Feats on the Fiord Part 14

"In our towns," continued he, "much of this blessed change is already wrought. No one in my city of Tronyem now fears the angry and cunning fire-giant Loke; but every citizen closes his eyes in peace when he hears the midnight cry of the watch, 'Except the Lord keepeth the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.'[6] In the wilds of the country every man's faith will hereafter be his watchman, crying out upon all that happens, 'It is the Lord's hand: let Him do what seemeth to Him good!'

This might have been said, Erica, as it appears to me, at every turn of your story, where you and your friends were not in fault."

[6] The watchman's call in the towns of Norway.

"Oh!" exclaimed Erica, dropping her hands from before her glowing face, "if I dared but think there were no bad spirits; if I dared only hope that everything that happens is done by G.o.d's own hand, I could bear everything! I would never be afraid again!"

"It is what I believe," said the bishop. Laying his hand on her head, he continued--

"We know that the very hairs of your head are all numbered. I see that you are weary of your fears; that you have long been heavy laden with anxiety. It is you, then, that He invites to trust Him, when He says by the lips of Jesus, 'Come ye that are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.'"

"Rest; rest is what I have wanted," said Erica, while her tears flowed gently; "but Peder and Ulla did not believe as you do, and could not explain things; and----"

"You should have asked me," said M. Kollsen; "I could have explained everything."

"Perhaps so, sir; but--but, M. Kollsen, you always seemed angry, and you said you despised us for believing anything that you did not; and it is the most difficult thing in the world to ask questions which one knows will be despised."

M. Kollsen glanced in the bishop's face, to see how he took this, and how he meant to support the pastor's authority. The bishop looked sad, and said nothing.

"And then," continued Erica, "there were others who laughed--even Rolf himself laughed; and what one fears becomes only the more terrible when it is laughed at."

"Very true," said the bishop. "When Jesus sat on the well in Samaria, and taught how the true worship was come, He neither frowned on the woman who inquired, nor despised her, nor made light of her superst.i.tion about a sacred mountain."

There was a long silence, which was broken at last by Erica asking the bishop whether he could not console poor Hund, who wanted comfort more than she had ever done. The bishop replied, that the demons who most tormented poor Hund were not abroad on the earth or in the air, but within his breast--his remorse, his envy, his covetousness, his fear.

He meant not to lose sight of poor Hund, either in the prison, to which he was to travel to-morrow, or after he should come out of it.

Here Frolich appeared, running to ask whether those who were in the grove would not like to look forth from the ridge, and see what good the budstick had done, and how many parties were on their way, from all quarters, to the farm.

M. Kollsen was glad to rise and escape from what he thought a schooling; and the bishop himself was as interested in what was going on as if the farm had been his home. He was actually the first at the ridge.

This part of the mountain was a singularly favourable situation for seeing what was doing on the spot on which every one's attention was fixed this day. While the people on the fiord could not see what was going forward at Saltdalen, nor those at Saltdalen what were the movements at the farm, the watchers on the ridge could observe the proceedings at all the three points. The opportunity was much improved by the bishop having a gla.s.s--a gla.s.s of a quality so rare at that time that there would probably have been some talk of magic and charms if it had been seen in any hands but the bishop's.

By means of this gla.s.s the bishop, M. Kollsen, or Madame Erlingsen announced from time to time what was doing as the evening advanced--how parties of two or three were leaving Saltdalen, creeping towards the farm under cover of rising grounds, rocks, and pine woods; how small companies, well armed, were hidden in every place of concealment near Erlingsen's, and how there seemed to be a great number of women about the place. This was puzzling. Who these women could be, and why they should choose to resort to the farm when its female inhabitants had left it for safety, it was difficult at first to imagine. But the truth soon occurred to Frolich. No doubt some one had remembered how strange and suspicious it would appear to the pirates, who supposed the bishop to be at the farm, that there should be no women in the company a.s.sembled to meet him. No doubt these people in blue, white, and green petticoats, who were striding about the yards, and looking forth from the galleries, were men dressed in their wives' clothes, or in such as Erlingsen furnished from the family chests. This disguise was as good as an ambush while it also served to give the place the festive appearance looked for by the enemy. It was found afterwards that Oddo had acted as lady's-maid, fitting the gowns to the shortest men, and dressing up their heads so as best to hide the s.h.a.ggy hair. Great numbers were certainly a.s.sembled before night; yet still a little group might be seen now and then winding down from some recess of the wide-spreading mountain, making circuits by the ravines and water-courses, so as to avoid crossing the upland slopes, which the pirates might be surveying by means of such a gla.s.s as the bishop's.

