d have taken it as a matter of course. They merely
opened their eyes and said "Weel?" Yaspard had rather expected to
surprise them, and was a little disconcerted by the way his startling
intention was received.

"I've told you heaps about Vikinger," he said; "you know just what I
mean, eh?"

"Weren't they pirates?" Gibbie asked.

"No--at least they would be called that now, but it was different when
they lived. There was no way of discovering new lands and getting lots
of riches, being great men and doing all sorts of grand things, except
by becoming Vikings. It was the only way."

"But they killed people, and robbed, and made slaves. Everybody was
frightened when a Viking ship hove in sight," said Lowrie, who was
rather reflective for his age and station.

"So they did; but it could not be helped. Besides, every one tried to
do the same. And for the matter of that, don't people do the same now?
Don't they fight still, and in a worse way? for the Vikinger only laid
on man for man, but now any nation who invents the most murderous
machine for shooting can mow down armies of men miles off. As for the
stealing--what is half the trade of the world but a kind of civil
picking of somebody's pocket--a 'doing' of some one. And slavery; bah!
slaves enough in Britain while the pressgang can carry off any man it
likes. But there--what's the good of such talk? I'm not going to be a
Viking in a bad way, so you need not be afraid. It will all be for
adventure, and glory and daring, and jolly good fun, I tell you."

"All right; we're game for whatever you please," answered the Harrisons.

After that Yaspard entered into some details of his scheme, and
explained portions in which he specially required their co-operation.
They were soon as enamoured of the project as he, and eager to begin a
career which promised such scope for wild adventure. Some time slipped
past while the confabulation lasted, and the dusk of a Shetland summer
evening--the poetic "dim"--had fallen upon Boden before the lads
separated.

"I'll be over again to-morrow early," said Yaspard, as he pulled out
from the shore; "mind you have some armour ready by the time I come."

The light breeze which had wafted him to Noostigard had fallen to a
calm, therefore the sail was of no use; but a pair of oars in his
muscular hands soon carried the little _Osprey_ to her quay, and there
Signy was waiting.

"I've been longer than I meant to be, Mootie," h