ButNilshimselfwasnotawareofit.Occasionally，whileheplayed，theNixy’shauntingstrainwouldflitthroughhisbrain，orhoveraboutit，wherehecouldfeelit，asitwere，butyetbeunabletocatchit.Thiswashisregret——hisconstantchaseforthoseelusivenotesthatrefusedtobecaptured.
Butheconsoledhimselfmanyatimewiththereflectionthatitwasthefiddle’sfault，nothisown.Withafinerinstrument，capableofrenderingmoredelicateshadesofsound，hemightyetsurprisetheNixy’sstrain，andrecorditunmistakablyinblackandwhite.
TheforeignmusicianandhisAmericanfrienddeparted，butreturnedattheendoftwoweeks.TheythenofferedtoaccompanyNilsonaconcerttourthroughallthecapitalsofEuropeandthelargecitiesofAmerica，andtoinsurehimasumofmoneywhichfairlymadehimdizzy.
Nilsbeggedfortimetoconsider，andthenextdaysurprisedthembydecliningthestartlingoffer.
Hewasapeasant，hesaid，andmustremainapeasant.Hebelongedhereinhisnativevalley，wherehecoulddogood，andwashappyinthebeliefthathewasuseful.
Outinthegreatworld，ofwhichheknewnothing，hemightindeedgatherwealth，buthemightlosehispeaceofmind，whichwasmorepreciousthanwealth.Hewascontentwithamoderateprosperity，andthathehadalreadyattained.Hehadenough，andmorethanenough，tosatisfyhismodestwants，andtoprovidethosewhoweredeartohimwithreasonablecomfortintheirpresentconditionoflife.
Thestrangerswereamazedataman’sthuscalmlyrefusingafortunethatwaswithinhiseasygrasp，fortheydidnotdoubtthatNils，withhisentirelyunconventionalmannerofplaying，andyetwiththatextraordinarymovingqualityinhisplay，wouldbecometheragebothinEuropeandAmerica，asakindofheaven—born，untutoredgenius，andfillbothhisownpocketsandtheirswithshekels.
Theymaderepeatedeffortstopersuadehim，butitwasallinvain.Withsmilingserenity，hetoldthemthathehadutteredhisfinaldecision.Theythentookleaveofhim，andamonthaftertheirdeparturetherearrivedfromGermanyaboxaddressedtoNils.Heopeneditwithsometrepidation，anditwasfoundtocontainaCremonaviolin——agenuineStradivarius.
ThemomentNilstouchedthestringswiththebow，athrillofrapturewentthroughhim，thelikeofwhichhehadneverexperienced.Thedivinesweetnessandpurityofthetonethatvibratedthroughthosemagicchambersresoundedthroughallhisbeing，andmadehimfeelhappyandexalted.
Itoccurredtohim，whilehewascoaxingtheintoxicatingmusicfromhisinstrument，thattonightwouldbemidsummernight.NowwashischancetocatchtheNixy’sstrain，forthisexquisiteviolinwouldbecapableofrenderingtheverychantofthearchangelsinthemorningoftime.
To—nighthewouldsurprisetheNixy，andthedivinestrainshouldnomoredriftlikeamelodiousmistthroughhisbrain;foratmidsummernighttheNixyalwaysplaystheloudest，andthen，ifever，isthetimetolearnwhathefeltmustbethehighestsecretofthemusicalart.
HugginghisStradivariusclosetohisbreast，toprotectitfromthedampnight—air，Nilshurriedthroughthebirchwoodsdowntotheriver.Themoonwassailingcalmlythroughafleecyfilmofcloud，andalightmisthoveredoverthetopsoftheforest.
Thefieryafterglowofthesunsetstilllingeredintheair，thoughthesunhadlongbeenhidden，buttheshadowsofthetreesweregauntanddark，asinthelightofthemoon.
Thesoundofthecataractstolewithawhisperingrushthroughtheunderbrush，forthewaterwaslowatmidsummer，andagooddealofitwasdivertedtothemill，whichwasworkingbusilyaway，withitsbigwater—wheelgoingroundandround.
Nilspausedclosetothemill，andpeeredintentlyintotherushingcurrent;butnothingappeared.Thenhestoledowntotheriver—bank，whereheseatedhimselfonabigstone，barelyoutofreachofthespray，whichblewingustsfromthecataract.Hesatforalongwhilemotionless，gazingwithraptintentnessatthestruggling，foamingrapids，buthesaworheardnothing.
Thenallofasuddenitseemedtohimthattheairbegantovibratefaintlywithavague，captivatingrhythm.Nilscouldhearhisheartbeatinhisthroat.Withtremblingeagernessheunwrappedtheviolinandraisedittohischin.
Now，surely，therewasanote.ItbelongedontheAstring.No，notthere.OntheEstring，perhaps.Butno，notthere，either.
Look！Whatisthat？
Aflash，surely，throughthewaterofabeautifulnakedarm.
Andthere——no，notthere——butsomewherefromoutofthegentlerushofthemiddlecurrentthereseemedtocometohimamarvellousmistofdriftingsound——ineffably，rapturouslysweet！
WithalightmovementNilsrunshisbowoverthestrings，butnotaghost，notasemblance，canhereproduceoftheswift，scurryingflightofthatwondrousmelody.Againandagainhelistensbreathlessly，andagainandagaindespairoverwhelmshim.
Shouldhe，then，neverseetheNixy，andaskthefulfilmentofhisthreewishes？
Curiouslyenough，thosethreewisheswhichonceweresogreatapartofhislifehadnowalmostescapedhim.ItwastheNixy’sstrainhehadbeenintentupon，andthewisheshadlapsedintooblivion.
Andwhatwerethey，really，thosethreewishes，forthesakeofwhichhedesiredtoconfronttheNixy？
Well，thefirst——thefirstwas——whatwasit，now？Yes，nowatlengthheremembered.Thefirstwaswisdom.
Well，thepeoplecalledhimWiseNilsnow，so，perhaps，thatwishwassuperfluous.Verylikelyhehadasmuchwisdomaswasgoodforhim.Atallevents，hehadrefusedtoacquiremorebygoingabroadtoacquainthimselfwiththeaffairsofthegreatworld.
