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hvol
A
Novel
6


HERMIT.


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Amberved
witte the Fuuslater
later affe
THE HERMIT.
.
A Pobel,
BY EMILIE CARLEN,
AUTHOR OF
"THE BIRTHRIGHT," "THE EVENTS OF A YEAR,” ETC.
IN FOUR
VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
LONDON:
THOMAS CAUTLEY NEWBY, PUBLISHER,
30, WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE.
1853.


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VOL. I


839.73
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vil
THE HERMIT.
is narss
FIRST PERIOD.
2 J Smith
CHAPTER I.
THE FUGITIVE.
...
THE dense mist which, on a summer's morning,
generally envelops the Christiana Fjord and its
numerous creeks, had gradually lifted its mantle
of grey, and was dispersing in little wavy circlets
over the sea.
The sun had just risen, and its dazzling rays
shone upon the snow-white wings of several
VOL. I.
B


2
THE HERMIT.
sea-gulls, which, now soaring aloft with light-
ning speed, and now skimming the transparent
surface of the water, in search of some early
drowsy herring to satisfy their appetites,
seemed to regard the reflection of their forms
on the silvery mirror with peculiar com-
placency; here and there upon the cliff were
formal lines of solemn-looking sea-mews, still
wrapt in pleasant slumber, motionless as
mahometans smoking their morning pipes
before their harems; at times, only, one would
slightly move his leg, and another gently and
comfortably flap his wing—a movement which
might, perhaps, be regarded as a yawn, or a
drowsy kind of appeal to his neighbour, 'If it
was not nearly time to get up, and begin the
business of the day.'
The occupants of a decked boat, of the
smaller class, appeared to be more alive than
the sea-mews, to the force of the proverb-
>
“ That the morning speaks with lips of gold,"


THE HEYMIT.
3
for the grass-clothed cliffs and rocks, at the
foot of which the little town of Drammen was
situated, already lay behind them, and the
magazines, and a few of the larger buildings
alone were still distinguishable. To a distant
observer the little boat might have appeared
to be steering its course through verdant groves
and wildly wooded tracts, as it glided along the
eastern shore, where a rich growth of trees and
numerous white-plastered country-houses were
reflected on its lucid surface with the vividness
and truth of nature itself.
On one side of the after part of this craft
flaunted in gaudy letters of yellow paint, the
saucy name of “The Free Sailer," and on the
other the name of its port, Grafwerna.* The
symmetrical build of the little vessel, the
evenness of the planking, and the smooth,
delicate streaks of resin, which filled up the
a rcely noticeable joinings of the deck, and
the general finish of every separate part,
* The graves.


4
THE HERMIT.
would, at once, have satisfied a connoisseur,
that this was one of those coasting boats so
well known as rapid sailers, in which the traces
of the master hand of Thomas* of Kile, the
builder, were everywhere visible.
The sail which appeared to have been left
hoisted in forgetfulness nung down, idly flap-
ping against the blast, as if languishing for the
usual refreshing morning breeze ; while its
;
mighty dimensions pretty clearly hinted that
when the sea-bird spread her pinions for the
flight, few could compete with, and none out-
strip, her; many a whisper was rife in Graf-
werna of how the Free Sailer had often set the
Excise yatch at defiance, and how the Customs?
officers had often cursed Thomas of Kile in
their inmost hearts, because the latter appeared
to have adopted the rascally resolve of never
letting the Excise have one of these clipping
brated among
* Thomas of Kile was a noted ship-builder, and cele-
the islets and coast of Bohusland for the
construction of these wonderfully fast sailing crafts.


THE HERMIT.
5
wave.
master-pieces of his handi-work at any
price.
Elias Ass-bjornsson, the fortunate owner of
this gem among boats, was himself seated at
the helm; he was a man of about sixty,
whose brown and sunburnt countenance bore
marks of many a sharp contest with storm and
His muscular form was still, however,
unbent, and not a single white hair was to be
discovered among the short-cut, curly black
locks; and to-day, indeed, the old man looked
;
more youthful than usual, for he had—a rare
occurence, by-the-way-shaved himself only
the day before.
That Elias was no very zealous admirer of
the grand picture which surrounded him, and,
perhaps, no friend to calm seas in a general
way, might be gathered from the fact that he
continually nodded, as well as that, in order to
keep himself awake, he often thrust his hand,
with great apparent zeal, into the left pocket
of his jacket, which contained a neat assort-


6
THE HERMIT.
and energy,
ment of little, short, sailors' pipes--the old
fellow's special favorites.
The second person in the boat, the only son
,
and heir of old Elias, had placed himself com-
fortably with his back against the mast, and his
legs stretched out at full length, and was
apparently sleeping with a steady determination
sufficient to satisfy any one of the
pleasure he had felt, when, wearied out by the
monotony of the night, he had made over the
morning watch to his father and superior.
At length, with an impatient effort, old
Ass-bjornsson rose, and after he had cast a
scanning glance around the horizon, whistled
for wind, and fortified himself by a hearty pull
at a small oval flask, which he carried in his
right pocket, he called out, in a suppressed
voice
“ Carolus Carolus, chap; must have slept
long enough by this time-dost hear, lad ?”
The
younger sailor jumped up, rubbed his
eyes, and mechanically laid hold of the foresail.


THE HERMIT.
7
Seeing, however, that any trimming would be
superfluous, he gently picked up his fallen
sou-wester, struck his arms across once or twice,
and then looked at his father with a glance of
enquiry.
“Out with the oars, Carolus, and be alive,"
said the master, “if we get no better wind,
we'll hardly cross the Fjord to-day.”
“That's your own look out, father,” ob-
served Carolus, frankly, as he spat on his hand,
and set his oars in motion, with an energy
which would have done honour to any four
ordinary rowers.
“Own look out," retorted Elias, “ does the
egg want to be older than the hen ? or what
dost mean ?”
Aye, aye, father, you should'nt have let
yourself be persuaded," and here Carolus
directed a sharp and mysterious glance towards
the hatchway, near which a heap of bedding
and sail-cloths were evidently stirred by some
more living influence than the motion of the


8
THE HERMIT.
boat, “
I
66
you
should'nt have let yourself be per-
suaded yesterday evening, to have anything to
do with the Fjord; for any one might have seen,
though we had a pretty breeze then, that when
it had blown itself out, we should not have
found it an easy matter to get across with a
wind like this."
Aye, aye-of course, you wouldst rather
have cast anchor in the town, and gambled
away all thy dollars, or flittered 'em away
in trumpery for Johanna of the Bilberry
Holm."
“Hush father, how you talk-you know
right well, Johanna is a little too stiff in the
neck to take any presents from me, before you
give me that half share in the boat. However,
I can see you only want to shy the matter I
was speaking of, for you can't bear it if I say a
word, or even hint that it might be dangerous
taking such like foreign passengers aboard."
“Old is the oldest,” was the short and some-
what sharp reply
>


THE HERMIT.
9
“However," urged Carolus, "boys can some-
times think for themselves, and not be so
stupid after all, when one has a shrewd father
--you know, father, that my head is in the
right place.”
“Aye, may be, if 'twere all right, thy mouth
would make less to do."
Oh, nonsense, you only say that to-how-
ever, I'll lay a wager that he there,” another
glance at the hatchway, “ is just one of those
great animals who has got bitten, or has bitten
somebody else, and is forced to hide in a strange
skin to shy his difficulties.”
“Hold thy tongue, lad, what is’t to thee
whether he's a big fish or a little one ? he has
paid his passage honestly, and if he hadn't
even paid a couple of stivers I couln't have
said him nay; for, d'ye see, one who's lived as
long as I have, looks a little farther than a
man's teeth—and thou mayst take thy father's
word for't, yon man hasn't for many a year
known what 'tis to sleep on roses."
B 5


10
THE HERMIT.
“Oh, the father. Lord how regal and grand-
like
you talk; when you begin, it does one's
:
heart good to hear you; and since you
think
well of him, why I'll say nought against him.
However, this I will say, that it's all for the
sake of the wife and the boy—she is so rare
and delicate like, for all the world like the
Virgin Mary in the picture over the altar, as
she sits there in a golden chair, dandling our
blessed Lord upon her knee. But as to her
husband, well, he's just like the emigrant, old
Simmerberg used to tell about whom he brought
from Nantes, and landed on the coast of
Ireland; he told Patron Holmer, all about it,
and I sat at the door and listened."
“ Aye, aye, and what was all that ?” asked
Elias, whistling several times to coax the
capricious wind, which now and then came in
faint flaws, and died away again before it
gained strength to fill even the corner of the
sluggish sails.
“ Well, Simmerberg was clearing out of
66


THE HERMIT.
11
" I know,
Nantes, eight or ten years ago, and only wait-
ing the last visitation, when in the evening the
broker told him, that if he would hide an
emigrant during the officer's visit, and get him
clear out of the country, he should have two
hundred francs. You know, father, Simmer-
berg, wouldn't have cared to risk ship and all
to earn the hard."
Aye, aye,” said the old man,
and I know too what sort of smuggling that is.”
Well, ye see, the emigrant came aboard at
night-and Simmerberg, who's a sly old fox-
our yacht inspector, wouldn't hold a candle to
him-just shoved his passenger into an empty
water cask, and put it on deck amongst the
rest. The visitation was made, but for all that
they have as sly dogs, and good noses, there, as
we have here, they never thought of look-
ing for people in water-casks, and Simmerberg
earned every penny. It was found out after-
wards though, and the owners had him up, and


12
THE HERMIT.
>
wanted him to pay the passage-money, but he
laughed in their faces, and got off scot free."
When the discourse had lasted a while in
this tone, there was a movement about the
above mentioned hatchway, and immediately
afterwards a female in a long white cloak, with
a black crape veil on her light straw bonnet,
was seen making her way through the middle
of casks and ropes, towards the two men whom
she greeted with an inexpressibly gentle smile.
“We have a lull just now, dear lady,” said
Elias, “ but you must have a little patience,
the wind will improve by-and-bye, I can see."
The young female did not look like one who
needed this advice, for patience personified
sat upon her pale brow, on either side of which
a couple of locks of fair hair fell down in
light curls.
“ Would it be possible to get a little fire ?”
she asked in a low voice, with a cautious
glance at the resting place which she had just


TUE HERMIT.
13
a
left. " I should like to make a little coffee before
they awake.”
“Aye, aye, that can be managed. Carolus,
,
give me the oar, and stir about, and make a
fire in the iron pot, and if you'll trust him, lady,
he'll make your coffee; he served his 'prentice-
;
ship to that work long ago."
“I'm only afraid of giving you too much
trouble.”
“Do as you like," said Elias, who was
too straightforward to make any farther cere-
mony after once making the offer.
Carolus, on the other hand, who was young,
and as he would have expressed himself somewhat
complimentary, answered in a different fashion.
“Never give yourself needless trouble for
that, dear lady," he began, with a peculiar
kindly and cheering look; “but just steer here,
away with the beans, and you shall have coffee,
and that in a trice." You must know,
it is not quite the same here as if we were
a
>


14
THE HERMIT.
66
ashore, or in a craft which had a cabin and
a fire-place; this is our fire-place, ye see;"
and so saying, Carolus hauled over a split iron
pot, in which, with a readiness which surprised
the lady, he kindled a fire, and set the kettle to
boil.
Now if we had a stiff gale astern," he
continued, as he saw that his details were in-
teresting; you may believe it wouldn't stand
so nice and still as it does,” pointing to the
iron pot, "no, by my soul; then if you want a
drop of coffee, or a bit to eat, you must just
look out that it don't roll over; and then you
must have a sufficiently strong wire passed
through the two ears, and then hang him
up
by a rope's end in the rigging, and your cooking
,
goes on nicely, while he rocks about fair and
easy, and he'll never upset if you only take
proper care.”
Whilst Carolus thus entered into the diffi-
culties of cooking in a vessel without a caboose,


THE HERMIT.
15
66
the stranger lady took from her travelling bag
a bottle containing mealed coffee, and gave
it
to her handy cook.
“ Cook, aye, a thousand d-'8,"continued
Carolus, blowing up the fire with a powerful
puff or two from an old bellows, “ look you,
dear lady, I don't need to boast; but father
;
said only truth when he told you that I had
served my 'prenticeship to this; for when I was
a boy, I sailed as cook's mate with a captain
to England, and if I had given him bad coffee,
or ill blacked boots, I should—but sit you
down, madam, sit ye down,” and Carolus
wiped the dust off the bread-box with his
jacket, which he had taken off on account of
the heat.
Mother, dear mother, where are you ?"
echoed a young voice from the hatchway.
“Heavens, mother, what a horrid dream I
have had do you know what, mother? you
fell into the water, and I threw myself in after
you in an instant."
66


16
THE HERMIT.
The mother hurried towards her son, a boy
of eleven years, and made him a sign to be
silent, "you will wake your father," she observed.
“ Father's awake already, though he keeps
his eyes closed," answered George, in an
equally low tone; but there was a modulation
;
in his voice, which signified that he would not
have ventured to make this remark aloud.
"Do not make a noise, notwithstanding;
there, there is a biscuit to amuse you for
awhile.”
George took this preliminary to his break-
fast, and as a single look from his mother was
the most persuasive language that he knew of,
he again dived into his mattress, between two
sheets, though at the same time he would
far rather have jumped up and made himself
acquainted with the boat and what it con-
tained.
With a look of affection, at the boy, Mrs.
Letsler—this was the name, under which the
family had embarked—took out some knitting
a


THE HERMIT.
17
and sat down sideways, near the place, where
her husband was still reposing with his face
covered with his hands; and while her knitting
needles flew quickly from one row of stitches
to another, she occasionally brushed aside
the insects which disturbed him, over whom
she watched so tenderly, though neither look
nor movement, denoted that her solicitude was
noticed.
“ All clear for drinking, madam,” reported
Carolus, holding the coffee pot aloft.
“Give me a cup, Nicoline,” said the man
who had hitherto been silent, and as he raised
himself and took his seat on a low chest, he
displayed a countenance on whose fallen
features heavy sorrows or deep seated passions
bad ploughed their furrows; the black hair, here
and there sprinkled with grey, presented a
striking contrast to the false yellowish brown
wig, which, however, the careful Nicoline
quickly re-arranged, so as completely to con-
ceal the natural hair beneath.


