Up The Baltic Part 24

"Let him worry," replied the c.o.xswain; "that is, we can't do anything to relieve his mind."

"I don't see that we can," added Churchill.

For the want of something better to do, the students turned in at an early hour in the evening, and turned out at an early hour in the morning. They all slept in the same room, some of them in beds, and the rest on the floor; but those who slept on the floor were just as well satisfied as those who slept in the beds. After a breakfast consisting mainly of fish, they piled into the carioles. They were all in exceedingly jolly humor, and seated themselves in and on the vehicles in various uncouth postures. One boy in each cariole was to drive the horse, and he was carefully instructed to do nothing but simply hold the reins, and let the well-informed animal have his own way. The horses were rather small, and very s.h.a.ggy beasts; but they went off at a lively pace. At the first hill they insisted upon walking up, and most of the boys followed their example. Behind three of the carioles were the small boys who were to bring the teams back.

These juvenile Norwegians were as sober and dignified as though they had been members of the Storthing, refusing to laugh at any of the wild tantrums of the crazy students.

At the first station, where the road from Lillesand joins that from Christiansand to the north, the horses ordered by "forbud" were in readiness, and the party had only to pa.s.s from one set of carioles to another. The grim post-boys did smile faintly when they received their perquisites, and others, just as immovable, took their places for the next post. The road now lay along the banks of a considerable river, and the scenery was rather interesting, though by no means grand. They pa.s.sed an occasional farm; but generally the buildings were of the rudest and shabbiest description, though occasionally there was a neat residence, painted white or yellow, with roof of red tile. The boys walked up all the hills, leaving the sagacious horses to take care of themselves. All the students voted that it was jolly to travel in this manner, and there was no end to the sky-larking and racing on the road. At noon, they stopped long enough to dine, and at night found themselves at Tvetsund, at the foot of Nisser Lake, where they lodged.

As this was as far as they had sent their "forbud," they decided to proceed by boat through the lake, a distance of about twenty miles.

The next day was Sunday, which was always observed with great strictness on board of the ship, no play and no unnecessary work being permitted. There was a little church in the village, but none but Ole could understand a word of the preacher's prayer or sermon; so that the students voted it would be useless for them to go there. Four of the party, still controlled by the influences which prevailed on board of the ship, did not wish to travel on Sunday; but when it was represented that the ship might leave Christiania before the party arrived, they yielded to the wishes of the other five, and procuring boats, they proceeded on their way. At the head of the lake they took the road, and walked about seven miles to Apalsto.

"We are stuck here," said Sanford, after they had taken supper at the station-house. "This posting is a first-cla.s.s fraud."

"Why, what's the matter?" demanded Burchmore, alarmed by the manner of the c.o.xswain.

"No horses to be had till Tuesday morning."

"That's a fraud."

"Well, it can't be helped," added Sanford, philosophically. "I'm willing to walk, if the rest of the fellows say so."

"We can't walk to Christiania."

"That's so; and we should not find any more horses at the next station than here. Norway says we didn't send 'forbud,' which must be done when more than three horses are wanted."

"Why didn't Ole send 'forbud,' then?"

"He said we had better go by boat part of the way; it would be easier.

But part of us can take the three horses that are ready, and go on with them."

"I don't believe in separating."

"We are only a day and a half from Christiania, and we shall arrive by Wednesday noon. The ship won't leave before that time."

So Burchmore was persuaded to submit to his fate like a philosopher, which, however, was not considered very hard, when it was announced that there was excellent fishing in the vicinity. It is to be feared that Ole and the c.o.xswain had created this hinderance themselves, for the law of the country allows only three hours' delay in the furnishing of horses. The farmers are compelled to supply them, and doubtless twenty could have been provided in the time allowed, though the young tourists were able to give twelve hours' notice. This, however, did not suit the c.o.xswain's purposes, and as he and Ole had occupied the same cariole, there was no want of concert in their words and actions. On Monday the students went a-fishing, paying a small sum for a license to do so, though this is not necessary in all parts of Norway. The united catch of the whole party was one salmon, taken by Burchmore, and weighing about eight pounds. It was voted by the party, before this result was reached, in the middle of the afternoon, that fishing in Norway was "a first-cla.s.s fraud." We heard of a party of three, who fished two weeks, and caught eight salmon, though this want of luck is the exception, rather than the rule, in the north.

