opposite side of the bay, to avoid an
unnecessary bit of walking; and now that he was expected home, Nono was
sent across the water to meet him. Nono was already in the boat and
taking up the oars, when Alma came strolling along the shore with her
hands full of wild flowers, for she had been botanizing. "Let me row
with you," she said eagerly to Nono.

"Yes," said Nono; "I am going after Uncle Pelle. But the boat--" and
he looked at Alma's light dress, and then at the traces left of the
last trip of the fishermen to whom the boat belonged.

"Never mind that," said Alma cheerily. "I can manage my dress, and I
do so love to row." She seated herself and took up a pair of oars.

It was a long pull across the bay, and they were only half over when
they saw a sail-boat in front of them, making for the wider part of the
inlet.

"Not very good sailors, I think," said Nono critically, for Pelle had
taught him how to trim a sail. He had hardly spoken the word when a
flaw struck the little skiff they were watching, and it capsized
instantly. There was a loud shriek from the place of the accident, and
a groan from Nono and Alma. They could soon see two heads, and arms
clinging to the upturned boat. Alma and Nono rowed desperately towards
the spot, but made slow progress, as the bay had suddenly grown rough,
and the wind was contrary. They could distinguish the faces now. One
was unknown, but Alma's eyes grew large and full of anguish as she
recognized her brother. "It is Frans!" she said to Nono.

"Yes," was his only reply, and they pulled with even more determination
than before. In a few moments Frans and his companion were taken on
board by Alma and Nono.

"Frans!" said Alma, as she laid her hand in his, "I was so afraid--I
was so afraid we should not reach you in time. You can swim; why
didn't you start out for us?"

"Knut here can't swim, and of course I couldn't leave him. I knew I
couldn't keep him up and make my way to you. It was better for us to
hold fast as long as we could."

A well-manned boat was now seen coming towards them from the shore.
The strong rowers soon brought it to their side. Knut looked meaningly
at Frans, but was silent.

"We must have those young fellows," said the person in command, who was
evidently an officer of justice.

The dripping boys changed their quarters without a word. Frans turned
and looked at Alma as the boat he had entered headed for the shore.
"Thank you