Thenthesecondwish;yes，hecouldrecallthat.Itwasfame.Itwasoddindeed;that，too，hehadrefused，andwhathepossessedofitwasasmuch，orevenfarmore，thanhedesired.Butwhenhecalledtomindthethirdandlastofhisboyishwishes，amoderateprosperityoragoodviolin——forthatwasthealternative——hehadtolaughoutright，forboththeviolinandtheprosperitywerealreadyhis.
Nilslapsedintodeepthought，ashesatthereinthesummernight，withthecrownsofthetreesabovehimandthebrawlingrapidsswirlingabouthim.
HadnottheNixybestoweduponhimherbestgiftalreadyinpermittinghimtohearthatexquisiteghostofamelody，thatshadowy，impalpablestrain，whichhadhauntedhimthesemanyyears？Inpursuingthathehadgainedthegoalofhisdesires，tillotherthingshehadwishedforhadcometohimunawares，asitwere，andalmostwithouthisknowingit.AndnowwhathadhetoaskoftheNixy，whohadblessedhimsoabundantly？
Thelastsecret，thewondrousstrain，forsooth，thathemightimprisonitinnotes，anddinitintheearsofanunappreciativemultitude！Perhapsitwerebetter，afterall，topersevereforeverinthequest，forwhatwouldlifehavelefttoofferhimiftheNixy’sstrainwasfinallycaught，whenallwerefinallyattained，andnodivinemelodyhauntedthebrain，beyondthepowersevenofaStradivariustolurefromitsshadowyrealm？
Nilswalkedhomethatnightplungedindeepmeditation.HevowedtohimselfthathewouldnevermoretrytocatchtheNixy’sstrain.Butthenextday，whenheseizedtheviolin，thereitwasagain，and，striveashemight，hecouldnotforbeartryingtocatchit.
WiseNilsismanyyearsoldernow;hasagoodwifeandseveralchildren，andisahappyman;buttothisday，resolveashewill，hehasneverbeenabletoabandontheefforttocatchtheNixy’sstrain.Sometimeshethinkshehashalfcaughtit，butwhenhetriestoplayit，itisalwaysgone.
THEWONDERCHILD
I.
AverycommonbeliefinNorway，asinmanyotherlands，isthattheseventhchildoftheseventhchildcanhealthesickbythelayingonofhands.Suchachildisthereforecalledawonderchild.LittleCarinaHoltwastheseventhinafamilyofeightbrothersandsisters，butshegrewtobesixyearsoldbeforeitbecamegenerallyknownthatshewasawonderchild.Thenpeoplecamefromafartoseeher，bringingtheirsickwiththem;andmorningaftermorning，asMrs.Holtrolleduptheshades，shefoundinvalids，seatedorstandinginthesnow，gazingwithdevoutfaithandanxiouslongingtowardCarina’swindow.
Itseemedapitytosendthemawayuncomforted，whenthelookandthetouchcostCarinasolittle.Buttherewasanotherfearthataroseinthemother’sbreast，andthatwaslestherchildshouldbeharmedbythevenerationwithwhichshewasregarded，andperhapscometobelievethatshewassomethingmorethanacommonmortal.Whatwasmorenaturalthanthatachildwhowastoldbygrown—uppeoplethattherewashealinginhertouch，shouldatlastcometobelievethatshewassomethingapartandextraordinary？
Itwouldhavebeenamarvel，indeed，iftheconstantattentionsheattracted，andthepilgrimagesthatweremadetoher，hadfailedtomakeanyimpressionuponhersensitivemind.Vainshewasnot，anditwouldhavebeenunjusttosaythatshewasspoiled.Shehadatendernature，fullofsympathyforsorrowandsuffering.Shewasconstantlygivingawayhershoes，herstockings，nay，evenherhoodandcloak，topoorlittleinvalids，whosemiseryappealedtohermercifulheart.Itwasofnousetoscoldher;youcouldnomorepreventastreamfromflowingthanCarinafromgiving.Itwasaspontaneousyieldingtoanimpulsethatwastoostrongtoberesisted.
Buttoherfathertherewassomethingunnaturalinit;hewouldhavepreferredtohaveherfranklyselfish，asmostchildrenare，notbecausehethoughtitlovely，butbecauseitwaschildishandnatural.Herunusualgoodnessgavehimapangmorepainfulthaneverthebadbehaviorofherbrothershadoccasioned.Ontheotherhand，itdelightedhimtoseeherdoanythingthatordinarychildrendid.Hewascharmedifshecouldbeinducedtotakepartinanoisyromp，playtag，ordressherdolls.Buttherefollowedusuallyaftereachoutbreakofnaturalmirthashywithdrawalintoherself，aresoluteandquietretirement，asifshe，wereatrifleashamedofhergayety.Therewasnothingmorbidinthesemoods，nobroodingsadnessorrepentance，butatouchingsolemnity，aserene，almostcheerfulseriousness，whichinoneofheryearsseemedstrange.
Mr.HolthadmanyastrugglewithhimselfastohowheshouldtreatCarina’sdelusion;andhemadeuphismind，atlast，thatitwashisdutytodoeverythinginhispowertodispelandcounteractit.Whenhehappenedtooverhearhertalkingtoherdollsoneday，layingherhandsuponthem，andcuringthemofimaginarydiseases，heconcludeditwashightimeforhimtoact.
HecalledCarinatohim，remonstratedkindlywithher，andforbadeherhenceforthtoseethepeoplewhocametoherforthepurposeofbeingcured.Butitdistressedhimgreatlytoseehowreluctantlysheconsentedtoobeyhim.
WhenCarinaawokethemorningafterthispromisehadbeenextortedfromher，sheheardthedogsbarkingfuriouslyintheyardbelow.Hereldersister，Agnes，wasstandinghalfdressedbeforethemirror，holdingtheendofoneblondbraidbetweenherteeth，whiletyingtheotherwithapinkribbon.SeeingthatCarinawasawake，shegaveheranodintheglass，and，removingherbraid，observedthatthereevidentlyweresickpilgrimsunderthewindow.ShecouldsympathizewithSultanandHector，sheaverred，intheirdislikeofpilgrims.
