STORIESOFBOY—LIFEINTHELANDOFTHEMIDNIGHTSUN
BYHJALMARHJORTHBOYESEN
CONTENTS
THEBATTLEOFTHERAFTS
THECLASHOFARMS
BICEPSGRIMLUND’SCHRISTMASVACATION
THENIXY’SSTRAIN
THEWONDERCHILD
\"THESONSOFTHEVIKINGS\"
PAULJESPERSEN’SMASQUERADE
LADYCLARETHESTORYOFAHORSE
BONNYBOY
THECHILDOFLUCK
THEBEARTHATHADABANKACCOUNT
THEBATTLEOFTHERAFTS
I.THEORIGINOFTHEWAR
AdeadlyfeudwasragingamongtheboysofNumedale.TheEast—SidershatedtheWest—Siders，andthrashedthemwhentheygotachance;andtheWest—Siders，whenfortunefavoredthem，returnedthecomplimentwithinterest.Itrequiredconsiderablecourageforaboytoventure，unattendedbycomrades，intotheterritoryoftheenemy;andnoonetooktheriskunlessdirenecessitycompelledhim.
Thehostilepartieshadplayedatwarsolongthattheyhadforgottenthatitwasplay;andnowwereactuallyinspiredwiththeemotionswhichtheyhadformerlysimulated.Undertheleadershipoftheirchieftains，HalvorReitanandViggoHook，theyheldcouncilsofwar，sentoutscouts，plannedmidnightsurprises，andfoughtattimesmimicbattles.Isaymimicbattles，becausenoonewaseverkilled;butbrokenheadsandbruisedlimbsmanyaonecarriedhomefromtheseengagements，andunhappilyoneboy，namedPeerOestmo，hadaneyeputoutbyanarrow.
ItwasagreatconsolationtohimthathebecameaherotoalltheWest—Sidersandwaspromotedforbraveryinthefieldtotherankoffirstlieutenant.Hehadthesympathyofallhiscompanionsinarmsandgotinnumerablebitesofapples，cancelledpostagestamps，andcoloredadvertising—labelsintokenoftheiresteem.
Buttheprincipaleffectofthisfirstseriouswoundwastoinvestthewarwithabreathlessandall—absorbinginterest.Itwasnownolonger\"makebelieve，\"butdeadlyearnest.Bloodhadflowed;insultshadbeenexchangedindueorder，andoffendedhonorcriedforvengeance.
ItwasfortunatethattheriverdividedtheWest—SidersfromtheEast—Siders，oritwouldhavebeendifficulttotellwhatmighthavehappened.ViggoHook，theWest—Sidegeneral，wasahandsome，high—spiritedladoffifteen，whowasthelastpersontopocketaninjury，aslongasredbloodflowedinhisveins，ashewaswonttoexpressit.HewastheeldestsonofColonelHookoftheregulararmy，andmeantsomedaytobeaVonMoltkeoraNapoleon.Hefeltinhisheartthathewasdestinedforsomethinggreat;andinconformitywiththisconvictionassumedasuperbbehavior，whichhiscomradesfoundveryadmirable.
Hehadthegiftofleadershipinamarkeddegree，andestablishedhisauthoritybyaduemixtureofkindnessandseverity.Thoseboyswhomhehonoredwithhisconfidencewereabsolutelyattachedtohim.Thosewhom，withmagnificentarbitrariness，hepunishedandpersecuted，feltmeeklythattheyhadprobablydeservedit;
andiftheyhadnot，itwassomehowinthegame.
ThereneverwasamoreabsolutekingthanViggo，noronemoreabjectlycourtedandadmired.Andtheamusingpartofitwasthathewasatheartagenerousandgood—naturedlad，butpossessedwithaloftyidealofheroism，whichrequiredaboveallthingsthatwhateverhesaidordidmustbestriking.Hedramatized，asitwere，everyphraseheutteredandeveryactheperformed，andmodelledhimselfalternatelyafterNapoleonandWellington，ashehadseenthemrepresentedintheoldengravingswhichdecoratedthewallsinhisfather’sstudy.
Hehadreadmuchaboutheroesofwar，ancientandmodern，andhelivedabouthalfhisownlifeimagininghimselfbyturnsallsortsofgrandcharactersfromhistoryorfiction.
Hiscostumewasusuallyinkeepingwithhisownconceptionofthesecharacters，insofarashisscantyopportunitiespermitted.Anold，brokenswordofhisfather’s，whichhadbeenpolisheduntilit\"flashed\"properly，wasgirdedtoabrass—
mountedbeltabouthiswaist;anancient，gold—braided，militarycap，whichwasmuchtoolarge，coveredhiscurlyhead;andfourtarnishedbrassbuttons，displayingtheGoldenLionofNorway，gaveamartialairtohisbluejacket，althoughtherestwereplainhorn.
ButquiteindependentlyofhispoortrappingsViggowastohiscomradesanaugustpersonage.IdoubtiftheGrandVizierfeelsmoreflatteredandgratifiedbythefavoroftheSultanthanlittleMarcusHenningdid，whenViggocondescendedtobeciviltohim.
Marcuswassmall，round—shouldered，spindle—shanked，andfreckle—faced.Hishairwascoarse，straight，andthecolorofmaplesirup;hisnosewasbroadandalittleflattenedatthepoint，andhisclotheshadaknackofneverfittinghim.Theyweremadetogrowinandsomehowhenevercaughtupwiththem，heoncesaid，withnointentionofbeingfunny.Hisfather，whowasColonelHook’snearestneighbor，keptamodestcountryshop，inwhichyoucouldbuyanything，fromdrygoodsandgroceriestoshoesandmedicines.YouwouldhavetobeveryingenioustoaskforathingwhichHenningcouldnotsupply.Thesmellinthestorecarriedoutthesameidea;foritwasamixtureofallimaginablesmellsunderthesun.
Now，itwasthechiefmiseryofMarcusthat，sleeping，ashedid，intheroombehindthestore，hehadbecomesoimpregnatedwiththiscuriouscompositesmellthatitfollowedhimlikeanodoriferoushalo，andprocuredhimanumberofunpleasantnicknames.Theprincipalingredientwassaltedherring;buttherewasalsoasuspicionoftarredropes，plugtobacco，prunes，driedcodfish，andoiledtarpaulin.
