and ascertain the truth. He leaped, and
struck the water at a sufficient distance from Rolf. When he came up
again, they approached each other, staring, and each with some doubt as
to whether the other was human or a demon.

"Are you really alive, Rolf?" said the one.

"To be sure I am, Oddo," said the other: "but what demon carried you to
the top of that rock, that no man ever climbed?"

Oddo looked mysterious, suddenly resolving to keep his secret for the
present.

"Not that way," said Rolf. "I have not the strength I had, and I can't
swim round the place now. I was just resting myself when I heard you
call, and came out to see. Follow me home."

He turned, and began to swim homewards. Oddo had the strongest
inclination to go with him, to see what would be revealed; but there
were two objections. His grandfather must be growing anxious; and he
was not perfectly sure yet whether his guide might not be Nipen in
Rolf's likeness, about to lead him to some hidden prison.

"Give me your hand, Rolf," said the boy, bravely.

It was a real, substantial, warm hand.

"I don't wonder you doubt," said Rolf. "I can't look much like
myself,--unshaven, and shrunk, and haggard as my face must be."

Oddo was now quite satisfied; and he told of the boat and his
grandfather. The boat was scarcely farther off than the cave; and poor
Rolf was almost in extremity for drink. The water and brandy he brought
with him had been finished, nearly two days, and he was suffering
extremely from thirst. He thought he could reach the boat, and Oddo led
the way, bidding him not mind his being without clothes till they could
find him some.

Glad was the old man to hear his boy's call from the water: and his face
lighted up with wonder and pleasure when he heard that Rolf was not far
behind. He lent a hand to help him into the boat, and asked no
questions till he had given him food and drink. He reproached himself
for having brought neither camphor nor asafoetida, to administer with
the corn-brandy. Here was the brandy, however; and some water, and
fish, and bread, and cloud-berries. Great was the amazement of Peder
and Oddo at Rolf's pushing aside the brandy, and seizing the water.
When he had drained the last drop, he even preferred the cloud-berries
to the brandy. A transient doubt thence occurred whether this was Rolf
after all. Rolf saw it in their faces, and laughed: and when they had
heard his story of what he had suffe