ed not speak. The faintest whisper
would have crept over the smooth water to the ears in the larger boat.

One thing was certain--that something must happen presently. It is
impossible for the hardiest men to sit inactive in a boat for any length
of time in a January night in Norway. In the calmest nights the cold is
only to be sustained by means of the glow from strong exercise. It was
certain that these three men could not have been long in their places,
and that they would not sit many moments more without some change in
their arrangements.

They did not seem to be talking; for Oddo, who was the best listener in
the world, could not discover that a sound issued from their boat. He
fancied they were drowsy; and, being aware what were the consequences of
yielding to drowsiness in severe cold, the boy began to entertain high
hopes of taking these three men prisoners. The whole country would ring
with such a feat, performed by Erica and himself.

The men were, however, too much awake to be made prisoners of at
present. One was seen to drink from a flask, and the hoarse voice of
another was heard grumbling, as far as the listeners could make out, at
being kept waiting. The third then rose to look about him, and Erica
trembled from head to foot. He only looked upon the land, however,
declared he saw nothing of those he was expecting, and began to warm
himself as he stood, by repeatedly clapping his arms across his breast,
in the way that hackney-coachmen and porters do in England. This was
Hund. He could not have been known by his figure, for all persons look
alike in wolf-skin pelisses; but the voice and the action were his.
Oddo saw how Erica shuddered. He put his finger on his lips, but Erica
needed no reminding of the necessity of quietness.

The other two men then rose; and, after a consultation, the words of
which could not be heard, all stepped ashore one after another, and
climbed a rocky pathway.

"Now, now!" whispered Erica. "Now we can get away!"

"Not without the boat," said Oddo. "You would not leave them the boat!"

"No--not if--but they will be back in a moment. They are only gone to
hasten their companions."

"I know it," said Oddo. "Now two strokes forward."

While she gave these two strokes, which brought the skiff to the stern
of the boat, Erica saw that Oddo had taken out a knife, which gleamed in
the starlight. It was for cutting the thong by which the boat was
fastened to a