ItwasnotsomuchkindnessofheartasrespectforhisowndignitywhichmadeViggorefrainfromcallingMarcusa\"Muskrat\"
ora\"Smelling—Bottle.\"AndyetMarcusregardedthisgraciousforbearanceonhispartasthemarkofanoblesoul.Hehadbeencompelledtoaccepttheseoffensivenicknames，and，findingrebellionvain，hehadfinallyacquiescedinthem.
Heneverlovedtobecalleda\"Muskrat，\"thoughheansweredtothenamemechanically.ButwhenViggoaddressedhimas\"baseminion，\"inhiswrath，oras\"SergeantHenning，\"inhissunniermoods，Marcusfeltequallycomplimentedbybothterms，andvowedinhisgratefulsouleternalallegianceandloyaltytohischief.
Heborekicksandcuffswiththesameadmirableequanimity;nevercomplainedwhenhewasthrownintoadungeoninadesertedpigstyforbreachesofdisciplineofwhichhewasentirelyguiltless，andtrudgeduncomplaininglythroughrainandsleetandsnow，asscoutorspy，orwhat—not，atthebehestofhisexactingcommander.
Itwasallsoveryrealtohimthatheneverwouldhavethoughtofdoubtingtheimportanceofhismission.Hewasratherhonoredbythetrustreposedinhim，andwasonlyintentuponearningalookorwordofscantapprovalfromthesuperbpersonagewhomheworshipped.
HalvorReitan，thechiefoftheEast—Siders，wasabig，burlypeasantlad，withapimpledface，fierceblueeyes，andashockoftowyhair.Buthehadmusclesashardastwistedropes，andsinewslikesteel.
Hehadthereputation，ofwhichhewasveryproud，ofbeingthestrongestboyinthevalley，andthoughhewasscarcelysixteenyearsold，heboastedthathecouldwhipmanyaoneoftwicehisyears.Hehad，infact，beensopraisedforhisstrengththatheneverneglectedtoaccept，oreventocreate，opportunitiesfordisplayingit.
Hismannerwasthatofabully;butitwasvanityandnotmalicewhichmadehimalwaysspoilforafight.HeandViggoHookhadattendedtheparson’s\"ConfirmationClass，\"together，anditwastheretheirhostilityhadcommenced.
Halvor，whoconceivedadislikeofthetall，ratherdainty，anddisdainfulViggo，withhisaquilinenoseandclear，aristocraticfeatures，determined，asheexpressedit，totakehimdownapegortwo;andthemorehischallengeswereignoredthemorepersistenthegrewinhisinsults.
HedubbedViggo\"Missy.\"Heranagainsthimwithsuchviolenceinthehallthatheknockedhisheadagainstthewainscoting;hetrippedhimuponthestairsbymeansofcanesandsticks;andhehiredhispartisanswhosatbehindViggotostickpinsintohim，whileherecitedhislessons.Andwhenalltheseprovocationsprovedunavailinghedeterminedtodispensewithanypretext，butsimplythrashhisenemywithinaninchofhislifeatthefirstopportunitywhichpresenteditself.HegrewtohateViggoandwasalwaysachingtomolesthim.
HalvorsawplainlyenoughthatViggodespisedhim，andrefusedtonoticehischallenges，notsomuchbecausehewasafraidofhim，asbecauseheregardedhimselfasasuperiorbeingwhocouldaffordtoignoreinsultsfromaninferior，withoutlossofdignity.
Duringrecesstheso—called\"genteelboys，\"whohadbetterclothesandbettermannersthanthepeasantlads，separatedthemselvesfromtherest，andconversedorplayedwitheachother.Noonewillwonderthatsuchbehaviorwasexasperatingtothepoorerboys.IamfarfromdefendingViggo’sbehaviorinthisinstance.Hewashere，aseverywhere，theacknowledgedleader;andthereforemorecordiallyhatedthantherest.ItwastheRoundheadhatingtheCavalier;andtheCavaliermakingmerryattheexpenseoftheRoundhead.
TherewasonlyoneboyintheConfirmationClasswhowasdoubtfulastowhatcampshouldclaimhim，andthatwaslittleMarcusHenning.Hewasakindofamphibiousanimalwho，ashethought，reallybelongednowhere.Hisfatherwasofpeasantorigin，butbyhisprosperityandhisoccupationhadrisenoutoftheclasstowhichhewasformerlyattached，withoutyetrisingintotheranksofthegentry，whonow，asalways，lookedwithscornuponinterlopers.ThusitcametopassthatlittleMarcus，whoseinclinationsdrewhimtowardViggo’sparty，wasyetforcedtoassociatewiththepartisansofHalvorReitan.
Itwasnotavulgarambition\"topretendtobebetterthanhewas\"whichinspiredMarcuswithadesiretochangehisallegiance，butadeep，unreasoningadmirationforViggoHook.
Hehadneverseenanyonewhounitedsomanysuperbqualities，noronewholookedeveryinchasnobleashedid.
Itdidnotdiscouragehimintheleastthathisfirstapproachesmetwithnocordialreception.HisoffertocommunicatetoViggowheretherewasahawk’snestwascoollydeclined，andeventheattractionsoffoxdensandrabbits’burrowswerevaliantlyresisted.Betterluckhehadwithapairoffan—tailpigeons，hismostprecioustreasure，whichViggoratherloftilyconsentedtoaccept，for，likemostgenteelboysinthevalley，hewasanardentpigeon—fancier，andhadlongvainlyimportunedhisfathertoprocurehimsomeoftherarerbreedsHecondescendedtoacknowledgeMarcus’sgreetingafterthat，andtorespondtohisdiffident\"Good—morning\"and\"Good—evening，\"
andMarcuswasdulygratefulforsuchfavors.Hecontinuedtowoohisidolwithraisinsandginger—snapsfromthestore，andotherdelicateattentions，andborethesnubswhichoftenfelltohislotwithhumilityandpatience.