18
THE HERMIT.
66 We have not come far,” she observed, as
she handed him the coffee and a biscuit.
“So I heard," was the reply, "and thou,
too, Nicoline, thou too hast not slept-poor
Nicoline-poor, poor Nicoline," and with these
gentle words the stern looking man, whose
lips seemed no longer to possess the faculty of
a smile, caressingly patted the hand of his
kind, good wife.
“Not poor,” said she, in a slightly reproach-
ful tone, “not poor, where I have thee and him,
and the mother cast a smiling glance at her
son, who, from behind the cover of one of the
boxes, gave her to understand, by signs, that
he wanted his share of the breakfast, "when
I have thee and him there is no harm."
None,” repeated the husband, slowly,”
and the deep furrows on his forehead contracted
more closely.
Nicoline was silent, but there was an elo.
quence in her eye, which was no stranger to
1


THE HERMIT.
19
>
the man, upon whom her gentle glance was
turned.
" Reach us the box here, Carolus,” said old
Elias. “God's death, we will have a bit of
something to eat, too.”
“Father," whispered Carolus, as he placed
the bread box on the seat where the old man
still sat at the helm, “tis just as I thought,
he has done something ill—he has false hair-
I saw it as plain as I see you now, and when a
man sails under false colours, why you know
what o'clock it is pretty well.”
Elias shot an enquiring glance towards the
side where their mysterious passenger was
seated, shook his head and muttered
"Hold thy stupid tongue, his hair is as fast
on his head as thine or mine either."
Towards mid-day, as Elias had prophesied,
the wind arose, and even increased so much
that the old man was enabled to issue his
orders.


20
THE HERMIT.
“Now, Carolus, set the main and fore-sail,
clear away the jib, if the wind hold thus, we'll
get on a step to-day, yet.”
Carolus carried out the orders with alacrity,
the oars were unshipped and stowed away,
the
light breeze filled the sails, and father and son
seated themselves comfortably in the close
recess by the helm.
"Ah, dear Carolus,” cried George, who,
with the openness of his age, and his own bold
and frank disposition, was already on good
terms with the young sailor, "dear Carolus, do
take up that pretty white cask—that one float-
ing on the water there. No, just look, there is
another and another-and another"
“Aye, that is a thing to take up indeed,"
said Carolus, laughing, you must not believe,
young gentleman, that these casks are there for
"
>
nothing."
2
Oh, tell me then, what are they there for ?"
asked George, wedging himself in bet een
Carolus and the old man, to endeavour to get a


THE HERMIT.
21
little practice and be allowed to hold the tiller.
However, father Elias had this in his hand, and
with imperturable composure gave no heed to
the boy's ardent wishes.
“Aye, aye, I could tell you that,” answered
,
,
Carolus, “these casks are air tight, and are
called buoys, they lie there and float, in order
that seamen may take heed of such spots
where the water is not deep enough; there are
plenty of these casks in the Christiana
Fjord.'
“It is a fine thing,” continued George, im-
proving his new acquaintance, “it is a fine
thing to be upon the sea, and to sail in such a
boat as this; but the finest of all would be, if it
should come to blow very hard, so as to make a
noise in the sails and rigging, and cause the
waves to rise like great mountains.”'
“Ah, indeed, and so little master's been to
sea so much already, and knows how the sea
runs like mountains ; it's no trifle for such a
a


22
THE HERMIT.
small gentleman being at sea in such weather
as that."
“Oh, I should think I am no longer so very
small,” suggested George, raising his head and
shoulders, “but at the time when, as I said,
the sea was so high, I was only a very little
boy, and could hardly stand upon my legs,
when they put me upon the deck, but I knew
it for all that, right well, for I like the sea so
much, and should so much like, if I dared,
just to try, if I could manage the boat now, if
,
I were to sit at the helm."
At the mention of this proposal, which
had been engrossing his thoughts for some time,
George's young eyes turned so eloquently upon
old Elias, that with a good natured smile he
drew back a little, and allowed the boy, with
whom he was much taken, to have his will.
Proud and delighted, George seated himself
carefully in his new and important post, and
whilst under the joint instructions of old Elias


THE HERMIT.
23
and Carolus he pursued the occupation so
interesting to him, though monotonous enough
to others, the conversation became more lively
on both sides; but just as Carolus was adroitly
leading the boy back to the subject of the great
mountain waves which he had seen for the first
time for many hours, the elder Letsler's voice
was heard calling the boy, and telling him not
to tease the captain and the young sailor, any
more, with his questions and curiosity.
“Sure he don't tease any one,” declared old
Elias, who was vexed to see the look of dis-
satisfaction and disappointment, which was
evident in the boy's expressive countenance.
However, George did not dare to stay any
longer, and with a look of the greatest self-de-
nial, he resigned the helm to Carolus, and
slowly and reluctantly, returned to that part
of the deck where his father was still seated on
the chest, smoking his cigar and intently re-
garding the dense old forests on the shores
which they were now swiftly passing.
a


24
THE HERMIT.
Mrs. Letsler to shelter herself from the sun
had taken possession of George's old place,
between the two large chests; she had a book
in her hand, but seemed more occupied with
studying the features of her husband, (a book,
the hidden contents of which she could never
entirely master,) than the leaves which she at
times thoughtfully turned over.
George crept past his stern, gloomy father,
with light steps, to his mother's side, and bend-
ing down to her, whispered with glowing
cheeks-
“Did you see how I steered the whole boat
by myself? Only think how I could have set
it aground if I had liked, and I would too,
mother, if you had not been in it.”
“And why, you wild boy ?" asked Nicoline,
regarding the lad with a faint smile.
Why for no other reason but for the sake
of the trouble of getting afloat again—aye, I'll
warrant that would have made another kind of
running and bustle than this.”
а


THE HERMIT.
25
“Ah, heedless child, little do you know
what it is to get out of a difficulty, when it
once befalls you ; but, George, you should
never have such naughty thoughts—you should
never,
in
any case, run wilfully into danger, for
that is tempting God.”
A little dispirited by these words of reproof,
and the unusually severe look which accom-
panied them, George sat down quite still, and
began to amuse himself by carving a bit of
wood which was clearly intended to represent
a boat, or something like it, and he zealously
continued this employment until some new
object attracted his attention.
“What houses are these ?" said George, as he
again stood near Carolus, and pointed to some
long white buildings which extended along the
coast.
“What there, on the western beach ? aye,
look
ye, Master George, that is Horten-that's
a remarkable place, there are the Norwegian
ship-yards and docks--that is what they call
VOL. I.
с


26
THE HERMIT.
а
places where ships are built, and brought to be
repaired-As we were going to Drammen, we
had several Bohuslanders on board, who wanted
work at Horten, for they give good wages
there, far better than with us; and I knew
many poor devils so short of money that they
had scarce a bit to eat or a rag to clothe them,
and when they returned after a few years, they
had, belike, three or four hundred dollars in
their pocket.”
" It is a fine thing to know where one can
earn so much money," said George, thought-
fully, and turning his looks towards Horten.
“Mayhap little master would like to go
there and try ?" asked Carolus, jestingly, “that
would just suit such a dainty young gentle-
man."
“I am no dainty young gentleman," retorted
George, pettishly, looking boldly at Carolus,
" and if you doubt whether I am strong enough
for work, just look with your own eyes, if I am
such a pitiful, feeble creature."


THE HERMIT.
27
So saying he lifted a tolerably large stone
which lay upon the deck, and swang it above
his head.
“Aye, aye, upon my honor, that was a
proper fellow's heave and does Master George
much credit,” said Carolus, with an approving
voice.
And now George smiled, and old Elias too,
and Nicoline also, the gentle loving mother,
smiled likewise at her boy's delight. Letsler
alone continued silent, and paid no attention to
his son's valorous deeds.
With a fresh and steady breeze the Free
Sailer sped on her azure course, evening faded
into night, and a bright moon offered a most
lovely prospect to the travellers' eyes; the en-
tire sea trembling under her beams like a wide
sheet of radiant silver.
In the grey morning twilight, the Free
Sailer ran past the mouth of the Swine Sound.
The eyes of both father and son were still
closed in slumber; Nicoline alone sat wakefully
c2


28
THE HERMIT.
and passively contemplating the striking
contrast offered by the two countries at this
their point of union.
With sad and melancholy anticipations, she
watched the boat as it receded from Norway
and the beauteous Christiana Fjord, with its
Eden like banks and richly wooded Holm,
and steered towards the Swedish coast, which
here displayed its wildest and most sterile
aspect. And the cloud lay not alone upon old
Sweden's grey bare rocky shores, but also
upon
the soul and spirit of poor Nicoline; its hard
cold poverty struck a chill to her heart, and
probably no one could have contemplated the
scene here offered, without a sense of deep de-
pression.
As soon as the voyager is opposite the Swine
Sound, this abrupt change begins; the contrast
is fearfully striking ; on one side, smiling
prospects, signs of comfort, cultivation, and
happiness on the other, scarce a trace of
vegetation, save some straggling thistles and


THE HERMIT.
29
cuckoo flowers, springing up in solitude, appear
upon the cliffs, and the eye rests upon naked
hills and bare rocks of a rusty reddish hue,
from the constant dashing of the waves of the
western ocean. Nevertheless, frightful, waste,
and joyless as all this may appear, it is not
devoid of interest to the profound and serious
observer ; and one who has sailed along these
remarkable coasts, has seen how, during the
western storms, they are strewed with the
wrecks of shattered helpless ships which have
been engulphed and lost among their rocks
and waves-and has looked upon the spectacle
presented, during these wintry gales, when the
whole iron-bound shore, fretted with islets,
looks like one terrific line of foaming breakers,
must admit that the impression produced
thereby, is so powerful as to leave a vivid and
peculiar picture on the memory, and one which
does not easily fade away.
Nicoline
gave a sigh to the beautiful objects
which she was leaving.
She felt not one
a


30
THE HERMIT.
attracting impulse towards those which they
now were passing ; but she gazed on them with
wonder---glad when her eye could rest upon
something which resembled vegetable life,
even though 'twere nothing but the waving
sea-weed.


THE HERMIT.
31
CHAPTER II.
THE FISHERMAN'S HUT.
a
Of all the bare and desolate landing-places
which enclose the coast of Bohusland, like a
garland, and which seen from a distance at sea
appear like countless rents in the continuous
mountain mass, perhaps the western side of
Grafwerna—a fishing village near the extreme
point of Sotenäs-is that which excites the most
mingled feelings; the gloomy character of which
is not, however, without its brighter side, and
even its own peculiar poetry.
There is a peculiar feeling of sadness in first
setting foot on these unfruitful burning sand
hills, amid whose circling wreaths the children
of the shores build their little houses of


32
THE HERMIT.
muscle shells, one hour, to see them swept away
the next, by the whirling gust that eddies
along the beach. The eye grows dizzy as it
follows the precipitous cliffs to their secret
fortresses, from whence, as legends say, have
sprung hundreds of sea-giants, to struggle for
a brief moment, to be dashed to atoms, and to
die—and there is in all this, a something of the
mysterious—we feel as if these beings of
another world were whispering around us,
flitting among their own graves, and, in the
moaning of the waves, muttering dark sayings,
which no tradition has preserved.
A certain noble-hearted and philanthropic
lady (Margaret Hwitfelt, who was at one time
the great lady of the Strand of Kongshamn,)
founded a burial ground here, and enjoined
upon every one of her tenants the duty, under
pain of ejection, of never suffering the body of
a single shipwrecked mariner, who might be
cast ashore, to remain unburied, and thus this
strand received its mysterial name of Grafwerna


THE HERMIT.
33
or to speak more correctly, “Grafwarna,"
than which no term more appropriate, could
have been applied to the locality, since its
entire western side resembles one vast grave.
Somewhat farther from the beach its savage
and gloomy characteristics decrease--it no
longer displays the same aspect of poverty—and
at the present period the fishing village passes
for one of the most stirring places on the coast,
and in union with several others near at hand,
forms one congregation, has one church, one
pastor, and its own by no means inconsiderable
trade.
In the cool evening twilight of a summer's
day, in 16— the boat which we have seen
crossing the Christiana Fjord glided gently to-
wards the little road of Grafwerna (it had been
for some time attentively observed, by a woman
who was standing on the beach) and at length,
dropped its anchor on the western side. The
Free Sailer had not long taken up
its accustomed
station, when the number on its decks was in-
C 5


