preparation betokened a singular distinction; and when he saw the
Consul step into this boat, he skipped round the deck in boyish glee.
It was, in fact, unusual for the Consul to come on board to welcome
the arrival of a ship. Generally some one was sent from the office,
if neither of the sons was at home: for both Christian Frederik, and
especially Richard, liked to board the ships far out of the fjord,
that they might have a sail homewards and drink marsala in the cabin.

[Footnote 1: In the larger mercantile houses of Norway, at the
seaports, a "Fruens Baad," or ladies' boat, is kept for the especial
use of the lady of the house.]

When the brig came to anchor, the ladies' boat was still a little way
off; Skipper Worse, however, could no longer restrain himself. Laying
hold of a shroud, he swung himself on the top rail and waving his
hat, cried out, in a voice that rang out all over Sandsgaard, "We
come late, Herr Consul, but we come safely."

Consul Garman smiled as he returned the salute, at the same time
quietly removing the rings from the fingers of his right hand; for he
dreaded the grip of Jacob Worse on his return from a voyage.

The delighted captain stood on deck, hat in hand, in a respectful
attitude, whilst the Consul, with stiff and cautious steps, ascended
the accommodation ladder.

"Welcome, Jacob Worse."

"Many thanks, Herr Consul."

The Consul surrendered his hand to be duly squeezed.

The crew stood round in a respectful circle to receive the friendly
salute of the owner; they were already cleaned up and in their
shore-going clothes, for so many friends and relations had boarded
the brig as she was standing in, that there was no necessity for them
to lend a hand in mooring the brig.

The manly, sunburnt faces bore a somewhat strange aspect here in the
cool early summer time, and one or two wore a red shirt, or a blue
Scotch bonnet brought from that wonderful Rio.

Their beaming faces showed what heroes they considered themselves,
and they longed to get on shore to recount their adventures.

"Here's a young scamp," said Captain Worse, "who went out a cabin
boy, but now we have given him the rating of an apprentice. The
Consul must know that we had two deaths at Rio--the devil's own
climate.--Come, Lauritz, step forward and show yourself."

A lad of about seventeen was at last shoved forward, awkward and
blushing; much soaping had made his chubby red face shine like an
apple.

"What is