The bishop was of opinion that scarcely a blow would be struck, so great was the country force compared with that of the pirates. He believed that the enemy would be overpowered and disarmed almost without a struggle. Erica, who could not but tremble with fear as well as expectation, blessed his words in her heart, and so, in truth, did every woman present.

No one thought of going to rest, though Madame Erlingsen urged it upon those over whom she had influence. Finding that Erica had sat up to watch the cattle the night before, she compelled her to go and lie down, but no compulsion could make her sleep; and Orga and Frolich did the best they could for her, by running to her with news of any fresh appearance below. Just after midnight they brought her word that the bishop had ordered every one but M. Kollsen away from the ridge. The schooner had peeped out from behind the promontory, and was stealing up with a soft west wind.

The girls went on to describe how the schooner was working up, and why the bishop thought that the people at the farm were aware of every inch of her progress.

Erica sprang from the bed, and joined the group who were sitting on the gra.s.s awaiting the sunrise, and eagerly listening for every word from their watchman, the bishop. He told when he saw two boats, full of men, put off from the schooner, and creep towards Erlingsen's cove under the shadow of the rocks. He told how the country people immediately gathered behind the barn and the house, and every outbuilding; and, at length, when the boats touched the sh.o.r.e, he said--

"Now come and look yourselves. They are too busy now to be observing us."

Then how eyes were strained, and what silence there was, broken only by an occasional exclamation, as it became certain that the decisive moment was come! The gla.s.s pa.s.sed rapidly from hand to hand, but it revealed little. There was smoke, covering a struggling crowd; and such gazers as had a husband, a father, or a lover there, could look no longer. The bishop himself did not attempt to comfort them, at a moment when he knew it would be in vain.

In the midst of all this, some one observed two boats appearing from behind the promontory, and making directly and rapidly for the schooner; and presently there was a little smoke there too, only a puff or two, and then all was quiet till she began to hang out her sails, which had been taken in, and to glide over the waters in the direction of a small sandy beach, on which she ran straight up, till she was evidently fast grounded.

"Excellent!" exclaimed M. Kollsen. "How admirably they are conducting the whole affair! The retreat of these fellows is completely cut off--their vessel taken, and driven ash.o.r.e, while they are busy elsewhere."

"That is Oddo's doings," observed Orga quietly.

"Oddo's doings! How do you know? Are you serious? Can you see? Or did you hear?"

"I was by when Oddo told his plan to my father, and begged to be allowed to take the schooner. My father laughed so that I thought Oddo would be for going over to the enemy."

"No fear of that," said Erica. "Oddo has a brave, faithful heart."

"And," said his mistress, "a conscience and temper which will keep him meek and patient till he has atoned for mischief that he thinks he has done."

"I must see more of this boy," observed the bishop. "Did your father grant his request?" he inquired of Orga.

"At last he did. Oddo said that a young boy could do little good in the fight at the farm; but that he might lead a party to attack the schooner, in the absence of almost all her crew. He said it was no more than a boy might do, with half-a-dozen lads to help him; for he had reason to feel sure that only just hands enough to manage her would be left on board, and those the weakest of the pirate party. My father said there were men to spare, and he put twelve, well armed, under Oddo's orders."

"Who would submit to be under Oddo's command?" asked Frolich, laughing at the idea.

"Twice twelve, if he had wanted so many," replied Orga. "Between the goodness of the joke and their zeal, there were volunteers in plenty--my father told me, as he was putting me on my horse."

In a very few minutes all signs of fighting were over at the farm. But there was a fire. The barn was seen to smoke and then to flame. It was plain that the neighbours were at liberty to attend to the fire, and had no fighting on their hands. They were seen to form a line from the burning barn to the brink of the water, and to hand buckets till the fire was out. The barn had been nearly empty, and the fire did not spread farther; so that Madame Erlingsen herself did not spend one grudging thought on this small sacrifice, in return for their deliverance from the enemy, who, she had feared, would ransack her dwelling, and fire it over her children's heads. She was satisfied and thankful, if indeed the pirates were taken.

At the bishop's question about who would go down the mountain for news, each of Hund's guards begged to be the man. The swiftest of foot was chosen, and off he went--not without a barley-cake and brandy-flask--at a pace which promised speedy tidings.

As Madame Erlingsen hoped in her heart, he met a messenger despatched by her husband; so that all who had lain down to sleep--all but herself, that is--were greeted by good news as they appeared at the breakfast-table. The pirates were all taken, and on their way, bound, to Saltdalen, there to be examined by the magistrate, and, no doubt, thence transferred to the jail at Tronyem. Hund was to follow immediately, either to take his trial with them, or to appear as evidence against them.