34
THE HERMIT.
creased by the above mentioned female, who
warmly welcomed the two men composing its
crew.
>
>
“Good evening, Malena," said old Ass-
bjornsson, greeting his wife kindly.
“ God's peace, father," answered Malena, in
a hearty tone, “the Lord has held his hand over
land and strand—thou hast, I see, some gentle-
folks with thee- now good 'een to thee, Carolus,
thou hast purchased the barley and the colours
which I desired thee ?"
“ Heard nothing about it,” said Carolus, in
a roguish tone, and looking sly, “never a mor-
tal word, mother, did ye say to me about
barley or colors."
“ Shame on ye, ye long lout, to stand there
and flout thy mother, I'll teach ye manners,
I
will—but what sort are the gentle-folks you
have brought with ye ?"
“ It is a gentleman named Letslermhe has
a wife and son along with him," said Elias,
“I brought them from Drammen.”
2
66


THE HERMIT.
35
“ Where are they going to ?”
“ I know nought about it, the gentleman
himself” and here Elias turned with a loud
clear voice, towards his mysterious passenger,
who was leaning over the galley, and silently,
and thoughtfully contemplating, the desolate
strand of Grafwerna—“the gentleman, him-
self, will know best what he is seeking here,
may be a boat to take him to Göteberg."
“Not exactly," returned the stranger, “I
propose to rest here for a few days, in the first
place.”
“ Heaven's sorrow,” interposed old Malena,
who deemed herself called upon by her house-
hold dignity, to mix in the discourse, “ there
is nought here fit for gentlefolks, but if ye'll
kindly take matters as they are, you shall be
heartily welcome to all there is.”
Thanks, my good madam, * we are not
used to be spoiled,” said Letsler, giving his
9
66
* The term, Madam, is continually used in Sweden, to
designate a married woman of the lower class.”


36
THE HERMIT.
wife his hand to help her out of the boat.
George had already sprung on land, and was
busily engaged rummaging and scraping among
the shells and pebbles, which glittered on the
beach in the darkening twilight, like precious
stones. The little dwelling of Elias Ass-
bjornsson, denoted that its possessor, in propor-
tion to his means of support, and frugal wants,
was in the enjoyment of a kind of competence ;
or was what may be called well to do. Besides,
the outer or common room, the walls of which
were covered with all sorts of such implements
as mark the dwelling of a sailor and a fisher-
man, there were lines and hooks, guns, sealskins,
and large bundles of herring nets, and such
like; there were two small side rooms, in
which the moss had scarce had time to dry in
the fissures, and where incontrovertibly, all the
treasures which the family possessed, were
collected together. The little tables in each
corner groaned under a load of pink porcelain,
which had been brought home by the father
a
a


THE HERMIT.
37
and son from different
from different places they had
visited; and on the window, from which hung
down the snowy linen curtains, with their
delicate network figures, might be seen,
in
elegant arrangement, all the most superb and
various articles which could be imagined, to
constitute the mere ornaments of a coast cot-
tage. For instance, a gypsum image of Na-
poleon, with broken nose, was the first article
in the collection, the next was a genuine
Chinese tea-caddy, leaned up against this again,
was the half of an English punch-bowl, so
slily placed, that it looked almost as if it was
entire, there was, moreover, an East Indian
jar, with a defective lid shaded by an Indian
fan. And lastly, no one will be surprised at
seeing here a Dutch vrow's head dress—one
of those large wide and towering affairs which
make women's headache-paraded between
two Turkish pipe stems, the extremities of which
rested comfortably on their respectable cocoa-
nut bowls; however, we have sufficiently


38
THE HERMIT.
entered into a detail of the articles of luxury
which these chambers contained. Let us now
turn to those which were for daily use and
comfort, and when we add that the newly
scoured floor was as white as the fine sand
with which it was strewed; we shall find it quite
natural to suppose-especially as one of the rooms
contained an excellent bed that the honest
hosts indulged a very pardonable feeling of
pride as they introduced the stranger family.
" Look
you, sir,” observed old Ass-bjornsson
casting a long and satisfied glance around,
“here is at least a roof to your head; remain
as long as it may suit you; we have no
lack of fish, such as gentlefolks can eat-
and mother Malena is quite cook enough to
know how to dress ling or torsk-the worst is
about the bread."
“ We have a small provision in those two
chests,” said Nicoline, giving the old honest-
hearted Elias a friendly look, “and we shall be
well pleased to fish for ourselves, if we may be
allowed to borrow the necessary tackle."
a


THE HERMIT.
39
a
2.
a
((
16 If these chambers can be let for
month," interposed Letsler, “ I, as a stranger
will most gladly pay the rent of them in
advance; I am not rich, but not so poor that
any one need be a loser on my account.”
“We shall agree at once,” said Elias," you
can just pay as is most convenient; and if
you
could not pay a stüber, I should be no loser,
for we don't want the rooms until my son
Carolus tackles to, and marries a wife and as
far as I know, that speculation is far enough
a-field yet."
Thus was the contract settled and sealed.
“ You always sell every thing at the cheapest
rate, father," hinted Carolus, when the old
”
man, as they were returning to the beach,
related what had occurred.
May the moment never come when thou
mayst be in want of daily bread, thyself,"
said the father, angrily,“ dost thou need
"
more? has thy father had more ? have a care,
Carolus, and beware of seeking after unlawful
66


40
THE HERMIT.
and shameful gain in all thy transactions !
hast thou no heart to do ought for the sake of
the service thou mayst do, shame on ye.”
“But, father," objected Carolus, “it cannot be
otherwise than allowable and honourable, to
take payment for service rendered to those
who are able to pay. If I don't look about me
while I'm young, I may just grow easily old
,
like you, and give up all hope of bringing
home Johanna to these new rooms; and, more-
over, she, herself, will be so old by that, that
it will be hardly worth the pains.”
“Aha, my dear Carolus," observed Elias,
,
as he rolled the quarter cask ashore, while his
son attended to the other barrels.
" Is that
thy wool ? then I can just tell thee right out,
and away, that for my part, I don't believe
,
Johanna will be much to be envied, in becoming
thy wife ; for look ye, she whom one has loved
in her youth, should be loved and honoured
in her old age also.”
"
“I say nought against that, either,” rejoined
>
66


THE HERMIT.
41
Carolus, "if one has only had her all the while
but see now-just to take up with her after she
has lost all her leaves, like a water-lily in
autumn, and has got wrinkled in her face—now,
I don't fancy that.”
Well, if I had such fancies as that,” said
old Ass-bjornsson, “ mother Malena would
have great right to complain—however, that
she never shall have."
Aye, aye; I believe you there,” struck in
Carolus, with a kind, cheerful laugh. “It's
long time now, since the days when you were
young,
and
sang
the stave that I like to hum.”
66
)
" The blushing rose on the lily cheek,
The bonny maid I love to see,
And could I win, the lass I seek,
How happy should I be."
Elias smiled, as, not without satisfaction, and
perhaps also a little pride, he regarded his
brisk, active, athletic son, who, with his ruddy
brown cheeks, and short curly locks, and his


42
THE HERMIT.
open chest, broad, with youthful vigor, looked
the very picture of a genuine Swedish sailor.
The Eastern sky was already beginning to
glow, when at length all their necessary
business being concluded, father and son were
ready to go
into the house and get some rest.
Mother Malena sat up in her bed, and pointed
to a table upon which a dish of cold fish, a
basket full of fresh oat bread, and a can of
fresh beer awaited them.
“ Hast thou given the strangers aught,"
asked Elias, “ looking towards the little pas-
sage that separated the rooms.
They required nought, they said they were
tired, and went to bed.”
“What dost say of them, mother? "
“Nothing, father, as thou hast given them
house-room, my good will shan't fail them, the
wife is a kind, friendly body as one can meet
with, and I like the boy too, but
“ And how do you like this, mother?” said
Carolus, producing from behind his back, be-
*"
>


THE HERMIT.
43
66
sides the colours and the bag of barley, two
whole pounds of red, white, and blue, cotton
yarn, for a gown for his mother, which she had
long wished to weave from a pattern she had
got from Lysekil--and spreading the articles
before the old lady upon the bed.
“The thousand, Carolus boy, where didst
get all the money ?” and mother Malena's eyes
beamed with joy, wonder, and maternal ten-
derness.
Money? why don't ye know, mother, that
I stowed away a whole cask of lobsters on my
own account--and if, as father says, I do
I
sometimes stand a glass or two in good com-
pany, yet I am no such spendthrift as he at
times fancies," answered Carolus, with a ro-
guish side glance at old Elias, who had seated
himself cosily down with a hunch of bread
in one hand, and a cold fish head in the
other.
“Now, boy, now," interrupted his father,
wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his striped
-
>


44
THE HERMIT.
shirt. 'Tis not always said, that I say all I
think; however, if thou hast any merit to
boast of, the Lord's to be thanked for it, and
not thyself.”
Perfectly satisfied with this answer, which at
once cheered and flattered him, Carolus took his
seat on an old ship's bench opposite to his
father, and they both attacked the food with a
hearty appetite.
Long after old Ass-bjornsson had been snor-
ing beside his wife, the crib allotted to Carolus
was still untenanted, he was sitting by the
window with a little black-leather pocket book
in his hand, contentedly counting out his
twelve and eighteen shilling notes, while with
an air of no small reverence, he deposited a
whole rixdollar by itself; after he had sorted
it all, he placed the entire treasure in the
drawer of a trunk, covered with leather and
ornamented with brass nails, which was his own
peculiar property, and which already contained,
unknown to his parents, no inconsiderable sum,
a


THE HERMIT.
45
the earnings of his labor, prudence, and
frugality.
It was Carolus's aim to astonish his father
some day by offering to buy the half owner-
ship of the “ Free Sailer,” which the old man
had been, year by year, talking of making him
a present of; but nothing had come of it as
yet. And next to the happiness of winning
Johanna of the Bilberry holm for his wife,
Carolus could imagine nothing in the world so
good, as his father's astonished look, when he
should make the proposal ; and then, when
his father should say—-"just keep all them
big words till thou canst do the thing,” to go
straight to the trunk, fetch the money, and
shew that nothing was easier.
Now we fear it must be confessed, that
Carolus had not, by a great deal, the stern,
steady principles of his father, though he was
an honest lad, with a sound heart; no doubt
Carolus was glad enough to lend a helping
hand to any one in distress, and would have


46
THE HERMIT.
risked life and limb to do so, if necessary;
but when he saw that there was anything to be
earned, he never threw away a chance-and
many a time, when his parents believed him
busy mackerel fishing, he was engaged with
another quess sort of fishing, for a merchant
in the neighbourhood, and by dint of his sly-
ness and boldness, had managed to smuggle
many a good lot of stuff under the very noses
of the Custom officers—the nearest yacht-
lieutenant was therefore not so ignorant as the
old folks and Carolus had often need of all
his address and cunning to get off with a
whole skin, and house his matters securely.
However, these sort of bold adventures were
his pleasure, and the bamboozling a spy ex-
ciseman he looked upon as the most honorable
of transactions — the only point which
vexed him, in the whole business, was that he
could not talk about his valiant deeds, and
boast of them a little for he never dared men-
tion such things to his parents-it would only


THE HERMIT.
47
have led to fears and anxiety on their part,
and moreover, a confidence of the kind might
be attended with danger, and so he was obliged
to be satisfied with enjoying his pride and suc-
cess by himself.
The clock now struck five, and Carolus
thought it best to seek his solitary crib, where,
nevertheless, thoughts of the singular stranger,
of the gentle wife, and the lively, light-
hearted boy kept him awake for a good quarter
of an hour longer. His sleeping thoughts were
divided between the fair Johanna and the
“ Free Sailer" alone.
+


48
THE HERMIT.
CIIAPTER III.
THE JOHANNIS CLIFF.
*
SOTENAS, one of the largest promontories
which extend into the sea, from the central
coasts of Bohusland, derived its name, accord-
ing to old tradition, from the numerous ship-
wrecked mariners, who had there died a
natural death. Now whether there was more
ground for this assertion, than for a saying
that the term originated from one Sote, who
had formerly settled here, this district is,
all events, much prized by the antiquary, as a
rich mine of valuable recollections, and espe-
Sot-do-den-signifies a natural death-Nas--a pro-
montory or peninsular.
at


THE HERMIT.
49
cially for its wonderful mountain fastnesses,
originally the strongholds of the mighty sea-
kings--but in latter days, affording secure
places of concealment to the daring smugglers
of the coast.
In the rocks of Grafwerna, also, if there
are no very interesting relics of antiquity to
be found, there are a large number of
excavations and hollows, deep enough not
only to keep many a silent secret, but also
to afford a refuge to the living in case
of need. The gigantic urns or barrows with
which the coast abounds, and out of which
perchance the old Vikings were wont to drink
at their joyous revels, are likewise admirably
calculated to play no mean part in the noctur-
nal adventures which have been going on for
centuries, among their naked clefts and rocky
coasts, hemmed in by their ocean girdle, and
will probably continue to go on for centuries
yet to come.
At so inconsiderable a distance from the
VOL. I.
D