Butaneventsoonoccurredwhichwasdestinedtochangetherelationsofthetwoboys.HalvorReitancalledasecretmeetingofhispartisans，amongwhomhemadethemistaketoincludeMarcus，andagreedwiththemtolieinambushatthebendoftheroad，whereitenteredtheforest，andattackViggoHookandhisfollowers.Then，heobserved，hewould\"makehimdanceajigthatwouldtakethestarchoutofhim.\"
Theothersdeclaredthatthiswouldbecapitalfun，andenthusiasticallypromisedtheirassistance.Eachoneselectedhisparticularantipathytothrash，thoughallshowedamarkedpreferenceforViggo，whom，however，forreasonofpoliteness，theywereobligedtoleavetothechief.Onlyoneboysatsilent，andmadenooffertothrashanybody，andthatwasMarcusHenning.
\"Well，Muskrat，\"criedHalvorReitan，\"whomareyougoingtotakeonyourconscience？\"
\"Noone，\"saidMarcus.
\"PuttheMuskratinyourpocket，Halvor，\"suggestedoneoftheboys;\"heissosmall，andhehasgotsuchahardbullethead，youmightusehimasaclub.\"
\"Well，onethingissure，\"shoutedHalvor，asadarksuspicionshotthroughhisbrain，\"ifyoudon’tkeepmum，youwillbeamightysickcoonthedayafterto—morrow.\"
Marcusmadenoreply，butgotupquietly，pulledarubberslingfromhispocket，andbegan，withthemostindifferentmannerintheworld，toshootstonesdowntheriver.Hemanagedduringthisexercise，whicheverybodyfoundperfectlynatural，togetoutofthecrowd，and，withoutseemingtohaveanypurposewhatever，hecontinuedtoputacoupleofhundredyardsbetweenhimselfandhiscompanion.
\"Looka—here，Muskrat，\"heheardHalvorcry，\"youpromisedtokeepmum.\"
Marcus，insteadofanswering，tooktohisheelsandran.
\"Boys，thescoundrelisgoingtobetrayus！\"screamedthechief.
\"Nowcome，boys！We’vegottocatchhim，deadoralive.\"
Avolleyofstones，bigandlittle，washurledafterthefugitive，whonowrealizinghispositionranfordearlife.Thestoneshaileddownroundabouthim;occasionallyoneviciousmissilewouldwhizpasthisear，andsendacoldshudderthroughhim.Thetrampofhispursuerssoundednearerandnearer，andhisonechanceofescapewastothrowhimselfintotheonlyboat，whichhesawonthissideoftheriver，andpushoutintothestreambeforehewasovertaken.
Hehadhisdoubtsastowhetherhecouldaccomplishthis，forthebloodrushedandroaredinhisears，thehill—sidebillowedunderhisfeet，anditseemedasifthetreeswereallrunningaraceintheoppositedirection，inordertobetrayhimtohisenemies.
Astonegavehimathumpintheback，butthoughhefeltagradualheatspreadingfromthespotwhichithit，hewasconsciousofnopain.
Presentlyalargermissilestruckhimintheneck，andheheardabreathlesssnortingclosebehindhim.Thatwastheend;hegavehimselfupforlost，forthoseboyswouldhavenomercyonhimiftheycapturedhim.
Butinthenextmomentheheardafallandanoath，andthevoicewasthatofHalvorReitan.Hebreathedalittlemorefreelyashesawtheriverrunwithitsswellingcurrentathisfeet.
Quitemechanically，withoutclearlyknowingwhathedid，hesprangintotheboat，grabbedaboat—hook，andwiththreestrongstrokespushedhimselfoutintothedeepwater.
Atthatinstantadozenofhispursuersreachedtheriverbank，andhesawdimlytheirangryfacesandthreateninggestures，andheardthestonesdropintothestreamabouthim.Fortunatelytheriverwaspartlydammed，inordertoaccumulatewaterforthemanysaw—millsunderthefalls.Itwouldthereforehavebeennoverydifficultfeattopaddleacross，ifhisachingarmshadhadanatomofstrengthleftinthem.Assoonashewasbeyondthereachofflyingstonesheseatedhimselfinthestern，tookanoar，andafterhavingbathedhisthrobbingforeheadinthecoldwater，managed，infifteenminutes，tomakethefurtherbank.
Thenhedraggedhimselfwearilyupthehill—sidetoColonelHook’smansion，andwhenhehadgivenhismessagetoViggo，fellintoadeadfaint.
HowcouldViggohelpbeingtouchedbysuchdevotion？Hehadseentheracethroughafieldglassfromhispigeon—cot，buthadbeenunabletomakeoutitsmeaning，norhadheremotelydreamedthathewashimselfthecauseofthecruelchase.Hecalledhismother，whosoonperceivedthatMarcus’scoatwassaturatedwithbloodintheback，andundressinghim，shefoundthatastone，hurledbyasling，hadstruckhim，slidafewinchesalongtherib，andhadlodgedinthefleshypartofhisleftside.
Adoctorwasnowsentfor;thestonewascutoutwithoutdifficulty，andMarcuswasinvitedtoremainasViggo’sguestuntilherecovered.Hefeltsohonoredbythisinvitationthathesecretlyprayedhemightremainillforamonth;butthewoundshowedanabominablereadinesstoheal，andbeforethreedayswerepastMarcuscouldnotfeignanyailmentwhichhisfaceandeyedidnotbelie.
Hethen，withaheavyheart，betookhimselfhomeward，andinstalledhimselfoncemoreamonghisaccustomedsmellsbehindthestore，andponderedsadlyonthecapriceofthefatewhichhadmadeViggoahigh—nosed，handsomegentleman，andhim——MarcusHenning——anunder—grown，homely，andunrefineddrudge.Butinspiteofhisfailuretoanswerthisquestion，therewasjoywithinhimatthethoughtthathehadsavedthishandsomefaceofViggo’sfromdisfigurement，and——whocouldknow？——perhapswouldearnaclaimuponhisgratitude.
ItwasthisseriesofincidentswhichledtothewarbetweentheEast—SidersandtheWest—Siders.ItwasamereaccidentthatthepartisansofViggoHooklivedonthewestsideoftheriver，andthoseofHalvorReitanmostlyontheeastside.
