he boys, Tom Holtum
thought he had never seen a sweeter vision of a ladye faire than she
appeared in her cream-white frock and navy-blue cloak and hat, her
shining hair hanging about the lovely little face, and her eyes shining
like stars on a frosty night.

"You'll never need to beg one word," he declared; "you will break the
Viking's chains with the glint of your eyes. He was considered _my_
booty, and I am ready this moment to give him up to you without a
single condition. So there!"

"Thank you, but I don't want my knight for nothing," Signy replied,
with a saucy toss of the head, as she stepped into the boat. Then
turning to her uncle, she said, "Good-bye, dear uncle; we--Yaspard and
I--will be back soon."

"Not to-night, sir, if you please," Tom cried eagerly; "we shall want
to keep her a little while;" and the Laird answered, "It shall be as
Dr. Holtum may think best. Take care of her, boys."

As the boat rowed away he looked fondly after the child, and thought
that never did a fairer maid than his darling Signy go on a mission of
love.

As the Boden boat went sliding along the coast of Lunda, purposing to
bring up at Collaster, Tom saw their young laird riding over the hill,
and as the distance was not great, the lad stood up and waved and
yelled to attract Fred's notice. He was successful, and the horseman
came rapidly to the beach, while the boat drew close in-shore.

A few words sufficed to explain matters, for Fred had seen Dr. Holtum
that morning, and knew of Tom's expedition.

"And you have been allowed to bring the little lady to Lunda?" Fred
said. "I think you had better land her here, for there is a good deal
of rough water round the Head of Collaster to-day, and she may get some
spray. Will you let me carry you on Arab to the Doctor's house, Signy?"

"I think that would be nice," she answered; and Tom said, "You had
better go with Fred."

The boat was brought along some crags, and Tom, jumping out, lifted
Signy on shore; then, resuming his place, shoved off again, saying as
he waved them good-bye, "You will be there before us, I suppose, but we
will not be long behind you; so look alive, if you don't want to be
beat."

Fred had dismounted, and he and Signy stood together watching the boat
get on her course again.

Then Fred said, laughing, "I shall feel like some robber chief carrying
off a fair prize when I ride away with you! You will not be afraid to
trust me and Arab, I hope?