50
THE HERMIT.
strand of Grafwerna, that it almost looks as if
it had been rent therefrom by some natural
convulsion, lies a little rocky islet, called the
Johannis Cliff ; its shape is something like an
oval shell, in whose riven centre, between the
abrupt sides of the rocky fissure, might be
easily found space for a small house; towards
; ;
the landward side, these walls are so closely
drawn together, that the numerous rocky masses
which appear to hover at once over and be-
tween them, form in themselves a sort of shel-
tering roof, the opening to which is almost en
tirely hidden by a bed of shivered stones.
On a hillock on the strand, just opposite to
this cliff, which was so bare, and poor, and
naked, that one poor, miserable, solitary thistle
alone, had fixed its abode on its barren, deso-
late slope, as if moved by a sensation of pity.
At the period of our story, the solitary stranger
often stood and gazed forth on the sea, which
incessantly watered the foot of the rock, care-
fully washing away every benevolent grain of
a


THE HERMIT.
51
earth, which might perchance wish to linger
on its surface.
“What sayst thou, Nicoline," asked Letsler
one day of his wife, “if we were to build us a
house there ?”' pointing at the same time to the
deep fissure in the cliff.
A slight shudder affected the young
wife's
frame, as she somewhat evasively inquired-
“Are you not contented here? is not this
place still and lonely enough ? is it not awful
enough here in Grafwerna ?”
“Oh, Nicoline, thou art but a weak woman;
aye, weaker far than I believed, or had a right
to expect from thy former courage,” said the
husband, turning away from the companion of
his life, who sat beside him on the hillock.
Nicoline quickly grasped his hand, whilst a
tear which had tremblingly crept out upon her
cheek fell, unseen, upon the hot granite where
it quickly dried; a sad picture of poor Nico-
line's youthful bloom, already prematurely
withered in the noonday of life's sandy waste.
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF ITINNIS
D 2


52
THE HERMIT.
9
Letsler did not look at her, though he re-
turned the warm pressure of her hand.
“My Bernhard, look upon me. I am not
weak-oh no--not in the least-assuredly not.
I thought but of George, not of myself.”
“The boy again,” returned Letsler, roughly,
“thou dost love him more than me--and yet,
do I need thy love the most, for he has known
no sorrow."
“And no joys of childhood either," urged
Nicoline, gently. “Oh, Bernhard, thou, who
art in all things besides so good, how-how
canst thou bear to be so unjust to thine own
child ?"
" That I am not—no, Nicoline ; but thou
understandest-canst judge as little of my
feel-
ings, as I am capable of judging or determining
when the last drop of the wave, which beats
but now against yon cliff, will sink back into
its ocean bed.”
“So hast thou said full often; will, then the
time ever come when I shall learn to under-


THE HERMIT.
53
stand the thoughts and feelings, which, for
twelve long years, have been to me but as a
dark riddle."
“ Long, sayest thou ? aye, aye—I can well
believe they have seemed long to thee, although
I cannot call to mind that thou hast ever said
as much."
In these words of Letsler's, there lay an ex-
pression which caused Nicoline's soft heart to
tremble; and some few moments elapsed
before she ventured to break the silence.
At length, she said, in a gentle, carressing,
and entirely loving voice,
"I meant not the evil which thou thinkest.
God sees and knows I meant it not; but, oh!
could I, thy wife, be ever so near thy heart,
and yet not feel the time long, which has
separated me from thy truer self.”
It was a wonderful moving picture to look
upon-how that stern, cold man, with a sudden
wild, up-flaming passionateness, took his wife
to his heart, and kissed her fair locks with all
the fervor of a youthful lover.
2.
a


54
THE HERMIT.
“My better self lives not in my thoughts,
my Nicoline ; in my heart—in my soul-in
my spirit, are feelings-only feelings and
these are thine, and thine alone-thou loved
blue eye.”
“ And I may only share thy brighter mo-
ments now; but hereafter--how will it be
then—" and there was an unspeakably naïve
and child-like innocence in the question.
“ As now-otherwise it can never be- didst
thou not promise, when thou didst pledge
truth and love to the unhappy fugitive, that
thou wouldst never seek a confidence impos-
sible for him to give; for thee, it was enough
that he was a proscribed one, who stood in the
urge wide world alone."
“Ah, and it is so now,” she exclaimed,
“think of my folly no more, and I will never
thee on this point again.”
“And give not way to the childish fancy
that I love not our child as I ought. I love
him, Nicoline, as heartily, as deeply as thou


THE HERMIT.
55
dost thyself, though, maybe, in a different way;
but he, who has naught left to him in this lone
world, save one true woman's heart, likes ill, in
even but the smallest measure, to share it with
another.''
“ And has then, my Bernhard, this measure
been disproportioned ?”
“I cannot say, my beloved; but what I
assuredly meant, is that in thy weakness for
him, thou hast sometimes, in some measure,
forgotten and neglected me.”
Nicoline mutely leaned her head against her
husband's shoulder ; she had no more to say
in
her defence--she had but the inward soothing
consciousness in herself, that never had she
neglected, even in thought, the unspeakably
bitter duties which so oft had fallen heavy
upon her pure bright spirit, on her warm and
faithful heart.
“Let us speak no more of it," said Letsler,
who gradually fell back into his usual tone,
his usual gloomy seriousness,
thou to my proposal ?”
- what sayest


56
THE HERMIT.
Nicoline's eyes slowly scanned the spot on
which her husband's eyes were fixed.
“Ah,” she sighed, “it is hard to bind our
George to this wild rock-ever and always
exposed to the changes of storm and sea."
“ Is it not better far for him to breathe the
pure and wholesome air, than that he should
wither in the dull ruins to which he was once
confined ?"
“In Denmark,” whispered Nicoline, anx-
iously, “there are many sweet lonely countries,
which"
“Which, however, are not Sweden," in-
terrupted Letsler, shortly. “I will—I must
breathe Swedish air, should it be even only
here
upon this cliff, where a dwelling raised in
the broadest part of yon fissure, would afford
sufficient shelter from every tempest; and in
order that George should not grow shy, but
should early be inured to the only mode of life,
for which I can destine him, namely, a life at
sea-one too which he likes he shall have
>


THE HERMIT.
57
an answer.
permission to come often here to Grafwerna,
and accompany Elias and Carolus in their
voyages.”
Nicoline was, at this moment, incapable of
Her George's future so dark, cold,
and joyless, lay heavy on her heart; but it
would have been as vain as unwise to have
struggled against it; she saw that the die was
cast, and that this desolate spot was too much
in unison with the taste and wishes of her
husband for him ever willingly to leave it;
there was, therefore, nothing left for her, but
as usual, to look on the consolatory side of
things; but this she could not do at once; she
needed time to accustom herself to this new
vicissitude, which was to be of long dura-
tion.
After a while, Letsler arose, and turned to-
wards the house, saying-
“I will seek Elias then, and talk over my
plan with him, in case I may interpret your
silence as consent; you know, Nicoline, how
D5


58
THE HERMIT.
adverse I am to every kind of contact with
mankind; here, upon this cliff, which I already
love, I can live in quiet.”
Nicoline nodded a mute assent; but when
her husband had left her, the tears streamed
down her cheeks, and with looks of horror, and
even of despair, she contemplated these gloomy
rocks, which were to be her future and con-
tinual home; day after day, perhaps for long,
long years, she was to sit here, living, as it
were, upon her own tombstone, and count the
weary hours; and when George, the highest,
;
purest happiness of her soul, was away-when
she should be alone with this mysterious man,
to whom she was so devoted, because she loved
and feared him too much to venture to have
another thought, than his—how many hot,
silent tears would not then flow ?-how many
sighs start from her sad bosom, whilst her lips
wore a smile, and her looks uttered no com-
plaint; for if Letsler should believe she was
not happy, he would be quite capable of part-


THE HERMIT.
59
ing from her, and dwelling alone in this dreary
place; and such an alternative, this true and
loving woman felt, would be more trying still
than living with him here.
Whilst Nicoline sat thus wrapt in her silent
dreams, the sun declined softly into the bosom
of the waters, upon the smooth surface of
which one or two fishing-boats were gliding
aboutma rustling wind waved the rank sea-
weed, and played among the leaves of a rocking
water-lily; while crimson clouds flamed be-
tween the gloomy masses of bill, and cast a
kindly gleam upon the solitary thistle, which
grew upon the Johannis cliff.
Gradually, however, Nicoline felt her bosom
grow lighter.
“ Even here," whispered a
gentle voice, “even here there may be peace
and light; to the storms of each autumn and
winter spring and summer will succeed, and
every sun which rises and sets in its course
invites us to a solemn spectacle, grand and
beautiful in its lonely splendour.”


60
THE HERMIT.
4
The plash of oars was heard in the vicinity
of the strand, and as the boat glided along the
azure surface it left a silvery glittering train
behind it. This phenomenon, which sailors
account for in various ways, looked strange and
lustrous from Nicoline's elevated position, and
not the least beautiful and attractive object in
the picture, to her, was her fair haired son,
who, fishing rod in hand, sat in the stern and
waved a greeting to her; urged by the sinewy
arms of Carolus the boat approached even
nearer to the shore, whilst Carolus trolled
forth a song, and George listened attentively to
the echo from the mountains.
They came alongside the landing, Carolus
made the boat fast to a stake, and after he had
carried in the richly stocked fishing net and
the other tackle, hastened after George, who,
as soon as he set foot on land, had run up to
the hillock, where liis mother was sitting.
It was beautiful to see with what nearly
fatherly care, Carolus, the young and vigorous


THE HERMIT.
61
sailor, looked after George, shewed him how to
fish, taught him to steer and row the little
boat, and entertained him with wondrous tales,
which had most of them some reference to the
Cape of Sotenäs.
“Humbly beg pardon, lady,” said Carolus,
when he had reached the summit of the rock
where Nicoline had already received her dar-
ling, “I hardly thought that Master George
was so brisk at climbing these steep crags, and
feared he might fall and hurt himself.”
" Thanks, thanks, good Carolus," answered
Nicoline, nodding kindly to the young man,
you are so very good-natured and friendly
to my George."
Oh! yes, mother," interrupted George,
“I have never been so happy as here—I would
always be with Carolus, if I could—I like
him so much."
“ Children are always so easily contented,"
said Carolus, modestly. “But if I durst pre-
sume to ask, how is't that the gentleman and
lady sit here so often on this hill."
>
"


62
THE HERMIT.
“We are looking at that singular cleft in
the Johannis Cliff, and I have often wondered
why it is called Johannis Cliff-does Carolus
know ?
“Aye, aye, I know well enough," said
Carolus, “ there is a strange saying about yon
cliff, which I heard from grandmother, when
she was living."
“If you have time perhaps you will tell us
the story ?” said Nicoline, with an encouraging
glance, whilst George-in spite of his re-
luctance-made him sit down, saying,
“ I knew right well that Carolus had some
more stories for us."
Well, well, as regards myself, a fellow
that speaks with no better tongue than he has
received from nature; however, if I should
make any mistakes—and I can't promise I
shall not—you must excuse me, dear lady."
And Carolus, after this introduction, and
having given his forehead and his tarry
breeches an encouraging rub, began his narra-
tive as follows.