Viggo，whohadachivalroussenseoffairplay，wouldneverhavemolestedanyonewithoutgoodcause;butnowhisownsafety，and，ashepersuadedhimself，evenhislife，wasindanger，andhehadnochoicebuttotakemeasuresinself—defence.Hesurroundedhimselfwithatrustybody—guard，whichattendedhimwhereverhewent.HesentlittleMarcus，inwhomherecognizedhismostdevotedfollower，asscoutintotheenemy’sterritory，andswelledhisimportanceenormouslybylendinghimhisfield—glasstoassisthiminhisperilousobservations.
OccasionallyanunhappyEast—Siderwascapturedonthewestbankoftheriver，court—martialed，and，withmuchsolemnity，sentencedtodeathasaspy，butparoledforanindefiniteperiod，untilitshouldsuithisjudgestoexecutethesentence.
TheEast—Siders，whentheycapturedaWest—Sider，wenttoworkwithlessceremony;theysimplythrashedtheircaptivesoundlyandlethimrun，ifrunhecould.
Thusmonthspassed.Theparson’sConfirmationClassceased，andboththeopposingchieftainswereconfirmedonthesameday;butViggostoodattheheadofthecandidates，whileHalvorhadhisplaceatthebottom.[1]
[1]InNorwayconfirmationisalwaysprecededbyapublicexaminationofthecandidatesintheaisleofthechurch.Theorderinwhichtheyarearrangedissupposedtoindicatetheirattainments，butdoes，asarule，indicatetherankandsocialpositionoftheirparents.
Duringthefollowingwinterthewarwasprosecutedwithmuchzeal，andtheWest—Siders，inimitationofRobinHoodandhisMerryMen，armedthemselveswithcross—bows，andlayinambushintheunderbrush，aimingtheirswiftarrowsagainstanyintruderwhoventuredtocrosstheriver.
Nearlyalltheboysinthevalleybetweentwelveandsixteenbecameenlistedontheonesideortheother，andtherewerecouncilsofwar，marches，andcounter—marcheswithoutnumber，occasionalskirmishes，butnodecisiveengagements.PeerOestmo，tobesure，hadhiseyeputoutbyanarrow，ashasalreadybeenrelated，fortheEast—Siderswerenotslowtoimitatetheexampleoftheirenemies，inbecomingexpertarchers.
MarcusHenningwascapturedbyahostileoutpost，andwasbeingconductedtotheabodeofthechief，when，byacleverstratagem，hesucceededinmakinghisescape.
TheEast—Sidersdespatched，underaflagoftruce，amostinsultingcaricatureofGeneralViggo，representinghimasaroosterthatseemedonthepointofburstingwithanexcessofdignity.
Thesewerethechiefincidentsofthewinter，thoughthereweremanyothersoflessconsequencethatservedtokeeptheboysinadelightfulstateofexcitement.Theyenjoyedthewarkeenly，thoughtheypretendedtothemselvesthattheywerebeingill—usedandsufferedterriblehardships.Theygrumbledattheirduties，broughtcomplaintsagainsttheirofficerstothegeneral，anddid，infact，allthethingsthatrealsoldierswouldhavebeenlikelytodoundersimilarcircumstances.
II.
THECLASHOFARMS
WhenthespringislateinNorway，andtheheatcomeswithasuddenrush，themountainstreamsplungewithatremendousnoisedownintothevalleys，andtheairisfilledfarandnearwiththeboomandroarofrushingwaters.Theglaciersgroan，andsendtheirmilk—whitetorrentsdowntowardtheocean.Thesnow—patchesintheforestglenslookgrayandsoiled，andthepinesperspireadeliciousresinousodorwhichcheersthesoulwiththeconvictionthatspringhascome.
Butthepeasantlooksanxiouslyatthesunandtheriveratsuchtimes，forheknowsthatthereisdangerofinundation.Thelumber，whichthespringfloodssetafloatinenormousquantities，iscarriedbytheriverstothecitiesbythesea;
thereitissortedaccordingtothemarkitbears，showingtheproprietor，andexportedtoforeigncountries.
Inordertopreventlog—jams，whichareoftenattendedwithterribledisasters，menarestationednightanddayatthenarrowsoftherivers.Theboys，towhomallexcitementiswelcome，areapttocongregateinlargenumbersatsuchplaces，assistingorannoyingthewatchers，ridingonthelogs，orteasingthegirlswhostanduponthehillside，admiringthedaringfeatsofthelumbermen.
Itwasonsuchaspringday，whentheairwaspungentwiththesmellofsproutingbirchandpine，thatGeneralViggoandhistrustyarmyhadbetakenthemselvestothecataracttoshareinthesport.Theywerearmedwiththeirbows，asusual，knowingthattheywerealwaysliabletobesurprisedbytheirvigilantenemy.Norweretheyinthisinstancedisappointed，forHalvorReitan，withfiftyorsixtyfollowers，waspresentlyvisibleontheeastside，anditwasaforegoneconclusionthatiftheymettherewouldbeabattle.
Theriver，tobesure，separatedthem，butthelogswereattimessodenselypackedthatitwaspossibleforadaringladtorunfaroutintotheriver，shoothisarrowandreturntoshore，leapingfromlogtolog.TheReitanpartywasthefirsttobeginthissport，andanarrowhitGeneralViggo’shatbeforehegaveorderstorepeltheassault.
Coolanddignifiedashewas，hecouldnotconsenttoskipandjumpontheslipperylogs，particularlyashehadnoexperienceinthisdifficultexercise，whiletheenemyapparentlyhadmuch.
Payingnoheedtothejeersofthelumbermen，whosupposedhewasafraid，hedrewhistroopsupinlineandaddressedthemasfollows：
\"Soldiers：Youhaveonmanypreviousoccasionsgivenmeproofofyourfidelitytodutyandyourbraveandfearlessspirit.IknowthatIcan，nowasalways，trustyoutoshedgloryuponourarms，andtomaintainournoblefameandhonorabletraditions.
\"Theenemyisbeforeus.Youhaveheardandseenhischallenge.
