timid feelings. She replied that she
must take time for thought, as she had much to think about: but the
bishop had to-day spoken words which she believed would, when well
considered, lift a heavy load from her heart.

The girls kindly left this impression undisturbed, and went on to
describe how the schooner was working up, and why the bishop thought
that the people at the farm were aware of every inch of her progress.

Erica sprang from the bed, and joined the group who were sitting on the
grass, awaiting the sunrise, and eagerly listening for every word from
their watchman, the bishop. He told when he saw two boats full of men
put off from the schooner, and creep towards Erlingsen's cove under the
shadow of the rocks. He told how the country-people immediately
gathered behind the barn, and the house, and every outbuilding; and, at
length, when the boats touched the shore, he said--

"Now come and look yourselves. They are too busy now to be observing
us."

Then how eyes were strained, and what silence there was, broken only by
an occasional exclamation, as it became certain that the decisive moment
was come! The glass passed rapidly from hand to hand; but it revealed
little. There was smoke, covering a struggling crowd: and such gazers
as had a husband, a father, or a lover there, could look no longer. The
bishop himself did not attempt to comfort them, at a moment when he knew
it would be in vain. In the midst of all this, some one observed two
boats appearing from behind the promontory, and making directly and
rapidly for the schooner; and presently there was a little smoke there
too;--only a puff or two; and then all was quiet till she began to hang
out her sails, which had been taken in, and to glide over the waters in
the direction of a small sandy beach, on which she ran straight up, till
she was evidently fast grounded.

"Excellent!" exclaimed M. Kollsen. "How admirably they are conducting
the whole affair! The retreat of these fellows is completely cut off,--
their vessel taken, and driven ashore, while they are busy elsewhere."

"That is Oddo's doing," observed Orga, quietly.

"Oddo's doing! How do you know? Are you serious? Can you see? Or did
you hear?"

"I was by when Oddo told his plan to my father, and begged to be allowed
to take the schooner. My father laughed so that I thought Oddo would be
for going over to the enemy."

"No fear of that," said Erica. "Oddo has a brave, fa