THE HERMIT.
63
“ At that time—for look you-this story
is of a time long, long ago—at that time when
the old sea-kings lived and ruled here on these
coasts, and had their battles and tournaments,
which you may see carved and scratched upon
the rocks to this day; with their horses and
soldiers, and ships, which they called Dragons,
and also held their fearful great banquets, for
they were not only fond of the sword, but of
their liquor too—there dwelt a man here in
Grafwerna, who passed for a lusty warrior, and
this man had a daughter, and the saying went
forth that she had not her equal for beauty; but
she was so masculine in her habits, that she
could use the sword and the bow, and set a sail
or steer a boat as well as a man, and so she
always went with her father to all sorts of
fights, dressed like a man, so that nobody
might see how beautiful she was, and take a
liking to her.
“ But take what care she would, one morn-
ing the king's son caught a glimpse of her


64
THE HERMIT.
before she had put up her yellow hair under
her steel bonnet, and as the prince loved pretty
women and adventures better than anything
else, he was highly delighted at the discovery
which he had so unexpectedly made, and came
and stood boldly before the damsel, who was
uncommonly fierce upon the occasion, and
clapped her hand on her sword.
"Beauteous maiden,' said the king's son,
drawing quite near to her, you must not
imagine that I wish to injure you; but my
father is a very severe man, and he would be
sure to take it very ill if he found out that
there was a woman in his army, and so let it
be a secret between us.'
“At that moment, so says the story, the
damsel felt as if a mill-stone had fallen upon
her lily breast, and that she had spoken with
the king's son in an unlucky hour; however,
she kept this to herself, and replied,very
well, as far as I am concerned.'
6


THE HERMIT.
65
“And so things went on for a time, the
maiden was continually persecuted by the
king's son with offers of love, and he would
fain have persuaded her to fly with him; but
she loved another, who was a poor man and
not a great one, but who in her mind was
more amiable and prouder and handsomer, than
any king's son in Swealand; and this man
whom she liked was called Johannes, and was
one of the champions of Stonge-näs, where
there was another king, like him who reigned
at Sotenäs—There was no want of kings in
those days—Now as the maiden had plighted
her faith to this Johannes, she absolutely re-
fused to have anything to say to the prince or
his promises, but told her father all about it,
and begged for leave to quit the fighting busi-
ness and go away home, and the father who
knew very well that the king's son did not
want to marry his daughter, was glad enough
to have her safe at home, and got her sent
away quite quietly.
“But secretly and quietly as it was planned


66
THE HERMIT.
.
and done, there were two persons who had
spied it all out, and these two were the prince
himself and Johannes, and each had his own
ideas about it. Well, a short time after the
maiden had gone home, she was sitting one
evening as you, dear lady, may be sitting now,
and looking at the beautiful sunset, and as she
sat and sighed for her dearest, who she knew
was away at the wars—for it happened just
then that the two kings of Stongenäs and
Sotenäs had made an alliance, to chastise a
cunning robber chief, who was making havoc
of the parish of Swarteborg-as she was
sitting there, as I said, there came creeping
quietly round the point of the rocks a little
boat, and the damsel was not slow to get on
her feet, for, thought she, there is Johannes
come to visit me; and in the twilight-it was,
perhaps, a little darker than it is just now-
she flew to meet him whom she expected, but
scarcely had she beheld the man who; had
landed on the strand, than she stopped short-


THE HERMIT.
67
I
for, God's death, it was the king's son who
stood before her, in his own clothes, and would
have embraced her.
Keep your
hands off,' cried the damsel,
' for even if I have no sword or bow, yet I can
take care of myself, and that you know.'
“But the prince was not to be abashed.
w"
“I offer,' said he, 'I offer to my beautiful
maiden stores of gold and silver, and pearls
from the depths of the sea, and rings and
golden brooches as much and as many as she
likes.'
6. Get thee hence, thou persuadest me not,'
answered the maiden to his address.
“"I will not go,' he returned, but if you
won't come by fair means I'll use force.'
«Do it and take me then,' said she, but
before he could lay hold of her she threw a
sharp stone at him, and gave him such a buffet
on the head, that he felt his top-rigging begin
to buzz, and began to run about like mad.
“ And now, just at the very worst, another


68
THE HERMIT.
6
C
little boat came to land, and, with a cry of joy,
the maiden recognized the voice of her lover.
«. To sea, my brave lass,' shouted Johannes,
rushing up the strand so as to get the
maiden in his arms. You must know,' said
he, that this rascal has ten warriors here in
ambush, or else I'd fight him, but now we
must fly.
“But just see now, the boat had scarcely
shoved off when the prince recovered himself
so far as to summon his warriors together with
his whistle, and they tumbled away, neck and
crop, into their boat to fetch back the fugi-
tives.
“ When Johannes saw how it was, and that
it was clean impossible to get out to sea-he
landed there yonder, by the cliff—and had just
time to get up before the whole swarm were
after him, like raging wolves after a lamb.
Johannes and his dearest were but two against
eleven; however, he fought and she fought
with superhuman strength, but they soon saw


THE HERMIT.
69
that the fight could not end well for them, and
so the maiden cried with a loud voice-
“Dear Johannes, if thus lovest me, rather
hurl me down into the depths of the sea with
thine own hand, for, if thou shouldst fall, I
know what fate awaits me.'
" These words made the blood boil like fire
in Johannes’ veins, and he cut and slashed and
stabbed about him as if he had been a very
devil; but when he felt himself getting ex-
hausted and knew that he could not hold out
much longer, he fixed his looks sadly on his
beloved, and when he had looked into her ut-
most soul, and she neither turned pale nor
shewed any signs of fear, but only looked
lovingly and gently in his eyes : he said,
". Fare thee well now beautiful maid, we
shall soon meet again. It was done in a
moment, a slight motion of the water alone
denoted the spot where she had sunk. And
now Johannes paused awhile to breathe, and
then collected his whole remaining strength


70
THE HERMIT.
for a manly struggle to the last; and the fol-
lowing morning when the sun again shone upon
the cliff, there lay no less than six corpses, and
amongst them that of the king's son himself-
nearest to Johannes; and, in memory of this
fight, the cliff is called to this day by the
name of the Johannis Cliff.
The maiden's name was never known, but
on the spot whence she was thrown down
sprang up a thistle, which has remained there
ever since; and sometimes deep in the night
one may hear a song from the sea beneath, and
a
that is the maiden singing a merry welcome to
her bridegroom.”
Thanks, good Carolus, for the pretty
story,” said Nicoline,“ perhaps I may be for-
tunate enough to hear the virgin's song some-
times."
Aye, may be so," returned Carolus, for he
clung with a kind of predilection to the super-
stition, which still, and often in a poetical
form, shews itself in the boldest natures on
66
66


THE HERMIT.
71
these coasts. “I have myself heard her more
than once; it's just as if little plates of silver
were sounding against each other; but it must
be calmer than it is this evening for you to
distinguish it."
" And does not Johannes too sing some-
times ?” asked George, who had silently and
thoughtfully listened to the tale.
“No, no, Johannes only listens; and I am not
surprised at it, however--sometimes--if Master
George remains here till autumn--when the
storm howls and rages one can plainly hear
the clash of swords and the struggle of the
warriors falling down with a mighty rush, as
if the rocks themselves had got on their legs
to wrestle with each other. Aye, aye, that's
as true as can be, Master George, you may rely
see,
there comes mother to say
the fish is ready, be so good, dear lady, as to
enter and taste them—they are Master George's
catching
When George in the evening wished his
upon it. But


72
THE HERMIT.
66
a
father good night, the latter, holding his hand
fast awhile, asked him,
Do
you
like this place, George ?”
“Yes, father, I never in my life have been
happier. Every day is so pleasant, and now
Carolus has promised to take me with him to a
little island, named Tryggö; there is a singular
grave there like a pipe, and in it are said to
rest the bones of the old Viking, Tryggive.
You know, father, how King Tryggive, in the
story, was murdered by the crafty Gadröd's
warriors; however, I never believed when I
read the story, that I should see the island it-
self.”
Aye, and that is only one of the many
curious things that you may see, if we remain
here,” said Letsler, in a tone calculated to ex-
cite George's fancy for the sea,
and the wonders
of the coast.
" I should like to stay here for good,” he
exclaimed with vivacity, “where could we
be better than here with Elias and Carolus ?»
66
,


THE HERMIT.
173
6
" But in winter time there are no amuse-
ments here: have you thought of that,
George ?»
“Oh, then I must learn to make boats and
rig them like the Free Sailer,' and I can help
Elias, too, to mend the nets, and go fishing on
the ice with Carolus."
“ But what will mother do ?" asked Lestler
giving a gentle glance at Nicoline, who was
leaning against the window, listening to the
dialogue between her husband and son.
Oh, mother will do the same as she does
anywhere else.”
“ How do you mean ?”
“I hardly know-I don't know what she
does, but mother always does something to
make me feel she is always near me-and that's
the best-"
“ Thanks, my George," said Nicoline, press-
ing a kiss on her son's forehead.
VOL. I.


54
THE HERMIT.
CHAPTER IV.
NIGHTLY ADVENTURES.
The changing years come and go. One sows
in tears, and reaps in joy, a better and richer
harvest than was either hoped for, or expected;
another, on the contrary, already rejoicing in
the hope of gathering in the most beautiful
and noblest fruits, is unexpectedly assailed by
nights of frost and tempest, which destroy
both seed and harvest; and the fountain of
tears so quickly dried up in the former, gushes
forth afresh in the latter; while a third wan-
ders onward now as before, on its endless
course, over the monotonous and thorny paths
of trial and reverse.
There are human beings whom one might
a
1


THE HERMIT.
75
almost believe to have been destined for mar-
trys from their birth-upon whose heads so
many totally unforeseen sorrows have continu-
ously accumulated—that astonished and terror-
stricken one is led to ask, can one poor mortal
being endure all this?
And yet we see but the outward visible
signs of all the ravages which these storms of
sorrow have left behind—and how poor and
little is this in comparison with the depth of
torture, and of pangs, which no human eye can
fathom or discern in the heart of another.
How should we be capable of entertaining the
most remote conception of the interior of this
close and narrow world, where, perhaps, duty
and affection, care, humiliation, shame, and
hopeless darkness maintain an eternal struggle
-where each hour, and minute, and even each
particular second, bears witness to a new sor-
row, though self-created. The human heart
has not burden enough in real sorrows---but
the very remainder--the dregs of life's bitter-
E 3


76
THE HERMIT.
ness -- even this, it fills up with reflections
a thousand-fold more bitter than the real sor-
rows and sufferings of either body or mind.
For three years, now the lonesome thistle on
the Johannis cliff, had no longer held its soli-
tary dominion over these gloomy crags ; a little
building with three windows facing the sea,
had found space and shelter in the great cleft-
by the firm walls of which its gable ends were
formed—while its rear so closely adjoined the
mountain cavern we have before mentioned-
that there was a communication between the
two.
Often as the sun was declining could the
distant sailor discern Nicoline's fair locks
fluttering in the breeze as she sat on the rocky
platform before her dwelling, listening to the
murmur of the waves, or the soft silver tones
of the virgin in the azure waters--many seamen
looked upon the whole appearance—the fair
beautiful woman, on the wild cliff, surrounded
by sea, as a mere splendid aerial deception;


THE HERMIT.
77
and supposed it to be one of those inexplicable
wonders which the sons of the ocean too fre-
quently encounter in their voyages.
On the other hand, in the stormy nights of
autumn, when the wild surges broke over the
foot of the Johannis cliff, waving with the din
of a thousand tongues--they could sometimes
see how the moon, after being for hours veiled
in grey misty clouds, at last, shed a pale beam
upon another form, which now, in its turn,
occupied the rocky seat. Cowering gloomily
with folded arms, Letsler would contemplate
the wild strife of nature--was it good for him
thus to vent the hollow half suppressed sighs
which burst from his desolate heart; mingling
with the howl of the tempest, and the wild
roar of the surge; no, it was not; for with
each succeeding autumn, that form which had
assuredly once been endowed with almost
per-
fect manly beauty, appeared more and more
bowed and broken, until at length nothing but
a bent infirm old man was left.


78
THE HERMIT.
During the first years a young and growing
boy might be often seen at his side, and still
more oft, an airy being, which, like a gleam of
the northern lights, or a ministering angel,
seemed to hover around his gloomy night-
watch; but these forms of light afterwards
;
disappeared, and for many a long year the sea-
man beheld but the contour of the mysterious
recluse on the Johannis cliff.
The all-powerful hand of custom had sufficed
to dull the first bitter struggle in Nicoline's
bosom; she no longer shuddered as she had
done, the first time she had trodden the threshold
of this strange abode; which, in her silent
thoughts she named a living grave--no, now
the heart had constrained itself to composure,
and to patience-no more did she regard the
passing sail, with envy and bitterness (such
bitterness at least as could dwell in such a soul
as Nicoline's). She no longer watched with
longing looks, for each successive morning
sun,
she allowed them to come and without
ܕ ܐ
go,


THE HERMIT.
79
busying herself with the painful reckoning, of
how long she had been there; without a pros-
pect before her, or around, save clouds and
cliffs, and sea.
And yet her heart did not break, for she
possessed a rich source of consolation in her
blooming son, who was at once the object of her
grief, and the solace and reward of all her
anxious cares.
Healthy and vigorous, with
an inured and hardened body, a spirit full of
life, and a warm and kindly heart, he grew up
on the sea, accustoming himself to its toils and
dangers, which he even thus early loved, as
much as he did its pleasures; for next to his ten-
der mother, the sea was the first and dearest ob-
ject of George's every thought and hope—under
Carolus's guidance, he learned every wearying
toilsome duty of a sailor; and the honest Caro-
lus, who loved him for his alacrity and bold-
ness, was a kind of actual master to the boy--
and George always parted with Carolus, and the
Free Sailer with great reluctance, when he


80
THE HERMIT.
!
was obliged in the long autumn evenings to
pursue the studies, in which he needed his
father's aid; but when Nicoline's clear glance
beamed upon him, even this task grew light
and pleasant. If some curiosity had been
awakened, in the little fishing village, by the
first arrival of the family in Grafworna, and
their after settlement on the Johannis cliff; it
had completely died away again, so that scarce
a human being ever mentioned the stranger,
who did nothing to excite attention, and there-
fore escaped it.
They guessed, indeed, that the new inhabi-
tant of the strand was not destitute of means,
though he received neither visits or letters, nor
seemed to be connected with any human being
through whom these means could reach him-
nevertheless, he must have had some resource,
for though he supplied his frugal table with
fish with his own hand; more than that was
requisite to live, and purchase the various and
abundant supplies which Carolus brought for


