evening, and we thought we might
want them, while we were waiting," replied Sanford.

"I don't think it is very cold, and as to the evening, the sun don't
set till about eight o'clock," added the officer, as he went aft to
the professors who were going on shore, and reported that the boat was
ready; for it had already been lowered into the water, and made fast
to the swinging boom.

Her crew went over the side, and seated themselves in the cutter.

"Ready!" said the coxswain, as the stern-sheets of the barge ranged
alongside the little stage at the foot of the ladder. "Up oars!"

Up went the eight oars to a perpendicular position, where they were
held till the boat should be ready to go.

"I wonder where Ole is," said Sanford.

"Sh!" whispered Stockwell, who pulled the bow oar, shaking his head
with energy.

"What do you mean?" demanded the coxswain, in a low tone, for he was
very much mystified by the pantomime of the bow oarsman.

"Don't say a word."

"Where is he?" persisted Sanford, who was not willing to have a secret
kept from him even for a moment.

Stockwell pointed into the bottom of the boat, and then looked up at
the sky, with an affectation of cunning, while the rest of the crew
smiled as though they were in possession of the secret. Sanford said
no more, and joined the bowman in studying the aspect of the sky. Ole
was in the boat to act as guide and interpreter, and if they chose to
leave without running away, everything seemed to be favorable to the
enterprise. Mr. Mapps and Dr. Winstock presently descended the steps,
and seated themselves in the boat, followed by De Forrest.

"All ready, coxswain," said the latter.

"Ready! Let fall!" said Sanford, as he shoved off the stern of the
cutter. "Give way--together!"

The well-trained crew bent to their oars, and the boat shot away from
the ship towards the shore. Mr. Mapps was going to the town to obtain
some additional material for his lecture the following morning, and
the surgeon intended to call on Paul Kendall and lady at the hotel.

"This is a very picturesque town, doctor," said Mr. Mapps, as he gazed
at the high, rocky steeps which surround Christiansand.

"Very; and I am rather sorry we are not to see more of the environs of
the place," replied the surgeon. "I understand we sail to-morrow
night."

"I dare say the students will see enough of Norway before they leave
it."

"We want to go into the interior," said De Forrest. "There