Up The Baltic Part 31

"For playing this trick on us?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"The c.o.xswain gave you a sovereign for fooling us. I'll give you five species, which is more than a sovereign, if you do what I want."

"I will," replied Ole, promptly.

"In the first place, where are you taking us?"

"To Christiania."

"Nonsense!" exclaimed the cashier, producing his book. "I know all about it. You ought to have gone to Lysthus, instead of taking the left hand road. We are two Norwegian miles out of our way now. Sanford has paid you a sovereign to lead us to some place he wishes to visit.

Where is it?"

"I only do what's right," protested Ole.

"Bah! I know better! The story that no horses could be had at Apalsto was a humbug. I'll give you five species if you will do as I tell you."

Ole looked complacent, and held out his hand for the money.

"I don't pay till the work is done; but my word is as good as my bond."

The waif had an "itching palm," and, after considerable discussion, the terms of payment were settled.

"Now, where are we going?" asked the cashier.

"To the Rjukanfos. It is a big waterfall, with high mountains--one of the finest places in Norway."

"Exactly so; but we are not going there," added Burchmore, decidedly.

"You will engage the carioles for to-morrow morning, and we must be in Kongsberg by noon, and near Christiania by night."

"Sanford will kill me," replied Ole.

"No, he won't; we will take care of him."

"I can manage it, first rate. I will tell Sanford that we can go up quicker on the other side of the lake, and then cross over."

"Tell him what you please, but my plan must be carried out," answered Burchmore, who, perhaps, believed that he should be justified in fighting the c.o.xswain with his own weapons.

"Here you are; I've been looking for you," said Clyde, presenting himself sooner than he was wanted. "You thought you would keep out of my way--did you?"

"I have not given that subject any attention," replied Burchmore, coolly.

"Yes, you have; you sneaked off here to keep out of my way."

"As you please," replied Burchmore, who began to walk slowly towards the road.

"You don't escape me this time," added Clyde, placing himself in front of the cashier.

"I have no wish to escape you."

"Yes, you have; you are a Yankee coward!"

"Perhaps I am; but I'm not afraid of a British bully."

"Do you call me a bully?"

"Most distinctly I do, and I can prove my words."

Clyde was rather startled by this exhibition of pluck, which he had not expected.

"You call me a bully--do you?"

"I do."

"Then we'll settle it here. Off with your coat," bl.u.s.tered Clyde, as he divested himself.

"I never fight if I can help it; but I always defend myself," replied Burchmore, resuming his walk towards the road.

"Do you mean to run away?" demanded Clyde.

"No; I mean to walk very leisurely back to the station-house."

"No, you don't!" said the Briton, again placing himself before the cashier.

Ole, who did not care, under the circ.u.mstances, to be seen with Burchmore by any one of the party, had disappeared by this time; but meeting Sanford near the lake, he had informed him what Clyde was doing. The c.o.xswain hastened to the spot, with Stockwell and two or three others. But they were a little too late; for Clyde, feeling that he had gone too far to recede with honor, had struck Burchmore. When Sanford and the rest of the party reached the place, the belligerent Briton lay on the ground, where, after a sharp set-to and a black eye, he had been thrown by his cool opponent. He picked himself up, and was preparing for another onslaught, when the c.o.xswain stepped between the combatants.

"Enough of that, Albion," said he.

Clyde made a rush towards Burchmore, but the others interfered, and held him back. In vain he struggled in his wrath, but the stout c.o.xswain and his companions threw him upon the ground, and held him there till his anger had in a measure subsided.

"Be off, Burchmore," said Sanford. "We will take care of him."

"I am not afraid of him," replied the cashier.

"Of course you are not; but clear out, and let us have peace."

"He is afraid of me!" roared Clyde.

"Nonsense, Great Britain! He would have mauled you to death if we hadn't interfered. He can whip his weight in wildcats."

Burchmore walked away, and soon disappeared beyond the houses. Clyde foamed in his wrath for a while, but finally consented to be pacified, promising, very faithfully, to whip the cashier the next time he caught him alone.

"Don't you do it, Albion. You never will see your mother again if you attempt it. Wait a few days, and then, if you insist upon it, we will let Burchmore thrash you all you want," replied Sanford, as they walked back to the station-house.

Clyde had a bad-looking eye, and perhaps believed that he had had a narrow escape; but he still maintained his credit as a bully. At the hotel, the question of the route for the next day came up. Burchmore insisted upon going to Christiania by the way of Kongsberg, and Sanford, who had consulted Ole again, a.s.sented. The waif had a.s.sured him that they could reach the Rjukanfos quicker and better by the road than by the lake.

The next morning the carioles were ready, and the tourists renewed their journey, and went back on the road by which they had come, till they came to that which led to Kongsberg. The "forbud" had been duly forwarded, and there were no delays or interruptions.