Itbehoovesustorespondgallantly.Tojumpandskiplikerabbitsisunmilitaryandunsoldierlike.Iproposethateachofusshallselecttwolargelogs，tiethemtogether，procure，ifpossible，aboat—hookoranoar，and，sittingastridethelogs，boldlypushoutintotheriver.Ifwecanadvanceinatolerablyevenline，whichIthinkquitepossible，wecansendsodeadlyachargeintotheranksofouradversariesthattheywillbecompelledtoflee.Thenwewilllandontheeastside，occupytheheights，androutourfoe.
\"Nowleteachmandohisduty.Forward，march！\"
Thelumbermen，whosesympathieswerewiththeEast—Siders，foundthisperformancehighlydiverting，butViggoallowedhimselfinnowisetobedisturbedbytheirlaughterorjeers.Hemarchedhistroopsdowntotheriver—front，commanded\"Restarms！\"andrepeatedoncemorehisinstructions;then，flingingoffhiscoatandwaistcoat，heseizedaboat—hookandransomehundredyardsalongthebankofthestream.
Theriver—bedwashereexpandedtoawidebasin，inwhichthelogsfloatedlazilydowntothecataractbelow.Treesandunderbrush，whichusuallystoodondryland，werehalf—submergedintheyellowwater，andthecurrentgurgledslowlyabouttheirtrunkswithmuddyfoamandbubbles.Nowandthenaheapoflumberwouldgetwedgedinbetweenthejuttingrocksabovethewaterfall，andthenthecurrentslackened，onlytobesuddenlyaccelerated，whentheexertionsofthemenhadagainremovedtheobstruction.
Itwasanexcitingspectacletoseethesedaringfellowsleapfromlogtolog，withbirch—barkshoesontheirfeet.Theywouldrideonaheapoflumberdowntotheveryedgeofthecataract，dexterouslyjumpoffatthecriticalmoment，andafterhalfadozennarrowescapes，reachtheshore，onlytorepeatthedangerousexperiment，assoonasthenextopportunityoffereditself.
Itwastheexampleofthesehardyandagilelumbermen，trainedfromchildhoodtosportwithdanger，whichinspiredViggoandhisfollowerswithadesiretoshowtheirmettle.
\"SergeantHenning，\"saidtheGeneraltohisever—faithfulshadow，\"takeasquadoffivemenwithyou，andcutsteering—polesforthoseforwhomboat—hookscannotbeprocured.Youwillbethelasttoleaveshore.Reporttomeifanyonefailstoobeyorders.\"
\"Shallbedone，General，\"Marcusresponded，withadeferentialmilitarysalute.
\"Thebows，youunderstand，willbeslungbythestrapsacrossthebacksofthemen，whiletheysteerandpushwiththeirpoles.\"
\"Certainly，General，\"saidMarcus，withanothersalute.
\"Youmaygo.\"
\"Allright，General，\"answeredMarcus，withathirdsalute.
Andnowbeganthebattle.TheEast—Siders，fearingthatastratagemwasintended，whentheysawtheenemymovingupthestream，madehastetofollowtheirexample，capturingontheirwayeverystraylogthatcamealong.Theysentineffectualshowersofarrowsintothewater，whilethebraveGeneralViggo，stridingtwobiglogswhichhehadtiedtogetherwithapieceofrope，andwithaboat—hookinhishand，pushedproudlyattheheadofhisarmyintothemiddleofthewidebasin.
HalvorReitanwascleverenoughtoseewhatitmeant，andhewasnotgoingtoallowtheWest—Siderstogaintheheightsabovehim，andattackhimintherear.Hemeanttopreventtheenemyfromlanding，or，stillbetter，hewouldmeethimhalf—way，anddrivehimbacktohisownshore.
Thelatter，thoughnotthewisercourse，wastheplanwhichHalvorReitanadopted.Tohaveatusslewiththehigh—nosedViggointhemiddleofthebasin，todislodgehimfromhisraft——thatseemedtoHalvoradelightfulproject.HeknewthatViggowasagoodswimmer，sohefearednodangerousconsequences;
andevenifhehad，itwouldnothaverestrainedhim.HewassomuchstrongerthanViggo，andherewashismuch—longed—foropportunity.
Withgreatdespatchhemadehimselfaraftoftwologs，andseatinghimselfastridethem，withhislegsinthewater，putofffromshore.Heshoutedtohismentofollowhim，andtheyneedednourging.Viggowasnownearthemiddleofthebasin，withtwentyorthirtypickedarchersclosebehindhim.Theyfiredvolleyaftervolleyofarrowsagainsttheenemy，andtwicedrovehimbacktotheshore.
ButHalvorReitan，shieldinghisfacewithapieceofbarkwhichhehadpickedup，pushedforwardinspiteoftheironslaught，thoughonearrowknockedoffhisred—peakedcap，andanotherscratchedhisear.Nowhewasbutadozenfeetfromhisfoe.Hecaredlittleforhisbownow;theboat—hookwasafarmoreeffectualweapon.
Viggosawataglancethathemeanttopullhisrafttowardhim，and，relyinguponhisgreaterstrength，flinghimintothewater.
Hisfirstplanwouldthereforebetofencewithhisownboat—
hook，soastokeephisantagonistatadistance.
WhenHalvormadethefirstlungeatthenoseofhisraft，hefoiledtheattemptwithhisownweapon，andmanageddexterouslytogivethehostileraftadownwardpush，whichincreasedthedistancebetweenthem.
\"Takecare，General！\"saidarespectfulvoiceclosetoViggo’sear.\"Thereisasmalllogjamdownbelow，whichisgettingbiggereverymoment.Whenitisgotafloat，itwillbedangerousouthere.\"
\"Whatareyoudoinghere，Sergeant？\"askedtheGeneral，severely.\"DidInottellyoutobethelasttoleavetheshore？\"
\"Youdid，General，\"Marcusreplied，meekly，\"andIobeyed.ButI
havepushedtothefrontsoastobenearyou.\"
\"Idon’tneedyou，Sergeant，\"Viggoresponded，\"youmaygototherear.\"
TheboomingofthecataractnearlydrownedhisvoiceandMarcuspretendednottohearit.Ahugelumbermasswaspilingitselfupamongtherocksjuttingoutoftherapids，andadozenmenhanginglikefliesonthelogs，sprangupanddownwithaxesintheirhands.Theycutoneloghereandanotherthere;shoutedcommands;andfellintotheriveramidthederisivejeersofthespectators;theyscrambledoutagainand，drippingwet，settoworkoncemorewithacheerfulheart，tothemightymusicofthecataract，whosethunderingrhythmtrembledandthrobbedintheair.
