Signy remarked. "I like the little +morsel of green turf on top. I wonder how it ever manages to grow +there, for the skerry must be swept by the sea more often than not." + +"There's something white on it," Yaspard exclaimed, "something white +and moving. Why, goodness me!" and he stood up in great excitement, +"it is awfully like a person." + +He moved his helm so as to bring the boat nearer Yelholme than his +course; and very soon they discovered that the "something white" was +really a human being. + +"It's a man; and he must be hurt, for he is lying on his side waving to +us. He would stand up if he could," Yaspard cried. + +"Oh, poor creature! We must save him," said Signy. + +"It will not be very easy to reach the holme this afternoon," Yaspard +remarked thoughtfully. "There's a heavy under-tow there." + +"But we can't go away and leave him, brodhor. Just look at him. Now +he tries to raise himself. It is dreadful." + +"I wish the Manse boat had come along after all;" and Yaspard scanned +the sea, hoping some boat might be in sight; but there was nothing +moving on the water save the wild birds and his own skiff. After a +moment's silence he said, "We'll make a try, Signy; and if we don't +succeed, we'll tell him we are going to bring more efficient help." + +With skill and caution Yaspard brought his boat alongside of the +skerry. The castaway was lying on the turf, battered and helpless. He +could only raise his hands, and watch the boy's movements with intense +emotion; and it was evident he could not help in his own rescue very +much. + +"I shall have to land," said Yaspard, "and lug him into the boat +somehow." + +He had, of course, dropped the sail, and the boat being on the lee side +of the rock, was easily attached to it, but swung about considerably, +as there was rather more than usual under-tow around the holme, +occasioned by the state of the tide--a circumstance which our young +hero had not sufficiently considered. + +"I really don't believe we can get him aboard if he has broken his +bones, as seems the case," the lad remarked, as he jumped upon the +skerry and fastened the boat by the end of a rope to the rocks. + +"I am giving her a good length," he said, "so that she can ride free as +the water falls. Do you think you can keep her from scraping with the +boat-hook, Signy?" + +She had often performed a similar duty, though not with so much motion +of the sea, and she replied that she would try on the present occasion. + +Having settled these points, Yaspard turned to the unfortunate man +lying a few yards from the water's edge. "Are you much hurt?" was the +first question put to him. + +"I'm half killed," was the feebly uttered reply; and in truth he looked +three-fourths killed. One leg was broken, and both arms were much cut +and bruised. He had scarcely any clothing on, and was altogether a +most pitiable object. + +But Yaspard wasn't going to waste time in talk. "Can you get to the +boat with my help, do you think?" he asked, stooping to assist the man +to rise. But as he attempted to do so the pain overcame him, and he +sank back swooning. + +"Poor soul!" muttered Yaspard; "I can't think what to do with him," and +then he pulled off his jacket, laid it gently over the unfortunate +castaway, and tried to revive him by rubbing his chest. + +Signy watched her brother's movements with the most eager interest, and +was so engrossed that she scarcely attended to her duty of keeping the +boat from bumping against the rocks. Although her negligence was not +the cause of what happened to the boat, if she had been on the alert +she might have given the alarm in time. + +As the _Osprey_ rose and fell with the waves, the rope became chafed on +sharp edges of rock, and parted. The boat swung adrift, and was +carried on a long sweep of the undertow some yards from the skerry; but +the length of rope Yaspard had allowed prevented Signy from wondering. +It was only when she felt the boat dip unchecked over a second long +wave that she glanced at the rope, and saw its end trailing in the +water. + +She uttered a startled cry, and Yaspard, looking around, saw with +horror what had taken place. + +"Oh, Signy! fling me a rope! No, sit still; be still, dear, or you'll +be over! Oh, my Signy!" + +She had half risen from her seat as he sprang to the water's edge and +called to her; but next moment she cowered down in terror, for the +light boat rocked as if it must capsize, then went whirling on the +tideway round the end of the skerry. + +Yaspard did not utter a sound after those first few terror-freighted +words. He could only stand motionless and dumb, gazing after the boat, +while Signy, kneeling, stretched out her poor little hands and cried, +"Brodhor! brodhor!" + +A groan from the man, for whom Yaspard had inadvertently risked and +lost so much, roused the boy from his stupor of despair; and then he +broke into bitter cries, which ere long explained to his companion +their terrible plight; while farther and farther drifted the _Osprey_, +until even her taper mast could not be distinguished amid the waste of +heaving billows. + +And then, in the moment of supreme agony, Yaspard did what Signy had +been doing all the time. He flung himself on his knees and lifted up +his heart to God. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +"NO GOOD IT BETOKENETH." + +The positions of the two on Yelholme were reversed, and it became the +man's part to speak words of comfort. + +"There are plenty of boats about--must be in these parts, my lad," he +said, "and some one will see your skiff. Don't lose courage about the +little one. I'm as vexed as can be that this should have happened for +me. I'd rather have died straight away." + +The generous heart of Yaspard Adiesen was stirred from its bitterness +of grief by such words, and after a time he allowed himself to hope +that Signy might be rescued after all. Of his own position he thought +not at all, until considering that of his companion. Then he +remembered that there were some scraps of biscuit in his jacket +pocket--kept there for his pets--and pulling these out he said, "I +wonder if these will be of any use till some boat picks us up. I dare +say you need food?" + +The biscuit was very welcome; but the jacket had been of still more +service in restoring a degree of warmth to the chilled and sorely +injured body, and Yaspard would not listen to the man's remonstrance as +he tucked the coat closer around him. + +"I am not in the least cold, and don't need a jacket in such sunny +weather," said Yaspard; "but I hope some of the haaf-boats may come +this way soon, for you ought to be in the doctor's hands. Now I wonder +if I can do anything in the way of a bandage?" + +It was wonderful how the sight of those wounds had restored the lad's +equanimity, and drawn his distracted mind from thoughts of the forlorn +child tossing amid the waves. But that was the way God answered his +prayers at first; and it is a way God often uses for helping us to bear +some overwhelming calamity. The suffering of another is presented +before us, and our better nature, our least selfish part, is evoked in +a way that makes us dwell less upon our own trial. Yaspard's +handkerchief and necktie, torn into strips, helped wonderfully to bind +up some of the wounds, although the boy's hands were inexperienced at +such work, and he sickened over the job. + +When that was done there was nothing more to do but exercise patience, +and scan the seas in hope of sighting a vessel of some sort. While +they so waited, and tried to cheer each other's flagging courage, +Yaspard asked, "Did you fall from a ship; or how was it you came to be +tossed up here?" + +The answer was startling. "You have some cursed bad men in those +Shetland Isles," said the sailor, with all the energy he could command. +"Hanging is too good for wreckers; they should be roasted at the false +fires they light for poor seafaring men's destruction." + +Yaspard stared his astonishment. "I never heard the like!" he +ejaculated. "Wreckers! Why, there isn't one left in Shetland. Not +one, I am sure. What _do_ you mean?" + +"I mean that the stout schooner I sailed in would be in a safe harbour +now instead of drifting as spindle-wood among those skerries if there +were no wreckers on your islands, my lad!" + +"There must be some mistake. Do tell me what happened," was all +Yaspard could say. And then he heard the story. + +The schooner _Norna_ was caught in a tempest crossing the North Sea, +and sustained considerable damage--so much that it was deemed advisable +to seek harbour for repairs. She was making for Bressa Sound when a +slight fog came down which compelled the skipper to defer attempting to +thread a way among those rock-bound isles till the atmosphere was +clearer. While beating about, not quite sure of their exact locality, +a bright light was observed which was believed to be lit for their +guidance. There was no other reason why a great blaze should appear in +the middle of the night on a lonely height, which loomed fitfully +through the mist and gloom, and was evidently the crest of some hill. +No doubt a safe harbour lay in that neighbourhood, and the _Norna_ was +confidently put on another course--one which it was believed led her +within the safe arms of a sheltering fiord. On the one hand could be +dimly discerned a low irregular coast, on the other rose the gaunt +shadowy outline of majestic crags. + +It was no friendly voe the hapless schooner had come into, but the +dangerous sound, studded with stacks and holmes, which flow between +Lunda and Boden. + +Guided by that treacherous beacon, the _Norna_ sailed slowly on and +crashed on a sunken rock not far from the cliffs of Trullyabister. + +The man who told the story had gone aloft to take in sail, when it was +discovered that the vessel was among breakers; and when she struck he +was dashed from the rigging. He could give no account of what further +happened, beyond remembering that he was clinging at one time to a +spar, and saw his ship backing (as he described it) into deep ocean. + +"I think it must have happened not far from here," he said; and +Yaspard, looking towards Boden, over which the soft tints of twilight +were beginning to blend with mists from the surrounding seas, replied-- + +"Yes; it must have been the Easting Ban upon which she struck--that's a +sunken rock quite near this holme. But I can't think what light it was +you saw. You see the land on Lunda is very low along the sound, and +there are only a very few people living on my island--that is Boden +there; the light couldn't have been there." + +The sailor raised himself on an elbow and looked at the cliffs of +Boden, and the sound with its many isolated and barbarous rocks; then +he said-- + +"The fire blazed from beside that cone. I recognise its shape," and he +pointed to the Heogue towering steeply over Trullyabister and its range +of mighty cliffs. + +Yaspard shook his head. + +"It couldn't be," he said positively; and then his thoughts once more +became filled by the image of his little sister all alone in the +_Osprey_ drifting out to sea as the evening fell, and he could not take +further interest in the _Norna's_ fate. He never even asked if it was +likely that any others had escaped the fate of their ship. Signy, in +her holiday attire, with her bright face blanched with fear, her hands +stretched to him, her small slight form bent in the attitude of +prayer;--Signy floating away, away, and alone! It was terrible. + +He rose up from his place beside the sailor, and going to the other +side of the holme, he again knelt down and "wrestled in prayer" for his +darling. Never once did he think of his own serious position, beyond +desiring fervently that help might come in time to enable him to go in +search of his sister with some hope of finding her. + +But the twilight came slowly and softly down, and some sea-fowl who +were wont to nest on Yelholme circled around it, clamouring to find +their night abode invaded, but no welcome boat appeared. + +The sailor gradually fell into an exhausted sleep, which looked so like +death that Yaspard's heart sank with a new fear, and he scarcely dared +bend over the still, prostrate figure lest he should find that fear +realised. By-and-by the mists drew nearer, wrapping the holme in their +filmy veil; then the sea-birds, emboldened by the motionless silence of +the castaways, dropped upon the crags, and folded their wings for the +night. Around the lonely islet thundered the ocean, whose waves rocked +never-endingly, until Yaspard, gazing fixedly on them, felt as though +the holme itself were some tremulous cradle swinging with the +rhythmical ebb and flow of those majestic billows. + +His brain seemed on fire, however, and would not be lulled to sleep by +the influence of night and the anthem of ocean. The poor lad suffered +such torment of soul as we can scarcely imagine; to the young, +compulsory inaction during mental pain is almost unendurable, and +sometimes Yaspard felt that to fling himself into the water, to +struggle there and drown, would be better than sitting on the holme +idle, helpless, picturing Signy's fate. + +He gave up at last gazing on the sea, which seemed to mock his hopes +and fears with its monotonous roll and roar, and fixed his eyes on the +dim outline of the Heogue, which his sister had named "Boden's purple +crown;" and he wondered if Signy could see the dear old hill from her +place amid the waves. He _would not_ think that the _Osprey_ had +capsized or broken on some crag, but continued to picture the child in +the boat as he had last seen her. + +While Yaspard sat there straining his eyes upon the hill-cap, he +fancied he saw a flicker of red light on its side. For a moment he +believed his sight had deceived him, and he rubbed his lashes and +looked again. There it was again, a more distinct flicker than at +first; then it grew brighter and steadier, and presently flashed up +into a merry blaze which sent its ruddy life far over the sea. + +Yaspard stood up wondering and trembling, till in a moment the truth +flashed into his mind, and he sat down again dumfoundered, and saying +within himself, "_That_ explains the whole affair! Yes. It's +fule-Tammy without question. A pretty fix he has made for himself!" + +Then Yaspard thought of waking the sailor to see the false light; but +on second thoughts he muttered, "What's the use? If I _have_ to speak, +and am ever in another place than this, I'll do it. But there isn't +any use in telling upon that born fool just now. Well! I'm glad he is +a fool. I could not bear this fellow to accuse us of having wreckers +in Shetland--though there _have been_ plenty. But so there were in +other places when folk were like savages." + +He watched fule-Tammy's fire burn up and blaze steadily, then wane and +die out; and when every spark was extinguished there came over the +eastern sky a faint blush heralding the dawn of day. + +The brief dream of night was over, and Yaspard, sighing wearily, +murmured, "If some boat could but find Signy it would not matter so +much about us--about me, I mean. I deserve my fate. I ought not to +have left her in the boat alone for any earthly consideration. And +yet--it seemed the right thing to do." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +"OH, NEED SORE AND MIGHTY." + +Shortly before Yaspard and Signy left Collaster on that unfortunate +expedition, the young Laird of Lunda was called from the Ha' to +interview some shipwrecked men who had been found by a haaf-boat on one +of the sound skerries. + +Arab soon carried Fred to the extreme point of his island, where the +men were hospitably lodged by some fisher folk. Great was his wrath +and astonishment on being told the story of their misadventure, which +seemed incredible from one point, and yet was the only explanation +admissible, considering that when the accident took place the weather +was not rough, and the vessel still under management, if the skipper +was telling truth. + +Fred put the men through a searching course of cross-questioning, but +could not discover any flaw in their statement regarding the large fire +lit on the hill; and he was obliged to admit that there must have been +a signal there as described. + +After seeing that the men had every comfort, he went off to consult the +minister and Doctor Holtum as to what must be done. The sailors were +wrathful (as was not wonderful) and vowing vengeance. The fisher folk +were puzzled, and affirmed that there must have been some supernatural +agency at work. Fred felt sure the matter would have to be sifted, and +that upon himself and Doctor Holtum (the only magistrate in Lunda since +Mr. Garson's death) would devolve the duty of instituting inquiries in +Boden. + +"It will be a very awkward job," Fred said, when retailing what had +taken place to Dr. Holtum. "It will certainly put an end to all chance +of peace with Mr. Adiesen, for he is sure to resent such a charge and +such a suspicion with the utmost bitterness." + +"There is no one living on Boden but what one might call his own +household, for the Harrisons are just like home servants; therefore--as +you say--he will resent this as a personal matter." + +"There is that strange man Neeven," said Fred thoughtfully. "I have +heard very curious tales of him. He does not seem to be quite sane, if +one may credit all that is reported of his ways. It is possible that +_he_ may have lit that fire for some eccentric purpose quite different +from that which those men imagine." + +"You have not unlikely hit upon the truth, Fred," said the Doctor; "but +that makes our task no easier." + +"If that Viking-boy had not been here last night, I should have been +convinced it was some prank of his. Well for him that we can prove an +_alibi_ for him! Dear-a-me, Doctor, what a business this will be! I +am sure being Laird of Lunda isn't all sugar and spice." + +"It has happened most unfortunately at this time, just when those young +people were bringing the old man round in such a nice way. Well, well, +Fred! we must believe there is some good purpose in even such a 'kettle +of fish' as this." + +After various consultations among the wise-heads, it was agreed that +Dr. Holtum and Fred, with the captain and mate of the _Norna_, should +go over to Boden next day and interview Mr. Adiesen. I need not +describe what they meant to say, or how they hoped to mollify the +irascible old man, for their intention was never carried out. In +crossing the sound they spied Yaspard gesticulating wildly from the +crest of Yelholme. + +"Some of your men on the holme, captain?" the Doctor said, as soon as +they caught sight of the figure. + +"I only lost one, and that _may_ be him," was the answer; "but he fell +from the rigging, and must have been awfully mashed. Indeed, I never +dreamt he could be alive; and I can hardly believe he would be able to +dance about in _that_ fashion." + +Yaspard was moving restlessly about, afraid that if he stood still he +might not be noticed. As the boat approached nearer Fred remarked, +"That is a mere lad, but there is some one else lying on the skerry." + +Dr. Holtum had very keen vision, and very soon he said in agitated +tones, "Fred, lad, it is very like the boy Yaspard; and I don't see any +boat about." + +"It certainly _is_ Yaspard, with no jacket on, and a man beside him. +Whatever can have happened?" + +The boat went straight for Yelholme, and as she reached it the Doctor +called out, "My dear boy, what has happened to you?" + +Yaspard could not speak, but his haggard, weary appearance, as well as +the helpless form beside him, told a tale of sufficient misery. + +"That's my bo's'n," said the captain, as soon as he saw the man's face. +Then the Doctor and Fred scrambled on shore, and while the former--with +the instinct of his profession--made for the wounded man first, Fred +turned to Yaspard (foreboding the truth) and asked, "Your little +sister?" + +"I have lost her. She has gone with the boat," came in bursting sobs +from the poor boy, who was by that time so completely exhausted and +unmanned that Fred could only take him in his arms and try to comfort +him as one might a little child. + +A brief explanation made the whole matter plain to our friends of +Lunda, but it took some time to show the _Norna's_ captain how it +stood. He had been nursing much wrath against the inhabitants of +Boden, and would scarcely pay sufficient heed to what Fred said. But +his boatswain's account of the matter satisfied him, and he was as +willing as any one of the party to postpone the disagreeable visit to +Boden, and return to Collaster with as much expedition as possible. + +Under the Doctor's skilful directions the injured man was removed to +the boat, which was soon being rowed by six pairs of strong arms back +to Lunda; and while so proceeding, Fred contrived to revive Yaspard's +hopes regarding Signy. + +It was impossible, he said, that the boat could go far out to sea, for +the many cross-currents would prevent her. Nor was it likely that she +could upset, unless she came in contact with the rocks. It was even +possible that little Signy, so intelligent and brave, might think of +using the helm to guide herself. She was quite familiar with the +working of a boat, and after the first panic was over might find some +way of serving herself. + +Thus Fred talked, and Yaspard's naturally sanguine nature caught +inspiration from his words. He was even ready to smile, and say, "Yes, +the _Laulie's_ crew will find her if any can," when Fred spoke of the +young Mitchells and their boat, no doubt available at that time. + +Unfortunately the _Laulie_ was not available, for those restless boys +had determined on a fishing expedition to the Ootskerries preparatory +to their Viking-raid on Trullyabister, and had gone off early that +morning. However, there were many other, if less interested and less +efficient, crews in Lunda ready to do the young Laird's bidding; and +not long after his return a number of boats were leaving the island to +scour its neighbouring seas in search of the lost child. + +Yaspard could scarcely be constrained from embarking in the first +available boat, and was only deterred by Fred's assurance that he had a +plan in his head which was only workable by themselves twain. + +"When you have fed and rested we will set about it; and while you are +obeying the Doctor by lying down on that sofa, I will go home and tell +my mother what has happened, and what I purpose doing." + +In the afternoon--just twenty-four hours after the _Osprey_ had sailed +from the voe of Collaster with a happy brother and sister aboard of +her--Fred and Yaspard put off in a small boat, very like our Viking's +bark in size and build. They sailed straight for Yelholme. By that +time Fred explained what his plan was, and Yaspard became much excited +over it, hoping everything from its peril and ingenuity. + +When they reached the holme they hauled down their sail, and waited "on +their oars" till the tide was exactly in the same stage in which it was +when Signy was carried away by it. + +Then the oars went in; the two adventurers sat passive on the middle +thwarts, and let the boat go as the waters willed. Away she spun round +the holme, and out in the same direction that the _Osprey_ had taken. + +"It's going to do, I really believe," Yaspard exclaimed, and Fred +nodded; but Fred's heart was heavy at thought of the beautiful little +creature who had flown like a dove into his heart so short a time +before. He could so easily recall the sweet-confiding way she rested +her head against him; he almost felt her soft hair blowing about his +face as it had done when Arab carried them both to Collaster, and he +was also carried into the undiscovered country of a young man's ideals! + +They did not speak much as they drifted with the currents. They saw +many of the boats that had been sent out, and spoke some; but no one +had any report to make. Nothing had been seen or heard of the _Osprey_. + +"It is scarcely time to hear anything yet," said Fred. "We must not be +discouraged until we have heard from the boats that have gone farther +away, and until our own plan fails to put us on her track." + +"I don't believe it will fail," answered Yaspard, with a show of +resolution far greater than his inward hope warranted. + +"We will hope, boy; and we will not forget that the Father's watchful +care has been about her in her loneliness and peril, poor little +lassie!" + +They lapsed into silence after that, and drearily watched the water as +it carried them along, until they began to near a group of skerries +which lay on the direct way to Havnholme. The steady current flowing +past the point of Yelholme had borne them in safety beyond all +dangerous rocks until nearing that ugly group, and when they noted the +direction in which they were then drifting their hearts sank. + +Fred sat white and stern, looking at the black rocks round which the +ocean seethed white, and Yaspard wondered what he meant to do. He did +not have much time to wonder. Fred took the seat in the stern, and +said in a low voice, "She shall go as far as we dare let her; stand by +to lift the sail when I bid you." + +On went the boat, rolling more perilously as she came among the more +disturbed waters; then it seemed that she lay checked between two huge +waves for a moment; and while she so seemed to pause, the young fellows +anxiously gazed at the group of skerries, fearing everything from their +dark and frowning appearance. + +Presently--could it be? Yes, the boat was not proceeding as she had +done. She was going in another direction; she had met a cross tide, +and was being carried by it past the skerries, past the towering cliffs +of Havnholme, and into the quiet smiling little bay which gave that +island its blessed name. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +"SO HE SHUT ME IN SHIELD-WALL." + +I have not been able to describe Yaspard's grief when he lost sight of +the _Osprey_, and I am less able to describe his joy upon seeing her +floating snug against the crags which were the favourite landing-place +on Havnholme. But neither he nor Fred could utter a Bound when they +caught sight of Signy lying under shelter of the skeö, which had been +of like service to many a person before; but never surely to so fair, +delicate, and forlorn a creature as she--when she quitted the boat on +the previous evening, and sank down on the spot to weep herself into +unconsciousness. The sun had gone down, and had risen, and was fast +sinking to rest behind the western waves again, but Signy had never +moved from the place. Once or twice she had waked up, and gazed wildly +around until she had once more realised her position, then with a low +cry, that was yet a prayer, she had buried her face in the grass again +and lapsed into that state of half slumber, half stupor, which was a +merciful relief from the more keen realisation of her position. + +In trembling haste her brother and Fred landed, and ran to where she +lay; but so lifeless did she seem that Yaspard paused beside her, and +dared not even stoop for a nearer look. + +It was Fred Garson who lifted her head, and tenderly put the hair back +from the white, innocent face; then said with tears, "Thank God, this +is only sleep!" + +Down Yaspard dropped on his knees by Signy, and when she opened her +eyes they lighted first on her brother's face--white as her own, but +full of gladness and love. + +For a few moments she did not realise what had happened to her. +"Brodhor! I had a strange dream," she murmured--"a terrible dream. +But--where am I? Oh! I remember! Oh, Yaspard! you have found me! +Oh, God heard all I said to Him!" + +She leaned back on Fred's arm again, and looked up at him with the same +confiding look she had raised when they were galloping over the Lunda +heath, and she said very sweetly, "In the boat I thought of you helping +Yaspard to find me." + +They had brought wine and other nourishment with them, hoping that +these might be found of use in that very way; and after Signy had +partaken of refreshment, she was able to smile a little and tell them +how she managed to land. + +"The boat just went where it liked," she said, "and I was _so_ +dreadfully frightened for a little while. Then, as I prayed, it seemed +all at once that I wasn't afraid any more, so I sat still and watched +the sea, and wondered who would pick me up. After a long, long time +the boat stopped rocking, and then I knew she had got out of the tides +into the bay here. I had been here with Yaspard, and knew it; and I +thought if I could row, or steer, or something, I might get the +_Osprey_ to the land. I was afraid to try with the oars, so I went and +steered, and I really managed to turn the boat so that she was carried +to the shore at the right place. I got out and tied the rope as I had +seen Yaspard do. It felt so nice to stand on the ground again! But I +was very tired; and I came up here, and looked all round at the sea, +and I never had felt it to be a dreadful, dreadful thing before--never +in my life! I had so loved the sea! But _then_--oh, it seemed so +large, and powerful, and cruel! Somehow I began to tremble all over +after that, and I am afraid I cried very much. I am not sure when it +was I fell asleep, but it seems ages ago." + +They would not let her talk any more about what had happened, but +turned the conversation to home, and Signy was soon able to chat on +that theme with a degree of composure. + +After being rested and cheered, Fred carried Signy to the Lunda boat, +saying to Yaspard as he did so, "We must all go together; and we can't +bother with a boat in tow, so we had better secure the _Osprey_ here +till she can be fetched." + +"Yes; and then if any of the search-party come to Havnholme, they will +know by that that Signy has been found." + +The hour was late, and Yaspard began to speculate upon what Aunt Osla +and Uncle Brüs would say on being roused from their slumbers to receive +the adventurers and hear the story which had so nearly ended in a +tragedy. + +"I am afraid uncle will be very angry," said Yaspard; but Signy, who +lived closer to the eccentric old man's heart and understood it better, +affirmed that he would be so pleased to have her back in safety he +would not "break out" on anybody. "Besides," she added, "he will see +that we _couldn't_ leave that poor man, and that it was all just a mere +accident." + +Yaspard was not so confident, nor yet was Fred, but they did not +discuss the point further; only Fred remarked, "I'd carry you both +straight away to Lunda, and get Dr. Holtum to take you home and smooth +matters as _he_ only can; but ill news travels fast, and it is quite +possible that the catastrophe has been reported at Moolapund; and +reported with twenty exaggerations tacked on to it. In that case the +sooner you are home the better;" and Signy added, "I'd like best to go +_home_." + +Home had seemed so dear and far away while she was alone, that now her +whole heart was turning to it with a passionate yearning; and her +companions thoroughly understood the full meaning of her little +sentence. + +The events of the last twenty-four hours had completely driven all else +from our Viking's mind, and he did not remember that he had trysted the +lads of Lunda to meet him that night at (what they had named) Gloy's +geo. But they, knowing nothing of what had taken place after they +parted from the Osprey, were not likely to break bargain in such an +affair--promising, as it did, some rare fun. + +The boats which Fred had sent out to scour the seas had not approached +the Ootskerries, knowing that the _Laulie_ was there, and that her crew +were not likely to miss seeing the lost boat if it came that way. +Moreover, the fishermen calculated that the tide would carry her in a +more southerly direction, altogether ignorant of the influence, at a +precise and fortunate moment, of cross-currents. As we have seen, Fred +Garson judged differently and with a better result. + +But of all these things our lads were ignorant; therefore, shortly +after Fred's boat entered Boden voe the _Laulie_ set out from the +Ootskerries for her rendezvous; and what next happened to her crew you +shall learn when we have safely housed the young Adiesens at Moolapund. + +There was the complete and brooding silence of Nature at rest over land +and sea when the boat sailed up the voe, and the three adventurers did +not speak a word till Signy caught sight of a light. + +"Oh," she cried, "look! uncle has not gone to bed; there is a lamp +burning in the parlour still." + +"That is very satisfactory," quoth Fred; "but they can't have heard any +rumour about you, else there would be more folks awake than the +scientist, and other lamps besides that of the study." + +"Uncle Brüs will be grubbing among his specimens," said Yaspard +concisely. + +When they reached land they heard Pirate begin to bark and whine, +evidently aware of their vicinity, and eager to get out and give them +welcome; and as they drew near the house the door opened and Mr. +Adiesen appeared, in a fantastic dressing-gown and Fair Isle cap, +saying to the dog, "What's the matter, Pirate?" + +The "matter" became plain to his vision next moment in the form of +Signy, who flew into his arms crying, "Oh, uncle, dear, dear uncle! I +am so thankful to be here again. I was lost, and nearly died; and poor +Yaspard was left on Yelholme." + +"Bless the child!" he gasped; "what on earth is she saying? Yaspard! +do you know it is midnight? What is-- Why, Mr. Garson! what--what!" + +For once in his life Mr. Adiesen was thrown off his balance. Signy, +springing up to bind her arms round his neck, caused him to stagger +backwards into the hands of Fred and Yaspard, while their appearance +and the girl's words upset his mind as much as his body. The joyful +bounds and barks of Pirate added to the old gentleman's confusion, and +when set on his feet again he could only turn and walk back to his +parlour in blank amazement. + +The others followed, of course, and stood waiting for him to speak, +which he did shortly after resuming the arm-chair, which he had vacated +at Pirate's request. "Explain yourself, sir!" he said severely, +addressing Fred. So there was nothing for it but for Fred to begin and +tell the story as best he might; but he had not proceeded far when +Signy crept to her uncle's knee. _Then_ he noticed her face was white +and drawn, and her eyes still full of a great fear. + +"Stop a moment, sir," said Mr. Adiesen; "my child is ill. Signy, who +has frightened you?" + +"No one, uncle; only I was alone in the boat and on Havnholme, and I +was so afraid," and then she began to cry bitterly. He drew her close +and looked frowning at Yaspard; "You had charge of your sister!" he +said very sternly. + +"The lad is not to blame, Mr. Adiesen," Fred exclaimed. "He was doing +a good action, and he has suffered much also. Don't be hard on +Yaspard." + +"Mr. Garson saved me, uncle dear," sobbed Signy. "He found me on +Havnholme; he is so good." + +"Havnholme!" the old man muttered, and something like an electric shock +went through him at that word. + +The change in his expression was not lost on Fred. In a very few words +he explained all; and when the narrative was ended he added, "We know +that God had the dear child in His keeping all the time; and I am fain +to believe that He who holds the seas in the hollow of His hand guided +the boat to Havnholme--_to Havnholme_--for some wise purpose, Mr. +Adiesen." + +The old man's face dropped to the curly head lying on his breast, but +he only said, "The child must get to rest, and Mam Kirsty. Ring that +bell, Yaspard, and then go and tell your aunt. Sit down, Mr. Garson, +sit down, till I've had time to think." + +Fred did as he was bid, and so of course did Yaspard; and a pretty +scene he created in Miss Osla's room when he burst in there and told +her all! + +The ringing of the bell had roused the maids and Mam Kirsty, who +presented herself in the parlour with head discreetly and carefully +covered in a huge cap and hap-shawl, but her feet and legs only +protected by a short petticoat and pair of wooden clogs. + +Her appearance and incoherent ejaculations were quite too much for the +gentlemen, although their mood had been grave enough the moment before. +They both laughed; and even Signy's tears were checked as she cried +out, "Oh, dear Mam Kirsty, you do look so awfully funny." + +"Take the child to her aunt's room," said Mr. Adiesen, "and see that +she sleeps there to-night. She must not be alone. And some of you +girls there prepare a room for Mr. Garson, and bring in some supper. +Be sharp now." + +He kissed Signy fondly, and had no objections to offer to Fred's doing +likewise, but when she disappeared with her nurse he muttered, "I ought +not to have trusted her out of this isle." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +"FROM THE HANDS OF MY KINSFOLK." + +"What on earth has become of that duffer?" said Tom Holtum, when the +_Laulie_ arrived at the geo and no Yaspard appeared either on land or +sea. + +"We are a little before our time," Harry remarked; "but I don't see his +boat anywhere along the voe--that is, as far as one can see in the Dim +and along such a twisting twirligig of a voe as this." + +"I vote we land and have a nap," said Bill; but no one seconded him, as +they expected the Viking and his followers to appear at any moment. + +These did not put in an appearance, however; and after waiting a long +hour Tom said, "Look here, boys, something unforeseen has stopped +him--and it's something serious too. I expect the old man has smelt a +rat, or Yaspard has had qualms of conscience." + +"He'd have come and told us if _that_ were it," said Harry promptly. + +"Anyway," Tom replied, "he hasn't come; and it does not look as if he +were coming, and we can't sit here all night doing nothing. So I vote +we proceed without Sir Viking." + +"He would not like it; and it is his quest, you know," Harry laughingly +made answer. + +"_His_ quest, but remember it is also _my_ what-you-call-am--little +game. Mind you I discovered the seal for myself, and I meant the job +of taking her to be our job. Father said it might have been better if +Yaspard had less to do with it. On the whole, boys, I don't think we +can do better than start and reconnoitre, and take whatever chance +comes our way." + +The others agreed, and, thinking it best not to venture up the voe, +they decided to moor their boat at some safe place on the other side of +Boden and nearer Trullyabister. "So said so done" was the way of those +lads, and about the time when Yaspard and Fred were falling asleep, +thoroughly tired out, the Mitchells, Tom, and Gloy were stealthily +creeping up the hill to the old Ha'-hoose. + +"We must be careful and spry," quoth Tom, "for the ogre 'walks' like a +ghost o' nights, as I know to my cost." Yaspard had described the +ruins to them, and they knew all about the passage leading to the +haunted room. _His_ plan for liberating the captives had been their +plan, since no better could be; but they were not provided with the +tools he meant to bring, and could not therefore carry out the +programme as at first arranged. + +But those boys were not often at their wits' end, and whatever +substitutes for sacks, saws, and shovels suggested themselves as +available were carried with them from the boat. These substitutes +consisted of a piece of sail-cloth and some bits of hard wood, an +owzkerry[1] and the boat-hook. They also brought away some stout rope, +and a knife which had helped to end the career of many an aspiring +fish. They were not without hope of finding a spade lying "handy" +somewhere in the vicinity of the house; so that, on the whole, the +young marauders were not so badly off for the sinews of war. + +They met with no adventure by the way, nor saw they the least sign to +indicate that either of the night-roving inhabitants of Trullyabister +were awake. Near the peat-stack they found a spade and a large stout +keschie, which they appropriated, as Harry suggested it would make a +handy cradle for the baby seal. They stole into the ruined and +roofless apartment as Yaspard and the Harrisons had done, and listened +for sounds from the prisoners; but all was quiet. There was plenty of +daylight by that time, so that they did not have to grope their way +about. + +"Of course the first thing," whispered Harry, "is to make sure they are +_there_, so I'll mount as the Viking did." + +He clambered up to the window and took a good look in. It was a pity +he did not take as good a look _out_, and then he might have +noticed--at a window close by, the window of Mr. Neeven's study--the +eyes of that ogre himself watching the boys with grave intentness. But +Harry, all unaware of such espionage, came down from the window, and +reported Mrs. Sealkie asleep beside her baby in a corner made +comfortable with straw and bits of carpet. To work then went the lads, +one with a spade, another with a knife; and when these two were tired, +the others took their place, so that the job was rapidly accomplished. + +Their plan was to remove the lowest board which blocked the way to the +passage, and to dig from under it a sufficient amount of earth to +enable a boy to enter--or a seal to come out. + +They meant, _after_ capturing the captive, to hack the board and scrape +the earth, so that any one would suppose that the seal had gnawed and +clawed her own way to freedom; and they thought it a very clever plan +indeed, saying that Yaspard, with whom it originated, was the great +inventor and general of the age. + +The seal did not sleep while this was going on so near her; but she had +partaken of a late and large supper, and did not "fash" beyond now and +then whining in a melancholy voice, which stimulated the young heroes +to further efforts, and helped to cover the noise they made. + +Before long they were satisfied that the opening was wide enough to +allow them to enter crawling. "The first one that goes in will have to +watch his head," said Bill, "for I've heard that seals are very fierce +when they have young ones around." + +"_This_ seal is Trullya, and she will know us. Anyway, she never was a +crosspatch, and I'll go first," replied Harry the wise and brave. "And +I don't see," he added, "that any one else need go in there. I'll try +and persuade her ladyship to inspect this aperture, and take a +'constitutional' down the passage." + +But Tom wasn't going to let another eclipse him in valour, particularly +as this quest was his, so, before Harry had done speaking, Tom ducked +and soon wriggled himself through the opening. Harry followed, after +cautioning Bill and Gloy to go out of the passage and keep watch, to +give the alarm in case Mr. Neeven or fule-Tammy should come upon the +scene. + +The sealkie was neither alarmed nor disturbed by her visitors. She had +evidently returned to her tame confiding ways, and allowed the boys to +come close to her. When Harry spoke to her by name, using also some +soft notes which Fred had taught Trullya to understand as a call to +meals, she responded in her plaintive voice, which left no doubt of her +identity; but when Tom attempted to touch the baby she uttered a sharp +bark and glared at him in a manner that showed she was by no means +prepared to allow their overtures to go a step further. + +"What shall we do if she won't come out?" asked Tom; "we couldn't +muffle her _here_, could we?" + +"You go along, and leave madame to me," replied Harry; and Tom made his +exit. + +Harry had "a way" with animals, and he soon managed to persuade Trullya +to leave her couch. Then the baby, restless and curious as small +persons are, crept to the opening and peeped out. The mother followed, +and finding the barriers against which she had daily fretted removed, +waddled slowly into the passage, followed by her young one. + +Harry hastily tumbled the earth and broken bits of wood about the +opening, and followed the sealkie into the large room, where he found +her looking amazedly at the three boys stationed at spots where they +thought she might escape. + +Tom had taken up the piece of sail-cloth, and he was preparing to throw +it over the seal when all were startled by the sound of a loud cough +not far away. + +"Gracious!" one exclaimed in a horrified whisper. + +"He's coming!" said another. + +The cough was repeated, and the person who coughed was nearer. +Moreover, footsteps were heard! These sounds proceeded from the north +side of the house, and the four boys promptly and silently evacuated +the ruin over the south wall. + +"Run for the peat-stack," Harry whispered; and when they were crouching +behind it he said briefly, "It's all up. That was Mr. Neeven. We must +creep round to the knowes, and then make tracks for our boat." + +Setting the example, he started for the knowes, crawling over the +ground like a Red Indian on the war-trail, and followed by his +companions. If they reached the knowes unobserved they might hope to +get off in safety, for those little hillocks intercepted the view from +Trullyabister, preventing any one there from seeing across the hill +which the Lunda boys had to cross. + +But when they reached the knowes Mr. Neeven suddenly appeared from +behind them, saying sternly, "What is this? What! Tom Holtum, who +calls himself a gentleman!" + +They were beautifully caught, and rose from their reptile position +shamefaced and discomfited. Tom, whose audacity frequently stood them +in better stead than Harry's self-possession, was the first to face the +very awkward situation. + +"We didn't mean any harm, sir," he said. "We only came to take Fred +Garson's pet sealkie." + +"Indeed! and where may Fred Garson's pet sealkie be?" + +"She was in the haunted room--goodness knows where she may be by this +time," was the very cool answer of Master Tom. + +"Are you aware, young gentleman, that breaking into a house is a +burglarious offence, for which you are liable to imprisonment with hard +labour during a term of years?" + +That was a terrible speech; but a sudden break in the speaker's voice, +and a mirthful look which he could not repress, were noted by Harry, +who took them as hopeful signs; so, plucking up courage, he replied-- + +"You know what is fair and right as well as we do, sir; and I put it to +you--were we doing a bad thing in trying to recover our friend's +property in a quiet way? He might have sued Mr. Adiesen in the law +courts, and made no end of a row." + +"Always supposing, my lad," Mr. Neeven interrupted, "that the seal +could be proved to be his." + +"I can prove it easily," Harry answered confidently. "She answered to +the old call Fred used; and besides that, Isabel made a sketch of her. +Every mark on her skin is in the picture." + +"And more," said Tom; "the sealkie was caught on Fred's property, where +no person had business to be without _his_ leave." + +"That, too, is a point open to question. But what _I_ have to do with +is this disgraceful burglary. I believe it is admitted that you had +less business in Trullyabister than Mr. Adiesen had in Havnholme." + +There was no denying that truth, and the boys hung their heads. + +"Follow me," said the ogre. "First you shall show _me_ if the animal +recognises your call, and after that I'll tell you what I mean to do +with you." + +The whole party returned to the ruins; but when they got there they +were just in time to see Trullya and her baby flopping over some crags +near the back of the house, which was situated only a little way from +the sea on _both_ sides. + +The boys were about to start in pursuit, but Mr. Neeven stopped them. + +"Let her go to her own," he said almost gently. And in a few minutes +the seal reached the ocean and was free once more. + + + +[1] "Owzkerry," scoop for baling water. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +"NOUGHT HAD'ST THOU TO PRAISE." + +When Trullya disappeared, the ogre turned upon the boys with a +savageness that was very much put on; for their rueful looks, +disappointment, headlong action, and love of fun, had appealed to him +in a way he was not prepared to combat very seriously. But he was not +going to let them know that. He laid a hand heavily on Tom's shoulder, +and asked, "How came you to know about the seal?" + +"I saw her at the window, and I guessed a lot." + +Mr. Neeven saw in the four candid faces before him that there was more +to tell. + +"How did you find your way into my house, and to that particular +portion of it? Very few persons know about those passages and places." + +They were silent. They would not tell on Yaspard, and seeing that his +question remained likely to be unanswered, he asked another. + +"Haven't you entered into a Viking campaign, with my young relative +Yaspard Adiesen for your 'enemy,' of all games in the world?" + +"Yes," said Tom; "but his uncle was told about it, and our fathers +know." + +"Then your fathers are as----" He stopped short, for Harry Mitchell's +eyes were flashing on him in a very spirited manner, and Harry's voice, +raised and determined, interrupted him. + +"Excuse me, sir, but I think we must not listen if you go on _that_ +tack. Blow us sky high about our _own_ doings. We own up that we +might have made our raid in a more open way, and given you warning that +we meant to attack your castle. _That_ would have been more like +honest Vikings; but, all the same, we aren't going to admit that we've +done anything really wicked, or that our fathers would have permitted +us to carry on so if it had been wrong. And we are ready to take any +punishment you think right to inflict." + +"It was only our madram," [1] added Tom, using an old Shetland word, +which Gaun Neeven had heard applied to himself in days gone by more +often than any other term. + +"Only _boys' madram_," his gentle mother had so often said to excuse +his foolishness and screen him from the results of many an escapade. +His boyhood was being swiftly recalled by the antics of those boys, and +by Tom Holtum's ways and words. He saw his boyish self more in Tom +than in the others, and the contact with those young spirits was doing +the recluse good. + +The hand on Tom's shoulder pressed more heavily, but it was not an +ungentle touch, and Tom wondered what was coming next. + +"Madram!" muttered Neeven, as if he were thinking aloud, and had +forgotten their presence. "Madram, boys' madram! There may be worse +things in the world than that." + +The cloud lifted a little from their spirits then; and a welcome +diversion took place at that moment in the form of Yaspard, who +presented himself on the scene, flustered, and eager to take the blame +of whatever had happened on his own shoulders. + +After a dreamless slumber of an hour or two, he had waked up to +remember his tryst, and getting up at once, had hastened to a spot +where he could see if the _Laulie_ were anywhere near the geo. Pirate +accompanied him, and did not at all care for going in the direction of +the geo, but kept scampering towards another point, frequently looking +back, as if he wished his young master to follow. + +The _Laulie_ was not in sight, and Yaspard feared the boys had returned +home on finding he did not keep his promise, or had heard of the +_Osprey's_ misfortunes, and had not come at all. + +While he speculated Pirate grew impatient, and begged in every +expressive canine manner that he knew better than Yaspard, who at last +yielded to the dog's persuasions and followed, to find the _Laulie_ +moored not far from where he was. + +"Just so!" he exclaimed. "I see! When they found I did not come, they +started on the adventure without me." + +After that he set off for Trullyabister, and appeared before Mr. Neeven +and his "enemies," as I have stated. + +"You are early afoot!" was the salutation spoken sarcastically by the +master of the situation. But our hero, nothing daunted, answered-- + +"Good morning, sir! Well, boys, I suppose you tried it without me, and +failed, of course." + +"I was convinced none other than yourself was head and tail of the +affair," remarked Mr. Neeven, in the same cool, sarcastic manner. "I +think you must be finding by this time that Vikinging, otherwise +burglary, doesn't fit in with modern civilisation." + +"And there are other things don't fit in either," retorted Yaspard +quickly; then recovering himself at once, he added hastily, "but I +don't mean to fuss. If you please, by-and-by I'll have a quiet talk +with you, sir, about a very important matter. Now, boys, you want to +know why I didn't keep my tryst with you. It is a long story, and a +very dreadful and a very strange one." + +He then recounted all that had occurred since the _Laulie_ and _Osprey_ +parted company, and Mr. Neeven, as well as the lads of Lunda, was +deeply moved by the story. Yaspard alluded as little as possible to +the light which had caused the wreck, and he did not mention at all +that he had seen one similar himself. + +Many were the exclamations of astonishment and sympathy with which his +story was heard, but when it was finished our young adventurers found +their usual mode of expressing much feeling. + +"Three cheers for the little lady, and three times three for Fred +Garson!" Tom called out. + +Up went their caps in the air, and out rang their wild hurrahs, louder +and heartier at each renewal, to the consternation of fule-Tammy, who +was waked from slumber by the uproar, and came out rubbing his eyes, +with all his hair on end, and wailing, "The trows! the trows! they've +come tae pu' doon a' the house at last." + +He was a comical sight, and laughter took the place of cheering. The +boys caught each other's hands and formed a circle round Tammy, +dancing, laughing, shouting, like the wildest of wild savages, until he +recognised some of them, and added to their mirth by squatting in the +midst of them, and saying, "Weel, noo! and I thought it wis the trows! +My lambs, ye can carry on like yon till ye're weary. It's no puir +Tammy 'at sall stop your madram. But, for a' that, ye're a set o' +filskit moniments." [2] + +"Get up, Tammy. Boys, come into the house with me," said Mr. Neeven, +when the tumult subsided and he could make himself heard. + +They followed him to his study, and they were not ungrateful for some +scones and milk which he caused Tammy to set before them; but his grim +expression did not relax, and they did not find their confidence rise +very much. + +After a little time Yaspard said, "Will you please let me have some +private talk with you? I really _must_, before uncle begins to +question me to-day, or any one comes from Lunda, as I expect they will." + +He was taken to another room, but we will not intrude upon that +interview. Mr. Neeven's face wore a heavy frown when they returned, +but he only said, "You will all go now with Yaspard; he can stow you +somewhere, I expect, till the family gets out of bed. You and your +boat may find employment in conveying the Laird of Lunda to his own +island. I have nothing further to say to you, except to warn you not +to make raids upon me again." + +"Thank you, sir," said the Mitchell brothers; and Tom added, "It is +more than good of you to let us off so easy; all the same, I wish we +had Fred's sealkie for him. But thank you, Mr. Neeven; and I'm sure if +I can ever do anything for yon, I'll be as pleased as Punch." + +Then they were dismissed curtly, but not unkindly; and Gaun Neeven felt +his room to be all the darker and lonelier when the mischief-loving +laddies were gone. + +When they got a bit away from the house Harry called a halt. "Look +you," said he, "this is no kind of hour in which to invade a decent +house. Let's go to our boat, and bring her round to Moolapund." + +"And say we've come for Fred, as flat as you like," added Tom; "it will +be quite like our impudence." + +"And will be true enough," said Yaspard. "Only there is more in it +than that." + +"We shan't mind telling your uncle all about it," Tom replied, "if you +don't think it will make a row." + +"There won't be any need to tell him at present, and he is bound to +hear it from Mr. Neeven. These two have long confabs every day, and I +just believe--for I've sometimes heard bits of their talk--that they +don't talk science so much as all about the pranks they played when +they were boys. You wouldn't think it, to look at him, but Aunt Osla +says Mr. Neeven was an awful boy." + +It was hard to imagine the serious scientist and the melancholy recluse +two restless mischievous boys. The irreverent young rascals amused +themselves till they reached the _Laulie_ with fancy sketches of the +two gentlemen (when they were known merely as Brüs and Gaun) getting +into all sorts of ridiculous pickles, until Harry checked the +nonsensical chatter by remarking, "Every man is a boy first, and has to +be a bit of a donkey, with the tricks of a monkey, till he grows up and +gets sense. I hope we will all grow up with half the brains in our +noddles that these two have got." + +Bill Mitchell had scarcely spoken a word since the time they were +discovered, but now he said very solemnly, "He's full of brains, that +man! but I'd rather be more empty-headed, and less like a katyogle[3] +that's been sitting on a stone all day with a dozen of undigested +sandyloos[4] and sna-fowl[5] in his crop." + + + +[1] "Madram," extravagant action, the result of wild, animal spirits. + +[2] Frisky simpletons. + +[3] "Katyogle," snowy owl. + +[4] "Sandyloos," ringed plover. + +[5] "Sna-fowl," snow buntings. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +"GIVE YE GOOD COUNSEL." + +When they reached Moolapund they found all the household up and +assembled for breakfast. Even Signy--though she looked pale and +nervous--was there. The _Laulie's_ approach had been noticed, but Mr. +Adiesen merely remarked, "Your young friends come to fetch you, Mr. +Garson, I suppose?" + +He exchanged a knowing look with Fred. They had been conversing in +private that morning for two hours, and both came into the +breakfast-room with beaming faces. Even Aunt Osla could see without +spectacles that a great change had come over her brother, and the good +lady's heart was lightened, for she was sure the feud had come to an +end at last. + +Yaspard came to much the same conclusion when he ushered his companions +into the house, and saw Uncle Brüs leaning familiarly on Fred's arm, +and quite ready to greet the Lunda boys with cordiality. + +This was what our Viking-boy had longed for, and had hoped to bring +about; yet there was a comical regret mingled with his pleasure as he +thought, "There will be no more excuse for my Viking raids." + +As they all gathered around the table Mr. Adiesen said, "I suppose you +came for your captain, young gentlemen?" + +A moment's pause. "Yes," said Harry; "we were sure he would want to +get home soon to report Signy and Yaspard all right, but----" + +"There's a 'but,' is there? Well?" said the Laird with a smile, which +was reflected on Fred's face. + +"We did not _leave home_ with such an intention," Harry went on +resolutely. "We came to join Yaspard in a quest which ended in a +muddle." + +"Because I wasn't there," said the Viking. And then they told all +about their night's work; and Tom prefaced the telling by a very +sensible remark. "It's got to be known, and we'd much rather have it +all out, and take the consequences as you like. It might look like +being sneaky, or fibicating, if we held our tongues." + +When all was confessed Mr. Adiesen turned to his nephew. "Yaspard," he +said, "you are usually truthful and candid; why have you allowed me to +hear all this from some one else?" + +"I was afraid that you would stop me from having any more raids, and +that the feud would have it all its own way after this." He looked +straight at his uncle, ready for a storm if it came, but it didn't. + +"There will be no more feud, my boy," was the mild answer Mr. Adiesen +made. "I have agreed to bury the feud in gratitude for this child's +deliverance from great peril," and he laid his hand tenderly on Signy's +bright hair. + +"Dear, dear uncle!" she exclaimed; and Miss Osla, behind the teapot, +began to sniff preparatory to a sentimental effusion, which was +fortunately checked by Yaspard exclaiming, "Then that makes an end of +our jolly Vikinging, boys." + +They all laughed, all save Signy, who so thoroughly entered into her +brother's feelings, and she said, "That does seem a pity, brodhor; just +when you had got it all so splendidly arranged." + +"Perhaps," Fred remarked, "some other method may suggest itself. I +don't see why you can't--now that a treaty of alliance is made--join +forces and go on the war-path together." + +"But there's no enemy!" said Yaspard; "one can't fight without a foe." + +"I dare say they will turn up if they are looked for. If you hoist the +black flag you will certainly find some one in the world ready to try +and haul it down, I am glad to say." + +"All right, Fred," Tom cried; "since you counsel such action, we'll +range ourselves under Yaspard's banner, and it shall be 'Boden and +Lunda against the world.'" + +"Stop! stop! you misunderstand me, Tom. I said that I was glad that +there were plenty of foes of the black flag, and that you would find it +so; but in saying that I did not desire you to sail under it. And, +Yaspard, I think you are a little adrift about your Vikinging. It was +only a section of the gallant Vikinger who made piracy their +profession, or need its hateful sign. Why identify yourself with that +lot? There are plenty of black flags flying all over the world, and +not so many of the Red Cross, my lad. Our boys still call me their +captain, so if you will all take your captain's advice, I'd say--let +the black flag be the pall of the feud. Sail with a noble minority +under the Christian badge, as many a Viking did, and _then_ it should +be right well, 'Boden and Lunda against the world.'" + +"Good for you, Fred," said Harry; but Tom declared he couldn't see +through allegories; and that fighting the "world" in that fashion +didn't solve Yaspard's difficulty about his jolly game; and he turned +to Yaspard for assistance in the argument. + +But our hero was "all with" Fred, and could see no fault in him. + +"Obedience and no argument is the first rule of all who elect to follow +a chief," Yaspard said decidedly. "You must see as your captain bids +you, Tom." + +"That's right," Harry Mitchell struck in; "we all agree with Fred. +Good-bye to the black flag; and may Balder guide you to fresh fields of +adventure, Sir Viking, for we look to you to provide us with something +'worthy of our steel.'" + +"Quotations from Scott and Garth Halsen are always dodging among +Harry's yackles,[1] ready to dance on the tip of his tongue when the +smallest opportunity occurs," remarked Tom. + +"Practical Tom Holtum aspires to poetic language," retorted Harry, with +some heat. + +"There they go!" exclaimed Bill, giving a small kick to each, as he +happened to be seated between them. "Always sparring at each other +like young cocks." + +"Sailing under the black flag, eh?" said Mr. Adiesen to Tom and Harry, +who looked a little ashamed, but joined in the laugh at Bill's next +speech. + +"Talk of feuds," quoth he. "These two have had a feud of their own +going since they were born." + +"Why, there is the _Osprey_ coming up the voe," Signy called out. She +had left the table a minute before, and had gone to the window to throw +out some scraps to the pet birds waiting, well assured that they would +not be forgotten. + +Very few boats came up Boden voe, especially at such an unusual hour, +therefore more than one of the breakfast party followed Signy to the +window to see who was coming. + +"It's father for one," said Tom. + +"And that schooner's captain for another," said Fred. + +"Now for it," thought Yaspard. "I wonder what I ought to do? I can't +peach on poor fule-Tammy." + +He was not put to the test, for as the boat reached the quay Gaun +Neeven stalked up to the door followed by the culprit Tammy, looking +quite satisfied with himself, and not at all disconcerted by the many +eyes turned upon him--some in wonder why he was there, some in pity for +his half-witted condition which had caused so much trouble. + +"Shall we boys clear out of the way?" Harry asked of Mr. Adiesen, who +assured him there was no necessity for their effacing themselves, as he +believed a very few words with the _Norna's_ skipper would explain +everything. + +"I wish I had not come on a disagreeable errand," said Dr. Holtum, as +he shook hands all round. "Yes, Tom, I expected to find you boys here. +You generally do contrive to get on Fred's track. We were so thankful, +Adiesen, to learn that the child was safe. One of our boats found the +_Osprey_ at Havnholme, and brought the news and the boat to Lunda." + +Then Mr. Neeven spoke abruptly--"Before anything further is said I wish +to state that I have discovered what caused the deplorable accident to +the schooner _Norna_, and I will make good the loss--though not bound +to do so--to her skipper, who I understand was also her owner." + +"That's handsomely said," remarked the captain; "and when I hear the +explanation I will be better able to judge whether it is justice or +generosity." + +Taking no notice of that surly speech, Neeven turned to fule-Tammy. +"Tell this gentleman, Tammy, about the peat fires you light on the +Heogue." + +"Weel, sir," said Tammy, leering, and shaking himself, "it wis this +way. The Laird wis aye spakin' and spakin' o' getting yon things 'at +they ca' lichthooses upo' wir isles, and he wad say hoo puir seafaring +men wis drooned, and ships broken into shallmillins upo' the baus and +skerries a' for want o' a licht upo' the laund. And, thinks I, there's +plenty o' pates in Boden, and a gude pair o' haunds here tae mak a +roogue[2] 'at should lowe a muckle lowe ony nicht. And why shouldna +puir Tammy's pate-stack do as well tae mak a lowe as a lamp in a +lichthoose? The Laird, puir body, is that taen up with bukes and bits +o' stanes and skroita[3] that his head wasna big eneuch tae think like +puir Tammy, 'at had nae mair tae do but gang drodgin[4] wi' a pate +keschie and the like. So, thinks I, Tammy sall big a lichthoose o' +pates upo' da Heogue, and Tammy sall be the licht-keeper, and des[5] be +a bonnie lowe when the winds blaw. Mony a keschie-fu' has puir Tammy +carried tae dat spot, and mony a puir seafaring man will hae said, +'Blessin's be upo' da cruppin[6] 'at set yon taunds intae a lowe!'" + +So perfectly satisfied with himself and his performance was Tammy, that +not even the _Norna's_ skipper would allow himself to laugh or say a +harsh word. The poor man's mental condition was so obvious, that no +one could doubt for a moment that the truth regarding the mysterious +fire had been told. "That will do, Tammy; you can go home now," said +Mr. Neeven, and Tammy departed forthwith. + + + +[1] Double teeth. + +[2] Heap. + +[3] Lichen. + +[4] Go dawdling. + +[5] There shall. + +[6] Body. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +"AND BOUND FAST THEIR SWORDS IN WEBS GOODLY WOVEN." + +"I think," said Fred as Tammy shuffled away, "that some of us must +follow the 'light-keeper's' example and take ourselves off, especially +as we came without invitation." + +But no one would permit him to say another word about leaving. Mr. +Neeven curtly requested the _Norna's_ captain to accompany him to +Trullyabister "on business." Dr. Holtum, Harry Mitchell, and Fred +followed Mr. Adiesen to his study, for the purpose of inspecting some +of its treasures. Aunt Osla insisted upon Signy's retirement to a +sofa--for the child still looked wan and nervous. Yaspard carried off +Tom and Bill to Noostigard, where Gloy had gone immediately after +breakfast to tell the Harrisons all the astonishing news. Thus the +lawn at Moolapund was cleared of the large human party which had +assembled there--the first for many years; and their places were taken +by the motley crowd of birds and beasts who daily assembled for the +matutinal meal the scientist never failed to give them from his own +hands. + +Great was the astonishment created amongst them by his non-appearance +on this occasion. Loki stretched out his long neck with the curious +jerk which makes a cormorant look so idiotic as well as voracious, +while one or two scories[1] gave utterance to a good deal of strong +language. Pigeons, chickens, shelders,[2] sparrows, and starlings +skirmished for the crumbs, &c., which Signy had put out, and wondered +what was to happen next; a pony shoved his frowsy head against the +window, and a patient large-eyed ox stood near the door with the +obvious intention of remaining there till the master put in an +appearance. All were envious of the favourite cat who was seated +serenely inside the window, blinking complacently at the assemblage +through a safe shield of glass, and at last her airs of superiority and +content became too much for Thor. + +After hopping sedately about, contriving to annex the tit-bits from +Signy's contribution, and making inquiries into the position of +affairs, Sir Raven suddenly alighted on the window-sill in front of +Mistress Puss, and screamed harshly in her very face, "Shoo! shoo! +Uncle, uncle, uncle!" + +The feline person waited for no second remark, but setting up her back +at Thor, she cursed him in cat language and hastily decamped; whereat +the astute Thor, turning to the company observant of all that was +taking place, said "Just so!" + +By that time the patience of a good many of the creatures was +exhausted, and they took to falling out with one another, the result of +which was a concert so peculiar that it drew the attention of the +gentlemen, even though they were very intently turning out the contents +of a cabinet. + +"Ah, poor things! I don't often forget them," Mr. Adiesen said by way +of explaining the clamour outside, and--excusing himself to his +guests--he hurried away to his menagerie. + +Dr. Holtum and Fred stood together at the window and watched the +scientist distribute food to his dependants, while Fred told the Doctor +a great deal of what had passed between himself and his hereditary +enemy; and we may be sure his listener rejoiced over such a happy +termination to the feud of years. + +A pleasant morning glided swiftly to the hour of noontide dinner, when +the boys returned to the Ha' hungry and in high spirits. They had +concocted a grand "lark" while at Noostigard; and they had encountered +Mr. Neeven at the Hoobes, when he had invited Tom to come to +Trullyabister whenever he so pleased. + +"And I'll go," said Tom, when the recluse was out of hearing. "I'll +go, and I'll take the rest of us with me." + +After dinner the Doctor said, "You have a Lunda boat here; and I must +be at Collaster this afternoon, but I don't want to hurry Fred. +Perhaps some of the boys will take me home and return for him." + +But Fred required to go home too, so it was settled that the whole +Lunda party were to depart together. + +"We are to meet, however, on Friday," said Fred, "and have a splendid +picnic in honour of little Signy. She is to be queen of our revels." + +"Hurrah! All right! Just your style! Good for you, Fred!" In such +words the lads let it be known how thoroughly they appreciated any such +project; and when they subsided Mr. Adiesen said, "I wished the picnic +to be here--on Boden, I mean; our island is a scrap compared with Lunda +in size, but we have some cliffs and caves quite as fine as those of +any of the Shetland Isles; and I could show you some fine scenery from +the Heogue. But Mr. Garson wishes his picnic to be held on----" The +old gentleman came to a very full stop, pushed back his spectacles from +his nose to his forehead, drew himself up and looked around, meaning to +be very emphatic indeed (which he was). "Yes," he resumed, when all +his hearers were sufficiently impressed with the importance of what he +had to state--"yes, Mr. Garson desires, and I cordially agree, that the +picnic--I might call it the celebration of our thanksgiving for my +Signy's preservation. Yes--hum! this meeting of my family with our +_friends_ of Lunda is to take place on---- Havnholme!" + +Who can say what it cost that old man to agree to Fred's proposal; to +bury his pride and his resentment, his ancestral prejudice and his +personal arrogance, and meet the Laird of Lunda with his friends on the +disputed piece of earth? + +We cannot understand either the position or the concession, which seem +almost ludicrous in our estimation, but were sufficiently solemn, even +tragic, in the sight of Brüs Adiesen, living a secluded life apart from +men, and nursing there every fantastic or unreasonable or old-world +idea. + +The boys had not a word to say when their host's speech was concluded; +but a sniff from Miss Osla, which might be the prelude to tears and +sentiment, warned Dr. Holtum not to leave the silence for _her_ to +break, and he remarked-- + +"A good thought. We have not had a picnic on Havnholme for ages. The +last time I saw the Yarl of Broch, he was saying he had not set foot on +the Holme since he was a boy, and got thrashed there by you, Adiesen, +eh?" + +"I remember! I remember!" answered the scientist, chuckling and +rubbing his hands together. "We were boys then--yes, boys--and +boy-like, very ready for a row. It seems so short a time ago! It was, +yes, it was a rare good fight--the only time I ever came off best! Ha! +ha! I was not a fighting boy as a rule. I may say Neeven could always +lick me; so could my poor brother Yaspard. But _that time_--don't know +how it happened--I thrashed Halsen. I did indeed, though you mayn't +think it." + +"I am awfully surprised," said blunt Tom Holtum. + +"You may be that," rejoined the scientist, not in the least nettled by +the implication in Tom's speech. "You may well be surprised, for he is +twice my size; he was a big boy, and is a big man. Yes! the Yarl is a +genuine old Shetland Viking of the right sort." + +"He'd suit you down to the ground, Yaspard," quoth Tom; and Fred Garson +added, "You would freeze to Garth Halsen, boy. He is as mad about +Vikinger as you are, only it's in another way. I'll ask them to join +our party. You would like to see Mr. Halsen again, wouldn't you?" + +"To be sure," Mr. Adiesen replied. "We'll fight our battle o'er +again--with our tongues this time. By all means let's have the Yarl +and his boy on Friday." + +So things were settled; and in high good-humour the Lunda boys escorted +Dr. Holtum and their young captain to the boat, and with hearty +good-will rowed home, singing lustily as they pulled-- + + "A life on the ocean wave, + A home on the rolling deep." + + +When the Lunda boat was out of sight Yaspard heaved a long sigh, and +said to Signy, who with him had stood watching their new friends until +the curves of the voe hid them from sight, "Well! I suppose I may stop +my raids when I like now. There is no feud, and no occasion to go on +the warpath." + +"It seems almost too good to be true, brodhor," the girl made answer. +"You need not mind giving up your Vikinging for such a good reason." + +"That's true," he answered cheerily; "only we were getting no end of +fun out of it. However, we must think of some other plan, as Mr. +Garson said. Oh! but isn't _he_ a brick, Signy?" + +"He is just splendid," was the fervent answer. + +"They are _all_ splendid," replied the lad, "except perhaps Tom +Holtum. I don't like him much. And to think of cousin Neeven taking +to _that_ one of all the lot! Well! if Tom is to be visiting +at Trullyabister, where even I have not more than a half-civil +'Good-day'-and-don't-stay-long sort of welcome, there will be hot times +in Boden, and plenty of rows." + +"Oh, brodhor! don't set up a feud of your own, I beseech!" Signy cried, +with a comical look of dismay on her face, and lifting both hands in +appeal. + +Yaspard burst into laughter. "Oh, Mootie, what a little goose you are! +I couldn't keep a feud going to save my life. I can fight! I dare +say, if that chap is much about, I shall knock him down if he cheeks +me, but we will shake hands on the spot every time, you bet! _I_ a +feud! No, Signy, I am not a fool just yet; though if I had stayed much +longer on Yelholme, I'd have lost the little wit I now possess." + +They strolled away to the house, and did not know that Uncle Brüs had +been lying sunning himself on the other side of the stone wall near +which they stood. As the brother and sister departed the old gentleman +muttered, "Not a fool yet! No, Yaspard is not such a fool now as his +uncle has been through a wasted long life. Heaven pardon me!" + + + +[1] Young gulls. + +[2] Oyster-catchers. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +"MEET AND RIGHT IT IS, FAIR LORD, THAT I SHOULD GO." + +The day before that on which the picnic was to take place a mysterious +communication passed between the young Laird of Lunda and Yaspard +Adiesen, the effect of which was to set our Viking into a fit of the +fidgets combined with a state of exhilaration of spirit that threatened +to effervesce in a dangerous manner at any moment. + +But nothing more serious came of it than the startling of Miss Osla's +wits by an apparition of her nephew prancing downstairs with one of +Signy's old dolls in his arms, and his face and head wrapped in a piece +of black linen, upon which our young hero had sketched a death's-head +and cross-bones. As the terrific symbols were spread over his face, it +was scarcely wonderful that Miss Osla got a fright, and called him a +profane boy; but Signy--who was following her brother--explained that +"it" was only the "black flag," and that it would never frighten +anybody any more; with which explanation the gentle old auntie was +quite satisfied. + +Friday came, a glorious summer day, and promising to continue so. +Yaspard was up early, putting some finishing touches to his boat, which +had been undergoing a good deal of cleaning and painting in honour of +the occasion. + +He was all impatience to be off soon, desiring to be the first at the +rendezvous; but Uncle Brüs was not a person who liked to be hurried, +and took his usual time to finish breakfast and feed his pets in spite +of Yaspard's fidgets. + +Fortunately the Harrison brothers (who were to be the _Osprey's_ crew +that day) arrived soon; and he found some relief in discussing with +them the projected "lark" to which I have alluded, and which will be +recorded in its proper place. + +At last Mr. Adiesen and his sister came from the house, the former +carrying a vasculum and field-telescope, the latter burdened with +shawls and umbrellas, which were an insult to the sun, smiling that day +as he seldom condescends to smile on Hialtland. + +Signy followed her guardians, and Pirate came with her, bounding and +barking his delight--for he was still a young dog, and expressed his +pleasure naturally, as young creatures do. + +Yaspard's eager impatience did not prevent him from noting his little +sister's attractive appearance, and he called out as she came running +to the quay, "Why, Mootie, you do look spiff[1] to be sure! Where on +earth did you get that elegant frock from?" + +"Out of Aunt Osla's bullyament[2] boxes," said she; and Aunt Osla +herself explained that the bairn's "best things" had been worsted +during her terrible adventure, which had obliged Miss Adiesen to make a +new dress. All the same, Signy knew that the good lady had consulted +with Mam Kirsty, and had come to the conclusion, fortified by the +opinion of her _aide-de-camp_, that "whether or no," such an important +occasion demanded a new frock for the queen of the revels. + +The Shetland ladies of that time were wont to keep "by them" a hoard of +"material," seeing that shops were beyond their reach; therefore Miss +Adiesen was at no loss to provide a suitable and elegant picnic costume +for the darling of Boden; and the result did credit to her taste and +ingenuity. + +As the family party were taking their places in the boat, two +unexpected guests arrived with the evident intention of joining the +others. These were Thor and Mr. Neeven. Thor coolly lighted aboard +and settled himself close by Mr. Adiesen, remarking, as he did so, +"Just so! Bad boy! bad boy! Uncle!" + +These observations evidently referred to Pirate--not the scientist--who +was lying at their master's feet with head lovingly rested against his +knee, a position which Thor never liked to see occupied by any one, for +he was a jealous bird. + +Mr. Adiesen welcomed Sir Raven by handing him a crust from the +capacious pocket which never failed to carry a supply of such tokens of +good-will. While addressing Thor in the way he liked best, the old +gentleman greeted his cousin by saying, "Glad you thought better of it, +and have come, Gaun. Fine day for an excursion, this. Here is a +comfortable place for you," and he made room for Neeven beside Miss +Osla; but the recluse merely nodded "Good morning" to his relatives, +stepped along the thwarts to the bow, and seated himself there. + +His ways, peculiar and not meant for incivility, were too well known to +provoke comment. The _Osprey_ was shoved off by Yaspard, while Lowrie +and Gibbie got out a pair of oars to help the boat along, as the wind +was very light. + +Brüs Adiesen was in high good spirits, and insisted upon taking an oar +too as soon as his nephew sat down to row. Then Signy began to sing +for very gladness of soul, as the birds do. Yaspard took up the chorus +of her song, which was commented upon by Thor in his usual sage manner; +and even Miss Osla forgot to seem afraid of the sea--a sentimental +fashion which had been considered a feminine attraction in the days of +her youth. + +Altogether the _Osprey's_ party was as happy and almost as blithe a one +as that of the _Laulie_, which arrived at the little bay of Havnholme a +few minutes after the Boden boat. Shortly afterwards two more boats +arrived in company. These were the _Vaigher_ and _Mermaid_, containing +all the rest of Fred's guests. He was in his father's place at the +Vaigher's helm, presiding, as his father would have done, over the +safety of the elder and more sober portion of the party. His sister +Isobel had the management of the little _Mermaid_, and her companions +were Gerta Bruce and Amy Congreve, who had, of course, accompanied +Garth Halsen and his father, the Yarl of Burra Isle. Any of us who +made the acquaintance of the Yarl, his household, and guests from +England, will know all about those girls and Garth, and will expect fun +where they appear. + +It is a real pleasure to me (and I hope to you who read this) to renew +my acquaintance with the Burra Isle contingent; to look once more on +the tender faces of Mrs. Holtum and the "little mother" of those Manse +boys, and to hear the minister's genial laugh, as well as the Doctor's +cheery voice. + +What a shaking of hands and clatter of voices there were, to be sure! +Even Pirate had to make a demonstration, for Watchie had accompanied +the Holtums, and was ready to be friends with any dog. The only person +who did not share in the general good-will and hilarity, who seemed +indeed to be out of place among so many pleasant folk, and to feel +himself quite above all such demonstrations of peace, was Thor. After +surveying the "ongoings" from the safe point of a masthead, he came to +the conclusion that the proceedings interested him no more, and with a +dismal croak he flew off to the skeö, and, seating himself on the +topmost point of its ruinous gable, commented in very uncomplimentary +terms upon the ways of mankind. As his opinions were expressed aloud, +and accompanied by many grotesque and expressive gestures, he created a +good deal of amusement, although Mr. Adiesen remarked gravely enough, +"We ought not to have allowed Thor to accompany us." + +"He won't stay at home unless he is shut up," Yaspard explained; and +Signy added, "Poor old Thor! I dare say he is more pleased than he +_seems_." + +"Perhaps," Fred whispered aside to the brother and sister, "the +Thunderer, the god of war, can appreciate a peace celebration as well +as others." + +"Anyway," replied Yaspard, "there ought to be a 'chief mourner' at the +funeral, and I don't know who can undertake the part if Thor will not." + +"Funeral! What do you mean, brodhor?" Signy asked, with eyes very wide +open; whereupon he beseeched her to be silent, or the cat would be out +of the bag in a jiffy; and Signy, still wondering but submissive, held +her peace, while Yaspard went rollicking from group to group, singing +to a doleful tune with a grin on his face-- + + "Thus said the Rover + To his jolly crew, + _Down_ with the black flag, + _Up_ with the blue. + Shake hands on main-deck, + Shake hands on bow; + Shake hands amidships, + Kiss down below." + + +"You are improving on Scott, I hear," said Garth Halsen. "I didn't +know you went in for being a poet as well as a Viking." + +"No more I do, but _I_ know you write poetry," retorted Yaspard; and +then Fred said, "Yes; and do you know he has been impudent enough to +compose a ballad about a legend of your family, boy? Think of that! I +liked the ballad so well that I asked Garth to bring it along and give +us all the benefit; so you are to hear the story of your own +great-granduncle, whose namesake you are, done into verse, with all the +Viking and Shetlandic accompaniments. What think you of that?" + +"It depends upon how it is treated," quoth Yaspard with most unusual +caution, and eyeing Garth as if he were some curious specimen more fit +for Uncle Brüs's cabinets than a picnic. + +Aunt Osla, however, was charmed with the idea, said it was a very +pitiful story, quite true, and just suitable for a ballad; so Garth's +verses were to be read after lunch and other ceremonies were over--for +other ceremonies there were to be, as all could guess who saw Fred +Garson talking eagerly apart with Yaspard, then choose a lovely green +spot, and say, "This will do. Our dining hall can be on that flat +lower down, but _this_ is exactly what we want. You might get some of +the fellows to bring up a few stones, while I fetch the flag-staff." + +Off went Yaspard, and soon the Harrisons and Mitchell boys were helping +him to convey some large stones to the brae which Fred had chosen. + +"To fix a flag-staff" was all he told them, and they were not +inquisitive, although our Viking's smile and knowing look betokened +something much more important than the erection of a flag-staff. + +"That will do, boys," said Fred, returning from his boat with a long +stout stick and a spade, and in a short time the noble flag of noblest +Britain, the beautiful red, white, and blue, with its mingled crosses +telling so much of Britain's fame and story, was floating over +Havnholme. + + + +[1] Smartly dressed. + +[2] Odds and ends. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +"AND THERETO THEY PLIGHTED TROTH BOTH OF THEM." + +Do you wonder how so many people (and the boys in particular) contrived +to amuse themselves on that little island for a whole long summer day? +I could write a volume about it, and still leave something to tell. +Perhaps, some day, we shall hear what each person said and did and +discovered on that occasion, but at present we must confine ourselves +to the chief incidents. + +First of these was the spreading of a bountiful lunch on a soft flat +spot of turf, as green and fragrant as an English lawn, although yearly +washed by the wild salt billows of the rough Atlantic, and never +touched by spade or ploughshare. Then there was the lighting of a fire +in the skeö, and the boiling of potatoes, and the infusing of tea. And +when all these preparations where almost complete, Yaspard stood upon a +knoll and blew lustily on his "Looder-horn" a signal agreed upon, and +which brought all the scattered party together near the flag-staff. + +When they were all assembled, some casting very longing looks towards +the banquet so invitingly spread on snowy linen with a border of +emerald grass, others looking with some curiosity at the young host and +master of ceremonies, Fred said, "I've got a little speech to make, +friends, if you will have patience to hear me. I have a little present +to give to the little queen of our revels, and I can't do so without +the little speech." + +"Hear! hear!" from some of the listeners, and one (his sister Isobel, +be it known) said loud enough for all to hear-- + + "There was a little man, + And he had a little gift + For to give unto a little little maiden, oh." + + +Fred shook his head at her. "Don't spoil my eloquence, Bell! I won't +say much, you may be sure." + +He drew a paper from his pocket, and the smile on his bright handsome +face deepened into a wonderful resemblance to the chastened gracious +light which had given so much attraction to his father's countenance. +There was much, too, of his father's dignity and ease in his air, and +tears sprang to many eyes as that striking likeness was noted. + +"His father's son, dear lad!" the Yarl whispered to Mrs. Holtum, who +could only look up with quivering lips in reply. + +"My friends," Fred resumed, in graver tones, "you know why we are all +here to-day. We meet to rejoice over little Signy's preservation, and +we meet _here_ to thank God who made this little holme a havn[1] for +her. It was well named Havnholme. It has given shelter to many a +storm-tossed bark. The tiny bay yonder has ever been the one safe +shelter amid the breakers and billows which surround both Lunda and +Boden. There is no other haven of refuge between your island, Mr. +Adiesen, and mine, and we unite to-day in thanking God that little +Signy was saved on Havnholme. In time past, my friends, the +cross-currents were too much for some of the human barks that were out +for life's voyage, and they swamped among the skerries instead of +finding the calm shelter of this islet. We--that is, Mr. Adiesen and +myself--are so thankful to-day, that we have agreed that the best +expression of our gratitude will be a conferring of all our rights in +Havnholme upon the little lady who is queen of our party. Little +Signy, you are to be henceforth sole owner of Havnholme! This paper is +the legal document transferring to you this island as the free gift of +your uncle and myself. But there is another and more interesting +method of assuming the rights of property; and, my friends, we purpose +that Signy Adiesen, Esquiress, of Havnholme, shall 'turn turf' after +the old Shetland manner. I have loosened one or two sods here, so that +she will be able to turn them easily. + +"There is just one small thing more to say. A number of you heard me, +as captain of a crew of sea-rovers, advise Yaspard Adiesen to sail +under this royal old flag, this fair tricoloured cross, and to make the +black badge of Thor into a pall! Yaspard has agreed to my proposal. + +"His little sister possessed a doll which seems to have been an +ill-omened creature all its days. Its legs and arms were always coming +off, its eyes have been renewed many times, but never kept their +position without a squint. It was often lost; it frequently fell on +people's toes, bruising them and wounding the feelings of inoffending +mortals. It was an evilly-disposed doll evidently, and received the +name of the 'Feud.' This doll died the day Signy went to ransom the +Viking. It died by the deed of Pirate, who, finding it in a place +where it ought not to have been, bore it to his hold, as any other +pirate would, and gnawed the life out of it! + +"Well, my friends, our Viking has shrouded the doll Feud in his black +flag, and the turf Signy turns will cover its grave! And now my little +speech is ended." + +Amid the wildest of cheers and the happiest of smiles Yaspard deposited +the doll Feud, rolled up in his Viking flag, in the hole which Fred had +dug; and when it was almost levelled up, Signy took the spade and +deftly "turned turf" as directed. A few pats with the flat side of the +spade soon put the turf in proper position; and when the grave of Miss +Feud was finished, Yaspard flung his cap in the air and shouted, "Death +to all feuds! So perish all the queen's enemies!" + +"The feud is dead! Long live Queen Signy!" cried Fred, lifting the +little girl in his arms; and then Bill Mitchell terminated the +proceedings by calling out, "I vote we go to dinner now, or Thor will +have demolished the best part of it." + +To be sure, Thor, taking advantage of such an excellent opportunity, +when no eye was upon him (for Pirate had slunk to his master's feet +when the doll was produced, thinking that his misdemeanour was about to +be declared and punished, and had no attention to bestow on a +marauder), had hopped on to the table-cloth, and was rapidly +investigating the "spread" with an eye to future confiscation. +Fortunately, Bill was more interested in the food than in the feud, and +gave notice of Thor's depredation in time to prevent any serious +calamity to the dinner. + +Everybody hastened to the level ground, and were soon seated and busy +over the good things which Mrs. Garson had provided with her usual +consideration of individual tastes and necessities. When the more +serious part of the meal was concluded, and tea and fruit was +circulating, there was a great cry for Garth's ballad of the Boden boy +who long years before had come to a tragic end in Lunda. So the young +scald modestly, but with capital effect, recited his story of + + HEL-YA WATER.[2] + + "Where the sod is seldom trodden, + Where the haunted hillocks lie, + Where the lonely Hel-ya Water + Looks up darkly to the sky; + Where the daala mists forgather,[3] + Where the plovers make complaint, + Where the stray or timid vaigher[4] + Calls upon his patron saint; + + Where the waves of Hel-ya Water + Fret around a rugged isle, + Where the bones of Yarl Magnus + Lie below a lichened pile, + There the raven found a refuge, + There he reared his savage brood; + And the young lambs from the scattald + Were the nestlings' dainty food. + + Year by year the Viking's raven + Made that mystic spot his rest; + Year by year within the eyot + Brooded he as on a nest; + And no man would ever venture + To invade the lone domain + Where in solitary scheming + The grim bird of doom did reign. + + It was Yule-time, and the Isles' folk + Sained[5] the children by their fires; + Lit the yatlin,[6] filled the daffock,[7] + As of ealdon did their sires. + There was wassail in each dwelling, + And the song and dance went round; + And the laugh, the jest, the music, + Rose above the tempest's sound. + + Ho! the winds are raging wildly, + Ho! the thunders are awake-- + Tis the night when trows[8] have licence + Over saitor,[9] hill, and brake. + Power is theirs on land and water, + While the Yule-star leads the night; + For where trows may trice their circlet + There they claim exclusive right. + + Yelling round the Hel-ya Water, + Sobbing by its eyot drear, + Screaming with the tempest-furies, + Over hillock, over mere; + On the wings of silent snow-flakes, + On the bulwands[10] from the rill, + By the haunted Hel-ya Water + Flit those heralds of all ill. + + There the dismal bird of boding + Is exulting with the storm. + Who will dare to-night, and conquer + The old raven's sable form? + Who will venture to the vatn,[11] + Where the phantoms of unrest + Set their weird and magic signet + On each knoll and wavelet's crest? + + See, young Yaspard's eye is blazing, + With the fires so fleet and free: + Come of Magnus, yarl and sea-king, + Son of Norland scald is he: + Well he knows the gruesome story + Of that evil-omened bird, + And of trows and vengeful demons + He hath dreamed and he hath heard. + + But his heart is hot and steadfast, + And his hands are strong to try; + He will dare with fiends to combat-- + He will dare, and he will die. + Forth against the howling tempest, + Forth against each evil power, + Wild and reckless, went young Yaspard + In a dark unguarded hour. + + Cold the surf of Hel-ya Water + Breaks around the Norseman's grave, + And the boy is lifted rudely + By each charmed and chafing wars. + Now he struggles boldly onward, + Now he nears the haunted isle, + Where in grim and boding silence + Waits the bird of woe and wile. + + Fain is Yaspard to encounter + That fierce harbinger of gloom-- + Fain to dare the spells of magic, + Fain to foil the wrath of doom. + Hark! the solitary raven + Croaks a note of death and pain, + And a human call defiant + Answers from the flood again. + + * * * * + + Morning breaks: a snow-drift cover + All the drear deserted earth; + In young Yaspard's home is weeping, + Quenched the fire upon his hearth. + But he broke the spells of evil, + And he found a hero's grave. + When you pass the Hel-ya Water + Cast a pebble to its wave." [12] + + + +[1] Haven. + +[2] Holy lake. + +[3] Lowland mists meet each other. + +[4] Wanderer. + +[5] Guarded by Christian rites from evil spirits, who are supposed to +have great licence at Yule. + +[6] Candles used on festive occasions. + +[7] Water bucket which was always required to be full of _clean_ water +at Yule. + +[8] Trolls. + +[9] Plains or pasture-land. + +[10] Bullrushes which trows are supposed to use as aerial horses. + +[11] Fresh-water lake. + +[12] When passing any haunted water people cast therein a stone to +appease the troubled spirits. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +"THAT WORK SHALL BE WROUGHT." + +"What a capital job you've made of the story," quoth Yaspard when Garth +had finished. "I feel as if I ought to thank you in the name of my +great-grand-uncle." + +"Just so! Bad boy! Uncle! uncle! uncle!" said Thor from a hillock +close by. He spoke so very distinctly, and as if he understood every +word, that even the elderly ladies of the party gazed in a sort of awe +at the uncanny bird. + +"Come here, Thor!" Mr. Adiesen called out, extending a tempting bit of +chicken towards Sir Raven, who immediately obeyed the invitation, and +hopped to his master's knee. "Why, you old rascal," the scientist went +on, "I believe you are the great-grand-nephew of that raven of Hel-ya +Water fame; indeed, if I had not taken you myself from the nest when +you were only half-fledged, and I was a boy, I would believe that you +were the identical bird of the legend." + +"If Thor lives as long as the former Thor did," said Mr. Neeven, "he +will be over a century when he dies. You remember that fellow, Brüs?" + +Of course Mr. Adieson remembered his grandfather's raven, who had been +the spy and plague of the lives of both Gaun and Brüs (when they were +children), and whom they believed was possessed of an evil spirit. + +The conversation drifted into chat about pet birds, until some of the +restless young people proposed a rowing match around the island, and +out of that project sprang another. + +"I should like," said Fred, "to take the little lady of the isle around +it in the _Mermaid_ first. She really ought to be the first to +circumnavigate Havnholme. Will you trust her in my boat, Miss Adiesen?" + +"I suppose it is quite safe?" Aunt Osla asked by way of reply; and +Signy answered, "I shall be as safe in the _Mermaid_ as I was on Arab." + +"Perhaps Mr. Adiesen will accompany us, to make safety safer," Fred +suggested; and the girl seconded his proposal by a "Yes, please, Uncle +Brüs." + +The old gentleman agreed, and away they went; and Dr. Holtum said aside +to the minister that nothing more satisfactory had he ever witnessed +than the sailing round Havnholme of those two men together, with so +sweet a bond between them as fair little Signy. + +When the long, happy day was nearing its close, and the party was +preparing to embark, Isobel Garson said, "I didn't like to spoil Fred's +beautiful oration and funereal ceremonies with any small idea of my +own, but _now_ perhaps I may be allowed to suggest that we each take a +beach stone and cast it on those 'turned' sods, and so erect a cairn in +memory of this day." + +"A capital suggestion, my dear!" said Mr. Adiesen, who had taken quite +a fancy to Isobel, whose bright, high-spirited ways attracted him very +much, and he was ready to second any suggestion she might offer. + +"Good for you, Isobel!" exclaimed her brother; "but I don't see why we +need confine ourselves to one stone each. Let us make the cairn a good +big one, boys." + +In a short time a considerable heap of round, smooth stones from the +shore were piled over the sepulchre of the feud, and Yaspard remarked, +"There never was a fend strong enough to escape from under that big +rougue." + +"Shoo! shoo! shoo! Uncle!" screamed Thor, quite impatient over such +(to him) meaningless proceedings. Then, despairing of convincing +anybody there that they ought to go home, he spread his great wings and +deliberately sailed away through the air to Boden. + +"Thor is right for once," said Dr. Holtum, "and it is quite time we +were all on the wing for our homes; so, shoo! shoo! shoo!" and he put +out his hands, as if he were driving away a flock of birds, with the +result that every one "made tracks" for the boats. + +There was a good deal of whispering between Yaspard and the Manse boys +before they parted; and there was a very significant "Good-bye," from +the Yarl of Broch. He had kept our Viking-boy very much with him +throughout the day, and had quite enchanted him by suggesting a scheme +which contained the germ of much exciting adventure, although there was +no enemy to meet or circumvent. And this scheme must have been on +Viking lines, if we may judge from old Hoskald Halsen's farewell words +to Yaspard. + +"Now mind, boy," he shouted, as the _Osprey_ parted company from the +other boats, "mind you think it well out, and come to Burra Wick. No +Viking should sail from a legitimate voe. Garth and I spell 'wick' +with a 'v' and no 'c' in it, remember." + +"Oh, brodhor, are you to go a-Vikinging still?" Signy asked in an +ecstatic whisper; and our hero, squeezing her close to him, answered, +"Yes, Mootie, thanks to that jolly old brick! I don't believe I should +ever have thought of _his_ plan. It is even better than mine, for it +has got no enemy in it, but the chance of ever so many adventures." + +A pleasant breeze had sprung up, so there was no rowing to do on the +homeward voyage. Mr. Adiesen was steering, and Aunt Osla was napping, +rolled up in shawls. Mr. Neeven had unbent considerably during the +day, and was talking to his cousin with an unusual degree of +cheerfulness. The Harrison boys were amusing themselves over a wooden +puzzle which Harry Mitchell had invented and given them. Thus Yaspard +and his sister could talk confidentially together without being +overheard. He was as eager to tell her of the new project as she was +to listen, and before long they had not only discussed the Yarl's +scheme, but had built on it a vast structure of romantic adventure. + +"It has been the very happiest of days, this," said Signy when they +reached the quay; "but even happiness makes one tired, and so I am glad +to be home. I shall be asleep like winkie as soon as I get into bed." + +"Not so your roving brother," quoth Yaspard; "I have other things to do +than sleep," and he grimaced at Lowrie, who grinned back a perfect +understanding of the mysterious allusion; but Signy by that time was +too sleepy to pay further attention, so followed Miss Adiesen to +Moolapund, and was soon resting in dreamless repose in her own room. + +Meanwhile Yaspard and the Harrisons politely offered to row the +_Osprey_ to the head of the voe with Mr. Neeven, and he--with less than +his usual sharp suspicion--agreed. He even thanked them as he stepped +ashore, and he strode up the hill without once looking back. If he had +done so he would have seen that the boat did not pass beyond the +Hoobes, but stopped near there, where the old water-mill was located by +the side of a burn whose spring was far up the hill-side. They +fastened the boat, and went into the mill-house, where a quantity of +last year's straw and chaff was heaped. On this the three lads flung +themselves and were soon fast asleep. And there the Harrisons would +have slept on till breakfast time if Yaspard had not roused them +shortly after midnight. + +"Up, boys, up!" he said, as he shook himself. "It is high time we were +off; and I hope fule-Tammy is as sound asleep now as you have been for +the last five minutes." + +From that mention of Tammy you will guess that another raid on +Trullyabister was proposed. The fact was, Yaspard had made one quiet +visit to the old ruin by himself, and had found that the things they +secreted in the old chimney had disappeared. From a remark of Tammy's, +Lowrie had concluded that the "natural" had discovered their +hiding-place, and had abstracted the articles in question. It would +have been a simple matter to ask the truth and claim the property, but +_that_ course was not the one a Viking-boy was at all likely to +approve. Hence the present "lark." + +The three conspirators were not long in reaching the old Ha'house, and +as the back door was never locked, they easily gained admission. + +Tammy slept in a small chamber beside the kitchen, and at a distance +from the rooms inhabited by his master, therefore the lads were not +much afraid of being heard even if the recluse had not gone to sleep. + +But Gaun Neeven _was_ asleep, and so was Tammy, "like a top, and +snoring too like one," whispered Yaspard as he led the way. Tammy did +not even move when they gently and deftly tied his hands together, and +put a not uncomfortable gag over his mouth, and he only snored a little +louder, but did not wake, when they lifted him up. (Tammy always went +to bed with a complete suit of clothes on, which he kept for the +purpose, saying he did not see why a "puir body" should not be as +decently clothed all night as all day.) They carried him to the ruined +apartment with which we are already acquainted. I ought to have +mentioned that Yaspard had provided masks for himself and his +companions. These were made of brown paper, painted to resemble +tatooed savages, and had been put on as they came up from the mill, so +that Tammy should not recognise his assailants. + +But Tammy was far more cute in many ways than he got credit for being; +and though astonished when the cool air and a few gentle shakes woke +him up, he was not frightened by the hideous visages; even the feigned +voices did not deceive him. But he was wise enough to pretend +ignorance of their identity, and stared a well-acted credulity. + +"What have you done with what you found in that chimney?" Yaspard +demanded in assumed tones, which did not deceive Tammy, however. "We +are Vikings, and hid our property in that receptacle. Woe to the +person who crosses our path! Moreover, our allies left weapons of war +in this apartment, and it is our business to restore them to their +owners. Tell now what you have done with these hoards." + +How could Tammy tell? He could only shake his head and nod in the +direction of the haunted room. + +"Is the property there?" Yaspard asked, and Tammy nodded again. "Then +you must take us through the house to that room, for I happen to know +that the way through the passage is now built up with stones and +mortar. I suppose _you_ did that, you duffer!" + +Tammy nodded again; and then Gibbie remarked, "He wad be put to the job +by Mr. Neeven." + +He spoke unwittingly in his natural voice, and was admonished by a +vigorous nudge from Lowrie; while Yasgard, still addressing their +captive, said, "Lead on, we follow! and for your life make no noise." + +Tammy obediently returned to the house, and showed a way from his +kitchen to the haunted room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +"OF THE VOLSUNGS' KIN IS HE." + +There they found, carefully arranged, all the miscellaneous articles +which they had conveyed to Trullyabister on the night of their first +raid upon it. There too were the things brought by the _Laulie's_ +crew, when engaged upon Tom's "deed of high emprise." The Lunda boys +had been too ashamed at their defeat to say one word about their +property to Mr. Neeven, but they had spoken of it to Yaspard, and had +been somewhat comforted by his assurance that all they had lost should +be restored before long. + +Our Viking eyed the confiscated articles with infinite satisfaction, +before instructing his followers how to deal with it. "But time must +not be wasted," said he in a moment. "I believe the ogre to be a very +sleepless creature, and he may soon rise to wander after his usual +style; so let's make haste." + +They stowed everything into their keschies, and what could not go there +was packed in the _Laulie's_ "spare canvas," or suspended from their +belts; while Tammy watched the proceedings with profound interest. + +When they were ready to depart the marauders conveyed Tammy to his +kitchen, and left him seated comfortably in his favourite corner, +assured that he would sit there till Mr. Neeven should get up. They +were well aware that Tammy would allow the kitchen to be burned about +his ears before he would venture to disturb the recluse in his chamber. + +I may mention here that it happened as they supposed it would, and it +was not until his breakfast-hour arrived, and Mr. Neeven came to +discover why Tammy was not stirring, that he found the "natural" +sitting sleeping, gagged and bound! + +When aroused, released, and able to speak, Tammy said, "It wis yon +filskit moniments o' boys, sir. But they've taken no' a vestige that +wis no' their ain. They'll be far enough by this time; and puir Tammy +is thinking that there's no' muckle use in trying tae get the better o' +the likes o' them." + +"You are about right for once," replied his master, as he turned away, +saying to himself, "Boys are certainly more than a match for men in the +exercise of their wits." + +Meanwhile the _Osprey_ had gone to Gloy's geo, and deposited on a safe +ledge of rock all which our Viking-boys had carried away from +Trullyabister; and when that was done the marauders returned to their +homes. + +At the breakfast-table Yaspard said to his uncle, "The Yarl of Broch +asked me to come to Burra Isle to-day, if you have no objections. The +Lunda boys are to be there. It's to be only a _boy party_, not like +the picnic." + +"When the young braves go forth alone," replied Mr. Adiesen, in a +bantering tone, which showed he was in excellent good-humour, and +likely to give the required permission, "when the warriors embark +without the companionship of women, there are perilous tasks to be +performed. May a mere humdrum person inquire what knightly deed a +modern Viking proposes, and what is to be the result of 'only a boy +party'?" + +"We are going to have some jolly fun--of Mr. Halsen's planning; but it +would spoil it to tell beforehand." + +"I can leave the responsibility on Mr. Halsen," answered Uncle Brüs; +"he understands what boys need and like." + +"I shall want to stay some--days. It might be a whole week; and I need +the Harrison boys and the _Osprey_, of course. I would also like to +take Thor as well as Pirate, if you please, uncle." + +"You will want clean collars and socks," said Miss Osla. + +"No, thank you, auntie. I shall not take any _luggage_ with me, only +what I need in----" + +"Of course," she interrupted, "you won't want a lot of clothes, only +what is needful;" and the good lady went off as soon as breakfast was +over to pack a bag for Yaspard, who was obliged to take it with him. + +"I can leave it at Broch anyway," he said to Signy as he stowed the bag +aboard. She had carried it to the quay, and was watching him get ready +for his expedition. + +"Then are you going farther than to Broch?" she asked; and, under +pledge of secrecy, the girl was told the whole scheme, which delighted +her. + +"Oh, what a fine time he will have! It is so nice to be a boy!" Signy +said to herself, as she slowly turned from the shore when the _Osprey_ +took wing. + +When the Boden boat reached the geo she was stopped while Gibbie went +ashore, and brought all the odds and ends recaptured at Trullyabister. +These were stowed beside the basket containing Thor, who made known to +all concerned how little he relished being in durance vile by +occasional bursts of angry speech and vindictive snaps, through his +prison bars, at whatever came within reach. Once it was Lowrie's +jacket tails, another time it was Gibbie's sleeve; but what pleased +Thor best was when he got a chance at Pirate's ear. + +Our Viking-boy received the warmest of welcomes when he arrived at +Burra Wick. The Lunda boys were there, and had brought a parcel for +him from Fred, which, upon being opened, was discovered to be a fine +field-glass, such as Yaspard had long wished to possess, and a +beautiful silk flag embroidered by Isobel. + +He did not know which to admire and value most; yet I think the letter +of manly kind advice and friendship which accompanied these gifts was +cherished still more; for I know that when the faded flag was stowed +away--long years afterwards--in an old bureau, and the field-glass had +been lost on a wild Western prairie, Yaspard still kept lying near his +heart the words of love and Christian counsel written to him by his +boyhood hero in the golden days of youth and dreams. + +The rest of that day was spent at Broch--delightfully spent, we know, +since the Yarl was host. + +Gerta and Amy were extremely kind to the boys, although they were only +the "young ones," and not to be compared with their elder brothers. +But Yaspard was more attracted to Garth than to the girls. He had been +abroad with Mr. Congreve, and had the most interesting stories to tell +of the northern lands he had visited. Then his books of travel and +legend, how bewitching they were! While Harry Mitchell revelled in +Garth's specimens, Yaspard pored over his books, and could scarcely be +torn from them. + +"Oh, Harry," he said, "wouldn't you like his chance of going away and +discovering all sorts of places and things?" + +"I'll _make_ a chance of the sort for myself," replied Harry, in his +usual quiet, determined way, which meant never less than "act to follow +word." + +"It would be fine, glorious!" Yaspard mused; then shutting the +"Wanderings of Waterton" with a clap, he exclaimed, "We'll do it, +Harry--you and I--some day. We will go off as the Vikings did, and +explore the world." + +"As you are going to-morrow, eh?" said Garth. + +"Boys play at what men achieve," answered Harry. + +And then was begun a dream which Yaspard and Harry realised in later +years. + +In the evening, Amy, seeing Yaspard still hankering after Garth's +Scandinavian travels and lore, said, "Do, Garth, read us what you have +written about the Jews and the Norsemen. I am so fond of that little +bit. I suppose because my family was of Jewish extraction." + +"I believe it was composed in compliment to you," laughed Gerta, +bringing a blush to the sensitive young author's face by her words. +But his father seconded Amy's request, so Garth read-- + +"There are two races of men who have retained their peculiar +characteristics through long ages and through many vicissitudes. They +have wandered over the whole globe, and become part of almost every +people now existing. They have conquered and been conquered. Their +blood has mixed with that of all the other tribes of earth. As +independent nations they no longer exist, and yet the personality of +the Jew and the Norseman is as distinct to-day as it was when they were +mighty ruling powers on the earth. + +"The Egyptian of old, the Greek and Goth, where are _they_ now? They +have left grand memories, but have become 'mixed races,' and the +peoples of to-day who bear their names have few, or any, of their +attributes. + +"Not so have the wandering Arab and the restless Scandinavian obeyed +the law of nature that says-- + + 'The old order changeth, yielding place to new, + And God fulfils Himself in many ways, + Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.' + + +"Like the two currents that roll side by side in one channel, distinct +in their nature, those two great races have come down the ages bearing +to all lands and all peoples a God-derived power and a God-given +message. They have not been lost in each other; and in blending with +those among whom they dwelt they have yet never ceased to leave +indelible traces, which have made them recognisable always. _They_ +have absorbed, but never been absorbed. + +"When our hearts thrill to some glowing page of Eastern imagery, when +we listen enraptured to some sacred song, some impassioned speech of +one filled with religious fervour; when we read of suffering borne +patiently, of fortitude unequalled amid awful tribulation, of quiet +perseverance conquering difficulty--we recognise the strength of the +Hebrew race. When we are told of some venturesome band daring the +dangers of iceberg and darkness in penetrating to the secret haunts of +Nature; when we learn that gallant seamen are guiding civilisation to +the farthest corners of the earth, are doing deeds of heroism that stir +our deepest feelings of reverence; when we know that our explorers and +sailors laugh at peril and face death without fear; when we see numbers +of our boys, from the prince who stands by the throne to the city +outcast who begs at our door, prefer and seek sea-life rather than any +other--we acknowledge with pride that the power of our sea-king sires +is dominant yet. + +"The Jew and the Norseman have surely been chosen of Heaven to keep the +human race from degenerating, for the soul of the Jew rules our moral +being, and the spirit of the Norseman controls our intellectual nature. +The nursery of our faith was the tent of an Arab shiek, and the cradle +of our fame was the bark of a northern Viking." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +"SEA-RUNES GOOD AT NEED." + +"Well, boys, I suppose you want to be off early," said the Yarl next +morning, when he came in for breakfast and found his young guests in a +ferment of excitement asking each other, "Where did you put the +knives?" "Have you remembered matches?" "I vote we take a whole ham +with us." "You've left out the log-book." "For goodness' sake, +somebody carry a pencil." + +"You look like business, on my word," their host added, smiling; "and I +wish I were a boy too." + +"Never mind, sir; come with us all the same," cried Yaspard, but old +Halsen shook his head. + +"The glamour of boyhood is wanting. I could not enjoy such a voyage of +adventure and exploring in the right way now. But I shall want to hear +all about it; so mind you use Garth's note-book and keep an accurate +log." + +"I'll see to that," quoth Harry; and Tom added, "I do the messing, and +Harry does the writing." + +When all preparations were made, the Yarl insisted that they should +march to the shore in proper style, with Yaspard walking in front +carrying his new flag, hoisted for the occasion on Mr. Halsen's +walking-stick. + +It was a lovely flag indeed. Isobel had been working on it for a long +time, intending it for Fred, but he had asked that it might be given to +his young friend, and she willingly agreed. + +The device was not uncommon, but Isobel's artistic fancy had made it a +perfect work of art. It was the figure of a youth clad in armour +holding high in his right hand a white cross with "Onward" worked in +gold letters upon it. + +The flag was blue, with a crimson star in the corner; and altogether +any prince might have been proud to start upon a high quest under such +a banner. + +The two girls accompanied the procession, we may be sure; and many were +Gerta's injunctions to "take care of yourselves, and don't be +foolhardy." + +Just as the good-byes were being said, Thor called out from his basket, +"Uncle, uncle! Bad, bad, bad!" + +"Why on earth have you taken that uncanny fowl with you?" Amy Congreve +asked. + +"You ought to know by this time," said Garth, speaking for our +Viking-boy, "that the sea-rovers never went out to maraud or explore +without the bird of Odin." + +"I shouldn't like to have a creature like that calling out 'Bad, bad!' +as I started on a voyage of discovery. It is not a good omen," Amy +replied in lower tones, which did not reach the ears of the young +adventurers, for their boat was off, and the Yarl and Garth were +cheering the _Osprey_ as it slid away from the land. + +"What very odd fancies that boy has!" Mr. Halsen remarked as they +returned to the house. "Some of his notions are almost childish at the +first glance one takes--so simple, and full of the exaggerated fancy of +a mere child. But soon one finds the germ of the right kind of stuff +in all his fancies; and he carries them out with the shrewd common +sense, the cool determination, energy, and daring of a grown man. It +is a strange mixture." + +"It is a mixture that makes a fascinating character, uncle," said +Gerta. "I like Yaspard Adiesen very much just because of that +child-way and man-manner he has. He will do something grand one of +these days." + +Yaspard thought he was doing something grand that very day, you may be +sure. He was started on an exploring expedition: and when we remember +that the Shetland group consists of over one hundred islands, large and +small; that many of these have seldom been visited by any one, some +never trod by human foot, and the greater number uninhabited save by +the wild birds and sea creatures, we will see that our hero's voyage +was not unlikely to be one of discovery and adventure. + +Some other time I will give you the _Osprey's_ log, carefully kept by +Harry Mitchell, who every evening recorded all the day's doings, +however trivial these had been. Many of their adventures were so +startling that he might well have been excused if his attention had +been occasionally diverted from this duty; but that diary was a model +of faithful discharging of a promise given to more than one of the dear +home friends, whose thoughts we know were with the Viking-boys. At +present I can only tell you a small part of what happened during the +week which the _Osprey_ spent in cruising among the lonely skerries and +holmes of Hialtland. + +More than once our lads had spoken a haaf-boat, and sent messages to +Lunda, from whence Fred had taken care to despatch the news, "_Osprey_ +spoken. All well," to Boden and Burra Isle. + +They never landed on any inhabited spot, but preferred to camp for the +night on some lofty rock, whose steep sides they had to scale at the +risk of their bones, or on some green holme, where the waves lapped +round the place of their rest, tossing spray on them as they slept. + +They always kept a watch, knowing from past experience how swiftly the +squalls arise. It would be no joke, they knew, if their boat were +caught by the sea in some geo while they slept on the high rock above; +and well they knew that a very little increase of wind would cause the +waves to wash them from the low holmes in a moment. They kept a wary +eye on the weather, and always contrived to have a safe port to lee +when atmospheric disturbance threatened. + +They gathered a strange, even valuable, collection of curiosities in +various departments of science; nothing escaped Harry in the shape of +plant-life, shells, or geological specimens, and the others followed +his example in other lines. A great many rare and beautiful +curiosities were brought up on the fishing-line. Tom Holtum came to +grief more than once climbing after birds' nests, and Bill Mitchell had +to be rescued from drowning again and again in consequence of his +ardour in pursuit of wreckage. + +There are always mournful trophies of the power of ocean to be found +floating around those isles, and our young adventurers were frequently +reminded of this by discovering oars, planks, casks, or other flotsam, +which had belonged to some lost ship that had disappeared for ever. + +I ought to tell you that Thor was not kept a prisoner in his basket all +this time. Yaspard knew that the bird would remain by him and the +well-known boat when all familiar land-marks were beyond his ken, +therefore he was allowed to hop about as he so pleased. Being always +well fed and caressed, Thor began to think that a voyage of discovery +had something to recommend it on the whole, and was in a very amiable +frame of mind all the time. Indeed, so much did he show himself +attached to the _Osprey_ and her roving crew, that some of them began +to think he would not be inclined to leave them even when they might +wish him to do so. For be it known that Yaspard meant to send Thor +home before him with a message, and had told Signy to look every day +for the coming of the raven. + +When they had been out a week, and had led a most delightful Robinson +Crusoe life, they found that their provisions were getting near an end; +as the Yarl had advised their return about that time, therefore he had +not supplied them with more than a week's food. The store had been +supplemented by many a fine catch of fish, as well as shell-fish; but +the lads were healthy and hungry, and had not spared the ferdimet. +They might have landed near some cottages and renewed their supplies, +but such a prosaic and ordinary method was scouted by all. Besides, +they had agreed to return as advised about that time; so the homeward +voyage was begun, not without some regret, but with many a resolution +that this should only be the first of many such expeditions. + +They sailed steadily onwards all that day without turning once aside, +though many a tempting islet lay by their course. When the evening +drew near they were well in sight of the Heogue and the hills of Lunda; +while, not far away on their lee, rose the cliffs of Burra Isle. + +"Suppose we land for the night on Swarta Stack?" said Harry. "It is a +good-sized place, and has a first-rate geo where our boat can lie as +snug as possible." + +"Swarta Stack gets a bad name for mair raisons than ane," Gloy Winwick +remarked, as the _Osprey_ made for the island, according to Harry's +suggestions. + +"Is it haunted?" Gibbie asked. + +"I dinna ken aboot that," replied his cousin. "The minister tells us +it's a' nonsense aboot haunted places and the like; but it's said that +Swarta Stack was an ill place when the folk were no' ower particular o' +the way they got prül[1] frae the sea." + +"You mean there were wreckers hereabout?" Yaspard asked, and Gloy +answered, "I've heard sae." + +"I wish I could meet them. I just wish I could catch a wrecker at his +evil work. Wouldn't I pitch into him!" exclaimed the Viking-boy; +whereat Harry, laughing, said, "That's all done with now. Wreckers +went after the Vikings, didn't they?" + +"With the exception of fule-Tammy," retorted Yaspard. + +"And yourself," said Tom. + +"Maybe they left as bad behind them," Yaspard said quickly. "Men who +cheat in trade, who scamp work, evade taxes, rack-rent the poor, are no +better than pirates and wreckers." + +"Here we are at the Stack," Harry exclaimed. "Look out there with the +sail! Captain, mind your helm. There now; you nearly had her aground! +I declare we've skimmed over a bau!--we may thank our stars we didn't +capsize on it--all through your jabber about wreckers who left this +planet a century ago." + +They landed on Swarta Stack, and made themselves comfortable for the +night not far from the geo where the _Osprey_ was moored. It was too +late to explore the Stack that night, so after supper all rolled +themselves up in rugs, as had been their wont for a week, and were soon +in the mysterious land of dreamless sleep. + + + +[1] Odds and ends, or plunder. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +"GREAT IS THE TROUBLE OF FOOT ILL-TRIPPING." + +Our boys woke up early next morning, for a chill wind sweeping over +Swarta Stack was as effectual a rouser as the dressing-bell. + +When fully awake they looked (as if led by one instinct) to the open +sea, for from thence was coming the deep mournful moaning which +precedes a storm. + +"Mither," said Gloy, "wad say that the sea was sending its warning tae +wiz." + +"We will certainly pay heed to that warning," answered Yaspard, "as +soon as we have had breakfast. Let's look alive, boys, and get our +fire up as fast as we can, for there's going to be a gale before night, +and we should be at Broch then." + +"The _Osprey_ won't take long to run into Burra Wick," said Tom; "and +we must make a jolly good breakfast here before returning to civilised +life." + +"There will be time to inspect the Stack, I hope," Harry remarked. "We +must have a full report of this isle that has a bad name, according to +Gloy." + +They lit their fire, and boiled the last of their potatoes, brewed the +last of their tea, and finished the biscuits and ham. + +"Not much to carry back," one said, and another added, "I shouldn't +like to be left on a skerry now that the ferdimet is all but done." + +When breakfast was ended no time was lost in starting for a tour round +Swarta Stack, which is a lofty island about a mile long, very +picturesque in outline, and surrounded by lesser islands, as well as +isolated rocks, which are the terror of all who know them. The lads +found a great deal to interest them in the Stack; but their main object +was to find the caves which tradition said had been the abode of +lawless men in olden times. + +There was one large cavern in a cliff easily found and well known; but +that was not the Wrecker's Den, for the sea came into it, and in stormy +weather filled its vast solitudes with the body and voice of many +waters. This cave, however, was supposed to communicate with one +inland, as many helyers[1] do, and our boys were determined to discover +the hidden abode. + +For a long time the search was a vain one; but at last an idea was +suggested to Harry, who had halted by a small cairn. + +"Boys," he said, "I should not wonder if we are on a wrong tack looking +for a natural cave. It is more likely that the wreckers' den was a +place dug out of the earth by themselves." + +"That was a common dodge long ago," quoth Yaspard; and Tom added, "We +got a good illustration of that sort of thing in the old Broch of Burra +Isle." + +"And you are thinking, Harry," Yaspard exclaimed, "that this cairn may +cover some portion of the den--perhaps be the entrance to it?" + +Harry nodded, and after a careful inspection of the rougue, remarked, +"I think we shall find something here; but we must not come to grief in +a ruin, as Garth Halsen did when he dug into the old Broch." + +They went to work with a will, and soon removed the cairn and laid bare +what was evidently the entrance to a vault of some sort. The mouth of +the pit was covered by two enormous stones, and it took a long time to +remove these; but so interested were the adventurers in their +investigations, that they forgot the warning of the sea and the rising +of the wind. + +"It is curious," said Harry, peering into the dark pit at their feet, +"that there seems no foul air to speak of down there, and yet I don't +see any speck of light that would indicate a passage to the outer +world." + +"Might the way not be curved, or sufficiently blocked to exclude +light?" Yaspard suggested; and Harry frankly answered, "Of course. You +are wiser than I. Has any one got a match in his pocket?" + +Matches were produced, and a piece of paper was lighted; but such a +meagre illumination revealed nothing beyond the fact that the vault +seemed a large one, and roughly built round with a rude kind of masonry. + +Bill was despatched to the boat for candles--which you may remember +were part of the "prül" that Yaspard hid in the chimney; but the +impatience of his companions to learn more would not allow them to wait +on his return before descending into the chamber. They could see that +there was solid ground some seven or eight feet beneath the opening, +and Harry swung down, and soon reported himself as standing on a +"decently paved floor;" but he was too cautious to explore farther +until some light was thrown on the subject. Not so Tom Holtum. He did +not see the fun in waiting for candles, and down he jumped beside Harry. + +"There's an awful draught here," he exclaimed. "There must be passages +and perhaps other rooms knocking around. I vote we explore," and +without listening a moment to Harry's warning, Tom made for a part of +the vault from whence the current of air proceeded. + +"You are extremely foolish, Tom," said Harry. + +"You are a timid ca----" Tom began to reply, but was cut short. With +an exclamation he suddenly disappeared; and next moment a fall and a +groan told, not only Harry but those above ground, that an accident had +taken place. + +By that time Bill was back with the candles, and Yaspard hastened to +join Harry. After him came the others, as fast as they could, and all +gathered around Harry, who by that time stood with a lighted candle in +his hand over the mouth of a dark hole, peering down and calling, "Tom! +old chap." But "Tom! old chap" made no response, and all attempts to +hold the light over the opening proved futile, as a current of air +rushing upward put it out. + +The lads gazed into each other's white, terror-stricken faces with mute +fear. The darkness and silence were enough to appal any one; but the +courage of our Viking-boy rose to the occasion. + +"He must be awfully hurt, poor chap," he said, "and we must do our best +to find and help him. What do you suggest, Harry? _I'll_ do anything." + +"Some one must be lowered with a rope," answered the wise head of the +party. + +"That some one is me," was Yaspard's prompt reply. "Get your rope, +boys." + +They always carried ropes with them. "We can do nothing without a +rope," they would say. But the ropes had been dropped, of course, on +the turf above, and the emergency which had made all hurry into the +vault had caused them to neglect providing for an easy ascent again. +The only thing to do was for two to hoist a third on their shoulders so +that he could get his hands on the aperture and thus clamber out. +Lowrie was chosen as the messenger to the outer world, and Harry said +to him when shoving him aloft, "Drop us one rope at once, but fix the +other to a boulder and slide down by it. That will give us help in +scrambling out of here." + +The rope was soon in their hands, and Yaspard, seizing the end, tied it +round his waist, while Harry instructed him how to strike a light when +lowered, and what signals to make to those above. In breathless +excitement they stood around that gruesome hole, and slowly lowered +their young leader into its dark and gaping jaws. Lower, lower; and +the rope was almost all paid out when a sharp jerk told (as agreed +upon) that Yaspard had reached the bottom. + +"Not so deep as I feared," Harry whispered with a sigh of relief. + +Then there came a sudden flare of light, which showed that Yaspard was +trying to illumine the scene; but it was extinguished again directly. +Again and again he tried, but evidently in vain. Then came darkness +and silence as before. But after a little time of fearful suspense the +rope was jerked twice, and Yaspard was hauled up again. + +"What of Tom?" Harry asked as soon as Yaspard's head appeared in sight; +but Yaspard did not reply until he was standing beside them. Then he +said, "He is lying there senseless, but he is alive." + +"Oh, your hands!" Bill screamed, and all eyes turned on Yaspard's +hands, which were red with blood. + +"Tom is badly hurt. I put my hands on his face and chest," explained +too surely that horrible sign. "There is no keeping a match or candle +alight down there. The wind is rushing through it as if it were a +funnel," Yaspard went on, "and I can't think how he is to be got out." + +"Bill," said Harry, with the imperious decision which he always assumed +in any emergency, where one cool head was worth a score of able +undirected hands, "Bill, you run for your life to the boat again. +Bring the tar-pot and a stick or two, the potato bag, and a towel, and +a can of water; some more rope, if you can find it handy. Gloy, go +with him to help carry; and mind, both of you, Tom's life is possibly +depending on your speed. Don't forget anything. Keep your wits clear." + +The two little chaps were off without a moment's delay, scudding across +the Stack, and too engrossed with their errand and its urgency to note +the rising storm, which had set the white horses rampant on the deep +and driven the sea-birds to the Stack in clamouring crowds. + +Meanwhile Harry said, "Undo that rope, Yaspard. _I_ will go down this +time. I can probably be of more use to him than you. You can follow +with those things when the chaps return. And look you, Lowrie, be +canny in lowering him, and in your management of the rope. See that +the youngsters are careful; for Yaspard and I will send Tom up first if +possible. You know what to do with the tar and sticks, Yaspard?" + +"Make a torch?" + +"Yes; and we shall want the bag and rope to make a sort of hammock for +Tom. Now send me below. But first--your handkerchiefs, boys." + +He stuffed the collection of grimy "wipes" (as the lads styled their +pocket-handkerchiefs) in his pocket, and was carefully lowered into the +dismal cavern where poor Tom lay. + + + +[1] Sea-caves. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +"SWEET SIGHT FOR ME THOU TWAIN TO SIT EYES ON." + +"Tom! Tom!" Harry had groped his way to Tom's head, had lifted it on +his arm, and felt the warm blood welling from a deep cut on the +forehead, "Tom, can you not understand?" he said; but Tom made no +reply. He was breathing heavily and quite unconscious. + +Dr. Holtum had given the Lunda boys many a useful lesson in ambulance +surgery, and no one had benefited more from his teaching than Harry +Mitchell. With care, and as much precision as was possible without the +aid of sight, he bound Tom's head in bandages formed from the +handkerchiefs provided, and had the satisfaction of finding that the +wound was staunched and the pulse beating a little stronger before many +minutes had passed. + +He could not, of course, ascertain what other injuries had been +inflicted, but he moved Tom's arms and legs gently, and felt satisfied +that _their_ bones had escaped. + +The time seemed very long to Harry down there, and to the others +waiting above. At last Yaspard could keep silence no longer, so +leaning over, he shouted, "Is he--any better? Can't you sing out +something to us, Harry?" + +"I have been able to do a little, and I think Tom is reviving," was the +cheering news Harry sang out in reply. + +Tom really was coming round, and the first sign he made was a groan, +and then a murmured "Time to get up, did you say?" + +"Oh, Tom," Harry cried, bending close to the wounded head on his arm, +and shedding some tears that were not an unmanly sign of gladness at +hearing Tom's voice once more; "Tom, old chap, I'm as sorry as can be +for giving you the rough side of my tongue many a time." + +"Eh, what?" faltered Tom. "Is that Harry speaking? Are you there, +mother? What's up? I don't quite know; my head feels queer--oh dear!" + +He had tried to raise himself as he spoke, and had been checked by +agonising pain, which caused him to relapse into insensibility. + +"How awful this is! I wish they'd make haste up there," thought Harry. +And then he turned, as the Manse boys had always been taught to turn in +trials, to Him who is near at all times, a present help in time of +trouble. + +When Tom revived again, the first thing he heard was Harry Mitchell's +voice faltering forth prayers to God for His unfortunate comrade; and I +think that the childish antagonism which had so long existed between +those two died out just then. But now a great flare of light fell on +them, and the noise and talk overhead told that relief was coming. + +"What does it all mean, Harry?" Tom asked feebly. + +"You fell down here, and Yaspard is coming with a light and things to +help you out. Cheer up, Tom; we'll have you out and all right before +long." + +Yaspard descended with an admirable torch in his hand, and the articles +Harry required strapped around him. + +Great was our hero's joy to find Tom so much restored; and when they +had bathed his face, and made him drink some water, he was able to +speak collectedly. "I am hurt about the left shoulder," he said, when +they began to examine him, "and my head feels dreadful." + +"There is a nasty cut on the brow," said Harry, "and a slight one +behind the ear. I won't move the clumsy bandage, though, till we get +him up, when it can be made more ship-shape. Now, Tom, you must let us +put you in the potatoe-bag and haul you out of this." + +They were very deft and tender in their handling, and Tom bit his lips +to refrain from groaning over his acute pain; but for all that the job +was a tedious and trying one, and when he was lashed into the sack Tom +fainted again. + +"I must go up with him," said Harry; "those duffers might do some harm." + +He tested the rope, and, assured that it would bear a good weight, he +put an arm round Tom, and then, catching the rope with his other hand, +gave the signal. + +Fortunately they had not to be raised very far, and it was accomplished +without any misadventure beyond the "skinning" of Harry's hand, which +he could not guard without leaving Tom's poor head unprotected. + +As soon as Yaspard too was got out of that horrible hole, all haste was +made to reach the open air; and in the same manner Tom was lifted from +the upper vault and laid upon the sward. + +When he came to himself, he was stretched on the grass with Bill's knee +for a pillow and Harry's skilful hands ministering to him; and in that +moment Tom must have been clearly conscious of all that had taken +place, for he murmured with great fervency, "Thank God for the blessed +light of day." + +Just then a shower of spray came driving over the Stack, and, dashing +itself against their faces, called the attention of all to the storm +now raging on the sea. + +All around Swarta Stack the waves were leaping, white and furious. +There could be no leaving the island that day, and no chance of any +rescue, even if anybody knew of their position--a very unlikely thing. + +"Where can we find shelter for Tom?" was the first thing said, and it +was Harry who spoke. + +"We must see to our boat," said Yaspard. + +They hurriedly piled a few stones together, and laid their jackets on +these to make a shelter and couch for Tom; then leaving Harry to look +after the patient, the others ran off to secure the _Osprey_. +Fortunately she was a light little boat, and they were able to run her +up the beach a bit, where she was safe from being knocked about by the +waves. The few remains of ferdimet were removed, with other articles +which were required for camping out; and as our adventurers returned to +the scene of the catastrophe they asked one another what was to be done +if the storm lasted longer than one day. + +"We can't starve, with birds about and rabbits as well as sheep on the +isle," said Yaspard; "but the storm that could do us no harm may be +serious enough for poor Tom. There isn't even a morsel of tea +left--only a few piltacks and a slice of cheese." + +"There's a couple of eggs and Miss Congreve's box of chocolates left," +Bill said. "We'll keep them for Tom; but the sea may run off before +night." + +Yaspard shook his head. "Not likely. I know the weather-signs. This +means to last." + +"Just so! Bad boy, bad boy!" screamed Thor from a crag close by. He +had remained by the _Osprey_ while the lads were exploring, and would +have remained there still; but when she was beached and the "outward +and visible signs" of a meal carried away, Thor thought he had better +go too, and see what was going to happen next. + +"Ah, Thor, my rascal!" Yaspard exclaimed; "I must have had a +presentiment of what would happen when I took you with us. Now" +(turning to his companions), "I trust he will go when he is bid, in +which case we may be helped sooner than we can help ourselves. I +wouldn't," he added hastily, "dream of calling for help if it were not +for Tom." + +Harry looked up anxiously when his companions arrived. "This is a bad +job," he said very seriously; "I fear Tom is more hurt than he allows, +and he is getting light-headed, too." + +"I'll send Thor now--if he'll go," said Yaspard, and Harry's face lit +up. + +"I had forgotten Thor. Yes, send him if you can." + +But Thor was in a sulky and suspicious mood, and would not let his +master catch him. There were no alluring morsels left to bribe him +with; for the eggs must be kept for Tom, and a chocolate ball Thor +despised as well as cheese. + +"We must wait till we have to kill a sheep," Gibbie Harrison remarked, +after all efforts to catch the raven had failed; "he will come for a +bit of red raw flesh, the ugly brute!" + +"You needn't call Thor an ugly brute for eating what you kill," +retorted Yaspard, "unless you call yourself another of the same." + +They all laughed then, and the laugh did them good. It even helped to +strengthen Tom, who showed a great amount of pluck and endurance during +that trying time. He reproached himself for having brought so much +trouble on them all, and tried to bear his pain heroically; but in +spite of his own efforts, and the thoughtful attention of his comrades, +Tom's state grew rapidly worse, and before evening he was very fevered. + +By that time even Yaspard considered the situation most critical for +all, and was ready to adopt any and every suggestion that might offer +the smallest alleviation of their condition. + +The whole party had strongly objected to using the vault as a shelter, +but, as the day waned and the storm increased, they decided upon +retreating there, seeing that Swarta Stack offered no better refuge. + +Anxiety had banished hunger, and no one felt in a mood that evening for +slaughter. An egg was whipped up with some sugar still left, and +poured down Tom's throat, and later a cup of cocoa was made for him +from the contents of Amy's box of comfits. The rest of the lads lay +down to sleep supperless--and, for the matter of that, dinnerless also, +not having tasted food since early breakfast, except half a cold +piltack and a morsel of cheese. + +Yaspard and Harry resolved to watch by Tom, whose sleep was fitful and +feverish. They had not been able to remove him to the vault, of +course, but had built a wall of stones and turf to protect him from the +weather; and while the other lads slept quietly enough in the wreckers' +den, these two kept guard over their disabled comrade on the exposed +ground. + +"If the storm does not lin[1] by sunrise," said Yaspard, "we must try +and move him to the beach, and get him under shelter of the boat; we +can turn her up, you know, and make a cosy place for him. It is so +windy and disagreeable here." + +Alas! they had not dreamt that the tempest might "turn" the _Osprey_ as +easily as they could. At the moment when Yaspard spoke, his bonnie +boat was lying among the great rough stones, with a rent in her side +that no mere caulking could cure. A fierce gust had caught her and +tossed her over as if she were a toy left there for that purpose. + +This was discovered when a very sedate procession of boys came down to +the beach, carrying Tom on a stretcher made (as Dr. Holtum had shown +how) out of their jackets spread between two spars--the spars being +passed through the sleeves, and so kept in position. + +When the _Osprey's_ condition was ascertained Yaspard said, "I suppose +there is nothing left but to try for Thor again." + +But Thor was nowhere to be seen then, and though search was made, he +could not be discovered. The truth was that Thor, hungry and +uncomfortable, had been hovering over Swarta Stack at daybreak in a +very discontented state, had recognised some familiar landmarks in a +northerly direction, and had decamped for Boden straightway. + + + +[1] Abate. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +"HILD UNDER HELM." + +As one after another their resources seemed to fail, the courage of +more than one of the lads sank; but there was no daunting Yaspard, and +he began to talk of lighting a big tire, or setting up the sail as a +signal--of one and all of the devices which castaways use for +attracting attention, till Bill cut him short by saying, "We can do all +that by-and-by, when the sea falls enough to allow a boat to come here +if our signals were seen. It isn't any good just now, for all the +people are in their beds, and will be for hours, and while they are +sleeping we are starving." + +At that moment Pirate came running from the farther side of the Stack +carrying a dead rabbit, which he proudly laid at his master's feet. He +had been amusing himself almost all the time since the landing with +hunting rabbits, and had at last caught one. + +"You needn't starve now. See, Bill!" and Yaspard picked up the rabbit; +"a fine fat beast, thanks to Pirate. Ah, my dog, if you had Thor's +wings you would use them for me, not for yourself, I know." + +Harry Mitchell looked admiringly at the noble dog; and when the others +moved away to collect wood for a fire (plenty of spars on Swarta Stack) +he fell into a reverie with his eyes fastened on Pirate. + +Before long a fire was burning and the rabbit was roasting in an oven +of mud. The skin was not removed, for those old young campaigners knew +the best way to cook meat when the kitchen appliances were beyond +reach. While Lowrie watched the roast and Gloy fed the fire, Gibbie +went to the shore to secure some shell-fish and Bill went in search of +plovers' eggs, for all were agreed that, until absolutely driven to it, +they would not kill a sheep. + +Yaspard, having set them all thus to work, returned to his place by +Tom, who had fallen into a sort of stupor more alarming than even the +restlessness and raving of the previous evening. + +"In a brown study still, Harry?" the Viking asked, as he sat down and +looked sorrowfully at the invalid. + +"I have an idea," was Harry's answer. "You see the wind is falling +already, and falling fast. It never lasts long at this season. But +there is a heavy sea that may not run off for a couple of days. And no +one lives on the part of Burra Isle facing Swarta Stack. Any signal we +make will not be seen by the folk of Burra Isle, and not likely noticed +by any one on Lunda, which is so much farther away. It really wouldn't +matter for any of us except Tom; but he must be seen to soon, if his +life is to be saved. If he were all right, we could camp here as long +as you please; so don't think me impatient or funking." + +"No, no! I know that. What is your idea?" + +"Your boat can't float, Yaspard, but your dog can swim." + +Yaspard sprang to his feet and caught Harry's hands in his joyous +excitement. "That will do," he cried. "That will be better than Thor, +for I can go with Pirate. I can swim like a fish; and if he sees me +try it, he will go too--we could not expect him to fully understand +what we wanted if I did not do so. I'll be off as soon as it's +possible." + +"Burra Isle is three-quarters of a mile from here," answered Harry +gravely. + +"I'm good for it," was Yaspard's answer; "good for that, and a lot +more, in such an emergency as the present." + +Harry's face dropped quickly, and he had some difficulty in keeping +back the tears, as a swift thought went back to his brother Frank, who +had given his life to save another. Just as Yaspard looked had Frank +stood, smiling like a hero, when he plunged into Wester-voe to save +cripple Bartle. But even that gallant deed had less risk in it than +this which Yaspard contemplated, for the distance Frank had to swim was +not half as far, and the sea was quite calm. + +"It will be a fearful thing to do, Yaspard," Harry said after a pause; +"ten chances to one against your reaching the other shore. Yet--I will +not say _don't_--because--I'll try too. Did you ever hear of--what +our--Frank did?" + +"Yes, I heard. It was remembering what he did made me want to do this +for poor Tom." + +"Well, old man, we will make a try with Pirate when the weather falls a +little more." + +"Not you, Harry. Only myself and Pirate. It would never do to leave +Tom with those duffers. And besides, poor chaps, they'd be all at sea +if we failed and no relief came. With _you_ still here _something_ +would be thought of that had sense in it." + +Harry was obliged to own the wisdom of Yaspard's words, knowing full +well how little Bill was able to take his place as director of affairs. + +The Harrisons and Gloy were not to be depended upon for anything beyond +willing service and obedience to a guiding head. Yet Harry wished to +share Yaspard's responsibility, his peril, and his daring. "Let's cast +lots," he suggested. + +"No," said the Viking-boy decisively. "This quest is mine. Not +another word about it, Harry." + +"Mother, mother!" Tom muttered, rolling his head uneasily, and the word +reached their ears as they sat by the boat under which he lay. + +"You hear?" whispered Yaspard; "think of your mother. If I don't reach +land I shall go to my mother, but yours is in the Manse of Lunda, and +would break her heart if anything happened to you." + +By that time the rabbit was cooked, and some plovers' eggs also +roasted, along with a large crab which had been taking an airing before +Gloy's gleg[1] vision, and was obliged to yield to fate on the instant. +The lads were very hungry, and enjoyed their meal in spite of +everything. + +When every morsel was demolished, even to the bones, which fell to +Pirate's share, the lads gathered in a group beside the boat, and tried +to wile away the time with supposing a great many wonderful kinds of +rescues which might take place; and it was then that Harry told the +others of Yaspard's project. + +"You can never do it, sir," Lowrie exclaimed; "I ken weel ye canno', +and my faither wad never forgive us if we let you try." + +"Tom Holtum's life, or mine, to be risked! My life is my own and +God's, to be used by me, with His approval, as my judgment thinks +best," was the dignified answer, which silenced Lowrie. + +After that they watched the sea, and spoke very little for some hours, +until the wind had quite subsided and the waves were less broken. By +that time Tom's condition made a desperate attempt more urgent still, +and Yaspard rose up saying, "Pirate, old boy, it is time you and I set +out. Good-bye, lads; and keep up your hearts, for if I fail the dog +won't." + +They silently followed him to the low crags where they had so blithely +landed. Lowrie meekly stooped and picked up the boots Yaspard took +off, and Gibbie was heard to sob, but no one offered the smallest +remonstrance; they were in hearing of Tom's broken words and pitiful +moans, and each one thought, "I'd do the same thing if I could." + +"Take care of my crew, Harry," Yaspard said, giving one glance back; +and then they called out, "God preserve you." He smiled. "Thank you! +that sounds good; now, Pirate, come!" + +He plunged into the surf and struck out manfully; and the dog kept +close by him, evidently aware that his young master's life was +entrusted to his keeping in a great measure. + +His companions watched their progress with burning anxiety, and hope +rose high within them as they saw how easily the dog swam; for they +were confident that while Pirate floated Yaspard was safe. + +Yaspard was not so confident himself after being in the water some +time, and he frequently found himself obliged to pause and rest his +hands on the dog. They were greatly helped by the tide flowing towards +Burra Isle. Indeed, Yaspard would not have started on such a dangerous +voyage if he had not calculated that he must receive great assistance +from the sea itself. All he had to do was to keep himself afloat and +drift with the current; but, as all swimmers know, it is often as +trying to do that as to breast an opposing force. + +He found infinite comfort in the companionship of his faithful dog, and +frequently spoke to him--more for the purpose of encouraging his own +heart than because Pirate needed words of cheer. + +But that piece of water seemed very broad, and there seemed for ever +sounding in our hero's ears the refrain of an old song with which Mam +Kirsty used to lull Signy to sleep in her baby days-- + + "My cradle and my grave is the deep deep sea." + +Yet Yaspard was not the least afraid, and only thought, even when those +doleful words seemed to ring like a knell through the roar of the +waves, "Tom will be saved if I reach the shore, and if I don't, Pirate +is sure to land and make his way to a house at once. That will tell as +well as any words of mine." + +He was very nearly exhausted when at last he found himself in shallow +water; so, putting on a desperate spurt, he managed to reach a sandy +creek where a landing could be easily made. But as he staggered up +from the water, thanking God in his heart, a sudden weakness +overpowered him, and he fell senseless on the sand. Pirate had reached +land before his master, and was shaking himself vigorously when Yaspard +dropped. The wonderful dog-intellect at once divined that something +must be very far wrong, and he sniffed around the motionless form, with +deep anxiety expressed in every gesture and in the low whining noise he +made. + +At last, when he found that Yaspard did not stir, Pirate determined +upon seeking help without further delay. With a piteous howl he turned +from the spot and bounded up the hill, making for the nearest +habitation or human being with the unerring instinct of his race. + + + +[1] Keen. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +"HAIL FROM THE MAIN THEN COMEST THOU HOME." + +Garth Halsen and his father were strolling over the hill that day. The +old Yarl of Broch was always restless during a storm, and never cared +to sit in the house when the elements were at war, "for there is sorrow +on the sea," he would say at such times; "and I cannot rest when I +think some poor souls are fighting for life on the water." As the +father and son walked on they saw Pirate, and he saw them, and made at +once for them, whining in the most distressful manner. + +"What dog is that? Why, I've----" + +"It's Yaspard's dog," Garth exclaimed; "and he wants us to go with him. +Something has happened, I fear." + +They hurried in the direction which Pirate so intelligently indicated, +and he soon led them to where our Viking-boy lay. + +By that time Yaspard had revived a little, and was sitting up looking +around in a dazed state, but the cheery voice of old Halsen soon +restored his wits, and he could give an account of what had happened. + +"No time to lose, lads," said the Yarl, with all the fire of strong +manhood eager to help the forlorn and weak. "We'll carry you over the +hill between us, boy, and get out the boats." + +They swung Yaspard up on their arms and went over the hill at a good +pace, considering the Yarl's age, until they reached a cottage +fortunately not far distant. There our hero was left in the care of +kindly women, while Mr. Halsen and Garth hastened to the nearest +fishing-station and gathered a stout crew. + +When Yaspard was reviving under the influence of warm food and a cozy +bed, a sixaern with Mr. Halsen as skipper was speeding round the North +Ness, and appeared before the longing eyes on Swarta Stack like an +angel of deliverance. + +"He has done it!" Harry exclaimed. "Yaspard has not met his +great-grand-uncle's fate!" + +"How do you know?" Lowrie asked. "It may hae been the dog. It's a +senseful beast." + +"Don't you see they are coming straight as an arrow for the Stack?" +answered reflecting Harry. "No doubt in their minds as to where we +are. Now Pirate's arrival and demonstrations could only indicate that +we were in a strait somewhere among the holmes, but only Yaspard's +tongue could tell the identical place where we are." + +"Ye're awfully wise!" Lowrie exclaimed with much admiration, which +became qualified when Bill remarked, "Some one may have seen our fire, +or the sail." + +"I don't think so," Harry answered. "I have had my eyes on the +hillside over there all the morning, and I'd have seen any person who +came there--unless they were by the creek, which is hidden from us by +the curves of the North Ness." + +"Any person _there_ would not see us," said Bill, "so you must be +right. But if Yaspard landed, how is it we did not see him?" + +"He would land at the creek, most likely; and the little daal which +leads over the hill from the shore dips under the level of the Ness +hill, so we could not possibly see him. But we shall know all about it +very soon now." + +"I'd rather die on Swarta Stack than ken he is in the sea," blubbered +Lowrie, whose fears on Yaspard's account had quite unnerved him. + +But what a cheer those boys sent up when the sixaern came close, and +Harry called out "Is Yaspard safe?" and received for answer a joyous +"Yes, yes! he's all right by now." + +They shouted and sobbed together, until Tom was recalled from his +half-unconscious state to a knowledge that rescue had come, and +murmured, "I am so glad for their sakes, poor boys!" + +The Yarl had not omitted to bring such nourishment as could be most +quickly procured, and as soon as the boat was moored the castaways were +quaffing draughts of milk and devouring oatcakes and butter. Nothing +had ever tasted so sweet to Tom's lips as that milk, and the gentle +voice of Garth Halsen, his cool soft touch, were as good as medicine. + +He was carefully conveyed to the boat; the _Osprey_ was safely beached, +high and dry, and loaded with stones to prevent her being buffeted by +the winds again, until such time as she could be removed; and the boys, +with lightened hearts, scrambled into the haaf-boat, carrying with them +all their campaigning effects. + +"If Yaspard were here," said Harry, "he would wish to stay by his boat +until he had made her fit to float us off the Stack again. I don't +half like leaving her all by herself, poor old _Osprey_." + +"You and your Viking can return and finish up your voyage of discovery +another time," quoth Garth; "but at present you must submit to being +taken to Broch in a commonplace manner." + +But the Yarl had been watching Tom, as he lay among coats spread on +grass in the bottom of the boat, and the kind old man's face had grown +more sad and serious every moment. + +"I think we must not make for Burra Wick after all," he said. "Much as +I'd like to have you at Broch, I believe we ought to take another +course. This lad should be in his father's hands with as little delay +as possible. So it's Collaster where we will bring up." + +And to Collaster they went, after landing Lowrie on the nearest point +of Burra Isle, to carry tidings of them to Yaspard, as well as to Gerta +Brace, who would certainly be alarmed if her uncle did not put in an +appearance that day. + +We can imagine the sensation created at the Doctor's house when Tom was +carried there, and the story of his misadventure was told. Harry did +not tell that it was Tom's own fault which brought about the accident, +and it was many a long day before Tom was able to give the full account +of it himself. But we must leave him in the care of his loving mother +and skilful father, content to know that he recovered eventually, and +lived to take a front place in many a wild adventure with his old +antipathy Harry, and his new one Yaspard Adiesen. + +Bill carried the news to Wester-voe and Fred Garson, while Gloy took +his cousin Gibbie to Lunda; and Harry asked to return with the Yarl and +Garth to Burra Isle. He wanted above all things to be with Yaspard, +and in his company finish up the adventurous expedition after a more +satisfactory manner than that of being taken home with the wounded. +But Harry did not say a word beyond expressing his eager desire to +return and stand by the Viking-boy. + +Next morning the haaf-boat returned to Burra Isle, and at the same time +Fred despatched messengers (Gibbie being one of them) to Boden to +report Yaspard at Broch, "Not much the worse of a ducking, and +returning home as soon as possible." + +Fred had got the whole story from Bill, and he rightly conjectured that +the return of the raven would have raised some anxiety, seeing that +Yaspard had told his sister that Thor should bring a message, and Thor +should precede the _Osprey_ by only a few hours. Thor bearing no +message, and followed by no boat, was indeed an ill omen. Moreover, he +had reached home _raven_ously hungry, and in a very sulky, savage mood, +which added to Signy's fears regarding her brother, although Uncle Brüs +pooh-poohed the little girl's presentiment of evil. + +But the arrival of Fred's messenger and Gibbie made a commotion in +Boden, we may be sure, and nothing would satisfy either Mr. Adiesen or +James Harrison but they must start off and bring home their boys. You +may imagine their surprise and disgust to hear, on arriving at Broch, +that Yaspard--restored to all his wonted spirit and energy by a good +night's rest--had borrowed a boat, and accompanied by Harry and Lowrie, +and a clever seaman who knew well how to clamp the broken ribs of a +boat, had gone to Swarta Stack to repair and bring home the _Osprey_. + +"The boy is stark mad!" exclaimed Uncle Brüs; but the Yarl, whose soul +throbbed in sympathy with that of our Viking-boy, made answer, "His +head is as straight on his shoulders as need be. That lad is made of +the right stuff, and will be heard of in the world some day. You need +not be afraid for him." + +"I suppose we ought to go and help him?" the scientist said; but Halsen +shook his head. "Even I," he said, "felt it would be best, kindest, to +let the lads take their own way. They were bent upon bringing back +their boat triumphantly, and they'll do it. Let us leave them all the +satisfaction and glory that they can get out of their adventures." + +And I tell you Yaspard's heart glowed with a good deal of satisfaction +when he sailed the _Osprey_ up Burra Wick that afternoon, her flag +flaunting from the mast-head as gaily as when she sailed away on her +voyage of discovery and peril. + +Right heartily the good old Yarl and his guests and son cheered the +gallant boy and his comrades, as the boat, a little lob-sided, and +considerably scratched and battered, ran along the crags, and came to +below Broch. Hearty indeed was the welcome they received, and neither +Mr. Adiesen nor Harrison let the boys know that they were there for the +purpose of looking after "those roving madcaps." + +In truth Uncle Brüs was not a little proud of his nephew, and made him +repeat the story of his swim with Pirate, which Yaspard did, entirely +unconscious of the heroism he had displayed. + +"What did you think most about when you were in the water?" Mr. Adiesen +asked after a time--his scientific instincts rising above emotion, and +prompting him to discover what are the sensations a human being +experiences in such exceptional circumstances. + +"I thought of Mam Kirsty's old song, 'My cradle and my grave,' chiefly. +I had committed my life to God's hand when I started. Just before I +landed I thought I saw Signy holding out her hands, as she did when she +went adrift. That's about all." + +"Well, my dear, I think you must feel that you have had enough of +Vikinging for the rest of your life," said the scientist with a smile; +but he was not ill-pleased when his nephew answered, "It has only made +me long for more! I want _now_ to do real good Viking work. I want to +go out and explore the world--the stars, if that were possible--and to +fight all the foes of the Red Cross, and to bury all feuds, and win +name and fame like a right noble and right valiant Viking." + +"You _have_ done so, if you but knew it," quoth Garth; and Harry +Mitchell said, "You will do all that, I don't doubt; and I'll follow +where your flag leads, old man! I never could stand by the side of a +better comrade, and I don't believe I could ever find a finer +leader--so there!" + +"Thank you, Harry," Yaspard answered simply. + +I need not tell you of the home-coming to Moolapund, of Aunt Osla's +tears and tea, of Signy's joy, of Thor's profound reflections, finished +up with a sage "Just so!"--of all the talk and enjoyment in fighting +their battles o'er again. + +We can leave our Viking-boy at this happy stage of his career, assured +(like the Yarl of Broch) that he was heard of in the world in later +days. + + + + * * * * * * + + + +Transcriber's note: + + This e-book contains the words "Boden" and "brodhor". In + the original book, the "o" in "Boden" and the first "o" in + "brodhor" were o-macron. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VIKING BOYS*** + + +******* This file should be named 23725-8.txt or 23725-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/7/2/23725 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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} + pre {font-size: 85%; } +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1 align="center">The Project Gutenberg eBook, Viking Boys, by Jessie Margaret Edmondston +Saxby</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Viking Boys</p> +<p>Author: Jessie Margaret Edmondston Saxby</p> +<p>Release Date: December 3, 2007 [eBook #23725]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VIKING BOYS***</p> +<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by Al Haines</h3></center><br><br> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p> </p> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT=""Then there came a sudden flare of light, which showed that Yaspard was trying to illuminate the scene."--_Page_ 216" BORDER="2" WIDTH="416" HEIGHT="619"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 416px"> +"Then there came a sudden flare of light, which showed that Yaspard was trying to illuminate the scene."—<I>Page</I> 216 +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +VIKING BOYS +</H1> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BY +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +J. M. E. SAXBY +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +AUTHOR OF "THE YARL'S YACHT" ETC. +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +LONDON +<BR> +NISBET & CO. LTD. +<BR> +22 BERNERS STREET. W.1 +<BR> +1892 +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS. +</H2> + +<BR> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="100%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAP.</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">"CALLED AFTER THAT WORK WHICH HE HAD TO DO"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">"AH, MANY A MEMORY OF HOW YE DEALT WITH ME"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">"WIDE TOLD OF IS THIS"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">"HAPPY WAS HE IN HIS WARRING"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">"THOU ART YOUNG AND OVER-BOLD"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">"NOW EACH GOES HIS WAY"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">"THE CARL ON THE CLIFF TOP"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">"THEREFORE THEY GO THEIR WAYS"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">"NO NEED OF BINDING OR SALVING HERE"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">"MAY THE GODS GIVE US TWAIN A GOOD DAY"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">"FAIR FELLOW DEEM I THE DARK-WINGED RAVEN"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">"ENOUGH AND TO SPARE OF BALE IS IN THY SPEECH"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">"HE IS YOUNG AND OF LITTLE KNOWLEDGE"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">"OH, BE THOU WELCOME, HERE"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">"AND PEACE SHALL BE SURER"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">"FOR NAUGHT HE WOTTED, NOR MIGHT SEE CLEARLY"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">"NO GOOD IT BETOKENETH"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">"OH, NEED SORE AND MIGHTY"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">"SO HE SHUT ME IN SHIELD-WALL"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">"FROM THE HANDS OF MY KINSFOLK"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">"NOUGHT HAD'ST THOU TO PRAISE"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">"GIVE YE GOOD COUNSEL"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">"AND BOUND FAST THEIR SWORDS IN WEBS GOODLY WOVEN"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">"MEET AND RIGHT IT IS, FAIR LORD, THAT I SHOULD GO"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap25">"AND THERETO THEY PLIGHTED TROTH BOTH OF THEM"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap26">"THAT WORK SHALL BE WROUGHT"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap27">"OF THE VOLSUNGS' KIN IS HE"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap28">"SEA-RUNES GOOD AT NEED"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap29">"GREAT IS THE TROUBLE OF FOOT ILL-TRIPPING"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap30">"SWEET SIGHT FOR ME THOU TWAIN TO SET EYES ON"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap31">"HILD UNDER HELM"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap32">"HAIL FROM THE MAIN THEN COMEST THOU HOME"</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +VIKING-BOYS. +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER 1 +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"CALLED AFTER THAT WORK WHICH HE HAD TO DO." +</H3> + +<P> +"How I wish I had lived hundreds of years ago, when the Vikings lived; +it must have been prime!" +</P> + +<P> +He was a Shetland boy of fifteen who so spoke, and he was addressing +his young sister of eleven. They were sitting on a low crag by the +shore, dangling their feet over the water, which flowed clear and +bright within a short distance of their toes. They were looking out +upon a grand stretch of ocean studded with islands of fantastic shape, +among which numerous boats were threading their way. It was a fair +summer afternoon, and the fishing boats were returning from the far +haaf[1] laden with spoil. It had not required a great stretch of +imagination to carry Yaspard Adiesen's thoughts from the scene before +him to the olden days, when his native Isles were the haunts of +Vikinger, whose ships were for ever winging their way over those waters +bearing the spoils of many a stormy fight. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," the boy went on; "what glorious fun it must have been in those +days; such fighting and sailing and discovering new places; such heaps +of adventures of all sorts. Oh, how grand it must have been!" +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose it was," answered Signy; "but then these people long ago did +not have all the nice things we have—books, you know, and—and +everything!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, tuts! They had Scalds to sing their history—much nicer than your +musty books." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps!" said the girl. She loved books with a mighty love, but she +adored her brother, and what he said she accepted, whether it commended +itself to her judgment or not. +</P> + +<P> +"There is no 'perhaps' about it, Signy," he retorted a little sharply. +"It is fact—so there! It must have been far more jolly in Shetland +then than it is now. Everything so tame and commonplace: mail-day once +a week, sermon every Sunday, custom-house officers about, chimney-pot +hats and tea! Bah!" Yaspard caught up a pebble and flung it to skim +over the water as a relief to his feelings, which received a little +additional comfort from Signy's next words. +</P> + +<P> +"Hats are certainly very ugly, especially when they are tied on with +strings, as Uncle Brüs wears his; and when a sermon lasts an hour it is +tiresome. Yes, and the custom-house people and the revenue cutter are +horrid—though the cutter is very pretty, and the officers look rather +nice in uniform. But it is very nice to get letters, Yaspard; and tea +is nice. Why, what on earth would Mam Kirsty and Aunt Osla do without +tea?" and Signy laughed as she looked up in her brother's face. +</P> + +<P> +He was not unreasonable, and admitted the comfort of the cup which +cheers and a weekly mail-bag. He even allowed that the sloop which +looked after her Majesty's dues was a tidy little craft, and that a +kirk and Sunday service were advantages of no ordinary kind. "But," +having admitted so much, he said, "why couldn't we have all that, and +still be Vikings? why not live like heroes? why not roam the seas, and +fight and discover and bring home spoil, and wear picturesque garments, +as well as go to church and drink tea?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, people <I>do</I>," answered Signy. "There is always somebody going +exploring and getting into the most terrible scrapes. And don't you +often say that the British people are true sons of the Norsemen, and +prove it by the way they are always sending out more and more ships, +and bringing home more and more riches. As for the fighting—oh dear! +There was Waterloo not so very very long ago; and the papers say, you +know, that we are going to fight the Russians very soon. There's +always plenty of fighting—if that's what makes a Viking." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, bother! girls don't understand," Yaspard muttered; and then there +was a long silence, which was broken at last by the lad clapping his +hands together and shouting, "Hurrah! I've got an idea! a splendid +idea! The very thing!" He sprang to his feet and tossed back his +golden-brown curls, and stood like a young Apollo all aglow with life +and ardour. +</P> + +<P> +"You always look so beautiful, Yaspard, when you have an idea!" said +the worshipping little sister, gazing her admiration of the handsome +lad, who was the hero of all her dreams. +</P> + +<P> +He laughed. He was accustomed to her homage—if the truth be told, he +took it as his right. +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind about my beauty at present, but come along, for I must set +my idea to work at once. I wonder I never thought of it before." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, do wait a very little longer, brodhor," the girl begged. When +coaxing or caressing him, she always used the old form of the word, +which signified the dearest relationship she knew. They were orphans, +and "brother" was Signy's nearest as well as dearest friend alive. He +never could resist the soft tone and word, so answered— +</P> + +<P> +"Why do you want to stay here?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have been watching Loki fish, and it is so funny; I want to see when +he <I>will</I> be satisfied. He has been at it for hours." +</P> + +<P> +Loki was a pet cormorant, and Yaspard had taught him to seek food for +himself in the voe. The affectionate bird, though allowed such +licence, never failed to return to Boden when hunger was satisfied; and +at all times he would come at once to his master's call. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard stood for a minute looking at the bird as it swam about, every +now and then taking a sudden leap and "header" after some unwary +sillack. There were shoals of small cod-fish in the voe, and Loki had +no difficulty in filling his most capacious maw. His mode of fishing +was certainly comical, but Yaspard was not so interested in the matter +as Signy, therefore his eyes were soon roving again to the islets and +boats. +</P> + +<P> +Presently his attention became riveted on a smart skiff rounding the +headlands in a manner which proved that she was managed by skilful +hands. As the boat drew nearer, rising lightly on the waves, Yaspard +said, "Yes, it's the <I>Laulie</I>. What splendid sea-boys those lads of +Lunda are! They are always off somewhere; always having some grand fun +on the water. They are making for Havnholme now, and I expect they +mean to stay there all night. Oh, bother feuds and family fights! I +wish I were with them." +</P> + +<P> +"They must be nice boys," said Signy. "It does seem very sad that you +can't have them for chums. I can't see why our grandfathers' quarrels +and Uncle Brüs's grumpiness should hinder you from being friends with +the only boys of our rank within reach of Boden." +</P> + +<P> +"It is a horrible nuisance. But never mind! I'll make the family feud +work into my idea, sure as can be! There, Signy; there goes Loki with +five dozen sillacks in his maw, so let's go too." +</P> + +<P> +The cormorant had had enough. He began to flap along the surface of +the sea until it was possible for him to rise in steady flight. Then +he floated high overhead and took a straight course for the Ha' of +Boden. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard caught up Signy in his arms; and as he swung along towards home +he chanted— +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"As with his wings aslant<BR> +Sails the fierce cormorant<BR> +Seeking some rocky haunt,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">With his prey laden;</SPAN><BR> +So toward the open main,<BR> +Beating to sea again,<BR> +Through the wild hurricane<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Bore I the maiden."</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P> +When he finished the verse he put his sister down. "There," he +exclaimed; "there is a small hint at a part of my new idea." +</P> + +<P> +"What is your idea, Yaspard?" +</P> + +<P> +But Yaspard laughed and shook his head. "I can't tell you yet. It +isn't shaped at all yet, but by-and-by you shall hear all about it, and +help with it too, Mootie;[2] only, mind, it's a secret. You must not +tell a soul." +</P> + +<P> +"I never tell any of your secrets," Signy answered, with gentle +reproach in her tone; and her brother answered promptly, "No, you never +tell on me, that is true—though you sometimes let things out by +mistake. But you are a trump all the same, Signy; you are; and as good +as a boy. I sometimes wish you were a boy. But if you were you'd +plague me. Small boys always do plague their big brothers—but <I>you</I> +never plague me. Never!" +</P> + +<P> +She squeezed his hand tight and was perfectly happy while they walked +on, and Yaspard whistled "the Hardy Norseman." +</P> + +<P> +After executing a few bars he said, "I am going across the voe, and you +must not mind if I do not take you with me. I want to have a long talk +with the Harrison boys. But if you come down to the noost[3] when I +return, I'll take you for a little sail." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll be there, brodhor," said Signy. She was always "there" when +Yaspard required or requested. +</P> + +<P> +They walked along the shore until they reached a quay of very modest +pretensions, where a small boat was lying ready for use. Their home +was not many yards from the beach, and was situated on a green sloping +point of land almost surrounded by the waters of Boden voe. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard jumped into the boat, hauled up the sail, shoved off, and was +soon speeding across the mile of water, which was the broadest bit of +that winding picturesque fiord. +</P> + +<P> +Signy stood a minute to watch him. She would have stood longer, but +out of the house bounced a big dog, barking and evidently greatly +excited over something. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Pirate, what is the matter with you?" the girl asked, as the dog +rushed up to her. For answer Pirate caught her skirt gently in his +mouth, and indicated as plainly as if he had expressed himself in +choicest English that he desired her presence indoors. +</P> + +<P> +So indoors Signy went without more ado. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] "Haaf," deep-sea fishing. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[2] "Mootie," little one. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[3] "Noost," boat-shelter. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"AH, MANY A MEMORY OF HOW YE DEALT WITH ME." +</H3> + +<P> +When Yaspard reached the other shore he was met by two boys, one his +own age, the other about thirteen. These were Laurence and Gilbert +Harrison, sons of Mr. Adiesen's factotum, and they were usually styled +Lowrie and Gibbie. +</P> + +<P> +Boden was a small island, and there were only three houses on it, +namely, the Ha', the factor's house, and Trullyabister, a very ancient +dwelling nearly in ruins. Every house in Shetland has a name of its +own, so has every knoll and field and crag and islet, therefore the Ha' +was called Moolapund, and the Harrisons' house Noostigard. To attend +church the inhabitants were obliged to cross to a neighbouring island, +and this the majority of them did very regularly. Stores were brought +twice a year from the town of Lerwick; and it seldom happened that +these ran short, for Miss Adiesen was a shrewd housewife and James +Harrison a notable manager; also the Laird was somewhat eccentric, and +objecting strongly to all society outside of Boden, did not like that +"provisions short" should be made an excuse for frequent expeditions to +the larger islands. +</P> + +<P> +The isolated life of Boden had certain charms of its own for a +scientist like Mr. Adiesen, and a quiet domestic creature like his +sister, whose happiness had been wrecked in early life, and who desired +nothing better than to hide herself at Moolapund and devote her life to +the wants of her lost twin-brother's children. +</P> + +<P> +Boden was a pleasant home to the Harrisons', for they were a large +family, simple crofters, content in each other's society, and +cherishing no earthly ambition. It was a satisfactory retreat from the +world for Gaun Neeven, who lived alone with a half-witted attendant in +the old house of Trullyabister. It was a paradise to little Signy, +whose imaginative, romantic nature found infinite delight in the beauty +of the Isle, in its myriads of sea-fowl, in its grand-encircling ocean, +in the freedom and poetry of life with such environs. But to a strong +lad like Yaspard, full of vitality, longing for action and the company +of his fellows, there was less to content him, and much to stir in him +that spirit of mischief which attends on every energetic boy not +blessed with wise guardians, and with plenty of time on his hands. +</P> + +<P> +"Come into the boat, boys," said Yaspard, as he ran his skiff to the +noost; and the brothers, nothing loth, scrambled aboard. +</P> + +<P> +"I ran across," said our hero, plunging at once into his subject, "to +tell you about a magnificent scheme I have in my head. I am going to +be a Viking!" +</P> + +<P> +If he had announced his intention of becoming Czar of all the Russias +these boys would have taken it as a matter of course. They merely +opened their eyes and said "Weel?" Yaspard had rather expected to +surprise them, and was a little disconcerted by the way his startling +intention was received. +</P> + +<P> +"I've told you heaps about Vikinger," he said; "you know just what I +mean, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Weren't they pirates?" Gibbie asked. +</P> + +<P> +"No—at least they would be called that now, but it was different when +they lived. There was no way of discovering new lands and getting lots +of riches, being great men and doing all sorts of grand things, except +by becoming Vikings. It was the only way." +</P> + +<P> +"But they killed people, and robbed, and made slaves. Everybody was +frightened when a Viking ship hove in sight," said Lowrie, who was +rather reflective for his age and station. +</P> + +<P> +"So they did; but it could not be helped. Besides, every one tried to +do the same. And for the matter of that, don't people do the same now? +Don't they fight still, and in a worse way? for the Vikinger only laid +on man for man, but now any nation who invents the most murderous +machine for shooting can mow down armies of men miles off. As for the +stealing—what is half the trade of the world but a kind of civil +picking of somebody's pocket—a 'doing' of some one. And slavery; bah! +slaves enough in Britain while the pressgang can carry off any man it +likes. But there—what's the good of such talk? I'm not going to be a +Viking in a bad way, so you need not be afraid. It will all be for +adventure, and glory and daring, and jolly good fun, I tell you." +</P> + +<P> +"All right; we're game for whatever you please," answered the Harrisons. +</P> + +<P> +After that Yaspard entered into some details of his scheme, and +explained portions in which he specially required their co-operation. +They were soon as enamoured of the project as he, and eager to begin a +career which promised such scope for wild adventure. Some time slipped +past while the confabulation lasted, and the dusk of a Shetland summer +evening—the poetic "dim"—had fallen upon Boden before the lads +separated. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll be over again to-morrow early," said Yaspard, as he pulled out +from the shore; "mind you have some armour ready by the time I come." +</P> + +<P> +The light breeze which had wafted him to Noostigard had fallen to a +calm, therefore the sail was of no use; but a pair of oars in his +muscular hands soon carried the little <I>Osprey</I> to her quay, and there +Signy was waiting. +</P> + +<P> +"I've been longer than I meant to be, Mootie," he called out; "I am +afraid it is too late to take you off." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind," she answered; "I don't want to go now. There has been +such a disturbance in the house—such a terrific upset. It has made me +laugh and cry—I hardly know which I ought to do now about it." +</P> + +<P> +"An upset!" Yaspard exclaimed. "Praise the powers, as Mam Kirsty says. +I'm glad the humdrum has had a break. What was it, Signy?" +</P> + +<P> +"It was a letter." +</P> + +<P> +"A letter! Was that all?" +</P> + +<P> +"All!" exclaimed the girl; "you won't say a letter is a little 'all' +when you hear what it did. The mailbag came across this afternoon when +we were sitting at the Teng, never thinking!—and uncle got a letter +from the young Laird of Lunda which made him furious. You know what +happens when Uncle Brüs is angry." +</P> + +<P> +"I know. I'm glad it does not happen often, poor old man! Well, what +next?" +</P> + +<P> +"He rampaged, and set Aunt Osla off crying. Then he began experiments +with that new chemical machine, and nearly blew up the house. The +windows of his Den are smashed, and you never saw anything like the +mess there is in it—broken glass, books, methylated spirits, +specimens, everything." +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah!" shouted Yaspard, cutting short Signy's story; "don't tell me +more. Let's go and see." +</P> + +<P> +He fastened up his boat, took his sister's hand, and ran quickly up the +brae to his home. +</P> + +<P> +There indeed was a scene of devastation, as far as the scientist's +study was concerned. It looked as though a volcano had irrupted there: +bookshelves were overturned, chairs and tables were sprawling legs in +air, liquids were oozing in rainbow hues over manuscripts, odours of +the most objectionable kind filled the air. A tame raven was hopping +among the debris, with an eye to choice "remains" dropping from broken +jars; a strange-looking fish was gasping its last breath on the sofa, +among broken fragments of its crystal tank. A huge grey cat was +standing, with her back arched, on the mantelpiece—the only place she +deemed secure—surveying the scene, and ready for instant flight, or +fight, if another explosion seemed imminent. +</P> + +<P> +Pirate was lying at the open door, watching the movements of Thor (the +raven), whose depredatory proclivities were well known to the dog. +Thor, perfectly aware that a detective's eye was upon him, did not +venture to abstract any of the wreckage, but assumed an air of careless +curiosity as he hopped about among Mr. Adiesen's demoralised treasures. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Adiesen himself had disappeared. He had been stunned for a few +moments by the explosion; but on recovering he only waited to realise +the ruin he had wrought, and then, seizing a favourite geological +hammer, he raced away to the rocks to practise what stood him in place +of strong language. +</P> + +<P> +No one had dared to attempt restoring order in the Den; the maids would +not have set foot within its door for their lives. Miss Adiesen was +soothing her nerves with tea, which Mam Kirsty was administering with +loud and voluble speech. +</P> + +<P> +"My! what a sight!" Yaspard exclaimed, as he looked into the study. +"And what a smell! It's enough to frighten the French," and he turned +into the parlour, where his aunt was comforting her nerves after her +favourite manner, as I said. +</P> + +<P> +"You've been having a high old time, auntie," he cried, laughing. "I +never saw such a rare turn-out in Moolapund before." +</P> + +<P> +"You may say so," sobbed Aunt Osla. "It is a 'turn-out' and a 'high +old' business. We were near going high enough, let alone your uncle, +whose escape is nothing short of a miracle. I always said there would +be mischief done with those mixtures and glass tubes, and machines for +heating dangerous coloured stuff. A rare turn-out! Yes; there is not +much left in his room to turn out—it's all turned. But it isn't the +specimens and all that I mind so very much, after all, though that is +bad enough, considering all the time and money he has spent on them. +It is the—the cause of all this that—that breaks my heart. Oh dear!" +and she broke out a-weeping again. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"WIDE TOLD OF IS THIS." +</H3> + +<P> +"What had young Garson said to make Uncle Brüs so angry?" asked Yaspard. +</P> + +<P> +"He did not say much that was unpleasant—even from our point of view. +It is the letter of a gentleman anyway; and I know very well that his +mother's son could not say or do or think anything that was not like a +gentleman. I knew her, poor dear, when we were both young. See, here +is the letter. You may read it. It was flung to me. Your uncle did +not care who saw it, or who knows about his 'feud'—oh, I'm sick of the +word." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard smoothed out the letter, which his uncle had crushed up in his +rage, and read— +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"DEAR MR. ADIESEN,—I very much regret being obliged to remind you once +more that Havnholme is part of the Lunda property, and that it was my +dear father's wish that the sea-birds on the island should not be +molested. +</P> + +<P> +"I shall always be very pleased to give you, or any other naturalist, +every facility for studying the birds in their haunts, but I cannot +(knowing as I do so well the mind of my late father in this matter) +permit innocent creatures to be disturbed and distressed as they have +been of late. You know the circumstances to which I allude. +</P> + +<P> +"I do wish (as my father so long wished) that you would meet me and +have a friendly talk, when I have no doubt we could smooth this +matter—I mean your grievance regarding Havnholme. It seems so +unneighbourly, not to say unchristian, to keep up a quarrel from +generation to generation. +</P> + +<P> +"Pardon me if it seems presumptuous of a young fellow like me to write +thus to you; but I feel as it I were only the medium through which my +good noble father were making his wishes known. If you will allow me, +I will call upon you at some early time.—Yours sincerely, FRED GARSON." +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"It's a very decent letter," said Yaspard, "and everybody who knows the +young Laird says he is a brick; but I know how Uncle Brüs would flare +up over this. One has only to utter 'holme' or 'Lunda' in uncle's +hearing if one wants to bring the whole feud about one's ears." +</P> + +<P> +Here Signy put in her soft little voice. "But it really was a shame +about the birds, Yaspard. You said so, you know; and oh, I have dreamt +about them ever so often, poor things!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's true. Still, uncle persists that the holme is his property; +and the Lairds of Lunda have always got the name of land-grabbers." +</P> + +<P> +Miss Osla looked up at the boy with a kind of terror in her eyes. "O +Yaspard," she cried, "don't you begin that way too. Don't you believe +all that's told you. Don't you take up that miserable, wicked—yes, +wicked—quarrel." +</P> + +<P> +"Easy, easy, Aunt Osla! I haven't dug up the hatchet yet. But can you +tell me what was the true origin of that affair?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe anybody ever knew what it began about, or why. The +Garsons and Adiesens were born quarrelling with one another, I think." +</P> + +<P> +"But surely you know about the particular part of the family feud which +had to do with Havnholme?" +</P> + +<P> +"Even <I>that</I> began before I was born, and it was about some land that +was exchanged. Your great-grandfather wanted all this island to +himself, and he offered the Laird of Lunda some small outlying islands +instead of the piece of Boden which belonged to <I>him</I>. Mr. Garson +agreed, so they 'turned turf'[1] and settled the bargain; and a body +would have thought that was enough. But no! By-and-by they got +debating that the bargain had not been a fair one, then that Havnholme +was not included with the other skerries, and so it went as long as +they lived. After that their sons took it up, and disputed, and +fought, and never got nearer the truth, for there were no papers to be +found to prove who was right; and the tenants who had witnessed the +'turning of turf' would only speak as pleased their master. They +wrangled all their lives about it. One would put his sheep on the +holme, and the other would promptly go and shove the poor beasts into +the sea. One would build a skeö,[2] and the other would pull it down. +These were lawless days, and men might do as they pleased." +</P> + +<P> +"Just like Vikinger," said Yaspard, who quite enjoyed the story. +"Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"They never would speak to each other, even if they met at the church +door, or at a neighbour's funeral. It was very sinful; and they would +not let their children become acquainted. My father made me drop +acquaintance with my school friend when she married Mr. Garson, for no +reason but because she married the son of his enemy. It has been the +same since your uncle came to be Laird. If your father had lived it +would have been different, for <I>he</I> bore ill-feeling to no one; but he +was so much away with his ship, he never got a chance to put things +right; which I <I>know</I> he could have done, for the Laird of Lunda—who +died two years ago—was one of the best of men. A land-grabber! My +friend's husband. He was as good a man as Shetland ere saw. He tried +again and again to be friends with Brüs, but it was no use, and it will +be of no use his boy trying. I know." +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Something</I> shall be of use," muttered Yaspard; then aloud he asked, +"Will uncle answer this letter?" +</P> + +<P> +"My dear, he's done it. There is his answer on the table. He read it +to me, and I felt as if I were listening to a clap of thunder." +</P> + +<P> +"What did he say?" +</P> + +<P> +"He said that Havnholme was his, and that he meant to do with his own +as he pleased. And he said, 'If you set foot in Boden you will receive +the thrashing which such a coxcomb deserves.' He told me to send the +Harrison boys across the sound in your little boat early to-morrow, and +they were to leave the letter at the post-office. They were not to go +to the Ha' for their lives. Brüs never told me to do a harder thing +than to send such a letter to the son of my friend—to the poor lad who +is trying to live like his true-hearted father, and to be at peace with +all men! It is a cruel thing." And here Miss Osla began to weep again. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard went to the table and picked up the letter, read the address, +and put it in his pocket. "Leave this affair to me, auntie," he said; +"I'll see that Fred Garson gets the letter, and gets it right properly." +</P> + +<P> +Poor Miss Adiesen was too much troubled to notice anything peculiar in +Yaspard's words or expression, but Signy did, and as he left the room +she followed and asked in a whisper— +</P> + +<P> +"Is it going to fit into your idea, brodhor?" +</P> + +<P> +"Fits like the skin to a sealkie," said he. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard went up the stairs four steps at every stride until he reached +the attics. One of these was used for lumber, and into it he went. +There was a marvellous collection of things in that room, but Yaspard +knew what he had come for, and where to find it. He pulled some broken +chairs from off an old chest which had no lid, and was piled full of +curious swords, cutlasses, horse-pistols, battle-axes, some foils and +masks, and a battered old shield. Not one of all these implements had +been in use for a century—some were of far more ancient date. They +had neither edge, nor point, nor power of any sort beyond what might +lie in their weight if it were brought into play. Yaspard gathered up +as many of these weapons as he could carry, and bore them off to his +own room, where he proceeded to scrub the rust from them with some +sandpaper and a pair of woollen socks. He whistled at his task, and +was infinitely pleased with his own thoughts, which ran something like +this:— +</P> + +<P> +"Oh yes! I'll make it work. I'll turn this old feud into a rare old +lark, I will. How nicely it all fits in for to-morrow—the Harrison +boys to go with the letter in my boat, and the Manse boys spending the +night on Havnholme! What times those boys have, to be sure. They go +everywhere, and stay just as long as they please. I could not count +how many times this summer they have camped out for the night on +Havnholme, and the Grün holme, and the Ootskerries. Guess they'll be +surprised at the waking up they'll get tomorrow!" +</P> + +<P> +When he had cleaned up the armour to his satisfaction, he sat down to +his desk and wrote a letter, which pleased him so much that he read it +twice aloud, and ended by saying— +</P> + +<P> +"Prime! I didn't know that I could express myself so well on paper. +It's as good as Garson's own. I wonder what he will say!" +</P> + +<P> +Then Yaspard went down to supper, and while demolishing his porridge he +said, "Will you make me up a bit of ferdimet,[3] auntie? I am going +off early to-morrow to fish. (It's true," he added to himself, "for +I'll take a rod and fish a fish to make it true.") +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose the Harrisons go with you?" said Aunt Osla. "Don't forget +about your uncle's message to Lunda." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I won't forget." +</P> + +<P> +"You could run across to the post-office before going to fish, and get +it over," she added. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard often went on such expeditions, therefore there was nothing +unusual in his proceedings on the present occasion, but Signy detected +a new fire in his eyes, and a twitching of the mouth that suggested +ideas! Moreover, she had been on the stair when he came out of the +lumber-room with his arms full of weapons, and Signy's soul was +troubled about its hero. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] The old Shetland way of taking possession of land. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[2] "Skeö," a shed for drying fish in. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[3] "Ferdimet," food for a journey. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"HAPPY WAS HE IN HIS WARRING." +</H3> + +<P> +When the sun was well up next morning, which meant about three o'clock, +Yaspard came downstairs, carrying his armour, and treading softly, as +he did not wish to disturb anybody. Pirate was dozing in the porch, +but when the lad appeared he got up and followed him to the quay. +Signy's eyes too followed—for she had heard her brother leave his +room—and again her heart was troubled when she saw the weapons of +warfare. All unconscious of her gaze, he proceeded to stow these into +his boat, where Pirate had stepped gravely, and Signy's soul was +comforted as she returned to her bed murmuring, "Any way, he has Pirate +with him, and Pirate is more than a match for anything!" +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard was soon across the voe, and he soon had the Harrisons out of +their beds. When they reached the beach Lowrie pulled out of a +fish-chest two neatly made wooden swords, two slings, two bows, and a +sheaf of arrows. As he handed some to his brother he said to Yaspard, +"We made the swords last night, and most of the arrows. I think they +are a great improvement on the last." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, certain!" was the ready answer; but Yaspard's eyes gleamed as he +pointed to his ancestral old iron, and said, "What think you of mine?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, grand! splendid!" they cried. +</P> + +<P> +"You are going to have a share—a loan of them, I mean." And then he +rapidly explained what he purposed doing, and what he wished them to +do. As the boat slipped rapidly along, the lads rigged themselves for +action. Playing at "Robinson Crusoe" and "Hawk eye" had been favourite +games, therefore they were provided with all sorts of belts and pouches +for holding every conceivable kind of weapon; and queer figures they +looked when their war toilet was complete, and they sat down to talk +over their scheme and project a great many more. +</P> + +<P> +Once outside of Boden voe, it did not take long to reach Havnholme. +The <I>Laulie</I> was lying along the crags safely moored there, and her +crew were asleep in the old shed, where they had spent many a night +before. They had had a long day of exciting sport, and were wrapped in +sleep more profound than usual. +</P> + +<P> +But when the <I>Osprey</I> came within hailing distance, Yaspard ran up a +black flag and raised a shout of "A Viking! a Viking!" His companions +took up the cry, and Pirate, setting his fore-paws on the bow, barked +and howled like mad. Such a hullaballoo was enough to waken anybody, +and the Lunda boys—half-awake—rushed out of the shed, and stood +staring in dumb-foundered amazement at the foe! +</P> + +<P> +The Harrisons burst out laughing at the ludicrous spectacle of four +lads rubbing their eyes, scratching their heads, shaking themselves +straight in their clothes, and looking as if there never had been half +an idea in one of their minds. But Yaspard shouted in grandiloquent +style— +</P> + +<P> +"You, lads of Lunda there, listen! We are Vikinger in search of glory +and spoil, and all the rest of it. But we do not take our enemy +unawares. We would not assail slumberers. We are nineteenth century +enough to fight fair. So now, look to yourselves!" +</P> + +<P> +During these few minutes the <I>Osprey</I> had reached the crags, and was +alongside of the <I>Laulie</I>. As he finished speaking the young marauder, +leaning over to the other boat, undid her painter, and hitching it to +his own boat, shouted to his companions to row off again. They pulled +out from the shore, and the <I>Laulie</I> was captured before her crew had +waked up enough to comprehend what was going on. +</P> + +<P> +"It's Yaspard Adiesen masquerading like an ass," said Harry Mitchell at +last. +</P> + +<P> +"It will only be a bit of fun," Gloy Winwick ventured to say, for by +that time he had recognised Lowrie and Gibbie. They were his cousins, +and he had often met them, and heard of the curious games which young +Adiesen invented for their amusement and his own. "There will be nae +harm in it. It's just his way. He's queer." +</P> + +<P> +The last half of his remarks was given in an aside to Tom Holtum, but +Tom only growled, "Bother the fellow! What does he mean by such +preposterous impudence?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom's temper was easily roused; and, followed by the others, he ran to +the crag and shouted, "Give us none of your humbug! Bring back the +boat, or it will be the worse for you!" +</P> + +<P> +A mocking laugh was all the answer he got; and this so exasperated Tom +that he was about to fling a volley of abuse to the enemy, but Harry +checked him. Harry was always the first to look at a thing from more +points than one, and now he said in an undertone, "I expect it is only +some nonsensical make-believe. Yaspard is a baby in some ways, I am +told; and he never exchanges a word with gentlemen's sons—lives +horribly alone, you know. Let's humour him a bit, and see what it will +come to." +</P> + +<P> +Tom grunted, but Bill and Gloy seconded Harry, so Harry called out, "I +say, you might as well come on shore first and tell us what's up, and +then let us start fair all round." +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to," burst from Yaspard in his natural and impulsive manner, +"but I mustn't. Uncle Brüs has forbidden me to be friends with <I>any</I> +of you Lunda fellows, because of the family feud, you know. But I'm +tired of having no chums, and living as I do, so I'm resolved to be a +Viking; and as you are all my enemies, I shall, of course, try to +harass you in every way I can, to fight you, and carry off your +property, and conquer you, and—and—have some good fun!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Harry instantly got the right kind of inspiration about the +matter, and replied, "All right, we're your men! strongest fend off!" +but Gloy exclaimed, "I think he must be going off his head," and Bill +called out furiously, "Conquer us! come and try, if you dare." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll dare another day, youngster," answered the Viking loftily; "but +listen now" (addressing the others): "I've got your boat, and you must +agree to what I ask before I will let you have her again." +</P> + +<P> +"Impudence!" shouted Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Tuts, man, let him haver," said Harry; then to Yaspard, "Well, go on." +</P> + +<P> +"Are you captain of that crew?" Yaspard asked. +</P> + +<P> +"In the absence of my elders and betters, yes!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I want you to take a letter (it is really two letters, one +inside the other) to the young Laird of Lunda. He is captain, chief, +yarl, and all the rest of it, over you and your island." +</P> + +<P> +"If it's a proper letter I'll take it," Harry answered promptly. +</P> + +<P> +"One of the letters is quite proper; but, proper or no proper, uncle's +note must also reach Mr. Garson, and you must promise to give it +faithfully before I give you the <I>Laulie</I>. She's a splendid little +craft. She would make a glorious Viking's bark! I am tempted to keep +my spoil." +</P> + +<P> +While they were talking Bill said to Gloy very loudly, "Never mind the +jabber, boy. Come for a swim before breakfast! I'm off." They +stripped and went in, and as they did so they whispered together and +winked knowingly, then began to race and splash in the water as if they +had no thought in their heads but the enjoyment of the moment, while +the rival captains continued the engrossing debate. +</P> + +<P> +Harry was not unwilling to carry the letter, but he did not like to be +threatened into doing it. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose I refuse?" he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Then I go off with your boat, and you remain prisoned on Havnholme." +</P> + +<P> +"You could be severely punished if you did so." +</P> + +<P> +"If you are mean enough to tell, and bring grown people and lawyers +into the business," retorted Yaspard. +</P> + +<P> +"I see no harm in taking the letter to Fred," said Tom then. +</P> + +<P> +Tom strongly objected to telling tales. He also scented some rare +shindies in the game Yaspard was playing, and Harry, seeing that the +situation was an awkward one, agreed. +</P> + +<P> +"Is that all?" he asked. But before the enemy could reply there came a +shout from Tom, a howl from Yaspard, a screech from the Harrisons, and +loud laughter from Gloy in the water. +</P> + +<P> +Gloy and Bill had taken advantage of the attention of the others being +chiefly directed to those on shore, and had, as if by accident, swam +nearer to the boats. Then Gloy had held the Harrisons in talk while +Bill quietly contrived to swim to that side of the <I>Laulie</I> which was +farthest from the other boat. No one was aware of his movements until +he had swiftly crawled into the <I>Laulie</I>. Leaning over the side, he +slipped the painter from the thole-pin round which it hung, and then +shoving with all his might, he sent the skiffs a good way apart at once. +</P> + +<P> +"After him, boys!" Yaspard cried; but the boys were not ready. Gloy +had come alongside and had caught hold of Gibbie, Lowrie was laughing +like to split his sides at the sight of Bill, nude and dripping, gaping +like a fresh caught cod, rowing for his life. The <I>Laulie</I> was safe +back at her favourite crag in a minute more, and Yaspard could only +comfort himself for being so outwitted by making a captive of Gloy. +</P> + +<P> +"He isn't worth much without his clothes," Harry told all who cared to +hear. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll paint him," retorted Yaspard, and Gloy began to think that his +position was awkward, to say the least of it; but Tom, whose +good-humour had been completely restored by Bill's clever manoeuvre, +said— +</P> + +<P> +"You might just as well come along and have some breakfast with us, and +then we can arrange the campaign, and settle about ransom for the +captive." +</P> + +<P> +There was no resisting such a suggestion, especially as it did not hint +at compromise of the "position." +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Osprey</I> came to land, and Gloy was permitted to go and resume his +garments, after giving his word of honour to respect the parole. +</P> + +<P> +A white handkerchief was tied to a fishing-rod, which was planted in +the skeö wall, and under that flag of truce the rival parties made +merry in lighting a fire, boiling water, and feasting heartily on the +good things which the Manse boys never failed to find in their ferdimet +basket. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"THOU ART YOUNG AND OVER-BOLD." +</H3> + +<P> +As they ate they talked, you may be sure. The Lunda boys were +decidedly in favour of Yaspard's scheme—was there ever a boy who would +have objected to any such prank? They saw no harm in it whatever, only +Harry said— +</P> + +<P> +"We must consult Fred Garson; we never go in for any big thing without +consulting Fred." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course," Yaspard answered cheerfully. "He will let you read my +letter, and you will see by it that I expect he will have a finger in +the pie—not to take part in the war, but just to look on and kind of +see fair-play, you know, and umpire us when we fall out. He is a nice +fellow, people say." +</P> + +<P> +"There is no one like him," said Harry, with that hearty enthusiasm +which all the lads of Lunda displayed when their chief was mentioned. +</P> + +<P> +"What a pity it is," Bill chimed in, "that Eric and Svein are away, +and—too old now for this kind of thing." +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad they are too old," replied Yaspard, "for that leaves our +number about equal." +</P> + +<P> +"Four to three! you are in a minority," said Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"There is Pirate," Yaspard answered, with a smile, and Pirate wagged +his tail, as much as to say, "I'm ready for any or all of you." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, if dogs are to be in it," laughed Tom, "there's Watchie, that +Svein rescued off a skerry; and there's old toothless Tory at the +Manse. But now, what about the hapless captive? What do you price him +at, Mr. Viking?" +</P> + +<P> +"Twenty pebbles wet with the waves of Westervoe," was the instant +reply, at which the lads roared. +</P> + +<P> +"We don't carry our beach about in our pockets," one of them said, as +soon as the laugh subsided. +</P> + +<P> +"Then I must keep my captive till you bring his price." And Yaspard +stuck to that, and urged his arguments so well that finally it was +agreed that he should hold Gloy till his friends produced the +stipulated ransom. +</P> + +<P> +The prisoner did not seem very distressed. He had never been to Boden, +and he anticipated having a good time during his captivity. He took +for granted that his prison would be Noostigard, the home of his +cousins—so little did he understand the mind and method of a Viking +boy! +</P> + +<P> +It is no part of my intention to tell you just now what those boys +arranged. They hugely enjoyed laying plans, and we shall hear +presently how these were carried out. +</P> + +<P> +Before parting they engaged in a preliminary combat—we might be nearer +the right term for it if we called it a knightly joust. +</P> + +<P> +Gloy and Pirate were not in the tournament, for Yaspard had said the +magic words "On guard" to his dog, and pointed out Gloy, who did not +from that moment dare to move from the spot. The wooden swords were +given to Bill and Gibbie; Tom and Lowrie had two huge broadswords which +had been rendered harmless by chopping sticks. The rival captains +chose two rapiers rusted to their sheaths. +</P> + +<P> +It was a famous joust. The old iron clashed and sounded very terrible. +The young heroes fought valiantly. Presently Bill's wooden sword broke +in two, and he ought to have owned himself beaten, but he didn't. He +caught Gibbie in a true wrestler's grip, and soon they were rolling +together on the sandy seashore. +</P> + +<P> +Tom very soon settled Lowrie by striking his mighty heavy weapon from +his hand; but this victory was of no account in the general action when +Harry's rapier went spinning over his head, and he went down on his +back before the vigorous fencing of Yaspard. He was on his feet, +however, in time to witness the final roll over of Bill and Gibbie. +They had reached the water's edge, and the incoming tide washed over +them, putting a most effectual stop to their wrestling-match. Choking +with sand, and wet with spray, they let go of each other and jumped to +their feet, panting, but happy, and declaring that "it wasn't a bad +round, that." +</P> + +<P> +All agreed that the joust had ended in a draw between the two parties, +so—highly pleased with themselves and their new acquaintances—both +crews got into the boats, and were soon sailing in opposite directions +away from Havnholme. +</P> + +<P> +When the <I>Osprey</I> reached Boden, Yaspard ran her into a small geo +(creek) near the mouth of the voe. The cliffs which formed the geo +were lofty, and overhung a strip of dry white sand. The place looked +almost like a cave. There was no way out of the geo by land, and +Yaspard said, as the boat grounded, "This will be a splendid place for +a prison." +</P> + +<P> +"Gracious! you're never going to leave me here?" exclaimed Gloy in a +kind of comical dismay. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, here! what could be better? It is a very nice place. I've spent +many a happy hour in this geo reading and fishing. Now, don't be +frightened. I won't leave you long;—only till I see if the coast is +clear, so that we can carry you to a real prison. We'll call this the +Viking's Had,[1] and in his Had he means to keep you for a little +while." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, come, this is too much," Lowrie remonstrated. +</P> + +<P> +"Not at all. You know very well that Uncle Brüs will not let anybody +from Lunda set foot on the island. If he chanced to see Gloy he would +make us take him straight away again; and he would ask so many +questions that I should be obliged to tell the whole affair. Now, if +we keep him here till the evening, we can then bring him without fear +of discovery to a safe place. I know of a splendid place for his +prison—so comfortable, and under a roof too! And see, here is a lot +of ferdimet left; and" (pulling a small book from his coat pocket) +"here is 'Marmion' to amuse you, Gloy. I'll leave you my +fishing-rod—lots of sillacks about the geo. Oh, you won't think the +time long till we come again." +</P> + +<P> +Gibbie and Gloy exchanged rueful glances, and Lowrie, scratching his +head, said, "I'm no' just sure that my faither will like our having a +hand in ony such prank, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The Harrisons were very much in earnest when they addressed Yaspard as +"Sir," and he did not like it, for it usually meant that they were +going to oppose some darling project of his. He did not suggest +concealment; he knew that these boys always recounted all their +adventures to their parents; but he rather counted on James Harrison +seeing no harm in what he proposed, and therefore "winking" at it. +</P> + +<P> +"Your father will not mind one bit if you tell him that I am going to +use up that ridiculous old feud in this business. Believe me, he won't +see any harm in it." +</P> + +<P> +"But our own cousin, and his first visit to Boden?" said Lowrie, only +half satisfied. +</P> + +<P> +Here Gibbie struck in: "It's only a little bit of fun, Lowrie; don't +let us make a fuss, for that may spoil all." +</P> + +<P> +Gloy glanced around the geo, evidently calculating how far his powers +of climbing were fit to cope with the walls of his prison; and Yaspard, +guessing his thought, said, "I shall leave Pirate on guard with you." +</P> + +<P> +Gloy resigned himself to fate, and patting the dog, he assured Yaspard +that he didn't mind staying in the geo a few hours—even days—if that +would help to demolish the quarrels which had kept poor young Adiesen +so isolated from his kind. +</P> + +<P> +"You're a brick," the others declared. Then Pirate got his +instructions, and the <I>Osprey</I> went on her homeward way. +</P> + +<P> +When she had disappeared in a curve of the fiord, a tiny punt came out +from behind some crags which formed part of the geo. The punt was +propelled by no unskilful hand, although its solitary occupant used a +geological hammer more often than an oar. We may judge what Gloy +Winwick felt like when he recognised the new-comer to be the dreaded +Laird of Boden! +</P> + +<P> +In blissful ignorance of the fact that his uncle had been so near, and +had heard every word of their conference, Yaspard landed the Harrisons +at their own noost; and promising to return for them at dusk, he took +himself to Moolapund. There Signy was looking out eagerly for him, and +great was her joy at his safe return. The little girl's lively +imagination had been conjuring up all sorts of terrible adventures +through which her hero might be passing, and she looked anxiously at +him and his boat for signs of a fray. None were visible, not even the +armour, for it had been stowed under the foot-boards. +</P> + +<P> +"What have you done with Pirate?" Signy asked. +</P> + +<P> +Now Yaspard was a very truthful boy, and could not tell a "whopper" to +save his life. "Pirate is all right," he answered; "and if you will +come up to my room, Mootie, I'll tell you my great secret, for it has +begun to work. Only think!" +</P> + +<P> +There were few things he loved more than his bright little sister's +sympathy. He was never so happy as when pouring into her ears the +story of his exploits. He thoroughly enjoyed telling her all about his +expedition to Havnholme, and his pleasure was not even damped by the +tears rising in her blue eyes when he described Gloy a prisoner in the +geo with Pirate for jailer. +</P> + +<P> +"Wasn't it a good lark, Signy? Don't I make a ripping Viking, &c.?" +</P> + +<P> +She smiled in spite of her compassion, but she said, "Oh, brodhor, you +know he is only a poor boy. If it had been one of the others it would +not have mattered so much; but Gloy Winwick is a poor widow's son, and +an only son, and it seems just a little—horrid." +</P> + +<P> +"I never thought of it that way," Yaspard said, looking very +crestfallen; "but it can't be helped now, any way. However, I'll make +it up to him afterwards. He shan't lose by this, I tell you." +</P> + +<P> +Signy twined her arms round his neck, and whispered softly, "Brodhor, +is it quite—quite right, do you think, to do what Uncle Brüs would be +very angry about?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think it's <I>wrong</I> any way," the lad replied. "I haven't +disobeyed uncle, and I haven't told any stories. I've only—— There, +Signy; if it seems a mean or deceitful thing I've done, I'll set that +right in a jiffy. I'll just go and tell Uncle Brüs about it myself." +</P> + +<P> +"How brave you are, brodhor! How straight you go at things, to be +sure!" +</P> + +<P> +"And how round the corner and round my neck you go with things, +Mootie-ting!" laughed he; then more gravely asked, "Where is uncle, do +you know?" +</P> + +<P> +"He is out, as usual, after specimens: he has been out a long time." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, well, I'll tell him when he comes." +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] "Had," the den of a wild animal. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"NOW EACH GOES HIS WAY." +</H3> + +<P> +Some hours later Mr. Adiesen appeared at his own door laden with blocks +of serpentine, fragments of lichen, moss, seaweed, and shells. Yaspard +followed him into a little room which was doing duty as a study until +the Den was restored to order, and as the scientist put down his +treasures the lad said—in a trembling voice, be it confessed—"I want +to tell you about something, uncle; something I've been doing." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, go on," said Mr. Adiesen, not looking up, and in a very grim +tone. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I—there used to be—I've heard you say—that our ancestors were +Vikings; and I—I thought I'd be—a Viking." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard got so far, and stuck. It was hard to go on telling of his +romantic fancy and wild escapade with that grave face before him. +</P> + +<P> +"You thought you'd be a Viking," Mr. Adiesen repeated calmly, then +paused, and asked in ice-cold tones, "Well, what else do you wish to +say?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think it right to tell you—I feel I ought—even about what—I +mean—in fun;—but, uncle," and again poor Yaspard came to a deadlock, +and might never have made a satisfactory confession if help had not +come to him in the form of Signy. +</P> + +<P> +She had been hovering about the door in much trepidation, and, fearing +that her brother's courage might fail him, she stole to his side, put +her hand in his, looked fearlessly at Uncle Brüs, and said— +</P> + +<P> +"He has not done anything to be ashamed of, uncle; only we thought you +ought to know, because it came out of the feud partly." +</P> + +<P> +The Laird's brows came together in a frown, but he was very fond of +Signy. She was his one "weakness," Aunt Osla said, and said truly. +</P> + +<P> +"Let Yaspard speak for himself, my dear," her uncle answered gently, +while his grim feature relaxed as he looked at her; and the boy, braced +by the touch of the little hand in his, blurted out— +</P> + +<P> +"I wanted to know the lads of Lunda, and have some fun, as they have +and most boys have; and I couldn't be friends with them because you had +forbidden that, so I took up the feud in a sort of way on my own +account, and determined to make raids upon them, and have fights +(sham-fights) and do as the Vikings did—in a kind of play, of course. +They are the enemy; and we could make-believe to slaughter and capture +each other, and——" +</P> + +<P> +Mortal man could stand no more than that. Mr. Adiesen, drawing his +brows together savagely to hide his strong inclination to burst into +laughter, called his nephew by some not complimentary names, and +dismissed him abruptly, saying, "Go along with you, and take your fun +any way you please. Only remember—no friendships with Lunda folk. +Play with them under the black flag, if that gives you amusement; and +see that your Viking-craze keeps within the bounds of civilised laws." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard escaped, rejoicing; but Signy lingered to ask, "Would you +object to taking prisoners, uncle?" +</P> + +<P> +"Child, let him prison every man and boy in Lunda if he likes—if he +can catch them." +</P> + +<P> +Signy flew to tell her brother of this further concession, and Mr. +Adiesen shut the door upon himself. If the young folks had listened +outside that door they would have heard a curious noise; but whether it +meant that the old man was growling to himself or suppressing laughter, +we, who do not know Mr. Adiesen's moods very well, cannot tell. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard was only too glad to get off so easily, and paused for nothing, +but, racing off to his boat with Signy, was soon sailing up the +voe—not across, as before, for his destination was not Noostigard. +</P> + +<P> +Boden voe is very beautiful It curves between steep shores, and at one +place narrows so much that you could almost touch either shore with a +sillack-rod from a boat passing through. When it is ebb-tide you can +walk dry-shod across this passage (called the Hoobes). Here the voe +terminates in a lovely little basin, almost land-locked, and placid as +a mountain tarn. +</P> + +<P> +Where the voe ends there is only a mere neck of land. It rises +abruptly from both sides, and is crowned by a peak known as the Heogne. +</P> + +<P> +Under shelter of the Heogne, and commanding a magnificent view of +islands and ocean-wastes, stands the old dwelling of Trullyabister. +Mr. Neeven was the cousin of Mr. Adiesen: he left Shetland in his early +youth, and no one heard whether he was alive or dead for thirty years. +Then he returned to his native land, a gloomy, disappointed man, hard +to be recognised as the light-hearted lad who had gone away to make a +fortune in California, and be happy ever afterwards. It seemed that he +had made the fortune, but the happiness had eluded him. He would give +no account of his life, and seldom cared to converse with any one +except Brüs Adiesen, from whom he asked and readily obtained the +half-ruined home of their fathers. Two or three rooms were made +habitable; the half-witted brother of James Harrison was hired as +attendant; cart-loads of books were brought from the South (by which +vague term the Shetlanders mean Great Britain); and Gaun Neeven settled +himself in that wild, lone spot, purposing to end his days there. He +was there when Yaspard was very small, therefore the boy always +associated his hermit-relative with the "haunted" house of Boden; and +as he grew older, and the romantic side of his character developed +rapidly, he was greatly attracted to Trullyabister and its queer +occupants—fule-Tammy being, in his way, as mysterious a recluse as his +master. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard found a great many excuses for going to Trullyabister, although +he very rarely was permitted to enter Mr. Neeven's rooms, and was never +allowed near the "haunted" portion of the dwelling. But Tammy was +usually pleased enough to see him, and would entertain the boy with +many strange legends of the old house; for Tammy was shrewd and +imaginative; his "want" exhibited itself in no outrageous manner, but +rather in a kind of low cunning and feebleness of will. It was Tammy's +talent for story-telling, and his skill as a player of the violin, +which drew Yaspard to him. Also the lad felt a kind of pity for the +creature, and tried, in his plain boy-fashion, to instruct him, and +make him "a little more like other folk." +</P> + +<P> +Signy did not like fule-Tammy: she did not like his sidelong, leering +expression; and she always avoided him, notwithstanding her brother's +oft-repeated declaration that the man "wasn't so bad as he looked." +Therefore, when Yaspard moored the <I>Osprey</I> at the head of the voe, and +announced his intention of running up the hill to have a word with +Tammy, Signy said— +</P> + +<P> +"I'll stay on the beach, brodhor. There are lovely shells about, and I +can gather a heap while you are away." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," said he, and up the hill he bounded, while Signy set +herself to picking up shells. She was soon so interested in her +occupation that she forgot how time slips past, and was not aware that +Yaspard had been absent a whole hour when he returned looking very much +annoyed. +</P> + +<P> +"Bother that fellow!" he said, as he helped Signy into the boat and +took his place at the oars. +</P> + +<P> +"You mean fule-Tammy?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course. The impudence of <I>him</I>, to say I mayn't have any +tumble-down bit of Trullyabister for a play-place! I had it all so +nicely planned—to hide Gloy there, and bring our armour and our spoil +there. It was just the very place. It <I>is</I> an old Viking's place—at +least one bit of it is said to be. But I'll circumvent fule-Tammy yet." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not ask permission from Mr. Neeven?" Signy ventured to suggest; +but Yaspard shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"He would not hear of such a thing. Besides, that would take all the +secrecy and dark plotting and fun out of it all. But, never mind, I'll +have my prisoner in Trullyabister in spite of everything." +</P> + +<P> +No cloud rested for many minutes on Yaspard's smooth brow, and very +soon he was laughing merrily as he pulled his boat along. +</P> + +<P> +As they neared Moolapund, Loki came slowly sailing homewards, and, +feeling heavy and lazy after a long day's fishing, gravely dropped into +the boat, and looked at Yaspard as much as to say, "Your oars are +better able than my wings at present." +</P> + +<P> +"Just look at the Parson! What a cool customer he is!" laughed +Yaspard. He had given Loki the nickname of "Parson" because of his +white choker and dignified visage. +</P> + +<P> +Just then another pair of dark-hued wings hove near, and Thor, the +majestic raven which was Mr. Adiesen's particular pet, alighted on the +bow with a croak so hoarse and solemn that Signy cried out, "Oh dear, +how very eerie this is! How terribly grave Thor and Loki are! They +make me feel creepy." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall take them with me on some of my Viking raids," Yaspard +exclaimed. "Just as the Vikinger did, you know. They always carried a +raven with them; and as for Loki—he can be an imp, or a Valkyrur. It +sounds quite fine, doesn't it?" +</P> + +<P> +Chatting gaily they reached the shore, and as soon as the boat touched, +Thor and Loki flew off in stately flight to the house. Signy followed +on foot, wishing she had wings; and Yaspard, shoving off again, went +across to Noostigard. +</P> + +<P> +He had a hearty tea with the Harrisons. He was a great favourite in +the factor's house, and was always allowed to be there as much as he +pleased, for Mrs. Harrison was a religious as well as judicious woman, +and exercised a very wholesome influence over the somewhat spoilt and +wayward boy. +</P> + +<P> +Her sons had told her all about the expedition to Havnholme, and she +was delighted when Yaspard informed them that Uncle Brüs had not +disapproved. +</P> + +<P> +"Ye mun bring puir Gloy <I>here</I> before ye pit him in prison," she +laughingly called out, when twilight came and the three boys set off +for the geo. +</P> + +<P> +When they were out of hearing the factor remarked with a thoughtful +smile, "It's a strange way the young anes hae o' turning trouble intae +fun, and makin' guid come oot o' ill." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"THE CARL ON THE CLIFF TOP." +</H3> + +<P> +Our Viking-boys were not long rowing out the voe that evening. The +twilight had come sufficiently for their purpose. It had not brought +darkness, but it indicated that a late hour had come, when the +inhabitants of Boden were probably at rest indoors. They were so +busily engaged laying plans that they did not comment upon the perfect +silence which reigned in the geo as they approached. The splash of +their oars and the tones of their voices were loud enough to have +warned Gloy of their approach, and cause him to make some response. +But he didn't. +</P> + +<P> +A joyous bark from Pirate was the first thing to draw the attention, +and then the lads noticed that the dog was alone. +</P> + +<P> +"Guess Gloy is taking a nap, stupid fellow!" Yaspard remarked, and then +he hallooed as they ran the light skiff high and dry upon the sand. +</P> + +<P> +No answer came to the halloo, and a brief glance sufficed to show that +their prisoner was not in the geo. The place was small and without any +corner for concealment. It was light enough to see all round the geo. +Of a certainty Gloy was not slumbering, and Gloy was not there! +</P> + +<P> +The lads were too amazed to utter a word, but Pirate made up for their +silence by barking and howling his delight at being in company once +more. Dogs are very social, and solitude had not been pleasing to +Pirate. The first person to speak was Lowrie, and a certain amount of +satisfaction was displayed in his countenance: he rather believed in +his own cuteness, and thought he had found the solution of the puzzle. +</P> + +<P> +"It was stupid of us," he said, "to forget that Gloy can take the water +like a sealkie. He would swim round the rocks till he reached an easy +landing-place. There are plenty quite near." +</P> + +<P> +"Pirate was on guard," said Yaspard, "and would not have allowed him to +quit the geo unless I had given a word of command. Besides, Gloy let +us understand that he would not try to escape, and knew that I trusted +him, therefore took no further precautions." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps a boat came by and picked him up," Lowrie answered, scratching +his head for some new ideas. +</P> + +<P> +"Has any boat been near Boden voe to-day?" +</P> + +<P> +"We have not seen any. I think faither wad have kent if any boat had +been this way, for he has gleg een in respect o' boats." +</P> + +<P> +"There is only one boat he would have gone with, and that is the +<I>Laulie</I>," said Yaspard musingly. "Perhaps the Manse boys came after +us in real Viking fashion, and in that case——" +</P> + +<P> +"Hi!" Gibbie exclaimed then, catching sight of Yaspard's fishing-rod, +stuck upright in the sand at the farther side of the geo. A bit of +white paper fluttering on top of the rod had drawn Gibbie's attention, +and he was not long in seizing upon this. It had been carefully tied +to the line and fastened on the rod, and when the paper was released +the three eagerly put their heads together to read what was written +inside. +</P> + +<P> +In Gloy's cramped, unformed caligraphy was traced a few words, +mysterious, but, on the whole, reassuring. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm all right. I haven't broken faith with you, and no more has +Pirate; but you need not be scared about me.—I am still THE PRISONER." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, this beats everything!" Yaspard exclaimed then grasping Pirate +by his shaggy coat, he cried, "Oh, my dog, if you could speak English! +I believe you could if you tried. Tell us, Pirate, where has our +lawful captive gone?" +</P> + +<P> +Pirate yelped and jumped around, then ran to the boat and looked +wistfully at his master as much as to say, "Why do you remain in such a +horrid hole? This is no place for you or me." +</P> + +<P> +Interpreting his actions aright, the Viking said, "I suppose you are +about right, doggie; you've been here too long already, and there is +nothing to keep <I>us</I> here any longer." +</P> + +<P> +Considerably crestfallen and perplexed, they left the geo, and sailed +slowly up the voe once more, asking one another what was to be done +next. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose we must believe that Gloy is all right," said Lowrie, "so we +needn't concern ourselves about his life at the present time." +</P> + +<P> +"He says he is still the prisoner," said Yaspard musingly; then after a +long pause he added, "Look here, boys, we might as well go on with this +night's performance as far as we can without our captive. We can +possess ourselves of his intended 'cell' (in spite of this horrid +'sell'), and we can make it ready for him as we intended, in the hope +that he will render himself into the hands of his conquerors as a true +knight should." +</P> + +<P> +"All serene," was Lowrie's reply; and Gibbie added, "Just so." +</P> + +<P> +So in the grey, quiet "dim" the <I>Osprey</I> swept silently through the +Hoobes and brought up at the "dyke-end," where she had stopped in the +afternoon when Signy was the Viking's sole companion. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard alone jumped on shore. "Keep her off," he whispered, as if an +army of enemies were in ambush close by; "don't fasten her until I give +the signal that the coast is clear." +</P> + +<P> +Having so given his orders, he set off up the hill, dodging behind turf +walls and creeping along knolls, so that no watchful eyes at +Trullyabister could detect his approach. +</P> + +<P> +There is no real night in those regions when summer is in its prime, +therefore Yaspard's precautions were necessary if he required to steal +unawares upon the scene. +</P> + +<P> +When within a short distance of the old house a backdoor suddenly +opened and fule-Tammy came out carrying a peat-keschie. He was going +to the stack for fuel, and the particular stack he meant to visit +happened to be the very object behind which Yaspard crouched. +</P> + +<P> +"If," thought the boy, "he comes round <I>this</I> end of the stack I'm done +for." +</P> + +<P> +But Tammy didn't. He always attacked a peat-stack from the point +nearest the house, so he placed his keschie[1] at a convenient height +on the broken side of the stack, and lazily proceeded to fill it with +peats. Tammy had a habit, common in half-wits, of talking loudly to +himself, and as he filled his keschie he declaimed in Yaspard's +hearing— +</P> + +<P> +"Na, na! I ken wha wad get the raiding-strake[2] if I was to gie them +the run o' the raubit-house; and where wad a' my night-sports be? and +what wad come o' the Trows if I let the boys rumble ower a'?" +</P> + +<P> +As he piled the peats he went on talking in a disconnected, and to +Yaspard, very incomprehensible, manner about midnight revels and +strange beings who doubtless had a certain kind of existence in Tammy's +imagination. Only one thing he said attracted the boy's serious +attention, and remained in his recollection to throw light on future +events. +</P> + +<P> +As Tammy raised the keschie to his shoulder he exclaimed in a kind of +exultation, "They think me a puir 'natural,' that can do nae gude to +man or beast, but for a' that it's myself that's pit mair light upon +wir isle as ever men and money will pit, though the Laird—puir +body—speaks aboot it evermair, and evermair will speak. Yea, yea! +puir Tammy and his pate-keschie does mair for ill-luckit, wandering +sea-folk than does the muckle kirk and the peerie[3] queen pit +together. And, though I say it that shouldna, puir Tammy kens when tae +wake and when tae sleep better than them that has their heads fu' o' +brains and books forby." +</P> + +<P> +So maundering, Tammy returned to the house, and closed the back-door +behind him, and then Yaspard stole round to the uninhabited and ruined +portion of the house to reconnoitre. +</P> + +<P> +When satisfied that the "coast was clear," he whistled softly in such +perfect imitation of a golden plover, that the Harrisons, waiting for +that same signal, were not quite sure that it was Yaspard, and no bird. +But when the wild musical notes had been repeated three distinct times, +they knew that it was their captain's call. +</P> + +<P> +Fastening the boat to the dyke-end, they hastened to raise the +foot-boards and open lockers fore and aft. From these hiding-places +they took a curious assortment of articles—a blanket and towel, armour +in plenty, a knife, fork, plate, and mug; two candles, a box of +matches, and a basket of nondescript victuals. Stowing these into two +keschies brought for the purpose, they slung the baskets on to their +backs, and marched confidently up the hill, assured that Yaspard would +give the alarm if danger was to be apprehended. +</P> + +<P> +They reached his side without any adventure, and then all three +clambered over the broken wall into what had been a goodly +apartment—now roofless and in ruin. At the farther end of this room +there was a low doorway, leading to a dark passage; and as Yaspard +walked boldly towards it Gibbie said in a frightened whisper, "No' that +way! surely no' <I>that</I> way? Yon passage ends in the haunted room." +</P> + +<P> +"The haunted room, you goose, is just the place that is to be our +captive's cell," replied the Viking. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought ye meant <I>this</I> room, or some other bit that's fallen tae +ruin," Gibbie muttered, and hesitating to follow the others, who went +boldly along the passage, intending to enter the haunted room by a +broken doorway of which Yaspard had been aware. His chagrin was great +to find that aperture closed by a number of stout boards nailed firmly +across it. +</P> + +<P> +"What a bother! Now, I wonder why on earth this has been done?" +Yaspard exclaimed aloud, disappointment overcoming caution; but he was +recalled to the "position" on hearing some strange sounds on the other +side of the boarding, evidently provoked by his own unguarded tones. +The sounds were like a child's cry, blended with the sharp short +barking noise which is supposed to be the manner in which trows give +expression to their mirth; and these vocal utterances were supplemented +by a sound of scratching and thumping applied to the boards. +</P> + +<P> +The boys retreated into the outer room, where Gilbert had remained. He +was leaning over the ruin, looking up at a window in the angle of the +wall, and when the others reached him he said in tones of fear, "Look! +there is a light in the haunted room!" +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] A basket. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[2] "Raiding-strake," the final blow which clears up everything. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[3] "Peerie," little. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"THEREFORE THEY GO THEIR WAYS." +</H3> + +<P> +I ought to explain that the passage leading to that "haunted" chamber +sloped upwards steeply enough to require a step here and there along +it. It might even be called a stairway; therefore the little +room—which had been the goal of Yaspard's present raid—was situated +on a much higher level than the larger and more dilapidated apartment. +</P> + +<P> +It was not possible to walk round and peep into the room, from which a +flickering light was streaming through a tiny slit in the thick wall +that did duty for a window. But we must not suppose that the courage +of a Viking-boy was going to be daunted by trow-laughter or +ghost-lights. No; nor by stone walls and high windows! The walls of +Trullyabister were rugged, and, on <I>that</I> side at any rate, perforated +by holes convenient for supporting the toe of a boot, and for otherwise +assisting an athletic youth, thirsting for information, to solve the +mysteries of the interior. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll know what it means, or——" Yaspard did not finish his sentence +in words; he shut his mouth up tight, and, scrambling over the ruins +like a monkey, he was soon climbing up to the window. +</P> + +<P> +The Harrisons watched him with intense interest, and when his hands +were on the window-sill their excitement reached a climax. +</P> + +<P> +It was with some difficulty that the bold adventurer raised himself +high enough to see into the room, and it was only for one instant that +he occupied such a position. Just as his face appeared at the window +another face—a horrid face, from which a pair of large melancholy eyes +glowed with a wild fierce light—presented itself opposite Yaspard, and +stared out at him in a manner to startle the stoutest man alive. +</P> + +<P> +Our hero did not wait for a second glance at that dreadful apparition, +but descended from his equivocal position much more rapidly than he had +reached it. +</P> + +<P> +"What was it? Tell us quick," whispered Lowrie, and both he and his +brother were trembling with fear. They had caught a glimpse of the +face that had met Yaspard's, and its unearthly appearance had been +greatly exaggerated by the shadows and the distance. Although they +were too intelligent to credit any story of trows, they had lively +imaginations, and had been bred in a land where the mysteries of +creation take fantastic shapes in the minds of a wonder-loving and +superstitious peasantry. They had shrunk from penetrating the secrets +of that haunted room, and were not altogether surprised, though +entirely frightened, that "something" had "appeared" to rebuke and +check their leader's audacity. +</P> + +<P> +While Yaspard gasped for breath after his hasty descent the Harrisons +again begged, "Tell us quick about it," but Yaspard was in no hurry to +tell. He retreated again into the ruin, whither his companions +followed, and, sitting down by the loaded keschies, he cast his eyes on +the ground and would not speak. +</P> + +<P> +There was something awesome in the silence, in the surroundings, in the +whole adventure, therefore it is not to be wondered that Lowrie felt +creepy, and Gibbie's teeth chattered in his head. +</P> + +<P> +At last the elder brother took courage to say, "Let's go back to our +boat. There's nae gude tae be got o' sitting here like gaping fish +left dry and high upon a skerry." +</P> + +<P> +"Put the keschies in the passage, anyway," said Yaspard, agreeing to +the proposal; but the Harrisons were not willing to enter that passage +again, so they suggested another hiding-place, namely, the chimney, +which was stopped up and grown over <I>above</I>, but had capacious ledges +inside which suited admirably for the purpose they required. Their +things were deposited there, and then the three adventurers stole +silently away from Trullyabister, two feeling crestfallen and very +uncomfortable, the third plunged in thought, and looking the beau ideal +of a pirate chief meditating over some dark and deadly project. +</P> + +<P> +It was not until the <I>Osprey</I> had passed the Hoobes, and was being +swiftly rowed to Noostigard, that Yaspard broke the eerie silence which +he had maintained in a most unusual manner. "It all works in!—works +in beautiful!" he remarked. Now, that was not at all the kind of +speech the others had expected, and their amazement was so great that +they paused in their rowing and gazed at him in speechless astonishment. +</P> + +<P> +He laughed then, his own hearty laugh, which somehow had the effect of +dissipating all the fears with which they had been beset, but did not +diminish their surprise and curiosity. +</P> + +<P> +"Ye might tell us <I>now</I>!" they begged, in coaxing tones; and Yaspard +answered, "I just believe Mr. Neeven is a wizard, and Tammy a sort of +trow. Anyway, they are as bad as Vikings, for they have captured a +poor lady and shut her up in the haunted room, with her baby too—all +just the way people did ages ago! And now, don't you see, we've got to +rescue them; we are the noble warriors who defend the weak and rescue +them from thraldom!" +</P> + +<P> +"Has he gone stark mad?" Gibbie asked of Lowrie. +</P> + +<P> +"Not he," retorted Yaspard. "He is telling you the exact +truth—believe it or not, as you please. I saw the mother, and I saw +the baby; and I saw the back—I am glad he wasn't looking <I>my</I> way—of +their tyrant and jailer, Mr. Neeven. So there!" +</P> + +<P> +"A mother and baby in the haunted room! But how did they get there, +can anybody imagine?" +</P> + +<P> +"They <I>are</I> there, and that is enough for us." +</P> + +<P> +"It's the strangest thing I ever heard tell o'," ejaculated Lowrie; +"and yet," he added, "we must allow we did hear something uncommonly +like a bairn greetin'." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course we did," retorted Yaspard. +</P> + +<P> +"But what kind of a critter was it came to the window?" Gibbie asked. +"That was surely no human critter." +</P> + +<P> +"The prettiest lady in creation would cast an ugly shadow from that +hole," was the ready reply, which satisfied the brothers, who believed +that their imaginations, and the dread they were in, as well as the +uncertain light, had caused them to fancy they saw something peculiar. +They were then quite ready to denounce Mr. Neeven for his inhuman +conduct, and eager to devise some plan by which the poor prisoners +might be rescued. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard had no difficulty in winning their approval of his next plan; +and indeed, so ardently did they desire to set about it, that they were +almost sorry when he said, "Easy, easy, boys! One thing at a time! +Don't let us forget, in our haste to be after <I>this</I> business, that we +have other important matters on hand. We have to find Gloy, and we +have to meet the lads of Lunda at Havnholme this afternoon. We haven't +much time on our hands, if Gloy has to be found before we go to receive +his ransom." +</P> + +<P> +"Strikes me," muttered Gibbie, "that we are in a mess about Gloy." +</P> + +<P> +"It's puzzling, but it will all come right," was the chief's reply, +spoken in his usual cheery style, which cleared the cloud from Gibbie's +brow, and sent him home believing as implicitly as before that Yaspard +would find a way of making things come straight. "He always does," the +brothers agreed, as they softly stole up to their room, leaving the +Viking to paddle himself across the voe. +</P> + +<P> +At breakfast next morning Mrs. Harrison asked in some surprise what +they had done with Gloy, for she had expected her nephew would +certainly be brought to her house. She was not a little disturbed on +hearing of his disappearance, but the factor said, "There's nae harm +come to the lad. Ye need not be frightened. It's plain enough some +boat has come by, and the men have insisted on his going wi' them. +For, mind ye, yon geo is a dangerous place if a high tide happened tae +set in." +</P> + +<P> +He would not listen to his boys' arguments against such an explanation. +Neither Gloy's declaring himself still "The Prisoner," nor Pirate's +honesty as policeman, could shake Harrison's belief in his own theory +of the matter. "You'll see I'm right," he ended with; "but I wad like +tae ken what way young master is going tae redd it up wi' the lads o' +Lunda. My word! he will hae a bourne keschie o' crabs to sort wi' +them, if he canno' tell what's come o' their maute." [1] +</P> + +<P> +While Gibbie had been answering questions and their parents had been +talking, Lowrie was fidgeting in his chair, trying to gather courage to +tell the yet more startling incident which occurred during the midnight +trespass on Trullyabister. +</P> + +<P> +At last he managed to say, "Faither, I never could hae thought that Mr. +Neeven was a—was a bairn-stealer and a wumman-stealer." +</P> + +<P> +James Harrison stared at his son, as well he might, and one of the +older girls cried out, "What in a' the world have ye got in your crazy +head, Lowrie?" +</P> + +<P> +Then Lowrie told all he knew about the mother and baby prisoned in the +haunted room, and his father listened to the story with a preternatural +solemnity of countenance. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Harrison, the girls, and small children stared and were dumb, as +Lowrie enlarged upon the baby wails which had stirred his soul, and the +great glowing eyes that had appeared for one brief moment at the small +window. It was all the most remarkable tale that had ever been told at +Noostigard, and it was not spoilt by any verbal interruption. +</P> + +<P> +When the story was ended Harrison asked, in a curious low voice that +seemed shaken by some strange emotion, "And so ye'll be for letting out +Mr. Neeven's prisoners instead o' shutting up your ain? Weel, my boys, +tak care that ye dinna find yoursel's in a trap, as mony a wild fellow +o' a sea-rover has found himsel' in times past. Mind ye, yon Vikings, +that ye hae sae muckle sang about, did not aye come aff wi' the best o' +it. Sometimes they had tae tak their turn in the prisons too." +</P> + +<P> +"Yaspard will tak care <I>we</I> don't come off second best," said the boys +confidently; but their father shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm thinking," he said, "ye'll find ye've got a <I>rale</I> Viking tae deal +wi' if ye tackle Mr. Neeven, or meddle wi' ony o' his affairs. I wadna +be in Yaspard Adiesen's shoes if he gets intil Mr. Neeven's birse." [2] +</P> + +<P> +"But, faither, it's a crying shame of him to keep such puir critters +prisoned in such a place; and surely Yaspard is right to wish to set +them free." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll no say he's wrang. I think it is a shame, but I'm just warning +you tae be careful;—I mean that ye tell your chief (as ye ca' him) tae +be careful—very careful." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll tell him what you say," they answered. +</P> + +<P> +Harrison would not allow his wife or girls to discuss the matter, and a +significant look he gave them served to silence them on the subject for +that time. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] "Maute," a comrade, chum, or <I>mate</I>. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[2] Bristles. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"NO NEED OF BINDING OR SALVING HERE." +</H3> + +<P> +That afternoon the <I>Osprey</I>, with the three young rovers and Pirate +aboard, went out the voe. They were not so jubilant as they had +expected to be when sailing to meet the foe, for they were not at all +sure how the lads of Lunda would receive their story of Gloy's +disappearance. +</P> + +<P> +The place of meeting was Havnholme, and when they neared that island +Yaspard's quick eyes detected the <I>Laulie</I> moored by the crags and a +group of boys standing near the skeö watching for the Boden boat. +</P> + +<P> +"They've come in force!" our Viking exclaimed. "Five of them, no less! +and one's a man!" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, one is Gloy!" cried Gibbie; and—in more subdued tones—Lowrie +added "And the man is Mr. Garson, the young Laird o' Lunda!" +</P> + +<P> +"<I>That's</I> jolly!" Yaspard said; "but how Gloy got there beats me to +imagine," and he cast a reproachful glance at Pirate, who was looking +up into his master's face with such an expression of fidelity in his +honest brown eyes that the boy could not resist their appeal. He took +the dog's head between his hands and said, "No, Pirate, I will not +think <I>you</I> broke faith with me." +</P> + +<P> +"The mystery will soon be cleared up now," remarked Lowrie, as he +lowered the sail and directed his brother to row gently, so that they +might bring up alongside of the <I>Laulie</I>. +</P> + +<P> +By the time their boat was moored to the crags, the Lunda boys and +their chief were standing there, all grinning from ear to ear. As for +Gloy, he was all "one huge laugh," Yaspard said, with some exasperation +in his tone. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose I mustn't shake hands with you, Mr. Garson," the Viking +said, addressing himself to Fred as he jumped on shore; but Fred +laughed and caught both of Yaspard's hands in his as he replied, +"Nonsense, man! You ought to know that <I>honourable</I> enemies do not +scruple to shake hands even on the eve of battle. I was exceedingly +pleased with your letter, and very glad to make your acquaintance under +<I>any</I> circumstances." +</P> + +<P> +"Even Uncle Brüs could not hold out against a fellow like you!" Yaspard +exclaimed, as he returned that hearty hand-clasp, and looked into the +winsome, manly face, so much endowed with the magnetic power that drew +all hearts to Fred Garson. +</P> + +<P> +They all laughed at Yaspard's words, but they all knew how potent was +Fred's spell, and did not wonder at the boy's enthusiasm. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose," said Fred then, "that before I answer your letter we +should explain about your captive, taken in fair war, and here ready to +yield himself back into your hands if you are not satisfied with his +explanation and the ransom we bring." +</P> + +<P> +"It's here—just as you stipulated," Bill Mitchell exclaimed, rattling +a little tin pail he carried; "pebbles wet with the waves of Westervoe. +See!" and he jerked off the lid and showed some stones in a pail full +of salt water. +</P> + +<P> +"If I were Gloy," burst forth the blunt and tactless Tom Holtum, "I'd +be ashamed of being valued at such a trumpery price. If you had priced +him against a bit of lichen torn from the Head of Calloster, which +might have cost us our lives to procure, <I>that</I> would have been more +like the thing. But beach stones in salt water, bah!" +</P> + +<P> +"Tom, lad!" said Fred gently, "if you were living in a city far from +Lunda—as I have been—you would put a higher price on pebbles wet with +the sea that girdles the old isle. I picked up a small stone myself, +when I left home for the first time, and I carried it always in my +pocket. I keep it still for sake of its memories; one values a trifle +for reasons known only to himself." +</P> + +<P> +His companions had not reached the age when boys learn to put a little +sentiment into their actions, so they only stared in surprised silence; +but Yaspard fully appreciated what Fred said, and remarked, "It was a +little like that way that I was thinking when I bade them bring those +pebbles. I must not go to Westervoe myself, so I thought I'd like to +have something from it. I thought I should feel more like one of you +boys—not so much by myself, and all that sort of thing—if I could +handle something that reminded me of you." Then, tossing back his head +rather proudly, as he caught Tom winking to Bill, he added, "You value +that flag at your masthead for what it reminds you of—not its mere +money value. <I>I</I> might call it a dirty old rag, but <I>you</I> price it +highly. I dare say you see what I mean now. I'm not good at +explaining myself." +</P> + +<P> +They broke into a cheer, and Tom's voice was the loudest of the lot. +"Oh, you're not a bad sort," he tried, "and you must take our chaff in +good part. You'll see enough of Westervoe before you're done with +<I>us</I>, I'll be bound; and as for adventures—why, man, you're providing +us with them! You are the inventor of adventure. Take out a patent, +and you'll make a fortune out of us, for we love that sort of thing +better than a miser loves his money." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm burning tae hear Gloy's story," said Lowrie, as soon as Tom gave +any one a chance to speak. So Gloy was shoved to the front, and bidden +to "speak up, and speak quick," which he did right willingly. +</P> + +<P> +"It was Mr. Adiesen in his dingy," he said. "He was ahint the skerry +when we were in the geo, and heard a'." +</P> + +<P> +"I might have guessed as much if I had not been an ass," Yaspard +exclaimed. "I might have known that Pirate would only obey one of us +from Moolapund." +</P> + +<P> +"Was the Laird awfu' angry?" Gibbie asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he was; but when I tell'd him as weel as I could hoo it a' cam +aboot, and hoo lonesome Mr. Yaspard was, and hoo he had heard a' about +wis o' Lunda and wir ploys and vaidges, and hoo he wanted tae hae the +like too;—weel, the Laird o' Boden mused like upo' what I said; and +then he took oot his pocketbook and wrate a peerie letter wi' his +pencil. And then he bade me come inta the dingy, and I was tae row +ower tae Lunda wi' him. Sae I did as I was bid—after asking his leave +tae pit yon message for you upo' the rod. He asked me a heap aboot wis +a'—I mean aboot the Manse folk, and Dr. Holtum's bairns, and maist +aboot our young Laird and Miss Isobel and the lady. And when we cam' +tae Lunda he bade me land and carry the note he had written tae Dr. +Holtum, and after that I was tae do as I liked aboot mysel'. Then he +rowed awa' again. And so noo my tale is ended;" and, having so +delivered himself of the longest speech he ever made in his life, Gloy +sprawled on the turf, and lay kicking his heels in the sunshine, +feeling himself to be the hero of the hour. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard drew a long breath. He could scarcely believe it true that his +uncle had allowed himself to be so near Lunda, and to be so interested +in its young people. "What next, I wonder?" he muttered, and looked at +Fred, who answered the inquiry in the Viking's gaze by saying— +</P> + +<P> +"I am not at liberty to tell what Mr. Adiesen wrote to Dr. Holtum; but +it wasn't like what he wrote to <I>me</I>, and it wasn't bad at all. So let +your mind be at rest on that point. You are as free as ever to carry +on your Viking course." +</P> + +<P> +"Father said," Tom interrupted, "that <I>we</I> are now at liberty to bring +you as a prisoner to Lunda, if we can catch you as easily as you caught +Gloy, so you will have to look out." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll be delighted, quite delighted!" was the answer, which sent the +enemy into fits of laughter. +</P> + +<P> +Then Harry asked, trying to look very grave, and extending the tin pail +towards Yaspard— +</P> + +<P> +"You accept this ransom, and the captive is free?" +</P> + +<P> +"Place the precious ore in our bark," said the Viking chief, handing +the pail to Gibbie. +</P> + +<P> +"And take care," said Harry, "that you don't scrape your bark on an oar +as you do it." +</P> + +<P> +"The perpetrator of such atrocious puns ought to be severely punished," +retorted Yaspard. +</P> + +<P> +"He is always sorry for them afterwards," said Bill. +</P> + +<P> +"I wish I were <I>not</I> free," muttered Gloy. "I wanted to go to +Noostigard," and he exchanged regretful looks with his cousins; but +Fred lifted the cloud from their spirits. +</P> + +<P> +"I am going to ask you," he said, addressing Yaspard, "to take me with +you to Boden; and perhaps you will allow Gloy to come as my henchman?" +</P> + +<P> +"You! what? Why, didn't Uncle Brüs—you're never going to beard the +lion in his den." +</P> + +<P> +"That is just what I intend," Fred answered, smiling. +</P> + +<P> +"But—oh, you know <I>I'd</I> like it—but you will be insulted. It will be +horrid. There will be a row, sure as anything. I can't bear to think +of what he may say; and, being an old man, you won't like to answer +back, and—you have no idea what bitter words Uncle Brüs says when he +is angry." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard's eyes filled with tears, and he hung his head for shame, as he +pictured to himself the reception which that gracious, gallant young +knight was likely to receive in Boden. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't fear!" said Harry Mitchell, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder. +"Our captain has a way of his own of turning thunder-clouds into +sunshine." +</P> + +<P> +"He has a temper, and he likes to be monarch of all he surveys," added +Tom; "but he is the finest fellow out; and he will tackle old +Adiesen—beg pardon, the Laird of Boden—in just the properest way. +You needn't be afraid to give Fred a passage in your boat." +</P> + +<P> +"And Gloy, please, sir," added the Harrisons. +</P> + +<P> +"I am at Mr. Garson's service," said Yaspard. Then a brilliant idea +came into his head, dispelling in a moment all his doubts and fears. +"I'll tell you what," he cried, "you shall meet my little sister first, +and <I>she</I> shall take you to Uncle Brüs. He will do anything for her. +She is always there when my boat is coming in, and we'll hand you over +to Signy. That's the ticket!" +</P> + +<P> +"Sisters are towers of strength, arks of refuge in a storm," said Fred. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that's settled," remarked Tom, "so the best you can do is to be +off as quickly as possible and get it over. <I>We</I> will go and lay our +lines at the Ootskerries, and have some sport till you return. When +will that be?" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't wait for us," said Fred. "I may be detained, and your mothers +might be anxious. When you've hauled your lines just go home, and I'll +trust to being safely despatched to Lunda from Boden." +</P> + +<P> +The Mitchells and Tom got into the <I>Laulie</I>, and were soon sailing to +their favourite fishing-ground, while the others embarked in the +<I>Osprey</I> and made tacks for Boden voe. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"MAY THE GODS GIVE US TWAIN A GOOD DAY." +</H3> + +<P> +When they arrived there it was as Yaspard had said. Signy was on the +beach waiting for her brother, and great was her surprise to see Fred +in the <I>Osprey</I>. +</P> + +<P> +But when her brother explained, and told her of the part they expected +her to play, the little girl's heart began to beat with the wildest +hopes and fears that ever stirred in one so young. +</P> + +<P> +The shadow of that terrible family feud had early fallen on her gentle +spirit, and the vivid imagination which made her almost realise many +merely ideal fancies had exaggerated that inherited enmity into +something too dreadful to put into words. Such thoughts had been +fostered, of course, by the inconsiderate way in which Mr. Adiesen had +spoken and acted, never thinking, as he ought to have done, of the +tender years of one who marked his words—never caring that his +sentiments were the reverse of Christian. I think he rather "prided +himself" upon the feud as a thing pertaining to his family tree, and to +be cherished along with the motto on his crest! No one had dared to +tell the Laird of Boden plainly that he was acting as no civilised—far +less God-fearing—man should act, and he had never taken himself to +task upon the subject. Consequently he had put no restraint on his +speech, nor cared who heard him, when denouncing the Lairds of Lunda +and all pertaining to them! +</P> + +<P> +Signy would, of her own free will, as soon have put her hand into a +red-hot fire as have asked Uncle Brüs to receive Fred Garson in a +hospitable manner; but she was made of fine metal, and would carry out +Yaspard's wishes, although all the thunders of Thor and Odin were ready +to burst on her little head. +</P> + +<P> +She put her hand frankly into that of Fred and walked up to the house, +soon followed by Yaspard, who had only lingered a moment to give some +instructions to the Harrisons before they left, with Gloy, for their +home. +</P> + +<P> +When Moolapund was reached Yaspard said to Signy, "Take Mr. Garson to +the parlour, and I will go and tell Aunt Osla he is here." +</P> + +<P> +The parlour, you may remember, was being used as a study while the Den +was undergoing renovation; and Mr. Adiesen was sitting at a table +examining some pieces of rock which greatly delighted him, for he was +saying to himself, in tones of extreme satisfaction, "I knew it! I was +convinced of it! I always believed it was to be found in those +islands! and <I>I</I> am the discoverer!" +</P> + +<P> +"Uncle!" said the soft little voice, and the scientist turned round to +face his hereditary foe! +</P> + +<P> +He had never seen Fred, but some striking traits peculiar to his race, +made it easy for Mr. Adiesen to recognise a Garson in the bold youth +who stood there smiling and holding out the hand of good-fellowship. +</P> + +<P> +The old man was completely taken aback. The instinct of hospitality, +which is held like a sacred thing among Shetlanders, bade him receive +with a measure of courtesy whoever chanced to come under his +"rooftree," but another instinct, as deeply rooted, and more ready to +exhibit itself, was also moving within him. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately no time was given him to choose between two courses. Signy +caught his hand between her own, kissed it with quick fervency, and +laid it in that of Fred, saying as she did so, "Dear Uncle Brüs, for my +sake, for your own little Signy's sake." +</P> + +<P> +They did not give him a single moment to recover himself—not a single +demon of hatred, jealousy, or pride got a chance to reassert its power +in time to prevent that hand-clasp; and before he could speak either, +the ground was half cut from under him! +</P> + +<P> +As if they had been meeting every day, and were old friends, Fred said, +as their hands met, "How do you do? I see <I>you</I> have triumphed where +even the famous geologist Congreve failed. We have chipped the rocks +for years, and Mr. Congreve has searched high and low, in Lunda and +Burra Isle, in every skerry and locality where that" (pointing to the +beautifully veined bits of mineral) "ought to be found, but without +success. Allow me to congratulate you on such a discovery. You are to +be envied, Mr. Adiesen. May I take a near view of your specimens?" +</P> + +<P> +How it came about no one could ever tell, but a few minutes later +Yaspard and Aunt Osla, coming in much trepidation to the parlour, found +Fred and Mr. Adiesen in amicable conversation over the stones, while +Signy stood between her uncle's knees, with his arm around her, and his +fingers lovingly twined among her bright curls! +</P> + +<P> +Aunt Osla was nervous and tearful, and would have made a scene, no +doubt, but for Fred's admirable tact. He addressed her, as he had done +the Laird, just as if they were ordinary acquaintances meeting in the +most matter-of-fact, every-day kind of manner. Wrath and sentiment +alike collapsed before such commonplace salutations, and both Mr. +Adiesen and his sister felt they would only make themselves ridiculous +if they met young Garson's simple civility with any expression of +deeper feelings. +</P> + +<P> +So the conversation glided smoothly into the well-worn and useful +channels of ordinary talk about the weather, and the crops, and the +fishing, and "the South," until Miss Adiesen was at her ease enough to +say, "I hope your dear mother is well?" +</P> + +<P> +"She is regaining strength and a degree of cheerfulness, thank you," +said Fred; and then quite naturally, as if he knew he were talking on a +subject interesting to his hearers, he went on to speak of the trial +they had passed through in the loss of his father; and when he had said +just enough about that he quietly glided into Mr. Adiesen's favourite +themes, surprising the old gentleman considerably by his knowledge of +natural science and his intelligent appreciation of the scientist +himself! +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard sat near, a delighted listener, while Fred, using his utmost +powers of fascination, talked Uncle Brüs into good humour, and so paved +the way to an amicable adjustment of some of the differences between +the rival Lairds. +</P> + +<P> +It was not till tea had been served, and the day was far spent, that +Fred asked the loan of a boat, and his young friend Yaspard's crew, to +take him back to Lunda. Permission was given, of course; and when our +Viking-boy went off to get the <I>Osprey</I> ready Signy went too, and Aunt +Osla disappeared to indite a letter to her old friend, Fred's mother. +Thus the two men were left alone, which was exactly what Fred desired, +and he was not long in taking advantage of an opportunity he had been +devoutly desiring would come. +</P> + +<P> +"What a fine lad that is!" he said, speaking of Yaspard. "He is quite +the ideal Hialtlander!" +</P> + +<P> +"He is rather too fond of romance and the like," answered the old man; +but he smiled, for he was fond of his nephew, and liked to hear him +praised. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I think with you that there is an excess of romantic sentiment in +his character; and that kind of thing is apt to become exaggerated into +eccentricity or foolishness. I suppose he can't help it, living so +much within himself, as it were." +</P> + +<P> +"Possibly—that is—so!" Mr. Adiesen replied slowly. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope," Fred resumed, and he smiled very pleasantly, "that this +Viking fancy he has taken up may be of service to him in bringing him +into contact with boys of his own age and rank. The young Mitchells +are capital fellows, and <I>you</I> know better than most folk what sort of +companions he is likely to find in Dr. Holtum's family." +</P> + +<P> +"The Doctor is a man in a thousand. He did me a service I am not +likely to forget on this side the grave. I don't see him as often +as—might be under different circumstances. But I respect him. Yes, +young man, I respect Dr. Holtum!" And the frown which had gathered on +the old man's brow at mention of the Mitchells cleared up more rapidly +than Fred had dared to hope for. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know how we should get along without Dr. Holtum—we young +ones, I mean," he remarked. "He enters so much into all our fun, and +then he is so very clever too, a first-rate scientist. They have a +'menagerie,' as large and interesting as your own, at Collaster. And +the twins—they are a little older than your lovely little niece, but +she would find them companionable, for she is older than her years, I +think. I suppose it will be with her as it is with Yaspard in some +respects?" +</P> + +<P> +"Signy is quite contented without girls' society, and she can never +become either eccentric or foolish," Mr. Adiesen said hurriedly; but +all the same he suddenly had a vision of his pet growing up to be +peculiar, and an old maid perhaps resembling Aunt Osla, or some other +of the many spinster ladies whose insular life had doomed them to that +fate. +</P> + +<P> +"My sister Isobel and I," said Fred, "always feel that we are more +fortunate than the greater number of Lairds' families in having so many +companions in our island. It has been desperately good for me, I know, +to have such clever chaps as Eric Mitchell and Svein Holtum for my +chums." +</P> + +<P> +"And your sister? Dr. Holtum's girls are younger?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and Isobel suffers in consequence. We all make a great fuss over +Isobel, and she thinks a little too much of her own consequence. But +still she has advantages—from the society of ladies, for +instance—which your Signy cannot have." +</P> + +<P> +The entrance of Signy herself put a stop to the conversation, but Fred +was satisfied that he had sown good seed which would produce the right +kind of fruit by-and-by. When he left Boden his heart was light within +him. He took Mr. Adiesen's insolent note from his pocket and tore it +to bits, scattering them on the sea, and saying within himself, "A soft +answer turneth away wrath;" then to Yaspard he said, "Now, Sir Viking, +for <I>your</I> letter. You want the answer, don't you?" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"FAIR FELLOW DEEM I THE DARK-WINGED RAVEN." +</H3> + +<P> +Yaspard and Fred were alone in the boat. There was a pleasant breeze +blowing fair, and Yaspard had preferred taking his passenger himself, +leaving the Harrisons to entertain Gloy at Noostigard. Thus the +conversation between the two could be as confidential as they pleased. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder," said Fred, "if you know that it was your letter that +brought me to Boden?" +</P> + +<P> +The Viking opened his eyes very wide. Evidently he knew nothing of the +sort, and Fred laughed as he glanced over the sheet of paper which had +come out of his pocket with that other letter. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe you have the least idea <I>how</I> good a letter it is. My +mother cried over it, and Isobel declared the writer ought to be +crowned king of every 'vik' in Shetland." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, come!" Yaspard exclaimed, blushing hotly at his own praises so +sung. +</P> + +<P> +We will take the liberty of looking over Fred Garson's shoulder, and +reading that epistle which had done so much good. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"DEAR MR. GARSON,—My uncle has directed that the enclosed letter shall +be sent to you, so I must put it with this. It is none of <I>my</I> +business to judge him, and I am sure <I>you</I> will not forget that he is +an old man, and has been bred up with a lot of old-fangled fads, and +lives a very solitary kind of life. I want you to know that I have +begun a kind of game which I expect will give me a chance of meeting +some of your Lunda fellows. I would take it as a great honour if you +would keep an eye upon us in this matter, and umpire us when we get +anyhow mixed about the rights of the game. I hope to find the Manse +boys at Havnholme, and will tell them, so that they can explain to you. +I am going to pretend to be a Viking, and make raids. But I'd like +<I>you</I> to know something more about it than the mere play and nonsense. +</P> + +<P> +"I just hate that horrid, miserable quarrel, which uncle speaks about +as The Feud; it seems such a stupid, cruel sort of thing. Poor Aunt +Osla cries about it, and my little sister and I are sometimes so +unhappy over it that we vow we shall make an end of it when we are +grown up. It is so awfully hard to think that there are so many boys +and girls like us growing up in Lunda, and we can't know them because +of the Feud. The truth is, I have not patience to wait till I am grown +up. It will be too late then, for I shall have lost my boy-friends +while I was a boy. Now, I hope you will understand that my Viking +exploits have got a really good kind of idea at the bottom of them; so +if you hear of fights, and forays, and the like, you will know that I +am trying in that way to 'settle' this hideous old vampire of a fend. +It's the only way I could think of while Uncle Brüs feels as he does. +</P> + +<P> +"I know you are a right good fellow, as your father was, and you will +help me. I do need a good fellow's help, and you can't think how my +heart seems sometimes like to burst with longing to be with other boys +and like other boys. People talk of your minister, how good he is; and +of Mrs. Mitchell, and that splendid boy Frank who died. And I hear of +all <I>you</I> do for the poor people, and about the Lady. Aunt Osla has a +heap to tell about <I>her</I>. I think I would not be so selfish and so +foolish as I am if I could talk to some of you Lunda folk, and <I>see</I> +how you live. But I must obey Uncle Brüs, and I must not annoy him; so +it's hard to see how I can clear up matters unless I go on the +'war-path,' and <I>you</I> help me to manage our 'sham' so that it does not +harm anybody. Trusting you, I am your honest admirer and hereditary +foe, +<BR><BR> +"YASPARD ADIESEN. +</P> + +<P> +"P.S.—Please, dear Mr. Garson, forgive Uncle Brüs, and pray, as I do, +that somebody may persuade him how silly and really sinful a feud can +be." +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"Yes, it's a prime letter," remarked Fred; "and nothing but that letter +(particularly the postscript) would have made me pass over—— Bah! +what is the use of thinking more about it." +</P> + +<P> +But even then his face flushed, and his naturally imperious temper +rose, as he recalled the rude, angry words which Mr. Adiesen had +written. There was a short silence, which Yaspard was the first to +break, "You have made a lot of people happy to-day, Mr. Garson," he +said very gratefully. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope this is only the beginning of good times for us all," was the +answer. "But now, I wonder what is going to be your next adventure?" +</P> + +<P> +"I expect they'll grow one out of another. By the way, what shall we +do about Gloy?" +</P> + +<P> +"He isn't your prisoner now, but your guest, so you must let him return +when he pleases. No doubt the Mitchells will have some plan in head +for making capital out of Gloy's presence in Boden." +</P> + +<P> +They chatted in the most friendly manner till they reached Lunda, when +they parted with mutual regret and many assurances that they should +meet again at no very distant time. +</P> + +<P> +The wind was even more favourable for the voyage back, and Yaspard's +little boat went swiftly and easily along. He leaned back and let her +go, while giving himself up to ecstatic dreams of adventure in which +his new acquaintance played the important part. He had adopted Fred +Garson for his hero, and was already setting him in the chief place in +every airy castle of his imagination; but fancy's flight was +interrupted by flight of another kind. As he lay back, gazing more +into the air than on the course before him, his attention was drawn to +a party of shooies (Arctic skuas) badgering a raven, who was greatly +annoyed, and seemed at a sore disadvantage—a position which the lordly +bird seldom allows himself to be in. +</P> + +<P> +These shooies live chiefly by preying on other birds. They are winged +parasites; they are very audacious, and fear no foe. Although they are +not larger than a pigeon, they are not afraid to lay siege to an erne +or a glaucus gull, and they will often do so as much for amusement as +for gain. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Corbie is in a fix," quoth Yaspard to himself, as he watched the +swift, graceful evolutions of the shooies as they darted through the +air buffeting and tormenting the unfortunate raven, whose harsh, fierce +croak and futile efforts to escape were quite pitiful though amusing. +</P> + +<P> +"If he doesn't gain land somehow he's done for, poor wretch: he is +tired now, and can't keep on wing much longer; if he touches the water +it's all up with him. Poor old corbie! they must have been after him a +long time." Thus our Viking soliloquised, as his boat glided on until +it was passing below the aerial battlefield. +</P> + +<P> +At that moment Sir Raven, uttering a loud and prolonged scream, shot +downward and alighted on the thwart next Yaspard, too exhausted to do +more than utter one faint croak, which might have been a parting +anathema on the shooies, but which charity impels me to believe was an +expression of thankfulness for such an ark of refuge as the boat of a +Viking. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard leaned quickly forward, exclaiming, "Why, can it be? Yes, sure +enough—Thor, old fellow, how came you to be in such a plight?" +</P> + +<P> +Still gasping, but self-possessed, Thor hopped from the thwart on to +Yaspard's arm, and then, turning up one side of his head, he leered at +the shooies in such an expressive and ludicrous manner that the boy +went into fits of laughter, even though one of the shooies swooped so +near in its baffled anger as to touch his hair. +</P> + +<P> +Thor snuggled up to his master, and began to smooth his ruffled plumes +a bit, while Yaspard, tossing his hand about, so frightened the winged +banditti that they flew away, and Thor was satisfied. +</P> + +<P> +It was only when this interesting episode was over that our young rover +allowed his vision to return to the homeward course; but when his +glance fell upon the sea ahead he saw a sight to rejoice the spirit of +a Viking. Near the mouth of Boden voe, straight before him, keeping +watch for him, lay the <I>Laulie</I>, her blue flag with its golden star +flying merrily at the mast-head, her white sail spread, her jolly crew +all alert and "on the war-path." +</P> + +<P> +She was cruising about the entrance to the fiord, with the obvious +intention of preventing the <I>Osprey</I> from reaching her own lawful +domain. +</P> + +<P> +Up Yaspard sprung, and keenly surveyed the enemy's position and his +own, calculating his "chances" with as much anxiety as if life and +honour were at stake. He did not dream of turning aside, or trying to +reach any harbour of refuge save his own voe; but he knew that to pass +the <I>Laulie</I> in safety would require considerable manoeuvring and +daring seamanship. +</P> + +<P> +With utmost pleasure, and +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"The stern joy that warriors feel<BR> +In foemen worthy of their steel,"<BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +he drew from the locker his black Viking flag and ran it aloft, smiling +as the ugly thing spread itself in the breeze. +</P> + +<P> +Thor watched this performance with profound gravity and attention; and +when Yaspard resumed his position Sir Raven solemnly hopped away and +took up a position on the bow, with his weather-eye sagaciously fixed +upon the black flag high overhead. He had so lately suffered so much +from dark-hued things flying above him that he was suspicious of that +pennon's intentions, and felt it necessary to observe its movements +with the closest heedfulness. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard, however, put another construction on the bird's behaviour. +"You're a genuine old brick!" he said; "a real Viking's raven, and no +mistake, Thor. Now I call that very fine of you, to take your proper +place on my prow. They'll think I've trained you to it. What prime +fun this is, to be sure!" +</P> + +<P> +Thor lifted his shoulders, bent forward his head, and croaked as +dismally as ever his congeners croaked over a field of the slain in +days gone by; and Yaspard nodded to him, then gave entire attention to +the management of his boat. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"ENOUGH AND TO SPARE OF BALE IS IN THY SPEECH." +</H3> + +<P> +We may be sure that the <I>Laulie's</I> crew watched our hero's movements +with quite as much interest as he noted theirs, and when his +battle-flag was seen they shouted for joy. +</P> + +<P> +"He knows what we are up to. He has challenged us," Harry Mitchell +exclaimed with great satisfaction. "Now, boys, we've got to nail him +before he passes Yelholme." +</P> + +<P> +"His boat goes very fast; she is light too, and he has her well in +hand," Tom remarked critically as the <I>Osprey</I> drew nearer, skimming +the waves as airily and swiftly as any bird. +</P> + +<P> +Yelholme, to which reference had been made, lay near the course Yaspard +was on. If the <I>Laulie</I> could not intercept Yaspard before he reached +the little island she would lose ground by being obliged to tack a good +deal, while he, having the wind with him, would easily get ahead. +</P> + +<P> +"If it becomes a chase we haven't a chance," said Harry, "so we must +try and cut him off at the holme." +</P> + +<P> +But Yaspard knew pretty well what their tactics were likely to be, and +acted accordingly. +</P> + +<P> +It is not possible to describe with any degree of accuracy the very +clever way in which the boats tried to circumvent each other; how the +<I>Osprey</I> dodged here and there, striving to outrace the other, and how +the <I>Laulie</I> gallantly defeated every attempt so made. At last +Yaspard, seeing that nothing but a very bold effort had any chance of +success, determined to try a delicate manoeuvre. His boat, being +smaller and lighter than the <I>Laulie</I>, could venture much nearer a +skerry or holme. He resolved to run straight for Yelholme. He knew +that the other boat would do likewise, but approaching from another +point, would be obliged to lower sail and trust to the oars. He hoped +he could keep "on wing," and round the holme in safety before the +<I>Laulie</I> had got on the same course. Accordingly he altered his +tactics, and sent his skiff careening toward the holme as if he meant +to dash right into it. +</P> + +<P> +"What on earth is he up to now?" Bill exclaimed in wonder; "he will be +under our stern in a jiffy if he holds on like that." +</P> + +<P> +"If he passes astern he will reach the holme and be round it before us. +We must not allow that; drop the sail, Bill," said Harry. +</P> + +<P> +Down went the <I>Laulie's</I> sail, and in a short time she was rowing +swiftly for the same point that the <I>Osprey</I> seemed bent on gaining. +Yaspard did not alter his course one bit until he was within talking +distance of the enemy, and dangerously near the holme. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be rash, man," Harry sung out. "You will be flung on the holme +by that undertow on the lee side." +</P> + +<P> +Even as he spoke Yaspard saw the danger he had not considered, and +promptly dropped his sail. By that time the boats were almost within +an oar's length of each other, but the <I>Osprey</I> was ahead. With +wondrous speed the Viking-boy had his oars out, and would soon have +been round the holme and on his course again, but at that moment Tom +Holtum caught up a coil of rope lying handy, and flung it like a lasso +over the <I>Osprey</I>. The bight fell over her rudder and horn, and before +the hapless Viking could leave his seat or lift a finger to save +himself, his boat was hauled alongside of the <I>Laulie</I>, and he was +captured. +</P> + +<P> +"Fairly caught!" cried Bill, leaning over to thump him on the back, +while Tom clutched the <I>Osprey</I> with both hands, determined that she +should not escape. +</P> + +<P> +Then Yaspard struck his colours, and remarked, "You need not be so +particular with your grappling-irons, Holtum; I yield myself to the +fortune of fair fight." +</P> + +<P> +"Come aboard us," said Harry. "You did awfully well, and needn't mind +that Tom's dodge was more successful than yours. It was a low kind of +trick on the whole, but we were determined to make you our prisoner." +</P> + +<P> +By that time Yaspard was in the <I>Laulie</I>, and his boat towing ignobly +in the rear. Thor, puzzled out of his dignity by such extraordinary +proceedings, afraid to trust himself with his master in the enemies' +hands, and too tired to seek refuge in flight, then gave vent to his +feelings in speech— +</P> + +<P> +"Uncle, uncle. Croak! bad boy! croak! croak! croak! Yap! yap! yap! +Pirate; hi, good dog! Dog! Uncle! oh my!" +</P> + +<P> +He had never spoken so much at one time before, but the situation +called for a supreme effort. +</P> + +<P> +When he concluded his oration, amid yells of laughter, Thor turned up +his eyes till nothing but a streak of white was visible, and shoved his +beak among the feathers on one shoulder as if he meant to go to sleep. +</P> + +<P> +"What a fellow, to be sure!" exclaimed Tom. "He licks Crawbie all to +nothing." +</P> + +<P> +Harry explained to Yaspard that Crawbie was a hoodie crow belonging to +Svein Holtum, and a great talker, but nothing like Thor in that respect. +</P> + +<P> +Harry was soon on his hobby, and would have discoursed on birds for an +hour if Bill had not stopped him by asking, "Well, boys, what's the +next move?" +</P> + +<P> +"Home, of course," said Harry; "at least, to Collaster first, for the +Viking is Tom's prize, and must be taken to the Doctor's house." +</P> + +<P> +"I should like that hugely," said the captive; "but may I beg you to +remember my anxious and sorrowing relations, who will strain dim eyes +in vain and all the rest of that sort of thing. They'll be horribly +frightened at Moolapund if I am not back there tonight, and it's late +now." +</P> + +<P> +A long discussion followed as to how the Boden folk were to be informed +of the Viking's position. One suggestion was that a Manse boy was to +return to Boden in the <I>Osprey</I>, tell the tale, and bring Gloy away; +but that plan was rejected, because Yaspard declared that his +"followers" would seize the messenger, and hold both him and Gloy as +hostages for their captain. +</P> + +<P> +Then a brilliant idea occurred to Harry, who had always been the most +reflecting boy of the lot. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll tell you what to do. Send Thor with a message tied to his leg. +That was what Svein did once, when he was hurt and in Vega. Crawbie +had gone after him; and he carved two words on the cover of his +pocket-book, tied it to Crawbie, and Crawbie went to Collaster with it." +</P> + +<P> +"Splendid! Yes, the very thing!" the others cried. +</P> + +<P> +So a hard-boiled egg was taken from the ferdimet, and laid temptingly +on Yaspard's hand as a lure for Thor, who was evidently averse to +trusting himself in the <I>Laulie</I>. But his weakness was an egg, and he +soon flopped across to his master's knee, where he was detained for +"further orders." +</P> + +<P> +"Will he go home?" was the next debatable point. Yaspard thought Thor +would, if they made it sufficiently plain to his corvidaeous intellect +that he must not remain with the boats. +</P> + +<P> +"He has often followed me, poor old chap!" said Yaspard. "I dare say +he was coming on my tracks when the shooies fell foul of him; he will +return to Moolapund if I drive him off. He won't halt by the way now, +for it is near his roosting time, and he is tired to boot." +</P> + +<P> +They did as Svein Holtum had shown them how, and tearing the cover from +a pocket-book, tied it securely to Thor's leg. To make assurance +doubly sure, a duplicate was fixed around his neck. Yaspard wrote on +these boards— +</P> + +<P> +"Captured on the high seas; taken in chains to Collaster.—THE VIKING." +</P> + +<P> +Then he tossed Thor up from his hand, crying, "Shoo! off with you! +Home now!" But Thor flitted no farther than the <I>Osprey</I>, and, +settling in his favourite place at the bow, began to pull viciously at +the book-boards. +</P> + +<P> +Bill hauled the smaller boat alongside and clambered into her, making +noise and demonstration enough, as he did so, to scare any ordinary +bird; but Thor did not stir from the spot until Bill's hands were +almost on him. Then he merely hopped from the one boat to the other, +remarking as he did it, "Just so!" which of course sent the boys off +yelling as before with wild laughter. +</P> + +<P> +Now, no self-respecting raven will endure to be laughed at, especially +when he is merely repeating a boy's pet phrase. Nor will he tamely +submit to being chased from stem to stern with shouts of "Shoo! shoo!" +Thor felt trebly insulted just then; possibly he believed that "Shoo! +shoo!" had something to do with shooies, and the allusion was ill-timed +he considered. +</P> + +<P> +After much noise and hustling, and what Thor looked upon as unseemly +action, he came to the conclusion that a boat is not always an ark of +refuge, nor is one's master always to be depended upon as a sure help +in time of need. With these thoughts came a recollection of the +comforts of Moolapund and the more fit companionship of Mr. Adiesen. +That settled the point in Thor's mind. +</P> + +<P> +"Bad boy! Shoo!" he burst forth wrathfully, and then screeching out, +"Uncle, Pirate, uncle, uncle, uncle!" he spread his great wings and +took a bee-line for Moolapund. +</P> + +<P> +Loud hurrahs followed him; but Thor never looked back once, never +turned to the right or the left, but, swift as possible in his cumbered +condition, flew home, and alighting on the parlour window-sill, began +to jabber every word he knew, without the least attention to either +grammar or construction of words, and in such excited tones that Mr. +Adiesen's attention was drawn to him. Thor was admitted at once, and +freed from his burden. Then the message was read; and while the Laird +read, Miss Osla and Signy waited in fear and trembling, but never a +word spoke the old man. +</P> + +<P> +"What has that boy been doing?" the boy's aunt asked at length. +</P> + +<P> +"Taking his turn at being captive, as I warned him might happen." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Uncle Brüs, have they taken Yaspard?" Signy cried in great +excitement. +</P> + +<P> +"'Captured on the high seas; taken in chains to Collaster.—THE +VIKING,'" Mr. Adiesen read with impressive solemnity; and Miss Osla, +scarcely understanding what was the state of the case, or whether her +brother was joking, or the reverse, exclaimed— +</P> + +<P> +"Dear, dear! whatever has he been about now? He is the very strangest +boy. To Collaster! in chains! What a foolish, foolish boy! He must +have been interfering with some of those young Mitchells. Of course +Mr. Garson has nothing to do with his nonsense!" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Adiesen had walked out of the room long before she stopped; and her +bewilderment was much increased by Signy saying delightedly— +</P> + +<P> +"Captured! and taken to Collaster! Oh, how pleased brodhor must be!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"HE IS YOUNG AND OF LITTLE KNOWLEDGE." +</H3> + +<P> +The lads found that it was so late when they neared Lunda, that it +would be best to divide, one boat going to Collaster, and the other +proceeding to Westervoe; so Tom and Yaspard (the latter on a kind of +parole) were transferred to the <I>Osprey</I>, which immediately made sail +for Collaster, while the Manse boat conveyed the Mitchells to their own +home. +</P> + +<P> +The Holtums were lingering over their supper when Tom presented +himself, bringing his captive with hands fastened together by a lanyard +borrowed from Harry Mitchell for the purpose. The captive's glowing +face, afire with fun and joyous anticipation, did not accord with the +humiliating position in which he was introduced by Tom; and his +reception by the Doctor and Mrs. Holtum certainly did not indicate +anything like hostile feeling. +</P> + +<P> +The lanyard was laughingly untied by the Doctor, who said, as he +released and shook Yaspard's hands, "I am sure you can trust your +prisoner with so much liberty, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course," said Tom; "I didn't see the fun of roping him at all, but +he would have it so, and the Mitchells said it looked more ship-shape." +</P> + +<P> +"Besides," added Yaspard, "I wanted Uncle Brüs to know that I didn't +come here of my own free will and free-handed." +</P> + +<P> +"I quite understand," replied the Doctor, very much amused at the whole +affair. "But <I>now</I> it is quite proper that your manacles be removed. +You remember how the Black Prince treated his French prisoners? My Tom +must not be less courteous to a Viking! Now, boys, let us hear how all +this came about." +</P> + +<P> +Nothing loth, Tom and Yaspard related their adventures, and very +entertaining these were; but when they described the sending home of +Thor, Dr. Holtum's face grew somewhat grave, and he seemed pondering +within himself. +</P> + +<P> +When Tom had conducted his prisoner to his cell—which was one of the +best bedrooms—and returned to bid good-night, his father said, "Tom, +lad, I am not altogether satisfied that yon corbie was a trustworthy +messenger. Suppose he did <I>not</I> carry news of Yaspard to Moolapund?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yaspard never doubted he would." +</P> + +<P> +The Doctor shook his head. "If," he said, "by any chance they have +<I>not</I> heard of the boy they will be very anxious about him. I think +you must take a note from me to the fishing-station. Some of the boats +will be leaving for the haaf even now, and as they run past Boden, I am +sure one of them will put in there with my letter." +</P> + +<P> +"Let me go with it, father!" Tom cried eagerly. "I am not a bit tired +or sleepy; and it will be such fun. Do let me go!" +</P> + +<P> +Permission was given, a note to Mr. Adiesen written by Dr. Holtum, and +Tom despatched as envoy. He soon found a skipper willing to land him +on Boden, and in the grey, quiet night, this most prosaic of the Lunda +lads was started on a somewhat eerie journey. A great deal of time +would have been lost if the haaf-boat had carried him into Boden voe, +so Tom good-naturedly requested to be put ashore at the nearest point, +determined to walk across the island to Moolapund. Tom had declared +that he was neither tired nor sleepy, but he was both; and by the time +he had walked over a mile of Boden heath he was fain to stop more than +once and take a brief rest. Each time he sat down on the soft, +fragrant verdure, he felt less inclined to get up. How it happened at +last he never knew, but Tom sat down by an old planticrü,[1] and +remained there; and there he was lying in blissful slumber when the sun +was well up over the Heogue, and Gaun Neeven had come out for an early +stroll. He always took his walks abroad when the rest of the Boden +folk were in their beds, therefore it was believed that he seldom went +out at all. +</P> + +<P> +If a philosopher like Mr. Neeven, who had passed through many years of +most exciting life, could be surprised, he was when, coming around the +planticrü, he stumbled upon Tom Holtum, spread out at ease, and +unconscious of his position. +</P> + +<P> +The man stood stock still for some minutes, contemplating the prostrate +figure, until a grim smile gradually spread over his melancholy +countenance; then stooping, he touched Tom's face and said, "Wake up, +lad, wake up!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom's eyes were wide open in a moment, and he sat up and stared at the +disturber of his repose. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you doing here?" Mr. Neeven asked, in his usual stern tones, +which did not help to clarify Tom's understanding of his own position. +He stammered some very incoherent words, which were no explanation at +all, and did not even attempt to get on his feet. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Neeven was not a patient man. "Get up," he said, "and come with +me. I must know what you mean by skulking about my house in the +night-time." +</P> + +<P> +Tom rose slowly, and then discovered that he was in the near vicinity +of Trullyabister. +</P> + +<P> +"This is a pretty fix," thought he, as he followed Mr. Neeven. "I +believe I'll bolt!" +</P> + +<P> +But a moment's reflection showed him how futile any attempt at escape +would be, so he silently proceeded in Mr. Neeven's wake, repenting him +sorely for being so foolish as to fall asleep that night. +</P> + +<P> +When they were in the dismal apartment where the recluse spent the +greater part of his time poring over books and nursing his gloomy +thoughts, he pointed to a chair, and taking one himself, said briefly— +</P> + +<P> +"Now give a proper account of yourself." +</P> + +<P> +Tom could be concise and to the point in speech as well as Mr. Neeven, +and having recovered his usual <I>sang-froid</I>, he explained his +appearance in Boden in few plain words. +</P> + +<P> +It was the first Gaun Neeven had heard of his young relative turning +Viking, and he was surprised to find a strange something within himself +leap and stir warmly at the tale of Yaspard's adventures, even though +told in Tom's unvarnished matter-of-fact style. Was it not a like +"craze" which had rioted within his own blood when he was a boy, and +had sent him out into the world to fight and jostle men, to win renown, +and prove his manhood by risking life and limb in all kinds of mad +adventure? Nothing had so moved that self-contained, moody man for +years, and even obtuse Tom could see that his story had touched some +hidden spring of feeling. The stern lines had relaxed, and there was a +softer though more intense light in the man's eyes. +</P> + +<P> +Taking advantage of what he would have styled "a melting mood," Tom +begged to be allowed to carry his father's letter to its destination. +"And after that," he said, "on the honour of a gentleman, I will come +back to you, and you can make of me what you please." +</P> + +<P> +"The letter shall go to Mr. Adiesen at a proper hour," replied Mr. +Neeven. "He is asleep at present, and I happen to know he is <I>not</I> +uneasy about his nephew. You had better lie down on this sofa and +finish your own nap, while I finish my walk. Later I will tell you +what I require you to do." +</P> + +<P> +He walked out of the room, shutting the door with a key, and leaving +Tom a veritable prisoner. +</P> + +<P> +"He might have trusted me," muttered Tom; "but since he hasn't put me +on my honour, I shall do my best to escape—— Gracious! what's that?" +</P> + +<P> +The lad was very wide-awake, and not the least inclined to go to sleep +again. His exclamation had been caused by a curious sharp barking +noise, mingled with plaintive crying, which roused Tom's pity as well +as astonishment. He ran to the window, fancying the sounds came from +that side, and hoping to see something to explain what they meant. He +was not disappointed. The window of the haunted room was not far from +that of Mr. Neeven's sitting-room, and at that window Tom saw the same +unearthly visage which had startled Yaspard and the Harrisons. +</P> + +<P> +"Whe-e-ew!" whistled Tom, thrusting his fists far down his pockets, as +was his wont when the solution of any difficulty penetrated the +somewhat "thick skin" which enveloped his remarkably sound and shrewd +understanding. +</P> + +<P> +He stood some time staring thoughtfully at the creature, who stared +back at him as no lady of modest demeanour ought to have done; but we +must not forget that she was a captive, and looking for a deliverer, +and therefore to be excused in part. +</P> + +<P> +"Poor soul!" muttered Tom, as the baby's wails once more broke the +beautiful silence of that smiling, sun-watched night-time. "It's a +horrible shame. I wish I could let them out. It would serve the old +boy right. But it's too risky a job for me to undertake by myself. +Oh, well! when I get back to Lunda—if I'm not going to be shut up as +she is—I'll get the Manse boys to help. Bet Harry Mitchell will +devise a way of circumventing both Mr. Neeven and Mr. Adiesen." +</P> + +<P> +Then Tom tried the window, hoping to make his exit by it, but found it +was nailed down beyond his power to unfasten. +</P> + +<P> +"Never heard of such a thing in Shetland before," growled Tom. "What's +he afraid of here? One would think Boden was the abode of thieves or +pirates at this rate. Anyway, there are plenty of books about." +</P> + +<P> +He found an interesting book about the buccaneers of the Spanish Main, +so, lying down on the sofa, he was soon lost in the volume, and forgot +that he was in durance vile. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] Planticrü,—a <I>circular</I> enclosure. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"OH, BE THOU WELCOME HERE." +</H3> + +<P> +When Mr. Neeven returned to his house the Laird of Boden was with him, +and Tom was desired to hand over Dr. Holtum's letter, which he did with +alacrity. +</P> + +<P> +After perusing it carefully, Mr. Adiesen said, "And so you are the +Doctor's son? You are not very like your father. He was a very +handsome youth when he was your age." +</P> + +<P> +Tom laughed, and there was that in his plain, honest face, which +pleased both the gentlemen perhaps more than fine features would have +done. +</P> + +<P> +"I try to be like father in other ways," said he; "but my brother Svein +is as like him as can be. You would like Svein. He is very clever as +well as good-looking. People who can judge say so!" +</P> + +<P> +That hearty brotherly speech added still more to the good impression +Tom had made, and the two men studied him silently for a minute or two, +"as they might some curious starfish," Tom remarked later, when +recounting all that took place. +</P> + +<P> +"You are to come with me now," said Mr. Adiesen at last. "I dare say +you will be glad of some breakfast. Come along, and we will settle +what is to be done about Yaspard afterwards." +</P> + +<P> +They went off to Moolapund, leaving Mr. Neeven alone; and very much +alone he felt himself to be. It was strange, passing strange, thought +he, that the "chatter" of a very ordinary boy should have caused such a +curious revolution within him. What did it mean? Had he not lived his +life of action? had he not tasted the fruit of knowledge until it had +palled on his appetite? Had he not his books for company—books, which +could not irritate, and contradict, and bother, as human beings are +prone to do? +</P> + +<P> +"A boy is a happy creature!" Gaun Neeven said to himself with a sigh, +as he picked up the book Tom had been reading; "a happy sort of animal +on the whole. I could wish myself a boy once more!" +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Tom Holtum was being introduced at Moolapund, where he was +very soon at his ease, and chatting away with his wonted fearless +candour, which Harry had been heard to call "impudence and vanity +rolled up in whale's blubber." +</P> + +<P> +His host was in wonderfully good humour, and contrived to get a good +deal of information regarding life in Lunda out of Tom, without +allowing it to appear that he was at all interested in the people of +that isle. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose," he said by-and-by, "that I must find a way of sending you +back; and there is that boy Winwick has to go also. But Yaspard's +misadventure must teach us a lesson. You will have to give me your +word that those who convey you to Lunda shall not be intercepted in the +performance of a neighbourly courtesy as he was." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, sir!" Tom cried hotly; "why, we never looked at it like <I>that</I>, +nor did Yaspard. It was agreed that we should try and nab each other +anywhere and anyhow outside of our own voes. If you had asked Fred +Garson to safeguard the Viking, we would not have meddled with him." +</P> + +<P> +"And poor brodhor," Signy exclaimed, "would not have been enjoying +himself at Collaster!" +</P> + +<P> +"I think," said Uncle Brüs suddenly, "that Yaspard has met Vikings as +mad as himself. Now, Master Tom, can you tell how he is going to +recover his liberty and his boat 'captured on the high seas,' eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"I thought I'd talk to his followers—as he calls those Harrison +boys—and they may help him. Of course they are the proper persons to +negotiate about his ransom," and Tom grinned. +</P> + +<P> +Signy volunteered to go with him to Noostigard; so the ponies were +saddled, and off the couple set. +</P> + +<P> +Such a claver as there was, to be sure, when Tom and the Harrisons met! +The brothers were for seizing Tom in place of Yaspard; and nothing but +Signy's vehement protestations that he was under a flag of truce, so to +speak, prevented their carrying out some desperate measure of the sort. +They wouldn't see the difference between Yaspard caught at sea <I>after</I> +discharging a hospitable duty, and Tom a messenger of peace. +</P> + +<P> +"Weel," said Lowrie at last, "will ye tak' one o' us in his place, +then?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, we won't—not a dozen of you!" answered Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, boys!" Signy exclaimed then, "Yaspard promised at the very first +that I should have a share in his Viking-ploy. It would be just lovely +if you would take <I>me</I> with you, to beg for his freedom. You know +that's how the ladies used to do for their knights." +</P> + +<P> +"When they happened to be their fathers or brothers," said Tom; "and +then the girls were married to the knights' enemies, and they all lived +happily ever after." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not going to marry you EVER, so that isn't to be the way this +time," retorted the little lady, with immense spirit. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well," he answered calmly, "then it will be some other fellow. +But upon my word I think it would be a very jolly plan to take you with +us; only—will your uncle permit it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll try and coax him. He is really dear and good, if you only would +believe it; and I don't think that he is going to be so camsterie[1] +about Lunda folk now that he has seen Mr. Garson. I just think Mr. +Garson is splendid. He makes me think of Prince Charlie and Sir Philip +Sidney. He looks so like a real hero, does he not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Fred is to be the other fellow ten years hence," thought Tom, but he +wisely held his tongue. +</P> + +<P> +Uncle Brüs was not so very difficult to persuade as Signy had imagined. +Perhaps, if she had seen Dr. Holtum's letter, she would have found a +reason for his unexpected complacence; but Signy was too glad at the +permission given to waste thoughts on "reasons why." She would hardly +wait to carry out Aunt Osla's request that her best frock must be worn +on such an important occasion, and nothing short of Mam Kirsty's tears +could have reconciled her to wasting time in brushing out her abundant +hair into a profusion of curls, and otherwise making herself "a credit +tae them 'at aws (owns) her." +</P> + +<P> +But when she was released from those loving feminine hands and went +down to the little quay with Uncle Brüs to join the boys, Tom Holtum +thought he had never seen a sweeter vision of a ladye faire than she +appeared in her cream-white frock and navy-blue cloak and hat, her +shining hair hanging about the lovely little face, and her eyes shining +like stars on a frosty night. +</P> + +<P> +"You'll never need to beg one word," he declared; "you will break the +Viking's chains with the glint of your eyes. He was considered <I>my</I> +booty, and I am ready this moment to give him up to you without a +single condition. So there!" +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, but I don't want my knight for nothing," Signy replied, +with a saucy toss of the head, as she stepped into the boat. Then +turning to her uncle, she said, "Good-bye, dear uncle; we—Yaspard and +I—will be back soon." +</P> + +<P> +"Not to-night, sir, if you please," Tom cried eagerly; "we shall want +to keep her a little while;" and the Laird answered, "It shall be as +Dr. Holtum may think best. Take care of her, boys." +</P> + +<P> +As the boat rowed away he looked fondly after the child, and thought +that never did a fairer maid than his darling Signy go on a mission of +love. +</P> + +<P> +As the Boden boat went sliding along the coast of Lunda, purposing to +bring up at Collaster, Tom saw their young laird riding over the hill, +and as the distance was not great, the lad stood up and waved and +yelled to attract Fred's notice. He was successful, and the horseman +came rapidly to the beach, while the boat drew close in-shore. +</P> + +<P> +A few words sufficed to explain matters, for Fred had seen Dr. Holtum +that morning, and knew of Tom's expedition. +</P> + +<P> +"And you have been allowed to bring the little lady to Lunda?" Fred +said. "I think you had better land her here, for there is a good deal +of rough water round the Head of Collaster to-day, and she may get some +spray. Will you let me carry you on Arab to the Doctor's house, Signy?