ead. "But he tells us
shocking things. There is a pirate-vessel among the islands. She was
seen off Soroe, some time ago; but she is much nearer to us now. There
was a farm-house seen burning on Alten fiord, last week; and as the
family are all gone, and nothing but ruins left, there is little doubt
the pirates lit the torch that did it. And the cod has been carried off
from the beach, in the few places where any has been caught yet."

"They have not found out our fiord yet?" inquired Ulla.

"O, dear! I hope not. But they may, any day. And father says, the
coast must be raised, from Hammerfest to Tronyem, and a watch set till
this wicked vessel can be taken or driven away. He was going to send a
running message both ways; but here is something else to be done first."

"Another misfortune?" asked Erica, faintly.

"No: they say it is a piece of very good fortune;--at least, for those
who like bears' feet for dinner. Somebody or other has lighted upon the
great bear that got away in the summer, and poked her out of her den, on
the fjelde. She is certainly abroad, with her two last year's cubs; and
their traces have been found just above, near the foss. Olaf had heard
of her being roused; and Rolf and Hund have found her traces. Oddo has
come running home to tell us: and father says he must get up a hunt
before more snow falls, and we lose the tracks, or the family may
establish themselves among us, and make away with our first calves."

"Does he expect to kill them all?"

"I tell you, we are all to grow stout on bears' feet. For my part, I
like bears' feet best on the other side of Tronyem."

"You will change your mind, Miss Frolich, when you see them on the
table," observed Ulla.

"That is just what father said. And he asked how I thought Erica and
Stiorna would like to have a den in their neighbourhood when they go up
to the mountain for the summer. O, it will be all right when the hunt
is well over, and all the bears dead. Meantime, I thought they were at
my heels as I crossed the yard."

"And that made you burst in as you did. Did Olaf say anything about
coming to see me? Has he plenty of medicines with him?"

"O, certainly. That was the thing I came to say. He is laying out his
medicines, while he warms himself; and then he is coming over, to see
what he can do for your poor head. He asked about you, directly; and he
is frowning over his drugs, as if he meant to let them know that they