sounds quite fine, doesn't it?"

Chatting gaily they reached the shore, and as soon as the boat touched,
Thor and Loki flew off in stately flight to the house. Signy followed
on foot, wishing she had wings; and Yaspard, shoving off again, went
across to Noostigard.

He had a hearty tea with the Harrisons. He was a great favourite in
the factor's house, and was always allowed to be there as much as he
pleased, for Mrs. Harrison was a religious as well as judicious woman,
and exercised a very wholesome influence over the somewhat spoilt and
wayward boy.

Her sons had told her all about the expedition to Havnholme, and she
was delighted when Yaspard informed them that Uncle Brues had not
disapproved.

"Ye mun bring puir Gloy _here_ before ye pit him in prison," she
laughingly called out, when twilight came and the three boys set off
for the geo.

When they were out of hearing the factor remarked with a thoughtful
smile, "It's a strange way the young anes hae o' turning trouble intae
fun, and makin' guid come oot o' ill."

CHAPTER VII.

"THE CARL ON THE CLIFF TOP."

Our Viking-boys were not long rowing out the voe that evening. The
twilight had come sufficiently for their purpose. It had not brought
darkness, but it indicated that a late hour had come, when the
inhabitants of Boden were probably at rest indoors. They were so
busily engaged laying plans that they did not comment upon the perfect
silence which reigned in the geo as they approached. The splash of
their oars and the tones of their voices were loud enough to have
warned Gloy of their approach, and cause him to make some response.
But he didn't.

A joyous bark from Pirate was the first thing to draw the attention,
and then the lads noticed that the dog was alone.

"Guess Gloy is taking a nap, stupid fellow!" Yaspard remarked, and then
he hallooed as they ran the light skiff high and dry upon the sand.

No answer came to the halloo, and a brief glance sufficed to show that
their prisoner was not in the geo. The place was small and without any
corner for concealment. It was light enough to see all round the geo.
Of a certainty Gloy was not slumbering, and Gloy was not there!

The lads were too amazed to utter a word, but Pirate made up for their
silence by barking and howling his delight at being in company once
more. Dogs are very social, and solitude had not been pleasing to
Pirate. The first person to speak was Lowrie, and a cer