t do you mean to
do?"

"I have decided that," replied Hans; "I will fish all winter in the deep
sea, and all summer I will--"

"Well, what will you?"

"Alas! I know not. Would that I were a pilot, but I am not."

"But you know the coast as well as any pilot," said 016.

"True, but who would trust me--an unknown boy?" replied Hans sadly.

There was silence for a few minutes; then Ole said: "How much money do
you require to pay for your father's farm and set yourself up?"

"Two hundred dollars," [The dollar is equal to about 4 shillings and 6
pence sterling] answered Hans.

"A goodly sum," said Ole despondingly. "No, no, Hans, give her up, boy,
give her up. It is the advice of an oldish man and a true friend."

"It is the advice of an ass," retorted Hans fiercely. "Go, my true
friend,--when I want your advice I will ask it."

The youth flung off from his friend, and came suddenly on Fred Temple,
who rose and saluted him.

"This is a splendid city of yours, Hans," said he. "You know my name,
and you speak Norse," exclaimed the youth in surprise.

"I know your name, Hans, because I heard your friend mention it, and I
can speak a little Norse because I have studied it. I have come to stay
in Old Norway for a few months, and would like to get a little
information about it from some one. Are you a busy man just now?"

"No, not very busy," said Hans, with a disconcerted look.

"Then, could you call on me this afternoon? I live in Madame Sontoom's
house."

"I will come," said Hans, whose face beamed with good-humour.

"Good; I shall expect you. Farewell."

"Farvel," replied Hans.

Fred sauntered down the hill that morning with a very peculiar smile on
his countenance. There was something quite sly about his aspect, and
more than once his companions caught him chuckling at breakfast in a way
that surprised them much, for Fred Temple was not given to secrets, or
to act in an outrageous manner without any apparent reason. But Fred
had his own peculiar thoughts that morning, and they tickled him to such
an extent that more than once he burst into a fit of laughter.

"Come, Fred, you're meditating something. Out with it," said Grant.
"It is selfish to keep all your good thoughts to yourself."

"Not yet, not yet," replied Fred, with a mysterious look. "You shall
know before our excursion comes to an end."

Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Hans Ericsson,
who was impatient t