, and
said in a low voice, "She shall go as far as we dare let her; stand by
to lift the sail when I bid you."

On went the boat, rolling more perilously as she came among the more
disturbed waters; then it seemed that she lay checked between two huge
waves for a moment; and while she so seemed to pause, the young fellows
anxiously gazed at the group of skerries, fearing everything from their
dark and frowning appearance.

Presently--could it be? Yes, the boat was not proceeding as she had
done. She was going in another direction; she had met a cross tide,
and was being carried by it past the skerries, past the towering cliffs
of Havnholme, and into the quiet smiling little bay which gave that
island its blessed name.

CHAPTER XIX.

"SO HE SHUT ME IN SHIELD-WALL."

I have not been able to describe Yaspard's grief when he lost sight of
the _Osprey_, and I am less able to describe his joy upon seeing her
floating snug against the crags which were the favourite landing-place
on Havnholme. But neither he nor Fred could utter a Bound when they
caught sight of Signy lying under shelter of the skeoe, which had been
of like service to many a person before; but never surely to so fair,
delicate, and forlorn a creature as she--when she quitted the boat on
the previous evening, and sank down on the spot to weep herself into
unconsciousness. The sun had gone down, and had risen, and was fast
sinking to rest behind the western waves again, but Signy had never
moved from the place. Once or twice she had waked up, and gazed wildly
around until she had once more realised her position, then with a low
cry, that was yet a prayer, she had buried her face in the grass again
and lapsed into that state of half slumber, half stupor, which was a
merciful relief from the more keen realisation of her position.

In trembling haste her brother and Fred landed, and ran to where she
lay; but so lifeless did she seem that Yaspard paused beside her, and
dared not even stoop for a nearer look.

It was Fred Garson who lifted her head, and tenderly put the hair back
from the white, innocent face; then said with tears, "Thank God, this
is only sleep!"

Down Yaspard dropped on his knees by Signy, and when she opened her
eyes they lighted first on her brother's face--white as her own, but
full of gladness and love.

For a few moments she did not realise what had happened to her.
"Brodhor! I had a strange dream," she murmured--"a terr