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think that would be nice," she answered; and Tom said, "You had +better go with Fred." +</P> + +<P> +The boat was brought along some crags, and Tom, jumping out, lifted +Signy on shore; then, resuming his place, shoved off again, saying as +he waved them good-bye, "You will be there before us, I suppose, but we +will not be long behind you; so look alive, if you don't want to be +beat." +</P> + +<P> +Fred had dismounted, and he and Signy stood together watching the boat +get on her course again. +</P> + +<P> +Then Fred said, laughing, "I shall feel like some robber chief carrying +off a fair prize when I ride away with you! You will not be afraid to +trust me and Arab, I hope?" +</P> + +<P> +"No! of course I can trust you," was Signy's ready answer. +</P> + +<P> +He sprang into his saddle, and then with the aid of his hand and +stirrup Signy climbed lightly to the place before him, and settled +herself there composedly. +</P> + +<P> +"This is how I used to have delightful rides with Uncle Brüs," she +said; "but he could not hold me so firmly as you do, and once his pony +stumbled and I had a fall, and he never would let me up beside him +again." +</P> + +<P> +"When my sister was a little girl like you, she was never so happy as +when our father took her up like this; and sometimes he would ride +miles and miles with her. Don't you like Arab's step? I always think +there never was a horse like him. He was a present to me on my +birthday—the last gift of my dear father." +</P> + +<P> +"How you must love him! He goes as easy as a sail-boat on a smooth +sea." +</P> + +<P> +And then Arab was put at a gallop, to Signy's delight. She was +perfectly safe (and felt herself to be so) with that strong arm around +her, and that firm hand holding the reins. She enjoyed that ride +immensely, and remembered the pleasure of it for a long time; but Fred +remembered it all his life long, because from that moment he could date +a new colour in his life, a kind of thought and feeling which were +novel in his experience. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] Headstrong and cross-grained. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"AND PEACE SHALL BE SURER." +</H3> + +<P> +A large party were stationed on the lawn at Collaster when Fred rode +up. His sister and Mrs. Mitchell had come to plan a picnic in honour +of Yaspard, and the Manse boys were of course "to the fore" on such an +occasion. The Holtum girls, with the Doctor, his wife, and the Viking, +were all there. If it had been pre-arranged it could not have been +managed better. +</P> + +<P> +"It's like a bit out of a book," Signy said in a whisper, as Arab +pranced up to the door, and everybody there struck an attitude +(unconsciously) with quite dramatic effect. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard was the first to speak and act. +</P> + +<P> +"Signy! have you come from Boden on a witch's broomstick? Where did +you find her, Mr. Garson?" he said, as he lifted his little sister from +the saddle. +</P> + +<P> +"I've come to ransom you, brodhor," said she; and then she was given up +to the ladies to be petted and welcomed with the greatest tenderness, +while Fred explained; and the appearance of the boat sent Yaspard and +the Mitchell boys racing off to the quay. +</P> + +<P> +It had been arranged that the picnic should consist of an excursion up +the gill (ravine) near the Ha' at Blaesound, and a strawberry tea in +the Ha' garden. Fred and his mother were very anxious to draw Yaspard +within the circle of their best affections, but they knew they must be +careful not to touch Mr. Adiesen's weak points in extending the hand of +friendship to his nephew. He would, as likely as not, resent their +well-meant intentions if they invited the boy to their house, but a +picnic under Dr. Holtum's auspices to the neighbourhood of the Ha' was +different. +</P> + +<P> +Any of us who remember the recorded adventures of the Lads of Lunda and +the Yarl of Burra Isle, will know with what perfect success +entertainments of the sort were conducted by the Garsons or any of +their friends. There seldom had been a day more happily spent by those +young folks than <I>that</I> day, and each and all combined to make it a +period of unclouded bliss to Yaspard and Signy. +</P> + +<P> +They revelled in the society of so many charming girls and fine boys, +and thought that life could need nothing more than the pleasure such +companionship afforded. How they enjoyed the scramble up the gill, the +fun bubbling up constantly, the manner in which the fathers and mothers +shared in the children's play; the running and singing and laughter; +the dainty meal of cake and chicken and strawberries with rich cream, +dispensed—after a very un-English but wholly satisfactory manner—in +heaped platefuls! The scent of flowers, the sunshine and universal +hilarity, cast a spell over Signy, and she sat on the garden turf +eating her strawberries without speaking for some time, but radiant +with happiness. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you dreaming, or composing an ode, little lady?" Fred asked her, +after having watched the soft play of her expressive features for some +minutes. +</P> + +<P> +"I was—thinking, and I never enjoyed anything so much before; +but"—and she looked up wistfully—"I was wishing too that there had +never been any feud, and that Uncle Brüs could see for himself how good +you all are. <I>I wish he could!</I>" +</P> + +<P> +"I hope he will before long. I think, now the ice is broken, that it +will all come right, little one." +</P> + +<P> +I ought to have mentioned before that the Harrison boys had gone with +Gloy to see his mother, and had been directed to return in their own +boat to Boden before night; so when the Holtums, with their guest and +the Viking, returned to Collaster at dayset, they were just in time to +see James Harrison's boat disappear round the Head of Collaster. +</P> + +<P> +"I am so glad," said Yaspard, "that uncle gave you leave to come and to +stay overnight, Mootie." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish she might remain some days," said Mrs. Holtum; but the Doctor, +understanding best the kind of man Mr. Adiesen was, remarked, "That +will be next time. We must not take more than his lairdship has +conceded. By-and-by we may venture to stretch a point with him." +</P> + +<P> +"What has been settled about the captive Viking?" Harry Mitchell then +asked. "I am sorry to remind you, Yaspard, in such an abrupt manner of +your precarious position; but we must not forget that we have to make +capital of you." +</P> + +<P> +"I offered him free, gratis, and for nothing to this high and haughty +miss; but she tossed her curls and declined my civility," answered Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"There would be no fun in that," Yaspard said in an aside; and Signy +remarked, "Brodhor is worth a great deal to me, and he ought to be +worth a lot to his captors. Just put a price on him that I am able to +pay, and you shall have it." +</P> + +<P> +"Bravo!" shouted the boys in chorus. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you then absolutely refuse my princely offer?" Tom asked her, and +the little girl replied boldly— +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. I'd be ashamed to take him for nothing." +</P> + +<P> +"The lads of Lunda," answered he loftily, "don't make bargains with +ladies. If you won't take my offer you're 'out of it,' miss! Now, Sir +Viking, let me tell you under what condition I will set you free. You +shall give me your royal word—on the faith of a Viking—that you will +give me your assistance in a deed of high emprise which I have vowed to +perform." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, Harry," exclaimed Bill, "you could not have said that in a more +booky way yourself!" +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't got another word of the sort in my vocabulary, so must +return to my usual style, gentlemen," said Tom. "The long and the +short of it is, when I was a prisoner at Trullyabister, I discovered +that I was not the only poor wretch whom the ogre had nabbed. There +are others——" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, goloptious!" shouted Yaspard, interrupting Tom without the least +ceremony. "You have found out the very thing I meant to tell you. I +meant to ask you fellows to help me." +</P> + +<P> +"Then it would seem," said Dr. Holtum, smiling—for he had had a +private talk with Tom, and had come to a conclusion of his own—"that +Yaspard's 'knightly quest' and Tom's 'deed of high emprise' are one and +the same. You have my approval, boys; only let me warn you to be very +wary, for if you do <I>not</I> succeed you will have no support from any +one, and may find yourselves in an awkward fix." +</P> + +<P> +"Doctor!" Harry exclaimed, "did the lads of Lunda ever fail to carry +out their schemes, or squirm out of the ugliest fix in creation?" +</P> + +<P> +"I must own," laughed the Doctor, "that collectively you have a +wonderful faculty for emerging with <I>eclat</I> from every adventure; but I +can't say as much for you individually." +</P> + +<P> +"One for you, Tom," whispered Bill. +</P> + +<P> +"And one for yourself," retorted Tom. +</P> + +<P> +Meantime Signy had crept into Yaspard's arms, and was coaxing him to +tell her the secret; but he put her off with a promise of telling it +when they were on the way home. "And, Mootie," he added thoughtfully, +"I believe we ought not to stay here very long to-morrow, just that +Uncle Brüs may see that we aren't anxious to take the greatest +advantage of his permission. Besides, we don't want him to feel that +we like being away from Boden so awfully much." +</P> + +<P> +She squeezed his hand. She understood him perfectly, and Yaspard, +laughing into her upraised eyes, said aloud, "Here is a little girl who +wouldn't contradict me for worlds, and is agreed with me in stating +that the <I>Osprey</I> must be on wing to-morrow morning." +</P> + +<P> +But when to-morrow morning came there had been a breeze in the night +which had raised the sea a bit, and Dr. Holtum would not permit them to +leave until it had subsided, notwithstanding the Viking's declaration +that he never minded such a small thing as that. +</P> + +<P> +"My boat and I go out in rough weather," he declared; "and even Signy +would laugh at the idea of calling this a 'rough morning!'" +</P> + +<P> +The Doctor was firm, however, and the morning slipped happily away in +the pleasant companionship of so many new and agreeable friends. +</P> + +<P> +It was arranged that the Lunda boys were to run across to Boden on the +evening of the following day, to carry out the mysterious plans of Tom +and Yaspard. They were to wait at the geo for Yaspard and his chums, +and the mighty deed was to be done at the witching hour of night. So +they planned, and put aside with unwonted impatience the Doctor's +declaration that there was going to be unsettled weather, and that they +must not count upon being able to carry out their scheme in such an +expeditious way. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know what has come to father," Tom muttered; "he is quite +scarey: he proposes that some of us go in the boat with you, Yaspard; +or that we escort you in our own boat!" +</P> + +<P> +The Viking's face flushed hotly, for he knew himself to be an expert +"seaman," and it was exasperating that anybody should be afraid for +him; but Harry Mitchell soothed his wounded pride by saying, "I expect +the Doctor is thinking of Signy. He is always so careful that girls +shall not be frightened—and she might be, you know, if she saw a big +wave alongside, and no one with her but you." +</P> + +<P> +"Signy wouldn't be afraid if she were left floating in mid-ocean on a +plank <I>with me</I>," Signy's brother made answer. +</P> + +<P> +So the <I>Laulie</I> did not go farther than the Head of Collaster, but took +the way to Westervoe when the <I>Osprey</I> set her face to Boden. +</P> + +<P> +There was not much wind, but a long and gentle swell, and the little +boat went dancing over the waves in a manner wholly delightful to the +brother and sister. +</P> + +<P> +"This is delicious, brodhor," said Signy, "and we have had a splendid +time; but it is nice to be going home. Now tell me about your quest." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"FOR NAUGHT HE WOTTED, NOR MIGHT SEE CLEARLY." +</H3> + +<P> +"You remember, Mootie, about the big row concerning Havnholme—I mean +the last disturbance which made Fred Garson write to uncle?" +</P> + +<P> +"I know a little about it. Uncle killed a number of birds, and a poor +seal?" +</P> + +<P> +"That wasn't quite how things went, though we heard that was it. We +were told correctly enough about the birds; and I must say I think +Uncle Brüs thinks too much of science and specimens, and too little of +lives. But we did not hear the right way about the seal I have heard +something about it from Fred, and I don't wonder he was so indignant. +It seems they had a tame seal at the Ha'. It had been given to Miss +Garson when it was very young. Its mother had been killed by some +Cockney tourists, and the Laird of Lunda took the little seal home. It +was a great pet, and used to go and fish for itself in Blaesound, but +would always come home when tired or called upon." +</P> + +<P> +"Just as Loki does," said Signy. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; and they were all very fond of it. But after the Laird died, his +people were a good deal away from the Ha', and the pets were +neglected—servants are so stupid in that way—and so it happened that +the seal was out in Blaesound one day, and didn't come back as usual. +Fred says he heard it had become shy, and a bit wild, through not being +petted, and perhaps it went off of its free will; but he believes it +lost its way among the skerries, and would have returned if it had +known how, or if any one had had the sense to go and look for it as +soon as it was missed. Anyway, it was lost. When the family came home +it was looked for everywhere, and Fred promised a large reward to any +one who should bring it back; but all in vain. Sometimes fishermen +would come and tell how they had seen a sealkie on a skerry that was +not a bit frightened when they came near, but dropped into the water +when they tried to catch it. Others said that a sealkie had followed +their boat, and had looked at them as if it wanted to be friends; and +Fred was sure that it must be Trullya, for no wild seal acts like that. +But though he went to the places where these men had seen the seal, +<I>he</I> never saw it. Then it happened that the Manse boys, passing +Havnholme one day, saw a seal creeping up to the old skeö; and they +were quite sure that it was the lost Trullya, for wild seals don't go +up on land like that. Moreover, the seal kept looking around, and +never minding a boat not far off, and the boys were as convinced that +it was the Ha' pet as I am sure you are mine. They were going to land +at once and capture it, when Uncle Brüs, with Harrison and fule-Tammy, +came along in this boat, and Uncle ordered the Manse boys to get along. +There was a row, for the boys stuck to it, and said they <I>would</I> land, +for the island was Fred's, and the seal belonged to him as well. Of +course you know how uncle would rampage at that. He was so angry he +threatened to shoot them if they came one bit nearer; and they declared +afterwards that they were sure he would have done it. While the row +was going on the seal disappeared, and the boys, believing it had +dropped into the sea and that there was no hope of securing it, decided +to quit. But as they sailed away and uncle's boat landed, they saw the +poor sealkie's head peep round the skeö; then there were shots fired, +and fule-Tammy shouted at the pitch of his voice, 'Ye've got him, sir, +got him! dead as a door-nail!' The Mitchells were too disgusted to +wait for anything more. They sailed home and told Fred." +</P> + +<P> +"It was horrible, Yaspard—very horrible. How could uncle be so cruel +to a poor sealkie, and yet be so kind to me?" +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard laughed. "There is a difference between you and Trullya, +Mootie! But now comes the nice bit of my story. The seal wasn't +killed at all! Fule-Tammy told me all about it. He said it had a +young one with it, and they had been spending the night in the skeö. +Uncle does not often miss his mark, but he had missed when he shot at +the seal. Perhaps he missed on purpose, only shot to aggravate the +Manse boys. When he got to the skeö the creature was there, having +hastened back to her little one, and they were easily captured. Uncle +told Harrison that he must not let even his boys know that the seals +had been taken alive." +</P> + +<P> +Signy could keep silence no longer, but clapped her hands delightedly +and cried, "It's as good as a fairy story, brodhor. Oh, I am glad, for +of course they are still alive; uncle would never kill them then." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, they are alive, and they are in the haunted room at +Trullyabister. They were smuggled there so that even I should not +know; but Tammy can't keep a secret, and he told me one day that Mr. +Neeven had charge of the seal and her baby. I did not dream they were +in the haunted room; but when the Harrison boys and I were on the prowl +the other night I found it out; and then I determined I would restore +the sealkie to Fred Garson. I told the Harrisons there were a mother +and child imprisoned at Trullyabister, and that we must free them from +thraldom." +</P> + +<P> +"And Tom Holtum has found it out too; and that is your quest? How +fine!" +</P> + +<P> +"It is prime, Signy, prime! We are not going to tell the Garsons a +word about it till we restore their lost pet, for we are all convinced +it is their seal." +</P> + +<P> +"But won't uncle be dreadfully angry if you interfere? Won't he stop +all your Vikinging and our meeting——" +</P> + +<P> +"If," Yaspard interrupted, "I were fool enough to show my hand in the +matter. No, no, Mootie, you don't understand a bit. We shall manage +it so cleverly that uncle and Mr. Neeven will take for granted the +sealkie escaped of herself. You see, Uncle Brüs makes laws for himself +that are not proper, so he can't grumble if they don't work to his +satisfaction at all times." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish, though, that we could just beg for the seal, and settle it +nicely," said Signy. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a bit of good; that would make more fuss still, and unsettle +everything, and—I'd lose my fun." +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Osprey</I> was not far from Yelholme by that time, and Yaspard, +pointing to the little isle, said, "It was that old rock with the green +nightcap that caused my capture." +</P> + +<P> +"It's a pretty peerie holme," Signy remarked. "I like the little +morsel of green turf on top. I wonder how it ever manages to grow +there, for the skerry must be swept by the sea more often than not." +</P> + +<P> +"There's something white on it," Yaspard exclaimed, "something white +and moving. Why, goodness me!" and he stood up in great excitement, +"it is awfully like a person." +</P> + +<P> +He moved his helm so as to bring the boat nearer Yelholme than his +course; and very soon they discovered that the "something white" was +really a human being. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a man; and he must be hurt, for he is lying on his side waving to +us. He would stand up if he could," Yaspard cried. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, poor creature! We must save him," said Signy. +</P> + +<P> +"It will not be very easy to reach the holme this afternoon," Yaspard +remarked thoughtfully. "There's a heavy under-tow there." +</P> + +<P> +"But we can't go away and leave him, brodhor. Just look at him. Now +he tries to raise himself. It is dreadful." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish the Manse boat had come along after all;" and Yaspard scanned +the sea, hoping some boat might be in sight; but there was nothing +moving on the water save the wild birds and his own skiff. After a +moment's silence he said, "We'll make a try, Signy; and if we don't +succeed, we'll tell him we are going to bring more efficient help." +</P> + +<P> +With skill and caution Yaspard brought his boat alongside of the +skerry. The castaway was lying on the turf, battered and helpless. He +could only raise his hands, and watch the boy's movements with intense +emotion; and it was evident he could not help in his own rescue very +much. +</P> + +<P> +"I shall have to land," said Yaspard, "and lug him into the boat +somehow." +</P> + +<P> +He had, of course, dropped the sail, and the boat being on the lee side +of the rock, was easily attached to it, but swung about considerably, +as there was rather more than usual under-tow around the holme, +occasioned by the state of the tide—a circumstance which our young +hero had not sufficiently considered. +</P> + +<P> +"I really don't believe we can get him aboard if he has broken his +bones, as seems the case," the lad remarked, as he jumped upon the +skerry and fastened the boat by the end of a rope to the rocks. +</P> + +<P> +"I am giving her a good length," he said, "so that she can ride free as +the water falls. Do you think you can keep her from scraping with the +boat-hook, Signy?" +</P> + +<P> +She had often performed a similar duty, though not with so much motion +of the sea, and she replied that she would try on the present occasion. +</P> + +<P> +Having settled these points, Yaspard turned to the unfortunate man +lying a few yards from the water's edge. "Are you much hurt?" was the +first question put to him. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm half killed," was the feebly uttered reply; and in truth he looked +three-fourths killed. One leg was broken, and both arms were much cut +and bruised. He had scarcely any clothing on, and was altogether a +most pitiable object. +</P> + +<P> +But Yaspard wasn't going to waste time in talk. "Can you get to the +boat with my help, do you think?" he asked, stooping to assist the man +to rise. But as he attempted to do so the pain overcame him, and he +sank back swooning. +</P> + +<P> +"Poor soul!" muttered Yaspard; "I can't think what to do with him," and +then he pulled off his jacket, laid it gently over the unfortunate +castaway, and tried to revive him by rubbing his chest. +</P> + +<P> +Signy watched her brother's movements with the most eager interest, and +was so engrossed that she scarcely attended to her duty of keeping the +boat from bumping against the rocks. Although her negligence was not +the cause of what happened to the boat, if she had been on the alert +she might have given the alarm in time. +</P> + +<P> +As the <I>Osprey</I> rose and fell with the waves, the rope became chafed on +sharp edges of rock, and parted. The boat swung adrift, and was +carried on a long sweep of the undertow some yards from the skerry; but +the length of rope Yaspard had allowed prevented Signy from wondering. +It was only when she felt the boat dip unchecked over a second long +wave that she glanced at the rope, and saw its end trailing in the +water. +</P> + +<P> +She uttered a startled cry, and Yaspard, looking around, saw with +horror what had taken place. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Signy! fling me a rope! No, sit still; be still, dear, or you'll +be over! Oh, my Signy!" +</P> + +<P> +She had half risen from her seat as he sprang to the water's edge and +called to her; but next moment she cowered down in terror, for the +light boat rocked as if it must capsize, then went whirling on the +tideway round the end of the skerry. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard did not utter a sound after those first few terror-freighted +words. He could only stand motionless and dumb, gazing after the boat, +while Signy, kneeling, stretched out her poor little hands and cried, +"Brodhor! brodhor!" +</P> + +<P> +A groan from the man, for whom Yaspard had inadvertently risked and +lost so much, roused the boy from his stupor of despair; and then he +broke into bitter cries, which ere long explained to his companion +their terrible plight; while farther and farther drifted the <I>Osprey</I>, +until even her taper mast could not be distinguished amid the waste of +heaving billows. +</P> + +<P> +And then, in the moment of supreme agony, Yaspard did what Signy had +been doing all the time. He flung himself on his knees and lifted up +his heart to God. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"NO GOOD IT BETOKENETH." +</H3> + +<P> +The positions of the two on Yelholme were reversed, and it became the +man's part to speak words of comfort. +</P> + +<P> +"There are plenty of boats about—must be in these parts, my lad," he +said, "and some one will see your skiff. Don't lose courage about the +little one. I'm as vexed as can be that this should have happened for +me. I'd rather have died straight away." +</P> + +<P> +The generous heart of Yaspard Adiesen was stirred from its bitterness +of grief by such words, and after a time he allowed himself to hope +that Signy might be rescued after all. Of his own position he thought +not at all, until considering that of his companion. Then he +remembered that there were some scraps of biscuit in his jacket +pocket—kept there for his pets—and pulling these out he said, "I +wonder if these will be of any use till some boat picks us up. I dare +say you need food?" +</P> + +<P> +The biscuit was very welcome; but the jacket had been of still more +service in restoring a degree of warmth to the chilled and sorely +injured body, and Yaspard would not listen to the man's remonstrance as +he tucked the coat closer around him. +</P> + +<P> +"I am not in the least cold, and don't need a jacket in such sunny +weather," said Yaspard; "but I hope some of the haaf-boats may come +this way soon, for you ought to be in the doctor's hands. Now I wonder +if I can do anything in the way of a bandage?" +</P> + +<P> +It was wonderful how the sight of those wounds had restored the lad's +equanimity, and drawn his distracted mind from thoughts of the forlorn +child tossing amid the waves. But that was the way God answered his +prayers at first; and it is a way God often uses for helping us to bear +some overwhelming calamity. The suffering of another is presented +before us, and our better nature, our least selfish part, is evoked in +a way that makes us dwell less upon our own trial. Yaspard's +handkerchief and necktie, torn into strips, helped wonderfully to bind +up some of the wounds, although the boy's hands were inexperienced at +such work, and he sickened over the job. +</P> + +<P> +When that was done there was nothing more to do but exercise patience, +and scan the seas in hope of sighting a vessel of some sort. While +they so waited, and tried to cheer each other's flagging courage, +Yaspard asked, "Did you fall from a ship; or how was it you came to be +tossed up here?" +</P> + +<P> +The answer was startling. "You have some cursed bad men in those +Shetland Isles," said the sailor, with all the energy he could command. +"Hanging is too good for wreckers; they should be roasted at the false +fires they light for poor seafaring men's destruction." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard stared his astonishment. "I never heard the like!" he +ejaculated. "Wreckers! Why, there isn't one left in Shetland. Not +one, I am sure. What <I>do</I> you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"I mean that the stout schooner I sailed in would be in a safe harbour +now instead of drifting as spindle-wood among those skerries if there +were no wreckers on your islands, my lad!" +</P> + +<P> +"There must be some mistake. Do tell me what happened," was all +Yaspard could say. And then he heard the story. +</P> + +<P> +The schooner <I>Norna</I> was caught in a tempest crossing the North Sea, +and sustained considerable damage—so much that it was deemed advisable +to seek harbour for repairs. She was making for Bressa Sound when a +slight fog came down which compelled the skipper to defer attempting to +thread a way among those rock-bound isles till the atmosphere was +clearer. While beating about, not quite sure of their exact locality, +a bright light was observed which was believed to be lit for their +guidance. There was no other reason why a great blaze should appear in +the middle of the night on a lonely height, which loomed fitfully +through the mist and gloom, and was evidently the crest of some hill. +No doubt a safe harbour lay in that neighbourhood, and the <I>Norna</I> was +confidently put on another course—one which it was believed led her +within the safe arms of a sheltering fiord. On the one hand could be +dimly discerned a low irregular coast, on the other rose the gaunt +shadowy outline of majestic crags. +</P> + +<P> +It was no friendly voe the hapless schooner had come into, but the +dangerous sound, studded with stacks and holmes, which flow between +Lunda and Boden. +</P> + +<P> +Guided by that treacherous beacon, the <I>Norna</I> sailed slowly on and +crashed on a sunken rock not far from the cliffs of Trullyabister. +</P> + +<P> +The man who told the story had gone aloft to take in sail, when it was +discovered that the vessel was among breakers; and when she struck he +was dashed from the rigging. He could give no account of what further +happened, beyond remembering that he was clinging at one time to a +spar, and saw his ship backing (as he described it) into deep ocean. +</P> + +<P> +"I think it must have happened not far from here," he said; and +Yaspard, looking towards Boden, over which the soft tints of twilight +were beginning to blend with mists from the surrounding seas, replied— +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; it must have been the Easting Ban upon which she struck—that's a +sunken rock quite near this holme. But I can't think what light it was +you saw. You see the land on Lunda is very low along the sound, and +there are only a very few people living on my island—that is Boden +there; the light couldn't have been there." +</P> + +<P> +The sailor raised himself on an elbow and looked at the cliffs of +Boden, and the sound with its many isolated and barbarous rocks; then +he said— +</P> + +<P> +"The fire blazed from beside that cone. I recognise its shape," and he +pointed to the Heogue towering steeply over Trullyabister and its range +of mighty cliffs. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"It couldn't be," he said positively; and then his thoughts once more +became filled by the image of his little sister all alone in the +<I>Osprey</I> drifting out to sea as the evening fell, and he could not take +further interest in the <I>Norna's</I> fate. He never even asked if it was +likely that any others had escaped the fate of their ship. Signy, in +her holiday attire, with her bright face blanched with fear, her hands +stretched to him, her small slight form bent in the attitude of +prayer;—Signy floating away, away, and alone! It was terrible. +</P> + +<P> +He rose up from his place beside the sailor, and going to the other +side of the holme, he again knelt down and "wrestled in prayer" for his +darling. Never once did he think of his own serious position, beyond +desiring fervently that help might come in time to enable him to go in +search of his sister with some hope of finding her. +</P> + +<P> +But the twilight came slowly and softly down, and some sea-fowl who +were wont to nest on Yelholme circled around it, clamouring to find +their night abode invaded, but no welcome boat appeared. +</P> + +<P> +The sailor gradually fell into an exhausted sleep, which looked so like +death that Yaspard's heart sank with a new fear, and he scarcely dared +bend over the still, prostrate figure lest he should find that fear +realised. By-and-by the mists drew nearer, wrapping the holme in their +filmy veil; then the sea-birds, emboldened by the motionless silence of +the castaways, dropped upon the crags, and folded their wings for the +night. Around the lonely islet thundered the ocean, whose waves rocked +never-endingly, until Yaspard, gazing fixedly on them, felt as though +the holme itself were some tremulous cradle swinging with the +rhythmical ebb and flow of those majestic billows. +</P> + +<P> +His brain seemed on fire, however, and would not be lulled to sleep by +the influence of night and the anthem of ocean. The poor lad suffered +such torment of soul as we can scarcely imagine; to the young, +compulsory inaction during mental pain is almost unendurable, and +sometimes Yaspard felt that to fling himself into the water, to +struggle there and drown, would be better than sitting on the holme +idle, helpless, picturing Signy's fate. +</P> + +<P> +He gave up at last gazing on the sea, which seemed to mock his hopes +and fears with its monotonous roll and roar, and fixed his eyes on the +dim outline of the Heogue, which his sister had named "Boden's purple +crown;" and he wondered if Signy could see the dear old hill from her +place amid the waves. He <I>would not</I> think that the <I>Osprey</I> had +capsized or broken on some crag, but continued to picture the child in +the boat as he had last seen her. +</P> + +<P> +While Yaspard sat there straining his eyes upon the hill-cap, he +fancied he saw a flicker of red light on its side. For a moment he +believed his sight had deceived him, and he rubbed his lashes and +looked again. There it was again, a more distinct flicker than at +first; then it grew brighter and steadier, and presently flashed up +into a merry blaze which sent its ruddy life far over the sea. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard stood up wondering and trembling, till in a moment the truth +flashed into his mind, and he sat down again dumfoundered, and saying +within himself, "<I>That</I> explains the whole affair! Yes. It's +fule-Tammy without question. A pretty fix he has made for himself!" +</P> + +<P> +Then Yaspard thought of waking the sailor to see the false light; but +on second thoughts he muttered, "What's the use? If I <I>have</I> to speak, +and am ever in another place than this, I'll do it. But there isn't +any use in telling upon that born fool just now. Well! I'm glad he is +a fool. I could not bear this fellow to accuse us of having wreckers +in Shetland—though there <I>have been</I> plenty. But so there were in +other places when folk were like savages." +</P> + +<P> +He watched fule-Tammy's fire burn up and blaze steadily, then wane and +die out; and when every spark was extinguished there came over the +eastern sky a faint blush heralding the dawn of day. +</P> + +<P> +The brief dream of night was over, and Yaspard, sighing wearily, +murmured, "If some boat could but find Signy it would not matter so +much about us—about me, I mean. I deserve my fate. I ought not to +have left her in the boat alone for any earthly consideration. And +yet—it seemed the right thing to do." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"OH, NEED SORE AND MIGHTY." +</H3> + +<P> +Shortly before Yaspard and Signy left Collaster on that unfortunate +expedition, the young Laird of Lunda was called from the Ha' to +interview some shipwrecked men who had been found by a haaf-boat on one +of the sound skerries. +</P> + +<P> +Arab soon carried Fred to the extreme point of his island, where the +men were hospitably lodged by some fisher folk. Great was his wrath +and astonishment on being told the story of their misadventure, which +seemed incredible from one point, and yet was the only explanation +admissible, considering that when the accident took place the weather +was not rough, and the vessel still under management, if the skipper +was telling truth. +</P> + +<P> +Fred put the men through a searching course of cross-questioning, but +could not discover any flaw in their statement regarding the large fire +lit on the hill; and he was obliged to admit that there must have been +a signal there as described. +</P> + +<P> +After seeing that the men had every comfort, he went off to consult the +minister and Doctor Holtum as to what must be done. The sailors were +wrathful (as was not wonderful) and vowing vengeance. The fisher folk +were puzzled, and affirmed that there must have been some supernatural +agency at work. Fred felt sure the matter would have to be sifted, and +that upon himself and Doctor Holtum (the only magistrate in Lunda since +Mr. Garson's death) would devolve the duty of instituting inquiries in +Boden. +</P> + +<P> +"It will be a very awkward job," Fred said, when retailing what had +taken place to Dr. Holtum. "It will certainly put an end to all chance +of peace with Mr. Adiesen, for he is sure to resent such a charge and +such a suspicion with the utmost bitterness." +</P> + +<P> +"There is no one living on Boden but what one might call his own +household, for the Harrisons are just like home servants; therefore—as +you say—he will resent this as a personal matter." +</P> + +<P> +"There is that strange man Neeven," said Fred thoughtfully. "I have +heard very curious tales of him. He does not seem to be quite sane, if +one may credit all that is reported of his ways. It is possible that +<I>he</I> may have lit that fire for some eccentric purpose quite different +from that which those men imagine." +</P> + +<P> +"You have not unlikely hit upon the truth, Fred," said the Doctor; "but +that makes our task no easier." +</P> + +<P> +"If that Viking-boy had not been here last night, I should have been +convinced it was some prank of his. Well for him that we can prove an +<I>alibi</I> for him! Dear-a-me, Doctor, what a business this will be! I +am sure being Laird of Lunda isn't all sugar and spice." +</P> + +<P> +"It has happened most unfortunately at this time, just when those young +people were bringing the old man round in such a nice way. Well, well, +Fred! we must believe there is some good purpose in even such a 'kettle +of fish' as this." +</P> + +<P> +After various consultations among the wise-heads, it was agreed that +Dr. Holtum and Fred, with the captain and mate of the <I>Norna</I>, should +go over to Boden next day and interview Mr. Adiesen. I need not +describe what they meant to say, or how they hoped to mollify the +irascible old man, for their intention was never carried out. In +crossing the sound they spied Yaspard gesticulating wildly from the +crest of Yelholme. +</P> + +<P> +"Some of your men on the holme, captain?" the Doctor said, as soon as +they caught sight of the figure. +</P> + +<P> +"I only lost one, and that <I>may</I> be him," was the answer; "but he fell +from the rigging, and must have been awfully mashed. Indeed, I never +dreamt he could be alive; and I can hardly believe he would be able to +dance about in <I>that</I> fashion." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard was moving restlessly about, afraid that if he stood still he +might not be noticed. As the boat approached nearer Fred remarked, +"That is a mere lad, but there is some one else lying on the skerry." +</P> + +<P> +Dr. Holtum had very keen vision, and very soon he said in agitated +tones, "Fred, lad, it is very like the boy Yaspard; and I don't see any +boat about." +</P> + +<P> +"It certainly <I>is</I> Yaspard, with no jacket on, and a man beside him. +Whatever can have happened?" +</P> + +<P> +The boat went straight for Yelholme, and as she reached it the Doctor +called out, "My dear boy, what has happened to you?" +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard could not speak, but his haggard, weary appearance, as well as +the helpless form beside him, told a tale of sufficient misery. +</P> + +<P> +"That's my bo's'n," said the captain, as soon as he saw the man's face. +Then the Doctor and Fred scrambled on shore, and while the former—with +the instinct of his profession—made for the wounded man first, Fred +turned to Yaspard (foreboding the truth) and asked, "Your little +sister?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have lost her. She has gone with the boat," came in bursting sobs +from the poor boy, who was by that time so completely exhausted and +unmanned that Fred could only take him in his arms and try to comfort +him as one might a little child. +</P> + +<P> +A brief explanation made the whole matter plain to our friends of +Lunda, but it took some time to show the <I>Norna's</I> captain how it +stood. He had been nursing much wrath against the inhabitants of +Boden, and would scarcely pay sufficient heed to what Fred said. But +his boatswain's account of the matter satisfied him, and he was as +willing as any one of the party to postpone the disagreeable visit to +Boden, and return to Collaster with as much expedition as possible. +</P> + +<P> +Under the Doctor's skilful directions the injured man was removed to +the boat, which was soon being rowed by six pairs of strong arms back +to Lunda; and while so proceeding, Fred contrived to revive Yaspard's +hopes regarding Signy. +</P> + +<P> +It was impossible, he said, that the boat could go far out to sea, for +the many cross-currents would prevent her. Nor was it likely that she +could upset, unless she came in contact with the rocks. It was even +possible that little Signy, so intelligent and brave, might think of +using the helm to guide herself. She was quite familiar with the +working of a boat, and after the first panic was over might find some +way of serving herself. +</P> + +<P> +Thus Fred talked, and Yaspard's naturally sanguine nature caught +inspiration from his words. He was even ready to smile, and say, "Yes, +the <I>Laulie's</I> crew will find her if any can," when Fred spoke of the +young Mitchells and their boat, no doubt available at that time. +</P> + +<P> +Unfortunately the <I>Laulie</I> was not available, for those restless boys +had determined on a fishing expedition to the Ootskerries preparatory +to their Viking-raid on Trullyabister, and had gone off early that +morning. However, there were many other, if less interested and less +efficient, crews in Lunda ready to do the young Laird's bidding; and +not long after his return a number of boats were leaving the island to +scour its neighbouring seas in search of the lost child. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard could scarcely be constrained from embarking in the first +available boat, and was only deterred by Fred's assurance that he had a +plan in his head which was only workable by themselves twain. +</P> + +<P> +"When you have fed and rested we will set about it; and while you are +obeying the Doctor by lying down on that sofa, I will go home and tell +my mother what has happened, and what I purpose doing." +</P> + +<P> +In the afternoon—just twenty-four hours after the <I>Osprey</I> had sailed +from the voe of Collaster with a happy brother and sister aboard of +her—Fred and Yaspard put off in a small boat, very like our Viking's +bark in size and build. They sailed straight for Yelholme. By that +time Fred explained what his plan was, and Yaspard became much excited +over it, hoping everything from its peril and ingenuity. +</P> + +<P> +When they reached the holme they hauled down their sail, and waited "on +their oars" till the tide was exactly in the same stage in which it was +when Signy was carried away by it. +</P> + +<P> +Then the oars went in; the two adventurers sat passive on the middle +thwarts, and let the boat go as the waters willed. Away she spun round +the holme, and out in the same direction that the <I>Osprey</I> had taken. +</P> + +<P> +"It's going to do, I really believe," Yaspard exclaimed, and Fred +nodded; but Fred's heart was heavy at thought of the beautiful little +creature who had flown like a dove into his heart so short a time +before. He could so easily recall the sweet-confiding way she rested +her head against him; he almost felt her soft hair blowing about his +face as it had done when Arab carried them both to Collaster, and he +was also carried into the undiscovered country of a young man's ideals! +</P> + +<P> +They did not speak much as they drifted with the currents. They saw +many of the boats that had been sent out, and spoke some; but no one +had any report to make. Nothing had been seen or heard of the <I>Osprey</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"It is scarcely time to hear anything yet," said Fred. "We must not be +discouraged until we have heard from the boats that have gone farther +away, and until our own plan fails to put us on her track." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe it will fail," answered Yaspard, with a show of +resolution far greater than his inward hope warranted. +</P> + +<P> +"We will hope, boy; and we will not forget that the Father's watchful +care has been about her in her loneliness and peril, poor little +lassie!" +</P> + +<P> +They lapsed into silence after that, and drearily watched the water as +it carried them along, until they began to near a group of skerries +which lay on the direct way to Havnholme. The steady current flowing +past the point of Yelholme had borne them in safety beyond all +dangerous rocks until nearing that ugly group, and when they noted the +direction in which they were then drifting their hearts sank. +</P> + +<P> +Fred sat white and stern, looking at the black rocks round which the +ocean seethed white, and Yaspard wondered what he meant to do. He did +not have much time to wonder. Fred took the seat in the stern, and +said in a low voice, "She shall go as far as we dare let her; stand by +to lift the sail when I bid you." +</P> + +<P> +On went the boat, rolling more perilously as she came among the more +disturbed waters; then it seemed that she lay checked between two huge +waves for a moment; and while she so seemed to pause, the young fellows +anxiously gazed at the group of skerries, fearing everything from their +dark and frowning appearance. +</P> + +<P> +Presently—could it be? Yes, the boat was not proceeding as she had +done. She was going in another direction; she had met a cross tide, +and was being carried by it past the skerries, past the towering cliffs +of Havnholme, and into the quiet smiling little bay which gave that +island its blessed name. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"SO HE SHUT ME IN SHIELD-WALL." +</H3> + +<P> +I have not been able to describe Yaspard's grief when he lost sight of +the <I>Osprey</I>, and I am less able to describe his joy upon seeing her +floating snug against the crags which were the favourite landing-place +on Havnholme. But neither he nor Fred could utter a Bound when they +caught sight of Signy lying under shelter of the skeö, which had been +of like service to many a person before; but never surely to so fair, +delicate, and forlorn a creature as she—when she quitted the boat on +the previous evening, and sank down on the spot to weep herself into +unconsciousness. The sun had gone down, and had risen, and was fast +sinking to rest behind the western waves again, but Signy had never +moved from the place. Once or twice she had waked up, and gazed wildly +around until she had once more realised her position, then with a low +cry, that was yet a prayer, she had buried her face in the grass again +and lapsed into that state of half slumber, half stupor, which was a +merciful relief from the more keen realisation of her position. +</P> + +<P> +In trembling haste her brother and Fred landed, and ran to where she +lay; but so lifeless did she seem that Yaspard paused beside her, and +dared not even stoop for a nearer look. +</P> + +<P> +It was Fred Garson who lifted her head, and tenderly put the hair back +from the white, innocent face; then said with tears, "Thank God, this +is only sleep!" +</P> + +<P> +Down Yaspard dropped on his knees by Signy, and when she opened her +eyes they lighted first on her brother's face—white as her own, but +full of gladness and love. +</P> + +<P> +For a few moments she did not realise what had happened to her. +"Brodhor! I had a strange dream," she murmured—"a terrible dream. +But—where am I? Oh! I remember! Oh, Yaspard! you have found me! +Oh, God heard all I said to Him!" +</P> + +<P> +She leaned back on Fred's arm again, and looked up at him with the same +confiding look she had raised when they were galloping over the Lunda +heath, and she said very sweetly, "In the boat I thought of you helping +Yaspard to find me." +</P> + +<P> +They had brought wine and other nourishment with them, hoping that +these might be found of use in that very way; and after Signy had +partaken of refreshment, she was able to smile a little and tell them +how she managed to land. +</P> + +<P> +"The boat just went where it liked," she said, "and I was <I>so</I> +dreadfully frightened for a little while. Then, as I prayed, it seemed +all at once that I wasn't afraid any more, so I sat still and watched +the sea, and wondered who would pick me up. After a long, long time +the boat stopped rocking, and then I knew she had got out of the tides +into the bay here. I had been here with Yaspard, and knew it; and I +thought if I could row, or steer, or something, I might get the +<I>Osprey</I> to the land. I was afraid to try with the oars, so I went and +steered, and I really managed to turn the boat so that she was carried +to the shore at the right place. I got out and tied the rope as I had +seen Yaspard do. It felt so nice to stand on the ground again! But I +was very tired; and I came up here, and looked all round at the sea, +and I never had felt it to be a dreadful, dreadful thing before—never +in my life! I had so loved the sea! But <I>then</I>—oh, it seemed so +large, and powerful, and cruel! Somehow I began to tremble all over +after that, and I am afraid I cried very much. I am not sure when it +was I fell asleep, but it seems ages ago." +</P> + +<P> +They would not let her talk any more about what had happened, but +turned the conversation to home, and Signy was soon able to chat on +that theme with a degree of composure. +</P> + +<P> +After being rested and cheered, Fred carried Signy to the Lunda boat, +saying to Yaspard as he did so, "We must all go together; and we can't +bother with a boat in tow, so we had better secure the <I>Osprey</I> here +till she can be fetched." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; and then if any of the search-party come to Havnholme, they will +know by that that Signy has been found." +</P> + +<P> +The hour was late, and Yaspard began to speculate upon what Aunt Osla +and Uncle Brüs would say on being roused from their slumbers to receive +the adventurers and hear the story which had so nearly ended in a +tragedy. +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid uncle will be very angry," said Yaspard; but Signy, who +lived closer to the eccentric old man's heart and understood it better, +affirmed that he would be so pleased to have her back in safety he +would not "break out" on anybody. "Besides," she added, "he will see +that we <I>couldn't</I> leave that poor man, and that it was all just a mere +accident." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard was not so confident, nor yet was Fred, but they did not +discuss the point further; only Fred remarked, "I'd carry you both +straight away to Lunda, and get Dr. Holtum to take you home and smooth +matters as <I>he</I> only can; but ill news travels fast, and it is quite +possible that the catastrophe has been reported at Moolapund; and +reported with twenty exaggerations tacked on to it. In that case the +sooner you are home the better;" and Signy added, "I'd like best to go +<I>home</I>." +</P> + +<P> +Home had seemed so dear and far away while she was alone, that now her +whole heart was turning to it with a passionate yearning; and her +companions thoroughly understood the full meaning of her little +sentence. +</P> + +<P> +The events of the last twenty-four hours had completely driven all else +from our Viking's mind, and he did not remember that he had trysted the +lads of Lunda to meet him that night at (what they had named) Gloy's +geo. But they, knowing nothing of what had taken place after they +parted from the Osprey, were not likely to break bargain in such an +affair—promising, as it did, some rare fun. +</P> + +<P> +The boats which Fred had sent out to scour the seas had not approached +the Ootskerries, knowing that the <I>Laulie</I> was there, and that her crew +were not likely to miss seeing the lost boat if it came that way. +Moreover, the fishermen calculated that the tide would carry her in a +more southerly direction, altogether ignorant of the influence, at a +precise and fortunate moment, of cross-currents. As we have seen, Fred +Garson judged differently and with a better result. +</P> + +<P> +But of all these things our lads were ignorant; therefore, shortly +after Fred's boat entered Boden voe the <I>Laulie</I> set out from the +Ootskerries for her rendezvous; and what next happened to her crew you +shall learn when we have safely housed the young Adiesens at Moolapund. +</P> + +<P> +There was the complete and brooding silence of Nature at rest over land +and sea when the boat sailed up the voe, and the three adventurers did +not speak a word till Signy caught sight of a light. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh," she cried, "look! uncle has not gone to bed; there is a lamp +burning in the parlour still." +</P> + +<P> +"That is very satisfactory," quoth Fred; "but they can't have heard any +rumour about you, else there would be more folks awake than the +scientist, and other lamps besides that of the study." +</P> + +<P> +"Uncle Brüs will be grubbing among his specimens," said Yaspard +concisely. +</P> + +<P> +When they reached land they heard Pirate begin to bark and whine, +evidently aware of their vicinity, and eager to get out and give them +welcome; and as they drew near the house the door opened and Mr. +Adiesen appeared, in a fantastic dressing-gown and Fair Isle cap, +saying to the dog, "What's the matter, Pirate?" +</P> + +<P> +The "matter" became plain to his vision next moment in the form of +Signy, who flew into his arms crying, "Oh, uncle, dear, dear uncle! I +am so thankful to be here again. I was lost, and nearly died; and poor +Yaspard was left on Yelholme." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless the child!" he gasped; "what on earth is she saying? Yaspard! +do you know it is midnight? What is— Why, Mr. Garson! what—what!" +</P> + +<P> +For once in his life Mr. Adiesen was thrown off his balance. Signy, +springing up to bind her arms round his neck, caused him to stagger +backwards into the hands of Fred and Yaspard, while their appearance +and the girl's words upset his mind as much as his body. The joyful +bounds and barks of Pirate added to the old gentleman's confusion, and +when set on his feet again he could only turn and walk back to his +parlour in blank amazement. +</P> + +<P> +The others followed, of course, and stood waiting for him to speak, +which he did shortly after resuming the arm-chair, which he had vacated +at Pirate's request. "Explain yourself, sir!" he said severely, +addressing Fred. So there was nothing for it but for Fred to begin and +tell the story as best he might; but he had not proceeded far when +Signy crept to her uncle's knee. <I>Then</I> he noticed her face was white +and drawn, and her eyes still full of a great fear. +</P> + +<P> +"Stop a moment, sir," said Mr. Adiesen; "my child is ill. Signy, who +has frightened you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No one, uncle; only I was alone in the boat and on Havnholme, and I +was so afraid," and then she began to cry bitterly. He drew her close +and looked frowning at Yaspard; "You had charge of your sister!" he +said very sternly. +</P> + +<P> +"The lad is not to blame, Mr. Adiesen," Fred exclaimed. "He was doing +a good action, and he has suffered much also. Don't be hard on +Yaspard." +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Garson saved me, uncle dear," sobbed Signy. "He found me on +Havnholme; he is so good." +</P> + +<P> +"Havnholme!" the old man muttered, and something like an electric shock +went through him at that word. +</P> + +<P> +The change in his expression was not lost on Fred. In a very few words +he explained all; and when the narrative was ended he added, "We know +that God had the dear child in His keeping all the time; and I am fain +to believe that He who holds the seas in the hollow of His hand guided +the boat to Havnholme—<I>to Havnholme</I>—for some wise purpose, Mr. +Adiesen." +</P> + +<P> +The old man's face dropped to the curly head lying on his breast, but +he only said, "The child must get to rest, and Mam Kirsty. Ring that +bell, Yaspard, and then go and tell your aunt. Sit down, Mr. Garson, +sit down, till I've had time to think." +</P> + +<P> +Fred did as he was bid, and so of course did Yaspard; and a pretty +scene he created in Miss Osla's room when he burst in there and told +her all! +</P> + +<P> +The ringing of the bell had roused the maids and Mam Kirsty, who +presented herself in the parlour with head discreetly and carefully +covered in a huge cap and hap-shawl, but her feet and legs only +protected by a short petticoat and pair of wooden clogs. +</P> + +<P> +Her appearance and incoherent ejaculations were quite too much for the +gentlemen, although their mood had been grave enough the moment before. +They both laughed; and even Signy's tears were checked as she cried +out, "Oh, dear Mam Kirsty, you do look so awfully funny." +</P> + +<P> +"Take the child to her aunt's room," said Mr. Adiesen, "and see that +she sleeps there to-night. She must not be alone. And some of you +girls there prepare a room for Mr. Garson, and bring in some supper. +Be sharp now." +</P> + +<P> +He kissed Signy fondly, and had no objections to offer to Fred's doing +likewise, but when she disappeared with her nurse he muttered, "I ought +not to have trusted her out of this isle." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"FROM THE HANDS OF MY KINSFOLK." +</H3> + +<P> +"What on earth has become of that duffer?" said Tom Holtum, when the +<I>Laulie</I> arrived at the geo and no Yaspard appeared either on land or +sea. +</P> + +<P> +"We are a little before our time," Harry remarked; "but I don't see his +boat anywhere along the voe—that is, as far as one can see in the Dim +and along such a twisting twirligig of a voe as this." +</P> + +<P> +"I vote we land and have a nap," said Bill; but no one seconded him, as +they expected the Viking and his followers to appear at any moment. +</P> + +<P> +These did not put in an appearance, however; and after waiting a long +hour Tom said, "Look here, boys, something unforeseen has stopped +him—and it's something serious too. I expect the old man has smelt a +rat, or Yaspard has had qualms of conscience." +</P> + +<P> +"He'd have come and told us if <I>that</I> were it," said Harry promptly. +</P> + +<P> +"Anyway," Tom replied, "he hasn't come; and it does not look as if he +were coming, and we can't sit here all night doing nothing. So I vote +we proceed without Sir Viking." +</P> + +<P> +"He would not like it; and it is his quest, you know," Harry laughingly +made answer. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>His</I> quest, but remember it is also <I>my</I> what-you-call-am—little +game. Mind you I discovered the seal for myself, and I meant the job +of taking her to be our job. Father said it might have been better if +Yaspard had less to do with it. On the whole, boys, I don't think we +can do better than start and reconnoitre, and take whatever chance +comes our way." +</P> + +<P> +The others agreed, and, thinking it best not to venture up the voe, +they decided to moor their boat at some safe place on the other side of +Boden and nearer Trullyabister. "So said so done" was the way of those +lads, and about the time when Yaspard and Fred were falling asleep, +thoroughly tired out, the Mitchells, Tom, and Gloy were stealthily +creeping up the hill to the old Ha'-hoose. +</P> + +<P> +"We must be careful and spry," quoth Tom, "for the ogre 'walks' like a +ghost o' nights, as I know to my cost." Yaspard had described the +ruins to them, and they knew all about the passage leading to the +haunted room. <I>His</I> plan for liberating the captives had been their +plan, since no better could be; but they were not provided with the +tools he meant to bring, and could not therefore carry out the +programme as at first arranged. +</P> + +<P> +But those boys were not often at their wits' end, and whatever +substitutes for sacks, saws, and shovels suggested themselves as +available were carried with them from the boat. These substitutes +consisted of a piece of sail-cloth and some bits of hard wood, an +owzkerry[1] and the boat-hook. They also brought away some stout rope, +and a knife which had helped to end the career of many an aspiring +fish. They were not without hope of finding a spade lying "handy" +somewhere in the vicinity of the house; so that, on the whole, the +young marauders were not so badly off for the sinews of war. +</P> + +<P> +They met with no adventure by the way, nor saw they the least sign to +indicate that either of the night-roving inhabitants of Trullyabister +were awake. Near the peat-stack they found a spade and a large stout +keschie, which they appropriated, as Harry suggested it would make a +handy cradle for the baby seal. They stole into the ruined and +roofless apartment as Yaspard and the Harrisons had done, and listened +for sounds from the prisoners; but all was quiet. There was plenty of +daylight by that time, so that they did not have to grope their way +about. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course the first thing," whispered Harry, "is to make sure they are +<I>there</I>, so I'll mount as the Viking did." +</P> + +<P> +He clambered up to the window and took a good look in. It was a pity +he did not take as good a look <I>out</I>, and then he might have +noticed—at a window close by, the window of Mr. Neeven's study—the +eyes of that ogre himself watching the boys with grave intentness. But +Harry, all unaware of such espionage, came down from the window, and +reported Mrs. Sealkie asleep beside her baby in a corner made +comfortable with straw and bits of carpet. To work then went the lads, +one with a spade, another with a knife; and when these two were tired, +the others took their place, so that the job was rapidly accomplished. +</P> + +<P> +Their plan was to remove the lowest board which blocked the way to the +passage, and to dig from under it a sufficient amount of earth to +enable a boy to enter—or a seal to come out. +</P> + +<P> +They meant, <I>after</I> capturing the captive, to hack the board and scrape +the earth, so that any one would suppose that the seal had gnawed and +clawed her own way to freedom; and they thought it a very clever plan +indeed, saying that Yaspard, with whom it originated, was the great +inventor and general of the age. +</P> + +<P> +The seal did not sleep while this was going on so near her; but she had +partaken of a late and large supper, and did not "fash" beyond now and +then whining in a melancholy voice, which stimulated the young heroes +to further efforts, and helped to cover the noise they made. +</P> + +<P> +Before long they were satisfied that the opening was wide enough to +allow them to enter crawling. "The first one that goes in will have to +watch his head," said Bill, "for I've heard that seals are very fierce +when they have young ones around." +</P> + +<P> +"<I>This</I> seal is Trullya, and she will know us. Anyway, she never was a +crosspatch, and I'll go first," replied Harry the wise and brave. "And +I don't see," he added, "that any one else need go in there. I'll try +and persuade her ladyship to inspect this aperture, and take a +'constitutional' down the passage." +</P> + +<P> +But Tom wasn't going to let another eclipse him in valour, particularly +as this quest was his, so, before Harry had done speaking, Tom ducked +and soon wriggled himself through the opening. Harry followed, after +cautioning Bill and Gloy to go out of the passage and keep watch, to +give the alarm in case Mr. Neeven or fule-Tammy should come upon the +scene. +</P> + +<P> +The sealkie was neither alarmed nor disturbed by her visitors. She had +evidently returned to her tame confiding ways, and allowed the boys to +come close to her. When Harry spoke to her by name, using also some +soft notes which Fred had taught Trullya to understand as a call to +meals, she responded in her plaintive voice, which left no doubt of her +identity; but when Tom attempted to touch the baby she uttered a sharp +bark and glared at him in a manner that showed she was by no means +prepared to allow their overtures to go a step further. +</P> + +<P> +"What shall we do if she won't come out?" asked Tom; "we couldn't +muffle her <I>here</I>, could we?" +</P> + +<P> +"You go along, and leave madame to me," replied Harry; and Tom made his +exit. +</P> + +<P> +Harry had "a way" with animals, and he soon managed to persuade Trullya +to leave her couch. Then the baby, restless and curious as small +persons are, crept to the opening and peeped out. The mother followed, +and finding the barriers against which she had daily fretted removed, +waddled slowly into the passage, followed by her young one. +</P> + +<P> +Harry hastily tumbled the earth and broken bits of wood about the +opening, and followed the sealkie into the large room, where he found +her looking amazedly at the three boys stationed at spots where they +thought she might escape. +</P> + +<P> +Tom had taken up the piece of sail-cloth, and he was preparing to throw +it over the seal when all were startled by the sound of a loud cough +not far away. +</P> + +<P> +"Gracious!" one exclaimed in a horrified whisper. +</P> + +<P> +"He's coming!" said another. +</P> + +<P> +The cough was repeated, and the person who coughed was nearer. +Moreover, footsteps were heard! These sounds proceeded from the north +side of the house, and the four boys promptly and silently evacuated +the ruin over the south wall. +</P> + +<P> +"Run for the peat-stack," Harry whispered; and when they were crouching +behind it he said briefly, "It's all up. That was Mr. Neeven. We must +creep round to the knowes, and then make tracks for our boat." +</P> + +<P> +Setting the example, he started for the knowes, crawling over the +ground like a Red Indian on the war-trail, and followed by his +companions. If they reached the knowes unobserved they might hope to +get off in safety, for those little hillocks intercepted the view from +Trullyabister, preventing any one there from seeing across the hill +which the Lunda boys had to cross. +</P> + +<P> +But when they reached the knowes Mr. Neeven suddenly appeared from +behind them, saying sternly, "What is this? What! Tom Holtum, who +calls himself a gentleman!" +</P> + +<P> +They were beautifully caught, and rose from their reptile position +shamefaced and discomfited. Tom, whose audacity frequently stood them +in better stead than Harry's self-possession, was the first to face the +very awkward situation. +</P> + +<P> +"We didn't mean any harm, sir," he said. "We only came to take Fred +Garson's pet sealkie." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed! and where may Fred Garson's pet sealkie be?" +</P> + +<P> +"She was in the haunted room—goodness knows where she may be by this +time," was the very cool answer of Master Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you aware, young gentleman, that breaking into a house is a +burglarious offence, for which you are liable to imprisonment with hard +labour during a term of years?" +</P> + +<P> +That was a terrible speech; but a sudden break in the speaker's voice, +and a mirthful look which he could not repress, were noted by Harry, +who took them as hopeful signs; so, plucking up courage, he replied— +</P> + +<P> +"You know what is fair and right as well as we do, sir; and I put it to +you—were we doing a bad thing in trying to recover our friend's +property in a quiet way? He might have sued Mr. Adiesen in the law +courts, and made no end of a row." +</P> + +<P> +"Always supposing, my lad," Mr. Neeven interrupted, "that the seal +could be proved to be his." +</P> + +<P> +"I can prove it easily," Harry answered confidently. "She answered to +the old call Fred used; and besides that, Isabel made a sketch of her. +Every mark on her skin is in the picture." +</P> + +<P> +"And more," said Tom; "the sealkie was caught on Fred's property, where +no person had business to be without <I>his</I> leave." +</P> + +<P> +"That, too, is a point open to question. But what <I>I</I> have to do with +is this disgraceful burglary. I believe it is admitted that you had +less business in Trullyabister than Mr. Adiesen had in Havnholme." +</P> + +<P> +There was no denying that truth, and the boys hung their heads. +</P> + +<P> +"Follow me," said the ogre. "First you shall show <I>me</I> if the animal +recognises your call, and after that I'll tell you what I mean to do +with you." +</P> + +<P> +The whole party returned to the ruins; but when they got there they +were just in time to see Trullya and her baby flopping over some crags +near the back of the house, which was situated only a little way from +the sea on <I>both</I> sides. +</P> + +<P> +The boys were about to start in pursuit, but Mr. Neeven stopped them. +</P> + +<P> +"Let her go to her own," he said almost gently. And in a few minutes +the seal reached the ocean and was free once more. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] "Owzkerry," scoop for baling water. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"NOUGHT HAD'ST THOU TO PRAISE." +</H3> + +<P> +When Trullya disappeared, the ogre turned upon the boys with a +savageness that was very much put on; for their rueful looks, +disappointment, headlong action, and love of fun, had appealed to him +in a way he was not prepared to combat very seriously. But he was not +going to let them know that. He laid a hand heavily on Tom's shoulder, +and asked, "How came you to know about the seal?" +</P> + +<P> +"I saw her at the window, and I guessed a lot." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Neeven saw in the four candid faces before him that there was more +to tell. +</P> + +<P> +"How did you find your way into my house, and to that particular +portion of it? Very few persons know about those passages and places." +</P> + +<P> +They were silent. They would not tell on Yaspard, and seeing that his +question remained likely to be unanswered, he asked another. +</P> + +<P> +"Haven't you entered into a Viking campaign, with my young relative +Yaspard Adiesen for your 'enemy,' of all games in the world?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Tom; "but his uncle was told about it, and our fathers +know." +</P> + +<P> +"Then your fathers are as——" He stopped short, for Harry Mitchell's +eyes were flashing on him in a very spirited manner, and Harry's voice, +raised and determined, interrupted him. +</P> + +<P> +"Excuse me, sir, but I think we must not listen if you go on <I>that</I> +tack. Blow us sky high about our <I>own</I> doings. We own up that we +might have made our raid in a more open way, and given you warning that +we meant to attack your castle. <I>That</I> would have been more like +honest Vikings; but, all the same, we aren't going to admit that we've +done anything really wicked, or that our fathers would have permitted +us to carry on so if it had been wrong. And we are ready to take any +punishment you think right to inflict." +</P> + +<P> +"It was only our madram," [1] added Tom, using an old Shetland word, +which Gaun Neeven had heard applied to himself in days gone by more +often than any other term. +</P> + +<P> +"Only <I>boys' madram</I>," his gentle mother had so often said to excuse +his foolishness and screen him from the results of many an escapade. +His boyhood was being swiftly recalled by the antics of those boys, and +by Tom Holtum's ways and words. He saw his boyish self more in Tom +than in the others, and the contact with those young spirits was doing +the recluse good. +</P> + +<P> +The hand on Tom's shoulder pressed more heavily, but it was not an +ungentle touch, and Tom wondered what was coming next. +</P> + +<P> +"Madram!" muttered Neeven, as if he were thinking aloud, and had +forgotten their presence. "Madram, boys' madram! There may be worse +things in the world than that." +</P> + +<P> +The cloud lifted a little from their spirits then; and a welcome +diversion took place at that moment in the form of Yaspard, who +presented himself on the scene, flustered, and eager to take the blame +of whatever had happened on his own shoulders. +</P> + +<P> +After a dreamless slumber of an hour or two, he had waked up to +remember his tryst, and getting up at once, had hastened to a spot +where he could see if the <I>Laulie</I> were anywhere near the geo. Pirate +accompanied him, and did not at all care for going in the direction of +the geo, but kept scampering towards another point, frequently looking +back, as if he wished his young master to follow. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Laulie</I> was not in sight, and Yaspard feared the boys had returned +home on finding he did not keep his promise, or had heard of the +<I>Osprey's</I> misfortunes, and had not come at all. +</P> + +<P> +While he speculated Pirate grew impatient, and begged in every +expressive canine manner that he knew better than Yaspard, who at last +yielded to the dog's persuasions and followed, to find the <I>Laulie</I> +moored not far from where he was. +</P> + +<P> +"Just so!" he exclaimed. "I see! When they found I did not come, they +started on the adventure without me." +</P> + +<P> +After that he set off for Trullyabister, and appeared before Mr. Neeven +and his "enemies," as I have stated. +</P> + +<P> +"You are early afoot!" was the salutation spoken sarcastically by the +master of the situation. But our hero, nothing daunted, answered— +</P> + +<P> +"Good morning, sir! Well, boys, I suppose you tried it without me, and +failed, of course." +</P> + +<P> +"I was convinced none other than yourself was head and tail of the +affair," remarked Mr. Neeven, in the same cool, sarcastic manner. "I +think you must be finding by this time that Vikinging, otherwise +burglary, doesn't fit in with modern civilisation." +</P> + +<P> +"And there are other things don't fit in either," retorted Yaspard +quickly; then recovering himself at once, he added hastily, "but I +don't mean to fuss. If you please, by-and-by I'll have a quiet talk +with you, sir, about a very important matter. Now, boys, you want to +know why I didn't keep my tryst with you. It is a long story, and a +very dreadful and a very strange one." +</P> + +<P> +He then recounted all that had occurred since the <I>Laulie</I> and <I>Osprey</I> +parted company, and Mr. Neeven, as well as the lads of Lunda, was +deeply moved by the story. Yaspard alluded as little as possible to +the light which had caused the wreck, and he did not mention at all +that he had seen one similar himself. +</P> + +<P> +Many were the exclamations of astonishment and sympathy with which his +story was heard, but when it was finished our young adventurers found +their usual mode of expressing much feeling. +</P> + +<P> +"Three cheers for the little lady, and three times three for Fred +Garson!" Tom called out. +</P> + +<P> +Up went their caps in the air, and out rang their wild hurrahs, louder +and heartier at each renewal, to the consternation of fule-Tammy, who +was waked from slumber by the uproar, and came out rubbing his eyes, +with all his hair on end, and wailing, "The trows! the trows! they've +come tae pu' doon a' the house at last." +</P> + +<P> +He was a comical sight, and laughter took the place of cheering. The +boys caught each other's hands and formed a circle round Tammy, +dancing, laughing, shouting, like the wildest of wild savages, until he +recognised some of them, and added to their mirth by squatting in the +midst of them, and saying, "Weel, noo! and I thought it wis the trows! +My lambs, ye can carry on like yon till ye're weary. It's no puir +Tammy 'at sall stop your madram. But, for a' that, ye're a set o' +filskit moniments." [2] +</P> + +<P> +"Get up, Tammy. Boys, come into the house with me," said Mr. Neeven, +when the tumult subsided and he could make himself heard. +</P> + +<P> +They followed him to his study, and they were not ungrateful for some +scones and milk which he caused Tammy to set before them; but his grim +expression did not relax, and they did not find their confidence rise +very much. +</P> + +<P> +After a little time Yaspard said, "Will you please let me have some +private talk with you? I really <I>must</I>, before uncle begins to +question me to-day, or any one comes from Lunda, as I expect they will." +</P> + +<P> +He was taken to another room, but we will not intrude upon that +interview. Mr. Neeven's face wore a heavy frown when they returned, +but he only said, "You will all go now with Yaspard; he can stow you +somewhere, I expect, till the family gets out of bed. You and your +boat may find employment in conveying the Laird of Lunda to his own +island. I have nothing further to say to you, except to warn you not +to make raids upon me again." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir," said the Mitchell brothers; and Tom added, "It is +more than good of you to let us off so easy; all the same, I wish we +had Fred's sealkie for him. But thank you, Mr. Neeven; and I'm sure if +I can ever do anything for yon, I'll be as pleased as Punch." +</P> + +<P> +Then they were dismissed curtly, but not unkindly; and Gaun Neeven felt +his room to be all the darker and lonelier when the mischief-loving +laddies were gone. +</P> + +<P> +When they got a bit away from the house Harry called a halt. "Look +you," said he, "this is no kind of hour in which to invade a decent +house. Let's go to our boat, and bring her round to Moolapund." +</P> + +<P> +"And say we've come for Fred, as flat as you like," added Tom; "it will +be quite like our impudence." +</P> + +<P> +"And will be true enough," said Yaspard. "Only there is more in it +than that." +</P> + +<P> +"We shan't mind telling your uncle all about it," Tom replied, "if you +don't think it will make a row." +</P> + +<P> +"There won't be any need to tell him at present, and he is bound to +hear it from Mr. Neeven. These two have long confabs every day, and I +just believe—for I've sometimes heard bits of their talk—that they +don't talk science so much as all about the pranks they played when +they were boys. You wouldn't think it, to look at him, but Aunt Osla +says Mr. Neeven was an awful boy." +</P> + +<P> +It was hard to imagine the serious scientist and the melancholy recluse +two restless mischievous boys. The irreverent young rascals amused +themselves till they reached the <I>Laulie</I> with fancy sketches of the +two gentlemen (when they were known merely as Brüs and Gaun) getting +into all sorts of ridiculous pickles, until Harry checked the +nonsensical chatter by remarking, "Every man is a boy first, and has to +be a bit of a donkey, with the tricks of a monkey, till he grows up and +gets sense. I hope we will all grow up with half the brains in our +noddles that these two have got." +</P> + +<P> +Bill Mitchell had scarcely spoken a word since the time they were +discovered, but now he said very solemnly, "He's full of brains, that +man! but I'd rather be more empty-headed, and less like a katyogle[3] +that's been sitting on a stone all day with a dozen of undigested +sandyloos[4] and sna-fowl[5] in his crop." +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] "Madram," extravagant action, the result of wild, animal spirits. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[2] Frisky simpletons. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[3] "Katyogle," snowy owl. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[4] "Sandyloos," ringed plover. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[5] "Sna-fowl," snow buntings. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"GIVE YE GOOD COUNSEL." +</H3> + +<P> +When they reached Moolapund they found all the household up and +assembled for breakfast. Even Signy—though she looked pale and +nervous—was there. The <I>Laulie's</I> approach had been noticed, but Mr. +Adiesen merely remarked, "Your young friends come to fetch you, Mr. +Garson, I suppose?" +</P> + +<P> +He exchanged a knowing look with Fred. They had been conversing in +private that morning for two hours, and both came into the +breakfast-room with beaming faces. Even Aunt Osla could see without +spectacles that a great change had come over her brother, and the good +lady's heart was lightened, for she was sure the feud had come to an +end at last. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard came to much the same conclusion when he ushered his companions +into the house, and saw Uncle Brüs leaning familiarly on Fred's arm, +and quite ready to greet the Lunda boys with cordiality. +</P> + +<P> +This was what our Viking-boy had longed for, and had hoped to bring +about; yet there was a comical regret mingled with his pleasure as he +thought, "There will be no more excuse for my Viking raids." +</P> + +<P> +As they all gathered around the table Mr. Adiesen said, "I suppose you +came for your captain, young gentlemen?" +</P> + +<P> +A moment's pause. "Yes," said Harry; "we were sure he would want to +get home soon to report Signy and Yaspard all right, but——" +</P> + +<P> +"There's a 'but,' is there? Well?" said the Laird with a smile, which +was reflected on Fred's face. +</P> + +<P> +"We did not <I>leave home</I> with such an intention," Harry went on +resolutely. "We came to join Yaspard in a quest which ended in a +muddle." +</P> + +<P> +"Because I wasn't there," said the Viking. And then they told all +about their night's work; and Tom prefaced the telling by a very +sensible remark. "It's got to be known, and we'd much rather have it +all out, and take the consequences as you like. It might look like +being sneaky, or fibicating, if we held our tongues." +</P> + +<P> +When all was confessed Mr. Adiesen turned to his nephew. "Yaspard," he +said, "you are usually truthful and candid; why have you allowed me to +hear all this from some one else?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was afraid that you would stop me from having any more raids, and +that the feud would have it all its own way after this." He looked +straight at his uncle, ready for a storm if it came, but it didn't. +</P> + +<P> +"There will be no more feud, my boy," was the mild answer Mr. Adiesen +made. "I have agreed to bury the feud in gratitude for this child's +deliverance from great peril," and he laid his hand tenderly on Signy's +bright hair. +</P> + +<P> +"Dear, dear uncle!" she exclaimed; and Miss Osla, behind the teapot, +began to sniff preparatory to a sentimental effusion, which was +fortunately checked by Yaspard exclaiming, "Then that makes an end of +our jolly Vikinging, boys." +</P> + +<P> +They all laughed, all save Signy, who so thoroughly entered into her +brother's feelings, and she said, "That does seem a pity, brodhor; just +when you had got it all so splendidly arranged." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps," Fred remarked, "some other method may suggest itself. I +don't see why you can't—now that a treaty of alliance is made—join +forces and go on the war-path together." +</P> + +<P> +"But there's no enemy!" said Yaspard; "one can't fight without a foe." +</P> + +<P> +"I dare say they will turn up if they are looked for. If you hoist the +black flag you will certainly find some one in the world ready to try +and haul it down, I am glad to say." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Fred," Tom cried; "since you counsel such action, we'll +range ourselves under Yaspard's banner, and it shall be 'Boden and +Lunda against the world.'" +</P> + +<P> +"Stop! stop! you misunderstand me, Tom. I said that I was glad that +there were plenty of foes of the black flag, and that you would find it +so; but in saying that I did not desire you to sail under it. And, +Yaspard, I think you are a little adrift about your Vikinging. It was +only a section of the gallant Vikinger who made piracy their +profession, or need its hateful sign. Why identify yourself with that +lot? There are plenty of black flags flying all over the world, and +not so many of the Red Cross, my lad. Our boys still call me their +captain, so if you will all take your captain's advice, I'd say—let +the black flag be the pall of the feud. Sail with a noble minority +under the Christian badge, as many a Viking did, and <I>then</I> it should +be right well, 'Boden and Lunda against the world.'" +</P> + +<P> +"Good for you, Fred," said Harry; but Tom declared he couldn't see +through allegories; and that fighting the "world" in that fashion +didn't solve Yaspard's difficulty about his jolly game; and he turned +to Yaspard for assistance in the argument. +</P> + +<P> +But our hero was "all with" Fred, and could see no fault in him. +</P> + +<P> +"Obedience and no argument is the first rule of all who elect to follow +a chief," Yaspard said decidedly. "You must see as your captain bids +you, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," Harry Mitchell struck in; "we all agree with Fred. +Good-bye to the black flag; and may Balder guide you to fresh fields of +adventure, Sir Viking, for we look to you to provide us with something +'worthy of our steel.'" +</P> + +<P> +"Quotations from Scott and Garth Halsen are always dodging among +Harry's yackles,[1] ready to dance on the tip of his tongue when the +smallest opportunity occurs," remarked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Practical Tom Holtum aspires to poetic language," retorted Harry, with +some heat. +</P> + +<P> +"There they go!" exclaimed Bill, giving a small kick to each, as he +happened to be seated between them. "Always sparring at each other +like young cocks." +</P> + +<P> +"Sailing under the black flag, eh?" said Mr. Adiesen to Tom and Harry, +who looked a little ashamed, but joined in the laugh at Bill's next +speech. +</P> + +<P> +"Talk of feuds," quoth he. "These two have had a feud of their own +going since they were born." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, there is the <I>Osprey</I> coming up the voe," Signy called out. She +had left the table a minute before, and had gone to the window to throw +out some scraps to the pet birds waiting, well assured that they would +not be forgotten. +</P> + +<P> +Very few boats came up Boden voe, especially at such an unusual hour, +therefore more than one of the breakfast party followed Signy to the +window to see who was coming. +</P> + +<P> +"It's father for one," said Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"And that schooner's captain for another," said Fred. +</P> + +<P> +"Now for it," thought Yaspard. "I wonder what I ought to do? I can't +peach on poor fule-Tammy." +</P> + +<P> +He was not put to the test, for as the boat reached the quay Gaun +Neeven stalked up to the door followed by the culprit Tammy, looking +quite satisfied with himself, and not at all disconcerted by the many +eyes turned upon him—some in wonder why he was there, some in pity for +his half-witted condition which had caused so much trouble. +</P> + +<P> +"Shall we boys clear out of the way?" Harry asked of Mr. Adiesen, who +assured him there was no necessity for their effacing themselves, as he +believed a very few words with the <I>Norna's</I> skipper would explain +everything. +</P> + +<P> +"I wish I had not come on a disagreeable errand," said Dr. Holtum, as +he shook hands all round. "Yes, Tom, I expected to find you boys here. +You generally do contrive to get on Fred's track. We were so thankful, +Adiesen, to learn that the child was safe. One of our boats found the +<I>Osprey</I> at Havnholme, and brought the news and the boat to Lunda." +</P> + +<P> +Then Mr. Neeven spoke abruptly—"Before anything further is said I wish +to state that I have discovered what caused the deplorable accident to +the schooner <I>Norna</I>, and I will make good the loss—though not bound +to do so—to her skipper, who I understand was also her owner." +</P> + +<P> +"That's handsomely said," remarked the captain; "and when I hear the +explanation I will be better able to judge whether it is justice or +generosity." +</P> + +<P> +Taking no notice of that surly speech, Neeven turned to fule-Tammy. +"Tell this gentleman, Tammy, about the peat fires you light on the +Heogue." +</P> + +<P> +"Weel, sir," said Tammy, leering, and shaking himself, "it wis this +way. The Laird wis aye spakin' and spakin' o' getting yon things 'at +they ca' lichthooses upo' wir isles, and he wad say hoo puir seafaring +men wis drooned, and ships broken into shallmillins upo' the baus and +skerries a' for want o' a licht upo' the laund. And, thinks I, there's +plenty o' pates in Boden, and a gude pair o' haunds here tae mak a +roogue[2] 'at should lowe a muckle lowe ony nicht. And why shouldna +puir Tammy's pate-stack do as well tae mak a lowe as a lamp in a +lichthoose? The Laird, puir body, is that taen up with bukes and bits +o' stanes and skroita[3] that his head wasna big eneuch tae think like +puir Tammy, 'at had nae mair tae do but gang drodgin[4] wi' a pate +keschie and the like. So, thinks I, Tammy sall big a lichthoose o' +pates upo' da Heogue, and Tammy sall be the licht-keeper, and des[5] be +a bonnie lowe when the winds blaw. Mony a keschie-fu' has puir Tammy +carried tae dat spot, and mony a puir seafaring man will hae said, +'Blessin's be upo' da cruppin[6] 'at set yon taunds intae a lowe!'" +</P> + +<P> +So perfectly satisfied with himself and his performance was Tammy, that +not even the <I>Norna's</I> skipper would allow himself to laugh or say a +harsh word. The poor man's mental condition was so obvious, that no +one could doubt for a moment that the truth regarding the mysterious +fire had been told. "That will do, Tammy; you can go home now," said +Mr. Neeven, and Tammy departed forthwith. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] Double teeth. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[2] Heap. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[3] Lichen. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[4] Go dawdling. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[5] There shall. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[6] Body. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"AND BOUND FAST THEIR SWORDS IN WEBS GOODLY WOVEN." +</H3> + +<P> +"I think," said Fred as Tammy shuffled away, "that some of us must +follow the 'light-keeper's' example and take ourselves off, especially +as we came without invitation." +</P> + +<P> +But no one would permit him to say another word about leaving. Mr. +Neeven curtly requested the <I>Norna's</I> captain to accompany him to +Trullyabister "on business." Dr. Holtum, Harry Mitchell, and Fred +followed Mr. Adiesen to his study, for the purpose of inspecting some +of its treasures. Aunt Osla insisted upon Signy's retirement to a +sofa—for the child still looked wan and nervous. Yaspard carried off +Tom and Bill to Noostigard, where Gloy had gone immediately after +breakfast to tell the Harrisons all the astonishing news. Thus the +lawn at Moolapund was cleared of the large human party which had +assembled there—the first for many years; and their places were taken +by the motley crowd of birds and beasts who daily assembled for the +matutinal meal the scientist never failed to give them from his own +hands. +</P> + +<P> +Great was the astonishment created amongst them by his non-appearance +on this occasion. Loki stretched out his long neck with the curious +jerk which makes a cormorant look so idiotic as well as voracious, +while one or two scories[1] gave utterance to a good deal of strong +language. Pigeons, chickens, shelders,[2] sparrows, and starlings +skirmished for the crumbs, &c., which Signy had put out, and wondered +what was to happen next; a pony shoved his frowsy head against the +window, and a patient large-eyed ox stood near the door with the +obvious intention of remaining there till the master put in an +appearance. All were envious of the favourite cat who was seated +serenely inside the window, blinking complacently at the assemblage +through a safe shield of glass, and at last her airs of superiority and +content became too much for Thor. +</P> + +<P> +After hopping sedately about, contriving to annex the tit-bits from +Signy's contribution, and making inquiries into the position of +affairs, Sir Raven suddenly alighted on the window-sill in front of +Mistress Puss, and screamed harshly in her very face, "Shoo! shoo! +Uncle, uncle, uncle!" +</P> + +<P> +The feline person waited for no second remark, but setting up her back +at Thor, she cursed him in cat language and hastily decamped; whereat +the astute Thor, turning to the company observant of all that was +taking place, said "Just so!" +</P> + +<P> +By that time the patience of a good many of the creatures was +exhausted, and they took to falling out with one another, the result of +which was a concert so peculiar that it drew the attention of the +gentlemen, even though they were very intently turning out the contents +of a cabinet. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, poor things! I don't often forget them," Mr. Adiesen said by way +of explaining the clamour outside, and—excusing himself to his +guests—he hurried away to his menagerie. +</P> + +<P> +Dr. Holtum and Fred stood together at the window and watched the +scientist distribute food to his dependants, while Fred told the Doctor +a great deal of what had passed between himself and his hereditary +enemy; and we may be sure his listener rejoiced over such a happy +termination to the feud of years. +</P> + +<P> +A pleasant morning glided swiftly to the hour of noontide dinner, when +the boys returned to the Ha' hungry and in high spirits. They had +concocted a grand "lark" while at Noostigard; and they had encountered +Mr. Neeven at the Hoobes, when he had invited Tom to come to +Trullyabister whenever he so pleased. +</P> + +<P> +"And I'll go," said Tom, when the recluse was out of hearing. "I'll +go, and I'll take the rest of us with me." +</P> + +<P> +After dinner the Doctor said, "You have a Lunda boat here; and I must +be at Collaster this afternoon, but I don't want to hurry Fred. +Perhaps some of the boys will take me home and return for him." +</P> + +<P> +But Fred required to go home too, so it was settled that the whole +Lunda party were to depart together. +</P> + +<P> +"We are to meet, however, on Friday," said Fred, "and have a splendid +picnic in honour of little Signy. She is to be queen of our revels." +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah! All right! Just your style! Good for you, Fred!" In such +words the lads let it be known how thoroughly they appreciated any such +project; and when they subsided Mr. Adiesen said, "I wished the picnic +to be here—on Boden, I mean; our island is a scrap compared with Lunda +in size, but we have some cliffs and caves quite as fine as those of +any of the Shetland Isles; and I could show you some fine scenery from +the Heogue. But Mr. Garson wishes his picnic to be held on——" The +old gentleman came to a very full stop, pushed back his spectacles from +his nose to his forehead, drew himself up and looked around, meaning to +be very emphatic indeed (which he was). "Yes," he resumed, when all +his hearers were sufficiently impressed with the importance of what he +had to state—"yes, Mr. Garson desires, and I cordially agree, that the +picnic—I might call it the celebration of our thanksgiving for my +Signy's preservation. Yes—hum! this meeting of my family with our +<I>friends</I> of Lunda is to take place on—— Havnholme!" +</P> + +<P> +Who can say what it cost that old man to agree to Fred's proposal; to +bury his pride and his resentment, his ancestral prejudice and his +personal arrogance, and meet the Laird of Lunda with his friends on the +disputed piece of earth? +</P> + +<P> +We cannot understand either the position or the concession, which seem +almost ludicrous in our estimation, but were sufficiently solemn, even +tragic, in the sight of Brüs Adiesen, living a secluded life apart from +men, and nursing there every fantastic or unreasonable or old-world +idea. +</P> + +<P> +The boys had not a word to say when their host's speech was concluded; +but a sniff from Miss Osla, which might be the prelude to tears and +sentiment, warned Dr. Holtum not to leave the silence for <I>her</I> to +break, and he remarked— +</P> + +<P> +"A good thought. We have not had a picnic on Havnholme for ages. The +last time I saw the Yarl of Broch, he was saying he had not set foot on +the Holme since he was a boy, and got thrashed there by you, Adiesen, +eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"I remember! I remember!" answered the scientist, chuckling and +rubbing his hands together. "We were boys then—yes, boys—and +boy-like, very ready for a row. It seems so short a time ago! It was, +yes, it was a rare good fight—the only time I ever came off best! Ha! +ha! I was not a fighting boy as a rule. I may say Neeven could always +lick me; so could my poor brother Yaspard. But <I>that time</I>—don't know +how it happened—I thrashed Halsen. I did indeed, though you mayn't +think it." +</P> + +<P> +"I am awfully surprised," said blunt Tom Holtum. +</P> + +<P> +"You may be that," rejoined the scientist, not in the least nettled by +the implication in Tom's speech. "You may well be surprised, for he is +twice my size; he was a big boy, and is a big man. Yes! the Yarl is a +genuine old Shetland Viking of the right sort." +</P> + +<P> +"He'd suit you down to the ground, Yaspard," quoth Tom; and Fred Garson +added, "You would freeze to Garth Halsen, boy. He is as mad about +Vikinger as you are, only it's in another way. I'll ask them to join +our party. You would like to see Mr. Halsen again, wouldn't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"To be sure," Mr. Adiesen replied. "We'll fight our battle o'er +again—with our tongues this time. By all means let's have the Yarl +and his boy on Friday." +</P> + +<P> +So things were settled; and in high good-humour the Lunda boys escorted +Dr. Holtum and their young captain to the boat, and with hearty +good-will rowed home, singing lustily as they pulled— +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"A life on the ocean wave,<BR> +A home on the rolling deep."<BR> +</P> + +<P> +When the Lunda boat was out of sight Yaspard heaved a long sigh, and +said to Signy, who with him had stood watching their new friends until +the curves of the voe hid them from sight, "Well! I suppose I may stop +my raids when I like now. There is no feud, and no occasion to go on +the warpath." +</P> + +<P> +"It seems almost too good to be true, brodhor," the girl made answer. +"You need not mind giving up your Vikinging for such a good reason." +</P> + +<P> +"That's true," he answered cheerily; "only we were getting no end of +fun out of it. However, we must think of some other plan, as Mr. +Garson said. Oh! but isn't <I>he</I> a brick, Signy?" +</P> + +<P> +"He is just splendid," was the fervent answer. +</P> + +<P> +"They are <I>all</I> splendid," replied the lad, "except perhaps Tom Holtum. +I don't like him much. And to think of cousin Neeven taking to <I>that</I> +one of all the lot! Well! if Tom is to be visiting at Trullyabister, +where even I have not more than a half-civil +'Good-day'-and-don't-stay-long sort of welcome, there will be hot times +in Boden, and plenty of rows." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, brodhor! don't set up a feud of your own, I beseech!" Signy cried, +with a comical look of dismay on her face, and lifting both hands in +appeal. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard burst into laughter. "Oh, Mootie, what a little goose you are! +I couldn't keep a feud going to save my life. I can fight! I dare +say, if that chap is much about, I shall knock him down if he cheeks +me, but we will shake hands on the spot every time, you bet! <I>I</I> a +feud! No, Signy, I am not a fool just yet; though if I had stayed much +longer on Yelholme, I'd have lost the little wit I now possess." +</P> + +<P> +They strolled away to the house, and did not know that Uncle Brüs had +been lying sunning himself on the other side of the stone wall near +which they stood. As the brother and sister departed the old gentleman +muttered, "Not a fool yet! No, Yaspard is not such a fool now as his +uncle has been through a wasted long life. Heaven pardon me!" +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] Young gulls. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[2] Oyster-catchers. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"MEET AND RIGHT IT IS, FAIR LORD, THAT I SHOULD GO." +</H3> + +<P> +The day before that on which the picnic was to take place a mysterious +communication passed between the young Laird of Lunda and Yaspard +Adiesen, the effect of which was to set our Viking into a fit of the +fidgets combined with a state of exhilaration of spirit that threatened +to effervesce in a dangerous manner at any moment. +</P> + +<P> +But nothing more serious came of it than the startling of Miss Osla's +wits by an apparition of her nephew prancing downstairs with one of +Signy's old dolls in his arms, and his face and head wrapped in a piece +of black linen, upon which our young hero had sketched a death's-head +and cross-bones. As the terrific symbols were spread over his face, it +was scarcely wonderful that Miss Osla got a fright, and called him a +profane boy; but Signy—who was following her brother—explained that +"it" was only the "black flag," and that it would never frighten +anybody any more; with which explanation the gentle old auntie was +quite satisfied. +</P> + +<P> +Friday came, a glorious summer day, and promising to continue so. +Yaspard was up early, putting some finishing touches to his boat, which +had been undergoing a good deal of cleaning and painting in honour of +the occasion. +</P> + +<P> +He was all impatience to be off soon, desiring to be the first at the +rendezvous; but Uncle Brüs was not a person who liked to be hurried, +and took his usual time to finish breakfast and feed his pets in spite +of Yaspard's fidgets. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately the Harrison brothers (who were to be the <I>Osprey's</I> crew +that day) arrived soon; and he found some relief in discussing with +them the projected "lark" to which I have alluded, and which will be +recorded in its proper place. +</P> + +<P> +At last Mr. Adiesen and his sister came from the house, the former +carrying a vasculum and field-telescope, the latter burdened with +shawls and umbrellas, which were an insult to the sun, smiling that day +as he seldom condescends to smile on Hialtland. +</P> + +<P> +Signy followed her guardians, and Pirate came with her, bounding and +barking his delight—for he was still a young dog, and expressed his +pleasure naturally, as young creatures do. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard's eager impatience did not prevent him from noting his little +sister's attractive appearance, and he called out as she came running +to the quay, "Why, Mootie, you do look spiff[1] to be sure! Where on +earth did you get that elegant frock from?" +</P> + +<P> +"Out of Aunt Osla's bullyament[2] boxes," said she; and Aunt Osla +herself explained that the bairn's "best things" had been worsted +during her terrible adventure, which had obliged Miss Adiesen to make a +new dress. All the same, Signy knew that the good lady had consulted +with Mam Kirsty, and had come to the conclusion, fortified by the +opinion of her <I>aide-de-camp</I>, that "whether or no," such an important +occasion demanded a new frock for the queen of the revels. +</P> + +<P> +The Shetland ladies of that time were wont to keep "by them" a hoard of +"material," seeing that shops were beyond their reach; therefore Miss +Adiesen was at no loss to provide a suitable and elegant picnic costume +for the darling of Boden; and the result did credit to her taste and +ingenuity. +</P> + +<P> +As the family party were taking their places in the boat, two +unexpected guests arrived with the evident intention of joining the +others. These were Thor and Mr. Neeven. Thor coolly lighted aboard +and settled himself close by Mr. Adiesen, remarking, as he did so, +"Just so! Bad boy! bad boy! Uncle!" +</P> + +<P> +These observations evidently referred to Pirate—not the scientist—who +was lying at their master's feet with head lovingly rested against his +knee, a position which Thor never liked to see occupied by any one, for +he was a jealous bird. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Adiesen welcomed Sir Raven by handing him a crust from the +capacious pocket which never failed to carry a supply of such tokens of +good-will. While addressing Thor in the way he liked best, the old +gentleman greeted his cousin by saying, "Glad you thought better of it, +and have come, Gaun. Fine day for an excursion, this. Here is a +comfortable place for you," and he made room for Neeven beside Miss +Osla; but the recluse merely nodded "Good morning" to his relatives, +stepped along the thwarts to the bow, and seated himself there. +</P> + +<P> +His ways, peculiar and not meant for incivility, were too well known to +provoke comment. The <I>Osprey</I> was shoved off by Yaspard, while Lowrie +and Gibbie got out a pair of oars to help the boat along, as the wind +was very light. +</P> + +<P> +Brüs Adiesen was in high good spirits, and insisted upon taking an oar +too as soon as his nephew sat down to row. Then Signy began to sing +for very gladness of soul, as the birds do. Yaspard took up the chorus +of her song, which was commented upon by Thor in his usual sage manner; +and even Miss Osla forgot to seem afraid of the sea—a sentimental +fashion which had been considered a feminine attraction in the days of +her youth. +</P> + +<P> +Altogether the <I>Osprey's</I> party was as happy and almost as blithe a one +as that of the <I>Laulie</I>, which arrived at the little bay of Havnholme a +few minutes after the Boden boat. Shortly afterwards two more boats +arrived in company. These were the <I>Vaigher</I> and <I>Mermaid</I>, containing +all the rest of Fred's guests. He was in his father's place at the +Vaigher's helm, presiding, as his father would have done, over the +safety of the elder and more sober portion of the party. His sister +Isobel had the management of the little <I>Mermaid</I>, and her companions +were Gerta Bruce and Amy Congreve, who had, of course, accompanied +Garth Halsen and his father, the Yarl of Burra Isle. Any of us who +made the acquaintance of the Yarl, his household, and guests from +England, will know all about those girls and Garth, and will expect fun +where they appear. +</P> + +<P> +It is a real pleasure to me (and I hope to you who read this) to renew +my acquaintance with the Burra Isle contingent; to look once more on +the tender faces of Mrs. Holtum and the "little mother" of those Manse +boys, and to hear the minister's genial laugh, as well as the Doctor's +cheery voice. +</P> + +<P> +What a shaking of hands and clatter of voices there were, to be sure! +Even Pirate had to make a demonstration, for Watchie had accompanied +the Holtums, and was ready to be friends with any dog. The only person +who did not share in the general good-will and hilarity, who seemed +indeed to be out of place among so many pleasant folk, and to feel +himself quite above all such demonstrations of peace, was Thor. After +surveying the "ongoings" from the safe point of a masthead, he came to +the conclusion that the proceedings interested him no more, and with a +dismal croak he flew off to the skeö, and, seating himself on the +topmost point of its ruinous gable, commented in very uncomplimentary +terms upon the ways of mankind. As his opinions were expressed aloud, +and accompanied by many grotesque and expressive gestures, he created a +good deal of amusement, although Mr. Adiesen remarked gravely enough, +"We ought not to have allowed Thor to accompany us." +</P> + +<P> +"He won't stay at home unless he is shut up," Yaspard explained; and +Signy added, "Poor old Thor! I dare say he is more pleased than he +<I>seems</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps," Fred whispered aside to the brother and sister, "the +Thunderer, the god of war, can appreciate a peace celebration as well +as others." +</P> + +<P> +"Anyway," replied Yaspard, "there ought to be a 'chief mourner' at the +funeral, and I don't know who can undertake the part if Thor will not." +</P> + +<P> +"Funeral! What do you mean, brodhor?" Signy asked, with eyes very wide +open; whereupon he beseeched her to be silent, or the cat would be out +of the bag in a jiffy; and Signy, still wondering but submissive, held +her peace, while Yaspard went rollicking from group to group, singing +to a doleful tune with a grin on his face— +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"Thus said the Rover<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">To his jolly crew,</SPAN><BR> +<I>Down</I> with the black flag,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em"><I>Up</I> with the blue.</SPAN><BR> +Shake hands on main-deck,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Shake hands on bow;</SPAN><BR> +Shake hands amidships,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Kiss down below."</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P> +"You are improving on Scott, I hear," said Garth Halsen. "I didn't +know you went in for being a poet as well as a Viking." +</P> + +<P> +"No more I do, but <I>I</I> know you write poetry," retorted Yaspard; and +then Fred said, "Yes; and do you know he has been impudent enough to +compose a ballad about a legend of your family, boy? Think of that! I +liked the ballad so well that I asked Garth to bring it along and give +us all the benefit; so you are to hear the story of your own +great-granduncle, whose namesake you are, done into verse, with all the +Viking and Shetlandic accompaniments. What think you of that?" +</P> + +<P> +"It depends upon how it is treated," quoth Yaspard with most unusual +caution, and eyeing Garth as if he were some curious specimen more fit +for Uncle Brüs's cabinets than a picnic. +</P> + +<P> +Aunt Osla, however, was charmed with the idea, said it was a very +pitiful story, quite true, and just suitable for a ballad; so Garth's +verses were to be read after lunch and other ceremonies were over—for +other ceremonies there were to be, as all could guess who saw Fred +Garson talking eagerly apart with Yaspard, then choose a lovely green +spot, and say, "This will do. Our dining hall can be on that flat +lower down, but <I>this</I> is exactly what we want. You might get some of +the fellows to bring up a few stones, while I fetch the flag-staff." +</P> + +<P> +Off went Yaspard, and soon the Harrisons and Mitchell boys were helping +him to convey some large stones to the brae which Fred had chosen. +</P> + +<P> +"To fix a flag-staff" was all he told them, and they were not +inquisitive, although our Viking's smile and knowing look betokened +something much more important than the erection of a flag-staff. +</P> + +<P> +"That will do, boys," said Fred, returning from his boat with a long +stout stick and a spade, and in a short time the noble flag of noblest +Britain, the beautiful red, white, and blue, with its mingled crosses +telling so much of Britain's fame and story, was floating over +Havnholme. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] Smartly dressed. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[2] Odds and ends. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"AND THERETO THEY PLIGHTED TROTH BOTH OF THEM." +</H3> + +<P> +Do you wonder how so many people (and the boys in particular) contrived +to amuse themselves on that little island for a whole long summer day? +I could write a volume about it, and still leave something to tell. +Perhaps, some day, we shall hear what each person said and did and +discovered on that occasion, but at present we must confine ourselves +to the chief incidents. +</P> + +<P> +First of these was the spreading of a bountiful lunch on a soft flat +spot of turf, as green and fragrant as an English lawn, although yearly +washed by the wild salt billows of the rough Atlantic, and never +touched by spade or ploughshare. Then there was the lighting of a fire +in the skeö, and the boiling of potatoes, and the infusing of tea. And +when all these preparations where almost complete, Yaspard stood upon a +knoll and blew lustily on his "Looder-horn" a signal agreed upon, and +which brought all the scattered party together near the flag-staff. +</P> + +<P> +When they were all assembled, some casting very longing looks towards +the banquet so invitingly spread on snowy linen with a border of +emerald grass, others looking with some curiosity at the young host and +master of ceremonies, Fred said, "I've got a little speech to make, +friends, if you will have patience to hear me. I have a little present +to give to the little queen of our revels, and I can't do so without +the little speech." +</P> + +<P> +"Hear! hear!" from some of the listeners, and one (his sister Isobel, +be it known) said loud enough for all to hear— +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"There was a little man,<BR> +And he had a little gift<BR> +For to give unto a little little maiden, oh."<BR> +</P> + +<P> +Fred shook his head at her. "Don't spoil my eloquence, Bell! I won't +say much, you may be sure." +</P> + +<P> +He drew a paper from his pocket, and the smile on his bright handsome +face deepened into a wonderful resemblance to the chastened gracious +light which had given so much attraction to his father's countenance. +There was much, too, of his father's dignity and ease in his air, and +tears sprang to many eyes as that striking likeness was noted. +</P> + +<P> +"His father's son, dear lad!" the Yarl whispered to Mrs. Holtum, who +could only look up with quivering lips in reply. +</P> + +<P> +"My friends," Fred resumed, in graver tones, "you know why we are all +here to-day. We meet to rejoice over little Signy's preservation, and +we meet <I>here</I> to thank God who made this little holme a havn[1] for +her. It was well named Havnholme. It has given shelter to many a +storm-tossed bark. The tiny bay yonder has ever been the one safe +shelter amid the breakers and billows which surround both Lunda and +Boden. There is no other haven of refuge between your island, Mr. +Adiesen, and mine, and we unite to-day in thanking God that little +Signy was saved on Havnholme. In time past, my friends, the +cross-currents were too much for some of the human barks that were out +for life's voyage, and they swamped among the skerries instead of +finding the calm shelter of this islet. We—that is, Mr. Adiesen and +myself—are so thankful to-day, that we have agreed that the best +expression of our gratitude will be a conferring of all our rights in +Havnholme upon the little lady who is queen of our party. Little +Signy, you are to be henceforth sole owner of Havnholme! This paper is +the legal document transferring to you this island as the free gift of +your uncle and myself. But there is another and more interesting +method of assuming the rights of property; and, my friends, we purpose +that Signy Adiesen, Esquiress, of Havnholme, shall 'turn turf' after +the old Shetland manner. I have loosened one or two sods here, so that +she will be able to turn them easily. +</P> + +<P> +"There is just one small thing more to say. A number of you heard me, +as captain of a crew of sea-rovers, advise Yaspard Adiesen to sail +under this royal old flag, this fair tricoloured cross, and to make the +black badge of Thor into a pall! Yaspard has agreed to my proposal. +</P> + +<P> +"His little sister possessed a doll which seems to have been an +ill-omened creature all its days. Its legs and arms were always coming +off, its eyes have been renewed many times, but never kept their +position without a squint. It was often lost; it frequently fell on +people's toes, bruising them and wounding the feelings of inoffending +mortals. It was an evilly-disposed doll evidently, and received the +name of the 'Feud.' This doll died the day Signy went to ransom the +Viking. It died by the deed of Pirate, who, finding it in a place +where it ought not to have been, bore it to his hold, as any other +pirate would, and gnawed the life out of it! +</P> + +<P> +"Well, my friends, our Viking has shrouded the doll Feud in his black +flag, and the turf Signy turns will cover its grave! And now my little +speech is ended." +</P> + +<P> +Amid the wildest of cheers and the happiest of smiles Yaspard deposited +the doll Feud, rolled up in his Viking flag, in the hole which Fred had +dug; and when it was almost levelled up, Signy took the spade and +deftly "turned turf" as directed. A few pats with the flat side of the +spade soon put the turf in proper position; and when the grave of Miss +Feud was finished, Yaspard flung his cap in the air and shouted, "Death +to all feuds! So perish all the queen's enemies!" +</P> + +<P> +"The feud is dead! Long live Queen Signy!" cried Fred, lifting the +little girl in his arms; and then Bill Mitchell terminated the +proceedings by calling out, "I vote we go to dinner now, or Thor will +have demolished the best part of it." +</P> + +<P> +To be sure, Thor, taking advantage of such an excellent opportunity, +when no eye was upon him (for Pirate had slunk to his master's feet +when the doll was produced, thinking that his misdemeanour was about to +be declared and punished, and had no attention to bestow on a +marauder), had hopped on to the table-cloth, and was rapidly +investigating the "spread" with an eye to future confiscation. +Fortunately, Bill was more interested in the food than in the feud, and +gave notice of Thor's depredation in time to prevent any serious +calamity to the dinner. +</P> + +<P> +Everybody hastened to the level ground, and were soon seated and busy +over the good things which Mrs. Garson had provided with her usual +consideration of individual tastes and necessities. When the more +serious part of the meal was concluded, and tea and fruit was +circulating, there was a great cry for Garth's ballad of the Boden boy +who long years before had come to a tragic end in Lunda. So the young +scald modestly, but with capital effect, recited his story of +</P> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +HEL-YA WATER.[2]<BR> +</H3> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"Where the sod is seldom trodden,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Where the haunted hillocks lie,</SPAN><BR> +Where the lonely Hel-ya Water<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Looks up darkly to the sky;</SPAN><BR> +Where the daala mists forgather,[3]<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Where the plovers make complaint,</SPAN><BR> +Where the stray or timid vaigher[4]<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Calls upon his patron saint;</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Where the waves of Hel-ya Water<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Fret around a rugged isle,</SPAN><BR> +Where the bones of Yarl Magnus<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Lie below a lichened pile,</SPAN><BR> +There the raven found a refuge,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">There he reared his savage brood;</SPAN><BR> +And the young lambs from the scattald<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Were the nestlings' dainty food.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Year by year the Viking's raven<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Made that mystic spot his rest;</SPAN><BR> +Year by year within the eyot<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Brooded he as on a nest;</SPAN><BR> +And no man would ever venture<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">To invade the lone domain</SPAN><BR> +Where in solitary scheming<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">The grim bird of doom did reign.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +It was Yule-time, and the Isles' folk<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Sained[5] the children by their fires;</SPAN><BR> +Lit the yatlin,[6] filled the daffock,[7]<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">As of ealdon did their sires.</SPAN><BR> +There was wassail in each dwelling,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And the song and dance went round;</SPAN><BR> +And the laugh, the jest, the music,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Rose above the tempest's sound.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Ho! the winds are raging wildly,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Ho! the thunders are awake—</SPAN><BR> +Tis the night when trows[8] have licence<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Over saitor,[9] hill, and brake.</SPAN><BR> +Power is theirs on land and water,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">While the Yule-star leads the night;</SPAN><BR> +For where trows may trice their circlet<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">There they claim exclusive right.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Yelling round the Hel-ya Water,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Sobbing by its eyot drear,</SPAN><BR> +Screaming with the tempest-furies,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Over hillock, over mere;</SPAN><BR> +On the wings of silent snow-flakes,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">On the bulwands[10] from the rill,</SPAN><BR> +By the haunted Hel-ya Water<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Flit those heralds of all ill.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +There the dismal bird of boding<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Is exulting with the storm.</SPAN><BR> +Who will dare to-night, and conquer<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">The old raven's sable form?</SPAN><BR> +Who will venture to the vatn,[11]<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Where the phantoms of unrest</SPAN><BR> +Set their weird and magic signet<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">On each knoll and wavelet's crest?</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +See, young Yaspard's eye is blazing,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">With the fires so fleet and free:</SPAN><BR> +Come of Magnus, yarl and sea-king,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Son of Norland scald is he:</SPAN><BR> +Well he knows the gruesome story<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Of that evil-omened bird,</SPAN><BR> +And of trows and vengeful demons<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">He hath dreamed and he hath heard.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +But his heart is hot and steadfast,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And his hands are strong to try;</SPAN><BR> +He will dare with fiends to combat—<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">He will dare, and he will die.</SPAN><BR> +Forth against the howling tempest,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Forth against each evil power,</SPAN><BR> +Wild and reckless, went young Yaspard<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">In a dark unguarded hour.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Cold the surf of Hel-ya Water<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Breaks around the Norseman's grave,</SPAN><BR> +And the boy is lifted rudely<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">By each charmed and chafing wars.</SPAN><BR> +Now he struggles boldly onward,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Now he nears the haunted isle,</SPAN><BR> +Where in grim and boding silence<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Waits the bird of woe and wile.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Fain is Yaspard to encounter<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">That fierce harbinger of gloom—</SPAN><BR> +Fain to dare the spells of magic,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Fain to foil the wrath of doom.</SPAN><BR> +Hark! the solitary raven<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Croaks a note of death and pain,</SPAN><BR> +And a human call defiant<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Answers from the flood again.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 4em; letter-spacing: 2em">****</SPAN><BR> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Morning breaks: a snow-drift cover<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">All the drear deserted earth;</SPAN><BR> +In young Yaspard's home is weeping,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Quenched the fire upon his hearth.</SPAN><BR> +But he broke the spells of evil,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And he found a hero's grave.</SPAN><BR> +When you pass the Hel-ya Water<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Cast a pebble to its wave." [12]</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] Haven. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[2] Holy lake. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[3] Lowland mists meet each other. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[4] Wanderer. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[5] Guarded by Christian rites from evil spirits, who are supposed to +have great licence at Yule. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[6] Candles used on festive occasions. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[7] Water bucket which was always required to be full of <I>clean</I> water +at Yule. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[8] Trolls. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[9] Plains or pasture-land. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[10] Bullrushes which trows are supposed to use as aerial horses. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[11] Fresh-water lake. +</P> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[12] When passing any haunted water people cast therein a stone to +appease the troubled spirits. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap26"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"THAT WORK SHALL BE WROUGHT." +</H3> + +<P> +"What a capital job you've made of the story," quoth Yaspard when Garth +had finished. "I feel as if I ought to thank you in the name of my +great-grand-uncle." +</P> + +<P> +"Just so! Bad boy! Uncle! uncle! uncle!" said Thor from a hillock +close by. He spoke so very distinctly, and as if he understood every +word, that even the elderly ladies of the party gazed in a sort of awe +at the uncanny bird. +</P> + +<P> +"Come here, Thor!" Mr. Adiesen called out, extending a tempting bit of +chicken towards Sir Raven, who immediately obeyed the invitation, and +hopped to his master's knee. "Why, you old rascal," the scientist went +on, "I believe you are the great-grand-nephew of that raven of Hel-ya +Water fame; indeed, if I had not taken you myself from the nest when +you were only half-fledged, and I was a boy, I would believe that you +were the identical bird of the legend." +</P> + +<P> +"If Thor lives as long as the former Thor did," said Mr. Neeven, "he +will be over a century when he dies. You remember that fellow, Brüs?" +</P> + +<P> +Of course Mr. Adieson remembered his grandfather's raven, who had been +the spy and plague of the lives of both Gaun and Brüs (when they were +children), and whom they believed was possessed of an evil spirit. +</P> + +<P> +The conversation drifted into chat about pet birds, until some of the +restless young people proposed a rowing match around the island, and +out of that project sprang another. +</P> + +<P> +"I should like," said Fred, "to take the little lady of the isle around +it in the <I>Mermaid</I> first. She really ought to be the first to +circumnavigate Havnholme. Will you trust her in my boat, Miss Adiesen?" +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose it is quite safe?" Aunt Osla asked by way of reply; and +Signy answered, "I shall be as safe in the <I>Mermaid</I> as I was on Arab." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps Mr. Adiesen will accompany us, to make safety safer," Fred +suggested; and the girl seconded his proposal by a "Yes, please, Uncle +Brüs." +</P> + +<P> +The old gentleman agreed, and away they went; and Dr. Holtum said aside +to the minister that nothing more satisfactory had he ever witnessed +than the sailing round Havnholme of those two men together, with so +sweet a bond between them as fair little Signy. +</P> + +<P> +When the long, happy day was nearing its close, and the party was +preparing to embark, Isobel Garson said, "I didn't like to spoil Fred's +beautiful oration and funereal ceremonies with any small idea of my +own, but <I>now</I> perhaps I may be allowed to suggest that we each take a +beach stone and cast it on those 'turned' sods, and so erect a cairn in +memory of this day." +</P> + +<P> +"A capital suggestion, my dear!" said Mr. Adiesen, who had taken quite +a fancy to Isobel, whose bright, high-spirited ways attracted him very +much, and he was ready to second any suggestion she might offer. +</P> + +<P> +"Good for you, Isobel!" exclaimed her brother; "but I don't see why we +need confine ourselves to one stone each. Let us make the cairn a good +big one, boys." +</P> + +<P> +In a short time a considerable heap of round, smooth stones from the +shore were piled over the sepulchre of the feud, and Yaspard remarked, +"There never was a fend strong enough to escape from under that big +rougue." +</P> + +<P> +"Shoo! shoo! shoo! Uncle!" screamed Thor, quite impatient over such +(to him) meaningless proceedings. Then, despairing of convincing +anybody there that they ought to go home, he spread his great wings and +deliberately sailed away through the air to Boden. +</P> + +<P> +"Thor is right for once," said Dr. Holtum, "and it is quite time we +were all on the wing for our homes; so, shoo! shoo! shoo!" and he put +out his hands, as if he were driving away a flock of birds, with the +result that every one "made tracks" for the boats. +</P> + +<P> +There was a good deal of whispering between Yaspard and the Manse boys +before they parted; and there was a very significant "Good-bye," from +the Yarl of Broch. He had kept our Viking-boy very much with him +throughout the day, and had quite enchanted him by suggesting a scheme +which contained the germ of much exciting adventure, although there was +no enemy to meet or circumvent. And this scheme must have been on +Viking lines, if we may judge from old Hoskald Halsen's farewell words +to Yaspard. +</P> + +<P> +"Now mind, boy," he shouted, as the <I>Osprey</I> parted company from the +other boats, "mind you think it well out, and come to Burra Wick. No +Viking should sail from a legitimate voe. Garth and I spell 'wick' +with a 'v' and no 'c' in it, remember." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, brodhor, are you to go a-Vikinging still?" Signy asked in an +ecstatic whisper; and our hero, squeezing her close to him, answered, +"Yes, Mootie, thanks to that jolly old brick! I don't believe I should +ever have thought of <I>his</I> plan. It is even better than mine, for it +has got no enemy in it, but the chance of ever so many adventures." +</P> + +<P> +A pleasant breeze had sprung up, so there was no rowing to do on the +homeward voyage. Mr. Adiesen was steering, and Aunt Osla was napping, +rolled up in shawls. Mr. Neeven had unbent considerably during the +day, and was talking to his cousin with an unusual degree of +cheerfulness. The Harrison boys were amusing themselves over a wooden +puzzle which Harry Mitchell had invented and given them. Thus Yaspard +and his sister could talk confidentially together without being +overheard. He was as eager to tell her of the new project as she was +to listen, and before long they had not only discussed the Yarl's +scheme, but had built on it a vast structure of romantic adventure. +</P> + +<P> +"It has been the very happiest of days, this," said Signy when they +reached the quay; "but even happiness makes one tired, and so I am glad +to be home. I shall be asleep like winkie as soon as I get into bed." +</P> + +<P> +"Not so your roving brother," quoth Yaspard; "I have other things to do +than sleep," and he grimaced at Lowrie, who grinned back a perfect +understanding of the mysterious allusion; but Signy by that time was +too sleepy to pay further attention, so followed Miss Adiesen to +Moolapund, and was soon resting in dreamless repose in her own room. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Yaspard and the Harrisons politely offered to row the +<I>Osprey</I> to the head of the voe with Mr. Neeven, and he—with less than +his usual sharp suspicion—agreed. He even thanked them as he stepped +ashore, and he strode up the hill without once looking back. If he had +done so he would have seen that the boat did not pass beyond the +Hoobes, but stopped near there, where the old water-mill was located by +the side of a burn whose spring was far up the hill-side. They +fastened the boat, and went into the mill-house, where a quantity of +last year's straw and chaff was heaped. On this the three lads flung +themselves and were soon fast asleep. And there the Harrisons would +have slept on till breakfast time if Yaspard had not roused them +shortly after midnight. +</P> + +<P> +"Up, boys, up!" he said, as he shook himself. "It is high time we were +off; and I hope fule-Tammy is as sound asleep now as you have been for +the last five minutes." +</P> + +<P> +From that mention of Tammy you will guess that another raid on +Trullyabister was proposed. The fact was, Yaspard had made one quiet +visit to the old ruin by himself, and had found that the things they +secreted in the old chimney had disappeared. From a remark of Tammy's, +Lowrie had concluded that the "natural" had discovered their +hiding-place, and had abstracted the articles in question. It would +have been a simple matter to ask the truth and claim the property, but +<I>that</I> course was not the one a Viking-boy was at all likely to +approve. Hence the present "lark." +</P> + +<P> +The three conspirators were not long in reaching the old Ha'house, and +as the back door was never locked, they easily gained admission. +</P> + +<P> +Tammy slept in a small chamber beside the kitchen, and at a distance +from the rooms inhabited by his master, therefore the lads were not +much afraid of being heard even if the recluse had not gone to sleep. +</P> + +<P> +But Gaun Neeven <I>was</I> asleep, and so was Tammy, "like a top, and +snoring too like one," whispered Yaspard as he led the way. Tammy did +not even move when they gently and deftly tied his hands together, and +put a not uncomfortable gag over his mouth, and he only snored a little +louder, but did not wake, when they lifted him up. (Tammy always went +to bed with a complete suit of clothes on, which he kept for the +purpose, saying he did not see why a "puir body" should not be as +decently clothed all night as all day.) They carried him to the ruined +apartment with which we are already acquainted. I ought to have +mentioned that Yaspard had provided masks for himself and his +companions. These were made of brown paper, painted to resemble +tatooed savages, and had been put on as they came up from the mill, so +that Tammy should not recognise his assailants. +</P> + +<P> +But Tammy was far more cute in many ways than he got credit for being; +and though astonished when the cool air and a few gentle shakes woke +him up, he was not frightened by the hideous visages; even the feigned +voices did not deceive him. But he was wise enough to pretend +ignorance of their identity, and stared a well-acted credulity. +</P> + +<P> +"What have you done with what you found in that chimney?" Yaspard +demanded in assumed tones, which did not deceive Tammy, however. "We +are Vikings, and hid our property in that receptacle. Woe to the +person who crosses our path! Moreover, our allies left weapons of war +in this apartment, and it is our business to restore them to their +owners. Tell now what you have done with these hoards." +</P> + +<P> +How could Tammy tell? He could only shake his head and nod in the +direction of the haunted room. +</P> + +<P> +"Is the property there?" Yaspard asked, and Tammy nodded again. "Then +you must take us through the house to that room, for I happen to know +that the way through the passage is now built up with stones and +mortar. I suppose <I>you</I> did that, you duffer!" +</P> + +<P> +Tammy nodded again; and then Gibbie remarked, "He wad be put to the job +by Mr. Neeven." +</P> + +<P> +He spoke unwittingly in his natural voice, and was admonished by a +vigorous nudge from Lowrie; while Yasgard, still addressing their +captive, said, "Lead on, we follow! and for your life make no noise." +</P> + +<P> +Tammy obediently returned to the house, and showed a way from his +kitchen to the haunted room. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap27"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"OF THE VOLSUNGS' KIN IS HE." +</H3> + +<P> +There they found, carefully arranged, all the miscellaneous articles +which they had conveyed to Trullyabister on the night of their first +raid upon it. There too were the things brought by the <I>Laulie's</I> +crew, when engaged upon Tom's "deed of high emprise." The Lunda boys +had been too ashamed at their defeat to say one word about their +property to Mr. Neeven, but they had spoken of it to Yaspard, and had +been somewhat comforted by his assurance that all they had lost should +be restored before long. +</P> + +<P> +Our Viking eyed the confiscated articles with infinite satisfaction, +before instructing his followers how to deal with it. "But time must +not be wasted," said he in a moment. "I believe the ogre to be a very +sleepless creature, and he may soon rise to wander after his usual +style; so let's make haste." +</P> + +<P> +They stowed everything into their keschies, and what could not go there +was packed in the <I>Laulie's</I> "spare canvas," or suspended from their +belts; while Tammy watched the proceedings with profound interest. +</P> + +<P> +When they were ready to depart the marauders conveyed Tammy to his +kitchen, and left him seated comfortably in his favourite corner, +assured that he would sit there till Mr. Neeven should get up. They +were well aware that Tammy would allow the kitchen to be burned about +his ears before he would venture to disturb the recluse in his chamber. +</P> + +<P> +I may mention here that it happened as they supposed it would, and it +was not until his breakfast-hour arrived, and Mr. Neeven came to +discover why Tammy was not stirring, that he found the "natural" +sitting sleeping, gagged and bound! +</P> + +<P> +When aroused, released, and able to speak, Tammy said, "It wis yon +filskit moniments o' boys, sir. But they've taken no' a vestige that +wis no' their ain. They'll be far enough by this time; and puir Tammy +is thinking that there's no' muckle use in trying tae get the better o' +the likes o' them." +</P> + +<P> +"You are about right for once," replied his master, as he turned away, +saying to himself, "Boys are certainly more than a match for men in the +exercise of their wits." +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile the <I>Osprey</I> had gone to Gloy's geo, and deposited on a safe +ledge of rock all which our Viking-boys had carried away from +Trullyabister; and when that was done the marauders returned to their +homes. +</P> + +<P> +At the breakfast-table Yaspard said to his uncle, "The Yarl of Broch +asked me to come to Burra Isle to-day, if you have no objections. The +Lunda boys are to be there. It's to be only a <I>boy party</I>, not like +the picnic." +</P> + +<P> +"When the young braves go forth alone," replied Mr. Adiesen, in a +bantering tone, which showed he was in excellent good-humour, and +likely to give the required permission, "when the warriors embark +without the companionship of women, there are perilous tasks to be +performed. May a mere humdrum person inquire what knightly deed a +modern Viking proposes, and what is to be the result of 'only a boy +party'?" +</P> + +<P> +"We are going to have some jolly fun—of Mr. Halsen's planning; but it +would spoil it to tell beforehand." +</P> + +<P> +"I can leave the responsibility on Mr. Halsen," answered Uncle Brüs; +"he understands what boys need and like." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall want to stay some—days. It might be a whole week; and I need +the Harrison boys and the <I>Osprey</I>, of course. I would also like to +take Thor as well as Pirate, if you please, uncle." +</P> + +<P> +"You will want clean collars and socks," said Miss Osla. +</P> + +<P> +"No, thank you, auntie. I shall not take any <I>luggage</I> with me, only +what I need in——" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course," she interrupted, "you won't want a lot of clothes, only +what is needful;" and the good lady went off as soon as breakfast was +over to pack a bag for Yaspard, who was obliged to take it with him. +</P> + +<P> +"I can leave it at Broch anyway," he said to Signy as he stowed the bag +aboard. She had carried it to the quay, and was watching him get ready +for his expedition. +</P> + +<P> +"Then are you going farther than to Broch?" she asked; and, under +pledge of secrecy, the girl was told the whole scheme, which delighted +her. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, what a fine time he will have! It is so nice to be a boy!" Signy +said to herself, as she slowly turned from the shore when the <I>Osprey</I> +took wing. +</P> + +<P> +When the Boden boat reached the geo she was stopped while Gibbie went +ashore, and brought all the odds and ends recaptured at Trullyabister. +These were stowed beside the basket containing Thor, who made known to +all concerned how little he relished being in durance vile by +occasional bursts of angry speech and vindictive snaps, through his +prison bars, at whatever came within reach. Once it was Lowrie's +jacket tails, another time it was Gibbie's sleeve; but what pleased +Thor best was when he got a chance at Pirate's ear. +</P> + +<P> +Our Viking-boy received the warmest of welcomes when he arrived at +Burra Wick. The Lunda boys were there, and had brought a parcel for +him from Fred, which, upon being opened, was discovered to be a fine +field-glass, such as Yaspard had long wished to possess, and a +beautiful silk flag embroidered by Isobel. +</P> + +<P> +He did not know which to admire and value most; yet I think the letter +of manly kind advice and friendship which accompanied these gifts was +cherished still more; for I know that when the faded flag was stowed +away—long years afterwards—in an old bureau, and the field-glass had +been lost on a wild Western prairie, Yaspard still kept lying near his +heart the words of love and Christian counsel written to him by his +boyhood hero in the golden days of youth and dreams. +</P> + +<P> +The rest of that day was spent at Broch—delightfully spent, we know, +since the Yarl was host. +</P> + +<P> +Gerta and Amy were extremely kind to the boys, although they were only +the "young ones," and not to be compared with their elder brothers. +But Yaspard was more attracted to Garth than to the girls. He had been +abroad with Mr. Congreve, and had the most interesting stories to tell +of the northern lands he had visited. Then his books of travel and +legend, how bewitching they were! While Harry Mitchell revelled in +Garth's specimens, Yaspard pored over his books, and could scarcely be +torn from them. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Harry," he said, "wouldn't you like his chance of going away and +discovering all sorts of places and things?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll <I>make</I> a chance of the sort for myself," replied Harry, in his +usual quiet, determined way, which meant never less than "act to follow +word." +</P> + +<P> +"It would be fine, glorious!" Yaspard mused; then shutting the +"Wanderings of Waterton" with a clap, he exclaimed, "We'll do it, +Harry—you and I—some day. We will go off as the Vikings did, and +explore the world." +</P> + +<P> +"As you are going to-morrow, eh?" said Garth. +</P> + +<P> +"Boys play at what men achieve," answered Harry. +</P> + +<P> +And then was begun a dream which Yaspard and Harry realised in later +years. +</P> + +<P> +In the evening, Amy, seeing Yaspard still hankering after Garth's +Scandinavian travels and lore, said, "Do, Garth, read us what you have +written about the Jews and the Norsemen. I am so fond of that little +bit. I suppose because my family was of Jewish extraction." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe it was composed in compliment to you," laughed Gerta, +bringing a blush to the sensitive young author's face by her words. +But his father seconded Amy's request, so Garth read— +</P> + +<P> +"There are two races of men who have retained their peculiar +characteristics through long ages and through many vicissitudes. They +have wandered over the whole globe, and become part of almost every +people now existing. They have conquered and been conquered. Their +blood has mixed with that of all the other tribes of earth. As +independent nations they no longer exist, and yet the personality of +the Jew and the Norseman is as distinct to-day as it was when they were +mighty ruling powers on the earth. +</P> + +<P> +"The Egyptian of old, the Greek and Goth, where are <I>they</I> now? They +have left grand memories, but have become 'mixed races,' and the +peoples of to-day who bear their names have few, or any, of their +attributes. +</P> + +<P> +"Not so have the wandering Arab and the restless Scandinavian obeyed +the law of nature that says— +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'The old order changeth, yielding place to new,<BR> +And God fulfils Himself in many ways,<BR> +Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.'<BR> +</P> + +<P> +"Like the two currents that roll side by side in one channel, distinct +in their nature, those two great races have come down the ages bearing +to all lands and all peoples a God-derived power and a God-given +message. They have not been lost in each other; and in blending with +those among whom they dwelt they have yet never ceased to leave +indelible traces, which have made them recognisable always. <I>They</I> +have absorbed, but never been absorbed. +</P> + +<P> +"When our hearts thrill to some glowing page of Eastern imagery, when +we listen enraptured to some sacred song, some impassioned speech of +one filled with religious fervour; when we read of suffering borne +patiently, of fortitude unequalled amid awful tribulation, of quiet +perseverance conquering difficulty—we recognise the strength of the +Hebrew race. When we are told of some venturesome band daring the +dangers of iceberg and darkness in penetrating to the secret haunts of +Nature; when we learn that gallant seamen are guiding civilisation to +the farthest corners of the earth, are doing deeds of heroism that stir +our deepest feelings of reverence; when we know that our explorers and +sailors laugh at peril and face death without fear; when we see numbers +of our boys, from the prince who stands by the throne to the city +outcast who begs at our door, prefer and seek sea-life rather than any +other—we acknowledge with pride that the power of our sea-king sires +is dominant yet. +</P> + +<P> +"The Jew and the Norseman have surely been chosen of Heaven to keep the +human race from degenerating, for the soul of the Jew rules our moral +being, and the spirit of the Norseman controls our intellectual nature. +The nursery of our faith was the tent of an Arab shiek, and the cradle +of our fame was the bark of a northern Viking." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap28"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"SEA-RUNES GOOD AT NEED." +</H3> + +<P> +"Well, boys, I suppose you want to be off early," said the Yarl next +morning, when he came in for breakfast and found his young guests in a +ferment of excitement asking each other, "Where did you put the +knives?" "Have you remembered matches?" "I vote we take a whole ham +with us." "You've left out the log-book." "For goodness' sake, +somebody carry a pencil." +</P> + +<P> +"You look like business, on my word," their host added, smiling; "and I +wish I were a boy too." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind, sir; come with us all the same," cried Yaspard, but old +Halsen shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"The glamour of boyhood is wanting. I could not enjoy such a voyage of +adventure and exploring in the right way now. But I shall want to hear +all about it; so mind you use Garth's note-book and keep an accurate +log." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll see to that," quoth Harry; and Tom added, "I do the messing, and +Harry does the writing." +</P> + +<P> +When all preparations were made, the Yarl insisted that they should +march to the shore in proper style, with Yaspard walking in front +carrying his new flag, hoisted for the occasion on Mr. Halsen's +walking-stick. +</P> + +<P> +It was a lovely flag indeed. Isobel had been working on it for a long +time, intending it for Fred, but he had asked that it might be given to +his young friend, and she willingly agreed. +</P> + +<P> +The device was not uncommon, but Isobel's artistic fancy had made it a +perfect work of art. It was the figure of a youth clad in armour +holding high in his right hand a white cross with "Onward" worked in +gold letters upon it. +</P> + +<P> +The flag was blue, with a crimson star in the corner; and altogether +any prince might have been proud to start upon a high quest under such +a banner. +</P> + +<P> +The two girls accompanied the procession, we may be sure; and many were +Gerta's injunctions to "take care of yourselves, and don't be +foolhardy." +</P> + +<P> +Just as the good-byes were being said, Thor called out from his basket, +"Uncle, uncle! Bad, bad, bad!" +</P> + +<P> +"Why on earth have you taken that uncanny fowl with you?" Amy Congreve +asked. +</P> + +<P> +"You ought to know by this time," said Garth, speaking for our +Viking-boy, "that the sea-rovers never went out to maraud or explore +without the bird of Odin." +</P> + +<P> +"I shouldn't like to have a creature like that calling out 'Bad, bad!' +as I started on a voyage of discovery. It is not a good omen," Amy +replied in lower tones, which did not reach the ears of the young +adventurers, for their boat was off, and the Yarl and Garth were +cheering the <I>Osprey</I> as it slid away from the land. +</P> + +<P> +"What very odd fancies that boy has!" Mr. Halsen remarked as they +returned to the house. "Some of his notions are almost childish at the +first glance one takes—so simple, and full of the exaggerated fancy of +a mere child. But soon one finds the germ of the right kind of stuff +in all his fancies; and he carries them out with the shrewd common +sense, the cool determination, energy, and daring of a grown man. It +is a strange mixture." +</P> + +<P> +"It is a mixture that makes a fascinating character, uncle," said +Gerta. "I like Yaspard Adiesen very much just because of that +child-way and man-manner he has. He will do something grand one of +these days." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard thought he was doing something grand that very day, you may be +sure. He was started on an exploring expedition: and when we remember +that the Shetland group consists of over one hundred islands, large and +small; that many of these have seldom been visited by any one, some +never trod by human foot, and the greater number uninhabited save by +the wild birds and sea creatures, we will see that our hero's voyage +was not unlikely to be one of discovery and adventure. +</P> + +<P> +Some other time I will give you the <I>Osprey's</I> log, carefully kept by +Harry Mitchell, who every evening recorded all the day's doings, +however trivial these had been. Many of their adventures were so +startling that he might well have been excused if his attention had +been occasionally diverted from this duty; but that diary was a model +of faithful discharging of a promise given to more than one of the dear +home friends, whose thoughts we know were with the Viking-boys. At +present I can only tell you a small part of what happened during the +week which the <I>Osprey</I> spent in cruising among the lonely skerries and +holmes of Hialtland. +</P> + +<P> +More than once our lads had spoken a haaf-boat, and sent messages to +Lunda, from whence Fred had taken care to despatch the news, "<I>Osprey</I> +spoken. All well," to Boden and Burra Isle. +</P> + +<P> +They never landed on any inhabited spot, but preferred to camp for the +night on some lofty rock, whose steep sides they had to scale at the +risk of their bones, or on some green holme, where the waves lapped +round the place of their rest, tossing spray on them as they slept. +</P> + +<P> +They always kept a watch, knowing from past experience how swiftly the +squalls arise. It would be no joke, they knew, if their boat were +caught by the sea in some geo while they slept on the high rock above; +and well they knew that a very little increase of wind would cause the +waves to wash them from the low holmes in a moment. They kept a wary +eye on the weather, and always contrived to have a safe port to lee +when atmospheric disturbance threatened. +</P> + +<P> +They gathered a strange, even valuable, collection of curiosities in +various departments of science; nothing escaped Harry in the shape of +plant-life, shells, or geological specimens, and the others followed +his example in other lines. A great many rare and beautiful +curiosities were brought up on the fishing-line. Tom Holtum came to +grief more than once climbing after birds' nests, and Bill Mitchell had +to be rescued from drowning again and again in consequence of his +ardour in pursuit of wreckage. +</P> + +<P> +There are always mournful trophies of the power of ocean to be found +floating around those isles, and our young adventurers were frequently +reminded of this by discovering oars, planks, casks, or other flotsam, +which had belonged to some lost ship that had disappeared for ever. +</P> + +<P> +I ought to tell you that Thor was not kept a prisoner in his basket all +this time. Yaspard knew that the bird would remain by him and the +well-known boat when all familiar land-marks were beyond his ken, +therefore he was allowed to hop about as he so pleased. Being always +well fed and caressed, Thor began to think that a voyage of discovery +had something to recommend it on the whole, and was in a very amiable +frame of mind all the time. Indeed, so much did he show himself +attached to the <I>Osprey</I> and her roving crew, that some of them began +to think he would not be inclined to leave them even when they might +wish him to do so. For be it known that Yaspard meant to send Thor +home before him with a message, and had told Signy to look every day +for the coming of the raven. +</P> + +<P> +When they had been out a week, and had led a most delightful Robinson +Crusoe life, they found that their provisions were getting near an end; +as the Yarl had advised their return about that time, therefore he had +not supplied them with more than a week's food. The store had been +supplemented by many a fine catch of fish, as well as shell-fish; but +the lads were healthy and hungry, and had not spared the ferdimet. +They might have landed near some cottages and renewed their supplies, +but such a prosaic and ordinary method was scouted by all. Besides, +they had agreed to return as advised about that time; so the homeward +voyage was begun, not without some regret, but with many a resolution +that this should only be the first of many such expeditions. +</P> + +<P> +They sailed steadily onwards all that day without turning once aside, +though many a tempting islet lay by their course. When the evening +drew near they were well in sight of the Heogue and the hills of Lunda; +while, not far away on their lee, rose the cliffs of Burra Isle. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose we land for the night on Swarta Stack?" said Harry. "It is a +good-sized place, and has a first-rate geo where our boat can lie as +snug as possible." +</P> + +<P> +"Swarta Stack gets a bad name for mair raisons than ane," Gloy Winwick +remarked, as the <I>Osprey</I> made for the island, according to Harry's +suggestions. +</P> + +<P> +"Is it haunted?" Gibbie asked. +</P> + +<P> +"I dinna ken aboot that," replied his cousin. "The minister tells us +it's a' nonsense aboot haunted places and the like; but it's said that +Swarta Stack was an ill place when the folk were no' ower particular o' +the way they got prül[1] frae the sea." +</P> + +<P> +"You mean there were wreckers hereabout?" Yaspard asked, and Gloy +answered, "I've heard sae." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish I could meet them. I just wish I could catch a wrecker at his +evil work. Wouldn't I pitch into him!" exclaimed the Viking-boy; +whereat Harry, laughing, said, "That's all done with now. Wreckers +went after the Vikings, didn't they?" +</P> + +<P> +"With the exception of fule-Tammy," retorted Yaspard. +</P> + +<P> +"And yourself," said Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe they left as bad behind them," Yaspard said quickly. "Men who +cheat in trade, who scamp work, evade taxes, rack-rent the poor, are no +better than pirates and wreckers." +</P> + +<P> +"Here we are at the Stack," Harry exclaimed. "Look out there with the +sail! Captain, mind your helm. There now; you nearly had her aground! +I declare we've skimmed over a bau!—we may thank our stars we didn't +capsize on it—all through your jabber about wreckers who left this +planet a century ago." +</P> + +<P> +They landed on Swarta Stack, and made themselves comfortable for the +night not far from the geo where the <I>Osprey</I> was moored. It was too +late to explore the Stack that night, so after supper all rolled +themselves up in rugs, as had been their wont for a week, and were soon +in the mysterious land of dreamless sleep. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] Odds and ends, or plunder. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap29"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"GREAT IS THE TROUBLE OF FOOT ILL-TRIPPING." +</H3> + +<P> +Our boys woke up early next morning, for a chill wind sweeping over +Swarta Stack was as effectual a rouser as the dressing-bell. +</P> + +<P> +When fully awake they looked (as if led by one instinct) to the open +sea, for from thence was coming the deep mournful moaning which +precedes a storm. +</P> + +<P> +"Mither," said Gloy, "wad say that the sea was sending its warning tae +wiz." +</P> + +<P> +"We will certainly pay heed to that warning," answered Yaspard, "as +soon as we have had breakfast. Let's look alive, boys, and get our +fire up as fast as we can, for there's going to be a gale before night, +and we should be at Broch then." +</P> + +<P> +"The <I>Osprey</I> won't take long to run into Burra Wick," said Tom; "and +we must make a jolly good breakfast here before returning to civilised +life." +</P> + +<P> +"There will be time to inspect the Stack, I hope," Harry remarked. "We +must have a full report of this isle that has a bad name, according to +Gloy." +</P> + +<P> +They lit their fire, and boiled the last of their potatoes, brewed the +last of their tea, and finished the biscuits and ham. +</P> + +<P> +"Not much to carry back," one said, and another added, "I shouldn't +like to be left on a skerry now that the ferdimet is all but done." +</P> + +<P> +When breakfast was ended no time was lost in starting for a tour round +Swarta Stack, which is a lofty island about a mile long, very +picturesque in outline, and surrounded by lesser islands, as well as +isolated rocks, which are the terror of all who know them. The lads +found a great deal to interest them in the Stack; but their main object +was to find the caves which tradition said had been the abode of +lawless men in olden times. +</P> + +<P> +There was one large cavern in a cliff easily found and well known; but +that was not the Wrecker's Den, for the sea came into it, and in stormy +weather filled its vast solitudes with the body and voice of many +waters. This cave, however, was supposed to communicate with one +inland, as many helyers[1] do, and our boys were determined to discover +the hidden abode. +</P> + +<P> +For a long time the search was a vain one; but at last an idea was +suggested to Harry, who had halted by a small cairn. +</P> + +<P> +"Boys," he said, "I should not wonder if we are on a wrong tack looking +for a natural cave. It is more likely that the wreckers' den was a +place dug out of the earth by themselves." +</P> + +<P> +"That was a common dodge long ago," quoth Yaspard; and Tom added, "We +got a good illustration of that sort of thing in the old Broch of Burra +Isle." +</P> + +<P> +"And you are thinking, Harry," Yaspard exclaimed, "that this cairn may +cover some portion of the den—perhaps be the entrance to it?" +</P> + +<P> +Harry nodded, and after a careful inspection of the rougue, remarked, +"I think we shall find something here; but we must not come to grief in +a ruin, as Garth Halsen did when he dug into the old Broch." +</P> + +<P> +They went to work with a will, and soon removed the cairn and laid bare +what was evidently the entrance to a vault of some sort. The mouth of +the pit was covered by two enormous stones, and it took a long time to +remove these; but so interested were the adventurers in their +investigations, that they forgot the warning of the sea and the rising +of the wind. +</P> + +<P> +"It is curious," said Harry, peering into the dark pit at their feet, +"that there seems no foul air to speak of down there, and yet I don't +see any speck of light that would indicate a passage to the outer +world." +</P> + +<P> +"Might the way not be curved, or sufficiently blocked to exclude +light?" Yaspard suggested; and Harry frankly answered, "Of course. You +are wiser than I. Has any one got a match in his pocket?" +</P> + +<P> +Matches were produced, and a piece of paper was lighted; but such a +meagre illumination revealed nothing beyond the fact that the vault +seemed a large one, and roughly built round with a rude kind of masonry. +</P> + +<P> +Bill was despatched to the boat for candles—which you may remember +were part of the "prül" that Yaspard hid in the chimney; but the +impatience of his companions to learn more would not allow them to wait +on his return before descending into the chamber. They could see that +there was solid ground some seven or eight feet beneath the opening, +and Harry swung down, and soon reported himself as standing on a +"decently paved floor;" but he was too cautious to explore farther +until some light was thrown on the subject. Not so Tom Holtum. He did +not see the fun in waiting for candles, and down he jumped beside Harry. +</P> + +<P> +"There's an awful draught here," he exclaimed. "There must be passages +and perhaps other rooms knocking around. I vote we explore," and +without listening a moment to Harry's warning, Tom made for a part of +the vault from whence the current of air proceeded. +</P> + +<P> +"You are extremely foolish, Tom," said Harry. +</P> + +<P> +"You are a timid ca——" Tom began to reply, but was cut short. With +an exclamation he suddenly disappeared; and next moment a fall and a +groan told, not only Harry but those above ground, that an accident had +taken place. +</P> + +<P> +By that time Bill was back with the candles, and Yaspard hastened to +join Harry. After him came the others, as fast as they could, and all +gathered around Harry, who by that time stood with a lighted candle in +his hand over the mouth of a dark hole, peering down and calling, "Tom! +old chap." But "Tom! old chap" made no response, and all attempts to +hold the light over the opening proved futile, as a current of air +rushing upward put it out. +</P> + +<P> +The lads gazed into each other's white, terror-stricken faces with mute +fear. The darkness and silence were enough to appal any one; but the +courage of our Viking-boy rose to the occasion. +</P> + +<P> +"He must be awfully hurt, poor chap," he said, "and we must do our best +to find and help him. What do you suggest, Harry? <I>I'll</I> do anything." +</P> + +<P> +"Some one must be lowered with a rope," answered the wise head of the +party. +</P> + +<P> +"That some one is me," was Yaspard's prompt reply. "Get your rope, +boys." +</P> + +<P> +They always carried ropes with them. "We can do nothing without a +rope," they would say. But the ropes had been dropped, of course, on +the turf above, and the emergency which had made all hurry into the +vault had caused them to neglect providing for an easy ascent again. +The only thing to do was for two to hoist a third on their shoulders so +that he could get his hands on the aperture and thus clamber out. +Lowrie was chosen as the messenger to the outer world, and Harry said +to him when shoving him aloft, "Drop us one rope at once, but fix the +other to a boulder and slide down by it. That will give us help in +scrambling out of here." +</P> + +<P> +The rope was soon in their hands, and Yaspard, seizing the end, tied it +round his waist, while Harry instructed him how to strike a light when +lowered, and what signals to make to those above. In breathless +excitement they stood around that gruesome hole, and slowly lowered +their young leader into its dark and gaping jaws. Lower, lower; and +the rope was almost all paid out when a sharp jerk told (as agreed +upon) that Yaspard had reached the bottom. +</P> + +<P> +"Not so deep as I feared," Harry whispered with a sigh of relief. +</P> + +<P> +Then there came a sudden flare of light, which showed that Yaspard was +trying to illumine the scene; but it was extinguished again directly. +Again and again he tried, but evidently in vain. Then came darkness +and silence as before. But after a little time of fearful suspense the +rope was jerked twice, and Yaspard was hauled up again. +</P> + +<P> +"What of Tom?" Harry asked as soon as Yaspard's head appeared in sight; +but Yaspard did not reply until he was standing beside them. Then he +said, "He is lying there senseless, but he is alive." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, your hands!" Bill screamed, and all eyes turned on Yaspard's +hands, which were red with blood. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom is badly hurt. I put my hands on his face and chest," explained +too surely that horrible sign. "There is no keeping a match or candle +alight down there. The wind is rushing through it as if it were a +funnel," Yaspard went on, "and I can't think how he is to be got out." +</P> + +<P> +"Bill," said Harry, with the imperious decision which he always assumed +in any emergency, where one cool head was worth a score of able +undirected hands, "Bill, you run for your life to the boat again. +Bring the tar-pot and a stick or two, the potato bag, and a towel, and +a can of water; some more rope, if you can find it handy. Gloy, go +with him to help carry; and mind, both of you, Tom's life is possibly +depending on your speed. Don't forget anything. Keep your wits clear." +</P> + +<P> +The two little chaps were off without a moment's delay, scudding across +the Stack, and too engrossed with their errand and its urgency to note +the rising storm, which had set the white horses rampant on the deep +and driven the sea-birds to the Stack in clamouring crowds. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Harry said, "Undo that rope, Yaspard. <I>I</I> will go down this +time. I can probably be of more use to him than you. You can follow +with those things when the chaps return. And look you, Lowrie, be +canny in lowering him, and in your management of the rope. See that +the youngsters are careful; for Yaspard and I will send Tom up first if +possible. You know what to do with the tar and sticks, Yaspard?" +</P> + +<P> +"Make a torch?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; and we shall want the bag and rope to make a sort of hammock for +Tom. Now send me below. But first—your handkerchiefs, boys." +</P> + +<P> +He stuffed the collection of grimy "wipes" (as the lads styled their +pocket-handkerchiefs) in his pocket, and was carefully lowered into the +dismal cavern where poor Tom lay. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] Sea-caves. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap30"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"SWEET SIGHT FOR ME THOU TWAIN TO SIT EYES ON." +</H3> + +<P> +"Tom! Tom!" Harry had groped his way to Tom's head, had lifted it on +his arm, and felt the warm blood welling from a deep cut on the +forehead, "Tom, can you not understand?" he said; but Tom made no +reply. He was breathing heavily and quite unconscious. +</P> + +<P> +Dr. Holtum had given the Lunda boys many a useful lesson in ambulance +surgery, and no one had benefited more from his teaching than Harry +Mitchell. With care, and as much precision as was possible without the +aid of sight, he bound Tom's head in bandages formed from the +handkerchiefs provided, and had the satisfaction of finding that the +wound was staunched and the pulse beating a little stronger before many +minutes had passed. +</P> + +<P> +He could not, of course, ascertain what other injuries had been +inflicted, but he moved Tom's arms and legs gently, and felt satisfied +that <I>their</I> bones had escaped. +</P> + +<P> +The time seemed very long to Harry down there, and to the others +waiting above. At last Yaspard could keep silence no longer, so +leaning over, he shouted, "Is he—any better? Can't you sing out +something to us, Harry?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have been able to do a little, and I think Tom is reviving," was the +cheering news Harry sang out in reply. +</P> + +<P> +Tom really was coming round, and the first sign he made was a groan, +and then a murmured "Time to get up, did you say?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Tom," Harry cried, bending close to the wounded head on his arm, +and shedding some tears that were not an unmanly sign of gladness at +hearing Tom's voice once more; "Tom, old chap, I'm as sorry as can be +for giving you the rough side of my tongue many a time." +</P> + +<P> +"Eh, what?" faltered Tom. "Is that Harry speaking? Are you there, +mother? What's up? I don't quite know; my head feels queer—oh dear!" +</P> + +<P> +He had tried to raise himself as he spoke, and had been checked by +agonising pain, which caused him to relapse into insensibility. +</P> + +<P> +"How awful this is! I wish they'd make haste up there," thought Harry. +And then he turned, as the Manse boys had always been taught to turn in +trials, to Him who is near at all times, a present help in time of +trouble. +</P> + +<P> +When Tom revived again, the first thing he heard was Harry Mitchell's +voice faltering forth prayers to God for His unfortunate comrade; and I +think that the childish antagonism which had so long existed between +those two died out just then. But now a great flare of light fell on +them, and the noise and talk overhead told that relief was coming. +</P> + +<P> +"What does it all mean, Harry?" Tom asked feebly. +</P> + +<P> +"You fell down here, and Yaspard is coming with a light and things to +help you out. Cheer up, Tom; we'll have you out and all right before +long." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard descended with an admirable torch in his hand, and the articles +Harry required strapped around him. +</P> + +<P> +Great was our hero's joy to find Tom so much restored; and when they +had bathed his face, and made him drink some water, he was able to +speak collectedly. "I am hurt about the left shoulder," he said, when +they began to examine him, "and my head feels dreadful." +</P> + +<P> +"There is a nasty cut on the brow," said Harry, "and a slight one +behind the ear. I won't move the clumsy bandage, though, till we get +him up, when it can be made more ship-shape. Now, Tom, you must let us +put you in the potatoe-bag and haul you out of this." +</P> + +<P> +They were very deft and tender in their handling, and Tom bit his lips +to refrain from groaning over his acute pain; but for all that the job +was a tedious and trying one, and when he was lashed into the sack Tom +fainted again. +</P> + +<P> +"I must go up with him," said Harry; "those duffers might do some harm." +</P> + +<P> +He tested the rope, and, assured that it would bear a good weight, he +put an arm round Tom, and then, catching the rope with his other hand, +gave the signal. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately they had not to be raised very far, and it was accomplished +without any misadventure beyond the "skinning" of Harry's hand, which +he could not guard without leaving Tom's poor head unprotected. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as Yaspard too was got out of that horrible hole, all haste was +made to reach the open air; and in the same manner Tom was lifted from +the upper vault and laid upon the sward. +</P> + +<P> +When he came to himself, he was stretched on the grass with Bill's knee +for a pillow and Harry's skilful hands ministering to him; and in that +moment Tom must have been clearly conscious of all that had taken +place, for he murmured with great fervency, "Thank God for the blessed +light of day." +</P> + +<P> +Just then a shower of spray came driving over the Stack, and, dashing +itself against their faces, called the attention of all to the storm +now raging on the sea. +</P> + +<P> +All around Swarta Stack the waves were leaping, white and furious. +There could be no leaving the island that day, and no chance of any +rescue, even if anybody knew of their position—a very unlikely thing. +</P> + +<P> +"Where can we find shelter for Tom?" was the first thing said, and it +was Harry who spoke. +</P> + +<P> +"We must see to our boat," said Yaspard. +</P> + +<P> +They hurriedly piled a few stones together, and laid their jackets on +these to make a shelter and couch for Tom; then leaving Harry to look +after the patient, the others ran off to secure the <I>Osprey</I>. +Fortunately she was a light little boat, and they were able to run her +up the beach a bit, where she was safe from being knocked about by the +waves. The few remains of ferdimet were removed, with other articles +which were required for camping out; and as our adventurers returned to +the scene of the catastrophe they asked one another what was to be done +if the storm lasted longer than one day. +</P> + +<P> +"We can't starve, with birds about and rabbits as well as sheep on the +isle," said Yaspard; "but the storm that could do us no harm may be +serious enough for poor Tom. There isn't even a morsel of tea +left—only a few piltacks and a slice of cheese." +</P> + +<P> +"There's a couple of eggs and Miss Congreve's box of chocolates left," +Bill said. "We'll keep them for Tom; but the sea may run off before +night." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard shook his head. "Not likely. I know the weather-signs. This +means to last." +</P> + +<P> +"Just so! Bad boy, bad boy!" screamed Thor from a crag close by. He +had remained by the <I>Osprey</I> while the lads were exploring, and would +have remained there still; but when she was beached and the "outward +and visible signs" of a meal carried away, Thor thought he had better +go too, and see what was going to happen next. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, Thor, my rascal!" Yaspard exclaimed; "I must have had a +presentiment of what would happen when I took you with us. Now" +(turning to his companions), "I trust he will go when he is bid, in +which case we may be helped sooner than we can help ourselves. I +wouldn't," he added hastily, "dream of calling for help if it were not +for Tom." +</P> + +<P> +Harry looked up anxiously when his companions arrived. "This is a bad +job," he said very seriously; "I fear Tom is more hurt than he allows, +and he is getting light-headed, too." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll send Thor now—if he'll go," said Yaspard, and Harry's face lit +up. +</P> + +<P> +"I had forgotten Thor. Yes, send him if you can." +</P> + +<P> +But Thor was in a sulky and suspicious mood, and would not let his +master catch him. There were no alluring morsels left to bribe him +with; for the eggs must be kept for Tom, and a chocolate ball Thor +despised as well as cheese. +</P> + +<P> +"We must wait till we have to kill a sheep," Gibbie Harrison remarked, +after all efforts to catch the raven had failed; "he will come for a +bit of red raw flesh, the ugly brute!" +</P> + +<P> +"You needn't call Thor an ugly brute for eating what you kill," +retorted Yaspard, "unless you call yourself another of the same." +</P> + +<P> +They all laughed then, and the laugh did them good. It even helped to +strengthen Tom, who showed a great amount of pluck and endurance during +that trying time. He reproached himself for having brought so much +trouble on them all, and tried to bear his pain heroically; but in +spite of his own efforts, and the thoughtful attention of his comrades, +Tom's state grew rapidly worse, and before evening he was very fevered. +</P> + +<P> +By that time even Yaspard considered the situation most critical for +all, and was ready to adopt any and every suggestion that might offer +the smallest alleviation of their condition. +</P> + +<P> +The whole party had strongly objected to using the vault as a shelter, +but, as the day waned and the storm increased, they decided upon +retreating there, seeing that Swarta Stack offered no better refuge. +</P> + +<P> +Anxiety had banished hunger, and no one felt in a mood that evening for +slaughter. An egg was whipped up with some sugar still left, and +poured down Tom's throat, and later a cup of cocoa was made for him +from the contents of Amy's box of comfits. The rest of the lads lay +down to sleep supperless—and, for the matter of that, dinnerless also, +not having tasted food since early breakfast, except half a cold +piltack and a morsel of cheese. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard and Harry resolved to watch by Tom, whose sleep was fitful and +feverish. They had not been able to remove him to the vault, of +course, but had built a wall of stones and turf to protect him from the +weather; and while the other lads slept quietly enough in the wreckers' +den, these two kept guard over their disabled comrade on the exposed +ground. +</P> + +<P> +"If the storm does not lin[1] by sunrise," said Yaspard, "we must try +and move him to the beach, and get him under shelter of the boat; we +can turn her up, you know, and make a cosy place for him. It is so +windy and disagreeable here." +</P> + +<P> +Alas! they had not dreamt that the tempest might "turn" the <I>Osprey</I> as +easily as they could. At the moment when Yaspard spoke, his bonnie +boat was lying among the great rough stones, with a rent in her side +that no mere caulking could cure. A fierce gust had caught her and +tossed her over as if she were a toy left there for that purpose. +</P> + +<P> +This was discovered when a very sedate procession of boys came down to +the beach, carrying Tom on a stretcher made (as Dr. Holtum had shown +how) out of their jackets spread between two spars—the spars being +passed through the sleeves, and so kept in position. +</P> + +<P> +When the <I>Osprey's</I> condition was ascertained Yaspard said, "I suppose +there is nothing left but to try for Thor again." +</P> + +<P> +But Thor was nowhere to be seen then, and though search was made, he +could not be discovered. The truth was that Thor, hungry and +uncomfortable, had been hovering over Swarta Stack at daybreak in a +very discontented state, had recognised some familiar landmarks in a +northerly direction, and had decamped for Boden straightway. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] Abate. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap31"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"HILD UNDER HELM." +</H3> + +<P> +As one after another their resources seemed to fail, the courage of +more than one of the lads sank; but there was no daunting Yaspard, and +he began to talk of lighting a big tire, or setting up the sail as a +signal—of one and all of the devices which castaways use for +attracting attention, till Bill cut him short by saying, "We can do all +that by-and-by, when the sea falls enough to allow a boat to come here +if our signals were seen. It isn't any good just now, for all the +people are in their beds, and will be for hours, and while they are +sleeping we are starving." +</P> + +<P> +At that moment Pirate came running from the farther side of the Stack +carrying a dead rabbit, which he proudly laid at his master's feet. He +had been amusing himself almost all the time since the landing with +hunting rabbits, and had at last caught one. +</P> + +<P> +"You needn't starve now. See, Bill!" and Yaspard picked up the rabbit; +"a fine fat beast, thanks to Pirate. Ah, my dog, if you had Thor's +wings you would use them for me, not for yourself, I know." +</P> + +<P> +Harry Mitchell looked admiringly at the noble dog; and when the others +moved away to collect wood for a fire (plenty of spars on Swarta Stack) +he fell into a reverie with his eyes fastened on Pirate. +</P> + +<P> +Before long a fire was burning and the rabbit was roasting in an oven +of mud. The skin was not removed, for those old young campaigners knew +the best way to cook meat when the kitchen appliances were beyond +reach. While Lowrie watched the roast and Gloy fed the fire, Gibbie +went to the shore to secure some shell-fish and Bill went in search of +plovers' eggs, for all were agreed that, until absolutely driven to it, +they would not kill a sheep. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard, having set them all thus to work, returned to his place by +Tom, who had fallen into a sort of stupor more alarming than even the +restlessness and raving of the previous evening. +</P> + +<P> +"In a brown study still, Harry?" the Viking asked, as he sat down and +looked sorrowfully at the invalid. +</P> + +<P> +"I have an idea," was Harry's answer. "You see the wind is falling +already, and falling fast. It never lasts long at this season. But +there is a heavy sea that may not run off for a couple of days. And no +one lives on the part of Burra Isle facing Swarta Stack. Any signal we +make will not be seen by the folk of Burra Isle, and not likely noticed +by any one on Lunda, which is so much farther away. It really wouldn't +matter for any of us except Tom; but he must be seen to soon, if his +life is to be saved. If he were all right, we could camp here as long +as you please; so don't think me impatient or funking." +</P> + +<P> +"No, no! I know that. What is your idea?" +</P> + +<P> +"Your boat can't float, Yaspard, but your dog can swim." +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard sprang to his feet and caught Harry's hands in his joyous +excitement. "That will do," he cried. "That will be better than Thor, +for I can go with Pirate. I can swim like a fish; and if he sees me +try it, he will go too—we could not expect him to fully understand +what we wanted if I did not do so. I'll be off as soon as it's +possible." +</P> + +<P> +"Burra Isle is three-quarters of a mile from here," answered Harry +gravely. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm good for it," was Yaspard's answer; "good for that, and a lot +more, in such an emergency as the present." +</P> + +<P> +Harry's face dropped quickly, and he had some difficulty in keeping +back the tears, as a swift thought went back to his brother Frank, who +had given his life to save another. Just as Yaspard looked had Frank +stood, smiling like a hero, when he plunged into Wester-voe to save +cripple Bartle. But even that gallant deed had less risk in it than +this which Yaspard contemplated, for the distance Frank had to swim was +not half as far, and the sea was quite calm. +</P> + +<P> +"It will be a fearful thing to do, Yaspard," Harry said after a pause; +"ten chances to one against your reaching the other shore. Yet—I will +not say <I>don't</I>—because—I'll try too. Did you ever hear of—what +our—Frank did?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I heard. It was remembering what he did made me want to do this +for poor Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, old man, we will make a try with Pirate when the weather falls a +little more." +</P> + +<P> +"Not you, Harry. Only myself and Pirate. It would never do to leave +Tom with those duffers. And besides, poor chaps, they'd be all at sea +if we failed and no relief came. With <I>you</I> still here <I>something</I> +would be thought of that had sense in it." +</P> + +<P> +Harry was obliged to own the wisdom of Yaspard's words, knowing full +well how little Bill was able to take his place as director of affairs. +</P> + +<P> +The Harrisons and Gloy were not to be depended upon for anything beyond +willing service and obedience to a guiding head. Yet Harry wished to +share Yaspard's responsibility, his peril, and his daring. "Let's cast +lots," he suggested. +</P> + +<P> +"No," said the Viking-boy decisively. "This quest is mine. Not +another word about it, Harry." +</P> + +<P> +"Mother, mother!" Tom muttered, rolling his head uneasily, and the word +reached their ears as they sat by the boat under which he lay. +</P> + +<P> +"You hear?" whispered Yaspard; "think of your mother. If I don't reach +land I shall go to my mother, but yours is in the Manse of Lunda, and +would break her heart if anything happened to you." +</P> + +<P> +By that time the rabbit was cooked, and some plovers' eggs also +roasted, along with a large crab which had been taking an airing before +Gloy's gleg[1] vision, and was obliged to yield to fate on the instant. +The lads were very hungry, and enjoyed their meal in spite of +everything. +</P> + +<P> +When every morsel was demolished, even to the bones, which fell to +Pirate's share, the lads gathered in a group beside the boat, and tried +to wile away the time with supposing a great many wonderful kinds of +rescues which might take place; and it was then that Harry told the +others of Yaspard's project. +</P> + +<P> +"You can never do it, sir," Lowrie exclaimed; "I ken weel ye canno', +and my faither wad never forgive us if we let you try." +</P> + +<P> +"Tom Holtum's life, or mine, to be risked! My life is my own and +God's, to be used by me, with His approval, as my judgment thinks +best," was the dignified answer, which silenced Lowrie. +</P> + +<P> +After that they watched the sea, and spoke very little for some hours, +until the wind had quite subsided and the waves were less broken. By +that time Tom's condition made a desperate attempt more urgent still, +and Yaspard rose up saying, "Pirate, old boy, it is time you and I set +out. Good-bye, lads; and keep up your hearts, for if I fail the dog +won't." +</P> + +<P> +They silently followed him to the low crags where they had so blithely +landed. Lowrie meekly stooped and picked up the boots Yaspard took +off, and Gibbie was heard to sob, but no one offered the smallest +remonstrance; they were in hearing of Tom's broken words and pitiful +moans, and each one thought, "I'd do the same thing if I could." +</P> + +<P> +"Take care of my crew, Harry," Yaspard said, giving one glance back; +and then they called out, "God preserve you." He smiled. "Thank you! +that sounds good; now, Pirate, come!" +</P> + +<P> +He plunged into the surf and struck out manfully; and the dog kept +close by him, evidently aware that his young master's life was +entrusted to his keeping in a great measure. +</P> + +<P> +His companions watched their progress with burning anxiety, and hope +rose high within them as they saw how easily the dog swam; for they +were confident that while Pirate floated Yaspard was safe. +</P> + +<P> +Yaspard was not so confident himself after being in the water some +time, and he frequently found himself obliged to pause and rest his +hands on the dog. They were greatly helped by the tide flowing towards +Burra Isle. Indeed, Yaspard would not have started on such a dangerous +voyage if he had not calculated that he must receive great assistance +from the sea itself. All he had to do was to keep himself afloat and +drift with the current; but, as all swimmers know, it is often as +trying to do that as to breast an opposing force. +</P> + +<P> +He found infinite comfort in the companionship of his faithful dog, and +frequently spoke to him—more for the purpose of encouraging his own +heart than because Pirate needed words of cheer. +</P> + +<P> +But that piece of water seemed very broad, and there seemed for ever +sounding in our hero's ears the refrain of an old song with which Mam +Kirsty used to lull Signy to sleep in her baby days— +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"My cradle and my grave is the deep deep sea."<BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +Yet Yaspard was not the least afraid, and only thought, even when those +doleful words seemed to ring like a knell through the roar of the +waves, "Tom will be saved if I reach the shore, and if I don't, Pirate +is sure to land and make his way to a house at once. That will tell as +well as any words of mine." +</P> + +<P> +He was very nearly exhausted when at last he found himself in shallow +water; so, putting on a desperate spurt, he managed to reach a sandy +creek where a landing could be easily made. But as he staggered up +from the water, thanking God in his heart, a sudden weakness +overpowered him, and he fell senseless on the sand. Pirate had reached +land before his master, and was shaking himself vigorously when Yaspard +dropped. The wonderful dog-intellect at once divined that something +must be very far wrong, and he sniffed around the motionless form, with +deep anxiety expressed in every gesture and in the low whining noise he +made. +</P> + +<P> +At last, when he found that Yaspard did not stir, Pirate determined +upon seeking help without further delay. With a piteous howl he turned +from the spot and bounded up the hill, making for the nearest +habitation or human being with the unerring instinct of his race. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +[1] Keen. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap32"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"HAIL FROM THE MAIN THEN COMEST THOU HOME." +</H3> + +<P> +Garth Halsen and his father were strolling over the hill that day. The +old Yarl of Broch was always restless during a storm, and never cared +to sit in the house when the elements were at war, "for there is sorrow +on the sea," he would say at such times; "and I cannot rest when I +think some poor souls are fighting for life on the water." As the +father and son walked on they saw Pirate, and he saw them, and made at +once for them, whining in the most distressful manner. +</P> + +<P> +"What dog is that? Why, I've——" +</P> + +<P> +"It's Yaspard's dog," Garth exclaimed; "and he wants us to go with him. +Something has happened, I fear." +</P> + +<P> +They hurried in the direction which Pirate so intelligently indicated, +and he soon led them to where our Viking-boy lay. +</P> + +<P> +By that time Yaspard had revived a little, and was sitting up looking +around in a dazed state, but the cheery voice of old Halsen soon +restored his wits, and he could give an account of what had happened. +</P> + +<P> +"No time to lose, lads," said the Yarl, with all the fire of strong +manhood eager to help the forlorn and weak. "We'll carry you over the +hill between us, boy, and get out the boats." +</P> + +<P> +They swung Yaspard up on their arms and went over the hill at a good +pace, considering the Yarl's age, until they reached a cottage +fortunately not far distant. There our hero was left in the care of +kindly women, while Mr. Halsen and Garth hastened to the nearest +fishing-station and gathered a stout crew. +</P> + +<P> +When Yaspard was reviving under the influence of warm food and a cozy +bed, a sixaern with Mr. Halsen as skipper was speeding round the North +Ness, and appeared before the longing eyes on Swarta Stack like an +angel of deliverance. +</P> + +<P> +"He has done it!" Harry exclaimed. "Yaspard has not met his +great-grand-uncle's fate!" +</P> + +<P> +"How do you know?" Lowrie asked. "It may hae been the dog. It's a +senseful beast." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you see they are coming straight as an arrow for the Stack?" +answered reflecting Harry. "No doubt in their minds as to where we +are. Now Pirate's arrival and demonstrations could only indicate that +we were in a strait somewhere among the holmes, but only Yaspard's +tongue could tell the identical place where we are." +</P> + +<P> +"Ye're awfully wise!" Lowrie exclaimed with much admiration, which +became qualified when Bill remarked, "Some one may have seen our fire, +or the sail." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think so," Harry answered. "I have had my eyes on the +hillside over there all the morning, and I'd have seen any person who +came there—unless they were by the creek, which is hidden from us by +the curves of the North Ness." +</P> + +<P> +"Any person <I>there</I> would not see us," said Bill, "so you must be +right. But if Yaspard landed, how is it we did not see him?" +</P> + +<P> +"He would land at the creek, most likely; and the little daal which +leads over the hill from the shore dips under the level of the Ness +hill, so we could not possibly see him. But we shall know all about it +very soon now." +</P> + +<P> +"I'd rather die on Swarta Stack than ken he is in the sea," blubbered +Lowrie, whose fears on Yaspard's account had quite unnerved him. +</P> + +<P> +But what a cheer those boys sent up when the sixaern came close, and +Harry called out "Is Yaspard safe?" and received for answer a joyous +"Yes, yes! he's all right by now." +</P> + +<P> +They shouted and sobbed together, until Tom was recalled from his +half-unconscious state to a knowledge that rescue had come, and +murmured, "I am so glad for their sakes, poor boys!" +</P> + +<P> +The Yarl had not omitted to bring such nourishment as could be most +quickly procured, and as soon as the boat was moored the castaways were +quaffing draughts of milk and devouring oatcakes and butter. Nothing +had ever tasted so sweet to Tom's lips as that milk, and the gentle +voice of Garth Halsen, his cool soft touch, were as good as medicine. +</P> + +<P> +He was carefully conveyed to the boat; the <I>Osprey</I> was safely beached, +high and dry, and loaded with stones to prevent her being buffeted by +the winds again, until such time as she could be removed; and the boys, +with lightened hearts, scrambled into the haaf-boat, carrying with them +all their campaigning effects. +</P> + +<P> +"If Yaspard were here," said Harry, "he would wish to stay by his boat +until he had made her fit to float us off the Stack again. I don't +half like leaving her all by herself, poor old <I>Osprey</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"You and your Viking can return and finish up your voyage of discovery +another time," quoth Garth; "but at present you must submit to being +taken to Broch in a commonplace manner." +</P> + +<P> +But the Yarl had been watching Tom, as he lay among coats spread on +grass in the bottom of the boat, and the kind old man's face had grown +more sad and serious every moment. +</P> + +<P> +"I think we must not make for Burra Wick after all," he said. "Much as +I'd like to have you at Broch, I believe we ought to take another +course. This lad should be in his father's hands with as little delay +as possible. So it's Collaster where we will bring up." +</P> + +<P> +And to Collaster they went, after landing Lowrie on the nearest point +of Burra Isle, to carry tidings of them to Yaspard, as well as to Gerta +Brace, who would certainly be alarmed if her uncle did not put in an +appearance that day. +</P> + +<P> +We can imagine the sensation created at the Doctor's house when Tom was +carried there, and the story of his misadventure was told. Harry did +not tell that it was Tom's own fault which brought about the accident, +and it was many a long day before Tom was able to give the full account +of it himself. But we must leave him in the care of his loving mother +and skilful father, content to know that he recovered eventually, and +lived to take a front place in many a wild adventure with his old +antipathy Harry, and his new one Yaspard Adiesen. +</P> + +<P> +Bill carried the news to Wester-voe and Fred Garson, while Gloy took +his cousin Gibbie to Lunda; and Harry asked to return with the Yarl and +Garth to Burra Isle. He wanted above all things to be with Yaspard, +and in his company finish up the adventurous expedition after a more +satisfactory manner than that of being taken home with the wounded. +But Harry did not say a word beyond expressing his eager desire to +return and stand by the Viking-boy. +</P> + +<P> +Next morning the haaf-boat returned to Burra Isle, and at the same time +Fred despatched messengers (Gibbie being one of them) to Boden to +report Yaspard at Broch, "Not much the worse of a ducking, and +returning home as soon as possible." +</P> + +<P> +Fred had got the whole story from Bill, and he rightly conjectured that +the return of the raven would have raised some anxiety, seeing that +Yaspard had told his sister that Thor should bring a message, and Thor +should precede the <I>Osprey</I> by only a few hours. Thor bearing no +message, and followed by no boat, was indeed an ill omen. Moreover, he +had reached home <I>raven</I>ously hungry, and in a very sulky, savage mood, +which added to Signy's fears regarding her brother, although Uncle Brüs +pooh-poohed the little girl's presentiment of evil. +</P> + +<P> +But the arrival of Fred's messenger and Gibbie made a commotion in +Boden, we may be sure, and nothing would satisfy either Mr. Adiesen or +James Harrison but they must start off and bring home their boys. You +may imagine their surprise and disgust to hear, on arriving at Broch, +that Yaspard—restored to all his wonted spirit and energy by a good +night's rest—had borrowed a boat, and accompanied by Harry and Lowrie, +and a clever seaman who knew well how to clamp the broken ribs of a +boat, had gone to Swarta Stack to repair and bring home the <I>Osprey</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"The boy is stark mad!" exclaimed Uncle Brüs; but the Yarl, whose soul +throbbed in sympathy with that of our Viking-boy, made answer, "His +head is as straight on his shoulders as need be. That lad is made of +the right stuff, and will be heard of in the world some day. You need +not be afraid for him." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose we ought to go and help him?" the scientist said; but Halsen +shook his head. "Even I," he said, "felt it would be best, kindest, to +let the lads take their own way. They were bent upon bringing back +their boat triumphantly, and they'll do it. Let us leave them all the +satisfaction and glory that they can get out of their adventures." +</P> + +<P> +And I tell you Yaspard's heart glowed with a good deal of satisfaction +when he sailed the <I>Osprey</I> up Burra Wick that afternoon, her flag +flaunting from the mast-head as gaily as when she sailed away on her +voyage of discovery and peril. +</P> + +<P> +Right heartily the good old Yarl and his guests and son cheered the +gallant boy and his comrades, as the boat, a little lob-sided, and +considerably scratched and battered, ran along the crags, and came to +below Broch. Hearty indeed was the welcome they received, and neither +Mr. Adiesen nor Harrison let the boys know that they were there for the +purpose of looking after "those roving madcaps." +</P> + +<P> +In truth Uncle Brüs was not a little proud of his nephew, and made him +repeat the story of his swim with Pirate, which Yaspard did, entirely +unconscious of the heroism he had displayed. +</P> + +<P> +"What did you think most about when you were in the water?" Mr. Adiesen +asked after a time—his scientific instincts rising above emotion, and +prompting him to discover what are the sensations a human being +experiences in such exceptional circumstances. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought of Mam Kirsty's old song, 'My cradle and my grave,' chiefly. +I had committed my life to God's hand when I started. Just before I +landed I thought I saw Signy holding out her hands, as she did when she +went adrift. That's about all." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, my dear, I think you must feel that you have had enough of +Vikinging for the rest of your life," said the scientist with a smile; +but he was not ill-pleased when his nephew answered, "It has only made +me long for more! I want <I>now</I> to do real good Viking work. I want to +go out and explore the world—the stars, if that were possible—and to +fight all the foes of the Red Cross, and to bury all feuds, and win +name and fame like a right noble and right valiant Viking." +</P> + +<P> +"You <I>have</I> done so, if you but knew it," quoth Garth; and Harry +Mitchell said, "You will do all that, I don't doubt; and I'll follow +where your flag leads, old man! I never could stand by the side of a +better comrade, and I don't believe I could ever find a finer +leader—so there!" +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, Harry," Yaspard answered simply. +</P> + +<P> +I need not tell you of the home-coming to Moolapund, of Aunt Osla's +tears and tea, of Signy's joy, of Thor's profound reflections, finished +up with a sage "Just so!"—of all the talk and enjoyment in fighting +their battles o'er again. +</P> + +<P> +We can leave our Viking-boy at this happy stage of his career, assured +(like the Yarl of Broch) that he was heard of in the world in later +days. +</P> + +<p> </p> +<center> +<hr width="50%"> +</center> +<p> </p> + +<P CLASS="transnote"> +<b>Transcriber's note:</b><br> +<br>This e-book contains the words "Boden" and "brodhor". In +the original book, the "o" in "Boden" and the first "o" in +"brodhor" were o-macron.</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> +<hr class="full" noshade> + +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VIKING BOYS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 23725-h.txt or 23725-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/7/2/23725">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/7/2/23725</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/23725-h/images/img-front.jpg b/23725-h/images/img-front.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..544ff27 --- /dev/null +++ b/23725-h/images/img-front.jpg diff --git a/23725.txt b/23725.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e3d0bb0 --- /dev/null +++ b/23725.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7221 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Viking Boys, by Jessie Margaret Edmondston +Saxby + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Viking Boys + + +Author: Jessie Margaret Edmondston Saxby + + + +Release Date: December 3, 2007 [eBook #23725] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VIKING BOYS*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 23725-h.htm or 23725-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/7/2/23725/23725-h/23725-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/7/2/23725/23725-h.zip) + + + + + +VIKING BOYS + +by + +J. M. E. SAXBY + +Author of "The Yarl's Yacht" Etc. + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: "Then there came a sudden flare of light, which showed +that Yaspard was trying to illuminate the scene."