\"Oh，Iwishtheywouldnotcome！\"sighedCarina.\"Itwillbesohardformetosendthemaway.\"
\"Ithoughtyoulikedcuringpeople，\"exclaimedAgnes.
\"Ido，sister，butpapahasmademepromisenevertodoitagain.\"
Shearoseandbegantodress，hersisterassistingher，chattingallthewhilelikeagaylittlechirrupingbirdthatneithergetsnorexpectsananswer.ShewastooaccustomedtoCarina’smoodstobeeitherannoyedorastonished;butshelovedherallthesame，andknewthatherlittleearswerewideopen，eventhoughshegavenosignoflistening.
CarinahadjustcompletedhersimpletoiletwhenGuro，thechamber—maid，entered，andannouncedthatthereweresomesickfolkbelowwhowishedtoseethewonderchild.
\"TellthemIcannotseethem，\"answeredCarina，withatremulousvoice;\"papadoesnotpermitme.\"
\"Butthisman，AtlePilot，hascomefromsofarawayinthisdreadfulcold，\"pleadedGuro，\"andhissonissoverybad，poorthing;he’slyingdownintheboat，andhesighsandgroansfittomoveastone.\"
\"Don’t！Don’ttellherthat，\"interposedAgnes，motioningtothegirltobegone.\"Don’tyouseeitishardenoughforheralready？\"
Therewassomethingintheair，asthetwosistersdescendedthestairshandinhand，whichforebodedcalamity.ThepastorhadgivenoutfromthepulpitlastSundaythathewouldpositivelyreceivenoinvalidsathishouse;andhehadsolemnlychargedeveryonetorefrainfrombringingtheirsicktohisdaughter.
Hehadrepeatedthisannouncementagainandagain，andhewasnowverymuchannoyedathisapparentpowerlessnesstoprotecthischildfromfurtherimposition.Loudandangryspeechwasheardinhisoffice，andanoiseasifthefurniturewerebeingknockedabout.Thetwolittlegirlsremainedstandingonthestairs，eachgazingattheother’sfrightenedface.Thentherewasagreatbang，andastalwart，elderlysailorcametumblingheadforemostoutintothehall.Hiscapwasflungafterhimthroughthecrackofthedoor.Agnessawforaninstantherfather’sface，redandexcited;andinhisbearingtherewassomethingwildandstrange，whichwassodifferentfromhisusualgentleanddignifiedappearance.Thesailorstoodforawhilebewildered，leaningagainstthewall;thenhestoopedslowlyandpickeduphiscap.ButthemomenthecaughtsightofCarinahisembarrassmentvanished，andhisroughfeatureswereilluminatedwithanintenseemotion.
\"Come，littlemiss，andhelpme，\"hecried，inahoarse，imploringwhisper.\"Halvor，myson——heistheonlyoneGodgaveme——heissick;heisgoingtodie，miss，unlessyoutakepityonhim.\"
\"Whereishe？\"askedCarina.
\"He’sdownintheboat，miss，atthepier.ButI’llcarryhimuptoyou，ifyoulike.Wehavebeenrowinghalfthenightinthecold，andheisverylow.\"
\"No，no;youmustn’tbringhimhere，\"saidAgnes，seeingbyCarina’sfacethatshewasonthepointofyielding.\"Fatherwouldbesoangry.\"
\"Hemaykillmeifhelikes，\"exclaimedthesailor，wildly.\"Itdoesn’tmattertome.ButHalvorhe’stheonlyoneIhave，miss，andhismotherdiedwhenhewasborn，andheisyoung，miss，andhewillhavemanyyearstolive，ifyou’llonlyhavemercyonhim.\"
\"But，youknow，Ishouldn’tdare，onpapa’saccount，tohaveyoubringhimhere，\"beganCarina，strugglingwithhertears.
\"Ah，yes！Thenyouwillgotohim.Godblessyouforthat！\"
criedthepoorman，withagonizedeagerness.AndinterpretingtheassenthereadinCarina’seye，hecaughtherupinhisarms，snatchedacoatfromapeginthewall，andwrappingherinit，toreopenthedoor.Carinamadenooutcry，andwasnotintheleastafraid.Shefeltherselfrestingintwostrongarms，warmlywrappedandborneawayatagreatspeedoverthesnow.
ButAgnes，seeinghersistervanishinthatsuddenfashion，gaveascreamwhichcalledherfathertothedoor.
\"Whathashappened？\"heasked.\"WhereisCarina？\"
\"ThatdreadfulAtlePilottookherandranawaywithher.\"
\"Ranawaywithher？\"criedthepastorinalarm.\"How？Where？\"
\"Downtothepier.\"
Itwasafewmoments’workfortheterrifiedfathertoburstopenthedoor，andwithhisvelvetskull—caponhishead，andtheskirtsofhisdressing—gownflyingwildlyabouthim，rushdowntowardthebeach.HesawAtlePilotscarcelyfiftyfeetinadvanceofhim，andshoutedtohimatthetopofhisvoice.Butthesailoronlyredoubledhisspeed，anddartedoutuponthepier，huggingtightlytohisbreastthepreciousburdenhecarried.Soblindlydidherushaheadthatthepastorexpectedtoseehimplungeheadlongintotheicywaves.But，asbyamiracle，hesuddenlycheckedhimself，andgraspingwithonehandtheflag—pole，swungaroundit，afootortwoabovetheblackwater，andregainedhisfootholdupontheplanks.Hestoodforaninstantirresolute，staringdownintoaboatwhichlaymooredtotheendofthepier.Whathesawresembledabigbundle，consistingofasheepskincoatandacoupleofhorseblankets.
\"Halvor，\"hecried，withavoicethatshookwithemotion，\"Ihavebroughther.\"
Therewaspresentlyavaguemovementunderthehorse—blankets，andafteraminute’sstruggleapaleyellowishfacebecamevisible.Itwasayoungface——thefaceofaboyoffifteenorsixteen.But，oh，whatsufferingwasdepictedinthosesunkeneyes，thosebloodless，crackedlips，andtheshrunkenyellowskinwhichclunginprematurewrinklesabouttheemaciatedfeatures！
Anoldandwornfurcapwaspulleddownoverhisears，butfromunderitsrimafewstrandsofblondhairwerehanginguponhisforehead.