THE HERMIT.
81
him from the towns, when he returned from his
trips. Then the arrangement and furnishing of
the three rooms which comprised the entire
house, though betokening the most unassuming
simplicity-were quite distinct from poverty.
The middle room of the three which opened
on the cliff was inhabited by Lestler himself;
the one on the left, which had also a separate
outlet, was George's; and that on the right, the
prettiest and best furnished of them all, was
appropriated to Nicoline.
This curious little chamber, which, to cor-
respond with the opening of the cliff, was
triangular, might have easily passed for the cell
of a nun, when the pale moon-beams shone
into it on a cold dark autumn or winter
evening; but if one saw it on a sunny day in
spring, or a calm summer evening, and looked
out through the pretty jalousies with the bright
passion flower, which Nicoline had trained up
the trellis work of a leafy ivy-if one looked
through these jalousies, over which the snowy
E 5


82
THE HERMIT,
white curtains waved in the gentle breeze,
which sighed through the half open windows,
and saw the blue sea bounded by stern
mountain masses, and studded with rocky coasts
and holms, with the waves rolling and dashing
upon the red polished shingles, while here and
there a proud ship, with swelling sails, sped on
its foaming track, and the sea-birds hovered in
wide circles above its lofty masts--and last of
all, the beautiful woman who sat at the win-
dow, her fair golden locks waving and flutter-
ing, and seeming to mingle with the verdant
foliage, one might almost fancy it the realisa-
ion of one of those enchanted bowers famed
in story, where a fair captive maiden gazed out
upon the sea, and awaited the moment of
deliverance.
In this little sanctuary of Nicoline's stood
her work-table and book-case, and in a corner
of the little sofa, which was pushed into a
recess at the end of the room, lay her guitar,
to which, in times long past, she had warbled


THE HERMIT.
83
>
>
cheerful ballads. She never sang now, except,
perhaps, sometimes when George would urge
her, or when sitting alone on the Johannis
cliff, while her husband and son were absent
fishing, she would lull her heart to rest with
the well-known notes.
When George was at home, it was his chief
delight to sit by his mother in this little room,
,
and scan over the tasks, which his father had
set him; for, at this time, Letsler was not
unmindful of his son's education, and in after
years, these hours never faded from his memory.
Yet, the simplest truth, the gentlest event
from his mother's lips, had an infinitely higher
worth for him, and his mind must have been
pre-occupied indeed, when a word from her
had lost its power to engage his attention.
This was the case one evening, when, after
having laid by his books, and having been
twice reminded to get out his colour-box, which
he used under Nicoline's instructions, he still
sat casting longing glances at the door.


84
THE HERMIT.
“What do you want, my George ? have you
no longer pleasure, then, in being with your
inother ?”
“Oh, yes, certainly, that always gives me
pleasure ; but I was to go out with Carolus to
fish."
“But not to stay out all night, dear child."
“I know not how soon we shall have done-
according to what work we have."
" But, my dear George, are you not at sea
enough when you make long voyages with
father Elias and Carolus ?-why will you
always be out dabbling in the water ?”
Ah, dear mother, the water is like a home
to me; and then, though when I go long
voyages, they are merry and pleasant, and I
see many curious things ; yet they are nothing
to the little trips which Carolus and I make
alone-then it's all good fun, and not so formal-
like as when old Elias sits at the helm."
But what sort of trips are these then ?
certainly not for the sake of mackerel-fishing.
66
a
66


THE HERMIT.
85
Forat night, when, as you know, your father often
cannot sleep, and goes out into the air, some-
,
times I follow him, and then I have more than
once noticed the Free Sailer, and sometimes a
smaller boat, steered by Carolus, glide up to
the landing-have you not seen it too, my
child ?"
“Have not I?" answered George, with a
triumphant glance, “I have been out with him
several nights."
“You? when I thought you were in bed and
asleep."
“Oh, yes, nicely I stopped there, you may
fancy; but, mother, you can't think how I can
manage an oar among the cliffs and rocks, and
how strong I am.”'
“Strong ! and why do you need to be so
strong, then ? what do you mean ?”
“Oh, I mean that one has good need of
strong hands to carry bales, sometimes large,
and sometimes small-they're not so light, I
can tell you—and then to creep, creep along


86
THE HER MIT.
the sand, and softly, as softly as any cat, and
then to find out the best hiding-places, some-
times in the rocky cliffs, and then in the holes
among the cliffs—oh, that is the best of all;
but it must be right dark and stormy, so that
it whistles again, or else it's not as it ought to
be."
“But, my dear child, I don't rightly under-
stand all this; where does Carolus get all
these bales ?-what do they contain ?-and
where do they go to after you have hidden them
in the clefts ?”
Nicoline, who was in these matters
ignorant and unsuspicious as a child, had
yet some instinctive feeling that all was not
right.
“Sometimes,” answered George, “another
boat comes and receives the freight after we
have brought them a little way, and sometimes
we meet a boat which gives them over to us---
and then we sometimes bury them--especially
in the great giant ruins, and put a stone on for
as
а


THE HERMIT.
87
a lid--and sometimes in other places, which I
can't speak of—and again, sometimes we go
over to one of the merchants, and unload the
goods in their sea-booths."
“But don't you think, George, that there is
something wrong in these secret trips ?—tell
me, now, don't you think so yourself ?”
George seemed puzzled what to answer.
"I don't know rightly,” he said, at last,
“though I can't conceive what harm there can
be in it."
“Does father Elias know anything about
it?
“No, as far as I know, nothing at all; and
I know the first time Carolus took me with
him, he told me, that these sort of journeys
never succeeded, if too many people knew of
them; however, he said, that he knew I was a
handy, silent lad, and so he thought to do me
a pleasure.”
"And he expressly forbade you to say any-
thing about it to your parents ?"


88
THE HERMIT.
“No, no; he did not do that; for then you
may believe, I should not have told
you
this.
I never tell anything which I am told to be
silent about."
“But, dear George," said his mother, caress-
ingly; "why did you not tell me long ago
about these nightly excursions ? I tell you,
my dear child, that you must make no more of
them; for if there is nothing actually wrong
;
about their secresy, it is very possible they
may injure your health.”
“ There see now-I might have thought so
-I knew how it would be,” exclaimed George,
in a sorrowful tone ; “but now, mother, you
understand why I never told you this before ;
and why I am very sorry to have told you
now."
“Shame upon you, George ; how can you
be so naughty-you grieve me."
“ And you grieve me, too! I knew right
well that you would be uneasy as soon as you
learnt it, and there would be an end of all my
66


THE HERMIT.
89
most delightful pleasures; and yet there can
be no harm in it, if Carolus serves these mer-
chants and brings them their goods in
safety.”
“These pleasures, however," said Nicoline,
gently, caressing the boy's glowing cheeks,
they cannot be of so much value as that for
them you would willingly make me uneasy--
I could never sleep in peace if I knew you
were out on the sea--and you must be so cold
and wretched."
“Cold, mother-oh, no! I am sometimes so
hot, that I quite perspire—and then I always
dress myself, so that I can't take cold; and
now, as I have told you so much, I can tell
you, too, that I have been with Carolus twice
to Patron Holmer's at Strand, and he was so
attentive and hospitable; and do you know
what, mother ?” and kere George's impetuosity
and vexation entirely yielded to the pleasure
of telling his dear mother something new;
“ do you know Patron Holmer has a little


90
THE HERMIT.
daughter Fanny—a sweet little girl, and so
clever, and good—I have made several little
boats for her, and she gave me the nice wal-
nuts and figs which I have sometimes brought
you. Yes, yes, dear mama, he who goes
abroad into the world, sees many things—but
my poor, poor, dear mama, you remain there,
where you sit, like a little lonely bird, or the
maiden's thistle out there on the cliff.”
“I do not complain of it, my George ; and
I am not left alone like the poor thistle; and
Dow tell
me,
if
you have not been sorry to
have had a secret from me I never believed
that it was possible.”
"I did not do so of my own liking, mother ;
and you may fancy it was hard enough some-
times ; but never, never, dear mother," and
here George looked his mother warmly and
honestly in the face ; never could I have
done
So,
if I had not been afraid that it would
turn out as it has done, and that there would
be an end of all my fun, as soon as I said a
word about it !"
66


THE HERMIT.
91
“And do you repent your openness then,
my child ?
“No, mother; I would not have it undone,
for all my adventures together; but, oh, dear,
how I shall long after them-you can't imagine,
dear mother, how sorely I shall miss them.”
This discourse, which Nicoline believed to
have been unmarked, had been overheard by
Letsler through the half-open door, although
the latter sitting by the little stove, had ap-
peared only occupied with his own thoughts.
“What is all this spoiling the boy again ?”
he enquired, if not severely, at least in no very
gentle tone, as he entered his wife's room.
“ If, my dear Bernhard, you have heard all
that has passed,” replied Nicoline, depre-
catingly, “I hope you approve what I have
been saying to George.”
-66 Not in the very least for a youngster
who is to be brought up to get his bread upon
the sea---all such restraints are good for
nothing—in a word, spoiling wont do-there-


92
THE HERMIT.
fore, my dear Nicoline, you must just patiently
suffer George to accustom himself to storm
and sunshine. Alas, he will have to learn
more than this—at any rate.”
Nicoline had long been habituated to respect
every decision of her husband's; but in this
case, she was inclined to believe herself justified
in forming her own opinion, and she, there-
fore, gently ventured to object.
“I believe," she said, “that it will do
"
George no good, being with Carolus in these
nocturnal adventures, and therefore I think
it would be all the better for him not to be
allowed to go."
“Pray tell me, then, what danger exists
therein, for you know that George must be
out in all weathers."
“Alas ! dear Bernhard, I know it but too
well; but I can only answer your questions by
a reference to my own peculiar feelings.”
'Which have, however, more than once de-
ceived you; trust me, who have some experience


THE HERMIT.
93
of the world, when I tell you, that in these
trips, Carolus merely undertakes to transfer
goods from one hand to another. I cannot
give you any more detailed explanation, be-
cause you would not understand me without I
entered into it at length; be convinced, how-
ever, that Carolus is undertaking nothing on
his own private account, and earns nothing
thereby, except by means of an honest ar-
rangement with the merchants to whom he
brings the goods."
All this, which certainly cannot be called
decidedly untrue, and which certainly sounded
very well, even if it had been addressed to
other ears than those of Nicoline, did not, it is
true, remove her uneasiness, but had the effect
of making her believe that her husband must
naturally know best—and, above all, that he
would never permit it, if there was anything
in it which could injure George's moral percep-
tions.
However, this evening George remained at


94
THE HERMIT.
home of his own accord, for, young as he was,
and scarcely able to comprehend his own feel-
ings, it yet gave him so much pain, that his
mother had been obliged to suffer contradiction,
that even if it had not been sufficient thus to
give way to her wishes, he would still have
done so, merely to show his father how highly
he respected them.
Even Letsler, on this occasion, paid a volun-
tary tribute to the over-flowing tenderness he
felt for a wife, whom he, at once, tormented
and adored; he caressed George, and said,
with unusual affection-
“It pleases me, boy, that you have remained
at home, and though I should not have refused
you leave, I should have been ill-satisfied if
you
had
gone out this evening ; never neglect
to give way to the feelings of the heart, when
they are consistent with honour."


THE HERMIT.
95
CHAPTER V.
AN ADVENTURE.
In the following spring, there were rejoicings
at Grafwerna of no common kind, for Carolus
brought home his young wife; he had been, for
upwards of a year, half owner of the Free
Sailer, and his father had now ceded the other
half as a marriage gift.
Carolus was, therefore, now his own master,
and not a little proud of being sole owner of
the saucy Free Sailer, as well as of the pretty
Johanna.
The frequent and fortunate trips which he
had made during the summer and late into the
autumn to Helsinger, Malmö, and Göteberg,
gave reason to suppose that now that he was a


96
THE HERMIT.
a
married
man,
Carolus would give up the some-
what hazardous employment, which, as
bachelor, he had so actively engaged in, and
this was not a little vexatious to the houses of
business, to whom his activity and shrewdness
had been so profitable.
“God be praised and blest that I have thee
once more, my George,” said Nicoline, as she
pressed her son to her heart on his return from
their last autumn voyage, and the mother
gazed, with fond pride and tears of joys in her
eyes, on the athletic form, lively glance, and
proudly curling lip of her son ; his sailor's
jacket, and long red neckerchief became him so
well, and the little hat, which he stuck so
saucily on his head, in all sorts of ways, to
shew his mother how he managed to keep it on
in a storm.
George was fourteen years old; but looked
sixteen, and the development of his under-
standing seemed to keep even pace with the
growth of his body—there was not a more


THE HERMIT.
97
attentive, affectionate son to be found, and
there was something quite affecting in the
many little acts of self-denial he would
practise when in the various towns which they
touched at, in order to expend his money in
some little purchase to give his parents an
agreeable surprise-generally a pretty flower-
vase, or a work-box, eau-de-cologne, or such
things.
This time, however, he brought quite a
superb present, to procure which, he had been
obliged to forego his ardent wish to visit the
Marionette Theatre, and the wild beasts, and
even to deny a little beggar boy, whom he often
assisted, a penny, and rogale him with a ship's
biscuit instead, and having thus quieted his
conscience, he hurried off to purchase his
treasure-a beautiful canary bird in a gilded
cage.
It would be hard to say which was most
delighted, Nicoline at receiving George's pre-
sent, which he had denied himself so many
VOL. I.
F


