CHAPTER XIX.
"SO HE SHUT ME IN SHIELD-WALL."
I have not been able to describe Yaspard's grief when he lost sight ofthe _Osprey_, and I am less able to describe his joy upon seeing herfloating snug against the crags which were the favourite landing-placeon Havnholme. But neither he nor Fred could utter a Bound when theycaught sight of Signy lying under shelter of the skeoe, which had beenof like service to many a person before; but never surely to so fair,delicate, and forlorn a creature as she--when she quitted the boat onthe previous evening, and sank down on the spot to weep herself intounconsciousness. The sun had gone down, and had risen, and was fastsinking to rest behind the western waves again, but Signy had nevermoved from the place. Once or twice she had waked up, and gazed wildlyaround until she had once more realised her position, then with a lowcry, that was yet a prayer, she had buried her face in the grass againand lapsed into that state of half slumber, half stupor, which was amerciful relief from the more keen realisation of her position.
In trembling haste her brother and Fred landed, and ran to where shelay; but so lifeless did she seem that Yaspard paused beside her, anddared not even stoop for a nearer look.
It was Fred Garson who lifted her head, and tenderly put the hair backfrom the white, innocent face; then said with tears, "Thank God, thisis only sleep!"
Down Yaspard dropped on his knees by Signy, and when she opened hereyes they lighted first on her brother's face--white as her own, butfull of gladness and love.
For a few moments she did not realise what had happened to her."Brodhor! I had a strange dream," she murmured--"a terrible dream.But--where am I? Oh! I remember! Oh, Yaspard! you have found me!Oh, God heard all I said to Him!"
She leaned back on Fred's arm again, and looked up at him with the sameconfiding look she had raised when they were galloping over the Lundaheath, and she said very sweetly, "In the boat I thought of you helpingYaspard to find me."
They had brought wine and other nourishment with them, hoping thatthese might be found of use in that very way; and after Signy hadpartaken of refreshment, she was able to smile a little and tell themhow she managed to land.
"The boat just went where it liked," she said, "and I was _so_dreadfully frightened for a little while. Then, as I prayed, it seemedall at once that I wasn't afraid any more, so I sat still and watchedthe sea, and wondered who would pick me up. After a long, long timethe boat stopped rocking, and then I knew she had got out of the tidesinto the bay here. I had been here with Yaspard, and knew it; and Ithought if I could row, or steer, or something, I might get the_Osprey_ to the land. I was afraid to try with the oars, so I went andsteered, and I really managed to turn the boat so that she was carriedto the shore at the right place. I got out and tied the rope as I hadseen Yaspard do. It felt so nice to stand on the ground again! But Iwas very tired; and I came up here, and looked all round at the sea,and I never had felt it to be a dreadful, dreadful thing before--neverin my life! I had so loved the sea! But _then_--oh, it seemed solarge, and powerful, and cruel! Somehow I began to tremble all overafter that, and I am afraid I cried very much. I am not sure when itwas I fell asleep, but it seems ages ago."
They would not let her talk any more about what had happened, butturned the conversation to home, and Signy was soon able to chat onthat theme with a degree of composure.
After being rested and cheered, Fred carried Signy to the Lunda boat,saying to Yaspard as he did so, "We must all go together; and we can'tbother with a boat in tow, so we had better secure the _Osprey_ heretill she can be fetched."
"Yes; and then if any of the search-party come to Havnholme, they willknow by that that Signy has been found."
The hour was late, and Yaspard began to speculate upon what Aunt Oslaand Uncle Brues would say on being roused from their slumbers to receivethe adventurers and hear the story which had so nearly ended in atragedy.
"I am afraid uncle will be very angry," said Yaspard; but Signy, wholived closer to the eccentric old man's heart and understood it better,affirmed that he would be so pleased to have her back in safety hewould not "break out" on anybody. "Besides," she added, "he will seethat we _couldn't_ leave that poor man, and that it was all just a mereaccident."
Yaspard was not so confident, nor yet was Fred, but they did notdiscuss the point further; only Fred remarked, "I'd carry you bothstraight away to Lunda, and get Dr. Holtum to take you home and smoothmatters as _he_ only can; but ill news travels fast, and it is quitepossible that the catastrophe has been reported at Moolapund; andreported with twenty exaggerations tacked on to it. In that case thesooner you are home the better;" and Signy added, "I'd like best to go_home_."
Home had seemed so dear and far away while she was alone, that now herwhole heart was turning to it with a passionate yearning; and hercompanions thoroughly understood the full meaning of her littlesentence.
The events of the last twenty-four hours had completely driven all elsefrom our Viking's mind, and he did not remember that he had trysted thelads of Lunda to meet him that night at (what they had named) Gloy'sgeo. But they, knowing nothing of what had taken place after theyparted from the Osprey, were not likely to break bargain in such anaffair--promising, as it did, some rare fun.