AtlehadjustdisentangledCarinafromherwrappings，andwasabouttodescendthestairstothewaterwhenaheavyhandseizedhimbytheshoulder，andapantingvoiceshoutedinhisear：
\"Givemebackmychild.\"
Hepaused，andturnedhispatheticallybewilderedfacetowardthepastor.\"Youwouldn’ttakehimfromme，parson，\"hestammered，helplessly;\"no，youwouldn’t.He’stheonlyoneI’vegot.\"
\"Idon’ttakehimfromyou，\"theparsonthundered，wrathfully.
\"Butwhatrighthaveyoutocomeandstealmychild，becauseyoursisill？\"
\"Whenlifeisatstake，parson，\"saidthepilot，imploringly，\"onegetsmuddledaboutrightandwrong.I’lldoyourlittlegirlnoharm.Onlyletherlayherblessedhandsuponmypoorboy’shead，andhewillbewell.\"
\"Ihavetoldyouno，man，andImustputastoptothisstupididolatry，whichwillruinmychild，anddoyounogood.Giveherbacktome，Isay，atonce.\"
ThepastorheldouthishandtoreceiveCarina，whostaredathimwithlargepleadingeyesoutofthegrizzlywolf—skincoat.
\"Begoodtohim，papa，\"shebegged.\"Onlythisonce.\"
\"No，child;noparleyingnow;comeinstantly.\"
Andheseizedherbymainforce，andtoreheroutofthepilot’sarms.Buttohisdyingdayherememberedthefigureoftheheart—brokenman，ashestoodoutlinedagainstthedarkhorizon，shakinghisclinchedfistsagainstthesky，andcryingout，inavoiceofdespair：
\"MayGodshowyouthesamemercyontheJudgmentDayasyouhaveshowntome！\"
II.
Sixmiserabledayspassed.Theweatherwasstormy，andtidingsofshipwreckandcalamityfilledtheair.Scarcelyavisitorcametotheparsonagewhohadnotsometaleofwoetorelate.
Thepastor，whowasusuallysogentleandcheerful，woreadismalface，anditwaseasytoseethatsomethingwasweighingonhismind.
\"MayGodshowyouthesamemercyontheJudgmentDayasyouhaveshowntome！\"
Thesewordsrangconstantlyinhisearsbynightandbyday.Hadhenotbeenright，accordingtothelawsofGodandman，indefendinghishouseholdagainsttheassaultsofignoranceandsuperstition？Wouldhehavebeenjustifiedinsacrificinghisownchild，evenifhecouldtherebysaveanother’s？And，moreover，wasitnotallawild，heathenishdelusion，whichitwashisdutyasaservantofGodtostampoutandrootoutatallhazards？Yes，therecouldbenodoubtofit;hehadbutexercisedhislegalright.Hehaddonewhatwasdemandedofhimbylawshumananddivine.Hehadnothingtoreproachhimselffor.Andyet，withahauntingpersistency，theimageofthedespairingpilotprayingGodforvengeancestaredathimfromeverydarkcorner，andintheverychurchbells，astheyrangouttheirsolemninvitationtothehouseofGod，heseemedtoheartherhythmandcadenceoftheheart—brokenfather’simprecation.
Inthedepthofhishearttherewasastillsmallvoicewhichtoldhimthat，saywhathemight，hehadactedcruelly.IfheputhimselfinAtlePilot’splace，boundashewasintheironbondsofsuperstition，howdifferentthecasewouldlook？Hesawhimself，inspirit，rowinginalonelyboatthroughthestormywinternighttohispastor，bringinghisonlyson，whowasatthepointofdeath，andprayingthatthepastor’sdaughtermightlayherhandsuponhim，asChristhaddonetotheblind，thehalt，andthemaimed.Andhispastorreceivedhimwithwrath，nay，withblows，andsenthimawayuncomforted.Itwasahideouspictureindeed，andMr.Holtwouldhavegivenyearsofhislifetoberidofit.
ItwasonthesixthdayafterAtle’svisitthatthepastor，sittingaloneinhisstudy，calledCarinatohim.Hehadscarcelyseenherduringthelastsixdays，oratleasttalkedwithher.Hersweetinnocentspiritwouldbanishtheshadowsthatdarkenedhissoul.
\"Carina，\"hesaid，inhisoldaffectionateway，\"papawantstoseeyou.Comehereandletmetalkalittlewithyou.\"
Butcouldhetrusthiseyes？Carina，whoformerlyhadrunsoeagerlyintohisarms，stoodhesitating，asifshehopedtobeexcused.
\"Well，mylittlegirl，\"heasked，inatoneofapprehension，\"don’tyouwanttotalkwithpapa？\"
\"Iwouldratherwaittillsomeothertime，papa，\"shemanagedtostammer，whileherlittlefaceflushedwithembarrassment.
Mr.Holtclosedthedoorsilently，flunghimselfintoachair，andgroaned.Thatwasablowfromwherehehadleastexpectedit.Thechildhadjudgedhimandfoundhimwanting.HisCarina，hisdarling，whohadalwaysbeenclosesttohisheart，nolongerrespondedtohisaffection！Wasthepilot’sprayerbeingfulfilled？Washelosinghisownchildinreturnfortheonehehadrefusedtosave？Withapanginhisbreast，whichwaslikeanachingwound，hewalkedupanddownonthefloorandmarvelledathisownblindness.Hehaderredindeed;andtherewasnohopethatanychancewouldcometohimtoremedythewrong.
Thetwilighthaddeepenedintodarknesswhileherevolvedthistroubleinhismind.Thenightwasstormy，andthelimbsofthetreeswithoutwerecontinuallyknockingandbumpingagainstthewallsofthehouse.Therustyweather—vaneontheroofwhinedandscreamed，andeverynowandthenthesleetdashedagainstthewindow—paneslikeahandfulofshot.Thewindhurleditselfagainstthewalls，sothatthetimberscreakedandpulledattheshutters，bangedstraydoorsinout—of—the—waygarrets，andthen，havingaccomplisheditswork，whirledawayoverthefieldswithawildanddismalhowl.Thepastorsatlisteningmournfullytothistempestuouscommotion.Oncehethoughtheheardanoiseasofadooropeningnearbyhim，andsoftlyclosing;butashesawnoone，heconcludeditwashisoverwroughtfancythathadplayedhimatrick.Heseatedhimselfagaininhiseasy—chairbeforethestove，whichspreadadimlightfromitsdraught—holeintothesurroundinggloom.