--_Page_ 216] + + + +London +Nisbet & Co. Ltd. +22 Berners Street. W.1 +1892 + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAP. + + I. "CALLED AFTER THAT WORK WHICH HE HAD TO DO" + II. "AH, MANY A MEMORY OF HOW YE DEALT WITH ME" + III. "WIDE TOLD OF IS THIS" + IV. "HAPPY WAS HE IN HIS WARRING" + V. "THOU ART YOUNG AND OVER-BOLD" + VI. "NOW EACH GOES HIS WAY" + VII. "THE CARL ON THE CLIFF TOP" + VIII. "THEREFORE THEY GO THEIR WAYS" + IX. "NO NEED OF BINDING OR SALVING HERE" + X. "MAY THE GODS GIVE US TWAIN A GOOD DAY" + XI. "FAIR FELLOW DEEM I THE DARK-WINGED RAVEN" + XII. "ENOUGH AND TO SPARE OF BALE IS IN THY SPEECH" + XIII. "HE IS YOUNG AND OF LITTLE KNOWLEDGE" + XIV. "OH, BE THOU WELCOME, HERE" + XV. "AND PEACE SHALL BE SURER" + XVI. "FOR NAUGHT HE WOTTED, NOR MIGHT SEE CLEARLY" + XVII. "NO GOOD IT BETOKENETH" + XVIII. "OH, NEED SORE AND MIGHTY" + XIX. "SO HE SHUT ME IN SHIELD-WALL" + XX. "FROM THE HANDS OF MY KINSFOLK" + XXI. "NOUGHT HAD'ST THOU TO PRAISE" + XXII. "GIVE YE GOOD COUNSEL" + XXIII. "AND BOUND FAST THEIR SWORDS IN WEBS GOODLY WOVEN" + XXIV. "MEET AND RIGHT IT IS, FAIR LORD, THAT I SHOULD GO" + XXV. "AND THERETO THEY PLIGHTED TROTH BOTH OF THEM" + XXVI. "THAT WORK SHALL BE WROUGHT" + XXVII. "OF THE VOLSUNGS' KIN IS HE" + XXVIII. "SEA-RUNES GOOD AT NEED" + XXIX. "GREAT IS THE TROUBLE OF FOOT ILL-TRIPPING" + XXX. "SWEET SIGHT FOR ME THOU TWAIN TO SET EYES ON" + XXXI. "HILD UNDER HELM" + XXXII. "HAIL FROM THE MAIN THEN COMEST THOU HOME" + + + + +VIKING-BOYS. + + +CHAPTER 1 + +"CALLED AFTER THAT WORK WHICH HE HAD TO DO." + +"How I wish I had lived hundreds of years ago, when the Vikings lived; +it must have been prime!" + +He was a Shetland boy of fifteen who so spoke, and he was addressing +his young sister of eleven. They were sitting on a low crag by the +shore, dangling their feet over the water, which flowed clear and +bright within a short distance of their toes. They were looking out +upon a grand stretch of ocean studded with islands of fantastic shape, +among which numerous boats were threading their way. It was a fair +summer afternoon, and the fishing boats were returning from the far +haaf[1] laden with spoil. It had not required a great stretch of +imagination to carry Yaspard Adiesen's thoughts from the scene before +him to the olden days, when his native Isles were the haunts of +Vikinger, whose ships were for ever winging their way over those waters +bearing the spoils of many a stormy fight. + +"Yes," the boy went on; "what glorious fun it must have been in those +days; such fighting and sailing and discovering new places; such heaps +of adventures of all sorts. Oh, how grand it must have been!" + +"I suppose it was," answered Signy; "but then these people long ago did +not have all the nice things we have--books, you know, and--and +everything!" + +"Oh, tuts! They had Scalds to sing their history--much nicer than your +musty books." + +"Perhaps!" said the girl. She loved books with a mighty love, but she +adored her brother, and what he said she accepted, whether it commended +itself to her judgment or not. + +"There is no 'perhaps' about it, Signy," he retorted a little sharply. +"It is fact--so there! It must have been far more jolly in Shetland +then than it is now. Everything so tame and commonplace: mail-day once +a week, sermon every Sunday, custom-house officers about, chimney-pot +hats and tea! Bah!" Yaspard caught up a pebble and flung it to skim +over the water as a relief to his feelings, which received a little +additional comfort from Signy's next words. + +"Hats are certainly very ugly, especially when they are tied on with +strings, as Uncle Brues wears his; and when a sermon lasts an hour it is +tiresome. Yes, and the custom-house people and the revenue cutter are +horrid--though the cutter is very pretty, and the officers look rather +nice in uniform. But it is very nice to get letters, Yaspard; and tea +is nice. Why, what on earth would Mam Kirsty and Aunt Osla do without +tea?" and Signy laughed as she looked up in her brother's face. + +He was not unreasonable, and admitted the comfort of the cup which +cheers and a weekly mail-bag. He even allowed that the sloop which +looked after her Majesty's dues was a tidy little craft, and that a +kirk and Sunday service were advantages of no ordinary kind. "But," +having admitted so much, he said, "why couldn't we have all that, and +still be Vikings? why not live like heroes? why not roam the seas, and +fight and discover and bring home spoil, and wear picturesque garments, +as well as go to church and drink tea?" + +"Well, people _do_," answered Signy. "There is always somebody going +exploring and getting into the most terrible scrapes. And don't you +often say that the British people are true sons of the Norsemen, and +prove it by the way they are always sending out more and more ships, +and bringing home more and more riches. As for the fighting--oh dear! +There was Waterloo not so very very long ago; and the papers say, you +know, that we are going to fight the Russians very soon. There's +always plenty of fighting--if that's what makes a Viking." + +"Oh, bother! girls don't understand," Yaspard muttered; and then there +was a long silence, which was broken at last by the lad clapping his +hands together and shouting, "Hurrah! I've got an idea! a splendid +idea! The very thing!" He sprang to his feet and tossed back his +golden-brown curls, and stood like a young Apollo all aglow with life +and ardour. + +"You always look so beautiful, Yaspard, when you have an idea!" said +the worshipping little sister, gazing her admiration of the handsome +lad, who was the hero of all her dreams. + +He laughed. He was accustomed to her homage--if the truth be told, he +took it as his right. + +"Never mind about my beauty at present, but come along, for I must set +my idea to work at once. I wonder I never thought of it before." + +"Ah, do wait a very little longer, brodhor," the girl begged. When +coaxing or caressing him, she always used the old form of the word, +which signified the dearest relationship she knew. They were orphans, +and "brother" was Signy's nearest as well as dearest friend alive. He +never could resist the soft tone and word, so answered-- + +"Why do you want to stay here?" + +"I have been watching Loki fish, and it is so funny; I want to see when +he _will_ be satisfied. He has been at it for hours." + +Loki was a pet cormorant, and Yaspard had taught him to seek food for +himself in the voe. The affectionate bird, though allowed such +licence, never failed to return to Boden when hunger was satisfied; and +at all times he would come at once to his master's call. + +Yaspard stood for a minute looking at the bird as it swam about, every +now and then taking a sudden leap and "header" after some unwary +sillack. There were shoals of small cod-fish in the voe, and Loki had +no difficulty in filling his most capacious maw. His mode of fishing +was certainly comical, but Yaspard was not so interested in the matter +as Signy, therefore his eyes were soon roving again to the islets and +boats. + +Presently his attention became riveted on a smart skiff rounding the +headlands in a manner which proved that she was managed by skilful +hands. As the boat drew nearer, rising lightly on the waves, Yaspard +said, "Yes, it's the _Laulie_. What splendid sea-boys those lads of +Lunda are! They are always off somewhere; always having some grand fun +on the water. They are making for Havnholme now, and I expect they +mean to stay there all night. Oh, bother feuds and family fights! I +wish I were with them." + +"They must be nice boys," said Signy. "It does seem very sad that you +can't have them for chums. I can't see why our grandfathers' quarrels +and Uncle Brues's grumpiness should hinder you from being friends with +the only boys of our rank within reach of Boden." + +"It is a horrible nuisance. But never mind! I'll make the family feud +work into my idea, sure as can be! There, Signy; there goes Loki with +five dozen sillacks in his maw, so let's go too." + +The cormorant had had enough. He began to flap along the surface of +the sea until it was possible for him to rise in steady flight. Then +he floated high overhead and took a straight course for the Ha' of +Boden. + +Yaspard caught up Signy in his arms; and as he swung along towards home +he chanted-- + + "As with his wings aslant + Sails the fierce cormorant + Seeking some rocky haunt, + With his prey laden; + So toward the open main, + Beating to sea again, + Through the wild hurricane + Bore I the maiden." + + +When he finished the verse he put his sister down. "There," he +exclaimed; "there is a small hint at a part of my new idea." + +"What is your idea, Yaspard?" + +But Yaspard laughed and shook his head. "I can't tell you yet. It +isn't shaped at all yet, but by-and-by you shall hear all about it, and +help with it too, Mootie;[2] only, mind, it's a secret. You must not +tell a soul." + +"I never tell any of your secrets," Signy answered, with gentle +reproach in her tone; and her brother answered promptly, "No, you never +tell on me, that is true--though you sometimes let things out by +mistake. But you are a trump all the same, Signy; you are; and as good +as a boy. I sometimes wish you were a boy. But if you were you'd +plague me. Small boys always do plague their big brothers--but _you_ +never plague me. Never!" + +She squeezed his hand tight and was perfectly happy while they walked +on, and Yaspard whistled "the Hardy Norseman." + +After executing a few bars he said, "I am going across the voe, and you +must not mind if I do not take you with me. I want to have a long talk +with the Harrison boys. But if you come down to the noost[3] when I +return, I'll take you for a little sail." + +"I'll be there, brodhor," said Signy. She was always "there" when +Yaspard required or requested. + +They walked along the shore until they reached a quay of very modest +pretensions, where a small boat was lying ready for use. Their home +was not many yards from the beach, and was situated on a green sloping +point of land almost surrounded by the waters of Boden voe. + +Yaspard jumped into the boat, hauled up the sail, shoved off, and was +soon speeding across the mile of water, which was the broadest bit of +that winding picturesque fiord. + +Signy stood a minute to watch him. She would have stood longer, but +out of the house bounced a big dog, barking and evidently greatly +excited over something. + +"Well, Pirate, what is the matter with you?" the girl asked, as the dog +rushed up to her. For answer Pirate caught her skirt gently in his +mouth, and indicated as plainly as if he had expressed himself in +choicest English that he desired her presence indoors. + +So indoors Signy went without more ado. + + + +[1] "Haaf," deep-sea fishing. + +[2] "Mootie," little one. + +[3] "Noost," boat-shelter. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +"AH, MANY A MEMORY OF HOW YE DEALT WITH ME." + +When Yaspard reached the other shore he was met by two boys, one his +own age, the other about thirteen. These were Laurence and Gilbert +Harrison, sons of Mr. Adiesen's factotum, and they were usually styled +Lowrie and Gibbie. + +Boden was a small island, and there were only three houses on it, +namely, the Ha', the factor's house, and Trullyabister, a very ancient +dwelling nearly in ruins. Every house in Shetland has a name of its +own, so has every knoll and field and crag and islet, therefore the Ha' +was called Moolapund, and the Harrisons' house Noostigard. To attend +church the inhabitants were obliged to cross to a neighbouring island, +and this the majority of them did very regularly. Stores were brought +twice a year from the town of Lerwick; and it seldom happened that +these ran short, for Miss Adiesen was a shrewd housewife and James +Harrison a notable manager; also the Laird was somewhat eccentric, and +objecting strongly to all society outside of Boden, did not like that +"provisions short" should be made an excuse for frequent expeditions to +the larger islands. + +The isolated life of Boden had certain charms of its own for a +scientist like Mr. Adiesen, and a quiet domestic creature like his +sister, whose happiness had been wrecked in early life, and who desired +nothing better than to hide herself at Moolapund and devote her life to +the wants of her lost twin-brother's children. + +Boden was a pleasant home to the Harrisons', for they were a large +family, simple crofters, content in each other's society, and +cherishing no earthly ambition. It was a satisfactory retreat from the +world for Gaun Neeven, who lived alone with a half-witted attendant in +the old house of Trullyabister. It was a paradise to little Signy, +whose imaginative, romantic nature found infinite delight in the beauty +of the Isle, in its myriads of sea-fowl, in its grand-encircling ocean, +in the freedom and poetry of life with such environs. But to a strong +lad like Yaspard, full of vitality, longing for action and the company +of his fellows, there was less to content him, and much to stir in him +that spirit of mischief which attends on every energetic boy not +blessed with wise guardians, and with plenty of time on his hands. + +"Come into the boat, boys," said Yaspard, as he ran his skiff to the +noost; and the brothers, nothing loth, scrambled aboard. + +"I ran across," said our hero, plunging at once into his subject, "to +tell you about a magnificent scheme I have in my head. I am going to +be a Viking!" + +If he had announced his intention of becoming Czar of all the Russias +these boys would have taken it as a matter of course. They merely +opened their eyes and said "Weel?" Yaspard had rather expected to +surprise them, and was a little disconcerted by the way his startling +intention was received. + +"I've told you heaps about Vikinger," he said; "you know just what I +mean, eh?" + +"Weren't they pirates?" Gibbie asked. + +"No--at least they would be called that now, but it was different when +they lived. There was no way of discovering new lands and getting lots +of riches, being great men and doing all sorts of grand things, except +by becoming Vikings. It was the only way." + +"But they killed people, and robbed, and made slaves. Everybody was +frightened when a Viking ship hove in sight," said Lowrie, who was +rather reflective for his age and station. + +"So they did; but it could not be helped. Besides, every one tried to +do the same. And for the matter of that, don't people do the same now? +Don't they fight still, and in a worse way? for the Vikinger only laid +on man for man, but now any nation who invents the most murderous +machine for shooting can mow down armies of men miles off. As for the +stealing--what is half the trade of the world but a kind of civil +picking of somebody's pocket--a 'doing' of some one. And slavery; bah! +slaves enough in Britain while the pressgang can carry off any man it +likes. But there--what's the good of such talk? I'm not going to be a +Viking in a bad way, so you need not be afraid. It will all be for +adventure, and glory and daring, and jolly good fun, I tell you." + +"All right; we're game for whatever you please," answered the Harrisons. + +After that Yaspard entered into some details of his scheme, and +explained portions in which he specially required their co-operation. +They were soon as enamoured of the project as he, and eager to begin a +career which promised such scope for wild adventure. Some time slipped +past while the confabulation lasted, and the dusk of a Shetland summer +evening--the poetic "dim"--had fallen upon Boden before the lads +separated. + +"I'll be over again to-morrow early," said Yaspard, as he pulled out +from the shore; "mind you have some armour ready by the time I come." + +The light breeze which had wafted him to Noostigard had fallen to a +calm, therefore the sail was of no use; but a pair of oars in his +muscular hands soon carried the little _Osprey_ to her quay, and there +Signy was waiting. + +"I've been longer than I meant to be, Mootie," he called out; "I am +afraid it is too late to take you off." + +"Never mind," she answered; "I don't want to go now. There has been +such a disturbance in the house--such a terrific upset. It has made me +laugh and cry--I hardly know which I ought to do now about it." + +"An upset!" Yaspard exclaimed. "Praise the powers, as Mam Kirsty says. +I'm glad the humdrum has had a break. What was it, Signy?" + +"It was a letter." + +"A letter! Was that all?" + +"All!" exclaimed the girl; "you won't say a letter is a little 'all' +when you hear what it did. The mailbag came across this afternoon when +we were sitting at the Teng, never thinking!--and uncle got a letter +from the young Laird of Lunda which made him furious. You know what +happens when Uncle Brues is angry." + +"I know. I'm glad it does not happen often, poor old man! Well, what +next?" + +"He rampaged, and set Aunt Osla off crying. Then he began experiments +with that new chemical machine, and nearly blew up the house. The +windows of his Den are smashed, and you never saw anything like the +mess there is in it--broken glass, books, methylated spirits, +specimens, everything." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Yaspard, cutting short Signy's story; "don't tell me +more. Let's go and see." + +He fastened up his boat, took his sister's hand, and ran quickly up the +brae to his home. + +There indeed was a scene of devastation, as far as the scientist's +study was concerned. It looked as though a volcano had irrupted there: +bookshelves were overturned, chairs and tables were sprawling legs in +air, liquids were oozing in rainbow hues over manuscripts, odours of +the most objectionable kind filled the air. A tame raven was hopping +among the debris, with an eye to choice "remains" dropping from broken +jars; a strange-looking fish was gasping its last breath on the sofa, +among broken fragments of its crystal tank. A huge grey cat was +standing, with her back arched, on the mantelpiece--the only place she +deemed secure--surveying the scene, and ready for instant flight, or +fight, if another explosion seemed imminent. + +Pirate was lying at the open door, watching the movements of Thor (the +raven), whose depredatory proclivities were well known to the dog. +Thor, perfectly aware that a detective's eye was upon him, did not +venture to abstract any of the wreckage, but assumed an air of careless +curiosity as he hopped about among Mr. Adiesen's demoralised treasures. + +Mr. Adiesen himself had disappeared. He had been stunned for a few +moments by the explosion; but on recovering he only waited to realise +the ruin he had wrought, and then, seizing a favourite geological +hammer, he raced away to the rocks to practise what stood him in place +of strong language. + +No one had dared to attempt restoring order in the Den; the maids would +not have set foot within its door for their lives. Miss Adiesen was +soothing her nerves with tea, which Mam Kirsty was administering with +loud and voluble speech. + +"My! what a sight!" Yaspard exclaimed, as he looked into the study. +"And what a smell! It's enough to frighten the French," and he turned +into the parlour, where his aunt was comforting her nerves after her +favourite manner, as I said. + +"You've been having a high old time, auntie," he cried, laughing. "I +never saw such a rare turn-out in Moolapund before." + +"You may say so," sobbed Aunt Osla. "It is a 'turn-out' and a 'high +old' business. We were near going high enough, let alone your uncle, +whose escape is nothing short of a miracle. I always said there would +be mischief done with those mixtures and glass tubes, and machines for +heating dangerous coloured stuff. A rare turn-out! Yes; there is not +much left in his room to turn out--it's all turned. But it isn't the +specimens and all that I mind so very much, after all, though that is +bad enough, considering all the time and money he has spent on them. +It is the--the cause of all this that--that breaks my heart. Oh dear!" +and she broke out a-weeping again. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +"WIDE TOLD OF IS THIS." + +"What had young Garson said to make Uncle Brues so angry?" asked Yaspard. + +"He did not say much that was unpleasant--even from our point of view. +It is the letter of a gentleman anyway; and I know very well that his +mother's son could not say or do or think anything that was not like a +gentleman. I knew her, poor dear, when we were both young. See, here +is the letter. You may read it. It was flung to me. Your uncle did +not care who saw it, or who knows about his 'feud'--oh, I'm sick of the +word." + +Yaspard smoothed out the letter, which his uncle had crushed up in his +rage, and read-- + + +"DEAR MR. ADIESEN,--I very much regret being obliged to remind you once +more that Havnholme is part of the Lunda property, and that it was my +dear father's wish that the sea-birds on the island should not be +molested. + +"I shall always be very pleased to give you, or any other naturalist, +every facility for studying the birds in their haunts, but I cannot +(knowing as I do so well the mind of my late father in this matter) +permit innocent creatures to be disturbed and distressed as they have +been of late. You know the circumstances to which I allude. + +"I do wish (as my father so long wished) that you would meet me and +have a friendly talk, when I have no doubt we could smooth this +matter--I mean your grievance regarding Havnholme. It seems so +unneighbourly, not to say unchristian, to keep up a quarrel from +generation to generation. + +"Pardon me if it seems presumptuous of a young fellow like me to write +thus to you; but I feel as it I were only the medium through which my +good noble father were making his wishes known. If you will allow me, +I will call upon you at some early time.--Yours sincerely, FRED GARSON." + + +"It's a very decent letter," said Yaspard, "and everybody who knows the +young Laird says he is a brick; but I know how Uncle Brues would flare +up over this. One has only to utter 'holme' or 'Lunda' in uncle's +hearing if one wants to bring the whole feud about one's ears." + +Here Signy put in her soft little voice. "But it really was a shame +about the birds, Yaspard. You said so, you know; and oh, I have dreamt +about them ever so often, poor things!" + +"That's true. Still, uncle persists that the holme is his property; +and the Lairds of Lunda have always got the name of land-grabbers." + +Miss Osla looked up at the boy with a kind of terror in her eyes. "O +Yaspard," she cried, "don't you begin that way too. Don't you believe +all that's told you. Don't you take up that miserable, wicked--yes, +wicked--quarrel." + +"Easy, easy, Aunt Osla! I haven't dug up the hatchet yet. But can you +tell me what was the true origin of that affair?" + +"I don't believe anybody ever knew what it began about, or why. The +Garsons and Adiesens were born quarrelling with one another, I think." + +"But surely you know about the particular part of the family feud which +had to do with Havnholme?" + +"Even _that_ began before I was born, and it was about some land that +was exchanged. Your great-grandfather wanted all this island to +himself, and he offered the Laird of Lunda some small outlying islands +instead of the piece of Boden which belonged to _him_. Mr. Garson +agreed, so they 'turned turf'[1] and settled the bargain; and a body +would have thought that was enough. But no! By-and-by they got +debating that the bargain had not been a fair one, then that Havnholme +was not included with the other skerries, and so it went as long as +they lived. After that their sons took it up, and disputed, and +fought, and never got nearer the truth, for there were no papers to be +found to prove who was right; and the tenants who had witnessed the +'turning of turf' would only speak as pleased their master. They +wrangled all their lives about it. One would put his sheep on the +holme, and the other would promptly go and shove the poor beasts into +the sea. One would build a skeoe,[2] and the other would pull it down. +These were lawless days, and men might do as they pleased." + +"Just like Vikinger," said Yaspard, who quite enjoyed the story. +"Well?" + +"They never would speak to each other, even if they met at the church +door, or at a neighbour's funeral. It was very sinful; and they would +not let their children become acquainted. My father made me drop +acquaintance with my school friend when she married Mr. Garson, for no +reason but because she married the son of his enemy. It has been the +same since your uncle came to be Laird. If your father had lived it +would have been different, for _he_ bore ill-feeling to no one; but he +was so much away with his ship, he never got a chance to put things +right; which I _know_ he could have done, for the Laird of Lunda--who +died two years ago--was one of the best of men. A land-grabber! My +friend's husband. He was as good a man as Shetland ere saw. He tried +again and again to be friends with Brues, but it was no use, and it will +be of no use his boy trying. I know." + +"_Something_ shall be of use," muttered Yaspard; then aloud he asked, +"Will uncle answer this letter?" + +"My dear, he's done it. There is his answer on the table. He read it +to me, and I felt as if I were listening to a clap of thunder." + +"What did he say?" + +"He said that Havnholme was his, and that he meant to do with his own +as he pleased. And he said, 'If you set foot in Boden you will receive +the thrashing which such a coxcomb deserves.' He told me to send the +Harrison boys across the sound in your little boat early to-morrow, and +they were to leave the letter at the post-office. They were not to go +to the Ha' for their lives. Brues never told me to do a harder thing +than to send such a letter to the son of my friend--to the poor lad who +is trying to live like his true-hearted father, and to be at peace with +all men! It is a cruel thing." And here Miss Osla began to weep again. + +Yaspard went to the table and picked up the letter, read the address, +and put it in his pocket. "Leave this affair to me, auntie," he said; +"I'll see that Fred Garson gets the letter, and gets it right properly." + +Poor Miss Adiesen was too much troubled to notice anything peculiar in +Yaspard's words or expression, but Signy did, and as he left the room +she followed and asked in a whisper-- + +"Is it going to fit into your idea, brodhor?" + +"Fits like the skin to a sealkie," said he. + +Yaspard went up the stairs four steps at every stride until he reached +the attics. One of these was used for lumber, and into it he went. +There was a marvellous collection of things in that room, but Yaspard +knew what he had come for, and where to find it. He pulled some broken +chairs from off an old chest which had no lid, and was piled full of +curious swords, cutlasses, horse-pistols, battle-axes, some foils and +masks, and a battered old shield. Not one of all these implements had +been in use for a century--some were of far more ancient date. They +had neither edge, nor point, nor power of any sort beyond what might +lie in their weight if it were brought into play. Yaspard gathered up +as many of these weapons as he could carry, and bore them off to his +own room, where he proceeded to scrub the rust from them with some +sandpaper and a pair of woollen socks. He whistled at his task, and +was infinitely pleased with his own thoughts, which ran something like +this:-- + +"Oh yes! I'll make it work. I'll turn this old feud into a rare old +lark, I will. How nicely it all fits in for to-morrow--the Harrison +boys to go with the letter in my boat, and the Manse boys spending the +night on Havnholme! What times those boys have, to be sure. They go +everywhere, and stay just as long as they please. I could not count +how many times this summer they have camped out for the night on +Havnholme, and the Gruen holme, and the Ootskerries. Guess they'll be +surprised at the waking up they'll get tomorrow!" + +When he had cleaned up the armour to his satisfaction, he sat down to +his desk and wrote a letter, which pleased him so much that he read it +twice aloud, and ended by saying-- + +"Prime! I didn't know that I could express myself so well on paper. +It's as good as Garson's own. I wonder what he will say!" + +Then Yaspard went down to supper, and while demolishing his porridge he +said, "Will you make me up a bit of ferdimet,[3] auntie? I am going +off early to-morrow to fish. (It's true," he added to himself, "for +I'll take a rod and fish a fish to make it true.") + +"I suppose the Harrisons go with you?" said Aunt Osla. "Don't forget +about your uncle's message to Lunda." + +"No, I won't forget." + +"You could run across to the post-office before going to fish, and get +it over," she added. + +Yaspard often went on such expeditions, therefore there was nothing +unusual in his proceedings on the present occasion, but Signy detected +a new fire in his eyes, and a twitching of the mouth that suggested +ideas! Moreover, she had been on the stair when he came out of the +lumber-room with his arms full of weapons, and Signy's soul was +troubled about its hero. + + + +[1] The old Shetland way of taking possession of land. + +[2] "Skeoe," a shed for drying fish in. + +[3] "Ferdimet," food for a journey. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +"HAPPY WAS HE IN HIS WARRING." + +When the sun was well up next morning, which meant about three o'clock, +Yaspard came downstairs, carrying his armour, and treading softly, as +he did not wish to disturb anybody. Pirate was dozing in the porch, +but when the lad appeared he got up and followed him to the quay. +Signy's eyes too followed--for she had heard her brother leave his +room--and again her heart was troubled when she saw the weapons of +warfare. All unconscious of her gaze, he proceeded to stow these into +his boat, where Pirate had stepped gravely, and Signy's soul was +comforted as she returned to her bed murmuring, "Any way, he has Pirate +with him, and Pirate is more than a match for anything!" + +Yaspard was soon across the voe, and he soon had the Harrisons out of +their beds. When they reached the beach Lowrie pulled out of a +fish-chest two neatly made wooden swords, two slings, two bows, and a +sheaf of arrows. As he handed some to his brother he said to Yaspard, +"We made the swords last night, and most of the arrows. I think they +are a great improvement on the last." + +"Yes, certain!" was the ready answer; but Yaspard's eyes gleamed as he +pointed to his ancestral old iron, and said, "What think you of mine?" + +"Oh, grand! splendid!" they cried. + +"You are going to have a share--a loan of them, I mean." And then he +rapidly explained what he purposed doing, and what he wished them to +do. As the boat slipped rapidly along, the lads rigged themselves for +action. Playing at "Robinson Crusoe" and "Hawk eye" had been favourite +games, therefore they were provided with all sorts of belts and pouches +for holding every conceivable kind of weapon; and queer figures they +looked when their war toilet was complete, and they sat down to talk +over their scheme and project a great many more. + +Once outside of Boden voe, it did not take long to reach Havnholme. +The _Laulie_ was lying along the crags safely moored there, and her +crew were asleep in the old shed, where they had spent many a night +before. They had had a long day of exciting sport, and were wrapped in +sleep more profound than usual. + +But when the _Osprey_ came within hailing distance, Yaspard ran up a +black flag and raised a shout of "A Viking! a Viking!" His companions +took up the cry, and Pirate, setting his fore-paws on the bow, barked +and howled like mad. Such a hullaballoo was enough to waken anybody, +and the Lunda boys--half-awake--rushed out of the shed, and stood +staring in dumb-foundered amazement at the foe! + +The Harrisons burst out laughing at the ludicrous spectacle of four +lads rubbing their eyes, scratching their heads, shaking themselves +straight in their clothes, and looking as if there never had been half +an idea in one of their minds. But Yaspard shouted in grandiloquent +style-- + +"You, lads of Lunda there, listen! We are Vikinger in search of glory +and spoil, and all the rest of it. But we do not take our enemy +unawares. We would not assail slumberers. We are nineteenth century +enough to fight fair. So now, look to yourselves!" + +During these few minutes the _Osprey_ had reached the crags, and was +alongside of the _Laulie_. As he finished speaking the young marauder, +leaning over to the other boat, undid her painter, and hitching it to +his own boat, shouted to his companions to row off again. They pulled +out from the shore, and the _Laulie_ was captured before her crew had +waked up enough to comprehend what was going on. + +"It's Yaspard Adiesen masquerading like an ass," said Harry Mitchell at +last. + +"It will only be a bit of fun," Gloy Winwick ventured to say, for by +that time he had recognised Lowrie and Gibbie. They were his cousins, +and he had often met them, and heard of the curious games which young +Adiesen invented for their amusement and his own. "There will be nae +harm in it. It's just his way. He's queer." + +The last half of his remarks was given in an aside to Tom Holtum, but +Tom only growled, "Bother the fellow! What does he mean by such +preposterous impudence?" + +Tom's temper was easily roused; and, followed by the others, he ran to +the crag and shouted, "Give us none of your humbug! Bring back the +boat, or it will be the worse for you!" + +A mocking laugh was all the answer he got; and this so exasperated Tom +that he was about to fling a volley of abuse to the enemy, but Harry +checked him. Harry was always the first to look at a thing from more +points than one, and now he said in an undertone, "I expect it is only +some nonsensical make-believe. Yaspard is a baby in some ways, I am +told; and he never exchanges a word with gentlemen's sons--lives +horribly alone, you know. Let's humour him a bit, and see what it will +come to." + +Tom grunted, but Bill and Gloy seconded Harry, so Harry called out, "I +say, you might as well come on shore first and tell us what's up, and +then let us start fair all round." + +"I'd like to," burst from Yaspard in his natural and impulsive manner, +"but I mustn't. Uncle Brues has forbidden me to be friends with _any_ +of you Lunda fellows, because of the family feud, you know. But I'm +tired of having no chums, and living as I do, so I'm resolved to be a +Viking; and as you are all my enemies, I shall, of course, try to +harass you in every way I can, to fight you, and carry off your +property, and conquer you, and--and--have some good fun!" + +Tom and Harry instantly got the right kind of inspiration about the +matter, and replied, "All right, we're your men! strongest fend off!" +but Gloy exclaimed, "I think he must be going off his head," and Bill +called out furiously, "Conquer us! come and try, if you dare." + +"I'll dare another day, youngster," answered the Viking loftily; "but +listen now" (addressing the others): "I've got your boat, and you must +agree to what I ask before I will let you have her again." + +"Impudence!" shouted Tom. + +"Tuts, man, let him haver," said Harry; then to Yaspard, "Well, go on." + +"Are you captain of that crew?" Yaspard asked. + +"In the absence of my elders and betters, yes!" + +"Well, I want you to take a letter (it is really two letters, one +inside the other) to the young Laird of Lunda. He is captain, chief, +yarl, and all the rest of it, over you and your island." + +"If it's a proper letter I'll take it," Harry answered promptly. + +"One of the letters is quite proper; but, proper or no proper, uncle's +note must also reach Mr. Garson, and you must promise to give it +faithfully before I give you the _Laulie_. She's a splendid little +craft. She would make a glorious Viking's bark! I am tempted to keep +my spoil." + +While they were talking Bill said to Gloy very loudly, "Never mind the +jabber, boy. Come for a swim before breakfast! I'm off." They +stripped and went in, and as they did so they whispered together and +winked knowingly, then began to race and splash in the water as if they +had no thought in their heads but the enjoyment of the moment, while +the rival captains continued the engrossing debate. + +Harry was not unwilling to carry the letter, but he did not like to be +threatened into doing it. + +"Suppose I refuse?" he said. + +"Then I go off with your boat, and you remain prisoned on Havnholme." + +"You could be severely punished if you did so." + +"If you are mean enough to tell, and bring grown people and lawyers +into the business," retorted Yaspard. + +"I see no harm in taking the letter to Fred," said Tom then. + +Tom strongly objected to telling tales. He also scented some rare +shindies in the game Yaspard was playing, and Harry, seeing that the +situation was an awkward one, agreed. + +"Is that all?" he asked. But before the enemy could reply there came a +shout from Tom, a howl from Yaspard, a screech from the Harrisons, and +loud laughter from Gloy in the water. + +Gloy and Bill had taken advantage of the attention of the others being +chiefly directed to those on shore, and had, as if by accident, swam +nearer to the boats. Then Gloy had held the Harrisons in talk while +Bill quietly contrived to swim to that side of the _Laulie_ which was +farthest from the other boat. No one was aware of his movements until +he had swiftly crawled into the _Laulie_. Leaning over the side, he +slipped the painter from the thole-pin round which it hung, and then +shoving with all his might, he sent the skiffs a good way apart at once. + +"After him, boys!" Yaspard cried; but the boys were not ready. Gloy +had come alongside and had caught hold of Gibbie, Lowrie was laughing +like to split his sides at the sight of Bill, nude and dripping, gaping +like a fresh caught cod, rowing for his life. The _Laulie_ was safe +back at her favourite crag in a minute more, and Yaspard could only +comfort himself for being so outwitted by making a captive of Gloy. + +"He isn't worth much without his clothes," Harry told all who cared to +hear. + +"We'll paint him," retorted Yaspard, and Gloy began to think that his +position was awkward, to say the least of it; but Tom, whose +good-humour had been completely restored by Bill's clever manoeuvre, +said-- + +"You might just as well come along and have some breakfast with us, and +then we can arrange the campaign, and settle about ransom for the +captive." + +There was no resisting such a suggestion, especially as it did not hint +at compromise of the "position." + +The _Osprey_ came to land, and Gloy was permitted to go and resume his +garments, after giving his word of honour to respect the parole. + +A white handkerchief was tied to a fishing-rod, which was planted in +the skeoe wall, and under that flag of truce the rival parties made +merry in lighting a fire, boiling water, and feasting heartily on the +good things which the Manse boys never failed to find in their ferdimet +basket. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +"THOU ART YOUNG AND OVER-BOLD." + +As they ate they talked, you may be sure. The Lunda boys were +decidedly in favour of Yaspard's scheme--was there ever a boy who would +have objected to any such prank? They saw no harm in it whatever, only +Harry said-- + +"We must consult Fred Garson; we never go in for any big thing without +consulting Fred." + +"Of course," Yaspard answered cheerfully. "He will let you read my +letter, and you will see by it that I expect he will have a finger in +the pie--not to take part in the war, but just to look on and kind of +see fair-play, you know, and umpire us when we fall out. He is a nice +fellow, people say." + +"There is no one like him," said Harry, with that hearty enthusiasm +which all the lads of Lunda displayed when their chief was mentioned. + +"What a pity it is," Bill chimed in, "that Eric and Svein are away, +and--too old now for this kind of thing." + +"I am glad they are too old," replied Yaspard, "for that leaves our +number about equal." + +"Four to three! you are in a minority," said Tom. + +"There is Pirate," Yaspard answered, with a smile, and Pirate wagged +his tail, as much as to say, "I'm ready for any or all of you." + +"Oh, if dogs are to be in it," laughed Tom, "there's Watchie, that +Svein rescued off a skerry; and there's old toothless Tory at the +Manse. But now, what about the hapless captive? What do you price him +at, Mr. Viking?" + +"Twenty pebbles wet with the waves of Westervoe," was the instant +reply, at which the lads roared. + +"We don't carry our beach about in our pockets," one of them said, as +soon as the laugh subsided. + +"Then I must keep my captive till you bring his price." And Yaspard +stuck to that, and urged his arguments so well that finally it was +agreed that he should hold Gloy till his friends produced the +stipulated ransom. + +The prisoner did not seem very distressed. He had never been to Boden, +and he anticipated having a good time during his captivity. He took +for granted that his prison would be Noostigard, the home of his +cousins--so little did he understand the mind and method of a Viking +boy! + +It is no part of my intention to tell you just now what those boys +arranged. They hugely enjoyed laying plans, and we shall hear +presently how these were carried out. + +Before parting they engaged in a preliminary combat--we might be nearer +the right term for it if we called it a knightly joust. + +Gloy and Pirate were not in the tournament, for Yaspard had said the +magic words "On guard" to his dog, and pointed out Gloy, who did not +from that moment dare to move from the spot. The wooden swords were +given to Bill and Gibbie; Tom and Lowrie had two huge broadswords which +had been rendered harmless by chopping sticks. The rival captains +chose two rapiers rusted to their sheaths. + +It was a famous joust. The old iron clashed and sounded very terrible. +The young heroes fought valiantly. Presently Bill's wooden sword broke +in two, and he ought to have owned himself beaten, but he didn't. He +caught Gibbie in a true wrestler's grip, and soon they were rolling +together on the sandy seashore. + +Tom very soon settled Lowrie by striking his mighty heavy weapon from +his hand; but this victory was of no account in the general action when +Harry's rapier went spinning over his head, and he went down on his +back before the vigorous fencing of Yaspard. He was on his feet, +however, in time to witness the final roll over of Bill and Gibbie. +They had reached the water's edge, and the incoming tide washed over +them, putting a most effectual stop to their wrestling-match. Choking +with sand, and wet with spray, they let go of each other and jumped to +their feet, panting, but happy, and declaring that "it wasn't a bad +round, that." + +All agreed that the joust had ended in a draw between the two parties, +so--highly pleased with themselves and their new acquaintances--both +crews got into the boats, and were soon sailing in opposite directions +away from Havnholme. + +When the _Osprey_ reached Boden, Yaspard ran her into a small geo +(creek) near the mouth of the voe. The cliffs which formed the geo +were lofty, and overhung a strip of dry white sand. The place looked +almost like a cave. There was no way out of the geo by land, and +Yaspard said, as the boat grounded, "This will be a splendid place for +a prison." + +"Gracious! you're never going to leave me here?" exclaimed Gloy in a +kind of comical dismay. + +"Yes, here! what could be better? It is a very nice place. I've spent +many a happy hour in this geo reading and fishing. Now, don't be +frightened. I won't leave you long;--only till I see if the coast is +clear, so that we can carry you to a real prison. We'll call this the +Viking's Had,[1] and in his Had he means to keep you for a little +while." + +"Oh, come, this is too much," Lowrie remonstrated. + +"Not at all. You know very well that Uncle Brues will not let anybody +from Lunda set foot on the island. If he chanced to see Gloy he would +make us take him straight away again; and he would ask so many +questions that I should be obliged to tell the whole affair. Now, if +we keep him here till the evening, we can then bring him without fear +of discovery to a safe place. I know of a splendid place for his +prison--so comfortable, and under a roof too! And see, here is a lot +of ferdimet left; and" (pulling a small book from his coat pocket) +"here is 'Marmion' to amuse you, Gloy. I'll leave you my +fishing-rod--lots of sillacks about the geo. Oh, you won't think the +time long till we come again." + +Gibbie and Gloy exchanged rueful glances, and Lowrie, scratching his +head, said, "I'm no' just sure that my faither will like our having a +hand in ony such prank, sir." + +The Harrisons were very much in earnest when they addressed Yaspard as +"Sir," and he did not like it, for it usually meant that they were +going to oppose some darling project of his. He did not suggest +concealment; he knew that these boys always recounted all their +adventures to their parents; but he rather counted on James Harrison +seeing no harm in what he proposed, and therefore "winking" at it. + +"Your father will not mind one bit if you tell him that I am going to +use up that ridiculous old feud in this business. Believe me, he won't +see any harm in it." + +"But our own cousin, and his first visit to Boden?" said Lowrie, only +half satisfied. + +Here Gibbie struck in: "It's only a little bit of fun, Lowrie; don't +let us make a fuss, for that may spoil all." + +Gloy glanced around the geo, evidently calculating how far his powers +of climbing were fit to cope with the walls of his prison; and Yaspard, +guessing his thought, said, "I shall leave Pirate on guard with you." + +Gloy resigned himself to fate, and patting the dog, he assured Yaspard +that he didn't mind staying in the geo a few hours--even days--if that +would help to demolish the quarrels which had kept poor young Adiesen +so isolated from his kind. + +"You're a brick," the others declared. Then Pirate got his +instructions, and the _Osprey_ went on her homeward way. + +When she had disappeared in a curve of the fiord, a tiny punt came out +from behind some crags which formed part of the geo. The punt was +propelled by no unskilful hand, although its solitary occupant used a +geological hammer more often than an oar. We may judge what Gloy +Winwick felt like when he recognised the new-comer to be the dreaded +Laird of Boden! + +In blissful ignorance of the fact that his uncle had been so near, and +had heard every word of their conference, Yaspard landed the Harrisons +at their own noost; and promising to return for them at dusk, he took +himself to Moolapund. There Signy was looking out eagerly for him, and +great was her joy at his safe return. The little girl's lively +imagination had been conjuring up all sorts of terrible adventures +through which her hero might be passing, and she looked anxiously at +him and his boat for signs of a fray. None were visible, not even the +armour, for it had been stowed under the foot-boards. + +"What have you done with Pirate?" Signy asked. + +Now Yaspard was a very truthful boy, and could not tell a "whopper" to +save his life. "Pirate is all right," he answered; "and if you will +come up to my room, Mootie, I'll tell you my great secret, for it has +begun to work. Only think!" + +There were few things he loved more than his bright little sister's +sympathy. He was never so happy as when pouring into her ears the +story of his exploits. He thoroughly enjoyed telling her all about his +expedition to Havnholme, and his pleasure was not even damped by the +tears rising in her blue eyes when he described Gloy a prisoner in the +geo with Pirate for jailer. + +"Wasn't it a good lark, Signy? Don't I make a ripping Viking, &c.?" + +She smiled in spite of her compassion, but she said, "Oh, brodhor, you +know he is only a poor boy. If it had been one of the others it would +not have mattered so much; but Gloy Winwick is a poor widow's son, and +an only son, and it seems just a little--horrid." + +"I never thought of it that way," Yaspard said, looking very +crestfallen; "but it can't be helped now, any way. However, I'll make +it up to him afterwards. He shan't lose by this, I tell you." + +Signy twined her arms round his neck, and whispered softly, "Brodhor, +is it quite--quite right, do you think, to do what Uncle Brues would be +very angry about?" + +"I don't think it's _wrong_ any way," the lad replied. "I haven't +disobeyed uncle, and I haven't told any stories. I've only---- There, +Signy; if it seems a mean or deceitful thing I've done, I'll set that +right in a jiffy. I'll just go and tell Uncle Brues about it myself." + +"How brave you are, brodhor! How straight you go at things, to be +sure!" + +"And how round the corner and round my neck you go with things, +Mootie-ting!" laughed he; then more gravely asked, "Where is uncle, do +you know?" + +"He is out, as usual, after specimens: he has been out a long time." + +"Oh, well, I'll tell him when he comes." + + + +[1] "Had," the den of a wild animal. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +"NOW EACH GOES HIS WAY." + +Some hours later Mr. Adiesen appeared at his own door laden with blocks +of serpentine, fragments of lichen, moss, seaweed, and shells. Yaspard +followed him into a little room which was doing duty as a study until +the Den was restored to order, and as the scientist put down his +treasures the lad said--in a trembling voice, be it confessed--"I want +to tell you about something, uncle; something I've been doing." + +"Well, go on," said Mr. Adiesen, not looking up, and in a very grim +tone. + +"I--I--there used to be--I've heard you say--that our ancestors were +Vikings; and I--I thought I'd be--a Viking." + +Yaspard got so far, and stuck. It was hard to go on telling of his +romantic fancy and wild escapade with that grave face before him. + +"You thought you'd be a Viking," Mr. Adiesen repeated calmly, then +paused, and asked in ice-cold tones, "Well, what else do you wish to +say?" + +"I think it right to tell you--I feel I ought--even about what--I +mean--in fun;--but, uncle," and again poor Yaspard came to a deadlock, +and might never have made a satisfactory confession if help had not +come to him in the form of Signy. + +She had been hovering about the door in much trepidation, and, fearing +that her brother's courage might fail him, she stole to his side, put +her hand in his, looked fearlessly at Uncle Brues, and said-- + +"He has not done anything to be ashamed of, uncle; only we thought you +ought to know, because it came out of the feud partly." + +The Laird's brows came together in a frown, but he was very fond of +Signy. She was his one "weakness," Aunt Osla said, and said truly. + +"Let Yaspard speak for himself, my dear," her uncle answered gently, +while his grim feature relaxed as he looked at her; and the boy, braced +by the touch of the little hand in his, blurted out-- + +"I wanted to know the lads of Lunda, and have some fun, as they have +and most boys have; and I couldn't be friends with them because you had +forbidden that, so I took up the feud in a sort of way on my own +account, and determined to make raids upon them, and have fights +(sham-fights) and do as the Vikings did--in a kind of play, of course. +They are the enemy; and we could make-believe to slaughter and capture +each other, and----" + +Mortal man could stand no more than that. Mr. Adiesen, drawing his +brows together savagely to hide his strong inclination to burst into +laughter, called his nephew by some not complimentary names, and +dismissed him abruptly, saying, "Go along with you, and take your fun +any way you please. Only remember--no friendships with Lunda folk. +Play with them under the black flag, if that gives you amusement; and +see that your Viking-craze keeps within the bounds of civilised laws." + +Yaspard escaped, rejoicing; but Signy lingered to ask, "Would you +object to taking prisoners, uncle?" + +"Child, let him prison every man and boy in Lunda if he likes--if he +can catch them." + +Signy flew to tell her brother of this further concession, and Mr. +Adiesen shut the door upon himself. If the young folks had listened +outside that door they would have heard a curious noise; but whether it +meant that the old man was growling to himself or suppressing laughter, +we, who do not know Mr. Adiesen's moods very well, cannot tell. + +Yaspard was only too glad to get off so easily, and paused for nothing, +but, racing off to his boat with Signy, was soon sailing up the +voe--not across, as before, for his destination was not Noostigard. + +Boden voe is very beautiful It curves between steep shores, and at one +place narrows so much that you could almost touch either shore with a +sillack-rod from a boat passing through. When it is ebb-tide you can +walk dry-shod across this passage (called the Hoobes). Here the voe +terminates in a lovely little basin, almost land-locked, and placid as +a mountain tarn. + +Where the voe ends there is only a mere neck of land. It rises +abruptly from both sides, and is crowned by a peak known as the Heogne. + +Under shelter of the Heogne, and commanding a magnificent view of +islands and ocean-wastes, stands the old dwelling of Trullyabister. +Mr. Neeven was the cousin of Mr. Adiesen: he left Shetland in his early +youth, and no one heard whether he was alive or dead for thirty years. +Then he returned to his native land, a gloomy, disappointed man, hard +to be recognised as the light-hearted lad who had gone away to make a +fortune in California, and be happy ever afterwards. It seemed that he +had made the fortune, but the happiness had eluded him. He would give +no account of his life, and seldom cared to converse with any one +except Brues Adiesen, from whom he asked and readily obtained the +half-ruined home of their fathers. Two or three rooms were made +habitable; the half-witted brother of James Harrison was hired as +attendant; cart-loads of books were brought from the South (by which +vague term the Shetlanders mean Great Britain); and Gaun Neeven settled +himself in that wild, lone spot, purposing to end his days there. He +was there when Yaspard was very small, therefore the boy always +associated his hermit-relative with the "haunted" house of Boden; and +as he grew older, and the romantic side of his character developed +rapidly, he was greatly attracted to Trullyabister and its queer +occupants--fule-Tammy being, in his way, as mysterious a recluse as his +master. + +Yaspard found a great many excuses for going to Trullyabister, although +he very rarely was permitted to enter Mr. Neeven's rooms, and was never +allowed near the "haunted" portion of the dwelling. But Tammy was +usually pleased enough to see him, and would entertain the boy with +many strange legends of the old house; for Tammy was shrewd and +imaginative; his "want" exhibited itself in no outrageous manner, but +rather in a kind of low cunning and feebleness of will. It was Tammy's +talent for story-telling, and his skill as a player of the violin, +which drew Yaspard to him. Also the lad felt a kind of pity for the +creature, and tried, in his plain boy-fashion, to instruct him, and +make him "a little more like other folk." + +Signy did not like fule-Tammy: she did not like his sidelong, leering +expression; and she always avoided him, notwithstanding her brother's +oft-repeated declaration that the man "wasn't so bad as he looked." +Therefore, when Yaspard moored the _Osprey_ at the head of the voe, and +announced his intention of running up the hill to have a word with +Tammy, Signy said-- + +"I'll stay on the beach, brodhor. There are lovely shells about, and I +can gather a heap while you are away." + +"All right," said he, and up the hill he bounded, while Signy set +herself to picking up shells. She was soon so interested in her +occupation that she forgot how time slips past, and was not aware that +Yaspard had been absent a whole hour when he returned looking very much +annoyed. + +"Bother that fellow!" he said, as he helped Signy into the boat and +took his place at the oars. + +"You mean fule-Tammy?" she asked. + +"Of course. The impudence of _him_, to say I mayn't have any +tumble-down bit of Trullyabister for a play-place! I had it all so +nicely planned--to hide Gloy there, and bring our armour and our spoil +there. It was just the very place. It _is_ an old Viking's place--at +least one bit of it is said to be. But I'll circumvent fule-Tammy yet." + +"Why not ask permission from Mr. Neeven?" Signy ventured to suggest; +but Yaspard shook his head. + +"He would not hear of such a thing. Besides, that would take all the +secrecy and dark plotting and fun out of it all. But, never mind, I'll +have my prisoner in Trullyabister in spite of everything." + +No cloud rested for many minutes on Yaspard's smooth brow, and very +soon he was laughing merrily as he pulled his boat along. + +As they neared Moolapund, Loki came slowly sailing homewards, and, +feeling heavy and lazy after a long day's fishing, gravely dropped into +the boat, and looked at Yaspard as much as to say, "Your oars are +better able than my wings at present." + +"Just look at the Parson! What a cool customer he is!" laughed +Yaspard. He had given Loki the nickname of "Parson" because of his +white choker and dignified visage. + +Just then another pair of dark-hued wings hove near, and Thor, the +majestic raven which was Mr. Adiesen's particular pet, alighted on the +bow with a croak so hoarse and solemn that Signy cried out, "Oh dear, +how very eerie this is! How terribly grave Thor and Loki are! They +make me feel creepy." + +"I shall take them with me on some of my Viking raids," Yaspard +exclaimed. "Just as the Vikinger did, you know. They always carried a +raven with them; and as for Loki--he can be an imp, or a Valkyrur. It +sounds quite fine, doesn't it?" + +Chatting gaily they reached the shore, and as soon as the boat touched, +Thor and Loki flew off in stately flight to the house. Signy followed +on foot, wishing she had wings; and Yaspard, shoving off again, went +across to Noostigard. + +He had a hearty tea with the Harrisons. He was a great favourite in +the factor's house, and was always allowed to be there as much as he +pleased, for Mrs. Harrison was a religious as well as judicious woman, +and exercised a very wholesome influence over the somewhat spoilt and +wayward boy. + +Her sons had told her all about the expedition to Havnholme, and she +was delighted when Yaspard informed them that Uncle Brues had not +disapproved. + +"Ye mun bring puir Gloy _here_ before ye pit him in prison," she +laughingly called out, when twilight came and the three boys set off +for the geo. + +When they were out of hearing the factor remarked with a thoughtful +smile, "It's a strange way the young anes hae o' turning trouble intae +fun, and makin' guid come oot o' ill." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +"THE CARL ON THE CLIFF TOP." + +Our Viking-boys were not long rowing out the voe that evening. The +twilight had come sufficiently for their purpose. It had not brought +darkness, but it indicated that a late hour had come, when the +inhabitants of Boden were probably at rest indoors. They were so +busily engaged laying plans that they did not comment upon the perfect +silence which reigned in the geo as they approached. The splash of +their oars and the tones of their voices were loud enough to have +warned Gloy of their approach, and cause him to make some response. +But he didn't. + +A joyous bark from Pirate was the first thing to draw the attention, +and then the lads noticed that the dog was alone. + +"Guess Gloy is taking a nap, stupid fellow!" Yaspard remarked, and then +he hallooed as they ran the light skiff high and dry upon the sand. + +No answer came to the halloo, and a brief glance sufficed to show that +their prisoner was not in the geo. The place was small and without any +corner for concealment. It was light enough to see all round the geo. +Of a certainty Gloy was not slumbering, and Gloy was not there! + +The lads were too amazed to utter a word, but Pirate made up for their +silence by barking and howling his delight at being in company once +more. Dogs are very social, and solitude had not been pleasing to +Pirate. The first person to speak was Lowrie, and a certain amount of +satisfaction was displayed in his countenance: he rather believed in +his own cuteness, and thought he had found the solution of the puzzle. + +"It was stupid of us," he said, "to forget that Gloy can take the water +like a sealkie. He would swim round the rocks till he reached an easy +landing-place. There are plenty quite near." + +"Pirate was on guard," said Yaspard, "and would not have allowed him to +quit the geo unless I had given a word of command. Besides, Gloy let +us understand that he would not try to escape, and knew that I trusted +him, therefore took no further precautions." + +"Perhaps a boat came by and picked him up," Lowrie answered, scratching +his head for some new ideas. + +"Has any boat been near Boden voe to-day?" + +"We have not seen any. I think faither wad have kent if any boat had +been this way, for he has gleg een in respect o' boats." + +"There is only one boat he would have gone with, and that is the +_Laulie_," said Yaspard musingly. "Perhaps the Manse boys came after +us in real Viking fashion, and in that case----" + +"Hi!" Gibbie exclaimed then, catching sight of Yaspard's fishing-rod, +stuck upright in the sand at the farther side of the geo. A bit of +white paper fluttering on top of the rod had drawn Gibbie's attention, +and he was not long in seizing upon this. It had been carefully tied +to the line and fastened on the rod, and when the paper was released +the three eagerly put their heads together to read what was written +inside. + +In Gloy's cramped, unformed caligraphy was traced a few words, +mysterious, but, on the whole, reassuring. + +"I'm all right. I haven't broken faith with you, and no more has +Pirate; but you need not be scared about me.--I am still THE PRISONER." + +"Well, this beats everything!" Yaspard exclaimed then grasping Pirate +by his shaggy coat, he cried, "Oh, my dog, if you could speak English! +I believe you could if you tried. Tell us, Pirate, where has our +lawful captive gone?" + +Pirate yelped and jumped around, then ran to the boat and looked +wistfully at his master as much as to say, "Why do you remain in such a +horrid hole? This is no place for you or me." + +Interpreting his actions aright, the Viking said, "I suppose you are +about right, doggie; you've been here too long already, and there is +nothing to keep _us_ here any longer." + +Considerably crestfallen and perplexed, they left the geo, and sailed +slowly up the voe once more, asking one another what was to be done +next. + +"I suppose we must believe that Gloy is all right," said Lowrie, "so we +needn't concern ourselves about his life at the present time." + +"He says he is still the prisoner," said Yaspard musingly; then after a +long pause he added, "Look here, boys, we might as well go on with this +night's performance as far as we can without our captive. We can +possess ourselves of his intended 'cell' (in spite of this horrid +'sell'), and we can make it ready for him as we intended, in the hope +that he will render himself into the hands of his conquerors as a true +knight should." + +"All serene," was Lowrie's reply; and Gibbie added, "Just so." + +So in the grey, quiet "dim" the _Osprey_ swept silently through the +Hoobes and brought up at the "dyke-end," where she had stopped in the +afternoon when Signy was the Viking's sole companion. + +Yaspard alone jumped on shore. "Keep her off," he whispered, as if an +army of enemies were in ambush close by; "don't fasten her until I give +the signal that the coast is clear." + +Having so given his orders, he set off up the hill, dodging behind turf +walls and creeping along knolls, so that no watchful eyes at +Trullyabister could detect his approach. + +There is no real night in those regions when summer is in its prime, +therefore Yaspard's precautions were necessary if he required to steal +unawares upon the scene. + +When within a short distance of the old house a backdoor suddenly +opened and fule-Tammy came out carrying a peat-keschie. He was going +to the stack for fuel, and the particular stack he meant to visit +happened to be the very object behind which Yaspard crouched. + +"If," thought the boy, "he comes round _this_ end of the stack I'm done +for." + +But Tammy didn't. He always attacked a peat-stack from the point +nearest the house, so he placed his keschie[1] at a convenient height +on the broken side of the stack, and lazily proceeded to fill it with +peats. Tammy had a habit, common in half-wits, of talking loudly to +himself, and as he filled his keschie he declaimed in Yaspard's +hearing-- + +"Na, na! I ken wha wad get the raiding-strake[2] if I was to gie them +the run o' the raubit-house; and where wad a' my night-sports be? and +what wad come o' the Trows if I let the boys rumble ower a'?" + +As he piled the peats he went on talking in a disconnected, and to +Yaspard, very incomprehensible, manner about midnight revels and +strange beings who doubtless had a certain kind of existence in Tammy's +imagination. Only one thing he said attracted the boy's serious +attention, and remained in his recollection to throw light on future +events. + +As Tammy raised the keschie to his shoulder he exclaimed in a kind of +exultation, "They think me a puir 'natural,' that can do nae gude to +man or beast, but for a' that it's myself that's pit mair light upon +wir isle as ever men and money will pit, though the Laird--puir +body--speaks aboot it evermair, and evermair will speak. Yea, yea! +puir Tammy and his pate-keschie does mair for ill-luckit, wandering +sea-folk than does the muckle kirk and the peerie[3] queen pit +together. And, though I say it that shouldna, puir Tammy kens when tae +wake and when tae sleep better than them that has their heads fu' o' +brains and books forby." + +So maundering, Tammy returned to the house, and closed the back-door +behind him, and then Yaspard stole round to the uninhabited and ruined +portion of the house to reconnoitre. + +When satisfied that the "coast was clear," he whistled softly in such +perfect imitation of a golden plover, that the Harrisons, waiting for +that same signal, were not quite sure that it was Yaspard, and no bird. +But when the wild musical notes had been repeated three distinct times, +they knew that it was their captain's call. + +Fastening the boat to the dyke-end, they hastened to raise the +foot-boards and open lockers fore and aft. From these hiding-places +they took a curious assortment of articles--a blanket and towel, armour +in plenty, a knife, fork, plate, and mug; two candles, a box of +matches, and a basket of nondescript victuals. Stowing these into two +keschies brought for the purpose, they slung the baskets on to their +backs, and marched confidently up the hill, assured that Yaspard would +give the alarm if danger was to be apprehended. + +They reached his side without any adventure, and then all three +clambered over the broken wall into what had been a goodly +apartment--now roofless and in ruin. At the farther end of this room +there was a low doorway, leading to a dark passage; and as Yaspard +walked boldly towards it Gibbie said in a frightened whisper, "No' that +way! surely no' _that_ way? Yon passage ends in the haunted room." + +"The haunted room, you goose, is just the place that is to be our +captive's cell," replied the Viking. + +"I thought ye meant _this_ room, or some other bit that's fallen tae +ruin," Gibbie muttered, and hesitating to follow the others, who went +boldly along the passage, intending to enter the haunted room by a +broken doorway of which Yaspard had been aware. His chagrin was great +to find that aperture closed by a number of stout boards nailed firmly +across it. + +"What a bother! Now, I wonder why on earth this has been done?" +Yaspard exclaimed aloud, disappointment overcoming caution; but he was +recalled to the "position" on hearing some strange sounds on the other +side of the boarding, evidently provoked by his own unguarded tones. +The sounds were like a child's cry, blended with the sharp short +barking noise which is supposed to be the manner in which trows give +expression to their mirth; and these vocal utterances were supplemented +by a sound of scratching and thumping applied to the boards. + +The boys retreated into the outer room, where Gilbert had remained. He +was leaning over the ruin, looking up at a window in the angle of the +wall, and when the others reached him he said in tones of fear, "Look! +there is a light in the haunted room!" + + + +[1] A basket. + +[2] "Raiding-strake," the final blow which clears up everything. + +[3] "Peerie," little. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +"THEREFORE THEY GO THEIR WAYS." + +I ought to explain that the passage leading to that "haunted" chamber +sloped upwards steeply enough to require a step here and there along +it. It might even be called a stairway; therefore the little +room--which had been the goal of Yaspard's present raid--was situated +on a much higher level than the larger and more dilapidated apartment. + +It was not possible to walk round and peep into the room, from which a +flickering light was streaming through a tiny slit in the thick wall +that did duty for a window. But we must not suppose that the courage +of a Viking-boy was going to be daunted by trow-laughter or +ghost-lights. No; nor by stone walls and high windows! The walls of +Trullyabister were rugged, and, on _that_ side at any rate, perforated +by holes convenient for supporting the toe of a boot, and for otherwise +assisting an athletic youth, thirsting for information, to solve the +mysteries of the interior. + +"I'll know what it means, or----" Yaspard did not finish his sentence +in words; he shut his mouth up tight, and, scrambling over the ruins +like a monkey, he was soon climbing up to the window. + +The Harrisons watched him with intense interest, and when his hands +were on the window-sill their excitement reached a climax. + +It was with some difficulty that the bold adventurer raised himself +high enough to see into the room, and it was only for one instant that +he occupied such a position. Just as his face appeared at the window +another face--a horrid face, from which a pair of large melancholy eyes +glowed with a wild fierce light--presented itself opposite Yaspard, and +stared out at him in a manner to startle the stoutest man alive. + +Our hero did not wait for a second glance at that dreadful apparition, +but descended from his equivocal position much more rapidly than he had +reached it. + +"What was it? Tell us quick," whispered Lowrie, and both he and his +brother were trembling with fear. They had caught a glimpse of the +face that had met Yaspard's, and its unearthly appearance had been +greatly exaggerated by the shadows and the distance. Although they +were too intelligent to credit any story of trows, they had lively +imaginations, and had been bred in a land where the mysteries of +creation take fantastic shapes in the minds of a wonder-loving and +superstitious peasantry. They had shrunk from penetrating the secrets +of that haunted room, and were not altogether surprised, though +entirely frightened, that "something" had "appeared" to rebuke and +check their leader's audacity. + +While Yaspard gasped for breath after his hasty descent the Harrisons +again begged, "Tell us quick about it," but Yaspard was in no hurry to +tell. He retreated again into the ruin, whither his companions +followed, and, sitting down by the loaded keschies, he cast his eyes on +the ground and would not speak. + +There was something awesome in the silence, in the surroundings, in the +whole adventure, therefore it is not to be wondered that Lowrie felt +creepy, and Gibbie's teeth chattered in his head. + +At last the elder brother took courage to say, "Let's go back to our +boat. There's nae gude tae be got o' sitting here like gaping fish +left dry and high upon a skerry." + +"Put the keschies in the passage, anyway," said Yaspard, agreeing to +the proposal; but the Harrisons were not willing to enter that passage +again, so they suggested another hiding-place, namely, the chimney, +which was stopped up and grown over _above_, but had capacious ledges +inside which suited admirably for the purpose they required. Their +things were deposited there, and then the three adventurers stole +silently away from Trullyabister, two feeling crestfallen and very +uncomfortable, the third plunged in thought, and looking the beau ideal +of a pirate chief meditating over some dark and deadly project. + +It was not until the _Osprey_ had passed the Hoobes, and was being +swiftly rowed to Noostigard, that Yaspard broke the eerie silence which +he had maintained in a most unusual manner. "It all works in!--works +in beautiful!" he remarked. Now, that was not at all the kind of +speech the others had expected, and their amazement was so great that +they paused in their rowing and gazed at him in speechless astonishment. + +He laughed then, his own hearty laugh, which somehow had the effect of +dissipating all the fears with which they had been beset, but did not +diminish their surprise and curiosity. + +"Ye might tell us _now_!" they begged, in coaxing tones; and Yaspard +answered, "I just believe Mr. Neeven is a wizard, and Tammy a sort of +trow. Anyway, they are as bad as Vikings, for they have captured a +poor lady and shut her up in the haunted room, with her baby too--all +just the way people did ages ago! And now, don't you see, we've got to +rescue them; we are the noble warriors who defend the weak and rescue +them from thraldom!" + +"Has he gone stark mad?" Gibbie asked of Lowrie. + +"Not he," retorted Yaspard. "He is telling you the exact +truth--believe it or not, as you please. I saw the mother, and I saw +the baby; and I saw the back--I am glad he wasn't looking _my_ way--of +their tyrant and jailer, Mr. Neeven. So there!" + +"A mother and baby in the haunted room! But how did they get there, +can anybody imagine?" + +"They _are_ there, and that is enough for us." + +"It's the strangest thing I ever heard tell o'," ejaculated Lowrie; +"and yet," he added, "we must allow we did hear something uncommonly +like a bairn greetin'." + +"Of course we did," retorted Yaspard. + +"But what kind of a critter was it came to the window?" Gibbie asked. +"That was surely no human critter." + +"The prettiest lady in creation would cast an ugly shadow from that +hole," was the ready reply, which satisfied the brothers, who believed +that their imaginations, and the dread they were in, as well as the +uncertain light, had caused them to fancy they saw something peculiar. +They were then quite ready to denounce Mr. Neeven for his inhuman +conduct, and eager to devise some plan by which the poor prisoners +might be rescued. + +Yaspard had no difficulty in winning their approval of his next plan; +and indeed, so ardently did they desire to set about it, that they were +almost sorry when he said, "Easy, easy, boys! One thing at a time! +Don't let us forget, in our haste to be after _this_ business, that we +have other important matters on hand. We have to find Gloy, and we +have to meet the lads of Lunda at Havnholme this afternoon. We haven't +much time on our hands, if Gloy has to be found before we go to receive +his ransom." + +"Strikes me," muttered Gibbie, "that we are in a mess about Gloy." + +"It's puzzling, but it will all come right," was the chief's reply, +spoken in his usual cheery style, which cleared the cloud from Gibbie's +brow, and sent him home believing as implicitly as before that Yaspard +would find a way of making things come straight. "He always does," the +brothers agreed, as they softly stole up to their room, leaving the +Viking to paddle himself across the voe. + +At breakfast next morning Mrs. Harrison asked in some surprise what +they had done with Gloy, for she had expected her nephew would +certainly be brought to her house. She was not a little disturbed on +hearing of his disappearance, but the factor said, "There's nae harm +come to the lad. Ye need not be frightened. It's plain enough some +boat has come by, and the men have insisted on his going wi' them. +For, mind ye, yon geo is a dangerous place if a high tide happened tae +set in." + +He would not listen to his boys' arguments against such an explanation. +Neither Gloy's declaring himself still "The Prisoner," nor Pirate's +honesty as policeman, could shake Harrison's belief in his own theory +of the matter. "You'll see I'm right," he ended with; "but I wad like +tae ken what way young master is going tae redd it up wi' the lads o' +Lunda. My word! he will hae a bourne keschie o' crabs to sort wi' +them, if he canno' tell what's come o' their maute." [1] + +While Gibbie had been answering questions and their parents had been +talking, Lowrie was fidgeting in his chair, trying to gather courage to +tell the yet more startling incident which occurred during the midnight +trespass on Trullyabister. + +At last he managed to say, "Faither, I never could hae thought that Mr. +Neeven was a--was a bairn-stealer and a wumman-stealer." + +James Harrison stared at his son, as well he might, and one of the +older girls cried out, "What in a' the world have ye got in your crazy +head, Lowrie?" + +Then Lowrie told all he knew about the mother and baby prisoned in the +haunted room, and his father listened to the story with a preternatural +solemnity of countenance. + +Mrs. Harrison, the girls, and small children stared and were dumb, as +Lowrie enlarged upon the baby wails which had stirred his soul, and the +great glowing eyes that had appeared for one brief moment at the small +window. It was all the most remarkable tale that had ever been told at +Noostigard, and it was not spoilt by any verbal interruption. + +When the story was ended Harrison asked, in a curious low voice that +seemed shaken by some strange emotion, "And so ye'll be for letting out +Mr. Neeven's prisoners instead o' shutting up your ain? Weel, my boys, +tak care that ye dinna find yoursel's in a trap, as mony a wild fellow +o' a sea-rover has found himsel' in times past. Mind ye, yon Vikings, +that ye hae sae muckle sang about, did not aye come aff wi' the best o' +it. Sometimes they had tae tak their turn in the prisons too." + +"Yaspard will tak care _we_ don't come off second best," said the boys +confidently; but their father shook his head. + +"I'm thinking," he said, "ye'll find ye've got a _rale_ Viking tae deal +wi' if ye tackle Mr. Neeven, or meddle wi' ony o' his affairs. I wadna +be in Yaspard Adiesen's shoes if he gets intil Mr. Neeven's birse." [2] + +"But, faither, it's a crying shame of him to keep such puir critters +prisoned in such a place; and surely Yaspard is right to wish to set +them free." + +"I'll no say he's wrang. I think it is a shame, but I'm just warning +you tae be careful;--I mean that ye tell your chief (as ye ca' him) tae +be careful--very careful." + +"We'll tell him what you say," they answered. + +Harrison would not allow his wife or girls to discuss the matter, and a +significant look he gave them served to silence them on the subject for +that time. + + + +[1] "Maute," a comrade, chum, or _mate_. + +[2] Bristles. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +"NO NEED OF BINDING OR SALVING HERE." + +That afternoon the _Osprey_, with the three young rovers and Pirate +aboard, went out the voe. They were not so jubilant as they had +expected to be when sailing to meet the foe, for they were not at all +sure how the lads of Lunda would receive their story of Gloy's +disappearance. + +The place of meeting was Havnholme, and when they neared that island +Yaspard's quick eyes detected the _Laulie_ moored by the crags and a +group of boys standing near the skeoe watching for the Boden boat. + +"They've come in force!" our Viking exclaimed. "Five of them, no less! +and one's a man!" + +"Why, one is Gloy!" cried Gibbie; and--in more subdued tones--Lowrie +added "And the man is Mr. Garson, the young Laird o' Lunda!" + +"_That's_ jolly!" Yaspard said; "but how Gloy got there beats me to +imagine," and he cast a reproachful glance at Pirate, who was looking +up into his master's face with such an expression of fidelity in his +honest brown eyes that the boy could not resist their appeal. He took +the dog's head between his hands and said, "No, Pirate, I will not +think _you_ broke faith with me." + +"The mystery will soon be cleared up now," remarked Lowrie, as he +lowered the sail and directed his brother to row gently, so that they +might bring up alongside of the _Laulie_. + +By the time their boat was moored to the crags, the Lunda boys and +their chief were standing there, all grinning from ear to ear. As for +Gloy, he was all "one huge laugh," Yaspard said, with some exasperation +in his tone. + +"I suppose I mustn't shake hands with you, Mr. Garson," the Viking +said, addressing himself to Fred as he jumped on shore; but Fred +laughed and caught both of Yaspard's hands in his as he replied, +"Nonsense, man! You ought to know that _honourable_ enemies do not +scruple to shake hands even on the eve of battle. I was exceedingly +pleased with your letter, and very glad to make your acquaintance under +_any_ circumstances." + +"Even Uncle Brues could not hold out against a fellow like you!" Yaspard +exclaimed, as he returned that hearty hand-clasp, and looked into the +winsome, manly face, so much endowed with the magnetic power that drew +all hearts to Fred Garson. + +They all laughed at Yaspard's words, but they all knew how potent was +Fred's spell, and did not wonder at the boy's enthusiasm. + +"I suppose," said Fred then, "that before I answer your letter we +should explain about your captive, taken in fair war, and here ready to +yield himself back into your hands if you are not satisfied with his +explanation and the ransom we bring." + +"It's here--just as you stipulated," Bill Mitchell exclaimed, rattling +a little tin pail he carried; "pebbles wet with the waves of Westervoe. +See!" and he jerked off the lid and showed some stones in a pail full +of salt water. + +"If I were Gloy," burst forth the blunt and tactless Tom Holtum, "I'd +be ashamed of being valued at such a trumpery price. If you had priced +him against a bit of lichen torn from the Head of Calloster, which +might have cost us our lives to procure, _that_ would have been more +like the thing. But beach stones in salt water, bah!" + +"Tom, lad!" said Fred gently, "if you were living in a city far from +Lunda--as I have been--you would put a higher price on pebbles wet with +the sea that girdles the old isle. I picked up a small stone myself, +when I left home for the first time, and I carried it always in my +pocket. I keep it still for sake of its memories; one values a trifle +for reasons known only to himself." + +His companions had not reached the age when boys learn to put a little +sentiment into their actions, so they only stared in surprised silence; +but Yaspard fully appreciated what Fred said, and remarked, "It was a +little like that way that I was thinking when I bade them bring those +pebbles. I must not go to Westervoe myself, so I thought I'd like to +have something from it. I thought I should feel more like one of you +boys--not so much by myself, and all that sort of thing--if I could +handle something that reminded me of you." Then, tossing back his head +rather proudly, as he caught Tom winking to Bill, he added, "You value +that flag at your masthead for what it reminds you of--not its mere +money value. _I_ might call it a dirty old rag, but _you_ price it +highly. I dare say you see what I mean now. I'm not good at +explaining myself." + +They broke into a cheer, and Tom's voice was the loudest of the lot. +"Oh, you're not a bad sort," he tried, "and you must take our chaff in +good part. You'll see enough of Westervoe before you're done with +_us_, I'll be bound; and as for adventures--why, man, you're providing +us with them! You are the inventor of adventure. Take out a patent, +and you'll make a fortune out of us, for we love that sort of thing +better than a miser loves his money." + +"I'm burning tae hear Gloy's story," said Lowrie, as soon as Tom gave +any one a chance to speak. So Gloy was shoved to the front, and bidden +to "speak up, and speak quick," which he did right willingly. + +"It was Mr. Adiesen in his dingy," he said. "He was ahint the skerry +when we were in the geo, and heard a'." + +"I might have guessed as much if I had not been an ass," Yaspard +exclaimed. "I might have known that Pirate would only obey one of us +from Moolapund." + +"Was the Laird awfu' angry?" Gibbie asked. + +"Yes, he was; but when I tell'd him as weel as I could hoo it a' cam +aboot, and hoo lonesome Mr. Yaspard was, and hoo he had heard a' about +wis o' Lunda and wir ploys and vaidges, and hoo he wanted tae hae the +like too;--weel, the Laird o' Boden mused like upo' what I said; and +then he took oot his pocketbook and wrate a peerie letter wi' his +pencil. And then he bade me come inta the dingy, and I was tae row +ower tae Lunda wi' him. Sae I did as I was bid--after asking his leave +tae pit yon message for you upo' the rod. He asked me a heap aboot wis +a'--I mean aboot the Manse folk, and Dr. Holtum's bairns, and maist +aboot our young Laird and Miss Isobel and the lady. And when we cam' +tae Lunda he bade me land and carry the note he had written tae Dr. +Holtum, and after that I was tae do as I liked aboot mysel'. Then he +rowed awa' again. And so noo my tale is ended;" and, having so +delivered himself of the longest speech he ever made in his life, Gloy +sprawled on the turf, and lay kicking his heels in the sunshine, +feeling himself to be the hero of the hour. + +Yaspard drew a long breath. He could scarcely believe it true that his +uncle had allowed himself to be so near Lunda, and to be so interested +in its young people. "What next, I wonder?" he muttered, and looked at +Fred, who answered the inquiry in the Viking's gaze by saying-- + +"I am not at liberty to tell what Mr. Adiesen wrote to Dr. Holtum; but +it wasn't like what he wrote to _me_, and it wasn't bad at all. So let +your mind be at rest on that point. You are as free as ever to carry +on your Viking course." + +"Father said," Tom interrupted, "that _we_ are now at liberty to bring +you as a prisoner to Lunda, if we can catch you as easily as you caught +Gloy, so you will have to look out." + +"I'll be delighted, quite delighted!" was the answer, which sent the +enemy into fits of laughter. + +Then Harry asked, trying to look very grave, and extending the tin pail +towards Yaspard-- + +"You accept this ransom, and the captive is free?" + +"Place the precious ore in our bark," said the Viking chief, handing +the pail to Gibbie. + +"And take care," said Harry, "that you don't scrape your bark on an oar +as you do it." + +"The perpetrator of such atrocious puns ought to be severely punished," +retorted Yaspard. + +"He is always sorry for them afterwards," said Bill. + +"I wish I were _not_ free," muttered Gloy. "I wanted to go to +Noostigard," and he exchanged regretful looks with his cousins; but +Fred lifted the cloud from their spirits. + +"I am going to ask you," he said, addressing Yaspard, "to take me with +you to Boden; and perhaps you will allow Gloy to come as my henchman?" + +"You! what? Why, didn't Uncle Brues--you're never going to beard the +lion in his den." + +"That is just what I intend," Fred answered, smiling. + +"But--oh, you know _I'd_ like it--but you will be insulted. It will be +horrid. There will be a row, sure as anything. I can't bear to think +of what he may say; and, being an old man, you won't like to answer +back, and--you have no idea what bitter words Uncle Brues says when he +is angry." + +Yaspard's eyes filled with tears, and he hung his head for shame, as he +pictured to himself the reception which that gracious, gallant young +knight was likely to receive in Boden. + +"Don't fear!" said Harry Mitchell, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder. +"Our captain has a way of his own of turning thunder-clouds into +sunshine." + +"He has a temper, and he likes to be monarch of all he surveys," added +Tom; "but he is the finest fellow out; and he will tackle old +Adiesen--beg pardon, the Laird of Boden--in just the properest way. +You needn't be afraid to give Fred a passage in your boat." + +"And Gloy, please, sir," added the Harrisons. + +"I am at Mr. Garson's service," said Yaspard. Then a brilliant idea +came into his head, dispelling in a moment all his doubts and fears. +"I'll tell you what," he cried, "you shall meet my little sister first, +and _she_ shall take you to Uncle Brues. He will do anything for her. +She is always there when my boat is coming in, and we'll hand you over +to Signy. That's the ticket!" + +"Sisters are towers of strength, arks of refuge in a storm," said Fred. + +"Well, that's settled," remarked Tom, "so the best you can do is to be +off as quickly as possible and get it over. _We_ will go and lay our +lines at the Ootskerries, and have some sport till you return. When +will that be?" + +"Don't wait for us," said Fred. "I may be detained, and your mothers +might be anxious. When you've hauled your lines just go home, and I'll +trust to being safely despatched to Lunda from Boden." + +The Mitchells and Tom got into the _Laulie_, and were soon sailing to +their favourite fishing-ground, while the others embarked in the +_Osprey_ and made tacks for Boden voe. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +"MAY THE GODS GIVE US TWAIN A GOOD DAY." + +When they arrived there it was as Yaspard had said. Signy was on the +beach waiting for her brother, and great was her surprise to see Fred +in the _Osprey_. + +But when her brother explained, and told her of the part they expected +her to play, the little girl's heart began to beat with the wildest +hopes and fears that ever stirred in one so young. + +The shadow of that terrible family feud had early fallen on her gentle +spirit, and the vivid imagination which made her almost realise many +merely ideal fancies had exaggerated that inherited enmity into +something too dreadful to put into words. Such thoughts had been +fostered, of course, by the inconsiderate way in which Mr. Adiesen had +spoken and acted, never thinking, as he ought to have done, of the +tender years of one who marked his words--never caring that his +sentiments were the reverse of Christian. I think he rather "prided +himself" upon the feud as a thing pertaining to his family tree, and to +be cherished along with the motto on his crest! No one had dared to +tell the Laird of Boden plainly that he was acting as no civilised--far +less God-fearing--man should act, and he had never taken himself to +task upon the subject. Consequently he had put no restraint on his +speech, nor cared who heard him, when denouncing the Lairds of Lunda +and all pertaining to them! + +Signy would, of her own free will, as soon have put her hand into a +red-hot fire as have asked Uncle Brues to receive Fred Garson in a +hospitable manner; but she was made of fine metal, and would carry out +Yaspard's wishes, although all the thunders of Thor and Odin were ready +to burst on her little head. + +She put her hand frankly into that of Fred and walked up to the house, +soon followed by Yaspard, who had only lingered a moment to give some +instructions to the Harrisons before they left, with Gloy, for their +home. + +When Moolapund was reached Yaspard said to Signy, "Take Mr. Garson to +the parlour, and I will go and tell Aunt Osla he is here." + +The parlour, you may remember, was being used as a study while the Den +was undergoing renovation; and Mr. Adiesen was sitting at a table +examining some pieces of rock which greatly delighted him, for he was +saying to himself, in tones of extreme satisfaction, "I knew it! I was +convinced of it! I always believed it was to be found in those +islands! and _I_ am the discoverer!" + +"Uncle!" said the soft little voice, and the scientist turned round to +face his hereditary foe! + +He had never seen Fred, but some striking traits peculiar to his race, +made it easy for Mr. Adiesen to recognise a Garson in the bold youth +who stood there smiling and holding out the hand of good-fellowship. + +The old man was completely taken aback. The instinct of hospitality, +which is held like a sacred thing among Shetlanders, bade him receive +with a measure of courtesy whoever chanced to come under his +"rooftree," but another instinct, as deeply rooted, and more ready to +exhibit itself, was also moving within him. + +Fortunately no time was given him to choose between two courses. Signy +caught his hand between her own, kissed it with quick fervency, and +laid it in that of Fred, saying as she did so, "Dear Uncle Brues, for my +sake, for your own little Signy's sake." + +They did not give him a single moment to recover himself--not a single +demon of hatred, jealousy, or pride got a chance to reassert its power +in time to prevent that hand-clasp; and before he could speak either, +the ground was half cut from under him! + +As if they had been meeting every day, and were old friends, Fred said, +as their hands met, "How do you do? I see _you_ have triumphed where +even the famous geologist Congreve failed. We have chipped the rocks +for years, and Mr. Congreve has searched high and low, in Lunda and +Burra Isle, in every skerry and locality where that" (pointing to the +beautifully veined bits of mineral) "ought to be found, but without +success. Allow me to congratulate you on such a discovery. You are to +be envied, Mr. Adiesen. May I take a near view of your specimens?" + +How it came about no one could ever tell, but a few minutes later +Yaspard and Aunt Osla, coming in much trepidation to the parlour, found +Fred and Mr. Adiesen in amicable conversation over the stones, while +Signy stood between her uncle's knees, with his arm around her, and his +fingers lovingly twined among her bright curls! + +Aunt Osla was nervous and tearful, and would have made a scene, no +doubt, but for Fred's admirable tact. He addressed her, as he had done +the Laird, just as if they were ordinary acquaintances meeting in the +most matter-of-fact, every-day kind of manner. Wrath and sentiment +alike collapsed before such commonplace salutations, and both Mr. +Adiesen and his sister felt they would only make themselves ridiculous +if they met young Garson's simple civility with any expression of +deeper feelings. + +So the conversation glided smoothly into the well-worn and useful +channels of ordinary talk about the weather, and the crops, and the +fishing, and "the South," until Miss Adiesen was at her ease enough to +say, "I hope your dear mother is well?" + +"She is regaining strength and a degree of cheerfulness, thank you," +said Fred; and then quite naturally, as if he knew he were talking on a +subject interesting to his hearers, he went on to speak of the trial +they had passed through in the loss of his father; and when he had said +just enough about that he quietly glided into Mr. Adiesen's favourite +themes, surprising the old gentleman considerably by his knowledge of +natural science and his intelligent appreciation of the scientist +himself! + +Yaspard sat near, a delighted listener, while Fred, using his utmost +powers of fascination, talked Uncle Brues into good humour, and so paved +the way to an amicable adjustment of some of the differences between +the rival Lairds. + +It was not till tea had been served, and the day was far spent, that +Fred asked the loan of a boat, and his young friend Yaspard's crew, to +take him back to Lunda. Permission was given, of course; and when our +Viking-boy went off to get the _Osprey_ ready Signy went too, and Aunt +Osla disappeared to indite a letter to her old friend, Fred's mother. +Thus the two men were left alone, which was exactly what Fred desired, +and he was not long in taking advantage of an opportunity he had been +devoutly desiring would come. + +"What a fine lad that is!" he said, speaking of Yaspard. "He is quite +the ideal Hialtlander!" + +"He is rather too fond of romance and the like," answered the old man; +but he smiled, for he was fond of his nephew, and liked to hear him +praised. + +"Yes, I think with you that there is an excess of romantic sentiment in +his character; and that kind of thing is apt to become exaggerated into +eccentricity or foolishness. I suppose he can't help it, living so +much within himself, as it were." + +"Possibly--that is--so!" Mr. Adiesen replied slowly. + +"I hope," Fred resumed, and he smiled very pleasantly, "that this +Viking fancy he has taken up may be of service to him in bringing him +into contact with boys of his own age and rank. The young Mitchells +are capital fellows, and _you_ know better than most folk what sort of +companions he is likely to find in Dr. Holtum's family." + +"The Doctor is a man in a thousand. He did me a service I am not +likely to forget on this side the grave. I don't see him as often +as--might be under different circumstances. But I respect him. Yes, +young man, I respect Dr. Holtum!" And the frown which had gathered on +the old man's brow at mention of the Mitchells cleared up more rapidly +than Fred had dared to hope for. + +"I don't know how we should get along without Dr. Holtum--we young +ones, I mean," he remarked. "He enters so much into all our fun, and +then he is so very clever too, a first-rate scientist. They have a +'menagerie,' as large and interesting as your own, at Collaster. And +the twins--they are a little older than your lovely little niece, but +she would find them companionable, for she is older than her years, I +think. I suppose it will be with her as it is with Yaspard in some +respects?" + +"Signy is quite contented without girls' society, and she can never +become either eccentric or foolish," Mr. Adiesen said hurriedly; but +all the same he suddenly had a vision of his pet growing up to be +peculiar, and an old maid perhaps resembling Aunt Osla, or some other +of the many spinster ladies whose insular life had doomed them to that +fate. + +"My sister Isobel and I," said Fred, "always feel that we are more +fortunate than the greater number of Lairds' families in having so many +companions in our island. It has been desperately good for me, I know, +to have such clever chaps as Eric Mitchell and Svein Holtum for my +chums." + +"And your sister? Dr. Holtum's girls are younger?" + +"Yes, and Isobel suffers in consequence. We all make a great fuss over +Isobel, and she thinks a little too much of her own consequence. But +still she has advantages--from the society of ladies, for +instance--which your Signy cannot have." + +The entrance of Signy herself put a stop to the conversation, but Fred +was satisfied that he had sown good seed which would produce the right +kind of fruit by-and-by. When he left Boden his heart was light within +him. He took Mr. Adiesen's insolent note from his pocket and tore it +to bits, scattering them on the sea, and saying within himself, "A soft +answer turneth away wrath;" then to Yaspard he said, "Now, Sir Viking, +for _your_ letter. You want the answer, don't you?" + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +"FAIR FELLOW DEEM I THE DARK-WINGED RAVEN." + +Yaspard and Fred were alone in the boat. There was a pleasant breeze +blowing fair, and Yaspard had preferred taking his passenger himself, +leaving the Harrisons to entertain Gloy at Noostigard. Thus the +conversation between the two could be as confidential as they pleased. + +"I wonder," said Fred, "if you know that it was your letter that +brought me to Boden?" + +The Viking opened his eyes very wide. Evidently he knew nothing of the +sort, and Fred laughed as he glanced over the sheet of paper which had +come out of his pocket with that other letter. + +"I don't believe you have the least idea _how_ good a letter it is. My +mother cried over it, and Isobel declared the writer ought to be +crowned king of every 'vik' in Shetland." + +"Oh, come!" Yaspard exclaimed, blushing hotly at his own praises so +sung. + +We will take the liberty of looking over Fred Garson's shoulder, and +reading that epistle which had done so much good. + + +"DEAR MR. GARSON,--My uncle has directed that the enclosed letter shall +be sent to you, so I must put it with this. It is none of _my_ +business to judge him, and I am sure _you_ will not forget that he is +an old man, and has been bred up with a lot of old-fangled fads, and +lives a very solitary kind of life. I want you to know that I have +begun a kind of game which I expect will give me a chance of meeting +some of your Lunda fellows. I would take it as a great honour if you +would keep an eye upon us in this matter, and umpire us when we get +anyhow mixed about the rights of the game. I hope to find the Manse +boys at Havnholme, and will tell them, so that they can explain to you. +I am going to pretend to be a Viking, and make raids. But I'd like +_you_ to know something more about it than the mere play and nonsense. + +"I just hate that horrid, miserable quarrel, which uncle speaks about +as The Feud; it seems such a stupid, cruel sort of thing. Poor Aunt +Osla cries about it, and my little sister and I are sometimes so +unhappy over it that we vow we shall make an end of it when we are +grown up. It is so awfully hard to think that there are so many boys +and girls like us growing up in Lunda, and we can't know them because +of the Feud. The truth is, I have not patience to wait till I am grown +up. It will be too late then, for I shall have lost my boy-friends +while I was a boy. Now, I hope you will understand that my Viking +exploits have got a really good kind of idea at the bottom of them; so +if you hear of fights, and forays, and the like, you will know that I +am trying in that way to 'settle' this hideous old vampire of a fend. +It's the only way I could think of while Uncle Brues feels as he does. + +"I know you are a right good fellow, as your father was, and you will +help me. I do need a good fellow's help, and you can't think how my +heart seems sometimes like to burst with longing to be with other boys +and like other boys. People talk of your minister, how good he is; and +of Mrs. Mitchell, and that splendid boy Frank who died. And I hear of +all _you_ do for the poor people, and about the Lady. Aunt Osla has a +heap to tell about _her_. I think I would not be so selfish and so +foolish as I am if I could talk to some of you Lunda folk, and _see_ +how you live. But I must obey Uncle Brues, and I must not annoy him; so +it's hard to see how I can clear up matters unless I go on the +'war-path,' and _you_ help me to manage our 'sham' so that it does not +harm anybody. Trusting you, I am your honest admirer and hereditary +foe, + +"YASPARD ADIESEN. + +"P.S.--Please, dear Mr. Garson, forgive Uncle Brues, and pray, as I do, +that somebody may persuade him how silly and really sinful a feud can +be." + + +"Yes, it's a prime letter," remarked Fred; "and nothing but that letter +(particularly the postscript) would have made me pass over---- Bah! +what is the use of thinking more about it." + +But even then his face flushed, and his naturally imperious temper +rose, as he recalled the rude, angry words which Mr. Adiesen had +written. There was a short silence, which Yaspard was the first to +break, "You have made a lot of people happy to-day, Mr. Garson," he +said very gratefully. + +"I hope this is only the beginning of good times for us all," was the +answer. "But now, I wonder what is going to be your next adventure?" + +"I expect they'll grow one out of another. By the way, what shall we +do about Gloy?" + +"He isn't your prisoner now, but your guest, so you must let him return +when he pleases. No doubt the Mitchells will have some plan in head +for making capital out of Gloy's presence in Boden." + +They chatted in the most friendly manner till they reached Lunda, when +they parted with mutual regret and many assurances that they should +meet again at no very distant time. + +The wind was even more favourable for the voyage back, and Yaspard's +little boat went swiftly and easily along. He leaned back and let her +go, while giving himself up to ecstatic dreams of adventure in which +his new acquaintance played the important part. He had adopted Fred +Garson for his hero, and was already setting him in the chief place in +every airy castle of his imagination; but fancy's flight was +interrupted by flight of another kind. As he lay back, gazing more +into the air than on the course before him, his attention was drawn to +a party of shooies (Arctic skuas) badgering a raven, who was greatly +annoyed, and seemed at a sore disadvantage--a position which the lordly +bird seldom allows himself to be in. + +These shooies live chiefly by preying on other birds. They are winged +parasites; they are very audacious, and fear no foe. Although they are +not larger than a pigeon, they are not afraid to lay siege to an erne +or a glaucus gull, and they will often do so as much for amusement as +for gain. + +"Mr. Corbie is in a fix," quoth Yaspard to himself, as he watched the +swift, graceful evolutions of the shooies as they darted through the +air buffeting and tormenting the unfortunate raven, whose harsh, fierce +croak and futile efforts to escape were quite pitiful though amusing. + +"If he doesn't gain land somehow he's done for, poor wretch: he is +tired now, and can't keep on wing much longer; if he touches the water +it's all up with him. Poor old corbie! they must have been after him a +long time." Thus our Viking soliloquised, as his boat glided on until +it was passing below the aerial battlefield. + +At that moment Sir Raven, uttering a loud and prolonged scream, shot +downward and alighted on the thwart next Yaspard, too exhausted to do +more than utter one faint croak, which might have been a parting +anathema on the shooies, but which charity impels me to believe was an +expression of thankfulness for such an ark of refuge as the boat of a +Viking. + +Yaspard leaned quickly forward, exclaiming, "Why, can it be? Yes, sure +enough--Thor, old fellow, how came you to be in such a plight?" + +Still gasping, but self-possessed, Thor hopped from the thwart on to +Yaspard's arm, and then, turning up one side of his head, he leered at +the shooies in such an expressive and ludicrous manner that the boy +went into fits of laughter, even though one of the shooies swooped so +near in its baffled anger as to touch his hair. + +Thor snuggled up to his master, and began to smooth his ruffled plumes +a bit, while Yaspard, tossing his hand about, so frightened the winged +banditti that they flew away, and Thor was satisfied. + +It was only when this interesting episode was over that our young rover +allowed his vision to return to the homeward course; but when his +glance fell upon the sea ahead he saw a sight to rejoice the spirit of +a Viking. Near the mouth of Boden voe, straight before him, keeping +watch for him, lay the _Laulie_, her blue flag with its golden star +flying merrily at the mast-head, her white sail spread, her jolly crew +all alert and "on the war-path." + +She was cruising about the entrance to the fiord, with the obvious +intention of preventing the _Osprey_ from reaching her own lawful +domain. + +Up Yaspard sprung, and keenly surveyed the enemy's position and his +own, calculating his "chances" with as much anxiety as if life and +honour were at stake. He did not dream of turning aside, or trying to +reach any harbour of refuge save his own voe; but he knew that to pass +the _Laulie_ in safety would require considerable manoeuvring and +daring seamanship. + +With utmost pleasure, and + + "The stern joy that warriors feel + In foemen worthy of their steel," + +he drew from the locker his black Viking flag and ran it aloft, smiling +as the ugly thing spread itself in the breeze. + +Thor watched this performance with profound gravity and attention; and +when Yaspard resumed his position Sir Raven solemnly hopped away and +took up a position on the bow, with his weather-eye sagaciously fixed +upon the black flag high overhead. He had so lately suffered so much +from dark-hued things flying above him that he was suspicious of that +pennon's intentions, and felt it necessary to observe its movements +with the closest heedfulness. + +Yaspard, however, put another construction on the bird's behaviour. +"You're a genuine old brick!" he said; "a real Viking's raven, and no +mistake, Thor. Now I call that very fine of you, to take your proper +place on my prow. They'll think I've trained you to it. What prime +fun this is, to be sure!" + +Thor lifted his shoulders, bent forward his head, and croaked as +dismally as ever his congeners croaked over a field of the slain in +days gone by; and Yaspard nodded to him, then gave entire attention to +the management of his boat. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +"ENOUGH AND TO SPARE OF BALE IS IN THY SPEECH." + +We may be sure that the _Laulie's_ crew watched our hero's movements +with quite as much interest as he noted theirs, and when his +battle-flag was seen they shouted for joy. + +"He knows what we are up to. He has challenged us," Harry Mitchell +exclaimed with great satisfaction. "Now, boys, we've got to nail him +before he passes Yelholme." + +"His boat goes very fast; she is light too, and he has her well in +hand," Tom remarked critically as the _Osprey_ drew nearer, skimming +the waves as airily and swiftly as any bird. + +Yelholme, to which reference had been made, lay near the course Yaspard +was on. If the _Laulie_ could not intercept Yaspard before he reached +the little island she would lose ground by being obliged to tack a good +deal, while he, having the wind with him, would easily get ahead. + +"If it becomes a chase we haven't a chance," said Harry, "so we must +try and cut him off at the holme." + +But Yaspard knew pretty well what their tactics were likely to be, and +acted accordingly. + +It is not possible to describe with any degree of accuracy the very +clever way in which the boats tried to circumvent each other; how the +_Osprey_ dodged here and there, striving to outrace the other, and how +the _Laulie_ gallantly defeated every attempt so made. At last +Yaspard, seeing that nothing but a very bold effort had any chance of +success, determined to try a delicate manoeuvre. His boat, being +smaller and lighter than the _Laulie_, could venture much nearer a +skerry or holme. He resolved to run straight for Yelholme. He knew +that the other boat would do likewise, but approaching from another +point, would be obliged to lower sail and trust to the oars. He hoped +he could keep "on wing," and round the holme in safety before the +_Laulie_ had got on the same course. Accordingly he altered his +tactics, and sent his skiff careening toward the holme as if he meant +to dash right into it. + +"What on earth is he up to now?" Bill exclaimed in wonder; "he will be +under our stern in a jiffy if he holds on like that." + +"If he passes astern he will reach the holme and be round it before us. +We must not allow that; drop the sail, Bill," said Harry. + +Down went the _Laulie's_ sail, and in a short time she was rowing +swiftly for the same point that the _Osprey_ seemed bent on gaining. +Yaspard did not alter his course one bit until he was within talking +distance of the enemy, and dangerously near the holme. + +"Don't be rash, man," Harry sung out. "You will be flung on the holme +by that undertow on the lee side." + +Even as he spoke Yaspard saw the danger he had not considered, and +promptly dropped his sail. By that time the boats were almost within +an oar's length of each other, but the _Osprey_ was ahead. With +wondrous speed the Viking-boy had his oars out, and would soon have +been round the holme and on his course again, but at that moment Tom +Holtum caught up a coil of rope lying handy, and flung it like a lasso +over the _Osprey_. The bight fell over her rudder and horn, and before +the hapless Viking could leave his seat or lift a finger to save +himself, his boat was hauled alongside of the _Laulie_, and he was +captured. + +"Fairly caught!" cried Bill, leaning over to thump him on the back, +while Tom clutched the _Osprey_ with both hands, determined that she +should not escape. + +Then Yaspard struck his colours, and remarked, "You need not be so +particular with your grappling-irons, Holtum; I yield myself to the +fortune of fair fight." + +"Come aboard us," said Harry. "You did awfully well, and needn't mind +that Tom's dodge was more successful than yours. It was a low kind of +trick on the whole, but we were determined to make you our prisoner." + +By that time Yaspard was in the _Laulie_, and his boat towing ignobly +in the rear. Thor, puzzled out of his dignity by such extraordinary +proceedings, afraid to trust himself with his master in the enemies' +hands, and too tired to seek refuge in flight, then gave vent to his +feelings in speech-- + +"Uncle, uncle. Croak! bad boy! croak! croak! croak! Yap! yap! yap! +Pirate; hi, good dog! Dog! Uncle! oh my!" + +He had never spoken so much at one time before, but the situation +called for a supreme effort. + +When he concluded his oration, amid yells of laughter, Thor turned up +his eyes till nothing but a streak of white was visible, and shoved his +beak among the feathers on one shoulder as if he meant to go to sleep. + +"What a fellow, to be sure!" exclaimed Tom. "He licks Crawbie all to +nothing." + +Harry explained to Yaspard that Crawbie was a hoodie crow belonging to +Svein Holtum, and a great talker, but nothing like Thor in that respect. + +Harry was soon on his hobby, and would have discoursed on birds for an +hour if Bill had not stopped him by asking, "Well, boys, what's the +next move?" + +"Home, of course," said Harry; "at least, to Collaster first, for the +Viking is Tom's prize, and must be taken to the Doctor's house." + +"I should like that hugely," said the captive; "but may I beg you to +remember my anxious and sorrowing relations, who will strain dim eyes +in vain and all the rest of that sort of thing. They'll be horribly +frightened at Moolapund if I am not back there tonight, and it's late +now." + +A long discussion followed as to how the Boden folk were to be informed +of the Viking's position. One suggestion was that a Manse boy was to +return to Boden in the _Osprey_, tell the tale, and bring Gloy away; +but that plan was rejected, because Yaspard declared that his +"followers" would seize the messenger, and hold both him and Gloy as +hostages for their captain. + +Then a brilliant idea occurred to Harry, who had always been the most +reflecting boy of the lot. + +"I'll tell you what to do. Send Thor with a message tied to his leg. +That was what Svein did once, when he was hurt and in Vega. Crawbie +had gone after him; and he carved two words on the cover of his +pocket-book, tied it to Crawbie, and Crawbie went to Collaster with it." + +"Splendid! Yes, the very thing!" the others cried. + +So a hard-boiled egg was taken from the ferdimet, and laid temptingly +on Yaspard's hand as a lure for Thor, who was evidently averse to +trusting himself in the _Laulie_. But his weakness was an egg, and he +soon flopped across to his master's knee, where he was detained for +"further orders." + +"Will he go home?" was the next debatable point. Yaspard thought Thor +would, if they made it sufficiently plain to his corvidaeous intellect +that he must not remain with the boats. + +"He has often followed me, poor old chap!" said Yaspard. "I dare say +he was coming on my tracks when the shooies fell foul of him; he will +return to Moolapund if I drive him off. He won't halt by the way now, +for it is near his roosting time, and he is tired to boot." + +They did as Svein Holtum had shown them how, and tearing the cover from +a pocket-book, tied it securely to Thor's leg. To make assurance +doubly sure, a duplicate was fixed around his neck. Yaspard wrote on +these boards-- + +"Captured on the high seas; taken in chains to Collaster.--THE VIKING." + +Then he tossed Thor up from his hand, crying, "Shoo! off with you! +Home now!" But Thor flitted no farther than the _Osprey_, and, +settling in his favourite place at the bow, began to pull viciously at +the book-boards. + +Bill hauled the smaller boat alongside and clambered into her, making +noise and demonstration enough, as he did so, to scare any ordinary +bird; but Thor did not stir from the spot until Bill's hands were +almost on him. Then he merely hopped from the one boat to the other, +remarking as he did it, "Just so!" which of course sent the boys off +yelling as before with wild laughter. + +Now, no self-respecting raven will endure to be laughed at, especially +when he is merely repeating a boy's pet phrase. Nor will he tamely +submit to being chased from stem to stern with shouts of "Shoo! shoo!" +Thor felt trebly insulted just then; possibly he believed that "Shoo! +shoo!" had something to do with shooies, and the allusion was ill-timed +he considered. + +After much noise and hustling, and what Thor looked upon as unseemly +action, he came to the conclusion that a boat is not always an ark of +refuge, nor is one's master always to be depended upon as a sure help +in time of need. With these thoughts came a recollection of the +comforts of Moolapund and the more fit companionship of Mr. Adiesen. +That settled the point in Thor's mind. + +"Bad boy! Shoo!" he burst forth wrathfully, and then screeching out, +"Uncle, Pirate, uncle, uncle, uncle!" he spread his great wings and +took a bee-line for Moolapund. + +Loud hurrahs followed him; but Thor never looked back once, never +turned to the right or the left, but, swift as possible in his cumbered +condition, flew home, and alighting on the parlour window-sill, began +to jabber every word he knew, without the least attention to either +grammar or construction of words, and in such excited tones that Mr. +Adiesen's attention was drawn to him. Thor was admitted at once, and +freed from his burden. Then the message was read; and while the Laird +read, Miss Osla and Signy waited in fear and trembling, but never a +word spoke the old man. + +"What has that boy been doing?" the boy's aunt asked at length. + +"Taking his turn at being captive, as I warned him might happen." + +"Oh, Uncle Brues, have they taken Yaspard?" Signy cried in great +excitement. + +"'Captured on the high seas; taken in chains to Collaster.--THE +VIKING,'" Mr. Adiesen read with impressive solemnity; and Miss Osla, +scarcely understanding what was the state of the case, or whether her +brother was joking, or the reverse, exclaimed-- + +"Dear, dear! whatever has he been about now? He is the very strangest +boy. To Collaster! in chains! What a foolish, foolish boy! He must +have been interfering with some of those young Mitchells. Of course +Mr. Garson has nothing to do with his nonsense!" + +Mr. Adiesen had walked out of the room long before she stopped; and her +bewilderment was much increased by Signy saying delightedly-- + +"Captured! and taken to Collaster! Oh, how pleased brodhor must be!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +"HE IS YOUNG AND OF LITTLE KNOWLEDGE." + +The lads found that it was so late when they neared Lunda, that it +would be best to divide, one boat going to Collaster, and the other +proceeding to Westervoe; so Tom and Yaspard (the latter on a kind of +parole) were transferred to the _Osprey_, which immediately made sail +for Collaster, while the Manse boat conveyed the Mitchells to their own +home. + +The Holtums were lingering over their supper when Tom presented +himself, bringing his captive with hands fastened together by a lanyard +borrowed from Harry Mitchell for the purpose. The captive's glowing +face, afire with fun and joyous anticipation, did not accord with the +humiliating position in which he was introduced by Tom; and his +reception by the Doctor and Mrs. Holtum certainly did not indicate +anything like hostile feeling. + +The lanyard was laughingly untied by the Doctor, who said, as he +released and shook Yaspard's hands, "I am sure you can trust your +prisoner with so much liberty, Tom." + +"Of course," said Tom; "I didn't see the fun of roping him at all, but +he would have it so, and the Mitchells said it looked more ship-shape." + +"Besides," added Yaspard, "I wanted Uncle Brues to know that I didn't +come here of my own free will and free-handed." + +"I quite understand," replied the Doctor, very much amused at the whole +affair. "But _now_ it is quite proper that your manacles be removed. +You remember how the Black Prince treated his French prisoners? My Tom +must not be less courteous to a Viking! Now, boys, let us hear how all +this came about." + +Nothing loth, Tom and Yaspard related their adventures, and very +entertaining these were; but when they described the sending home of +Thor, Dr. Holtum's face grew somewhat grave, and he seemed pondering +within himself. + +When Tom had conducted his prisoner to his cell--which was one of the +best bedrooms--and returned to bid good-night, his father said, "Tom, +lad, I am not altogether satisfied that yon corbie was a trustworthy +messenger. Suppose he did _not_ carry news of Yaspard to Moolapund?" + +"Yaspard never doubted he would." + +The Doctor shook his head. "If," he said, "by any chance they have +_not_ heard of the boy they will be very anxious about him. I think +you must take a note from me to the fishing-station. Some of the boats +will be leaving for the haaf even now, and as they run past Boden, I am +sure one of them will put in there with my letter." + +"Let me go with it, father!" Tom cried eagerly. "I am not a bit tired +or sleepy; and it will be such fun. Do let me go!" + +Permission was given, a note to Mr. Adiesen written by Dr. Holtum, and +Tom despatched as envoy. He soon found a skipper willing to land him +on Boden, and in the grey, quiet night, this most prosaic of the Lunda +lads was started on a somewhat eerie journey. A great deal of time +would have been lost if the haaf-boat had carried him into Boden voe, +so Tom good-naturedly requested to be put ashore at the nearest point, +determined to walk across the island to Moolapund. Tom had declared +that he was neither tired nor sleepy, but he was both; and by the time +he had walked over a mile of Boden heath he was fain to stop more than +once and take a brief rest. Each time he sat down on the soft, +fragrant verdure, he felt less inclined to get up. How it happened at +last he never knew, but Tom sat down by an old planticrue,[1] and +remained there; and there he was lying in blissful slumber when the sun +was well up over the Heogue, and Gaun Neeven had come out for an early +stroll. He always took his walks abroad when the rest of the Boden +folk were in their beds, therefore it was believed that he seldom went +out at all. + +If a philosopher like Mr. Neeven, who had passed through many years of +most exciting life, could be surprised, he was when, coming around the +planticrue, he stumbled upon Tom Holtum, spread out at ease, and +unconscious of his position. + +The man stood stock still for some minutes, contemplating the prostrate +figure, until a grim smile gradually spread over his melancholy +countenance; then stooping, he touched Tom's face and said, "Wake up, +lad, wake up!" + +Tom's eyes were wide open in a moment, and he sat up and stared at the +disturber of his repose. + +"What are you doing here?" Mr. Neeven asked, in his usual stern tones, +which did not help to clarify Tom's understanding of his own position. +He stammered some very incoherent words, which were no explanation at +all, and did not even attempt to get on his feet. + +Mr. Neeven was not a patient man. "Get up," he said, "and come with +me. I must know what you mean by skulking about my house in the +night-time." + +Tom rose slowly, and then discovered that he was in the near vicinity +of Trullyabister. + +"This is a pretty fix," thought he, as he followed Mr. Neeven. "I +believe I'll bolt!" + +But a moment's reflection showed him how futile any attempt at escape +would be, so he silently proceeded in Mr. Neeven's wake, repenting him +sorely for being so foolish as to fall asleep that night. + +When they were in the dismal apartment where the recluse spent the +greater part of his time poring over books and nursing his gloomy +thoughts, he pointed to a chair, and taking one himself, said briefly-- + +"Now give a proper account of yourself." + +Tom could be concise and to the point in speech as well as Mr. Neeven, +and having recovered his usual _sang-froid_, he explained his +appearance in Boden in few plain words. + +It was the first Gaun Neeven had heard of his young relative turning +Viking, and he was surprised to find a strange something within himself +leap and stir warmly at the tale of Yaspard's adventures, even though +told in Tom's unvarnished matter-of-fact style. Was it not a like +"craze" which had rioted within his own blood when he was a boy, and +had sent him out into the world to fight and jostle men, to win renown, +and prove his manhood by risking life and limb in all kinds of mad +adventure? Nothing had so moved that self-contained, moody man for +years, and even obtuse Tom could see that his story had touched some +hidden spring of feeling. The stern lines had relaxed, and there was a +softer though more intense light in the man's eyes. + +Taking advantage of what he would have styled "a melting mood," Tom +begged to be allowed to carry his father's letter to its destination. +"And after that," he said, "on the honour of a gentleman, I will come +back to you, and you can make of me what you please." + +"The letter shall go to Mr. Adiesen at a proper hour," replied Mr. +Neeven. "He is asleep at present, and I happen to know he is _not_ +uneasy about his nephew. You had better lie down on this sofa and +finish your own nap, while I finish my walk. Later I will tell you +what I require you to do." + +He walked out of the room, shutting the door with a key, and leaving +Tom a veritable prisoner. + +"He might have trusted me," muttered Tom; "but since he hasn't put me +on my honour, I shall do my best to escape---- Gracious! what's that?" + +The lad was very wide-awake, and not the least inclined to go to sleep +again. His exclamation had been caused by a curious sharp barking +noise, mingled with plaintive crying, which roused Tom's pity as well +as astonishment. He ran to the window, fancying the sounds came from +that side, and hoping to see something to explain what they meant. He +was not disappointed. The window of the haunted room was not far from +that of Mr. Neeven's sitting-room, and at that window Tom saw the same +unearthly visage which had startled Yaspard and the Harrisons. + +"Whe-e-ew!" whistled Tom, thrusting his fists far down his pockets, as +was his wont when the solution of any difficulty penetrated the +somewhat "thick skin" which enveloped his remarkably sound and shrewd +understanding. + +He stood some time staring thoughtfully at the creature, who stared +back at him as no lady of modest demeanour ought to have done; but we +must not forget that she was a captive, and looking for a deliverer, +and therefore to be excused in part. + +"Poor soul!" muttered Tom, as the baby's wails once more broke the +beautiful silence of that smiling, sun-watched night-time. "It's a +horrible shame. I wish I could let them out. It would serve the old +boy right. But it's too risky a job for me to undertake by myself. +Oh, well! when I get back to Lunda--if I'm not going to be shut up as +she is--I'll get the Manse boys to help. Bet Harry Mitchell will +devise a way of circumventing both Mr. Neeven and Mr. Adiesen." + +Then Tom tried the window, hoping to make his exit by it, but found it +was nailed down beyond his power to unfasten. + +"Never heard of such a thing in Shetland before," growled Tom. "What's +he afraid of here? One would think Boden was the abode of thieves or +pirates at this rate. Anyway, there are plenty of books about." + +He found an interesting book about the buccaneers of the Spanish Main, +so, lying down on the sofa, he was soon lost in the volume, and forgot +that he was in durance vile. + + + +[1] Planticrue,--a _circular_ enclosure. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +"OH, BE THOU WELCOME HERE." + +When Mr. Neeven returned to his house the Laird of Boden was with him, +and Tom was desired to hand over Dr. Holtum's letter, which he did with +alacrity. + +After perusing it carefully, Mr. Adiesen said, "And so you are the +Doctor's son? You are not very like your father. He was a very +handsome youth when he was your age." + +Tom laughed, and there was that in his plain, honest face, which +pleased both the gentlemen perhaps more than fine features would have +done. + +"I try to be like father in other ways," said he; "but my brother Svein +is as like him as can be. You would like Svein. He is very clever as +well as good-looking. People who can judge say so!" + +That hearty brotherly speech added still more to the good impression +Tom had made, and the two men studied him silently for a minute or two, +"as they might some curious starfish," Tom remarked later, when +recounting all that took place. + +"You are to come with me now," said Mr. Adiesen at last. "I dare say +you will be glad of some breakfast. Come along, and we will settle +what is to be done about Yaspard afterwards." + +They went off to Moolapund, leaving Mr. Neeven alone; and very much +alone he felt himself to be. It was strange, passing strange, thought +he, that the "chatter" of a very ordinary boy should have caused such a +curious revolution within him. What did it mean? Had he not lived his +life of action? had he not tasted the fruit of knowledge until it had +palled on his appetite? Had he not his books for company--books, which +could not irritate, and contradict, and bother, as human beings are +prone to do? + +"A boy is a happy creature!" Gaun Neeven said to himself with a sigh, +as he picked up the book Tom had been reading; "a happy sort of animal +on the whole. I could wish myself a boy once more!" + +Meanwhile Tom Holtum was being introduced at Moolapund, where he was +very soon at his ease, and chatting away with his wonted fearless +candour, which Harry had been heard to call "impudence and vanity +rolled up in whale's blubber." + +His host was in wonderfully good humour, and contrived to get a good +deal of information regarding life in Lunda out of Tom, without +allowing it to appear that he was at all interested in the people of +that isle. + +"I suppose," he said by-and-by, "that I must find a way of sending you +back; and there is that boy Winwick has to go also. But Yaspard's +misadventure must teach us a lesson. You will have to give me your +word that those who convey you to Lunda shall not be intercepted in the +performance of a neighbourly courtesy as he was." + +"Oh, sir!" Tom cried hotly; "why, we never looked at it like _that_, +nor did Yaspard. It was agreed that we should try and nab each other +anywhere and anyhow outside of our own voes. If you had asked Fred +Garson to safeguard the Viking, we would not have meddled with him." + +"And poor brodhor," Signy exclaimed, "would not have been enjoying +himself at Collaster!" + +"I think," said Uncle Brues suddenly, "that Yaspard has met Vikings as +mad as himself. Now, Master Tom, can you tell how he is going to +recover his liberty and his boat 'captured on the high seas,' eh?" + +"I thought I'd talk to his followers--as he calls those Harrison +boys--and they may help him. Of course they are the proper persons to +negotiate about his ransom," and Tom grinned. + +Signy volunteered to go with him to Noostigard; so the ponies were +saddled, and off the couple set. + +Such a claver as there was, to be sure, when Tom and the Harrisons met! +The brothers were for seizing Tom in place of Yaspard; and nothing but +Signy's vehement protestations that he was under a flag of truce, so to +speak, prevented their carrying out some desperate measure of the sort. +They wouldn't see the difference between Yaspard caught at sea _after_ +discharging a hospitable duty, and Tom a messenger of peace. + +"Weel," said Lowrie at last, "will ye tak' one o' us in his place, +then?" + +"No, we won't--not a dozen of you!" answered Tom. + +"Oh, boys!" Signy exclaimed then, "Yaspard promised at the very first +that I should have a share in his Viking-ploy. It would be just lovely +if you would take _me_ with you, to beg for his freedom. You know +that's how the ladies used to do for their knights." + +"When they happened to be their fathers or brothers," said Tom; "and +then the girls were married to the knights' enemies, and they all lived +happily ever after." + +"I'm not going to marry you EVER, so that isn't to be the way this +time," retorted the little lady, with immense spirit. + +"Very well," he answered calmly, "then it will be some other fellow. +But upon my word I think it would be a very jolly plan to take you with +us; only--will your uncle permit it?" + +"I'll try and coax him. He is really dear and good, if you only would +believe it; and I don't think that he is going to be so camsterie[1] +about Lunda folk now that he has seen Mr. Garson. I just think Mr. +Garson is splendid. He makes me think of Prince Charlie and Sir Philip +Sidney. He looks so like a real hero, does he not?" + +"Fred is to be the other fellow ten years hence," thought Tom, but he +wisely held his tongue. + +Uncle Brues was not so very difficult to persuade as Signy had imagined. +Perhaps, if she had seen Dr. Holtum's letter, she would have found a +reason for his unexpected complacence; but Signy was too glad at the +permission given to waste thoughts on "reasons why." She would hardly +wait to carry out Aunt Osla's request that her best frock must be worn +on such an important occasion, and nothing short of Mam Kirsty's tears +could have reconciled her to wasting time in brushing out her abundant +hair into a profusion of curls, and otherwise making herself "a credit +tae them 'at aws (owns) her." + +But when she was released from those loving feminine hands and went +down to the little quay with Uncle Brues to join the boys, Tom Holtum +thought he had never seen a sweeter vision of a ladye faire than she +appeared in her cream-white frock and navy-blue cloak and hat, her +shining hair hanging about the lovely little face, and her eyes shining +like stars on a frosty night. + +"You'll never need to beg one word," he declared; "you will break the +Viking's chains with the glint of your eyes. He was considered _my_ +booty, and I am ready this moment to give him up to you without a +single condition. So there!" + +"Thank you, but I don't want my knight for nothing," Signy replied, +with a saucy toss of the head, as she stepped into the boat. Then +turning to her uncle, she said, "Good-bye, dear uncle; we--Yaspard and +I--will be back soon." + +"Not to-night, sir, if you please," Tom cried eagerly; "we shall want +to keep her a little while;" and the Laird answered, "It shall be as +Dr. Holtum may think best. Take care of her, boys." + +As the boat rowed away he looked fondly after the child, and thought +that never did a fairer maid than his darling Signy go on a mission of +love. + +As the Boden boat went sliding along the coast of Lunda, purposing to +bring up at Collaster, Tom saw their young laird riding over the hill, +and as the distance was not great, the lad stood up and waved and +yelled to attract Fred's notice. He was successful, and the horseman +came rapidly to the beach, while the boat drew close in-shore. + +A few words sufficed to explain matters, for Fred had seen Dr. Holtum +that morning, and knew of Tom's expedition. + +"And you have been allowed to bring the little lady to Lunda?" Fred +said. "I think you had better land her here, for there is a good deal +of rough water round the Head of Collaster to-day, and she may get some +spray. Will you let me carry you on Arab to the Doctor's house, Signy?" + +"I think that would be nice," she answered; and Tom said, "You had +better go with Fred." + +The boat was brought along some crags, and Tom, jumping out, lifted +Signy on shore; then, resuming his place, shoved off again, saying as +he waved them good-bye, "You will be there before us, I suppose, but we +will not be long behind you; so look alive, if you don't want to be +beat." + +Fred had dismounted, and he and Signy stood together watching the boat +get on her course again. + +Then Fred said, laughing, "I shall feel like some robber chief carrying +off a fair prize when I ride away with you! You will not be afraid to +trust me and Arab, I hope?" + +"No! of course I can trust you," was Signy's ready answer. + +He sprang into his saddle, and then with the aid of his hand and +stirrup Signy climbed lightly to the place before him, and settled +herself there composedly. + +"This is how I used to have delightful rides with Uncle Brues," she +said; "but he could not hold me so firmly as you do, and once his pony +stumbled and I had a fall, and he never would let me up beside him +again." + +"When my sister was a little girl like you, she was never so happy as +when our father took her up like this; and sometimes he would ride +miles and miles with her. Don't you like Arab's step? I always think +there never was a horse like him. He was a present to me on my +birthday--the last gift of my dear father." + +"How you must love him! He goes as easy as a sail-boat on a smooth +sea." + +And then Arab was put at a gallop, to Signy's delight. She was +perfectly safe (and felt herself to be so) with that strong arm around +her, and that firm hand holding the reins. She enjoyed that ride +immensely, and remembered the pleasure of it for a long time; but Fred +remembered it all his life long, because from that moment he could date +a new colour in his life, a kind of thought and feeling which were +novel in his experience. + + + +[1] Headstrong and cross-grained. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +"AND PEACE SHALL BE SURER." + +A large party were stationed on the lawn at Collaster when Fred rode +up. His sister and Mrs. Mitchell had come to plan a picnic in honour +of Yaspard, and the Manse boys were of course "to the fore" on such an +occasion. The Holtum girls, with the Doctor, his wife, and the Viking, +were all there. If it had been pre-arranged it could not have been +managed better. + +"It's like a bit out of a book," Signy said in a whisper, as Arab +pranced up to the door, and everybody there struck an attitude +(unconsciously) with quite dramatic effect. + +Yaspard was the first to speak and act. + +"Signy! have you come from Boden on a witch's broomstick? Where did +you find her, Mr. Garson?" he said, as he lifted his little sister from +the saddle. + +"I've come to ransom you, brodhor," said she; and then she was given up +to the ladies to be petted and welcomed with the greatest tenderness, +while Fred explained; and the appearance of the boat sent Yaspard and +the Mitchell boys racing off to the quay. + +It had been arranged that the picnic should consist of an excursion up +the gill (ravine) near the Ha' at Blaesound, and a strawberry tea in +the Ha' garden. Fred and his mother were very anxious to draw Yaspard +within the circle of their best affections, but they knew they must be +careful not to touch Mr. Adiesen's weak points in extending the hand of +friendship to his nephew. He would, as likely as not, resent their +well-meant intentions if they invited the boy to their house, but a +picnic under Dr. Holtum's auspices to the neighbourhood of the Ha' was +different. + +Any of us who remember the recorded adventures of the Lads of Lunda and +the Yarl of Burra Isle, will know with what perfect success +entertainments of the sort were conducted by the Garsons or any of +their friends. There seldom had been a day more happily spent by those +young folks than _that_ day, and each and all combined to make it a +period of unclouded bliss to Yaspard and Signy. + +They revelled in the society of so many charming girls and fine boys, +and thought that life could need nothing more than the pleasure such +companionship afforded. How they enjoyed the scramble up the gill, the +fun bubbling up constantly, the manner in which the fathers and mothers +shared in the children's play; the running and singing and laughter; +the dainty meal of cake and chicken and strawberries with rich cream, +dispensed--after a very un-English but wholly satisfactory manner--in +heaped platefuls! The scent of flowers, the sunshine and universal +hilarity, cast a spell over Signy, and she sat on the garden turf +eating her strawberries without speaking for some time, but radiant +with happiness. + +"Are you dreaming, or composing an ode, little lady?" Fred asked her, +after having watched the soft play of her expressive features for some +minutes. + +"I was--thinking, and I never enjoyed anything so much before; +but"--and she looked up wistfully--"I was wishing too that there had +never been any feud, and that Uncle Brues could see for himself how good +you all are. _I wish he could!_" + +"I hope he will before long. I think, now the ice is broken, that it +will all come right, little one." + +I ought to have mentioned before that the Harrison boys had gone with +Gloy to see his mother, and had been directed to return in their own +boat to Boden before night; so when the Holtums, with their guest and +the Viking, returned to Collaster at dayset, they were just in time to +see James Harrison's boat disappear round the Head of Collaster. + +"I am so glad," said Yaspard, "that uncle gave you leave to come and to +stay overnight, Mootie." + +"I wish she might remain some days," said Mrs. Holtum; but the Doctor, +understanding best the kind of man Mr. Adiesen was, remarked, "That +will be next time. We must not take more than his lairdship has +conceded. By-and-by we may venture to stretch a point with him." + +"What has been settled about the captive Viking?" Harry Mitchell then +asked. "I am sorry to remind you, Yaspard, in such an abrupt manner of +your precarious position; but we must not forget that we have to make +capital of you." + +"I offered him free, gratis, and for nothing to this high and haughty +miss; but she tossed her curls and declined my civility," answered Tom. + +"There would be no fun in that," Yaspard said in an aside; and Signy +remarked, "Brodhor is worth a great deal to me, and he ought to be +worth a lot to his captors. Just put a price on him that I am able to +pay, and you shall have it." + +"Bravo!" shouted the boys in chorus. + +"Do you then absolutely refuse my princely offer?" Tom asked her, and +the little girl replied boldly-- + +"Yes. I'd be ashamed to take him for nothing." + +"The lads of Lunda," answered he loftily, "don't make bargains with +ladies. If you won't take my offer you're 'out of it,' miss! Now, Sir +Viking, let me tell you under what condition I will set you free. You +shall give me your royal word--on the faith of a Viking--that you will +give me your assistance in a deed of high emprise which I have vowed to +perform." + +"Why, Harry," exclaimed Bill, "you could not have said that in a more +booky way yourself!" + +"I haven't got another word of the sort in my vocabulary, so must +return to my usual style, gentlemen," said Tom. "The long and the +short of it is, when I was a prisoner at Trullyabister, I discovered +that I was not the only poor wretch whom the ogre had nabbed. There +are others----" + +"Oh, goloptious!" shouted Yaspard, interrupting Tom without the least +ceremony. "You have found out the very thing I meant to tell you. I +meant to ask you fellows to help me." + +"Then it would seem," said Dr. Holtum, smiling--for he had had a +private talk with Tom, and had come to a conclusion of his own--"that +Yaspard's 'knightly quest' and Tom's 'deed of high emprise' are one and +the same. You have my approval, boys; only let me warn you to be very +wary, for if you do _not_ succeed you will have no support from any +one, and may find yourselves in an awkward fix." + +"Doctor!" Harry exclaimed, "did the lads of Lunda ever fail to carry +out their schemes, or squirm out of the ugliest fix in creation?" + +"I must own," laughed the Doctor, "that collectively you have a +wonderful faculty for emerging with _eclat_ from every adventure; but I +can't say as much for you individually." + +"One for you, Tom," whispered Bill. + +"And one for yourself," retorted Tom. + +Meantime Signy had crept into Yaspard's arms, and was coaxing him to +tell her the secret; but he put her off with a promise of telling it +when they were on the way home. "And, Mootie," he added thoughtfully, +"I believe we ought not to stay here very long to-morrow, just that +Uncle Brues may see that we aren't anxious to take the greatest +advantage of his permission. Besides, we don't want him to feel that +we like being away from Boden so awfully much." + +She squeezed his hand. She understood him perfectly, and Yaspard, +laughing into her upraised eyes, said aloud, "Here is a little girl who +wouldn't contradict me for worlds, and is agreed with me in stating +that the _Osprey_ must be on wing to-morrow morning." + +But when to-morrow morning came there had been a breeze in the night +which had raised the sea a bit, and Dr. Holtum would not permit them to +leave until it had subsided, notwithstanding the Viking's declaration +that he never minded such a small thing as that. + +"My boat and I go out in rough weather," he declared; "and even Signy +would laugh at the idea of calling this a 'rough morning!'" + +The Doctor was firm, however, and the morning slipped happily away in +the pleasant companionship of so many new and agreeable friends. + +It was arranged that the Lunda boys were to run across to Boden on the +evening of the following day, to carry out the mysterious plans of Tom +and Yaspard. They were to wait at the geo for Yaspard and his chums, +and the mighty deed was to be done at the witching hour of night. So +they planned, and put aside with unwonted impatience the Doctor's +declaration that there was going to be unsettled weather, and that they +must not count upon being able to carry out their scheme in such an +expeditious way. + +"I don't know what has come to father," Tom muttered; "he is quite +scarey: he proposes that some of us go in the boat with you, Yaspard; +or that we escort you in our own boat!" + +The Viking's face flushed hotly, for he knew himself to be an expert +"seaman," and it was exasperating that anybody should be afraid for +him; but Harry Mitchell soothed his wounded pride by saying, "I expect +the Doctor is thinking of Signy. He is always so careful that girls +shall not be frightened--and she might be, you know, if she saw a big +wave alongside, and no one with her but you." + +"Signy wouldn't be afraid if she were left floating in mid-ocean on a +plank _with me_," Signy's brother made answer. + +So the _Laulie_ did not go farther than the Head of Collaster, but took +the way to Westervoe when the _Osprey_ set her face to Boden. + +There was not much wind, but a long and gentle swell, and the little +boat went dancing over the waves in a manner wholly delightful to the +brother and sister. + +"This is delicious, brodhor," said Signy, "and we have had a splendid +time; but it is nice to be going home. Now tell me about your quest." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +"FOR NAUGHT HE WOTTED, NOR MIGHT SEE CLEARLY." + +"You remember, Mootie, about the big row concerning Havnholme--I mean +the last disturbance which made Fred Garson write to uncle?" + +"I know a little about it. Uncle killed a number of birds, and a poor +seal?" + +"That wasn't quite how things went, though we heard that was it. We +were told correctly enough about the birds; and I must say I think +Uncle Brues thinks too much of science and specimens, and too little of +lives. But we did not hear the right way about the seal I have heard +something about it from Fred, and I don't wonder he was so indignant. +It seems they had a tame seal at the Ha'. It had been given to Miss +Garson when it was very young. Its mother had been killed by some +Cockney tourists, and the Laird of Lunda took the little seal home. It +was a great pet, and used to go and fish for itself in Blaesound, but +would always come home when tired or called upon." + +"Just as Loki does," said Signy. + +"Yes; and they were all very fond of it. But after the Laird died, his +people were a good deal away from the Ha', and the pets were +neglected--servants are so stupid in that way--and so it happened that +the seal was out in Blaesound one day, and didn't come back as usual. +Fred says he heard it had become shy, and a bit wild, through not being +petted, and perhaps it went off of its free will; but he believes it +lost its way among the skerries, and would have returned if it had +known how, or if any one had had the sense to go and look for it as +soon as it was missed. Anyway, it was lost. When the family came home +it was looked for everywhere, and Fred promised a large reward to any +one who should bring it back; but all in vain. Sometimes fishermen +would come and tell how they had seen a sealkie on a skerry that was +not a bit frightened when they came near, but dropped into the water +when they tried to catch it. Others said that a sealkie had followed +their boat, and had looked at them as if it wanted to be friends; and +Fred was sure that it must be Trullya, for no wild seal acts like that. +But though he went to the places where these men had seen the seal, +_he_ never saw it. Then it happened that the Manse boys, passing +Havnholme one day, saw a seal creeping up to the old skeoe; and they +were quite sure that it was the lost Trullya, for wild seals don't go +up on land like that. Moreover, the seal kept looking around, and +never minding a boat not far off, and the boys were as convinced that +it was the Ha' pet as I am sure you are mine. They were going to land +at once and capture it, when Uncle Brues, with Harrison and fule-Tammy, +came along in this boat, and Uncle ordered the Manse boys to get along. +There was a row, for the boys stuck to it, and said they _would_ land, +for the island was Fred's, and the seal belonged to him as well. Of +course you know how uncle would rampage at that. He was so angry he +threatened to shoot them if they came one bit nearer; and they declared +afterwards that they were sure he would have done it. While the row +was going on the seal disappeared, and the boys, believing it had +dropped into the sea and that there was no hope of securing it, decided +to quit. But as they sailed away and uncle's boat landed, they saw the +poor sealkie's head peep round the skeoe; then there were shots fired, +and fule-Tammy shouted at the pitch of his voice, 'Ye've got him, sir, +got him! dead as a door-nail!' The Mitchells were too disgusted to +wait for anything more. They sailed home and told Fred." + +"It was horrible, Yaspard--very horrible. How could uncle be so cruel +to a poor sealkie, and yet be so kind to me?" + +Yaspard laughed. "There is a difference between you and Trullya, +Mootie! But now comes the nice bit of my story. The seal wasn't +killed at all! Fule-Tammy told me all about it. He said it had a +young one with it, and they had been spending the night in the skeoe. +Uncle does not often miss his mark, but he had missed when he shot at +the seal. Perhaps he missed on purpose, only shot to aggravate the +Manse boys. When he got to the skeoe the creature was there, having +hastened back to her little one, and they were easily captured. Uncle +told Harrison that he must not let even his boys know that the seals +had been taken alive." + +Signy could keep silence no longer, but clapped her hands delightedly +and cried, "It's as good as a fairy story, brodhor. Oh, I am glad, for +of course they are still alive; uncle would never kill them then." + +"Yes, they are alive, and they are in the haunted room at +Trullyabister. They were smuggled there so that even I should not +know; but Tammy can't keep a secret, and he told me one day that Mr. +Neeven had charge of the seal and her baby. I did not dream they were +in the haunted room; but when the Harrison boys and I were on the prowl +the other night I found it out; and then I determined I would restore +the sealkie to Fred Garson. I told the Harrisons there were a mother +and child imprisoned at Trullyabister, and that we must free them from +thraldom." + +"And Tom Holtum has found it out too; and that is your quest? How +fine!" + +"It is prime, Signy, prime! We are not going to tell the Garsons a +word about it till we restore their lost pet, for we are all convinced +it is their seal." + +"But won't uncle be dreadfully angry if you interfere? Won't he stop +all your Vikinging and our meeting----" + +"If," Yaspard interrupted, "I were fool enough to show my hand in the +matter. No, no, Mootie, you don't understand a bit. We shall manage +it so cleverly that uncle and Mr. Neeven will take for granted the +sealkie escaped of herself. You see, Uncle Brues makes laws for himself +that are not proper, so he can't grumble if they don't work to his +satisfaction at all times." + +"I wish, though, that we could just beg for the seal, and settle it +nicely," said Signy. + +"Not a bit of good; that would make more fuss still, and unsettle +everything, and--I'd lose my fun." + +The _Osprey_ was not far from Yelholme by that time, and Yaspard, +pointing to the little isle, said, "It was that old rock with the green +nightcap that caused my capture." + +"It's a pretty peerie holme," Signy remarked. "I like the little +morsel of green turf on top. I wonder how it ever manages to grow +there, for the skerry must be swept by the sea more often than not." + +"There's something white on it," Yaspard exclaimed, "something white +and moving. Why, goodness me!" and he stood up in great excitement, +"it is awfully like a person." + +He moved his helm so as to bring the boat nearer Yelholme than his +course; and very soon they discovered that the "something white" was +really a human being. + +"It's a man; and he must be hurt, for he is lying on his side waving to +us. He would stand up if he could," Yaspard cried. + +"Oh, poor creature! We must save him," said Signy. + +"It will not be very easy to reach the holme this afternoon," Yaspard +remarked thoughtfully. "There's a heavy under-tow there." + +"But we can't go away and leave him, brodhor. Just look at him. Now +he tries to raise himself. It is dreadful." + +"I wish the Manse boat had come along after all;" and Yaspard scanned +the sea, hoping some boat might be in sight; but there was nothing +moving on the water save the wild birds and his own skiff. After a +moment's silence he said, "We'll make a try, Signy; and if we don't +succeed, we'll tell him we are going to bring more efficient help." + +With skill and caution Yaspard brought his boat alongside of the +skerry. The castaway was lying on the turf, battered and helpless. He +could only raise his hands, and watch the boy's movements with intense +emotion; and it was evident he could not help in his own rescue very +much. + +"I shall have to land," said Yaspard, "and lug him into the boat +somehow." + +He had, of course, dropped the sail, and the boat being on the lee side +of the rock, was easily attached to it, but swung about considerably, +as there was rather more than usual under-tow around the holme, +occasioned by the state of the tide--a circumstance which our young +hero had not sufficiently considered. + +"I really don't believe we can get him aboard if he has broken his +bones, as seems the case," the lad remarked, as he jumped upon the +skerry and fastened the boat by the end of a rope to the rocks. + +"I am giving her a good length," he said, "so that she can ride free as +the water falls. Do you think you can keep her from scraping with the +boat-hook, Signy?" + +She had often performed a similar duty, though not with so much motion +of the sea, and she replied that she would try on the present occasion. + +Having settled these points, Yaspard turned to the unfortunate man +lying a few yards from the water's edge. "Are you much hurt?" was the +first question put to him. + +"I'm half killed," was the feebly uttered reply; and in truth he looked +three-fourths killed. One leg was broken, and both arms were much cut +and bruised. He had scarcely any clothing on, and was altogether a +most pitiable object. + +But Yaspard wasn't going to waste time in talk. "Can you get to the +boat with my help, do you think?" he asked, stooping to assist the man +to rise. But as he attempted to do so the pain overcame him, and he +sank back swooning. + +"Poor soul!" muttered Yaspard; "I can't think what to do with him," and +then he pulled off his jacket, laid it gently over the unfortunate +castaway, and tried to revive him by rubbing his chest. + +Signy watched her brother's movements with the most eager interest, and +was so engrossed that she scarcely attended to her duty of keeping the +boat from bumping against the rocks. Although her negligence was not +the cause of what happened to the boat, if she had been on the alert +she might have given the alarm in time. + +As the _Osprey_ rose and fell with the waves, the rope became chafed on +sharp edges of rock, and parted. The boat swung adrift, and was +carried on a long sweep of the undertow some yards from the skerry; but +the length of rope Yaspard had allowed prevented Signy from wondering. +It was only when she felt the boat dip unchecked over a second long +wave that she glanced at the rope, and saw its end trailing in the +water. + +She uttered a startled cry, and Yaspard, looking around, saw with +horror what had taken place. + +"Oh, Signy! fling me a rope! No, sit still; be still, dear, or you'll +be over! Oh, my Signy!" + +She had half risen from her seat as he sprang to the water's edge and +called to her; but next moment she cowered down in terror, for the +light boat rocked as if it must capsize, then went whirling on the +tideway round the end of the skerry. + +Yaspard did not utter a sound after those first few terror-freighted +words. He could only stand motionless and dumb, gazing after the boat, +while Signy, kneeling, stretched out her poor little hands and cried, +"Brodhor! brodhor!" + +A groan from the man, for whom Yaspard had inadvertently risked and +lost so much, roused the boy from his stupor of despair; and then he +broke into bitter cries, which ere long explained to his companion +their terrible plight; while farther and farther drifted the _Osprey_, +until even her taper mast could not be distinguished amid the waste of +heaving billows. + +And then, in the moment of supreme agony, Yaspard did what Signy had +been doing all the time. He flung himself on his knees and lifted up +his heart to God. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +"NO GOOD IT BETOKENETH." + +The positions of the two on Yelholme were reversed, and it became the +man's part to speak words of comfort. + +"There are plenty of boats about--must be in these parts, my lad," he +said, "and some one will see your skiff. Don't lose courage about the +little one. I'm as vexed as can be that this should have happened for +me. I'd rather have died straight away." + +The generous heart of Yaspard Adiesen was stirred from its bitterness +of grief by such words, and after a time he allowed himself to hope +that Signy might be rescued after all. Of his own position he thought +not at all, until considering that of his companion. Then he +remembered that there were some scraps of biscuit in his jacket +pocket--kept there for his pets--and pulling these out he said, "I +wonder if these will be of any use till some boat picks us up. I dare +say you need food?" + +The biscuit was very welcome; but the jacket had been of still more +service in restoring a degree of warmth to the chilled and sorely +injured body, and Yaspard would not listen to the man's remonstrance as +he tucked the coat closer around him. + +"I am not in the least cold, and don't need a jacket in such sunny +weather," said Yaspard; "but I hope some of the haaf-boats may come +this way soon, for you ought to be in the doctor's hands. Now I wonder +if I can do anything in the way of a bandage?" + +It was wonderful how the sight of those wounds had restored the lad's +equanimity, and drawn his distracted mind from thoughts of the forlorn +child tossing amid the waves. But that was the way God answered his +prayers at first; and it is a way God often uses for helping us to bear +some overwhelming calamity. The suffering of another is presented +before us, and our better nature, our least selfish part, is evoked in +a way that makes us dwell less upon our own trial. Yaspard's +handkerchief and necktie, torn into strips, helped wonderfully to bind +up some of the wounds, although the boy's hands were inexperienced at +such work, and he sickened over the job. + +When that was done there was nothing more to do but exercise patience, +and scan the seas in hope of sighting a vessel of some sort. While +they so waited, and tried to cheer each other's flagging courage, +Yaspard asked, "Did you fall from a ship; or how was it you came to be +tossed up here?" + +The answer was startling. "You have some cursed bad men in those +Shetland Isles," said the sailor, with all the energy he could command. +"Hanging is too good for wreckers; they should be roasted at the false +fires they light for poor seafaring men's destruction." + +Yaspard stared his astonishment. "I never heard the like!" he +ejaculated. "Wreckers! Why, there isn't one left in Shetland. Not +one, I am sure. What _do_ you mean?" + +"I mean that the stout schooner I sailed in would be in a safe harbour +now instead of drifting as spindle-wood among those skerries if there +were no wreckers on your islands, my lad!" + +"There must be some mistake. Do tell me what happened," was all +Yaspard could say. And then he heard the story. + +The schooner _Norna_ was caught in a tempest crossing the North Sea, +and sustained considerable damage--so much that it was deemed advisable +to seek harbour for repairs. She was making for Bressa Sound when a +slight fog came down which compelled the skipper to defer attempting to +thread a way among those rock-bound isles till the atmosphere was +clearer. While beating about, not quite sure of their exact locality, +a bright light was observed which was believed to be lit for their +guidance. There was no other reason why a great blaze should appear in +the middle of the night on a lonely height, which loomed fitfully +through the mist and gloom, and was evidently the crest of some hill. +No doubt a safe harbour lay in that neighbourhood, and the _Norna_ was +confidently put on another course--one which it was believed led her +within the safe arms of a sheltering fiord. On the one hand could be +dimly discerned a low irregular coast, on the other rose the gaunt +shadowy outline of majestic crags. + +It was no friendly voe the hapless schooner had come into, but the +dangerous sound, studded with stacks and holmes, which flow between +Lunda and Boden. + +Guided by that treacherous beacon, the _Norna_ sailed slowly on and +crashed on a sunken rock not far from the cliffs of Trullyabister. + +The man who told the story had gone aloft to take in sail, when it was +discovered that the vessel was among breakers; and when she struck he +was dashed from the rigging. He could give no account of what further +happened, beyond remembering that he was clinging at one time to a +spar, and saw his ship backing (as he described it) into deep ocean. + +"I think it must have happened not far from here," he said; and +Yaspard, looking towards Boden, over which the soft tints of twilight +were beginning to blend with mists from the surrounding seas, replied-- + +"Yes; it must have been the Easting Ban upon which she struck--that's a +sunken rock quite near this holme. But I can't think what light it was +you saw. You see the land on Lunda is very low along the sound, and +there are only a very few people living on my island--that is Boden +there; the light couldn't have been there." + +The sailor raised himself on an elbow and looked at the cliffs of +Boden, and the sound with its many isolated and barbarous rocks; then +he said-- + +"The fire blazed from beside that cone. I recognise its shape," and he +pointed to the Heogue towering steeply over Trullyabister and its range +of mighty cliffs. + +Yaspard shook his head. + +"It couldn't be," he said positively; and then his thoughts once more +became filled by the image of his little sister all alone in the +_Osprey_ drifting out to sea as the evening fell, and he could not take +further interest in the _Norna's_ fate. He never even asked if it was +likely that any others had escaped the fate of their ship. Signy, in +her holiday attire, with her bright face blanched with fear, her hands +stretched to him, her small slight form bent in the attitude of +prayer;--Signy floating away, away, and alone! It was terrible. + +He rose up from his place beside the sailor, and going to the other +side of the holme, he again knelt down and "wrestled in prayer" for his +darling. Never once did he think of his own serious position, beyond +desiring fervently that help might come in time to enable him to go in +search of his sister with some hope of finding her. + +But the twilight came slowly and softly down, and some sea-fowl who +were wont to nest on Yelholme circled around it, clamouring to find +their night abode invaded, but no welcome boat appeared. + +The sailor gradually fell into an exhausted sleep, which looked so like +death that Yaspard's heart sank with a new fear, and he scarcely dared +bend over the still, prostrate figure lest he should find that fear +realised. By-and-by the mists drew nearer, wrapping the holme in their +filmy veil; then the sea-birds, emboldened by the motionless silence of +the castaways, dropped upon the crags, and folded their wings for the +night. Around the lonely islet thundered the ocean, whose waves rocked +never-endingly, until Yaspard, gazing fixedly on them, felt as though +the holme itself were some tremulous cradle swinging with the +rhythmical ebb and flow of those majestic billows. + +His brain seemed on fire, however, and would not be lulled to sleep by +the influence of night and the anthem of ocean. The poor lad suffered +such torment of soul as we can scarcely imagine; to the young, +compulsory inaction during mental pain is almost unendurable, and +sometimes Yaspard felt that to fling himself into the water, to +struggle there and drown, would be better than sitting on the holme +idle, helpless, picturing Signy's fate. + +He gave up at last gazing on the sea, which seemed to mock his hopes +and fears with its monotonous roll and roar, and fixed his eyes on the +dim outline of the Heogue, which his sister had named "Boden's purple +crown;" and he wondered if Signy could see the dear old hill from her +place amid the waves. He _would not_ think that the _Osprey_ had +capsized or broken on some crag, but continued to picture the child in +the boat as he had last seen her. + +While Yaspard sat there straining his eyes upon the hill-cap, he +fancied he saw a flicker of red light on its side. For a moment he +believed his sight had deceived him, and he rubbed his lashes and +looked again. There it was again, a more distinct flicker than at +first; then it grew brighter and steadier, and presently flashed up +into a merry blaze which sent its ruddy life far over the sea. + +Yaspard stood up wondering and trembling, till in a moment the truth +flashed into his mind, and he sat down again dumfoundered, and saying +within himself, "_That_ explains the whole affair! Yes. It's +fule-Tammy without question. A pretty fix he has made for himself!" + +Then Yaspard thought of waking the sailor to see the false light; but +on second thoughts he muttered, "What's the use? If I _have_ to speak, +and am ever in another place than this, I'll do it. But there isn't +any use in telling upon that born fool just now. Well! I'm glad he is +a fool. I could not bear this fellow to accuse us of having wreckers +in Shetland--though there _have been_ plenty. But so there were in +other places when folk were like savages." + +He watched fule-Tammy's fire burn up and blaze steadily, then wane and +die out; and when every spark was extinguished there came over the +eastern sky a faint blush heralding the dawn of day. + +The brief dream of night was over, and Yaspard, sighing wearily, +murmured, "If some boat could but find Signy it would not matter so +much about us--about me, I mean. I deserve my fate. I ought not to +have left her in the boat alone for any earthly consideration. And +yet--it seemed the right thing to do." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +"OH, NEED SORE AND MIGHTY." + +Shortly before Yaspard and Signy left Collaster on that unfortunate +expedition, the young Laird of Lunda was called from the Ha' to +interview some shipwrecked men who had been found by a haaf-boat on one +of the sound skerries. + +Arab soon carried Fred to the extreme point of his island, where the +men were hospitably lodged by some fisher folk. Great was his wrath +and astonishment on being told the story of their misadventure, which +seemed incredible from one point, and yet was the only explanation +admissible, considering that when the accident took place the weather +was not rough, and the vessel still under management, if the skipper +was telling truth. + +Fred put the men through a searching course of cross-questioning, but +could not discover any flaw in their statement regarding the large fire +lit on the hill; and he was obliged to admit that there must have been +a signal there as described. + +After seeing that the men had every comfort, he went off to consult the +minister and Doctor Holtum as to what must be done. The sailors were +wrathful (as was not wonderful) and vowing vengeance. The fisher folk +were puzzled, and affirmed that there must have been some supernatural +agency at work. Fred felt sure the matter would have to be sifted, and +that upon himself and Doctor Holtum (the only magistrate in Lunda since +Mr. Garson's death) would devolve the duty of instituting inquiries in +Boden. + +"It will be a very awkward job," Fred said, when retailing what had +taken place to Dr. Holtum. "It will certainly put an end to all chance +of peace with Mr. Adiesen, for he is sure to resent such a charge and +such a suspicion with the utmost bitterness." + +"There is no one living on Boden but what one might call his own +household, for the Harrisons are just like home servants; therefore--as +you say--he will resent this as a personal matter." + +"There is that strange man Neeven," said Fred thoughtfully. "I have +heard very curious tales of him. He does not seem to be quite sane, if +one may credit all that is reported of his ways. It is possible that +_he_ may have lit that fire for some eccentric purpose quite different +from that which those men imagine." + +"You have not unlikely hit upon the truth, Fred," said the Doctor; "but +that makes our task no easier." + +"If that Viking-boy had not been here last night, I should have been +convinced it was some prank of his. Well for him that we can prove an +_alibi_ for him! Dear-a-me, Doctor, what a business this will be! I +am sure being Laird of Lunda isn't all sugar and spice." + +"It has happened most unfortunately at this time, just when those young +people were bringing the old man round in such a nice way. Well, well, +Fred! we must believe there is some good purpose in even such a 'kettle +of fish' as this." + +After various consultations among the wise-heads, it was agreed that +Dr. Holtum and Fred, with the captain and mate of the _Norna_, should +go over to Boden next day and interview Mr. Adiesen. I need not +describe what they meant to say, or how they hoped to mollify the +irascible old man, for their intention was never carried out. In +crossing the sound they spied Yaspard gesticulating wildly from the +crest of Yelholme. + +"Some of your men on the holme, captain?" the Doctor said, as soon as +they caught sight of the figure. + +"I only lost one, and that _may_ be him," was the answer; "but he fell +from the rigging, and must have been awfully mashed. Indeed, I never +dreamt he could be alive; and I can hardly believe he would be able to +dance about in _that_ fashion." + +Yaspard was moving restlessly about, afraid that if he stood still he +might not be noticed. As the boat approached nearer Fred remarked, +"That is a mere lad, but there is some one else lying on the skerry." + +Dr. Holtum had very keen vision, and very soon he said in agitated +tones, "Fred, lad, it is very like the boy Yaspard; and I don't see any +boat about." + +"It certainly _is_ Yaspard, with no jacket on, and a man beside him. +Whatever can have happened?" + +The boat went straight for Yelholme, and as she reached it the Doctor +called out, "My dear boy, what has happened to you?" + +Yaspard could not speak, but his haggard, weary appearance, as well as +the helpless form beside him, told a tale of sufficient misery. + +"That's my bo's'n," said the captain, as soon as he saw the man's face. +Then the Doctor and Fred scrambled on shore, and while the former--with +the instinct of his profession--made for the wounded man first, Fred +turned to Yaspard (foreboding the truth) and asked, "Your little +sister?" + +"I have lost her. She has gone with the boat," came in bursting sobs +from the poor boy, who was by that time so completely exhausted and +unmanned that Fred could only take him in his arms and try to comfort +him as one might a little child. + +A brief explanation made the whole matter plain to our friends of +Lunda, but it took some time to show the _Norna's_ captain how it +stood. He had been nursing much wrath against the inhabitants of +Boden, and would scarcely pay sufficient heed to what Fred said. But +his boatswain's account of the matter satisfied him, and he was as +willing as any one of the party to postpone the disagreeable visit to +Boden, and return to Collaster with as much expedition as possible. + +Under the Doctor's skilful directions the injured man was removed to +the boat, which was soon being rowed by six pairs of strong arms back +to Lunda; and while so proceeding, Fred contrived to revive Yaspard's +hopes regarding Signy. + +It was impossible, he said, that the boat could go far out to sea, for +the many cross-currents would prevent her. Nor was it likely that she +could upset, unless she came in contact with the rocks. It was even +possible that little Signy, so intelligent and brave, might think of +using the helm to guide herself. She was quite familiar with the +working of a boat, and after the first panic was over might find some +way of serving herself. + +Thus Fred talked, and Yaspard's naturally sanguine nature caught +inspiration from his words. He was even ready to smile, and say, "Yes, +the _Laulie's_ crew will find her if any can," when Fred spoke of the +young Mitchells and their boat, no doubt available at that time. + +Unfortunately the _Laulie_ was not available, for those restless boys +had determined on a fishing expedition to the Ootskerries preparatory +to their Viking-raid on Trullyabister, and had gone off early that +morning. However, there were many other, if less interested and less +efficient, crews in Lunda ready to do the young Laird's bidding; and +not long after his return a number of boats were leaving the island to +scour its neighbouring seas in search of the lost child. + +Yaspard could scarcely be constrained from embarking in the first +available boat, and was only deterred by Fred's assurance that he had a +plan in his head which was only workable by themselves twain. + +"When you have fed and rested we will set about it; and while you are +obeying the Doctor by lying down on that sofa, I will go home and tell +my mother what has happened, and what I purpose doing." + +In the afternoon--just twenty-four hours after the _Osprey_ had sailed +from the voe of Collaster with a happy brother and sister aboard of +her--Fred and Yaspard put off in a small boat, very like our Viking's +bark in size and build. They sailed straight for Yelholme. By that +time Fred explained what his plan was, and Yaspard became much excited +over it, hoping everything from its peril and ingenuity. + +When they reached the holme they hauled down their sail, and waited "on +their oars" till the tide was exactly in the same stage in which it was +when Signy was carried away by it. + +Then the oars went in; the two adventurers sat passive on the middle +thwarts, and let the boat go as the waters willed. Away she spun round +the holme, and out in the same direction that the _Osprey_ had taken. + +"It's going to do, I really believe," Yaspard exclaimed, and Fred +nodded; but Fred's heart was heavy at thought of the beautiful little +creature who had flown like a dove into his heart so short a time +before. He could so easily recall the sweet-confiding way she rested +her head against him; he almost felt her soft hair blowing about his +face as it had done when Arab carried them both to Collaster, and he +was also carried into the undiscovered country of a young man's ideals! + +They did not speak much as they drifted with the currents. They saw +many of the boats that had been sent out, and spoke some; but no one +had any report to make. Nothing had been seen or heard of the _Osprey_. + +"It is scarcely time to hear anything yet," said Fred. "We must not be +discouraged until we have heard from the boats that have gone farther +away, and until our own plan fails to put us on her track." + +"I don't believe it will fail," answered Yaspard, with a show of +resolution far greater than his inward hope warranted. + +"We will hope, boy; and we will not forget that the Father's watchful +care has been about her in her loneliness and peril, poor little +lassie!" + +They lapsed into silence after that, and drearily watched the water as +it carried them along, until they began to near a group of skerries +which lay on the direct way to Havnholme. The steady current flowing +past the point of Yelholme had borne them in safety beyond all +dangerous rocks until nearing that ugly group, and when they noted the +direction in which they were then drifting their hearts sank. + +Fred sat white and stern, looking at the black rocks round which the +ocean seethed white, and Yaspard wondered what he meant to do. He did +not have much time to wonder. Fred took the seat in the stern, and +said in a low voice, "She shall go as far as we dare let her; stand by +to lift the sail when I bid you." + +On went the boat, rolling more perilously as she came among the more +disturbed waters; then it seemed that she lay checked between two huge +waves for a moment; and while she so seemed to pause, the young fellows +anxiously gazed at the group of skerries, fearing everything from their +dark and frowning appearance. + +Presently--could it be? Yes, the boat was not proceeding as she had +done. She was going in another direction; she had met a cross tide, +and was being carried by it past the skerries, past the towering cliffs +of Havnholme, and into the quiet smiling little bay which gave that +island its blessed name. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +"SO HE SHUT ME IN SHIELD-WALL." + +I have not been able to describe Yaspard's grief when he lost sight of +the _Osprey_, and I am less able to describe his joy upon seeing her +floating snug against the crags which were the favourite landing-place +on Havnholme. But neither he nor Fred could utter a Bound when they +caught sight of Signy lying under shelter of the skeoe, which had been +of like service to many a person before; but never surely to so fair, +delicate, and forlorn a creature as she--when she quitted the boat on +the previous evening, and sank down on the spot to weep herself into +unconsciousness. The sun had gone down, and had risen, and was fast +sinking to rest behind the western waves again, but Signy had never +moved from the place. Once or twice she had waked up, and gazed wildly +around until she had once more realised her position, then with a low +cry, that was yet a prayer, she had buried her face in the grass again +and lapsed into that state of half slumber, half stupor, which was a +merciful relief from the more keen realisation of her position. + +In trembling haste her brother and Fred landed, and ran to where she +lay; but so lifeless did she seem that Yaspard paused beside her, and +dared not even stoop for a nearer look. + +It was Fred Garson who lifted her head, and tenderly put the hair back +from the white, innocent face; then said with tears, "Thank God, this +is only sleep!" + +Down Yaspard dropped on his knees by Signy, and when she opened her +eyes they lighted first on her brother's face--white as her own, but +full of gladness and love. + +For a few moments she did not realise what had happened to her. +"Brodhor! I had a strange dream," she murmured--"a terrible dream. +But--where am I? Oh! I remember! Oh, Yaspard! you have found me! +Oh, God heard all I said to Him!" + +She leaned back on Fred's arm again, and looked up at him with the same +confiding look she had raised when they were galloping over the Lunda +heath, and she said very sweetly, "In the boat I thought of you helping +Yaspard to find me." + +They had brought wine and other nourishment with them, hoping that +these might be found of use in that very way; and after Signy had +partaken of refreshment, she was able to smile a little and tell them +how she managed to land. + +"The boat just went where it liked," she said, "and I was _so_ +dreadfully frightened for a little while. Then, as I prayed, it seemed +all at once that I wasn't afraid any more, so I sat still and watched +the sea, and wondered who would pick me up. After a long, long time +the boat stopped rocking, and then I knew she had got out of the tides +into the bay here. I had been here with Yaspard, and knew it; and I +thought if I could row, or steer, or something, I might get the +_Osprey_ to the land. I was afraid to try with the oars, so I went and +steered, and I really managed to turn the boat so that she was carried +to the shore at the right place. I got out and tied the rope as I had +seen Yaspard do. It felt so nice to stand on the ground again! But I +was very tired; and I came up here, and looked all round at the sea, +and I never had felt it to be a dreadful, dreadful thing before--never +in my life! I had so loved the sea! But _then_--oh, it seemed so +large, and powerful, and cruel! Somehow I began to tremble all over +after that, and I am afraid I cried very much. I am not sure when it +was I fell asleep, but it seems ages ago." + +They would not let her talk any more about what had happened, but +turned the conversation to home, and Signy was soon able to chat on +that theme with a degree of composure. + +After being rested and cheered, Fred carried Signy to the Lunda boat, +saying to Yaspard as he did so, "We must all go together; and we can't +bother with a boat in tow, so we had better secure the _Osprey_ here +till she can be fetched." + +"Yes; and then if any of the search-party come to Havnholme, they will +know by that that Signy has been found." + +The hour was late, and Yaspard began to speculate upon what Aunt Osla +and Uncle Brues would say on being roused from their slumbers to receive +the adventurers and hear the story which had so nearly ended in a +tragedy. + +"I am afraid uncle will be very angry," said Yaspard; but Signy, who +lived closer to the eccentric old man's heart and understood it better, +affirmed that he would be so pleased to have her back in safety he +would not "break out" on anybody. "Besides," she added, "he will see +that we _couldn't_ leave that poor man, and that it was all just a mere +accident." + +Yaspard was not so confident, nor yet was Fred, but they did not +discuss the point further; only Fred remarked, "I'd carry you both +straight away to Lunda, and get Dr. Holtum to take you home and smooth +matters as _he_ only can; but ill news travels fast, and it is quite +possible that the catastrophe has been reported at Moolapund; and +reported with twenty exaggerations tacked on to it. In that case the +sooner you are home the better;" and Signy added, "I'd like best to go +_home_." + +Home had seemed so dear and far away while she was alone, that now her +whole heart was turning to it with a passionate yearning; and her +companions thoroughly understood the full meaning of her little +sentence. + +The events of the last twenty-four hours had completely driven all else +from our Viking's mind, and he did not remember that he had trysted the +lads of Lunda to meet him that night at (what they had named) Gloy's +geo. But they, knowing nothing of what had taken place after they +parted from the Osprey, were not likely to break bargain in such an +affair--promising, as it did, some rare fun. + +The boats which Fred had sent out to scour the seas had not approached +the Ootskerries, knowing that the _Laulie_ was there, and that her crew +were not likely to miss seeing the lost boat if it came that way. +Moreover, the fishermen calculated that the tide would carry her in a +more southerly direction, altogether ignorant of the influence, at a +precise and fortunate moment, of cross-currents. As we have seen, Fred +Garson judged differently and with a better result. + +But of all these things our lads were ignorant; therefore, shortly +after Fred's boat entered Boden voe the _Laulie_ set out from the +Ootskerries for her rendezvous; and what next happened to her crew you +shall learn when we have safely housed the young Adiesens at Moolapund. + +There was the complete and brooding silence of Nature at rest over land +and sea when the boat sailed up the voe, and the three adventurers did +not speak a word till Signy caught sight of a light. + +"Oh," she cried, "look! uncle has not gone to bed; there is a lamp +burning in the parlour still." + +"That is very satisfactory," quoth Fred; "but they can't have heard any +rumour about you, else there would be more folks awake than the +scientist, and other lamps besides that of the study." + +"Uncle Brues will be grubbing among his specimens," said Yaspard +concisely. + +When they reached land they heard Pirate begin to bark and whine, +evidently aware of their vicinity, and eager to get out and give them +welcome; and as they drew near the house the door opened and Mr. +Adiesen appeared, in a fantastic dressing-gown and Fair Isle cap, +saying to the dog, "What's the matter, Pirate?" + +The "matter" became plain to his vision next moment in the form of +Signy, who flew into his arms crying, "Oh, uncle, dear, dear uncle! I +am so thankful to be here again. I was lost, and nearly died; and poor +Yaspard was left on Yelholme." + +"Bless the child!" he gasped; "what on earth is she saying? Yaspard! +do you know it is midnight? What is-- Why, Mr. Garson! what--what!" + +For once in his life Mr. Adiesen was thrown off his balance. Signy, +springing up to bind her arms round his neck, caused him to stagger +backwards into the hands of Fred and Yaspard, while their appearance +and the girl's words upset his mind as much as his body. The joyful +bounds and barks of Pirate added to the old gentleman's confusion, and +when set on his feet again he could only turn and walk back to his +parlour in blank amazement. + +The others followed, of course, and stood waiting for him to speak, +which he did shortly after resuming the arm-chair, which he had vacated +at Pirate's request. "Explain yourself, sir!" he said severely, +addressing Fred. So there was nothing for it but for Fred to begin and +tell the story as best he might; but he had not proceeded far when +Signy crept to her uncle's knee. _Then_ he noticed her face was white +and drawn, and her eyes still full of a great fear. + +"Stop a moment, sir," said Mr. Adiesen; "my child is ill. Signy, who +has frightened you?" + +"No one, uncle; only I was alone in the boat and on Havnholme, and I +was so afraid," and then she began to cry bitterly. He drew her close +and looked frowning at Yaspard; "You had charge of your sister!" he +said very sternly. + +"The lad is not to blame, Mr. Adiesen," Fred exclaimed. "He was doing +a good action, and he has suffered much also. Don't be hard on +Yaspard." + +"Mr. Garson saved me, uncle dear," sobbed Signy. "He found me on +Havnholme; he is so good." + +"Havnholme!" the old man muttered, and something like an electric shock +went through him at that word. + +The change in his expression was not lost on Fred. In a very few words +he explained all; and when the narrative was ended he added, "We know +that God had the dear child in His keeping all the time; and I am fain +to believe that He who holds the seas in the hollow of His hand guided +the boat to Havnholme--_to Havnholme_--for some wise purpose, Mr. +Adiesen." + +The old man's face dropped to the curly head lying on his breast, but +he only said, "The child must get to rest, and Mam Kirsty. Ring that +bell, Yaspard, and then go and tell your aunt. Sit down, Mr. Garson, +sit down, till I've had time to think." + +Fred did as he was bid, and so of course did Yaspard; and a pretty +scene he created in Miss Osla's room when he burst in there and told +her all! + +The ringing of the bell had roused the maids and Mam Kirsty, who +presented herself in the parlour with head discreetly and carefully +covered in a huge cap and hap-shawl, but her feet and legs only +protected by a short petticoat and pair of wooden clogs. + +Her appearance and incoherent ejaculations were quite too much for the +gentlemen, although their mood had been grave enough the moment before. +They both laughed; and even Signy's tears were checked as she cried +out, "Oh, dear Mam Kirsty, you do look so awfully funny." + +"Take the child to her aunt's room," said Mr. Adiesen, "and see that +she sleeps there to-night. She must not be alone. And some of you +girls there prepare a room for Mr. Garson, and bring in some supper. +Be sharp now." + +He kissed Signy fondly, and had no objections to offer to Fred's doing +likewise, but when she disappeared with her nurse he muttered, "I ought +not to have trusted her out of this isle." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +"FROM THE HANDS OF MY KINSFOLK." + +"What on earth has become of that duffer?" said Tom Holtum, when the +_Laulie_ arrived at the geo and no Yaspard appeared either on land or +sea. + +"We are a little before our time," Harry remarked; "but I don't see his +boat anywhere along the voe--that is, as far as one can see in the Dim +and along such a twisting twirligig of a voe as this." + +"I vote we land and have a nap," said Bill; but no one seconded him, as +they expected the Viking and his followers to appear at any moment. + +These did not put in an appearance, however; and after waiting a long +hour Tom said, "Look here, boys, something unforeseen has stopped +him--and it's something serious too. I expect the old man has smelt a +rat, or Yaspard has had qualms of conscience." + +"He'd have come and told us if _that_ were it," said Harry promptly. + +"Anyway," Tom replied, "he hasn't come; and it does not look as if he +were coming, and we can't sit here all night doing nothing. So I vote +we proceed without Sir Viking." + +"He would not like it; and it is his quest, you know," Harry laughingly +made answer. + +"_His_ quest, but remember it is also _my_ what-you-call-am--little +game. Mind you I discovered the seal for myself, and I meant the job +of taking her to be our job. Father said it might have been better if +Yaspard had less to do with it. On the whole, boys, I don't think we +can do better than start and reconnoitre, and take whatever chance +comes our way." + +The others agreed, and, thinking it best not to venture up the voe, +they decided to moor their boat at some safe place on the other side of +Boden and nearer Trullyabister. "So said so done" was the way of those +lads, and about the time when Yaspard and Fred were falling asleep, +thoroughly tired out, the Mitchells, Tom, and Gloy were stealthily +creeping up the hill to the old Ha'-hoose. + +"We must be careful and spry," quoth Tom, "for the ogre 'walks' like a +ghost o' nights, as I know to my cost." Yaspard had described the +ruins to them, and they knew all about the passage leading to the +haunted room. _His_ plan for liberating the captives had been their +plan, since no better could be; but they were not provided with the +tools he meant to bring, and could not therefore carry out the +programme as at first arranged. + +But those boys were not often at their wits' end, and whatever +substitutes for sacks, saws, and shovels suggested themselves as +available were carried with them from the boat. These substitutes +consisted of a piece of sail-cloth and some bits of hard wood, an +owzkerry[1] and the boat-hook. They also brought away some stout rope, +and a knife which had helped to end the career of many an aspiring +fish. They were not without hope of finding a spade lying "handy" +somewhere in the vicinity of the house; so that, on the whole, the +young marauders were not so badly off for the sinews of war. + +They met with no adventure by the way, nor saw they the least sign to +indicate that either of the night-roving inhabitants of Trullyabister +were awake. Near the peat-stack they found a spade and a large stout +keschie, which they appropriated, as Harry suggested it would make a +handy cradle for the baby seal. They stole into the ruined and +roofless apartment as Yaspard and the Harrisons had done, and listened +for sounds from the prisoners; but all was quiet. There was plenty of +daylight by that time, so that they did not have to grope their way +about. + +"Of course the first thing," whispered Harry, "is to make sure they are +_there_, so I'll mount as the Viking did." + +He clambered up to the window and took a good look in. It was a pity +he did not take as good a look _out_, and then he might have +noticed--at a window close by, the window of Mr. Neeven's study--the +eyes of that ogre himself watching the boys with grave intentness. But +Harry, all unaware of such espionage, came down from the window, and +reported Mrs. Sealkie asleep beside her baby in a corner made +comfortable with straw and bits of carpet. To work then went the lads, +one with a spade, another with a knife; and when these two were tired, +the others took their place, so that the job was rapidly accomplished. + +Their plan was to remove the lowest board which blocked the way to the +passage, and to dig from under it a sufficient amount of earth to +enable a boy to enter--or a seal to come out. + +They meant, _after_ capturing the captive, to hack the board and scrape +the earth, so that any one would suppose that the seal had gnawed and +clawed her own way to freedom; and they thought it a very clever plan +indeed, saying that Yaspard, with whom it originated, was the great +inventor and general of the age. + +The seal did not sleep while this was going on so near her; but she had +partaken of a late and large supper, and did not "fash" beyond now and +then whining in a melancholy voice, which stimulated the young heroes +to further efforts, and helped to cover the noise they made. + +Before long they were satisfied that the opening was wide enough to +allow them to enter crawling. "The first one that goes in will have to +watch his head," said Bill, "for I've heard that seals are very fierce +when they have young ones around." + +"_This_ seal is Trullya, and she will know us. Anyway, she never was a +crosspatch, and I'll go first," replied Harry the wise and brave. "And +I don't see," he added, "that any one else need go in there. I'll try +and persuade her ladyship to inspect this aperture, and take a +'constitutional' down the passage." + +But Tom wasn't going to let another eclipse him in valour, particularly +as this quest was his, so, before Harry had done speaking, Tom ducked +and soon wriggled himself through the opening. Harry followed, after +cautioning Bill and Gloy to go out of the passage and keep watch, to +give the alarm in case Mr. Neeven or fule-Tammy should come upon the +scene. + +The sealkie was neither alarmed nor disturbed by her visitors. She had +evidently returned to her tame confiding ways, and allowed the boys to +come close to her. When Harry spoke to her by name, using also some +soft notes which Fred had taught Trullya to understand as a call to +meals, she responded in her plaintive voice, which left no doubt of her +identity; but when Tom attempted to touch the baby she uttered a sharp +bark and glared at him in a manner that showed she was by no means +prepared to allow their overtures to go a step further. + +"What shall we do if she won't come out?" asked Tom; "we couldn't +muffle her _here_, could we?" + +"You go along, and leave madame to me," replied Harry; and Tom made his +exit. + +Harry had "a way" with animals, and he soon managed to persuade Trullya +to leave her couch. Then the baby, restless and curious as small +persons are, crept to the opening and peeped out. The mother followed, +and finding the barriers against which she had daily fretted removed, +waddled slowly into the passage, followed by her young one. + +Harry hastily tumbled the earth and broken bits of wood about the +opening, and followed the sealkie into the large room, where he found +her looking amazedly at the three boys stationed at spots where they +thought she might escape. + +Tom had taken up the piece of sail-cloth, and he was preparing to throw +it over the seal when all were startled by the sound of a loud cough +not far away. + +"Gracious!" one exclaimed in a horrified whisper. + +"He's coming!" said another. + +The cough was repeated, and the person who coughed was nearer. +Moreover, footsteps were heard! These sounds proceeded from the north +side of the house, and the four boys promptly and silently evacuated +the ruin over the south wall. + +"Run for the peat-stack," Harry whispered; and when they were crouching +behind it he said briefly, "It's all up. That was Mr. Neeven. We must +creep round to the knowes, and then make tracks for our boat." + +Setting the example, he started for the knowes, crawling over the +ground like a Red Indian on the war-trail, and followed by his +companions. If they reached the knowes unobserved they might hope to +get off in safety, for those little hillocks intercepted the view from +Trullyabister, preventing any one there from seeing across the hill +which the Lunda boys had to cross. + +But when they reached the knowes Mr. Neeven suddenly appeared from +behind them, saying sternly, "What is this? What! Tom Holtum, who +calls himself a gentleman!" + +They were beautifully caught, and rose from their reptile position +shamefaced and discomfited. Tom, whose audacity frequently stood them +in better stead than Harry's self-possession, was the first to face the +very awkward situation. + +"We didn't mean any harm, sir," he said. "We only came to take Fred +Garson's pet sealkie." + +"Indeed! and where may Fred Garson's pet sealkie be?" + +"She was in the haunted room--goodness knows where she may be by this +time," was the very cool answer of Master Tom. + +"Are you aware, young gentleman, that breaking into a house is a +burglarious offence, for which you are liable to imprisonment with hard +labour during a term of years?" + +That was a terrible speech; but a sudden break in the speaker's voice, +and a mirthful look which he could not repress, were noted by Harry, +who took them as hopeful signs; so, plucking up courage, he replied-- + +"You know what is fair and right as well as we do, sir; and I put it to +you--were we doing a bad thing in trying to recover our friend's +property in a quiet way? He might have sued Mr. Adiesen in the law +courts, and made no end of a row." + +"Always supposing, my lad," Mr. Neeven interrupted, "that the seal +could be proved to be his." + +"I can prove it easily," Harry answered confidently. "She answered to +the old call Fred used; and besides that, Isabel made a sketch of her. +Every mark on her skin is in the picture." + +"And more," said Tom; "the sealkie was caught on Fred's property, where +no person had business to be without _his_ leave." + +"That, too, is a point open to question. But what _I_ have to do with +is this disgraceful burglary. I believe it is admitted that you had +less business in Trullyabister than Mr. Adiesen had in Havnholme." + +There was no denying that truth, and the boys hung their heads. + +"Follow me," said the ogre. "First you shall show _me_ if the animal +recognises your call, and after that I'll tell you what I mean to do +with you." + +The whole party returned to the ruins; but when they got there they +were just in time to see Trullya and her baby flopping over some crags +near the back of the house, which was situated only a little way from +the sea on _both_ sides. + +The boys were about to start in pursuit, but Mr. Neeven stopped them. + +"Let her go to her own," he said almost gently. And in a few minutes +the seal reached the ocean and was free once more. + + + +[1] "Owzkerry," scoop for baling water. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +"NOUGHT HAD'ST THOU TO PRAISE." + +When Trullya disappeared, the ogre turned upon the boys with a +savageness that was very much put on; for their rueful looks, +disappointment, headlong action, and love of fun, had appealed to him +in a way he was not prepared to combat very seriously. But he was not +going to let them know that. He laid a hand heavily on Tom's shoulder, +and asked, "How came you to know about the seal?" + +"I saw her at the window, and I guessed a lot." + +Mr. Neeven saw in the four candid faces before him that there was more +to tell. + +"How did you find your way into my house, and to that particular +portion of it? Very few persons know about those passages and places." + +They were silent. They would not tell on Yaspard, and seeing that his +question remained likely to be unanswered, he asked another. + +"Haven't you entered into a Viking campaign, with my young relative +Yaspard Adiesen for your 'enemy,' of all games in the world?" + +"Yes," said Tom; "but his uncle was told about it, and our fathers +know." + +"Then your fathers are as----" He stopped short, for Harry Mitchell's +eyes were flashing on him in a very spirited manner, and Harry's voice, +raised and determined, interrupted him. + +"Excuse me, sir, but I think we must not listen if you go on _that_ +tack. Blow us sky high about our _own_ doings. We own up that we +might have made our raid in a more open way, and given you warning that +we meant to attack your castle. _That_ would have been more like +honest Vikings; but, all the same, we aren't going to admit that we've +done anything really wicked, or that our fathers would have permitted +us to carry on so if it had been wrong. And we are ready to take any +punishment you think right to inflict." + +"It was only our madram," [1] added Tom, using an old Shetland word, +which Gaun Neeven had heard applied to himself in days gone by more +often than any other term. + +"Only _boys' madram_," his gentle mother had so often said to excuse +his foolishness and screen him from the results of many an escapade. +His boyhood was being swiftly recalled by the antics of those boys, and +by Tom Holtum's ways and words. He saw his boyish self more in Tom +than in the others, and the contact with those young spirits was doing +the recluse good. + +The hand on Tom's shoulder pressed more heavily, but it was not an +ungentle touch, and Tom wondered what was coming next. + +"Madram!" muttered Neeven, as if he were thinking aloud, and had +forgotten their presence. "Madram, boys' madram! There may be worse +things in the world than that." + +The cloud lifted a little from their spirits then; and a welcome +diversion took place at that moment in the form of Yaspard, who +presented himself on the scene, flustered, and eager to take the blame +of whatever had happened on his own shoulders. + +After a dreamless slumber of an hour or two, he had waked up to +remember his tryst, and getting up at once, had hastened to a spot +where he could see if the _Laulie_ were anywhere near the geo. Pirate +accompanied him, and did not at all care for going in the direction of +the geo, but kept scampering towards another point, frequently looking +back, as if he wished his young master to follow. + +The _Laulie_ was not in sight, and Yaspard feared the boys had returned +home on finding he did not keep his promise, or had heard of the +_Osprey's_ misfortunes, and had not come at all. + +While he speculated Pirate grew impatient, and begged in every +expressive canine manner that he knew better than Yaspard, who at last +yielded to the dog's persuasions and followed, to find the _Laulie_ +moored not far from where he was. + +"Just so!" he exclaimed. "I see! When they found I did not come, they +started on the adventure without me." + +After that he set off for Trullyabister, and appeared before Mr. Neeven +and his "enemies," as I have stated. + +"You are early afoot!" was the salutation spoken sarcastically by the +master of the situation. But our hero, nothing daunted, answered-- + +"Good morning, sir! Well, boys, I suppose you tried it without me, and +failed, of course." + +"I was convinced none other than yourself was head and tail of the +affair," remarked Mr. Neeven, in the same cool, sarcastic manner. "I +think you must be finding by this time that Vikinging, otherwise +burglary, doesn't fit in with modern civilisation." + +"And there are other things don't fit in either," retorted Yaspard +quickly; then recovering himself at once, he added hastily, "but I +don't mean to fuss. If you please, by-and-by I'll have a quiet talk +with you, sir, about a very important matter. Now, boys, you want to +know why I didn't keep my tryst with you. It is a long story, and a +very dreadful and a very strange one." + +He then recounted all that had occurred since the _Laulie_ and _Osprey_ +parted company, and Mr. Neeven, as well as the lads of Lunda, was +deeply moved by the story. Yaspard alluded as little as possible to +the light which had caused the wreck, and he did not mention at all +that he had seen one similar himself. + +Many were the exclamations of astonishment and sympathy with which his +story was heard, but when it was finished our young adventurers found +their usual mode of expressing much feeling. + +"Three cheers for the little lady, and three times three for Fred +Garson!" Tom called out. + +Up went their caps in the air, and out rang their wild hurrahs, louder +and heartier at each renewal, to the consternation of fule-Tammy, who +was waked from slumber by the uproar, and came out rubbing his eyes, +with all his hair on end, and wailing, "The trows! the trows! they've +come tae pu' doon a' the house at last." + +He was a comical sight, and laughter took the place of cheering. The +boys caught each other's hands and formed a circle round Tammy, +dancing, laughing, shouting, like the wildest of wild savages, until he +recognised some of them, and added to their mirth by squatting in the +midst of them, and saying, "Weel, noo! and I thought it wis the trows! +My lambs, ye can carry on like yon till ye're weary. It's no puir +Tammy 'at sall stop your madram. But, for a' that, ye're a set o' +filskit moniments." [2] + +"Get up, Tammy. Boys, come into the house with me," said Mr. Neeven, +when the tumult subsided and he could make himself heard. + +They followed him to his study, and they were not ungrateful for some +scones and milk which he caused Tammy to set before them; but his grim +expression did not relax, and they did not find their confidence rise +very much. + +After a little time Yaspard said, "Will you please let me have some +private talk with you? I really _must_, before uncle begins to +question me to-day, or any one comes from Lunda, as I expect they will." + +He was taken to another room, but we will not intrude upon that +interview. Mr. Neeven's face wore a heavy frown when they returned, +but he only said, "You will all go now with Yaspard; he can stow you +somewhere, I expect, till the family gets out of bed. You and your +boat may find employment in conveying the Laird of Lunda to his own +island. I have nothing further to say to you, except to warn you not +to make raids upon me again." + +"Thank you, sir," said the Mitchell brothers; and Tom added, "It is +more than good of you to let us off so easy; all the same, I wish we +had Fred's sealkie for him. But thank you, Mr. Neeven; and I'm sure if +I can ever do anything for yon, I'll be as pleased as Punch." + +Then they were dismissed curtly, but not unkindly; and Gaun Neeven felt +his room to be all the darker and lonelier when the mischief-loving +laddies were gone. + +When they got a bit away from the house Harry called a halt. "Look +you," said he, "this is no kind of hour in which to invade a decent +house. Let's go to our boat, and bring her round to Moolapund." + +"And say we've come for Fred, as flat as you like," added Tom; "it will +be quite like our impudence." + +"And will be true enough," said Yaspard. "Only there is more in it +than that." + +"We shan't mind telling your uncle all about it," Tom replied, "if you +don't think it will make a row." + +"There won't be any need to tell him at present, and he is bound to +hear it from Mr. Neeven. These two have long confabs every day, and I +just believe--for I've sometimes heard bits of their talk--that they +don't talk science so much as all about the pranks they played when +they were boys. You wouldn't think it, to look at him, but Aunt Osla +says Mr. Neeven was an awful boy." + +It was hard to imagine the serious scientist and the melancholy recluse +two restless mischievous boys. The irreverent young rascals amused +themselves till they reached the _Laulie_ with fancy sketches of the +two gentlemen (when they were known merely as Brues and Gaun) getting +into all sorts of ridiculous pickles, until Harry checked the +nonsensical chatter by remarking, "Every man is a boy first, and has to +be a bit of a donkey, with the tricks of a monkey, till he grows up and +gets sense. I hope we will all grow up with half the brains in our +noddles that these two have got." + +Bill Mitchell had scarcely spoken a word since the time they were +discovered, but now he said very solemnly, "He's full of brains, that +man! but I'd rather be more empty-headed, and less like a katyogle[3] +that's been sitting on a stone all day with a dozen of undigested +sandyloos[4] and sna-fowl[5] in his crop." + + + +[1] "Madram," extravagant action, the result of wild, animal spirits. + +[2] Frisky simpletons. + +[3] "Katyogle," snowy owl. + +[4] "Sandyloos," ringed plover. + +[5] "Sna-fowl," snow buntings. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +"GIVE YE GOOD COUNSEL." + +When they reached Moolapund they found all the household up and +assembled for breakfast. Even Signy--though she looked pale and +nervous--was there. The _Laulie's_ approach had been noticed, but Mr. +Adiesen merely remarked, "Your young friends come to fetch you, Mr. +Garson, I suppose?" + +He exchanged a knowing look with Fred. They had been conversing in +private that morning for two hours, and both came into the +breakfast-room with beaming faces. Even Aunt Osla could see without +spectacles that a great change had come over her brother, and the good +lady's heart was lightened, for she was sure the feud had come to an +end at last. + +Yaspard came to much the same conclusion when he ushered his companions +into the house, and saw Uncle Brues leaning familiarly on Fred's arm, +and quite ready to greet the Lunda boys with cordiality. + +This was what our Viking-boy had longed for, and had hoped to bring +about; yet there was a comical regret mingled with his pleasure as he +thought, "There will be no more excuse for my Viking raids." + +As they all gathered around the table Mr. Adiesen said, "I suppose you +came for your captain, young gentlemen?" + +A moment's pause. "Yes," said Harry; "we were sure he would want to +get home soon to report Signy and Yaspard all right, but----" + +"There's a 'but,' is there? Well?" said the Laird with a smile, which +was reflected on Fred's face. + +"We did not _leave home_ with such an intention," Harry went on +resolutely. "We came to join Yaspard in a quest which ended in a +muddle." + +"Because I wasn't there," said the Viking. And then they told all +about their night's work; and Tom prefaced the telling by a very +sensible remark. "It's got to be known, and we'd much rather have it +all out, and take the consequences as you like. It might look like +being sneaky, or fibicating, if we held our tongues." + +When all was confessed Mr. Adiesen turned to his nephew. "Yaspard," he +said, "you are usually truthful and candid; why have you allowed me to +hear all this from some one else?" + +"I was afraid that you would stop me from having any more raids, and +that the feud would have it all its own way after this." He looked +straight at his uncle, ready for a storm if it came, but it didn't. + +"There will be no more feud, my boy," was the mild answer Mr. Adiesen +made. "I have agreed to bury the feud in gratitude for this child's +deliverance from great peril," and he laid his hand tenderly on Signy's +bright hair. + +"Dear, dear uncle!" she exclaimed; and Miss Osla, behind the teapot, +began to sniff preparatory to a sentimental effusion, which was +fortunately checked by Yaspard exclaiming, "Then that makes an end of +our jolly Vikinging, boys." + +They all laughed, all save Signy, who so thoroughly entered into her +brother's feelings, and she said, "That does seem a pity, brodhor; just +when you had got it all so splendidly arranged." + +"Perhaps," Fred remarked, "some other method may suggest itself. I +don't see why you can't--now that a treaty of alliance is made--join +forces and go on the war-path together." + +"But there's no enemy!" said Yaspard; "one can't fight without a foe." + +"I dare say they will turn up if they are looked for. If you hoist the +black flag you will certainly find some one in the world ready to try +and haul it down, I am glad to say." + +"All right, Fred," Tom cried; "since you counsel such action, we'll +range ourselves under Yaspard's banner, and it shall be 'Boden and +Lunda against the world.'" + +"Stop! stop! you misunderstand me, Tom. I said that I was glad that +there were plenty of foes of the black flag, and that you would find it +so; but in saying that I did not desire you to sail under it. And, +Yaspard, I think you are a little adrift about your Vikinging. It was +only a section of the gallant Vikinger who made piracy their +profession, or need its hateful sign. Why identify yourself with that +lot? There are plenty of black flags flying all over the world, and +not so many of the Red Cross, my lad. Our boys still call me their +captain, so if you will all take your captain's advice, I'd say--let +the black flag be the pall of the feud. Sail with a noble minority +under the Christian badge, as many a Viking did, and _then_ it should +be right well, 'Boden and Lunda against the world.'" + +"Good for you, Fred," said Harry; but Tom declared he couldn't see +through allegories; and that fighting the "world" in that fashion +didn't solve Yaspard's difficulty about his jolly game; and he turned +to Yaspard for assistance in the argument. + +But our hero was "all with" Fred, and could see no fault in him. + +"Obedience and no argument is the first rule of all who elect to follow +a chief," Yaspard said decidedly. "You must see as your captain bids +you, Tom." + +"That's right," Harry Mitchell struck in; "we all agree with Fred. +Good-bye to the black flag; and may Balder guide you to fresh fields of +adventure, Sir Viking, for we look to you to provide us with something +'worthy of our steel.'" + +"Quotations from Scott and Garth Halsen are always dodging among +Harry's yackles,[1] ready to dance on the tip of his tongue when the +smallest opportunity occurs," remarked Tom. + +"Practical Tom Holtum aspires to poetic language," retorted Harry, with +some heat. + +"There they go!" exclaimed Bill, giving a small kick to each, as he +happened to be seated between them. "Always sparring at each other +like young cocks." + +"Sailing under the black flag, eh?" said Mr. Adiesen to Tom and Harry, +who looked a little ashamed, but joined in the laugh at Bill's next +speech. + +"Talk of feuds," quoth he. "These two have had a feud of their own +going since they were born." + +"Why, there is the _Osprey_ coming up the voe," Signy called out. She +had left the table a minute before, and had gone to the window to throw +out some scraps to the pet birds waiting, well assured that they would +not be forgotten. + +Very few boats came up Boden voe, especially at such an unusual hour, +therefore more than one of the breakfast party followed Signy to the +window to see who was coming. + +"It's father for one," said Tom. + +"And that schooner's captain for another," said Fred. + +"Now for it," thought Yaspard. "I wonder what I ought to do? I can't +peach on poor fule-Tammy." + +He was not put to the test, for as the boat reached the quay Gaun +Neeven stalked up to the door followed by the culprit Tammy, looking +quite satisfied with himself, and not at all disconcerted by the many +eyes turned upon him--some in wonder why he was there, some in pity for +his half-witted condition which had caused so much trouble. + +"Shall we boys clear out of the way?" Harry asked of Mr. Adiesen, who +assured him there was no necessity for their effacing themselves, as he +believed a very few words with the _Norna's_ skipper would explain +everything. + +"I wish I had not come on a disagreeable errand," said Dr. Holtum, as +he shook hands all round. "Yes, Tom, I expected to find you boys here. +You generally do contrive to get on Fred's track. We were so thankful, +Adiesen, to learn that the child was safe. One of our boats found the +_Osprey_ at Havnholme, and brought the news and the boat to Lunda." + +Then Mr. Neeven spoke abruptly--"Before anything further is said I wish +to state that I have discovered what caused the deplorable accident to +the schooner _Norna_, and I will make good the loss--though not bound +to do so--to her skipper, who I understand was also her owner." + +"That's handsomely said," remarked the captain; "and when I hear the +explanation I will be better able to judge whether it is justice or +generosity." + +Taking no notice of that surly speech, Neeven turned to fule-Tammy. +"Tell this gentleman, Tammy, about the peat fires you light on the +Heogue." + +"Weel, sir," said Tammy, leering, and shaking himself, "it wis this +way. The Laird wis aye spakin' and spakin' o' getting yon things 'at +they ca' lichthooses upo' wir isles, and he wad say hoo puir seafaring +men wis drooned, and ships broken into shallmillins upo' the baus and +skerries a' for want o' a licht upo' the laund. And, thinks I, there's +plenty o' pates in Boden, and a gude pair o' haunds here tae mak a +roogue[2] 'at should lowe a muckle lowe ony nicht. And why shouldna +puir Tammy's pate-stack do as well tae mak a lowe as a lamp in a +lichthoose? The Laird, puir body, is that taen up with bukes and bits +o' stanes and skroita[3] that his head wasna big eneuch tae think like +puir Tammy, 'at had nae mair tae do but gang drodgin[4] wi' a pate +keschie and the like. So, thinks I, Tammy sall big a lichthoose o' +pates upo' da Heogue, and Tammy sall be the licht-keeper, and des[5] be +a bonnie lowe when the winds blaw. Mony a keschie-fu' has puir Tammy +carried tae dat spot, and mony a puir seafaring man will hae said, +'Blessin's be upo' da cruppin[6] 'at set yon taunds intae a lowe!'" + +So perfectly satisfied with himself and his performance was Tammy, that +not even the _Norna's_ skipper would allow himself to laugh or say a +harsh word. The poor man's mental condition was so obvious, that no +one could doubt for a moment that the truth regarding the mysterious +fire had been told. "That will do, Tammy; you can go home now," said +Mr. Neeven, and Tammy departed forthwith. + + + +[1] Double teeth. + +[2] Heap. + +[3] Lichen. + +[4] Go dawdling. + +[5] There shall. + +[6] Body. