Birds were darting about--here, there, and everywhere in the water;
some, swimming after each other as if in a race, like a shoal of fish;
others, again, chasing one another on the surface, on which they seemed
to run, using the ends of their wings, or flappers, to propel them like
oars, for they dipped in the tips of their pinions and scattered the
spray in their progress. To add to the charm, the calm expanse of sea
reflected the pure ultramarine blue of the sky above, being illumined at
the same time by the bright sunlight, which brought out in strong relief
the twin headlands embracing the little bay with their outstretching
arms.

Nothing, indeed, could be more unlike the crusoes' old associations of
Christmas and Christmas-tide than this prospect presented, nothing less
suggestive of: home; and yet, standing there, on the shore of their
lonely sea-girt and cliff-embattled island home, gazing across the ocean
that spanned the horizon, the thoughts of both strayed away to their
little native town on the Baltic--where, probably, the housetops were
then covered with snow and the waters bound in chains of ice; but where,
also, troops of children were singing Christmas hymns and Christmas
bells were ringing, while prayers were no doubt being offered up for
them, so distant and yet so near in spirit!

Eric, however, was not long pensive. The day was too bright and fine
for him to be sorrowful or reflective for any length of time; so, after
staying by the side of Fritz for a short while on the shore, sharing his
thoughts about the dear ones far away--although neither uttered a word
on the subject the one to the other--his impulsive nature quickly
asserted itself, as usual.

"I'm off, old fellow," said the young sailor, slinging the basket of
freshly picked peas on his arm and leaving the bundle of potatoes for
Fritz to carry. "It is getting near the noonday hour, and time for me
to be thinking of preparing dinner!"

"All right, laddie, go on and I will follow you soon," replied the
other, but, still, without making any move from his seat on the shingle.

"Mind, and don't forget the potatoes," cried Eric, who was already half-
way towards their hut. "I shall want them soon!"

"All right," replied the other, but the mention of the potatoes, which
had been an anxious consideration with Fritz all along, seemed to have
the effect of banishing his sad reflections; for, in another minute, he,
with his bundle on arm,