Whilehesatthusabsorbedinhismeditations，hewasstartledatthesoundofsomethingresemblingasob.Hearosetostrikealight，butfoundthathismatch—safewasempty.Butwhatwasthat？Astepwithout，surely，andthegropingofhandsforthedoor—knob.
\"Whoisthere？\"criedthepastor，withashiveringuneasiness.
Hesprangforwardandopenedthedoor.Abroadfigure，surmountedbyasou’wester，loomedupinthedark.
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"askedMr.Holt，withforcedcalmness.
\"Iwanttoknow，\"answeredagruff，hoarsevoice，\"ifyou’llcometomysonnow，andhelphimintoeternity？\"
ThepastorrecognizedAtlePilot’svoice，thoughitseemedharsherandhoarserthanusual.
\"Sailacrossthefjordonanightlikethis？\"heexclaimed.
\"That’swhatIaskyou.\"
\"Andtheboyisdying，yousay？\"
\"Can’tlasttillmorning.\"
\"Andhasheaskedforthesacrament？\"
Thepilotsteppedacrossthethresholdandenteredtheroom.Heproceededslowlytopulloffhismittens;thenlookingupatthepastor’sface，uponwhichavaguesheenfellfromthestove，hebrokeout：
\"Willyoucomeorwillyounot？Youwouldn’thelphimtolive;
nowwillyouhelphimtodie？\"
Thewords，thrustforthwithaslow，pantingemphasis，hitthepastorlikesomanyblows.
\"Iwillcome，\"hesaid，withsolemnresolution.\"SitdowntillI
getready.\"
Hehadexpectedsomeexpressionofgratificationorthanks，forAtlewellknewwhathehadasked.Itwashislifethepastorrisked，butthistimeinhiscallingasaphysician，notofbodies，butofsouls.Itstruckhim，whilehetookleaveofhiswife，thattherewassomethingresentfulanddesperateinthepilot’smanner，sodifferentfromhishumblepleadingattheirlastmeeting.
Asheembracedthechildrenonebyone，andkissedthem，hemissedCarina，butwastoldthatshehadprobablygonetothecow—stablewiththedairy—maid，whowasherparticularfriend.
Sohelefttendermessagesforher，and，summoningAtle，plungedoutintothestorm.Aservantwalkedbeforehimwithalantern，andlightedthewaydowntothepier，wheretheboatlaytossinguponthewaves.
\"But，man，\"criedthepastor，seeingthattheboatwasempty，\"whereareyourboatmen？\"
\"Iammyownboatman，\"answeredAtle，gloomily.\"Youcanholdthesheet，Ithetiller.\"
Mr.Holtwasashamedofretiringnow，whenhehadgivenhisword.
Butitwaswithasinkingheartthathesteppedintothefrailskiff，whichseemedscarcelymorethananutshelluponthetempestuousdeep.Hewasonthepointofaskinghisservant，unacquaintedthoughhewaswithseamanship，tobethethirdmanintheboat;butthelatter，anticipatinghisintention，hadmadehastetobetakehimselfaway.Toventureoutintothisroaringdarkness，withnobeacontoguidethem，andscarcelyalandmarkdiscernible，wasindeedtotemptProvidence.
Butbythetimehehadfinishedthisreflection，thepastorfelthimselfrushingalongatatremendousspeed，andshort，sharpcommandsranginhisears，whichinstantlyengrossedallhisattention.Tohiseyestheskylookedblackasink，exceptforadark—blueunearthlyshimmerthatnowandthenflaredupfromthenorth，trembled，andvanished.Bythisunsteadyilluminationitwaspossibletocatchamomentaryglimpseofahead，andapeak，andtheoutlineofamountain.Thesmallsailwasdouble—reefed，yettheboatcareenedsoheavilythatthewaterbrokeoverthegunwale.Thesquallsbeatdownuponthemwithtumultuousroarandsmoke，asofsnow—drifts，intheirwake;butthelittleboat，climbingthetopofthewavesandsinkingintothedizzyblackpitsbetweenthem，spedfearlesslyalongandthepastorbegantotakeheart.Then，withafiercecuttingdistinctness，camethecommandoutofthedark.
\"Pulloutthereefs！\"
\"Areyoucrazy，man？\"shoutedthepastor.\"Doyouwanttosailstraightintoeternity？\"
\"Pulloutthereefs！\"Thecommandwasrepeatedwithwrathfulemphasis.
\"Thenwearedeadmen，bothyouandI.\"
\"Soweare，parson——deadmen.Mysonliesdeadathome，thoughyoumighthavesavedhim.So，now，parson，wearequits.\"
Withafiercelaughheroseup，andstillholdingthetiller，stretchedhishandtotearoutthereefs.Butatthatinstant，justasaquiveringshimmerbrokeacrossthesky，somethingroseupfromunderthethwartandstoodbetweenthem.Atlestartedbackwithahoarsescream.
\"InHeaven’sname，child！\"hecried.\"Oh，God，havemercyuponme！\"
Andthepastor，notknowingwhetherhesawachildoravision，criedoutinthesamemoment：\"Carina，mydarling！Carina，howcameyouhere？\"
ItwasCarina，indeed;butthestormwhirledhertinyvoiceawayoverthewaves，andherfather，foldingherwithonearmtohisbreast，whileholdingthesheetwiththeother，didnothearwhatsheansweredtohisferventexclamation.Heonlyknewthatherdearlittleheadrestedclosetohisheart，andthatheryellowhairblewacrosshisface.
\"Iwantedtosavethatpoorboy，papa，\"weretheonlywordsthatmethisears.Butheneedednomoretoexplainthemystery.ItwasCarina，who，repentingofherunkindnesstohim，hadstolenintohisstudy，whilehesatinthedark，andthereshehadheardAtlePilot’smessage.Evenifthisboywassickuntodeath，shemightperhapscurehim，andmakeupforherfather’sharshness.