One of the pirates was wounded, and two of the country people, but not a life was lost; and Erlingsen, Rolf, Peder, and Oddo were all safe and unhurt.

Oddo was superintending the unlading of the schooner, and was appointed by the magistrate, at his master's desire, head guard of the property, as it lay on the beach, till the necessary evidence of its having been stolen by the pirates was taken, and the owners could be permitted to identify and resume their property. Oddo was certainly the greatest man concerned in the affair, after Erlingsen. When it was finished, and he returned to his home, he found he cared more for the pressure of his grandfather's hand upon his head, as the old man blessed his boy, than for all the praises of the whole country round.

An idea occurred to everybody but one, within the next few hours, which occasioned some consultation. Everybody but Erica felt and said that it would be a great honour and privilege, but one not undeserved by the district, for the Bishop of Tronyem to marry Rolf and Erica before he left Nordland. The bishop wished to make some acknowledgment for the zealous protection and hospitality which had been afforded him; and he soon found that no act would be so generally acceptable as his blessing the union of these young people. He spoke to Madame Erlingsen about it, and her only doubt was whether it was not too soon after the burial of old Ulla. If Peder, however, should not object on this ground, no one else had a right to do so.

So far from objecting, Peder shed tears of pleasure at the thought. He was sure Ulla would be delighted, if she knew--would feel it an honour to herself that her place should be filled by one whose marriage-crown should be blessed by the bishop himself. Erica was startled, and had several good reasons to give why there should be no hurry; but she was brought round to see that Rolf could go to Tronyem to give his evidence against the pirates, even better after his marriage than before, because he would leave Peder in a condition of greater comfort; and she even smiled to herself as she thought how rapidly she might improve the appearance of the house during his absence, so that he should delight in it on his return. When the bishop a.s.sured her that she should not be hurried into her marriage within two days, but that he would appoint a day and hour when he should be at the distant church, to confirm the young people resident lower down the fiord, she gratefully consented, wondering at the interest so high and revered a man seemed to feel in her lot. When it was once settled that the wedding was to be next week, she gave hearty aid to the preparations, as freely and openly as if she was not herself to be the bride.

The bishop embarked immediately on descending the mountain. His considerate eye saw at a glance that there was necessarily much confusion at the farm, and that his further presence would be an inconvenience. So he bade his host and the neighbours farewell for a short time, desiring them not to fail to meet him again at the church on his summons.

The kindness of the neighbours did not cease when danger from the enemy was over. Some offered boats for the wedding procession, several sent gilt paper to adorn the bridal crown which Orga and Frolich were making, and some yielded a more important a.s.sistance still. They put trusty persons into the seater, and over the herd, for two days, so that all Erlingsen's household might be at the wedding. Stiorna preferred making b.u.t.ter, and gazing southwards, to attending the wedding of Hund's rival; but every one else was glad to go. n.o.body would have thought of urging Peder's presence, but he chose to do his part--(a part which no one could discharge so well)--singing bridal songs in the leading boat.

The summons arrived quite as soon as it could have been looked for, and the next day there was as pretty a boat-procession on the still waters of the fiord as had ever before glided over its surface. Within the memory of man, no bride had been prettier--no crown more glittering--no bridegroom more happy--no chanting was ever more soothing than old Peder's--no clarionet better played than Oddo's--no bridesmaids more gay and kindly than Orga and Frolich. The neighbours were hearty in their cheers as the boats put off and the cheers were repeated from every settlement in the coves and on the heights of the fiord, and were again taken up by the echoes till the summer air seemed to be full of gladness.

To conclude, the bishop was punctual, and kindly in his welcome of Erica to the altar. He was also graciously pleased with Rolf's explanation that he had not ventured to bring a gift for so great a dignitary, but that he hoped the bishop would approve of his giving his humble offering to the church instead. The six sides of the new pulpit were nearly finished now, and Rolf desired to take upon himself the carving of the bas.e.m.e.nt as his marriage-fee. As the bishop smiled approbation, M. Kollsen bowed acquiescence, and Rolf found himself in prospect of indoor work for some time to come.

Erica carried home in her heart, and kept there for ever, certain words of the Bishop's address which he uttered with his eye kindly fixed upon hers. "Go, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. So shall you not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day. When you shall have made the Lord your habitation, you shall not fear that evil may befall you, or that any plague shall come nigh your dwelling. Go, and peace be on your house!"