The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 139: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

IN FROZEN FETTERS. “Why, sir, I spent the night on the ice, but could not reach you. Part of the field remained attached to the shore. Then I set sail this morning. I saw you half an hour ago; but I could scarcely believe that the boat had got ont of the berg.” Feltnar told him what had occurred after he started ashore for the heavy sledge the day before. That is, he told him everything but the chest of plate under the cabin. That he reserved for his private ear at a later hour. The smack, with its sail close reefed, was taken in hand by Feltnar. The other two, being more muscular and understanding the sweeps best, worked the ungainly galley in behind him. Eirik, with voice and gesture, now and then instructed Feltnar how to steer. And not long after noon the ancient craft was run into a creek which wan- dered down through the rocks and stub- ble of the beach beyond the Wild Wom- an’s hut. It was a lonely place and well hidden. “Nobody will disturb it here, Mr. Feltnar,” said Eirik with a meaning look, as they prepared to beat back in the little smack toward the Geogsons’ byre at the other side of the fiord. They were careful to say nothing which might cause Bobolink to suspect the existence of the treasure aboard the old vessel, for Feltnar was not sure how far the boat-steerer of the Good- cheer could be trusted. When they landed near the byre the whole family were down to welcome them. The night had been indeed an anxious one to the women folk, for not only the visitor, but Hirik, had been out upon the ice. They knew that Eirik was safe at dawn, for he had returned for the boat, but they feared for Feltnar’s life. “Tt is the good God who sends you back to us, sir,” said Father Geogson, with his quiet smile. But Feltnar looked at Bruda to note how she would meet him. Hirik turned his back so as not to see the girls when they welcomed the American. Bruda’s gentle eyes were ‘tear- dimmed, and her hand trembled when she placed it in Feltnar’s. But Indridi interposed with her usual gaiety and 135 goodfellowship, and before he could get a word alone with Bruda the. bashful maid had disappeared. “You must tell me all about atl” cried Indridi, and with a sigh Feltnar did as he was bid. That is, “he told as much as he thought it was good for her to know. But he could not tell the waif that which he suspected regarding the Wild Woman and herself. He could not say to her: “ The crazy creature whom you so often visit 1s your mother; and aboard the bark which this sailor comes from is your father! ” Both mad! Both irresponsible for their actions or words! Better that she should not know at all. Yet Feltnar was confident that he had read the riddle aright. He was sure that this woman and the girl were the wife and child of Captain Macklin, the two he had set adrift when the North Star went down. | How the child had reached the shore, separated from her mother, was yet to be told, however, and it would be no good to talk about it until he could back up his belief with proof on every point. The bouders gave Bobolink a cordial welcome, and he went to sleep that night with a neighbor of the Geogsons. The gale was so high that nothing more could be done with the Viking ship at present, but the boat-stcerer declared that with a proper mast and sail, he would agree to work the ancient ship around to a harbor nearer the Geogson byre. Feltnar was anxious about the treas- ure in the ship, and suggested going overland to the vessel and bringing away the plate, or else that he and Hirik sail hack there alone in the little smack and secure it. But the Icelander declared the ship to be well hidden and everything aboard of her safe. “My people are not thieves,” he said proudly; “nor will they touch that which does not belong to them.” In the morning, however, there were unexpected visitors in the Axar Fiord. A lugger of some size had crept in under the headlands to take shelter from the storm, which had shifted and was blowing more heavilv than it had (COL DOO YN Ss) COL