ThusreasonedthesageCarina;andshehadgonesecretlyandpreparedforthevoyage，andbattledwiththestorm，whichagainandagainthrewherdownonherroadtothepier.Itwasamiraclethatshegotsafelyintotheboat，andstowedherselfawaysnuglyunderthesternthwart.
Theclearinginthenorthgraduallyspreadoverthesky，andthestormabated.Soontheyhadtheshoreinview，andthelightsofthefishermen’scottagesgleamedalongthebeachoftheheadland.
Presentlytheyranintosmootherwater;astarortwoflashedforth，andwideblueexpansesappearedhereandthereonthevaultofthesky.Theyspiedtheredlanternsmarkingthewharf，aboutwhichamultitudeofboatslay，mooredtostakes，andwiththreeskilfultacksAtlemadetheharbor.Itwashere，standingonthepier，amidtheswashandswirlofsurgingwaters，thatthepilotseizedCarina’stinyhandinhisbigandroughone.
\"Parson，\"hesaid，withabreakingvoice，\"Iwasgoingtorunafoulofyou，andwreckmyselfwithyou;butthischild，Godblessher！sheranusbothintoport，safeandsound.\"
ButCarinadidnothearwhathesaid，forshelaysweetlysleepinginherfather’sarms.
\"THESONSOFTHEVIKINGS\"
I.
WhenHakonVangsaidhisprayersatnight，heusuallyfinishedwiththesewords：\"AndIthankthee，God，mostofall，becausethoumadestmeaNorseman，andnotaGermanoranEnglishmanoraSwede.\"
TobeaNorsemanappearstotheNorseboyaclaimtodistinction.
GodhasmadesomanymillionsofEnglishmenandRussiansandGermans，thattherecanbenoparticularhonorinbeingoneofsovastaherd;whileofNorsemenHehasmadeonlyasmallandselectnumber，whomHelooksafterwithspecialcare;uponwhomHeshowerssuchfavorsaspovertyandcold（withaviewtokeepingthemgoodandhardy），andremotenessfromalltheglitteringtemptationsthatbesetthenationsinwhomHetakesalesspaternalinterest.Thusatleastreasons，inadimway，thesmallboyinNorway;thusheistaughttoreasonbyhisparentsandinstructors.
AsforHakonVang，hestruttedalongthebeachlikeaturkey—cock，wheneverhethoughtofhisgloriousdescentfromtheVikings——thosedaringpiratesthatstolethronesandkingdoms，andmixedtheirredNorsebloodintheveinsofalltheroyalfamiliesofEurope.Theteacherofhistory（whowaswhatiscalledaNorse—Norseman）hadononeoccasion，withmorepatrioticzealthandiscretion，undertakentopickoutthoseboysinhisclasswhowereofpureNorsedescent;whosebloodwasuntaintedbyanyforeignadmixture.Thedelightedprideofthissmallbandmadethemanobjectofenvytoalltherestoftheschool.
Hakon，whenhisnamewasmentioned，feltasifhehadaddedayardtohisheight.Tearsofjoystartedtohiseyes;andtogiveventtohisoverchargedfeelings，hebrokeintoawar—whoop;
forwhichhereceivedfiveblackmarksandwaskeptinatrecess.
Buthemindedthatverylittle;allgreatmen，hereflected，havehadtosufferfortheircountry.
WhatHakonlovedaboveallthingstostudy——nay，theonlythinghelovedtostudy——wastheoldSagas，whicharetales，poems，andhistoriesofthedeedsoftheNorsemeninancienttimes.Withelevenofhisclassmates，whowereabouthisownageandasNorseashimself，heformedabrotherhoodwhichwascalled\"TheSonsoftheVikings.\"Theygaveeachothertremendouslybloodysurnames，inthestyleoftheSagas——namesthatreekedwithgoreandheroism.Hakonhimselfassumedthepleasingappellation\"Skull—splitter，\"andhisclassmateFrithjofRonningwasdubbedVargr—i—Veum，whichmeansWolf—in—the—Temple.OneSonoftheVikingswasknownasIronbeard，anotherasErlingtheLop—Sided，athirdasThoretheHound，afourthasAslakStone—Skull.Butaseriousdifficulty，whichcameneardisruptingthebrotherhood，aroseovertheseverynames.ItwasfeltthatHakonhadtakenanunfairadvantageoftherestinselectingthebloodiestnameattheoutset（beforeanyoneelsehadhadanopportunitytochoose），andtherewasageneraldemandthatheshouldgiveitupandallowalltodrawlotsforit.ButthisHakonstoutlyrefusedtodo;anddeclaredthatifanyonewantedhisnamehewouldhavetofightforit，ingoodoldNorsefashion.
Aholm—gangorduelwasthenarranged;thatis，aringwasmarkedoutwithstones;thecombatantssteppedwithinit，andhewhocoulddrivehisantagonistoutsideofthestoneringwasdeclaredtobethevictor.Frithjof，whofeltthathehadabetterclaimtobenamedSkull—SplitterthanHakon，wasthefirsttoacceptthechallenge;butafteraterriblecombatwasforcedtobitethedust.Hisconquerorwas，however，filledwithsuchaglowingadmirationofhisvalor（ascombatantsintheSagasfrequentlyare），thatheproposedthattheyshouldsweareternalfriendshipandfoster—brotherhood，andsealtheircompact，accordingtoNorsecustom，bytheceremonycalled\"MinglingofBlood.\"Itisneedlesstosaythatthisseemedtoalltheboysamostdelightfulproposition;andtheyenteredupontheaugustritewithadeepsenseofitssolemnity.
Firstapieceofsod，abouttwelvefeetsquare，wascarefullyraiseduponwoodenstakesrepresentingspears，soastoformagreenroofoverthefoster—brothers.Then，sittingupontheblackearth，wheretheturfhadbeenremoved，theybaredtheirarmstotheshoulder，andinthepresenceofhistenbrethren，aswitnesses，eachsworethathewouldregardtheotherashistruebrotherandlovehimandtreathimassuch，andavengehisdeathifhesurvivedhim;insolemntestimonyofwhicheachdrewaknifeandopenedaveininhisarm，lettingtheirbloodmingleandflowtogether.Hakon，however，inhisheroiczeal，drovetheknifeintohisfleshratherrecklessly，andwhenthebloodhadflowedprofuselyforfiveminutes，hegrewatrifleuneasy.
