und that she was even then in the
harbor, and would go out with the first tide of the next day, which
would flow at one o'clock in the morning.

Thereupon he engaged his berth, and paid for his passage. It cost six
pounds, besides a daily charge of four shillings for rations. The
trip was calculated to last one month with fair wind and weather,
such as then promised. Adam counted the cost, and saw that with all
present debts discharged, and future ones considered, he might have
somewhat between six and seven pounds in his pocket when he set foot
in Reykjavik. Being satisfied with this prospect, he went to the High
Bailiff for his license to leave the island.

Greeba had heard nothing of this, and as soon as night fell in she
went up to bed at her father's entreaty. Her room was at the back of
the house and looked out over the sea, and there she saw the young
moon rise over the waters as she undressed and laid down to sleep.

Prompt to his hour Jason came, and then Adam told him all.

"I am going away," he said, "far away, indeed into your own country.
I go to-night, though my daughter, who is asleep, knows nothing of my
intention. Will you do me a service?"

"Try me," said Jason.

And then Adam asked him to stay in Ramsey over night, that he might
be there when Greeba came down in the morning, to break the news to
her that her father had gone, and to take her back with him to Lague.

"They will not say no to her, seeing her father is not with her; and
the time is coming when she will hold her right to a share of all
they have, and none of them dare withhold it."

Jason who had been up to Lague, had heard of all that had passed
there, and played his own part too, though he said nothing of that.
He was now visibly agitated. His calm strength had left him. His eyes
were afire, his face twitched, his hands trembled, and he was plainly
struggling to say what his quivering lips refuse to utter.

"Is there no other way?" he asked. "Must she go back to Lague? Is
there no help for it?"

"None," said Adam; "for she is penniless, God forgive me, and beggars
may not be choosers."

At that word Jason was unable to support any longer the wild laboring
of his heart.

"Yes, yes, but there _is_ a way," he cried, "for there is one to whom
she is rich enough though he is poor himself, for he would give his
life's blood if so be that he could buy her. Many a day he has seen
all and stood aside and been silent, because afraid