The boats which Fred had sent out to scour the seas had not approachedthe Ootskerries, knowing that the _Laulie_ was there, and that her crewwere not likely to miss seeing the lost boat if it came that way.Moreover, the fishermen calculated that the tide would carry her in amore southerly direction, altogether ignorant of the influence, at aprecise and fortunate moment, of cross-currents. As we have seen, FredGarson judged differently and with a better result.
But of all these things our lads were ignorant; therefore, shortlyafter Fred's boat entered Boden voe the _Laulie_ set out from theOotskerries for her rendezvous; and what next happened to her crew youshall learn when we have safely housed the young Adiesens at Moolapund.
There was the complete and brooding silence of Nature at rest over landand sea when the boat sailed up the voe, and the three adventurers didnot speak a word till Signy caught sight of a light.
"Oh," she cried, "look! uncle has not gone to bed; there is a lampburning in the parlour still."
"That is very satisfactory," quoth Fred; "but they can't have heard anyrumour about you, else there would be more folks awake than thescientist, and other lamps besides that of the study."
"Uncle Brues will be grubbing among his specimens," said Yaspardconcisely.
When they reached land they heard Pirate begin to bark and whine,evidently aware of their vicinity, and eager to get out and give themwelcome; and as they drew near the house the door opened and Mr.Adiesen appeared, in a fantastic dressing-gown and Fair Isle cap,saying to the dog, "What's the matter, Pirate?"
The "matter" became plain to his vision next moment in the form ofSigny, who flew into his arms crying, "Oh, uncle, dear, dear uncle! Iam so thankful to be here again. I was lost, and nearly died; and poorYaspard was left on Yelholme."
"Bless the child!" he gasped; "what on earth is she saying? Yaspard!do you know it is midnight? What is-- Why, Mr. Garson! what--what!"
For once in his life Mr. Adiesen was thrown off his balance. Signy,springing up to bind her arms round his neck, caused him to staggerbackwards into the hands of Fred and Yaspard, while their appearanceand the girl's words upset his mind as much as his body. The joyfulbounds and barks of Pirate added to the old gentleman's confusion, andwhen set on his feet again he could only turn and walk back to hisparlour in blank amazement.
The others followed, of course, and stood waiting for him to speak,which he did shortly after resuming the arm-chair, which he had vacatedat Pirate's request. "Explain yourself, sir!" he said severely,addressing Fred. So there was nothing for it but for Fred to begin andtell the story as best he might; but he had not proceeded far whenSigny crept to her uncle's knee. _Then_ he noticed her face was whiteand drawn, and her eyes still full of a great fear.
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sp; "Stop a moment, sir," said Mr. Adiesen; "my child is ill. Signy, whohas frightened you?"
"No one, uncle; only I was alone in the boat and on Havnholme, and Iwas so afraid," and then she began to cry bitterly. He drew her closeand looked frowning at Yaspard; "You had charge of your sister!" hesaid very sternly.
"The lad is not to blame, Mr. Adiesen," Fred exclaimed. "He was doinga good action, and he has suffered much also. Don't be hard onYaspard."
"Mr. Garson saved me, uncle dear," sobbed Signy. "He found me onHavnholme; he is so good."
"Havnholme!" the old man muttered, and something like an electric shockwent through him at that word.
The change in his expression was not lost on Fred. In a very few wordshe explained all; and when the narrative was ended he added, "We knowthat God had the dear child in His keeping all the time; and I am fainto believe that He who holds the seas in the hollow of His hand guidedthe boat to Havnholme--_to Havnholme_--for some wise purpose, Mr.Adiesen."
The old man's face dropped to the curly head lying on his breast, buthe only said, "The child must get to rest, and Mam Kirsty. Ring thatbell, Yaspard, and then go and tell your aunt. Sit down, Mr. Garson,sit down, till I've had time to think."
Fred did as he was bid, and so of course did Yaspard; and a prettyscene he created in Miss Osla's room when he burst in there and toldher all!
The ringing of the bell had roused the maids and Mam Kirsty, whopresented herself in the parlour with head discreetly and carefullycovered in a huge cap and hap-shawl, but her feet and legs onlyprotected by a short petticoat and pair of wooden clogs.
Her appearance and incoherent ejaculations were quite too much for thegentlemen, although their mood had been grave enough the moment before.They both laughed; and even Signy's tears were checked as she criedout, "Oh, dear Mam Kirsty, you do look so awfully funny."
"Take the child to her aunt's room," said Mr. Adiesen, "and see thatshe sleeps there to-night. She must not be alone. And some of yougirls there prepare a room for Mr. Garson, and bring in some supper.Be sharp now."
He kissed Signy fondly, and had no objections to offer to Fred's doinglikewise, but when she disappeared with her nurse he muttered, "I oughtnot to have trusted her out of this isle."
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