Frithjof，afterhavingbathedhisarminaneighboringbrook，hadnodifficultyinstanchingtheblood，butthepoorSkull—Splitter’swound，inspiteofcoldwaterandbandages，keptpouringforthitswarmcurrentwithoutsignofabatement.Hakongrewpalerandpaler，andwouldhaveburstintotears，ifhehadnotbeena\"SonoftheVikings.\"Itwouldhavebeenarelieftohim，forthemoment，nottohavebeena\"SonoftheVikings.\"
Forhewasterriblyfrightened，andthoughtsurelyhewasgoingtobleedtodeath.TheotherVikings，too，begantofeelratheralarmedatsuchaprospect;andwhenErlingtheLop—Sided（thepastor’sson）proposedthattheyshouldcarryHakontothedoctor，noonemadeanyobjection.ButthedoctorunhappilylivedsofarawaythatHakonmightdiebeforehegotthere.
\"Well，then，\"saidWolf—in—theTemple，\"letustakehimtooldWitch—Martha.Shecanstanchbloodanddolotsofotherqueerthings.\"
\"Yes，andthatismuchmoreNorse，too，\"suggestedThoretheHound;\"wisewomenlearnedphysicandbandagedwoundsintheoldentime.Menwereneverdoctors.\"
\"Yes，Witch—Marthaisjusttherightstyle，\"saidErlingtheLop—Sideddowninhisboots;forhehadnaturallyashrillvoiceandgavehimselfgreatpainstoproduceamanlybass.
\"WemustmakealittertocarrytheSkull—Splitteron，\"exclaimedEinarBowstring—Twanger（thesheriff’sson）;\"he’llnevergettoWitch—Marthaaliveifheistowalk.\"
Thissuggestionwasfavorablyreceived，theboyssettoworkwithawill，andinafewminuteshadputtogetheralitterofgreentwigsandbranches.Hakon，whowasfeelingcuriouslylight—headedandexhausted，allowedhimselftobeplaceduponitinarecliningposition;anditsswingingmotion，ashisfriendscarrieditalong，nearlyrockedhimtosleep.Thefearofdeathwasbutvaguelypresenttohismind;buthisself—importancegrewwitheverymoment，ashesawhisbloodtricklethroughtheleavesanddropattheroadside.HeappearedtohimselfabraveNorsewarriorwhowasbeingcarriedbyhiscomradesfromthebattle—field，wherehehadgreatlydistinguishedhimself.Andnowtobegoing，tothewitchwho，bymagicrhymesandincantations，wastostanchtheebbingstreamofhislife——whatcouldbemoredelightful？
II.
WitchMarthalivedinasmalllonelycottagedownbytheriver.
Veryfewpeopleeverwenttoseeherintheday—time;butatnightsheoftenhadvisitors.Motherswhosuspectedthattheirchildrenwerechangelings，whomtheTroldshadputinthecradle，takingthehumaninfantsaway;girlswhowantedto\"turnthehearts\"oftheirlovers，andloverswhowantedtoturntheheartsofthegirls;peasantswhohadlostmoneyorvaluablesandwantedhelptotracethethief——theseandmanyotherssoughtsecretcounselwithWitch—Martha，andrarelywentawayuncomforted.Shewasanoldweather—beatenwomanwithadeeplywrinkled，smoky—brownface，andsmallshrewdblackeyes.Thefloorinhercottagewasstrewnwithsandandfreshjunipertwigs;fromtheraftersundertheceilinghungbunchesofstrangeherbs;andinthewindowswereflower—potswithbloomingplantsinthem.
Marthawasstoopingatthehearth，blowingandpuffingatthefireunderhercoffee—pot，whentheSonsoftheVikingsknockedatthedoor.Wolf—in—the—Templewasthemanwhotookthelead;
andwhenWitch—Marthaopenedtheupperhalfofthedoor（sheneveropenedbothatthesametime）shewasnotalittleastonishedtoseetheCaptain’sson，FrithjofRonning，staringupatherwithananxiousface.
\"Whatcostthouwant，lad？\"sheasked，gruffly;\"thouhastgoneastraysurely，andI’llshowtheethewayhome.\"
\"IamWolf—in—the—Temple，\"beganFrithjof，thrustingouthischest，andraisinghisheadproudly.
\"Dearme，youdon’tsayso！\"exclaimedMartha.
\"Mycomradeandfoster—brotherSkull—Splitterhasbeenwounded;
andIwantthee，oldcrone，tostanchhisbloodbeforehebleedstodeath.\"
\"Dear，dearme，howverystrange！\"ejaculatedtheWitch，andshookheragedhead.
Shehadbeenaccustomedtoextraordinaryrequests;butthelanguageofthisboystruckherasbeingsomethingofthequeerestshehadyetheard.
\"WhereisthySkull—Splitter，lad？\"sheasked，lookingathimdubiously.
\"Righthereintheunderbrush，\"Wolf—in—the—Templeretorted，gallantly;\"stirthyagedstumpsnow，andthoushaltberightroyallyrewarded.\"
HehadlearnedfromWalterScott’sromancesthatthiswastheproperwaytoaddressinferiors，andhepridedhimselfnotalittleonhisjauntycondescension.Imaginethenhissurprisewhenthe\"oldcrone\"suddenlyturnedonhimwithanangryscowlandsaid：
\"Ifthoucanstnotkeepaciviltongueinthyhead，I’llbringathousandplaguesuponthee，thouumnannerlyboy.\"
BythisthreatWolf—in—the—Temple’scouragewassadlyshaken.HeknewMartha’sreputationasawitch，andhadnodesiretotestinhisownpersonwhetherrumorbeliedher.
\"Please，mum，Ibegofyou，\"hesaid，withasuddenchangeoftone;\"myfriendHakonVangisbleedingtodeath;won’tyoupleasehelphim？\"
\"ThyfriendHakonVang！\"criedMartha，towhomthatnamewasveryfamiliar;\"bringhimin，asquickasthoucanst，andI’lldowhatIcanforhim.\"
Wolf—in—the—Templeputtwofingersintohismouthandgavealoudshrillwhistle，whichwasansweredfromthewoods，andpresentlythesmallprocessionmoveduptothedoor，carryingtheirwoundedcomradebetweenthem.ThepoorSkull—Splitterwasnowaswhiteasasheet，andthedrowsinessofhiseyesandthelaxnessofhisfeaturesshowedthathelpcamenonetooearly.
