Boden; and perhaps you will allow Gloy to come as my henchman?"

"You! what? Why, didn't Uncle Brues--you're never going to beard the
lion in his den."

"That is just what I intend," Fred answered, smiling.

"But--oh, you know _I'd_ like it--but you will be insulted. It will be
horrid. There will be a row, sure as anything. I can't bear to think
of what he may say; and, being an old man, you won't like to answer
back, and--you have no idea what bitter words Uncle Brues says when he
is angry."

Yaspard's eyes filled with tears, and he hung his head for shame, as he
pictured to himself the reception which that gracious, gallant young
knight was likely to receive in Boden.

"Don't fear!" said Harry Mitchell, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Our captain has a way of his own of turning thunder-clouds into
sunshine."

"He has a temper, and he likes to be monarch of all he surveys," added
Tom; "but he is the finest fellow out; and he will tackle old
Adiesen--beg pardon, the Laird of Boden--in just the properest way.
You needn't be afraid to give Fred a passage in your boat."

"And Gloy, please, sir," added the Harrisons.

"I am at Mr. Garson's service," said Yaspard. Then a brilliant idea
came into his head, dispelling in a moment all his doubts and fears.
"I'll tell you what," he cried, "you shall meet my little sister first,
and _she_ shall take you to Uncle Brues. He will do anything for her.
She is always there when my boat is coming in, and we'll hand you over
to Signy. That's the ticket!"

"Sisters are towers of strength, arks of refuge in a storm," said Fred.

"Well, that's settled," remarked Tom, "so the best you can do is to be
off as quickly as possible and get it over. _We_ will go and lay our
lines at the Ootskerries, and have some sport till you return. When
will that be?"

"Don't wait for us," said Fred. "I may be detained, and your mothers
might be anxious. When you've hauled your lines just go home, and I'll
trust to being safely despatched to Lunda from Boden."

The Mitchells and Tom got into the _Laulie_, and were soon sailing to
their favourite fishing-ground, while the others embarked in the
_Osprey_ and made tacks for Boden voe.

CHAPTER X.

"MAY THE GODS GIVE US TWAIN A GOOD DAY."

When they arrived there it was as Yaspard had said. Signy was on the
beach waiting for her brother, and great was her surprise to see Fred
in the _Osprey_.

But when her brother expla