iest glances as warm and glowing as that cast by
the sun himself, who, at this moment, came forth and shone over the
Sound, where a splendid three-masted vessel had spread all her sails to
catch each breeze. The company reached the strand.

"There is some one already swimming out yonder," said Wilhelm. "He
stands it bravely. That is an excellent swimmer!"

"Here lie his clothes," remarked another.

"How!" exclaimed Wilhelm: "this is Otto Thostrup's coat! But Otto cannot
swim; I have never been able to persuade him to bathe. Now, we will out
and make a nearer acquaintance."

"Yes, certainly it is he," said another; "he is now showing his skill."

"Then he must have been all night in the wood," exclaimed Wilhelm. "Yes,
indeed, he's a fine bird. Does he fly us? He shall pay for this. Good
night in the water, or in any other improper place? To quit friends
without saying a word does not appertain to the customs of civilized
people. Since you, therefore, show yourself such a man of nature, we
will carry away your garments; it cannot annoy you in puris naturalibus
to seek us out in the wood."

Otto raised his head, but was silent.

"Now, will you not come forth?" cried Wilhelm. "Only kneeling before
each of us can you receive the separate articles of your dress, so
that you may again appear as a civilized European." And saying this he
divided the clothes among the others; each one held an article in his
hand.

"Leave such jokes!" cried Otto with singular earnestness. "Lay down the
clothes, and retire!"

"Aye, that we will, presently," returned Wilhelm. "You are a fine
fellow! You cannot swim, you say. Now, if you should not kneel"--

"Retire!" cried Otto, "or I will swim out into the stream, and not
return again!"

"That might be original enough," answered Wilhelm. "Swim forth, or come
and kneel here!"

"Wilhelm!" cried Otto, with an affecting sigh, and in a moment swam
forth with quick strokes.

"There he shoots away," said one of the party. "How he cuts the waves!
He is a splendid swimmer!"

Smiling they gazed over the expanse; Otto swam even farther out.

"But where will he swim to?" exclaimed, somewhat gravely, one of the
spectators. "He will certainly lose his strength before he returns the
same distance."

They unmoored the boat. Otto swam far out at sea; with quick strokes of
the oars they rowed after him.

"Where is he now?" cried Wilhelm shortly afterwards; "I see him no
longer."

"Yes, there