Martha，inhothaste，grabbedabagofherbs，thrustitintoapotofwarmwater，andclappeditonthewound.Thenshebegantowagherheadslowlytoandfro，andcrooned，toasoftandplaintivetune，wordswhichsoundedtotheearsoftheboysshudderinglystrange：
\"Iconjureinwater，Iconjureinlead，Iconjurewithherbsthatgrewo’erthedead;
IconjurewithflowersthatIplucked，withoutshoon，Whentheghostswereabroad，inthewaneofthemoon.
IconjurewithspiritsofearthandairThatmakethewindsighandcryindespair;
IconjurebyhimwithinsevenfoldringsThatsitsandbroodsattherootsofthings.
Iconjurebyhimwhohealethstrife，Whoplantsandwatersthegermsoflife.
Iconjure，Iconjure，Ibidtheebestill，Thouruddystream，thouhastflowedthyfill！
ReturntothychannelandnurturehislifeTillhisdestinedmeasureofyearsberife.\"
Shesangthelasttwolineswithsuddenenergy;andwhensheremovedherhandfromthewound，thebloodhadceasedtoflow.
ThepoorSkull—Splitterwassleepingsoundly;andhisfriends，shiveringalittlewithmysteriousfears，marchedupanddownwhisperingtooneanother.Theysetaguardofhonorattheleafycouchoftheirwoundedcomrade;interceptedthegreenwormsandotherinsectsthatkeptdroppingdownuponhimfromthealderbranchesoverhead，andbrushedawaythefliesthatwouldfaindisturbhisslumbers.TheywereallsteepedtothecoreinoldNorseheroism;andtheyenjoyedthesituationhugely.Allthelifeaboutthemwashalfblottedout;theysawitbutdimly.
Thatlightofyouthfulromance，whichneverwasonseaorland，transformedallthecommonthingsthatmettheirvisionintosomethingstrangeandwonderful.Theystrainedtheirearstocatchthemeaningofthesongofthebirds，sothattheymightlearnfromthemthesecretsofthefuture，asSigurdtheVolsungdid，afterhehadslainthedragon，Fafnir.Thewoodsroundaboutthemwerefilledwithdragonsandfabulousbeasts，whosetrackstheydetectedwiththeeyesoffaith;andtheystartedouteverymorning，duringthealltoobriefvacation，onimaginaryexpeditionsagainstimaginarymonsters.
WhenattheendofanhourtheSkull—Splitterwokefromhisslumber，muchrefreshed，Witch—Marthabandagedhisarmcarefully，andWolf—in—theTemple（havingnogoldenarm—rings）tossedher，withmagnificentsuperciliousness，hispurse，whichcontainedsixcents.Butsheflungitbackathimwithsuchforcethathehadtododgewithmoreadroitnessthandignity.
\"I’llgetmyclawsintotheesomeday，thoufoolishlad，\"shesaid，liftingherleanvulture—likehandwithathreateninggesture.
\"No，pleasedon’t，Martha，Ididn’tmeananything，\"criedtheboy，ingreatalarm;\"you’llforgiveme，won’tyou，Martha？\"
\"I’llbidtheebegone，andtakethyfoolishtonguealongwiththee，\"sheanswered，inamollifiedtone.
AndtheSonsoftheVikings，takingthehint，shoulderedthelitteroncemore，andreachedSkull—Splitter’shomeintimeforsupper.
III.
TheSonsoftheVikingsweremuchtroubled.Everyheroicdeedwhichtheyplottedhadthislittledisadvantage，thattheywereindangerofgoingtojailforit.Theycouldnotstealcattleandhorses，becausetheydidnotknowwhattodowiththemwhentheyhadgotthem;theycouldnotsailawayoverthebrinydeepinsearchoffortuneorglory，becausetheyhadnoships;andsail—boatswerescarcelybigenoughfordaringvoyagestothebloomingSouthwhichtheirancestorshadravaged.Thepreciousvacationwasslippingaway，andasyettheyhadaccomplishednothingthatcouldatallbecalledheroic.ItwaswhilethebrotherhoodwaslamentingthisfactthatWolf—in—the—Templehadabrilliantidea.Heprocuredhisfather’spermissiontoinvitehiselevencompanionstospendadayandanightattheRonningsaeter，ormountaindairy，farupinthehighlands.TheonlyconditionMr.Ronningmadewasthattheyweretobeaccompaniedbyhisman，Brumle—Knute，whowastoberesponsiblefortheirsafety.ButtheboysdeterminedprivatelytomakeBrumle—Knutetheirprisoner，incaseheshowedanydispositiontospoiltheirsport.Tospendadayandanightinthewoods，toimaginethemselvesVikings，andbehaveastheyimaginedVikingswouldbehave，wasaprospectwhichnoonecouldcontemplatewithoutthemostdelightfulexcitement.There，farawayfromsheriffsandpastorsandmaternalsupervision，theymightperhapsfindthelong—desiredchanceofperformingtheirheroicdeed.
ItwasabeautifulmorningearlyinAugustthattheboysstartedfromStrandholm，Mr.Ronning’sestate，accompaniedbyBrumle—Knute.Thelatterwasamiddle—aged，round—shoulderedpeasant，whohadthehabitofalwaystalkingtohimself.Tolookathimyouwouldhavesupposedthathewasaroughandstupidfellowwhowouldhavequiteenoughtodoinlookingafterhimself.Butthefactwas，thatBrumle—Knutewasthebestshot，thebestclimber——andaltogetherthemostkeen—eyedhunterinthewholevalley.Itwasasayingthathecouldscentgamesowellthatheneverneededadog;andthathecouldimitatetoperfectionthecallofeverygamebirdthatinhabitedthemountainglens.Sweet—temperedhewasnot;butsoreliable，skilful，andvigilant，andmoreoversothoroughawoodsman，thattheboyscouldwellaffordtoputupwithhisgrufftemper.