Theboyswhoweresteeringtheirraftsagainsteachotherinthecomparativelyplacidbasinweretooabsorbedintheirmimicbattletoheedwhatwasgoingonbelow.HalvorandViggowerefightingdesperatelywiththeirboat—hooks，theoneattackingandtheotherdefendinghimselfwithgreatdexterity.Theyscarcelyperceived，intheirexcitement，thatthecurrentwasdraggingthemslowlytowardthecataract;nordidtheynotethewarningcriesofthemenandwomenonthebanks.
Viggo’sbloodwashot，histemplesthrobbed，hiseyesflashed.
Hewouldshowthismiserableclownwhohaddaredtoinsulthim，thatthetrainedskillofagentlemanisworthmorethantherudestrengthofabully.Withbeautifulprecisionhefoiledeveryattack;struckHalvor’sboat—hookupanddown，sothatthewatersplashedabouthim，manoeuvringatthesametimehisownraftwithadmirableadroitness.
Cheeruponcheerrenttheair，aftereachofhissuccessfulsallies，andhiscomrades，selectingtheirantagonistsfromamongtheenemy，nowpressedforward，alleagertobeartheirpartinthefray.
Splash！splash！splash！oneEast—Siderwasdismounted，gotaninvoluntarybath，butscrambleduponhisraftagain.ThenexttimeitwasaWest—Siderwhogotaducking，butseemednonetheworseforit.Therewasayellingandacheering，nowfromonesideandnowfromtheother，whichmadeeveryoneforgetthatsomethingwasgoingonatthatmomentofgreaterimportancethanthemimicwarfareofboys.
Alltheinterestofthecontendingpartieswasconcentratedonthedueloftheirchieftains.ItseemednowreallythatHalvorwasgettingtheworstofit.Hecouldnotgetcloseenoughtousehisbrawnymuscles;andinprecisionofaimandadroitnessofmovementhewasnotViggo’smatch.
Againandagainhethrusthislong—handledboat—hookangrilyagainstthebottom（forthefloodedpartsofthebankswereveryshallow），topushtheraftforward，buteverytimeViggomanagedtoturnitsideward，andHalvorhadtoexertallhispresenceofmindtokeephisseat.Wildwithragehespranguponhisslenderraftandmadeaviciouslungeathisopponent，whowardedtheblowwithsuchforcethatthehandleoftheboat—hookbroke，andHalvorlosthisbalanceandfellintothewater.
Atthissameinstantatremendouscrashwasheardfrombelow，followedbyalongrumbleasofmightyartillery.Ascreamofhorrorwentupfromthebanks，asthegreatlumbermassrolleddownintothecataract，makingasuddensuctionwhichitseemedimpossiblethattheunhappyboyscouldresist.
Themajorityofbothsides，seeingtheirdanger，beat，bymeansoftheirboat—hooks，ahastyretreat，andastheywereinshallowwaterwerehauledashorebythelumbermen，whosprangintotherivertosavethem.
Whenthecloudsofsprayhadclearedaway，onlythreefigureswerevisible.Viggo，stillastrideofhisraft，wasfighting，notforhisownlife，butforthatofhisenemy，Halvor，whowasstrugglinghelplesslyinthewhiterapids.ClosebehindhiscommanderstoodlittleMarcusonhisraft，holdingon，withonehandtotheboat—hookwhichhehadhewn，withallhismight，intoViggo’sraft，andwiththeothergraspingthebranchofahalf—submergedtree.
\"Saveyourself，General！\"heyelled，wildly.\"Letgothere.I
can’tholdonmuchlonger.\"
ButViggodidnotheed.Hesawnothingbutthepale，frightenedfaceofhisantagonist，whomightlosehislife.Withadesperateeffortheflunghisboat—hooktowardhimandsucceededthistimeinlayingholdoftheleathergirdleabouthiswaist.
Onehundredfeetbelowyawnedthefoaming，welteringabyss，fromwhichthewhitesmokeascended.IfMarcuslosthisgrip，ifthebranchsnappednohumanpowercouldsavethem;theywerealldeadmen.
Bythistimethepeopleontheshorehaddiscoveredthatthreeliveswerehangingonthebrinkofeternity.Twentymenhadwadedwaist—deepintothecurrentandhadflungastoutropetothenoblelittlefellowwhowasriskinghisownlifeforhisfriend.
\"Keepyourhold，mybravelad！\"theycried;\"holdonanotherminute！\"
\"Grabtherope！\"screamedothers.
Marcusclinchedhisteeth，andhisnumbarmstrembled，mistgatheredinhiseyes——hisheartstoodstill.Butwithaclutchthatseemedsuperhumanheheldon.Hehadbutonethought——
Viggo，hischief！Viggo，hisidol！Viggo，hisgeneral！Hemustsavehimordiewithhim.Oneendoftheropewashangingonthebranchandwaswithineasyreach;buthedidnotventuretoseizeit，lestthewrenchcausedbyhismotionmightdetachhisholdonViggo’sraft.
Viggo，whojustnowwaspullingHalvoroutofthewater，sawinaninstantthathehadbyaddinghisweighttotheraft，increasedthechanceofbothbeingcarriedtotheirdeath.Withquickresolutionheplungedthebeakofhisownboat—hookintoMarcus’sraft，andshoutedtoHalvortosavehimself.Thelatter，takinginthesituationataglance，laidholdofthehandleoftheboat—hookandtogethertheypulledupalongsideofMarcusandleapedaboardhisraft，whereuponViggo’sraftdrifteddownwardandvanishedinaflashintheyellowtorrent.
AtthatveryinstantMarcus’sstrengthgaveout;herelaxedhisgriponthebranch，whichslidoutofhishand，andtheywouldinevitablyhavedartedoverthebrinkofthecataractifViggohadnot，withgreatadroitness，snatchedtheropefromthebranchofthehalf—submergedtree.