98
THE HERMIT.
things to procure for her, or George, when he
saw his mother bend down over the cage, and
talk to "pretty Fanny,”—for George had
already named his new pet after the little
Fairy of Strand, and to distinguish the two
names, he proposed to call the bird Norwegian
Fanny in speaking not to but of it.
About a week after his return, George was
one evening sitting in his father's apartment,
whither Nicoline had also brought her knitting,
and was seated as close as possible to the stove,
on account of the increasing cold. It was one
of those disagreeable, inclement evenings on
which the western gales rush whistling along
the coast, committing sundry ravages in their
course; the little weather-cock on the roof
creaked, and the windows rattled so violently
on their hinges, that they seemed, to those
within, as if they would momentarily be rent
away, while the awful roaring of the surf was
heard as it broke, at intervals, on the western
side of the. Johannis cliff, and either dashed


THE HERMIT.
99
violently against the naked rocks, or washed
over them.
George sat at Nicoline's work-table, rigging
a little boat after the pattern of the Free
Sailer, and almost every time that his father
passed as he paced the room, George had a
question ready, such as whether the fore-mast
was not too heavy, or if the keel was right,
and whether his father did not think that the
prow had very much the bend of one of
Thomas's, of Kile, boats, and then he wanted
to know if it would not be possible to build a
large boat after his model.
From Letsler's curt and absent answers to the
boy's lively questions, George and his mother
saw that this was one of those days, when his
thoughts seemed unusually engrossing, and
they, therefore, conversed with each other, and
Nicoline said, among other things,
"Only think, George, if you were out now;
are you not sometimes frightened at the


100
THE HERMIT.
breakers, and the great waves, in the late
autumn."
" Afraid of breakers or great waves ? no, my
dear, good mother. I assure you I say nothing
I
but truth, when I tell you, I know not what
fear is. Carolus, too, is never anxious, and
you may trust me, we have often been out in
the Free Sailer in worse weather than this, and
then I would stand in the bows, and hold on
by the stay, and when the spray dashed over
my face and breast, like heavy rain, I liked it
and felt so happy, that I only wished it to last ;
and then, too, in the storms, I had such
thoughts—such glorious thoughts-oh, if they
could come true, you would have plenty of joy
in this world, mother.”
" What thoughts were these then, my
George ?"
Oh, you know I often long for a berth in
a ship-of-war, and then, if we were out in a
storm, or the like, I have so ardently wished
and prayed to be out in such weather on board
66


THE HERMIT.
101
a king's ship, and at close fight with an enemy.
Oh, how fine that must be," and George's eyes
beamed at the airy castles which he was build-
ing; "only think, mother dear—thoughts are
cheap—think how, if I was the first, ay, the
first to board and plant the jolly Swedish flag
upon the conquered enemy's ship. The crew
disarmed, I know how it is—and then when
all is again in order, and our people on board
the prize, then all hands are piped on deck-
and now don't laugh-and then George Letsler
is called forward, and the captain claps him on
the shoulder, and says—let me see, what shall
he say? aye, I have it - George Letsler,' he
,
says, “thou hast borne thee bravely, and like a
man, my lad—thou art gunner, and goest into
the cadet's cabin.' Now, mother, what do
you think ?-would'nt that be fine ? or if he
said, “George Letsler, thou hast been named
with others for a medal-go on so, and thou
wilt soon be an officer. "
“I see, very well,” rejoined Nicoline, smil-
6
6


102
THE HERMIT.
ing gently at the brilliant hopes of her son,
" that thou canst build castles in the air, as well
as boats--ah, my dear George."
“Ah, my dear mother, these airy castles are
not so stupid after all—they have come true
for others, and why may they not for me ? and
I should like to see you, mother, when, after
,
several years, some evening, just as you are
to-day,” and here George dropped his voice,
you should be sitting in your own apartment,
near the dear passion flower, and playing with
Norwegian Fanny, who should be hopping
about on the table, and picking hemp-seeds
from your lips--and then, as you are sitting
there, the door opens, and a tall youth-I,
believe I shall be tall-enters, with golden
epauletts on his shoulders, and a medal on his
breast—and this gentleman--one, two, three
-clasps his mother in his arms, and thinks
that that is the best of all his happiness."
Nicoline regarded her George with such a
look as mothers alone can bestow upon an only
child.


THE HERMIT.
103
»
“Thou dost paint," said she, “with the
brilliant colouring with which thine untainted
wholesome age endows all the objects of life;
but
now,
bethink thee, if, instead of receiving,
with joy, the tall youth, with epauletts and
medal, I should get a letter from one of his
friends, enclosing the medal as a memorial
of my only beloved George, who had fallen in
fight."
“ Aye, it might happen so," returned
George, however, the first idea pleases me the
most, and I have a good reason for it too, for if
I could once get on so far, and earn money
enough to be able to buy a nice little house and
a pretty garden, in a beautiful country, where
there must be a lake, upon which one can sail,
then it would be my dearest wish--when
father and mother were slumbering, to convey
you both away from this comfortless Johannis
Cliff, to the pretty little house, which I had
set in order for you, and I promise you there
would be a surprise when you
woke."


104
THE HERMIT.
sense.
As he ended his boyish talk, Letsler turned ·
to him somewhat pettishly.
“Have done chattering such childish non-
I should really think thou wert a little
too old for such silly gossip.”
Why should it be childish silly gossip ?”
asked George, coloring, “to wish that I might
be able to take my father and mother away
from this place
I dream of it nearly every
night."
" Then get rid of thy dreams at once, my
boy,” replied his father, in a gentler tone, " for
I may as well tell thee, once for all, that they
will never be realized.”
“ Never ?” asked George, impressively, “will
you then, both, father and mother too, die on
this barren cliff."
“We will die here," was the cold answer,
“
" and if thou couldst build me a house of gold
I would still prefer this naked cliff.”
“But thou my, George,” said Nicoline,
"
cheeringly, “thou shalt go forth into the world


THE HERMIT.
105
and live there happy and cheerful, and shall
come home now and then to rejoice thy parents'
hearts."
George shook his head sadly; after his father's
gloomy words, he could not regain his former
cheerful tone.
Meanwhile the storm increased in violence,
and whistled and roared louder and more loud,
and at last a mighty blast caught the door and
burst it wide open, leaving a free passage to the
wind.
“Shut the door, my child," said Nicoline,
with a slight shudder, “it is a comfortless
thing to live, as it were, nearly in the sea.”
“He who may this night be striving with,
the wild waves out there, would, I believe,
give a great deal, to be as safe as we are
though,” replied Letsler, as he knocked the
ashes from his pipe.
“Aye, my friend , that is true," said Nicoline
who felt her conscience reproach her, that she
could give way to a complaint regarding her-
F 5


106
THE HERMIT.
a
self, at a moment when numberless human
beings were probably in imminent danger of
their lives, “but it is fearful,” she continued,
“to hear how the storm increases, and to think
of all the unhappiness it may cause."
“That is all a part of the time of year,
mother," said George, to comfort her, “and it
does not blow so strong now as it did last year,
and for many a one before that this last month
has been a stormy time."
At this instant a whirling gust caught the
shutters, so that the bolts gave way, and spring-
ing open, they begun to clash loudly against
each other.
“I'll scon lash them fast," said George,
seizing a cord, and hastening out to the
platform.
There was a thick darkness over sea and
land, as if everything had been enveloped in
an immense shroud.
George had some trouble to get at the
window, and after he had made the shutters


THE HERMIT.
107
-
fast, and tried them several times to see that
they would not be likely to fly open again, and
frighten his mother, he posted himself on the
outermost side of the cliff, and strained his
looks to seek the Sote-head, that high, danger-
ous promontory, which had already been the
destruction of so many a noble ship, and the
grave of many a bold warm-hearted sailor.
"How it pipes and rages here,” thought
George, as he listened to the sea, as it surged
up, roaring and rushing among the stones;
tearing them loose, and casting them back into
the deep, from whence the serf dashed up
in
high columns of foam, "it's far worse outside
there, though—God have all poor comrades in
his keeping, who are at sea this night,” he ut-
tered, devoutly, and again entered the little
house, which, spite of his love for the sea, ap-
peared to-night most cheering and inviting.
Nicoline brought up their little supper,
which her husband and son seemed to enjoy,
but she, herself, was too uneasy to be able to
eat.


108
THE HERMIT.
“Poor tender child, who canst not habituate
thyself to this rough life," said Letsler af-
fectionately glancing at his true companion.
“Ah, good Bernhard, there are some things
to which we can never habituate ourselves, I
almost feel as if I should be less timid if it was
not so dark outside."
"Somewhat later the moon will get up, if
that will comfort thee, and probably the storm
will also soon break, it seldom lasts very long,
when it comes in this hurricane fashion,
and
A din which could not have arisen from the
sea, or the tempest, now shook the house, in all
its timbers, and a violent flash which glared in
through the little hole in the shutters, an-
nounced an addition to the hubbub of the
elements without.
“ Lightning,” exclaimed Nicoline, anx-
iously, “oh, this is getting too dreadful-at
the end of October, too."
u That is not quite unusual," remarked Let-
ܕܙ
(4


THE HERMIT.'
109
-
sler, “but what art thou standing there and
listening to, George ?"
“It seemed to me as if I heard a knocking
at the house door.”
“Knocking at the door? Impossible, who
could be out this evening ?”
But three repeated knocks nearly as violent
as the thunder itself, made the family fully
aware that there could be no mistake, how-
ever, the knocks were well known, for all three
at once exclaimed
"Carolus !"
George flew to shove back the bolt.
" What is't ?” he asked.
“I have no time to talk about it now,” said
Carolus, rushing by George, into the room; and,
forgetting even his usual courtesy to Nicoline,
he hurriedly approached Letsler, and whispered
a few words in his ear.
“Good, Good! It shall be done at once,"
said the latter, and Carolus hurried out again,
immediately.


110
THE HERMIT
“Go to thy chamber, my child, thou hadst
better
go
to rest,” said Letsler, to his wife, in
a tone which betrayed unusual haste and im-
patience.
Nicoline made no reply, she was so terrified
at the idea of seeing something dreadful-
perhaps a mangled corpse—perhaps something
-she knew not what_that she was incapable of
moving—and as it appeared that Letsler had
no time to lose, he urged her no farther, but
turned to a large press which he alone was in
the habit of using. At the touch of a spring in
this press, which, to all uninitiated eyes ap-
peared fast to the wall, but in fact moved upon
hinges, it separated itself from the wall, and
turned back like a door.
With mute astonishment, Nicoline saw her
husband disappear through this door, and again
come forth, first with one anker and then
another, and afterwards four more; he now
called George from the passage, and bade him
fill all the ankers with water as quickly as pos-
sible, and wait for further oräers.
a


THE HERMIT.
111
Immediately afterwards a violent rushing
noise was heard in the passage. Now thought
she, they are bringing in the poor shipwrecked
people, for this idea incessantly occupied her
thoughts--however to her unspeakable astonish-
ment, she saw nothing but two large casks,
which were rolled in by Carolus and his boat-
swain, Stonge-jan. And these casks, were
should they be put, but in the secret place,
whence the ankers had been just brought out.
As soon as they had been happily stowed away
there, the spring was touched, the press pushed
back, both the doors shut, and there was no out-
ward or visible sign of what had taken place,
which could attract the attention of any one.
“ Is he close upon your heels,” said Letsler,
in a low tone, to Carolus, as he put the key
in his pocket.
“Oh, no, it's not so bad as that, he can't be
here for half an hour at least,” replied Carolus
in the same tone, and giving Stonge-jan a sign


112
THE HERMIT.
a
to go out and help George with the work which
had been entrusted to him.
“ Then you have a small start ?”
"
“Aye, and by my soul, I need it too—and
then it won't be quite so easy for him to land
here at the cliff-but, trust me, master Letsler ;
I pressed the Free Sailer pretty hard-only had
a single reef in, in all this weather. You
know I am no weak one-but it was as much
as I could do to hold the tiller straight, and
keep her as close to the wind as might be—and
though Stonge-jan, who is not a bad chap,
either, held on for the bare life at the weather-
side, till he nearly went over --
the sea ran
almost up to the hatchway-well, well, I know
the craft, you might put the sail of a frigate on
her, and she would not capsize—but you know,
sir, there's another tub in the water, and we
shan't be long afore we have the old one here;
he knows his work, and is a proper chap—and
the Lord have mercy upon all the honest mer-


THE HERMIT
113
chants here upon the coast, if Lieutenant Gran
had the Free Sailer, and Carolus, * Elias son, at
the helm to steer for him.
“But why did ye not say that you were
going out this evening.”
“Well, I thought the old chap in the ser-
vice of the crown would just stop cosy at home
to-night, and then I should have brought the
cognac straight away to Strand at once-how-
ever, I must go out and look after the boy-
and many thanks for your help, Mr. Letsler-
and Carolus vanished."
My God, what means all this ?” stam-
mered Nicoline. 66 What chamber is that
which I have never seen before; oh, Bernhard,
I am so fearful and anxious; what was he
speaking off ? what did you hide ? who is the
old man in the service of the crown ?"
“ Be calm, my beloved-my dear Nicoline,
there is no danger except in thine own over
>
* Sirnames are formed on these coasts, by adding the
word, son, to the father's christian name.


