st
your eyes, you will think you had better have minded my advice, and not
have stared at the snow after a runaway that is better there than here."

"What do you think of this story, Peder?" asked his mistress.

"I think Hund has taken the short cut over the promontory, on business
of his own at the islands. He is not on any business of yours, depend
upon it, madam."

"And what business can he have among the islands?"

"I could say that with more certainty if I knew exactly where the
pirate-vessel is."

"That is your idea, Erica," said her mistress. "I saw what your
thoughts were, an hour ago, before we knew all this."

"I was thinking then, madam, that if Hund was gone to join the pirates,
Nipen would be very ready to give them a wind just now. A baffling wind
would be our only defence; and we cannot expect that much from Nipen
to-day."

"I will do anything in the world," cried Oddo, eagerly. "Send me
anywhere. Do think of something that I can do."

"What must be done, Peder?" asked his mistress. "There is quite enough
to fear, Erica, without a word of Nipen. Pirates on the coast, and one
farm-house seen burning already!"

"I will tell you what you must let me do, madam," said Erica. "Indeed
you must not oppose me. My mind is quite set upon going for the boat,--
immediately--this very minute. That will give us time--it will give us
safety for this night. Hund might bring seven or eight men upon us over
the promontory: but if they find no boat, I think they can hardly work
up the windings of the fiord in their own vessel to-night;--unless,
indeed," she added, with a sigh, "they have a most favourable wind."

"All this is true enough," said her mistress; "but how will you go?
Will you swim?"

"The raft, madam."

"And there is the old skiff on Thor islet," said Oddo. "It is a rickety
little thing, hardly big enough for two; but it will carry down Erica
and me, if we go before the tide turns."

"But how will you get to Thor islet?" inquired Madame Erlingsen. "I
wish the scheme were not such a wild one."

"A wild one must serve at such a time, madam," replied Erica. "Rolf had
lashed several logs before he went. I am sure we can get over to the
islet. See, madam, the fiord is as smooth as a pond."

"Let her go," said Peder. "She will never repent."

"Then come back, I charge you, if you find the least danger," said her
mistress. "No one is safer at the oar than you; but if there is a
ri