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +"AND BOUND FAST THEIR SWORDS IN WEBS GOODLY WOVEN." + +"I think," said Fred as Tammy shuffled away, "that some of us must +follow the 'light-keeper's' example and take ourselves off, especially +as we came without invitation." + +But no one would permit him to say another word about leaving. Mr. +Neeven curtly requested the _Norna's_ captain to accompany him to +Trullyabister "on business." Dr. Holtum, Harry Mitchell, and Fred +followed Mr. Adiesen to his study, for the purpose of inspecting some +of its treasures. Aunt Osla insisted upon Signy's retirement to a +sofa--for the child still looked wan and nervous. Yaspard carried off +Tom and Bill to Noostigard, where Gloy had gone immediately after +breakfast to tell the Harrisons all the astonishing news. Thus the +lawn at Moolapund was cleared of the large human party which had +assembled there--the first for many years; and their places were taken +by the motley crowd of birds and beasts who daily assembled for the +matutinal meal the scientist never failed to give them from his own +hands. + +Great was the astonishment created amongst them by his non-appearance +on this occasion. Loki stretched out his long neck with the curious +jerk which makes a cormorant look so idiotic as well as voracious, +while one or two scories[1] gave utterance to a good deal of strong +language. Pigeons, chickens, shelders,[2] sparrows, and starlings +skirmished for the crumbs, &c., which Signy had put out, and wondered +what was to happen next; a pony shoved his frowsy head against the +window, and a patient large-eyed ox stood near the door with the +obvious intention of remaining there till the master put in an +appearance. All were envious of the favourite cat who was seated +serenely inside the window, blinking complacently at the assemblage +through a safe shield of glass, and at last her airs of superiority and +content became too much for Thor. + +After hopping sedately about, contriving to annex the tit-bits from +Signy's contribution, and making inquiries into the position of +affairs, Sir Raven suddenly alighted on the window-sill in front of +Mistress Puss, and screamed harshly in her very face, "Shoo! shoo! +Uncle, uncle, uncle!" + +The feline person waited for no second remark, but setting up her back +at Thor, she cursed him in cat language and hastily decamped; whereat +the astute Thor, turning to the company observant of all that was +taking place, said "Just so!" + +By that time the patience of a good many of the creatures was +exhausted, and they took to falling out with one another, the result of +which was a concert so peculiar that it drew the attention of the +gentlemen, even though they were very intently turning out the contents +of a cabinet. + +"Ah, poor things! I don't often forget them," Mr. Adiesen said by way +of explaining the clamour outside, and--excusing himself to his +guests--he hurried away to his menagerie. + +Dr. Holtum and Fred stood together at the window and watched the +scientist distribute food to his dependants, while Fred told the Doctor +a great deal of what had passed between himself and his hereditary +enemy; and we may be sure his listener rejoiced over such a happy +termination to the feud of years. + +A pleasant morning glided swiftly to the hour of noontide dinner, when +the boys returned to the Ha' hungry and in high spirits. They had +concocted a grand "lark" while at Noostigard; and they had encountered +Mr. Neeven at the Hoobes, when he had invited Tom to come to +Trullyabister whenever he so pleased. + +"And I'll go," said Tom, when the recluse was out of hearing. "I'll +go, and I'll take the rest of us with me." + +After dinner the Doctor said, "You have a Lunda boat here; and I must +be at Collaster this afternoon, but I don't want to hurry Fred. +Perhaps some of the boys will take me home and return for him." + +But Fred required to go home too, so it was settled that the whole +Lunda party were to depart together. + +"We are to meet, however, on Friday," said Fred, "and have a splendid +picnic in honour of little Signy. She is to be queen of our revels." + +"Hurrah! All right! Just your style! Good for you, Fred!" In such +words the lads let it be known how thoroughly they appreciated any such +project; and when they subsided Mr. Adiesen said, "I wished the picnic +to be here--on Boden, I mean; our island is a scrap compared with Lunda +in size, but we have some cliffs and caves quite as fine as those of +any of the Shetland Isles; and I could show you some fine scenery from +the Heogue. But Mr. Garson wishes his picnic to be held on----" The +old gentleman came to a very full stop, pushed back his spectacles from +his nose to his forehead, drew himself up and looked around, meaning to +be very emphatic indeed (which he was). "Yes," he resumed, when all +his hearers were sufficiently impressed with the importance of what he +had to state--"yes, Mr. Garson desires, and I cordially agree, that the +picnic--I might call it the celebration of our thanksgiving for my +Signy's preservation. Yes--hum! this meeting of my family with our +_friends_ of Lunda is to take place on---- Havnholme!" + +Who can say what it cost that old man to agree to Fred's proposal; to +bury his pride and his resentment, his ancestral prejudice and his +personal arrogance, and meet the Laird of Lunda with his friends on the +disputed piece of earth? + +We cannot understand either the position or the concession, which seem +almost ludicrous in our estimation, but were sufficiently solemn, even +tragic, in the sight of Brues Adiesen, living a secluded life apart from +men, and nursing there every fantastic or unreasonable or old-world +idea. + +The boys had not a word to say when their host's speech was concluded; +but a sniff from Miss Osla, which might be the prelude to tears and +sentiment, warned Dr. Holtum not to leave the silence for _her_ to +break, and he remarked-- + +"A good thought. We have not had a picnic on Havnholme for ages. The +last time I saw the Yarl of Broch, he was saying he had not set foot on +the Holme since he was a boy, and got thrashed there by you, Adiesen, +eh?" + +"I remember! I remember!" answered the scientist, chuckling and +rubbing his hands together. "We were boys then--yes, boys--and +boy-like, very ready for a row. It seems so short a time ago! It was, +yes, it was a rare good fight--the only time I ever came off best! Ha! +ha! I was not a fighting boy as a rule. I may say Neeven could always +lick me; so could my poor brother Yaspard. But _that time_--don't know +how it happened--I thrashed Halsen. I did indeed, though you mayn't +think it." + +"I am awfully surprised," said blunt Tom Holtum. + +"You may be that," rejoined the scientist, not in the least nettled by +the implication in Tom's speech. "You may well be surprised, for he is +twice my size; he was a big boy, and is a big man. Yes! the Yarl is a +genuine old Shetland Viking of the right sort." + +"He'd suit you down to the ground, Yaspard," quoth Tom; and Fred Garson +added, "You would freeze to Garth Halsen, boy. He is as mad about +Vikinger as you are, only it's in another way. I'll ask them to join +our party. You would like to see Mr. Halsen again, wouldn't you?" + +"To be sure," Mr. Adiesen replied. "We'll fight our battle o'er +again--with our tongues this time. By all means let's have the Yarl +and his boy on Friday." + +So things were settled; and in high good-humour the Lunda boys escorted +Dr. Holtum and their young captain to the boat, and with hearty +good-will rowed home, singing lustily as they pulled-- + + "A life on the ocean wave, + A home on the rolling deep." + + +When the Lunda boat was out of sight Yaspard heaved a long sigh, and +said to Signy, who with him had stood watching their new friends until +the curves of the voe hid them from sight, "Well! I suppose I may stop +my raids when I like now. There is no feud, and no occasion to go on +the warpath." + +"It seems almost too good to be true, brodhor," the girl made answer. +"You need not mind giving up your Vikinging for such a good reason." + +"That's true," he answered cheerily; "only we were getting no end of +fun out of it. However, we must think of some other plan, as Mr. +Garson said. Oh! but isn't _he_ a brick, Signy?" + +"He is just splendid," was the fervent answer. + +"They are _all_ splendid," replied the lad, "except perhaps Tom +Holtum. I don't like him much. And to think of cousin Neeven taking +to _that_ one of all the lot! Well! if Tom is to be visiting +at Trullyabister, where even I have not more than a half-civil +'Good-day'-and-don't-stay-long sort of welcome, there will be hot times +in Boden, and plenty of rows." + +"Oh, brodhor! don't set up a feud of your own, I beseech!" Signy cried, +with a comical look of dismay on her face, and lifting both hands in +appeal. + +Yaspard burst into laughter. "Oh, Mootie, what a little goose you are! +I couldn't keep a feud going to save my life. I can fight! I dare +say, if that chap is much about, I shall knock him down if he cheeks +me, but we will shake hands on the spot every time, you bet! _I_ a +feud! No, Signy, I am not a fool just yet; though if I had stayed much +longer on Yelholme, I'd have lost the little wit I now possess." + +They strolled away to the house, and did not know that Uncle Brues had +been lying sunning himself on the other side of the stone wall near +which they stood. As the brother and sister departed the old gentleman +muttered, "Not a fool yet! No, Yaspard is not such a fool now as his +uncle has been through a wasted long life. Heaven pardon me!" + + + +[1] Young gulls. + +[2] Oyster-catchers. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +"MEET AND RIGHT IT IS, FAIR LORD, THAT I SHOULD GO." + +The day before that on which the picnic was to take place a mysterious +communication passed between the young Laird of Lunda and Yaspard +Adiesen, the effect of which was to set our Viking into a fit of the +fidgets combined with a state of exhilaration of spirit that threatened +to effervesce in a dangerous manner at any moment. + +But nothing more serious came of it than the startling of Miss Osla's +wits by an apparition of her nephew prancing downstairs with one of +Signy's old dolls in his arms, and his face and head wrapped in a piece +of black linen, upon which our young hero had sketched a death's-head +and cross-bones. As the terrific symbols were spread over his face, it +was scarcely wonderful that Miss Osla got a fright, and called him a +profane boy; but Signy--who was following her brother--explained that +"it" was only the "black flag," and that it would never frighten +anybody any more; with which explanation the gentle old auntie was +quite satisfied. + +Friday came, a glorious summer day, and promising to continue so. +Yaspard was up early, putting some finishing touches to his boat, which +had been undergoing a good deal of cleaning and painting in honour of +the occasion. + +He was all impatience to be off soon, desiring to be the first at the +rendezvous; but Uncle Brues was not a person who liked to be hurried, +and took his usual time to finish breakfast and feed his pets in spite +of Yaspard's fidgets. + +Fortunately the Harrison brothers (who were to be the _Osprey's_ crew +that day) arrived soon; and he found some relief in discussing with +them the projected "lark" to which I have alluded, and which will be +recorded in its proper place. + +At last Mr. Adiesen and his sister came from the house, the former +carrying a vasculum and field-telescope, the latter burdened with +shawls and umbrellas, which were an insult to the sun, smiling that day +as he seldom condescends to smile on Hialtland. + +Signy followed her guardians, and Pirate came with her, bounding and +barking his delight--for he was still a young dog, and expressed his +pleasure naturally, as young creatures do. + +Yaspard's eager impatience did not prevent him from noting his little +sister's attractive appearance, and he called out as she came running +to the quay, "Why, Mootie, you do look spiff[1] to be sure! Where on +earth did you get that elegant frock from?" + +"Out of Aunt Osla's bullyament[2] boxes," said she; and Aunt Osla +herself explained that the bairn's "best things" had been worsted +during her terrible adventure, which had obliged Miss Adiesen to make a +new dress. All the same, Signy knew that the good lady had consulted +with Mam Kirsty, and had come to the conclusion, fortified by the +opinion of her _aide-de-camp_, that "whether or no," such an important +occasion demanded a new frock for the queen of the revels. + +The Shetland ladies of that time were wont to keep "by them" a hoard of +"material," seeing that shops were beyond their reach; therefore Miss +Adiesen was at no loss to provide a suitable and elegant picnic costume +for the darling of Boden; and the result did credit to her taste and +ingenuity. + +As the family party were taking their places in the boat, two +unexpected guests arrived with the evident intention of joining the +others. These were Thor and Mr. Neeven. Thor coolly lighted aboard +and settled himself close by Mr. Adiesen, remarking, as he did so, +"Just so! Bad boy! bad boy! Uncle!" + +These observations evidently referred to Pirate--not the scientist--who +was lying at their master's feet with head lovingly rested against his +knee, a position which Thor never liked to see occupied by any one, for +he was a jealous bird. + +Mr. Adiesen welcomed Sir Raven by handing him a crust from the +capacious pocket which never failed to carry a supply of such tokens of +good-will. While addressing Thor in the way he liked best, the old +gentleman greeted his cousin by saying, "Glad you thought better of it, +and have come, Gaun. Fine day for an excursion, this. Here is a +comfortable place for you," and he made room for Neeven beside Miss +Osla; but the recluse merely nodded "Good morning" to his relatives, +stepped along the thwarts to the bow, and seated himself there. + +His ways, peculiar and not meant for incivility, were too well known to +provoke comment. The _Osprey_ was shoved off by Yaspard, while Lowrie +and Gibbie got out a pair of oars to help the boat along, as the wind +was very light. + +Brues Adiesen was in high good spirits, and insisted upon taking an oar +too as soon as his nephew sat down to row. Then Signy began to sing +for very gladness of soul, as the birds do. Yaspard took up the chorus +of her song, which was commented upon by Thor in his usual sage manner; +and even Miss Osla forgot to seem afraid of the sea--a sentimental +fashion which had been considered a feminine attraction in the days of +her youth. + +Altogether the _Osprey's_ party was as happy and almost as blithe a one +as that of the _Laulie_, which arrived at the little bay of Havnholme a +few minutes after the Boden boat. Shortly afterwards two more boats +arrived in company. These were the _Vaigher_ and _Mermaid_, containing +all the rest of Fred's guests. He was in his father's place at the +Vaigher's helm, presiding, as his father would have done, over the +safety of the elder and more sober portion of the party. His sister +Isobel had the management of the little _Mermaid_, and her companions +were Gerta Bruce and Amy Congreve, who had, of course, accompanied +Garth Halsen and his father, the Yarl of Burra Isle. Any of us who +made the acquaintance of the Yarl, his household, and guests from +England, will know all about those girls and Garth, and will expect fun +where they appear. + +It is a real pleasure to me (and I hope to you who read this) to renew +my acquaintance with the Burra Isle contingent; to look once more on +the tender faces of Mrs. Holtum and the "little mother" of those Manse +boys, and to hear the minister's genial laugh, as well as the Doctor's +cheery voice. + +What a shaking of hands and clatter of voices there were, to be sure! +Even Pirate had to make a demonstration, for Watchie had accompanied +the Holtums, and was ready to be friends with any dog. The only person +who did not share in the general good-will and hilarity, who seemed +indeed to be out of place among so many pleasant folk, and to feel +himself quite above all such demonstrations of peace, was Thor. After +surveying the "ongoings" from the safe point of a masthead, he came to +the conclusion that the proceedings interested him no more, and with a +dismal croak he flew off to the skeoe, and, seating himself on the +topmost point of its ruinous gable, commented in very uncomplimentary +terms upon the ways of mankind. As his opinions were expressed aloud, +and accompanied by many grotesque and expressive gestures, he created a +good deal of amusement, although Mr. Adiesen remarked gravely enough, +"We ought not to have allowed Thor to accompany us." + +"He won't stay at home unless he is shut up," Yaspard explained; and +Signy added, "Poor old Thor! I dare say he is more pleased than he +_seems_." + +"Perhaps," Fred whispered aside to the brother and sister, "the +Thunderer, the god of war, can appreciate a peace celebration as well +as others." + +"Anyway," replied Yaspard, "there ought to be a 'chief mourner' at the +funeral, and I don't know who can undertake the part if Thor will not." + +"Funeral! What do you mean, brodhor?" Signy asked, with eyes very wide +open; whereupon he beseeched her to be silent, or the cat would be out +of the bag in a jiffy; and Signy, still wondering but submissive, held +her peace, while Yaspard went rollicking from group to group, singing +to a doleful tune with a grin on his face-- + + "Thus said the Rover + To his jolly crew, + _Down_ with the black flag, + _Up_ with the blue. + Shake hands on main-deck, + Shake hands on bow; + Shake hands amidships, + Kiss down below." + + +"You are improving on Scott, I hear," said Garth Halsen. "I didn't +know you went in for being a poet as well as a Viking." + +"No more I do, but _I_ know you write poetry," retorted Yaspard; and +then Fred said, "Yes; and do you know he has been impudent enough to +compose a ballad about a legend of your family, boy? Think of that! I +liked the ballad so well that I asked Garth to bring it along and give +us all the benefit; so you are to hear the story of your own +great-granduncle, whose namesake you are, done into verse, with all the +Viking and Shetlandic accompaniments. What think you of that?" + +"It depends upon how it is treated," quoth Yaspard with most unusual +caution, and eyeing Garth as if he were some curious specimen more fit +for Uncle Brues's cabinets than a picnic. + +Aunt Osla, however, was charmed with the idea, said it was a very +pitiful story, quite true, and just suitable for a ballad; so Garth's +verses were to be read after lunch and other ceremonies were over--for +other ceremonies there were to be, as all could guess who saw Fred +Garson talking eagerly apart with Yaspard, then choose a lovely green +spot, and say, "This will do. Our dining hall can be on that flat +lower down, but _this_ is exactly what we want. You might get some of +the fellows to bring up a few stones, while I fetch the flag-staff." + +Off went Yaspard, and soon the Harrisons and Mitchell boys were helping +him to convey some large stones to the brae which Fred had chosen. + +"To fix a flag-staff" was all he told them, and they were not +inquisitive, although our Viking's smile and knowing look betokened +something much more important than the erection of a flag-staff. + +"That will do, boys," said Fred, returning from his boat with a long +stout stick and a spade, and in a short time the noble flag of noblest +Britain, the beautiful red, white, and blue, with its mingled crosses +telling so much of Britain's fame and story, was floating over +Havnholme. + + + +[1] Smartly dressed. + +[2] Odds and ends. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +"AND THERETO THEY PLIGHTED TROTH BOTH OF THEM." + +Do you wonder how so many people (and the boys in particular) contrived +to amuse themselves on that little island for a whole long summer day? +I could write a volume about it, and still leave something to tell. +Perhaps, some day, we shall hear what each person said and did and +discovered on that occasion, but at present we must confine ourselves +to the chief incidents. + +First of these was the spreading of a bountiful lunch on a soft flat +spot of turf, as green and fragrant as an English lawn, although yearly +washed by the wild salt billows of the rough Atlantic, and never +touched by spade or ploughshare. Then there was the lighting of a fire +in the skeoe, and the boiling of potatoes, and the infusing of tea. And +when all these preparations where almost complete, Yaspard stood upon a +knoll and blew lustily on his "Looder-horn" a signal agreed upon, and +which brought all the scattered party together near the flag-staff. + +When they were all assembled, some casting very longing looks towards +the banquet so invitingly spread on snowy linen with a border of +emerald grass, others looking with some curiosity at the young host and +master of ceremonies, Fred said, "I've got a little speech to make, +friends, if you will have patience to hear me. I have a little present +to give to the little queen of our revels, and I can't do so without +the little speech." + +"Hear! hear!" from some of the listeners, and one (his sister Isobel, +be it known) said loud enough for all to hear-- + + "There was a little man, + And he had a little gift + For to give unto a little little maiden, oh." + + +Fred shook his head at her. "Don't spoil my eloquence, Bell! I won't +say much, you may be sure." + +He drew a paper from his pocket, and the smile on his bright handsome +face deepened into a wonderful resemblance to the chastened gracious +light which had given so much attraction to his father's countenance. +There was much, too, of his father's dignity and ease in his air, and +tears sprang to many eyes as that striking likeness was noted. + +"His father's son, dear lad!" the Yarl whispered to Mrs. Holtum, who +could only look up with quivering lips in reply. + +"My friends," Fred resumed, in graver tones, "you know why we are all +here to-day. We meet to rejoice over little Signy's preservation, and +we meet _here_ to thank God who made this little holme a havn[1] for +her. It was well named Havnholme. It has given shelter to many a +storm-tossed bark. The tiny bay yonder has ever been the one safe +shelter amid the breakers and billows which surround both Lunda and +Boden. There is no other haven of refuge between your island, Mr. +Adiesen, and mine, and we unite to-day in thanking God that little +Signy was saved on Havnholme. In time past, my friends, the +cross-currents were too much for some of the human barks that were out +for life's voyage, and they swamped among the skerries instead of +finding the calm shelter of this islet. We--that is, Mr. Adiesen and +myself--are so thankful to-day, that we have agreed that the best +expression of our gratitude will be a conferring of all our rights in +Havnholme upon the little lady who is queen of our party. Little +Signy, you are to be henceforth sole owner of Havnholme! This paper is +the legal document transferring to you this island as the free gift of +your uncle and myself. But there is another and more interesting +method of assuming the rights of property; and, my friends, we purpose +that Signy Adiesen, Esquiress, of Havnholme, shall 'turn turf' after +the old Shetland manner. I have loosened one or two sods here, so that +she will be able to turn them easily. + +"There is just one small thing more to say. A number of you heard me, +as captain of a crew of sea-rovers, advise Yaspard Adiesen to sail +under this royal old flag, this fair tricoloured cross, and to make the +black badge of Thor into a pall! Yaspard has agreed to my proposal. + +"His little sister possessed a doll which seems to have been an +ill-omened creature all its days. Its legs and arms were always coming +off, its eyes have been renewed many times, but never kept their +position without a squint. It was often lost; it frequently fell on +people's toes, bruising them and wounding the feelings of inoffending +mortals. It was an evilly-disposed doll evidently, and received the +name of the 'Feud.' This doll died the day Signy went to ransom the +Viking. It died by the deed of Pirate, who, finding it in a place +where it ought not to have been, bore it to his hold, as any other +pirate would, and gnawed the life out of it! + +"Well, my friends, our Viking has shrouded the doll Feud in his black +flag, and the turf Signy turns will cover its grave! And now my little +speech is ended." + +Amid the wildest of cheers and the happiest of smiles Yaspard deposited +the doll Feud, rolled up in his Viking flag, in the hole which Fred had +dug; and when it was almost levelled up, Signy took the spade and +deftly "turned turf" as directed. A few pats with the flat side of the +spade soon put the turf in proper position; and when the grave of Miss +Feud was finished, Yaspard flung his cap in the air and shouted, "Death +to all feuds! So perish all the queen's enemies!" + +"The feud is dead! Long live Queen Signy!" cried Fred, lifting the +little girl in his arms; and then Bill Mitchell terminated the +proceedings by calling out, "I vote we go to dinner now, or Thor will +have demolished the best part of it." + +To be sure, Thor, taking advantage of such an excellent opportunity, +when no eye was upon him (for Pirate had slunk to his master's feet +when the doll was produced, thinking that his misdemeanour was about to +be declared and punished, and had no attention to bestow on a +marauder), had hopped on to the table-cloth, and was rapidly +investigating the "spread" with an eye to future confiscation. +Fortunately, Bill was more interested in the food than in the feud, and +gave notice of Thor's depredation in time to prevent any serious +calamity to the dinner. + +Everybody hastened to the level ground, and were soon seated and busy +over the good things which Mrs. Garson had provided with her usual +consideration of individual tastes and necessities. When the more +serious part of the meal was concluded, and tea and fruit was +circulating, there was a great cry for Garth's ballad of the Boden boy +who long years before had come to a tragic end in Lunda. So the young +scald modestly, but with capital effect, recited his story of + + HEL-YA WATER.[2] + + "Where the sod is seldom trodden, + Where the haunted hillocks lie, + Where the lonely Hel-ya Water + Looks up darkly to the sky; + Where the daala mists forgather,[3] + Where the plovers make complaint, + Where the stray or timid vaigher[4] + Calls upon his patron saint; + + Where the waves of Hel-ya Water + Fret around a rugged isle, + Where the bones of Yarl Magnus + Lie below a lichened pile, + There the raven found a refuge, + There he reared his savage brood; + And the young lambs from the scattald + Were the nestlings' dainty food. + + Year by year the Viking's raven + Made that mystic spot his rest; + Year by year within the eyot + Brooded he as on a nest; + And no man would ever venture + To invade the lone domain + Where in solitary scheming + The grim bird of doom did reign. + + It was Yule-time, and the Isles' folk + Sained[5] the children by their fires; + Lit the yatlin,[6] filled the daffock,[7] + As of ealdon did their sires. + There was wassail in each dwelling, + And the song and dance went round; + And the laugh, the jest, the music, + Rose above the tempest's sound. + + Ho! the winds are raging wildly, + Ho! the thunders are awake-- + Tis the night when trows[8] have licence + Over saitor,[9] hill, and brake. + Power is theirs on land and water, + While the Yule-star leads the night; + For where trows may trice their circlet + There they claim exclusive right. + + Yelling round the Hel-ya Water, + Sobbing by its eyot drear, + Screaming with the tempest-furies, + Over hillock, over mere; + On the wings of silent snow-flakes, + On the bulwands[10] from the rill, + By the haunted Hel-ya Water + Flit those heralds of all ill. + + There the dismal bird of boding + Is exulting with the storm. + Who will dare to-night, and conquer + The old raven's sable form? + Who will venture to the vatn,[11] + Where the phantoms of unrest + Set their weird and magic signet + On each knoll and wavelet's crest? + + See, young Yaspard's eye is blazing, + With the fires so fleet and free: + Come of Magnus, yarl and sea-king, + Son of Norland scald is he: + Well he knows the gruesome story + Of that evil-omened bird, + And of trows and vengeful demons + He hath dreamed and he hath heard. + + But his heart is hot and steadfast, + And his hands are strong to try; + He will dare with fiends to combat-- + He will dare, and he will die. + Forth against the howling tempest, + Forth against each evil power, + Wild and reckless, went young Yaspard + In a dark unguarded hour. + + Cold the surf of Hel-ya Water + Breaks around the Norseman's grave, + And the boy is lifted rudely + By each charmed and chafing wars. + Now he struggles boldly onward, + Now he nears the haunted isle, + Where in grim and boding silence + Waits the bird of woe and wile. + + Fain is Yaspard to encounter + That fierce harbinger of gloom-- + Fain to dare the spells of magic, + Fain to foil the wrath of doom. + Hark! the solitary raven + Croaks a note of death and pain, + And a human call defiant + Answers from the flood again. + + * * * * + + Morning breaks: a snow-drift cover + All the drear deserted earth; + In young Yaspard's home is weeping, + Quenched the fire upon his hearth. + But he broke the spells of evil, + And he found a hero's grave. + When you pass the Hel-ya Water + Cast a pebble to its wave." [12] + + + +[1] Haven. + +[2] Holy lake. + +[3] Lowland mists meet each other. + +[4] Wanderer. + +[5] Guarded by Christian rites from evil spirits, who are supposed to +have great licence at Yule. + +[6] Candles used on festive occasions. + +[7] Water bucket which was always required to be full of _clean_ water +at Yule. + +[8] Trolls. + +[9] Plains or pasture-land. + +[10] Bullrushes which trows are supposed to use as aerial horses. + +[11] Fresh-water lake. + +[12] When passing any haunted water people cast therein a stone to +appease the troubled spirits. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +"THAT WORK SHALL BE WROUGHT." + +"What a capital job you've made of the story," quoth Yaspard when Garth +had finished. "I feel as if I ought to thank you in the name of my +great-grand-uncle." + +"Just so! Bad boy! Uncle! uncle! uncle!" said Thor from a hillock +close by. He spoke so very distinctly, and as if he understood every +word, that even the elderly ladies of the party gazed in a sort of awe +at the uncanny bird. + +"Come here, Thor!" Mr. Adiesen called out, extending a tempting bit of +chicken towards Sir Raven, who immediately obeyed the invitation, and +hopped to his master's knee. "Why, you old rascal," the scientist went +on, "I believe you are the great-grand-nephew of that raven of Hel-ya +Water fame; indeed, if I had not taken you myself from the nest when +you were only half-fledged, and I was a boy, I would believe that you +were the identical bird of the legend." + +"If Thor lives as long as the former Thor did," said Mr. Neeven, "he +will be over a century when he dies. You remember that fellow, Brues?" + +Of course Mr. Adieson remembered his grandfather's raven, who had been +the spy and plague of the lives of both Gaun and Brues (when they were +children), and whom they believed was possessed of an evil spirit. + +The conversation drifted into chat about pet birds, until some of the +restless young people proposed a rowing match around the island, and +out of that project sprang another. + +"I should like," said Fred, "to take the little lady of the isle around +it in the _Mermaid_ first. She really ought to be the first to +circumnavigate Havnholme. Will you trust her in my boat, Miss Adiesen?" + +"I suppose it is quite safe?" Aunt Osla asked by way of reply; and +Signy answered, "I shall be as safe in the _Mermaid_ as I was on Arab." + +"Perhaps Mr. Adiesen will accompany us, to make safety safer," Fred +suggested; and the girl seconded his proposal by a "Yes, please, Uncle +Brues." + +The old gentleman agreed, and away they went; and Dr. Holtum said aside +to the minister that nothing more satisfactory had he ever witnessed +than the sailing round Havnholme of those two men together, with so +sweet a bond between them as fair little Signy. + +When the long, happy day was nearing its close, and the party was +preparing to embark, Isobel Garson said, "I didn't like to spoil Fred's +beautiful oration and funereal ceremonies with any small idea of my +own, but _now_ perhaps I may be allowed to suggest that we each take a +beach stone and cast it on those 'turned' sods, and so erect a cairn in +memory of this day." + +"A capital suggestion, my dear!" said Mr. Adiesen, who had taken quite +a fancy to Isobel, whose bright, high-spirited ways attracted him very +much, and he was ready to second any suggestion she might offer. + +"Good for you, Isobel!" exclaimed her brother; "but I don't see why we +need confine ourselves to one stone each. Let us make the cairn a good +big one, boys." + +In a short time a considerable heap of round, smooth stones from the +shore were piled over the sepulchre of the feud, and Yaspard remarked, +"There never was a fend strong enough to escape from under that big +rougue." + +"Shoo! shoo! shoo! Uncle!" screamed Thor, quite impatient over such +(to him) meaningless proceedings. Then, despairing of convincing +anybody there that they ought to go home, he spread his great wings and +deliberately sailed away through the air to Boden. + +"Thor is right for once," said Dr. Holtum, "and it is quite time we +were all on the wing for our homes; so, shoo! shoo! shoo!" and he put +out his hands, as if he were driving away a flock of birds, with the +result that every one "made tracks" for the boats. + +There was a good deal of whispering between Yaspard and the Manse boys +before they parted; and there was a very significant "Good-bye," from +the Yarl of Broch. He had kept our Viking-boy very much with him +throughout the day, and had quite enchanted him by suggesting a scheme +which contained the germ of much exciting adventure, although there was +no enemy to meet or circumvent. And this scheme must have been on +Viking lines, if we may judge from old Hoskald Halsen's farewell words +to Yaspard. + +"Now mind, boy," he shouted, as the _Osprey_ parted company from the +other boats, "mind you think it well out, and come to Burra Wick. No +Viking should sail from a legitimate voe. Garth and I spell 'wick' +with a 'v' and no 'c' in it, remember." + +"Oh, brodhor, are you to go a-Vikinging still?" Signy asked in an +ecstatic whisper; and our hero, squeezing her close to him, answered, +"Yes, Mootie, thanks to that jolly old brick! I don't believe I should +ever have thought of _his_ plan. It is even better than mine, for it +has got no enemy in it, but the chance of ever so many adventures." + +A pleasant breeze had sprung up, so there was no rowing to do on the +homeward voyage. Mr. Adiesen was steering, and Aunt Osla was napping, +rolled up in shawls. Mr. Neeven had unbent considerably during the +day, and was talking to his cousin with an unusual degree of +cheerfulness. The Harrison boys were amusing themselves over a wooden +puzzle which Harry Mitchell had invented and given them. Thus Yaspard +and his sister could talk confidentially together without being +overheard. He was as eager to tell her of the new project as she was +to listen, and before long they had not only discussed the Yarl's +scheme, but had built on it a vast structure of romantic adventure. + +"It has been the very happiest of days, this," said Signy when they +reached the quay; "but even happiness makes one tired, and so I am glad +to be home. I shall be asleep like winkie as soon as I get into bed." + +"Not so your roving brother," quoth Yaspard; "I have other things to do +than sleep," and he grimaced at Lowrie, who grinned back a perfect +understanding of the mysterious allusion; but Signy by that time was +too sleepy to pay further attention, so followed Miss Adiesen to +Moolapund, and was soon resting in dreamless repose in her own room. + +Meanwhile Yaspard and the Harrisons politely offered to row the +_Osprey_ to the head of the voe with Mr. Neeven, and he--with less than +his usual sharp suspicion--agreed. He even thanked them as he stepped +ashore, and he strode up the hill without once looking back. If he had +done so he would have seen that the boat did not pass beyond the +Hoobes, but stopped near there, where the old water-mill was located by +the side of a burn whose spring was far up the hill-side. They +fastened the boat, and went into the mill-house, where a quantity of +last year's straw and chaff was heaped. On this the three lads flung +themselves and were soon fast asleep. And there the Harrisons would +have slept on till breakfast time if Yaspard had not roused them +shortly after midnight. + +"Up, boys, up!" he said, as he shook himself. "It is high time we were +off; and I hope fule-Tammy is as sound asleep now as you have been for +the last five minutes." + +From that mention of Tammy you will guess that another raid on +Trullyabister was proposed. The fact was, Yaspard had made one quiet +visit to the old ruin by himself, and had found that the things they +secreted in the old chimney had disappeared. From a remark of Tammy's, +Lowrie had concluded that the "natural" had discovered their +hiding-place, and had abstracted the articles in question. It would +have been a simple matter to ask the truth and claim the property, but +_that_ course was not the one a Viking-boy was at all likely to +approve. Hence the present "lark." + +The three conspirators were not long in reaching the old Ha'house, and +as the back door was never locked, they easily gained admission. + +Tammy slept in a small chamber beside the kitchen, and at a distance +from the rooms inhabited by his master, therefore the lads were not +much afraid of being heard even if the recluse had not gone to sleep. + +But Gaun Neeven _was_ asleep, and so was Tammy, "like a top, and +snoring too like one," whispered Yaspard as he led the way. Tammy did +not even move when they gently and deftly tied his hands together, and +put a not uncomfortable gag over his mouth, and he only snored a little +louder, but did not wake, when they lifted him up. (Tammy always went +to bed with a complete suit of clothes on, which he kept for the +purpose, saying he did not see why a "puir body" should not be as +decently clothed all night as all day.) They carried him to the ruined +apartment with which we are already acquainted. I ought to have +mentioned that Yaspard had provided masks for himself and his +companions. These were made of brown paper, painted to resemble +tatooed savages, and had been put on as they came up from the mill, so +that Tammy should not recognise his assailants. + +But Tammy was far more cute in many ways than he got credit for being; +and though astonished when the cool air and a few gentle shakes woke +him up, he was not frightened by the hideous visages; even the feigned +voices did not deceive him. But he was wise enough to pretend +ignorance of their identity, and stared a well-acted credulity. + +"What have you done with what you found in that chimney?" Yaspard +demanded in assumed tones, which did not deceive Tammy, however. "We +are Vikings, and hid our property in that receptacle. Woe to the +person who crosses our path! Moreover, our allies left weapons of war +in this apartment, and it is our business to restore them to their +owners. Tell now what you have done with these hoards." + +How could Tammy tell? He could only shake his head and nod in the +direction of the haunted room. + +"Is the property there?" Yaspard asked, and Tammy nodded again. "Then +you must take us through the house to that room, for I happen to know +that the way through the passage is now built up with stones and +mortar. I suppose _you_ did that, you duffer!" + +Tammy nodded again; and then Gibbie remarked, "He wad be put to the job +by Mr. Neeven." + +He spoke unwittingly in his natural voice, and was admonished by a +vigorous nudge from Lowrie; while Yasgard, still addressing their +captive, said, "Lead on, we follow! and for your life make no noise." + +Tammy obediently returned to the house, and showed a way from his +kitchen to the haunted room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +"OF THE VOLSUNGS' KIN IS HE." + +There they found, carefully arranged, all the miscellaneous articles +which they had conveyed to Trullyabister on the night of their first +raid upon it. There too were the things brought by the _Laulie's_ +crew, when engaged upon Tom's "deed of high emprise." The Lunda boys +had been too ashamed at their defeat to say one word about their +property to Mr. Neeven, but they had spoken of it to Yaspard, and had +been somewhat comforted by his assurance that all they had lost should +be restored before long. + +Our Viking eyed the confiscated articles with infinite satisfaction, +before instructing his followers how to deal with it. "But time must +not be wasted," said he in a moment. "I believe the ogre to be a very +sleepless creature, and he may soon rise to wander after his usual +style; so let's make haste." + +They stowed everything into their keschies, and what could not go there +was packed in the _Laulie's_ "spare canvas," or suspended from their +belts; while Tammy watched the proceedings with profound interest. + +When they were ready to depart the marauders conveyed Tammy to his +kitchen, and left him seated comfortably in his favourite corner, +assured that he would sit there till Mr. Neeven should get up. They +were well aware that Tammy would allow the kitchen to be burned about +his ears before he would venture to disturb the recluse in his chamber. + +I may mention here that it happened as they supposed it would, and it +was not until his breakfast-hour arrived, and Mr. Neeven came to +discover why Tammy was not stirring, that he found the "natural" +sitting sleeping, gagged and bound! + +When aroused, released, and able to speak, Tammy said, "It wis yon +filskit moniments o' boys, sir. But they've taken no' a vestige that +wis no' their ain. They'll be far enough by this time; and puir Tammy +is thinking that there's no' muckle use in trying tae get the better o' +the likes o' them." + +"You are about right for once," replied his master, as he turned away, +saying to himself, "Boys are certainly more than a match for men in the +exercise of their wits." + +Meanwhile the _Osprey_ had gone to Gloy's geo, and deposited on a safe +ledge of rock all which our Viking-boys had carried away from +Trullyabister; and when that was done the marauders returned to their +homes. + +At the breakfast-table Yaspard said to his uncle, "The Yarl of Broch +asked me to come to Burra Isle to-day, if you have no objections. The +Lunda boys are to be there. It's to be only a _boy party_, not like +the picnic." + +"When the young braves go forth alone," replied Mr. Adiesen, in a +bantering tone, which showed he was in excellent good-humour, and +likely to give the required permission, "when the warriors embark +without the companionship of women, there are perilous tasks to be +performed. May a mere humdrum person inquire what knightly deed a +modern Viking proposes, and what is to be the result of 'only a boy +party'?" + +"We are going to have some jolly fun--of Mr. Halsen's planning; but it +would spoil it to tell beforehand." + +"I can leave the responsibility on Mr. Halsen," answered Uncle Brues; +"he understands what boys need and like." + +"I shall want to stay some--days. It might be a whole week; and I need +the Harrison boys and the _Osprey_, of course. I would also like to +take Thor as well as Pirate, if you please, uncle." + +"You will want clean collars and socks," said Miss Osla. + +"No, thank you, auntie. I shall not take any _luggage_ with me, only +what I need in----" + +"Of course," she interrupted, "you won't want a lot of clothes, only +what is needful;" and the good lady went off as soon as breakfast was +over to pack a bag for Yaspard, who was obliged to take it with him. + +"I can leave it at Broch anyway," he said to Signy as he stowed the bag +aboard. She had carried it to the quay, and was watching him get ready +for his expedition. + +"Then are you going farther than to Broch?" she asked; and, under +pledge of secrecy, the girl was told the whole scheme, which delighted +her. + +"Oh, what a fine time he will have! It is so nice to be a boy!" Signy +said to herself, as she slowly turned from the shore when the _Osprey_ +took wing. + +When the Boden boat reached the geo she was stopped while Gibbie went +ashore, and brought all the odds and ends recaptured at Trullyabister. +These were stowed beside the basket containing Thor, who made known to +all concerned how little he relished being in durance vile by +occasional bursts of angry speech and vindictive snaps, through his +prison bars, at whatever came within reach. Once it was Lowrie's +jacket tails, another time it was Gibbie's sleeve; but what pleased +Thor best was when he got a chance at Pirate's ear. + +Our Viking-boy received the warmest of welcomes when he arrived at +Burra Wick. The Lunda boys were there, and had brought a parcel for +him from Fred, which, upon being opened, was discovered to be a fine +field-glass, such as Yaspard had long wished to possess, and a +beautiful silk flag embroidered by Isobel. + +He did not know which to admire and value most; yet I think the letter +of manly kind advice and friendship which accompanied these gifts was +cherished still more; for I know that when the faded flag was stowed +away--long years afterwards--in an old bureau, and the field-glass had +been lost on a wild Western prairie, Yaspard still kept lying near his +heart the words of love and Christian counsel written to him by his +boyhood hero in the golden days of youth and dreams. + +The rest of that day was spent at Broch--delightfully spent, we know, +since the Yarl was host. + +Gerta and Amy were extremely kind to the boys, although they were only +the "young ones," and not to be compared with their elder brothers. +But Yaspard was more attracted to Garth than to the girls. He had been +abroad with Mr. Congreve, and had the most interesting stories to tell +of the northern lands he had visited. Then his books of travel and +legend, how bewitching they were! While Harry Mitchell revelled in +Garth's specimens, Yaspard pored over his books, and could scarcely be +torn from them. + +"Oh, Harry," he said, "wouldn't you like his chance of going away and +discovering all sorts of places and things?" + +"I'll _make_ a chance of the sort for myself," replied Harry, in his +usual quiet, determined way, which meant never less than "act to follow +word." + +"It would be fine, glorious!" Yaspard mused; then shutting the +"Wanderings of Waterton" with a clap, he exclaimed, "We'll do it, +Harry--you and I--some day. We will go off as the Vikings did, and +explore the world." + +"As you are going to-morrow, eh?" said Garth. + +"Boys play at what men achieve," answered Harry. + +And then was begun a dream which Yaspard and Harry realised in later +years. + +In the evening, Amy, seeing Yaspard still hankering after Garth's +Scandinavian travels and lore, said, "Do, Garth, read us what you have +written about the Jews and the Norsemen. I am so fond of that little +bit. I suppose because my family was of Jewish extraction." + +"I believe it was composed in compliment to you," laughed Gerta, +bringing a blush to the sensitive young author's face by her words. +But his father seconded Amy's request, so Garth read-- + +"There are two races of men who have retained their peculiar +characteristics through long ages and through many vicissitudes. They +have wandered over the whole globe, and become part of almost every +people now existing. They have conquered and been conquered. Their +blood has mixed with that of all the other tribes of earth. As +independent nations they no longer exist, and yet the personality of +the Jew and the Norseman is as distinct to-day as it was when they were +mighty ruling powers on the earth. + +"The Egyptian of old, the Greek and Goth, where are _they_ now? They +have left grand memories, but have become 'mixed races,' and the +peoples of to-day who bear their names have few, or any, of their +attributes. + +"Not so have the wandering Arab and the restless Scandinavian obeyed +the law of nature that says-- + + 'The old order changeth, yielding place to new, + And God fulfils Himself in many ways, + Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.' + + +"Like the two currents that roll side by side in one channel, distinct +in their nature, those two great races have come down the ages bearing +to all lands and all peoples a God-derived power and a God-given +message. They have not been lost in each other; and in blending with +those among whom they dwelt they have yet never ceased to leave +indelible traces, which have made them recognisable always. _They_ +have absorbed, but never been absorbed. + +"When our hearts thrill to some glowing page of Eastern imagery, when +we listen enraptured to some sacred song, some impassioned speech of +one filled with religious fervour; when we read of suffering borne +patiently, of fortitude unequalled amid awful tribulation, of quiet +perseverance conquering difficulty--we recognise the strength of the +Hebrew race. When we are told of some venturesome band daring the +dangers of iceberg and darkness in penetrating to the secret haunts of +Nature; when we learn that gallant seamen are guiding civilisation to +the farthest corners of the earth, are doing deeds of heroism that stir +our deepest feelings of reverence; when we know that our explorers and +sailors laugh at peril and face death without fear; when we see numbers +of our boys, from the prince who stands by the throne to the city +outcast who begs at our door, prefer and seek sea-life rather than any +other--we acknowledge with pride that the power of our sea-king sires +is dominant yet. + +"The Jew and the Norseman have surely been chosen of Heaven to keep the +human race from degenerating, for the soul of the Jew rules our moral +being, and the spirit of the Norseman controls our intellectual nature. +The nursery of our faith was the tent of an Arab shiek, and the cradle +of our fame was the bark of a northern Viking." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +"SEA-RUNES GOOD AT NEED." + +"Well, boys, I suppose you want to be off early," said the Yarl next +morning, when he came in for breakfast and found his young guests in a +ferment of excitement asking each other, "Where did you put the +knives?" "Have you remembered matches?" "I vote we take a whole ham +with us." "You've left out the log-book." "For goodness' sake, +somebody carry a pencil." + +"You look like business, on my word," their host added, smiling; "and I +wish I were a boy too." + +"Never mind, sir; come with us all the same," cried Yaspard, but old +Halsen shook his head. + +"The glamour of boyhood is wanting. I could not enjoy such a voyage of +adventure and exploring in the right way now. But I shall want to hear +all about it; so mind you use Garth's note-book and keep an accurate +log." + +"I'll see to that," quoth Harry; and Tom added, "I do the messing, and +Harry does the writing." + +When all preparations were made, the Yarl insisted that they should +march to the shore in proper style, with Yaspard walking in front +carrying his new flag, hoisted for the occasion on Mr. Halsen's +walking-stick. + +It was a lovely flag indeed. Isobel had been working on it for a long +time, intending it for Fred, but he had asked that it might be given to +his young friend, and she willingly agreed. + +The device was not uncommon, but Isobel's artistic fancy had made it a +perfect work of art. It was the figure of a youth clad in armour +holding high in his right hand a white cross with "Onward" worked in +gold letters upon it. + +The flag was blue, with a crimson star in the corner; and altogether +any prince might have been proud to start upon a high quest under such +a banner. + +The two girls accompanied the procession, we may be sure; and many were +Gerta's injunctions to "take care of yourselves, and don't be +foolhardy." + +Just as the good-byes were being said, Thor called out from his basket, +"Uncle, uncle! Bad, bad, bad!" + +"Why on earth have you taken that uncanny fowl with you?" Amy Congreve +asked. + +"You ought to know by this time," said Garth, speaking for our +Viking-boy, "that the sea-rovers never went out to maraud or explore +without the bird of Odin." + +"I shouldn't like to have a creature like that calling out 'Bad, bad!' +as I started on a voyage of discovery. It is not a good omen," Amy +replied in lower tones, which did not reach the ears of the young +adventurers, for their boat was off, and the Yarl and Garth were +cheering the _Osprey_ as it slid away from the land. + +"What very odd fancies that boy has!" Mr. Halsen remarked as they +returned to the house. "Some of his notions are almost childish at the +first glance one takes--so simple, and full of the exaggerated fancy of +a mere child. But soon one finds the germ of the right kind of stuff +in all his fancies; and he carries them out with the shrewd common +sense, the cool determination, energy, and daring of a grown man. It +is a strange mixture." + +"It is a mixture that makes a fascinating character, uncle," said +Gerta. "I like Yaspard Adiesen very much just because of that +child-way and man-manner he has. He will do something grand one of +these days." + +Yaspard thought he was doing something grand that very day, you may be +sure. He was started on an exploring expedition: and when we remember +that the Shetland group consists of over one hundred islands, large and +small; that many of these have seldom been visited by any one, some +never trod by human foot, and the greater number uninhabited save by +the wild birds and sea creatures, we will see that our hero's voyage +was not unlikely to be one of discovery and adventure. + +Some other time I will give you the _Osprey's_ log, carefully kept by +Harry Mitchell, who every evening recorded all the day's doings, +however trivial these had been. Many of their adventures were so +startling that he might well have been excused if his attention had +been occasionally diverted from this duty; but that diary was a model +of faithful discharging of a promise given to more than one of the dear +home friends, whose thoughts we know were with the Viking-boys. At +present I can only tell you a small part of what happened during the +week which the _Osprey_ spent in cruising among the lonely skerries and +holmes of Hialtland. + +More than once our lads had spoken a haaf-boat, and sent messages to +Lunda, from whence Fred had taken care to despatch the news, "_Osprey_ +spoken. All well," to Boden and Burra Isle. + +They never landed on any inhabited spot, but preferred to camp for the +night on some lofty rock, whose steep sides they had to scale at the +risk of their bones, or on some green holme, where the waves lapped +round the place of their rest, tossing spray on them as they slept. + +They always kept a watch, knowing from past experience how swiftly the +squalls arise. It would be no joke, they knew, if their boat were +caught by the sea in some geo while they slept on the high rock above; +and well they knew that a very little increase of wind would cause the +waves to wash them from the low holmes in a moment. They kept a wary +eye on the weather, and always contrived to have a safe port to lee +when atmospheric disturbance threatened. + +They gathered a strange, even valuable, collection of curiosities in +various departments of science; nothing escaped Harry in the shape of +plant-life, shells, or geological specimens, and the others followed +his example in other lines. A great many rare and beautiful +curiosities were brought up on the fishing-line. Tom Holtum came to +grief more than once climbing after birds' nests, and Bill Mitchell had +to be rescued from drowning again and again in consequence of his +ardour in pursuit of wreckage. + +There are always mournful trophies of the power of ocean to be found +floating around those isles, and our young adventurers were frequently +reminded of this by discovering oars, planks, casks, or other flotsam, +which had belonged to some lost ship that had disappeared for ever. + +I ought to tell you that Thor was not kept a prisoner in his basket all +this time. Yaspard knew that the bird would remain by him and the +well-known boat when all familiar land-marks were beyond his ken, +therefore he was allowed to hop about as he so pleased. Being always +well fed and caressed, Thor began to think that a voyage of discovery +had something to recommend it on the whole, and was in a very amiable +frame of mind all the time. Indeed, so much did he show himself +attached to the _Osprey_ and her roving crew, that some of them began +to think he would not be inclined to leave them even when they might +wish him to do so. For be it known that Yaspard meant to send Thor +home before him with a message, and had told Signy to look every day +for the coming of the raven. + +When they had been out a week, and had led a most delightful Robinson +Crusoe life, they found that their provisions were getting near an end; +as the Yarl had advised their return about that time, therefore he had +not supplied them with more than a week's food. The store had been +supplemented by many a fine catch of fish, as well as shell-fish; but +the lads were healthy and hungry, and had not spared the ferdimet. +They might have landed near some cottages and renewed their supplies, +but such a prosaic and ordinary method was scouted by all. Besides, +they had agreed to return as advised about that time; so the homeward +voyage was begun, not without some regret, but with many a resolution +that this should only be the first of many such expeditions. + +They sailed steadily onwards all that day without turning once aside, +though many a tempting islet lay by their course. When the evening +drew near they were well in sight of the Heogue and the hills of Lunda; +while, not far away on their lee, rose the cliffs of Burra Isle. + +"Suppose we land for the night on Swarta Stack?" said Harry. "It is a +good-sized place, and has a first-rate geo where our boat can lie as +snug as possible." + +"Swarta Stack gets a bad name for mair raisons than ane," Gloy Winwick +remarked, as the _Osprey_ made for the island, according to Harry's +suggestions. + +"Is it haunted?" Gibbie asked. + +"I dinna ken aboot that," replied his cousin. "The minister tells us +it's a' nonsense aboot haunted places and the like; but it's said that +Swarta Stack was an ill place when the folk were no' ower particular o' +the way they got pruel[1] frae the sea." + +"You mean there were wreckers hereabout?" Yaspard asked, and Gloy +answered, "I've heard sae." + +"I wish I could meet them. I just wish I could catch a wrecker at his +evil work. Wouldn't I pitch into him!" exclaimed the Viking-boy; +whereat Harry, laughing, said, "That's all done with now. Wreckers +went after the Vikings, didn't they?" + +"With the exception of fule-Tammy," retorted Yaspard. + +"And yourself," said Tom. + +"Maybe they left as bad behind them," Yaspard said quickly. "Men who +cheat in trade, who scamp work, evade taxes, rack-rent the poor, are no +better than pirates and wreckers." + +"Here we are at the Stack," Harry exclaimed. "Look out there with the +sail! Captain, mind your helm. There now; you nearly had her aground! +I declare we've skimmed over a bau!--we may thank our stars we didn't +capsize on it--all through your jabber about wreckers who left this +planet a century ago." + +They landed on Swarta Stack, and made themselves comfortable for the +night not far from the geo where the _Osprey_ was moored. It was too +late to explore the Stack that night, so after supper all rolled +themselves up in rugs, as had been their wont for a week, and were soon +in the mysterious land of dreamless sleep. + + + +[1] Odds and ends, or plunder. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +"GREAT IS THE TROUBLE OF FOOT ILL-TRIPPING." + +Our boys woke up early next morning, for a chill wind sweeping over +Swarta Stack was as effectual a rouser as the dressing-bell. + +When fully awake they looked (as if led by one instinct) to the open +sea, for from thence was coming the deep mournful moaning which +precedes a storm. + +"Mither," said Gloy, "wad say that the sea was sending its warning tae +wiz." + +"We will certainly pay heed to that warning," answered Yaspard, "as +soon as we have had breakfast. Let's look alive, boys, and get our +fire up as fast as we can, for there's going to be a gale before night, +and we should be at Broch then." + +"The _Osprey_ won't take long to run into Burra Wick," said Tom; "and +we must make a jolly good breakfast here before returning to civilised +life." + +"There will be time to inspect the Stack, I hope," Harry remarked. "We +must have a full report of this isle that has a bad name, according to +Gloy." + +They lit their fire, and boiled the last of their potatoes, brewed the +last of their tea, and finished the biscuits and ham. + +"Not much to carry back," one said, and another added, "I shouldn't +like to be left on a skerry now that the ferdimet is all but done." + +When breakfast was ended no time was lost in starting for a tour round +Swarta Stack, which is a lofty island about a mile long, very +picturesque in outline, and surrounded by lesser islands, as well as +isolated rocks, which are the terror of all who know them. The lads +found a great deal to interest them in the Stack; but their main object +was to find the caves which tradition said had been the abode of +lawless men in olden times. + +There was one large cavern in a cliff easily found and well known; but +that was not the Wrecker's Den, for the sea came into it, and in stormy +weather filled its vast solitudes with the body and voice of many +waters. This cave, however, was supposed to communicate with one +inland, as many helyers[1] do, and our boys were determined to discover +the hidden abode. + +For a long time the search was a vain one; but at last an idea was +suggested to Harry, who had halted by a small cairn. + +"Boys," he said, "I should not wonder if we are on a wrong tack looking +for a natural cave. It is more likely that the wreckers' den was a +place dug out of the earth by themselves." + +"That was a common dodge long ago," quoth Yaspard; and Tom added, "We +got a good illustration of that sort of thing in the old Broch of Burra +Isle." + +"And you are thinking, Harry," Yaspard exclaimed, "that this cairn may +cover some portion of the den--perhaps be the entrance to it?" + +Harry nodded, and after a careful inspection of the rougue, remarked, +"I think we shall find something here; but we must not come to grief in +a ruin, as Garth Halsen did when he dug into the old Broch." + +They went to work with a will, and soon removed the cairn and laid bare +what was evidently the entrance to a vault of some sort. The mouth of +the pit was covered by two enormous stones, and it took a long time to +remove these; but so interested were the adventurers in their +investigations, that they forgot the warning of the sea and the rising +of the wind. + +"It is curious," said Harry, peering into the dark pit at their feet, +"that there seems no foul air to speak of down there, and yet I don't +see any speck of light that would indicate a passage to the outer +world." + +"Might the way not be curved, or sufficiently blocked to exclude +light?" Yaspard suggested; and Harry frankly answered, "Of course. You +are wiser than I. Has any one got a match in his pocket?" + +Matches were produced, and a piece of paper was lighted; but such a +meagre illumination revealed nothing beyond the fact that the vault +seemed a large one, and roughly built round with a rude kind of masonry. + +Bill was despatched to the boat for candles--which you may remember +were part of the "pruel" that Yaspard hid in the chimney; but the +impatience of his companions to learn more would not allow them to wait +on his return before descending into the chamber. They could see that +there was solid ground some seven or eight feet beneath the opening, +and Harry swung down, and soon reported himself as standing on a +"decently paved floor;" but he was too cautious to explore farther +until some light was thrown on the subject. Not so Tom Holtum. He did +not see the fun in waiting for candles, and down he jumped beside Harry. + +"There's an awful draught here," he exclaimed. "There must be passages +and perhaps other rooms knocking around. I vote we explore," and +without listening a moment to Harry's warning, Tom made for a part of +the vault from whence the current of air proceeded. + +"You are extremely foolish, Tom," said Harry. + +"You are a timid ca----" Tom began to reply, but was cut short. With +an exclamation he suddenly disappeared; and next moment a fall and a +groan told, not only Harry but those above ground, that an accident had +taken place. + +By that time Bill was back with the candles, and Yaspard hastened to +join Harry. After him came the others, as fast as they could, and all +gathered around Harry, who by that time stood with a lighted candle in +his hand over the mouth of a dark hole, peering down and calling, "Tom! +old chap." But "Tom! old chap" made no response, and all attempts to +hold the light over the opening proved futile, as a current of air +rushing upward put it out. + +The lads gazed into each other's white, terror-stricken faces with mute +fear. The darkness and silence were enough to appal any one; but the +courage of our Viking-boy rose to the occasion. + +"He must be awfully hurt, poor chap," he said, "and we must do our best +to find and help him. What do you suggest, Harry? _I'll_ do anything." + +"Some one must be lowered with a rope," answered the wise head of the +party. + +"That some one is me," was Yaspard's prompt reply. "Get your rope, +boys." + +They always carried ropes with them. "We can do nothing without a +rope," they would say. But the ropes had been dropped, of course, on +the turf above, and the emergency which had made all hurry into the +vault had caused them to neglect providing for an easy ascent again. +The only thing to do was for two to hoist a third on their shoulders so +that he could get his hands on the aperture and thus clamber out. +Lowrie was chosen as the messenger to the outer world, and Harry said +to him when shoving him aloft, "Drop us one rope at once, but fix the +other to a boulder and slide down by it. That will give us help in +scrambling out of here." + +The rope was soon in their hands, and Yaspard, seizing the end, tied it +round his waist, while Harry instructed him how to strike a light when +lowered, and what signals to make to those above. In breathless +excitement they stood around that gruesome hole, and slowly lowered +their young leader into its dark and gaping jaws. Lower, lower; and +the rope was almost all paid out when a sharp jerk told (as agreed +upon) that Yaspard had reached the bottom. + +"Not so deep as I feared," Harry whispered with a sigh of relief. + +Then there came a sudden flare of light, which showed that Yaspard was +trying to illumine the scene; but it was extinguished again directly. +Again and again he tried, but evidently in vain. Then came darkness +and silence as before. But after a little time of fearful suspense the +rope was jerked twice, and Yaspard was hauled up again. + +"What of Tom?" Harry asked as soon as Yaspard's head appeared in sight; +but Yaspard did not reply until he was standing beside them. Then he +said, "He is lying there senseless, but he is alive." + +"Oh, your hands!" Bill screamed, and all eyes turned on Yaspard's +hands, which were red with blood. + +"Tom is badly hurt. I put my hands on his face and chest," explained +too surely that horrible sign. "There is no keeping a match or candle +alight down there. The wind is rushing through it as if it were a +funnel," Yaspard went on, "and I can't think how he is to be got out." + +"Bill," said Harry, with the imperious decision which he always assumed +in any emergency, where one cool head was worth a score of able +undirected hands, "Bill, you run for your life to the boat again. +Bring the tar-pot and a stick or two, the potato bag, and a towel, and +a can of water; some more rope, if you can find it handy. Gloy, go +with him to help carry; and mind, both of you, Tom's life is possibly +depending on your speed. Don't forget anything. Keep your wits clear." + +The two little chaps were off without a moment's delay, scudding across +the Stack, and too engrossed with their errand and its urgency to note +the rising storm, which had set the white horses rampant on the deep +and driven the sea-birds to the Stack in clamouring crowds. + +Meanwhile Harry said, "Undo that rope, Yaspard. _I_ will go down this +time. I can probably be of more use to him than you. You can follow +with those things when the chaps return. And look you, Lowrie, be +canny in lowering him, and in your management of the rope. See that +the youngsters are careful; for Yaspard and I will send Tom up first if +possible. You know what to do with the tar and sticks, Yaspard?" + +"Make a torch?" + +"Yes; and we shall want the bag and rope to make a sort of hammock for +Tom. Now send me below. But first--your handkerchiefs, boys." + +He stuffed the collection of grimy "wipes" (as the lads styled their +pocket-handkerchiefs) in his pocket, and was carefully lowered into the +dismal cavern where poor Tom lay. + + + +[1] Sea-caves. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +"SWEET SIGHT FOR ME THOU TWAIN TO SIT EYES ON." + +"Tom! Tom!" Harry had groped his way to Tom's head, had lifted it on +his arm, and felt the warm blood welling from a deep cut on the +forehead, "Tom, can you not understand?" he said; but Tom made no +reply. He was breathing heavily and quite unconscious. + +Dr. Holtum had given the Lunda boys many a useful lesson in ambulance +surgery, and no one had benefited more from his teaching than Harry +Mitchell. With care, and as much precision as was possible without the +aid of sight, he bound Tom's head in bandages formed from the +handkerchiefs provided, and had the satisfaction of finding that the +wound was staunched and the pulse beating a little stronger before many +minutes had passed. + +He could not, of course, ascertain what other injuries had been +inflicted, but he moved Tom's arms and legs gently, and felt satisfied +that _their_ bones had escaped. + +The time seemed very long to Harry down there, and to the others +waiting above. At last Yaspard could keep silence no longer, so +leaning over, he shouted, "Is he--any better? Can't you sing out +something to us, Harry?" + +"I have been able to do a little, and I think Tom is reviving," was the +cheering news Harry sang out in reply. + +Tom really was coming round, and the first sign he made was a groan, +and then a murmured "Time to get up, did you say?" + +"Oh, Tom," Harry cried, bending close to the wounded head on his arm, +and shedding some tears that were not an unmanly sign of gladness at +hearing Tom's voice once more; "Tom, old chap, I'm as sorry as can be +for giving you the rough side of my tongue many a time." + +"Eh, what?" faltered Tom. "Is that Harry speaking? Are you there, +mother? What's up? I don't quite know; my head feels queer--oh dear!" + +He had tried to raise himself as he spoke, and had been checked by +agonising pain, which caused him to relapse into insensibility. + +"How awful this is! I wish they'd make haste up there," thought Harry. +And then he turned, as the Manse boys had always been taught to turn in +trials, to Him who is near at all times, a present help in time of +trouble. + +When Tom revived again, the first thing he heard was Harry Mitchell's +voice faltering forth prayers to God for His unfortunate comrade; and I +think that the childish antagonism which had so long existed between +those two died out just then. But now a great flare of light fell on +them, and the noise and talk overhead told that relief was coming. + +"What does it all mean, Harry?" Tom asked feebly. + +"You fell down here, and Yaspard is coming with a light and things to +help you out. Cheer up, Tom; we'll have you out and all right before +long." + +Yaspard descended with an admirable torch in his hand, and the articles +Harry required strapped around him. + +Great was our hero's joy to find Tom so much restored; and when they +had bathed his face, and made him drink some water, he was able to +speak collectedly. "I am hurt about the left shoulder," he said, when +they began to examine him, "and my head feels dreadful." + +"There is a nasty cut on the brow," said Harry, "and a slight one +behind the ear. I won't move the clumsy bandage, though, till we get +him up, when it can be made more ship-shape. Now, Tom, you must let us +put you in the potatoe-bag and haul you out of this." + +They were very deft and tender in their handling, and Tom bit his lips +to refrain from groaning over his acute pain; but for all that the job +was a tedious and trying one, and when he was lashed into the sack Tom +fainted again. + +"I must go up with him," said Harry; "those duffers might do some harm." + +He tested the rope, and, assured that it would bear a good weight, he +put an arm round Tom, and then, catching the rope with his other hand, +gave the signal. + +Fortunately they had not to be raised very far, and it was accomplished +without any misadventure beyond the "skinning" of Harry's hand, which +he could not guard without leaving Tom's poor head unprotected. + +As soon as Yaspard too was got out of that horrible hole, all haste was +made to reach the open air; and in the same manner Tom was lifted from +the upper vault and laid upon the sward. + +When he came to himself, he was stretched on the grass with Bill's knee +for a pillow and Harry's skilful hands ministering to him; and in that +moment Tom must have been clearly conscious of all that had taken +place, for he murmured with great fervency, "Thank God for the blessed +light of day." + +Just then a shower of spray came driving over the Stack, and, dashing +itself against their faces, called the attention of all to the storm +now raging on the sea. + +All around Swarta Stack the waves were leaping, white and furious. +There could be no leaving the island that day, and no chance of any +rescue, even if anybody knew of their position--a very unlikely thing. + +"Where can we find shelter for Tom?" was the first thing said, and it +was Harry who spoke. + +"We must see to our boat," said Yaspard. + +They hurriedly piled a few stones together, and laid their jackets on +these to make a shelter and couch for Tom; then leaving Harry to look +after the patient, the others ran off to secure the _Osprey_. +Fortunately she was a light little boat, and they were able to run her +up the beach a bit, where she was safe from being knocked about by the +waves. The few remains of ferdimet were removed, with other articles +which were required for camping out; and as our adventurers returned to +the scene of the catastrophe they asked one another what was to be done +if the storm lasted longer than one day. + +"We can't starve, with birds about and rabbits as well as sheep on the +isle," said Yaspard; "but the storm that could do us no harm may be +serious enough for poor Tom. There isn't even a morsel of tea +left--only a few piltacks and a slice of cheese." + +"There's a couple of eggs and Miss Congreve's box of chocolates left," +Bill said. "We'll keep them for Tom; but the sea may run off before +night." + +Yaspard shook his head. "Not likely. I know the weather-signs. This +means to last." + +"Just so! Bad boy, bad boy!" screamed Thor from a crag close by. He +had remained by the _Osprey_ while the lads were exploring, and would +have remained there still; but when she was beached and the "outward +and visible signs" of a meal carried away, Thor thought he had better +go too, and see what was going to happen next. + +"Ah, Thor, my rascal!" Yaspard exclaimed; "I must have had a +presentiment of what would happen when I took you with us. Now" +(turning to his companions), "I trust he will go when he is bid, in +which case we may be helped sooner than we can help ourselves. I +wouldn't," he added hastily, "dream of calling for help if it were not +for Tom." + +Harry looked up anxiously when his companions arrived. "This is a bad +job," he said very seriously; "I fear Tom is more hurt than he allows, +and he is getting light-headed, too." + +"I'll send Thor now--if he'll go," said Yaspard, and Harry's face lit +up. + +"I had forgotten Thor. Yes, send him if you can." + +But Thor was in a sulky and suspicious mood, and would not let his +master catch him. There were no alluring morsels left to bribe him +with; for the eggs must be kept for Tom, and a chocolate ball Thor +despised as well as cheese. + +"We must wait till we have to kill a sheep," Gibbie Harrison remarked, +after all efforts to catch the raven had failed; "he will come for a +bit of red raw flesh, the ugly brute!" + +"You needn't call Thor an ugly brute for eating what you kill," +retorted Yaspard, "unless you call yourself another of the same." + +They all laughed then, and the laugh did them good. It even helped to +strengthen Tom, who showed a great amount of pluck and endurance during +that trying time. He reproached himself for having brought so much +trouble on them all, and tried to bear his pain heroically; but in +spite of his own efforts, and the thoughtful attention of his comrades, +Tom's state grew rapidly worse, and before evening he was very fevered. + +By that time even Yaspard considered the situation most critical for +all, and was ready to adopt any and every suggestion that might offer +the smallest alleviation of their condition. + +The whole party had strongly objected to using the vault as a shelter, +but, as the day waned and the storm increased, they decided upon +retreating there, seeing that Swarta Stack offered no better refuge. + +Anxiety had banished hunger, and no one felt in a mood that evening for +slaughter. An egg was whipped up with some sugar still left, and +poured down Tom's throat, and later a cup of cocoa was made for him +from the contents of Amy's box of comfits. The rest of the lads lay +down to sleep supperless--and, for the matter of that, dinnerless also, +not having tasted food since early breakfast, except half a cold +piltack and a morsel of cheese. + +Yaspard and Harry resolved to watch by Tom, whose sleep was fitful and +feverish. They had not been able to remove him to the vault, of +course, but had built a wall of stones and turf to protect him from the +weather; and while the other lads slept quietly enough in the wreckers' +den, these two kept guard over their disabled comrade on the exposed +ground. + +"If the storm does not lin[1] by sunrise," said Yaspard, "we must try +and move him to the beach, and get him under shelter of the boat; we +can turn her up, you know, and make a cosy place for him. It is so +windy and disagreeable here." + +Alas! they had not dreamt that the tempest might "turn" the _Osprey_ as +easily as they could. At the moment when Yaspard spoke, his bonnie +boat was lying among the great rough stones, with a rent in her side +that no mere caulking could cure. A fierce gust had caught her and +tossed her over as if she were a toy left there for that purpose. + +This was discovered when a very sedate procession of boys came down to +the beach, carrying Tom on a stretcher made (as Dr. Holtum had shown +how) out of their jackets spread between two spars--the spars being +passed through the sleeves, and so kept in position. + +When the _Osprey's_ condition was ascertained Yaspard said, "I suppose +there is nothing left but to try for Thor again." + +But Thor was nowhere to be seen then, and though search was made, he +could not be discovered. The truth was that Thor, hungry and +uncomfortable, had been hovering over Swarta Stack at daybreak in a +very discontented state, had recognised some familiar landmarks in a +northerly direction, and had decamped for Boden straightway. + + + +[1] Abate. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +"HILD UNDER HELM." + +As one after another their resources seemed to fail, the courage of +more than one of the lads sank; but there was no daunting Yaspard, and +he began to talk of lighting a big tire, or setting up the sail as a +signal--of one and all of the devices which castaways use for +attracting attention, till Bill cut him short by saying, "We can do all +that by-and-by, when the sea falls enough to allow a boat to come here +if our signals were seen. It isn't any good just now, for all the +people are in their beds, and will be for hours, and while they are +sleeping we are starving." + +At that moment Pirate came running from the farther side of the Stack +carrying a dead rabbit, which he proudly laid at his master's feet. He +had been amusing himself almost all the time since the landing with +hunting rabbits, and had at last caught one. + +"You needn't starve now. See, Bill!" and Yaspard picked up the rabbit; +"a fine fat beast, thanks to Pirate. Ah, my dog, if you had Thor's +wings you would use them for me, not for yourself, I know." + +Harry Mitchell looked admiringly at the noble dog; and when the others +moved away to collect wood for a fire (plenty of spars on Swarta Stack) +he fell into a reverie with his eyes fastened on Pirate. + +Before long a fire was burning and the rabbit was roasting in an oven +of mud. The skin was not removed, for those old young campaigners knew +the best way to cook meat when the kitchen appliances were beyond +reach. While Lowrie watched the roast and Gloy fed the fire, Gibbie +went to the shore to secure some shell-fish and Bill went in search of +plovers' eggs, for all were agreed that, until absolutely driven to it, +they would not kill a sheep. + +Yaspard, having set them all thus to work, returned to his place by +Tom, who had fallen into a sort of stupor more alarming than even the +restlessness and raving of the previous evening. + +"In a brown study still, Harry?" the Viking asked, as he sat down and +looked sorrowfully at the invalid. + +"I have an idea," was Harry's answer. "You see the wind is falling +already, and falling fast. It never lasts long at this season. But +there is a heavy sea that may not run off for a couple of days. And no +one lives on the part of Burra Isle facing Swarta Stack. Any signal we +make will not be seen by the folk of Burra Isle, and not likely noticed +by any one on Lunda, which is so much farther away. It really wouldn't +matter for any of us except Tom; but he must be seen to soon, if his +life is to be saved. If he were all right, we could camp here as long +as you please; so don't think me impatient or funking." + +"No, no! I know that. What is your idea?" + +"Your boat can't float, Yaspard, but your dog can swim." + +Yaspard sprang to his feet and caught Harry's hands in his joyous +excitement. "That will do," he cried. "That will be better than Thor, +for I can go with Pirate. I can swim like a fish; and if he sees me +try it, he will go too--we could not expect him to fully understand +what we wanted if I did not do so. I'll be off as soon as it's +possible." + +"Burra Isle is three-quarters of a mile from here," answered Harry +gravely. + +"I'm good for it," was Yaspard's answer; "good for that, and a lot +more, in such an emergency as the present." + +Harry's face dropped quickly, and he had some difficulty in keeping +back the tears, as a swift thought went back to his brother Frank, who +had given his life to save another. Just as Yaspard looked had Frank +stood, smiling like a hero, when he plunged into Wester-voe to save +cripple Bartle. But even that gallant deed had less risk in it than +this which Yaspard contemplated, for the distance Frank had to swim was +not half as far, and the sea was quite calm. + +"It will be a fearful thing to do, Yaspard," Harry said after a pause; +"ten chances to one against your reaching the other shore. Yet--I will +not say _don't_--because--I'll try too. Did you ever hear of--what +our--Frank did?" + +"Yes, I heard. It was remembering what he did made me want to do this +for poor Tom." + +"Well, old man, we will make a try with Pirate when the weather falls a +little more." + +"Not you, Harry. Only myself and Pirate. It would never do to leave +Tom with those duffers. And besides, poor chaps, they'd be all at sea +if we failed and no relief came. With _you_ still here _something_ +would be thought of that had sense in it." + +Harry was obliged to own the wisdom of Yaspard's words, knowing full +well how little Bill was able to take his place as director of affairs. + +The Harrisons and Gloy were not to be depended upon for anything beyond +willing service and obedience to a guiding head. Yet Harry wished to +share Yaspard's responsibility, his peril, and his daring. "Let's cast +lots," he suggested. + +"No," said the Viking-boy decisively. "This quest is mine. Not +another word about it, Harry." + +"Mother, mother!" Tom muttered, rolling his head uneasily, and the word +reached their ears as they sat by the boat under which he lay. + +"You hear?" whispered Yaspard; "think of your mother. If I don't reach +land I shall go to my mother, but yours is in the Manse of Lunda, and +would break her heart if anything happened to you." + +By that time the rabbit was cooked, and some plovers' eggs also +roasted, along with a large crab which had been taking an airing before +Gloy's gleg[1] vision, and was obliged to yield to fate on the instant. +The lads were very hungry, and enjoyed their meal in spite of +everything. + +When every morsel was demolished, even to the bones, which fell to +Pirate's share, the lads gathered in a group beside the boat, and tried +to wile away the time with supposing a great many wonderful kinds of +rescues which might take place; and it was then that Harry told the +others of Yaspard's project. + +"You can never do it, sir," Lowrie exclaimed; "I ken weel ye canno', +and my faither wad never forgive us if we let you try." + +"Tom Holtum's life, or mine, to be risked! My life is my own and +God's, to be used by me, with His approval, as my judgment thinks +best," was the dignified answer, which silenced Lowrie. + +After that they watched the sea, and spoke very little for some hours, +until the wind had quite subsided and the waves were less broken. By +that time Tom's condition made a desperate attempt more urgent still, +and Yaspard rose up saying, "Pirate, old boy, it is time you and I set +out. Good-bye, lads; and keep up your hearts, for if I fail the dog +won't." + +They silently followed him to the low crags where they had so blithely +landed. Lowrie meekly stooped and picked up the boots Yaspard took +off, and Gibbie was heard to sob, but no one offered the smallest +remonstrance; they were in hearing of Tom's broken words and pitiful +moans, and each one thought, "I'd do the same thing if I could." + +"Take care of my crew, Harry," Yaspard said, giving one glance back; +and then they called out, "God preserve you." He smiled. "Thank you! +that sounds good; now, Pirate, come!" + +He plunged into the surf and struck out manfully; and the dog kept +close by him, evidently aware that his young master's life was +entrusted to his keeping in a great measure. + +His companions watched their progress with burning anxiety, and hope +rose high within them as they saw how easily the dog swam; for they +were confident that while Pirate floated Yaspard was safe. + +Yaspard was not so confident himself after being in the water some +time, and he frequently found himself obliged to pause and rest his +hands on the dog. They were greatly helped by the tide flowing towards +Burra Isle. Indeed, Yaspard would not have started on such a dangerous +voyage if he had not calculated that he must receive great assistance +from the sea itself. All he had to do was to keep himself afloat and +drift with the current; but, as all swimmers know, it is often as +trying to do that as to breast an opposing force. + +He found infinite comfort in the companionship of his faithful dog, and +frequently spoke to him--more for the purpose of encouraging his own +heart than because Pirate needed words of cheer. + +But that piece of water seemed very broad, and there seemed for ever +sounding in our hero's ears the refrain of an old song with which Mam +Kirsty used to lull Signy to sleep in her baby days-- + + "My cradle and my grave is the deep deep sea." + +Yet Yaspard was not the least afraid, and only thought, even when those +doleful words seemed to ring like a knell through the roar of the +waves, "Tom will be saved if I reach the shore, and if I don't, Pirate +is sure to land and make his way to a house at once. That will tell as +well as any words of mine." + +He was very nearly exhausted when at last he found himself in shallow +water; so, putting on a desperate spurt, he managed to reach a sandy +creek where a landing could be easily made. But as he staggered up +from the water, thanking God in his heart, a sudden weakness +overpowered him, and he fell senseless on the sand. Pirate had reached +land before his master, and was shaking himself vigorously when Yaspard +dropped. The wonderful dog-intellect at once divined that something +must be very far wrong, and he sniffed around the motionless form, with +deep anxiety expressed in every gesture and in the low whining noise he +made. + +At last, when he found that Yaspard did not stir, Pirate determined +upon seeking help without further delay. With a piteous howl he turned +from the spot and bounded up the hill, making for the nearest +habitation or human being with the unerring instinct of his race. + + + +[1] Keen. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +"HAIL FROM THE MAIN THEN COMEST THOU HOME." + +Garth Halsen and his father were strolling over the hill that day. The +old Yarl of Broch was always restless during a storm, and never cared +to sit in the house when the elements were at war, "for there is sorrow +on the sea," he would say at such times; "and I cannot rest when I +think some poor souls are fighting for life on the water." As the +father and son walked on they saw Pirate, and he saw them, and made at +once for them, whining in the most distressful manner. + +"What dog is that? Why, I've----" + +"It's Yaspard's dog," Garth exclaimed; "and he wants us to go with him. +Something has happened, I fear." + +They hurried in the direction which Pirate so intelligently indicated, +and he soon led them to where our Viking-boy lay. + +By that time Yaspard had revived a little, and was sitting up looking +around in a dazed state, but the cheery voice of old Halsen soon +restored his wits, and he could give an account of what had happened. + +"No time to lose, lads," said the Yarl, with all the fire of strong +manhood eager to help the forlorn and weak. "We'll carry you over the +hill between us, boy, and get out the boats." + +They swung Yaspard up on their arms and went over the hill at a good +pace, considering the Yarl's age, until they reached a cottage +fortunately not far distant. There our hero was left in the care of +kindly women, while Mr. Halsen and Garth hastened to the nearest +fishing-station and gathered a stout crew. + +When Yaspard was reviving under the influence of warm food and a cozy +bed, a sixaern with Mr. Halsen as skipper was speeding round the North +Ness, and appeared before the longing eyes on Swarta Stack like an +angel of deliverance. + +"He has done it!" Harry exclaimed. "Yaspard has not met his +great-grand-uncle's fate!" + +"How do you know?" Lowrie asked. "It may hae been the dog. It's a +senseful beast." + +"Don't you see they are coming straight as an arrow for the Stack?" +answered reflecting Harry. "No doubt in their minds as to where we +are. Now Pirate's arrival and demonstrations could only indicate that +we were in a strait somewhere among the holmes, but only Yaspard's +tongue could tell the identical place where we are." + +"Ye're awfully wise!" Lowrie exclaimed with much admiration, which +became qualified when Bill remarked, "Some one may have seen our fire, +or the sail." + +"I don't think so," Harry answered. "I have had my eyes on the +hillside over there all the morning, and I'd have seen any person who +came there--unless they were by the creek, which is hidden from us by +the curves of the North Ness." + +"Any person _there_ would not see us," said Bill, "so you must be +right. But if Yaspard landed, how is it we did not see him?" + +"He would land at the creek, most likely; and the little daal which +leads over the hill from the shore dips under the level of the Ness +hill, so we could not possibly see him. But we shall know all about it +very soon now." + +"I'd rather die on Swarta Stack than ken he is in the sea," blubbered +Lowrie, whose fears on Yaspard's account had quite unnerved him. + +But what a cheer those boys sent up when the sixaern came close, and +Harry called out "Is Yaspard safe?" and received for answer a joyous +"Yes, yes! he's all right by now." + +They shouted and sobbed together, until Tom was recalled from his +half-unconscious state to a knowledge that rescue had come, and +murmured, "I am so glad for their sakes, poor boys!" + +The Yarl had not omitted to bring such nourishment as could be most +quickly procured, and as soon as the boat was moored the castaways were +quaffing draughts of milk and devouring oatcakes and butter. Nothing +had ever tasted so sweet to Tom's lips as that milk, and the gentle +voice of Garth Halsen, his cool soft touch, were as good as medicine. + +He was carefully conveyed to the boat; the _Osprey_ was safely beached, +high and dry, and loaded with stones to prevent her being buffeted by +the winds again, until such time as she could be removed; and the boys, +with lightened hearts, scrambled into the haaf-boat, carrying with them +all their campaigning effects. + +"If Yaspard were here," said Harry, "he would wish to stay by his boat +until he had made her fit to float us off the Stack again. I don't +half like leaving her all by herself, poor old _Osprey_." + +"You and your Viking can return and finish up your voyage of discovery +another time," quoth Garth; "but at present you must submit to being +taken to Broch in a commonplace manner." + +But the Yarl had been watching Tom, as he lay among coats spread on +grass in the bottom of the boat, and the kind old man's face had grown +more sad and serious every moment. + +"I think we must not make for Burra Wick after all," he said. "Much as +I'd like to have you at Broch, I believe we ought to take another +course. This lad should be in his father's hands with as little delay +as possible. So it's Collaster where we will bring up." + +And to Collaster they went, after landing Lowrie on the nearest point +of Burra Isle, to carry tidings of them to Yaspard, as well as to Gerta +Brace, who would certainly be alarmed if her uncle did not put in an +appearance that day. + +We can imagine the sensation created at the Doctor's house when Tom was +carried there, and the story of his misadventure was told. Harry did +not tell that it was Tom's own fault which brought about the accident, +and it was many a long day before Tom was able to give the full account +of it himself. But we must leave him in the care of his loving mother +and skilful father, content to know that he recovered eventually, and +lived to take a front place in many a wild adventure with his old +antipathy Harry, and his new one Yaspard Adiesen. + +Bill carried the news to Wester-voe and Fred Garson, while Gloy took +his cousin Gibbie to Lunda; and Harry asked to return with the Yarl and +Garth to Burra Isle. He wanted above all things to be with Yaspard, +and in his company finish up the adventurous expedition after a more +satisfactory manner than that of being taken home with the wounded. +But Harry did not say a word beyond expressing his eager desire to +return and stand by the Viking-boy. + +Next morning the haaf-boat returned to Burra Isle, and at the same time +Fred despatched messengers (Gibbie being one of them) to Boden to +report Yaspard at Broch, "Not much the worse of a ducking, and +returning home as soon as possible." + +Fred had got the whole story from Bill, and he rightly conjectured that +the return of the raven would have raised some anxiety, seeing that +Yaspard had told his sister that Thor should bring a message, and Thor +should precede the _Osprey_ by only a few hours. Thor bearing no +message, and followed by no boat, was indeed an ill omen. Moreover, he +had reached home _raven_ously hungry, and in a very sulky, savage mood, +which added to Signy's fears regarding her brother, although Uncle Brues +pooh-poohed the little girl's presentiment of evil. + +But the arrival of Fred's messenger and Gibbie made a commotion in +Boden, we may be sure, and nothing would satisfy either Mr. Adiesen or +James Harrison but they must start off and bring home their boys. You +may imagine their surprise and disgust to hear, on arriving at Broch, +that Yaspard--restored to all his wonted spirit and energy by a good +night's rest--had borrowed a boat, and accompanied by Harry and Lowrie, +and a clever seaman who knew well how to clamp the broken ribs of a +boat, had gone to Swarta Stack to repair and bring home the _Osprey_. + +"The boy is stark mad!" exclaimed Uncle Brues; but the Yarl, whose soul +throbbed in sympathy with that of our Viking-boy, made answer, "His +head is as straight on his shoulders as need be. That lad is made of +the right stuff, and will be heard of in the world some day. You need +not be afraid for him." + +"I suppose we ought to go and help him?" the scientist said; but Halsen +shook his head. "Even I," he said, "felt it would be best, kindest, to +let the lads take their own way. They were bent upon bringing back +their boat triumphantly, and they'll do it. Let us leave them all the +satisfaction and glory that they can get out of their adventures." + +And I tell you Yaspard's heart glowed with a good deal of satisfaction +when he sailed the _Osprey_ up Burra Wick that afternoon, her flag +flaunting from the mast-head as gaily as when she sailed away on her +voyage of discovery and peril. + +Right heartily the good old Yarl and his guests and son cheered the +gallant boy and his comrades, as the boat, a little lob-sided, and +considerably scratched and battered, ran along the crags, and came to +below Broch. Hearty indeed was the welcome they received, and neither +Mr. Adiesen nor Harrison let the boys know that they were there for the +purpose of looking after "those roving madcaps." + +In truth Uncle Brues was not a little proud of his nephew, and made him +repeat the story of his swim with Pirate, which Yaspard did, entirely +unconscious of the heroism he had displayed. + +"What did you think most about when you were in the water?" Mr. Adiesen +asked after a time--his scientific instincts rising above emotion, and +prompting him to discover what are the sensations a human being +experiences in such exceptional circumstances. + +"I thought of Mam Kirsty's old song, 'My cradle and my grave,' chiefly. +I had committed my life to God's hand when I started. Just before I +landed I thought I saw Signy holding out her hands, as she did when she +went adrift. That's about all." + +"Well, my dear, I think you must feel that you have had enough of +Vikinging for the rest of your life," said the scientist with a smile; +but he was not ill-pleased when his nephew answered, "It has only made +me long for more! I want _now_ to do real good Viking work. I want to +go out and explore the world--the stars, if that were possible--and to +fight all the foes of the Red Cross, and to bury all feuds, and win +name and fame like a right noble and right valiant Viking." + +"You _have_ done so, if you but knew it," quoth Garth; and Harry +Mitchell said, "You will do all that, I don't doubt; and I'll follow +where your flag leads, old man! I never could stand by the side of a +better comrade, and I don't believe I could ever find a finer +leader--so there!" + +"Thank you, Harry," Yaspard answered simply. + +I need not tell you of the home-coming to Moolapund, of Aunt Osla's +tears and tea, of Signy's joy, of Thor's profound reflections, finished +up with a sage "Just so!"--of all the talk and enjoyment in fighting +their battles o'er again. + +We can leave our Viking-boy at this happy stage of his career, assured +(like the Yarl of Broch) that he was heard of in the world in later +days. + + + + * * * * * * + + + +Transcriber's note: + + This e-book contains the words "Boden" and "brodhor". 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