aimed the worthy descendant of the Vikings. "I have
come back just with that intention. Perhaps I also wanted to fulfill
an old vow. Do you remember what I vowed that night by the Oternnest?"

At the same moment a whole shower of pieces of iron whistled through
the air, and fell rattling on to the yacht; but the sharp piece of
iron thrown by Olagus's own hands was aimed at the lieutenant himself.
He however darted aside so quickly that he was not wounded, although
it flew so close past him that it tore off his straw hat and dashed it
into the sea.

"Olagus, and you others," sounded his voice, in all its youthful
power, "consider what you do; consider the price of an attack on a
royal boat and crew! The responsibility may cost you dear. I charge
you to cease at once."

"What! Are you frightened, you Crown slaves?" roared Olagus, whose
sparkling eyes and flushed face, so different from his usual calm in
peaceful circumstances, lent increased wildness to his form and
gestures. "Come, will this warm you?" And at the same moment another
piece of iron flew past, aimed with such certainty that it would have
cut off the thread of the lieutenant's life if he had not taken
shelter behind the mast. The iron was firmly fixed in the mast.

The yacht was now bombarded on all sides. Here hung a torn sail, there
an end of rope; and the side planks had already received a good deal
of injury, so that the yacht was threatened with a leak. But now was
heard for the last time the young commander's warning:--

"Stop, Olagus, and tell your people to put aside their wretched arms;
for, on my life, this gun is loaded with a ball, and the first of you
who throws another piece shall be shot down like a stag."

"Do it if you dare! But there, see, miserable Custom-house dog, how
the Moerkoe Bears respect your threats!"

The third piece of iron was just about to be thrown; but at the same
moment the lieutenant took aim.

The shot was fired.

During the long chase and the attack which followed it, the sun had
been approaching the horizon, and now might be seen one of those
beautiful sunsets which so often delight the eye on this blue-green
sea. They are the counterpart of the autumn apparitions during the
dark fogs, when the ships wander about seeking their way among the
cliffs, then glimmering whitely, and now shining red.

Worthy the inspiration of poet and painter, this warm, divinely
peaceful, and lovely scene of nature offered a new,