he seaman was wrong. Straight
as an arrow to a bull's eye the raft went at that islet and struck on
its upper end with such force as to send a tongue of ice high on the
shore, so that the whole party actually landed dryshod. Even old Kannoa
got on shore without assistance.

The joy of the party at this piece of unlooked-for good-fortune was
unbounded, although, after all, the improvement in their circumstances
did not seem to be great, for the islet was not more than a hundred
yards in diameter, and appeared to be quite barren, with only a clump of
willows in its centre. Still, their recent danger had been so imminent
that the spot seemed quite a secure refuge by contrast.

The men of the party, after landing, were only just beginning to comment
on their prospects, when they saw the willows in the centre of the islet
part asunder, and a man of strange aspect and costume stood before them.

The stranger who had burst thus unexpectedly upon them like a visitant
from another world, bereaving them for a few minutes of speech and
motion, was evidently not a native of the land. His pale and somewhat
melancholy face, as well as parts of his costume, betokened him one who
had come from civilised lands; and Rooney's first thought was that he
must be a shipwrecked sailor like himself; but a second glance caused
him to reject the idea. The calm dignity of his carriage, the
intellectuality of his expression, and, withal, the look of gentle
humility in his manner, were not the usual characteristics of seamen in
those days. He also looked very haggard and worn, as if from severe
fatigue or illness.

A slight smile played for a moment on his lips as he observed the blank
amazement which his appearance had produced. Hastening forward he held
out his hand to Rooney whom he at once recognised as a man of civilised
lands.

"Let me congratulate you, friends, on your escape, for I can see that
you must have been in great jeopardy from which the Lord has delivered
you."

The stranger spoke in the Danish language, which was of course utterly
incomprehensible to the natives. Not so, however, to Red Rooney, who in
his seafaring life had frequently visited Copenhagen, Bergen, and
Christiania, and other Scandinavian ports, and had learned to speak
Danish at least fluently, if not very correctly. He at once replied, at
the same time returning the warm grasp of the stranger's hand--

"We have indeed just escaped from great danger,