Awildshout，halfacheer，halfacryofrelief，wentupfromthebanks，astheraftwiththethreeladswasslowlyhauledtowardtheshorebythelumbermenwhohadthrowntherope.
HalvorReitanwasthefirsttostepashore.Butnojoyouswelcomegreetedhimfromthosewhosesympathieshad，alittlewhileago，beenallonhisside.Hehungarounduneasilyforsomeminutes，feelingperhapsthatheoughttosaysomethingtoViggowhohadsavedhislife，butashecouldnotthinkofanythingwhichdidnotseemfoolish，heskulkedawayunnoticedtowardtheedgeoftheforest.
ButwhenViggosteppedashore，carryingtheunconsciousMarcusinhisarms，howthecrowdrushedforwardtogazeathim，topresshishands，tocalldownGod’sblessinguponhim！Hehadneverimaginedthathewassuchahero.ItwasMarcus，nothe，towhomtheirovationwasdue.ButpoorMarcus——itwaswellforhimthathehadfaintedfromover—exertion;forotherwisehewouldhavefaintedfromembarrassmentatthehonorswhichwouldhavebeenshowereduponhim.
TheWest—Siders，marchingtwoabreast，withtheirbowsslungacrosstheirshoulders，escortedtheirgeneralhome，cheeringandshoutingastheywent.Whentheywerehalf—wayupthehillside，Marcusopenedhiseyes，andfindinghimselfsoclosetohisbelovedgeneral，blushedcrimson，scarlet，andpurple，andalltheothershadesthatanembarrassedblushiscapableofassuming.
\"Please，General，\"hestammered，\"don’tbotheraboutme.\"
Viggohadthoughtofmakingaspeechexaltingtheheroismofhisfaithfulfollower.ButhesawataglancethathispraisewouldbemoregratefultoMarcus，ifhereceiveditinprivate.
When，however，theboysgavehimapartingcheer，infrontofhisfather’smansion，heforgothisresolution，leapeduponthesteps，andliftingtheblushingMarcusabovehishead;calledout：
\"ThreecheersforthebravestboyinNorway！\"
BICEPSGRIMLUND’SCHRISTMASVACATION
I.
ThegreatquestionwhichAlbertGrimlundwasdebatingwasfraughtwithunpleasantpossibilities.HecouldnotgohomefortheChristmasvacation，forhisfatherlivedinDrontheim，whichissofarawayfromChristianiathatitwasscarcelyworthwhilemakingthejourneyforameretwo—weeks’holiday.Then，ontheotherhand，hehadanoldgreat—auntwholivedbutafewmilesfromthecity.Shehad，fromconscientiousmotives，hefeared，senthimaninvitationtopassChristmaswithher.ButAlberthadapooropinionofAuntElsbeth.Hethoughtheraverytediousperson.Shehadadozencats，talkedofnothingbutsermonsandlessons，andaskedhimoccasionally，withpleasanthumor，whetherhegotmanywhippingsatschool.ShefailedtocomprehendthataboycouldnotamusehimselfforeverbylookingatthepicturesintheoldfamilyBible，holdingyarn，andlisteningtooft—repeatedstories，whichheknewbyheart，concerningthedoingsandsayingsofhisgrandfather.AuntElsbeth，afterapreviousexperiencewithhernephew，hadcometoregardboysasratherareprehensiblekindofanimal，whodifferedinmanyoftheirwaysfromgirls，andaltogethertotheboys’disadvantage.
Now，theprospectofbeing\"caged\"fortwoweekswiththisestimableladywas，asIsaid，notatallpleasanttoAlbert.Hewassixteenyearsold，lovedout—doorsports，andhadnotasteforcats.Hischiefpridewashismuscle，andnoboyevermadehisacquaintancewithoutbeinginvitedtofeelthesizeandhardnessofhisbiceps.ThiswasastandingjokeintheLatinschool，andAlbertwasgenerallyknownamonghiscompanionsas\"Biceps\"Grimlund.Hewasnotverytallforhisage，butbroad—shoulderedanddeep—chested，withsomethinginhisglance，hisgait，andhismannerswhichshowedthathehadbeenbornandbrednearthesea.Hecultivatedaweather—beatencomplexion，andwasparticularlyproudwhentheskin\"peeled\"onhisnose，whichitusuallydidinthesummer—time，duringhisvisitstohishomeintheextremenorth.Likemostblondpeople，whensunburnt，hewasred，notbrown;andthisbecameasourceofgreatsatisfactionwhenhelearnedthatLordNelsonhadthesamepeculiarity.Albert’sfavoritebookswerethesearomancesofCaptainMarryat，whose\"PeterSimple\"and\"MidshipmanEasy\"heheldtobethenoblestproductsofhumangenius.Itwasabitterdisappointmenttohimthathisfatherforbadehisgoingtoseaandwaseducatinghimtobea\"landlubber，\"whichhehadbeentaughtbyhisboyassociatestoregardasthemostcontemptiblethingonearth.
TwodaysbeforeChristmas，BicepsGrimlundwassittinginhisroom，lookinggloomilyoutofthewindow.HewishedtopostponeaslongaspossiblehisdepartureforAuntElsbeth’scountry—place，forheforesawthatbothheandsheweredoomedtoasurfeitofeachother’scompanyduringthecomingfortnight.
Atlastheheavedadeepsighandlanguidlybegantopackhistrunk.HehadjustdisposedthedearMarryatbooksontopofhisstarchedshirts，whenheheardrapidfootstepsonthestairs，andthenextmomentthedoorburstopen，andhisclassmate，RalphHoyer，rushedbreathlesslyintotheroom.
\"Biceps，\"hecried，\"lookatthis！Hereisaletterfrommyfather，andhetellsmetoinviteoneofmyclassmatestocomehomewithmeforthevacation.Willyoucome？Oh，weshallhavegrandtimes，Itellyou！Noendoffun！\"
Albert，insteadofanswering，jumpedupanddancedajigonthefloor，upsettingtwochairsandbreakingthewash—pitcher.