As the party returned from their excursion, bearing the single trophy of their patience, Clyde Blacklock discovered them. He was alarmed at first, but when he recognized no one among them whom he had seen on board of the ship, he concluded they did not belong to her.

"Good evening, sir," said he, addressing Sanford, who seemed to be the chief of the excursionists. "You have been a-fishing?"

"Yes; and ten of us have one fish to show for a whole day's work,"

laughed the c.o.xswain.

"Poor luck; but you seem to be sailors," continued the Briton.

"We belong to the ship Young America."

"Ah, indeed!"

"That's so."

In half an hour Clyde and Sanford were on excellent terms. The former, when he learned that his new acquaintance had not been sent after him, was quite communicative, and even told the story of his experience on board of the ship, and of his escape from bondage. Sanford laughed, and seemed to enjoy the narrative; but straightway the c.o.xswain began to tremble when he learned that Clyde had with him a Norwegian who spoke English. It was necessary to get rid of so dangerous a person without any delay. The Briton liked Sanford so well that he was not willing to leave him; and, indeed, the whole party were so jolly that he desired to join his fortunes with theirs. Sanford wrote a brief letter to Mr. Lowington, stating the misfortunes of the party, and that they expected to arrive in Christiania on Wednesday or Thursday.

"Now, Mr. ----, I don't know your name," said Sanford, when he found Clyde, after he had written the epistle.

"Blacklock," replied the Briton--"Clyde Blacklock."

"Well, Blacklock, if you want an up-and-down good time, come with us."

"Where? To Christiania? into the lion's den?"

"Not yet, but--don't open your mouth; don't let on for the world,"

whispered the c.o.xswain, glancing at his companions.

"Not a word," added Clyde, satisfied he had found the right friend.

"We are going to the Rjukanfos to-morrow, but only one or two of us know it yet. Your man will spoil all. Send him back to Christiania this very afternoon. Here's a blind for him; let him take this letter."

Clyde liked plotting and mischief, and as soon as his guide had eaten his supper, he was started for his home in the capital, glad enough to go, for he had been paid for all the time agreed upon; and Sanford ceased to tremble lest he should expose to his companions the mistake in regard to horses, or another blunder which was to be made the next morning.

CHAPTER X.

GOTTENBURG AND FINKEL.

On Sat.u.r.day night, as Clyde had antic.i.p.ated, his mother arrived at Christiania; and the people at the Victoria informed her of the disappearance of her son. The next morning she hastened on board of the ship, and heard the princ.i.p.al's story. Mrs. Blacklock wept bitterly, and was fearful that her darling boy was forever lost; but Mr. Lowington a.s.sured her that no serious harm could befall him. He spoke very plainly to her in regard to Clyde's character and his ungovernable pa.s.sions, a.s.suring her that he must certainly come to an evil end within a few years, if he was not restrained and controlled.

The poor mother felt the truth of all he said, and was willing that he should continue the beneficent work upon which he had commenced. She spent the forenoon on board, and was introduced to Kendall and Shuffles and their ladies. The princ.i.p.al ill.u.s.trated what he had said about Clyde by relating the history of the present captain and owner of the Feodora, and Mrs. Blacklock went away even hopeful that her boy might yet be saved to her.

On Monday, the first secular day of the month, the new list of officers was announced in each vessel of the squadron. The changes on board of the ship were not very violent, though the third lieutenant became captain, while c.u.mberland became the commodore.

"I congratulate you, Captain Lincoln," said Dr. Winstock to the new commander, when he appeared in the uniform of his new rank.

"Thank you, sir," replied Lincoln.

"I have been satisfied for some time that you would attain this position."

"I am only sorry to be promoted over Judson and Norwood, for they have always been good friends of mine."

"If they are good and true friends they will rejoice at your success, though it places you over them. You have worked very hard, and you are fully ent.i.tled to your rank."

"Thank you, sir. I have tried to do my duty," replied Lincoln, modestly.

"When I see a young gentleman use the library as freely as you do, I am always tolerably confident that he will attain a high rank. We go on sh.o.r.e this forenoon, I believe."

"I heard we were to make an excursion to-day, and another to-morrow."