\"Hurrah！\"hecried，\"I’myourman.Shakehandsonit，Ralph！
Youhavesavedmefromtwoweeksofcatsandyarnandmoping！
Giveusyourpaw！Ineverwassogladtoseeanybodyinallmylife.\"
Andtoproveit，heseizedRalphbytheshoulders，gavehimavigorouswhirlandforcedhimtojoininthedance.
\"Now，stopyournonsense，\"Ralphprotested，laughing;\"ifyouhavesomuchstrengthtowaste，waittillweareathomeinSolheim，andyou’llhaveachancetouseitprofitably.\"
Albertflunghimselfdownonhisoldrep—coveredsofa.Itseemedtohavesomeinternaldisorder，foritsspringsrattledandavaguemusicaltwangindicatedthatsomethingorotherhadsnapped.Ithadseenmuchmaltreatment，thatpooroldpieceoffurniture，andborevisiblemarksofit.When，aftervariousexhibitionsofjoy，theirboisterousdelighthadquieteddown，bothboysbegantodiscusstheirplansforthevacation.
\"ButIfearmygroommayfreeze，downthereinthestreet，\"Ralphejaculated，cuttingshortthediscussion;\"itisbittercold，andhecan’tleavethehorses.Hurryup，now，oldman，andI’llhelpyoupack.\"
Itdidnottakethemlongtocompletethepacking.Albertsentatelegramtohisfather，askingpermissiontoacceptRalph’sinvitation;but，knowingwellthatthereplywouldbefavorable，didnotthinkitnecessarytowaitforit.Withtheassistanceofhisfriendhenowwrappedhimselfintwoovercoats，pulledapairofthickwoollenstockingsovertheoutsideofhisbootsandapairoffur—linedtop—bootsoutsideofthese，girdedhimselfwiththreelongscarfs，andpulledhisbrownotter—skincapdownoverhisears.Hewasnearlyasbroadashewaslong，whenhehadcompletedtheseoperations，anddescendedintothestreetwherethebigdouble—sleigh（madeintheshapeofahugewhiteswan）wasawaitingthem.TheynowcalledatRalph’slodgings，whencehepresentlyemergedinasimilarEsquimaucostume，wearingawolf—skincoatwhichleftnothingvisibleexceptthetipofhisnoseandthesteamofhisbreath.Thentheystartedoffmerrilywithjinglingbells，andwavedafarewelltowardmanyawindow，whereinwerefriendsandacquaintances.Theyfeltinsojollyamood，thattheycouldnothelpshoutingtheirjoyinthefaceofalltheworld，andcrowingoverallpoorwretcheswhowerelefttospendtheholidaysinthecity.
II.
Solheimwasabouttwentymilesfromthecity，anditwasnineo’clockintheeveningwhentheboysarrivedthere.Themoonwasshiningbrightly，andtheMilkyWay，withitsmyriadstars，lookedlikealuminousmistacrossthevaultofthesky.Theauroraborealissweptdownfromthenorthwithwhiteandpinkradiationswhichflushedthedarkblueskyforaninstant，andvanished.Theearthwaswhite，asfarastheeyecouldreach——splendidly，dazzlinglywhite.AndoutofthewhiteradiancerosethegreatdarkpileofmasonrycalledSolheim，withitstallchimneysanddormer—windowsandold—fashionedgables.Roundaboutstoodthetallleaflessmaplesandchestnut—trees，sparklingwithfrostandstretchingtheirgauntarmsagainsttheheavens.Thetwohorses，whentheyswungupbeforethegreatfront—door，weresowhitewithhoar—frostthattheylookedshaggylikegoats，andnoonecouldtellwhatwastheiroriginalcolor.
Theirbreathwasblownintwovaporycolumnsfromtheirnostrilsanddriftedabouttheirheadslikesteamaboutalocomotive.
Thesleigh—bellshadannouncedthearrivaloftheguests，andagreatshoutofwelcomewasheardfromthehallofthehouse，whichseemedalivewithgrownuppeopleandchildren.Ralphjumpedoutofthesleigh，embracedatrandomhalfadozenpeople，oneofwhomwashismother，kissedrightandleft，protestinglaughinglyagainstbeingsmotheredinaffection，andfinallymanagedtointroducehisfriend，whoforthemomentwasfeelingatriflelonely.
\"Here，father，\"hecried.\"Biceps，thisismyfather;and，father，thisismyBiceps————\"
\"Whatstuffyouaretalking，boy，\"hisfatherexclaimed.\"Howcanthisyoungfellowbeyourbiceps————\"
\"Well，howcanamankeephissensesinsuchconfusion？\"saidthesonofthehouse.\"Thisismyfriendandclassmate，AlbertGrimlund，aliasBicepsGrimlund，andthestrongestmaninthewholeschool.Justfeelhisbiceps，mother，andyou’llsee.\"
\"No，Ithankyou.I’lltakeyourwordforit，\"repliedMrs.
Hoyer.\"AsIintendtotreathimasafriendofmysonshouldbetreated，Ihopehewillnotfeelinclinedtogivemeanyproofofhismuscularity.\"
When，withtheaidoftheyoungerchildren，thetravellershaddivestedthemselvesoftheirvariouswrapsandovercoats，theywereusheredintotheold—fashionedsitting—room.Inonecornerroaredanenormous，many—storied，ironstove.Ithadapictureinrelief，ononeside，ofDianatheHuntress，withhernymphsandbayinghounds.Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodabigtable，andinthemiddleofthetableabiglamp，aboutwhichtheentirefamilysoongathered.ItwassocoseyandhomelikethatAlbert，beforehehadbeenhalfanhourintheroom，feltgratefullytheatmosphereofmutualaffectionwhichpervadedthehouse.Itamusedhimparticularlytowatchthelittlegirls，ofwhomthereweresix，andtoobservetheirprofoundadmirationfortheirbigbrother.Everynowandthenoneofthem，sidlinguptohimwhilehesattalking，wouldcautiouslytouchhisearoracurlofhishair;andifhedeignedtotakeanynoticeofher，offeringher，perhaps，aperfunctorykiss，herprideandpleasurewerecharmingtowitness.