114
THE HERMIT.
you to
room.”
excited imagination
-- were you not incon-
ceivably childish, you would easily see, that for
the many services which Carolus performs for
us, and for the security in which I linger here, I
am compelled to make some return.
" But who is Carolus afraid of then ?»
“Dear child, when we are by ourselves, I'll
tell thee all about it-now allow me to take
your
And Letsler took up his beloved wife and
bore her himself to her little sofa, and sitting
down beside her, sought to sooth and lull her
uneasiness—while he listened anxiously to
what was passing without.
Thither let us hasten and take a glance at
what is doing-by the light of a lantern held by
George Carolus and his help, Stonge-jan-
so called, to mark his birth-place — were
carefully employed obliterating from the above
named ankers, every outward vestige of their
lately received contents—and when they were
all finished up, and had all the requisite ap-
.
а


THE HERMIT.
115
pearance of being genuine-two of them were
rolled away into a small cleft in the rocks,
the appearance of the whole scene, in case of
surprise, was that of smugglers, zealously
engaged in concealing their goods.
“ And now he may come when he will,”
cried Stonge-jan, with a voice audible above
the storm. “I promise the old one he shall
have a sniff at some right cognac. Ah, my
heavens, how I should like to sit in a corner, and
see how he will scold when he gets them into
the excise house-however, it wont go that far,
—
I know these customs fellows right
well, they always taste the stuff before they
sell it, and then-ha-ha-ha, what a nose the
yacht lieutenant will make, surely."
“Hold thy jaw, and don't brag till thou
seest the end o'nt--but hark ye, George,
douse the light, we need not shew him more of
the way than we can help.”
George did as he was told, but seemed to be
more than half affronted that he had not been
no-no.


116
THE HERMIT.
taken with them from the first, but when
Carolus let fall a few words, which amounted to
a promise, that if all went well, he would give
him the little French frigate which was hanging
to the ceiling, in the new room, George's good
humour was instantly restored and he had only
one feeling now which he shared with the
other two, and that was that the old crown
officer might come quickly.
On the excise yacht, which was meantime
dancing wildly before the Johannis Cliff, the
following orders issued rapidly from the lips
of the commander.
“ I say, the devil's dam has stood godmother
to the rogue if he can manage to hide his
goods before I come. Sharp, Oesterberg, shake
out t'other reef, she'll bear it-quick now-SO
-the devil take the knave_hide and hair-
keep her full, ye hound—aha, most obedient-
now the rascal's doused his glim-no harm-
dost think I want a light to find the hole, eh?
no- no, my friend, thou art a young fox, but I


TIIE HERMIT.
117
am an old
one,
look ye. Oesterberg, ass, keep
her up better-so—that's well-Oesterberg,
canst see the highest point of the Johannis
Cliff when thou stoop'st ? So thou canst not-
look out then next flash—and when you get the
point-keep her right on—starboard a bit,
seest thou aught ?” and the lieutenant pointed
to the sea side.
“ Aye, aye, sir.”
Oh, that was a fine flash, starboard-bet-
ter- better still — so, so now-right on—if
thou hadst thy windows open thou mightst
have seen by the last flash, that Carolus was
rolling something up the beach—thank God-
no bushes there—now sawst thou that?
“Aye-aye, lieutenant, I saw, as sure as
I'm alive, Carolus and Stonge-jan, and the
lad, too. Faith, he's no bad help either.”
“Starboard a little more.—So, down with
the jib and foresail—now we have it-steer
right for the landing, Kron-Oesterberg, catch
hold of the boat hook, and keep her off-hold


118
THE HERMIT.
>
fast, too, there is a deuce of a swell. Still, I
say, don't make such an awful row. Good
row_lay her ashore to leeward of the con-
founded Free Sailer--Oesterberg, come with me
-thou, Kron, stay here with the yacht; and
if she grazes, look out for your eye, when I
come back. Give me the dark lantern."
“Aye, aye, lieutenant.” "
And the lieutenant and his follower now
landed.
“Won't you have the goodness to lead the
way, lieutenant,” said Oesterberg, when he
had crept up a bit of the way, and grinning at
his own shrewdness; “Carolus might fancy
I'm alone-and you know he's no joker, as I,
know of old."
“Sneak away then, behind me—but I'll be
bound to be changed into a monkey if thy
father was not a maker of pots, * now still,
thou needest only be by as a witness."
* Maker of pots, in the Swedish, “krukmakare,"
kruka, not only means & pot, but a pitiful fellow, the play
upon words, however cannot be translated.


THE HERMIT.
119
The two now cautiously approached the
point on the cliff whither the light had shortly
before guided them—and soon stood by the
rocky cleft where Carolus, Stonge-jan and George
were most zealously employed in not hiding
the ankers.
“Good evening, my dear Carolus,” began
the lieutenant, "welcome home from Helsinger,
thou hast been amusing thyself treasure-hide-
ing this awful weather—and all in the dark,
too-however, I can easily fancy your light
went out-wait a minute, boy, I'll light ye,
and instantly the dark lantern shed its glare
upon the dangerous ankers, and the smugglers,
caught in the act, seemed literally struck all of
a heap with terror.
Aha, what is that, then-so-so, I might
have thought thou hadst some venture when
thou wouldst not heave toat mysummons—thou
hadst loaded a trifle too heavy-wast obliged to
lighten a bit on the way—and meanst to fetch
it up afterwards, according to the finding, as
а


120
THE HERMIT.
the judge says-now, however, I hope thou
wilt permit me--without further objections,”
here the lieutenant dallied with the handle of
a little silver mounted pistol, “ to lay hands, in
the king's name, upon these four pretty cags,
(he pointed to the ankers) and perhaps, too, for
old acquaintance sake, thou wilt just help
Oesterberg carry them down to the yacht.”
Carolus now sprang up, and the expression
of rage and terror, and the paleness which over-
spread his features, would have done credit to
a jesuit.
“ Lieutenant,” he said, in a tone which
sounded in the lieutenant's ear, like the con-
strained humility of suppressed passion," lieu-
tenant, may I not be allowed to speak a word
or two with you, alone."
Right gladly, friend Carolus, as I see that
the tiger in thee is inclined to knuckle down,
and thou hast, besides, had an opportunity of
seeing that the excise yacht, which thou didst
not seem to believe it could-in such weather
66


THE HERMIT.
121
-has been able to penetrate into the hole, un-
hurt-it would be unreasonable in me if I did
—I
not meet thy wishes
so speak, boy, speak.”
This insulting jest, which bore witness to the
high good humour of the triumphant official,
would, no doubt, had the case been more seri-
ous, have been sufficiently irritating to put
Carolus in a frenzy—or, perhaps, have provoked
him to some violence--which he might have
had after cause to repent—but as matters now
stood, he was necessitated, in order not to ex-
cite suspicion, to maintain, at least, the out-
ward shew of his real, and well-known charac-
ter; and with a gesture which satisfied the
Lieutenant, that his courtesy was only skin-
deep, he said with a voice, tremulous with
pretended rage,
“ Have a care, Lieutenant, I would just tell
you, the tiger may be able, some other time, to
use his claws—and may then remember that
you have spat upon him now.”
“ Of a surety-no-my blade of honour
VOL. I.
G


122
THE HERMIT,
no, I have not done so; on the contrary, I regard
in its proper light, the honour of having out-
witted the tiger—but what didst want to say
to me ? »
“ Lieutenant, you know that I have never
done you any harm."
“Not me, certainly,” rejoined Peter Gran,
with imperturbable composure, “but so much
more the crown, and its rights. Dost thou not
believe that for a long time, now, though thou
hast managed to keep thy skin during the
summer, that I had an eye to thy doings ?”
"There is not an officer on the coast of
Bohusland, who can boast of such sharp eyes
as the lieutenant-however"
“ Go on—go 'on, boy. I feel flattered by
thy praise, very much.”
“Well, it's hard work to keep the sea, in all
,
weathers, and look out from north to south-
and you'll need something stiff to keep the
armth in now lieutenant, you are too
shrewd not to understand me-take these four


THE HERMIT.
123
ankers of cognac—the one marked H, with
the crosses, cost, as sure as my name is Carolus
Eliasson, one rixdollar and three marks, at
Helsingor, the other three contain naught but
common Danish brandy."
“Carolus, my lad, the Book says, thou shalt
not tempt thy Lord. Nor the powers that be,
either-says the law; and how should I, who
am their servant, walk in the ways of the
unjust steward ?
Oh, good master Lieutenant, pray forgive
me for being so bold, as to fancy that it might
pass for once and away.”
“ Possible, possible, my friend ; if it had
been some poor devil who had just began the
work—but look ye now, when I return on
board my yacht, I enter in the log--the Free
Sailer, Carolus Eliasson, hailed on patrol, in
the night, between twenty-ninth and thirtieth
of October, in a smart south-west gale—did
not bring to when summoned, and so over-
hawled—the contents seized, as follows; so and
G 2


124
THE HERMIT.
so. Now Carolus, what think'st thou—dost thou
imagine that for ten such ankers, I would let
such a report as that pass off ? No, no; the
man who'll mayhap get a premium, and a good
name in the district court, is Peter Gran."
Carolus was compelled to twirl his face into
a pitiful grin, to repress the laughter which he
could only refrain from, with great difficulty,
“the lieutenant does his duty,” he observed,
resolutely.
Now, look ye, that's said like a sensible
chap; now help us carry down the ankers, like
a good fellow, for I must be at home to night
before twelve o'clock. I say nothing, but so
much I tell thee for thy comfort, that thou dost
not figure alone in my books to night.”
As long as a sound of the departing yacht
was still audible, our adventurers remained
quite silent and motionless; as soon, however,
as they believed themselves quite secure, they
at once burst into a hearty fit of laughter.
" Let a man do that after me," said Carolus,
"


THE HERMIT.
125
proudly; “that's good ten times that I've done
old Peter Gran; but the cursed yacht sails far
better since old Truls, of Elgö, put a new sail
on her. I don't get as much start as I used ?!!
Carolus now proposed that Letsler should
give them house room for concealing the
brandy until it could be brought to its owner
safely; but George objected, in a tone of
hesitation, saying: -
" I would not do it if I were you, Carolus ;
suppose they should just find out the contents
of the ankers, somehow, then we should have
the yacht back, and a house visitation, and
my
father would be the sufferer."
“Slidder sludder, who is to find out that the
press is not fast in the wall, I'd like to know
by my soul, I do believe the boy's afraid —
look how pale he is."
George, who had been arranging something
in the room, stood suddenly still before Carolus,
his dark blue eyes flashing with anger.
“This word,” he said, “may be put by, but


126
THE HERMIT.
.
>
you,
you should
it wo’nt be forgotten, depend on't. This fist,"
and he held out his clenshed hand, “may one
day be as sinewy, as thine own, and then-
I did not deserve it from that
tax me with fear, though I do confess I am
afraid for father and mother, whose only re-
maining refuge is this place. Mother would
be worried to death, if the yacht lieutenant
were to come again and harry the house."
Carolus had never seen George this way
be-
fore, and he loved him with all the warmth of
an open, unsophisticated nature, and he would
not for anything have hurt or insulted his
feelings.
“My dear George," he said at once, “don't
'
be angry with me, I did not mean it-believe
I
me--Thou afraid, thou ! Never think that I
have forgotten who lay out upon a plank on
the thin ice when I fell through, and lent me a
rope-10---10---look at me, youngster, and
make it up—thou knowest that if 'twere needed,
I'd shed the last drop of my heart's blood for


THE HERMIT.
127
9
thee, and more besides—that Carl Eliasson
would not do that, for any one, but one whom
he knew to be a proper man, though but a boy
in years."
Fully reconciled, George extended his hand,
but still held to his opinion that the casks had
better be taken away at once.
"It's not wilfulness, Carolus, but I can't
help fearing lest the hiding place might be dis-
covered—I'll go along with you, gladly.”
—
“Do what the boy wishes,” said Stonge-jan,
"the old one knows right well, that we had
cognac on board, when we came here, and if he
comes back and finds nothing outside-why he
knows too that thou and I could not fly away
with it, and if he should chance on the stupid
idea of climbing up to the point of the rock,
he could just see down between the blocks into
the cleft, and Peter Gran's no such ass as not
to know how to spy out the way into a hiding-
place.”
Well, in Heaven's name then-but we


128
THE HERMIT.
might wait for day-light, as the casks are
safe now."
“But Johanna," suggested Stonge-jan, "she
knows what has taken us out, and d’ye think
she'll close an eye to-night before you return;
no, no—be bold, but be reasonable; a sensible
fellow would rather set things right while
night favors him, than wait for day, and tempt
fortune, and so put the excise dogs on the
scent."
“ Well, well, enough talk—it would be a
pity about Johanna toomand half a mile is soon
done in such weather as this—the Patron keeps
the sea booth open so that we don't need to
dally there."
“As soon as we are once past the shallows
of Grosskär,” said George, “it's all plain sail-
ing, for the Patron will be sure to have a light
at Hans Reta's on the hill, as usual.”
“Aye, of course,” nodded Carolus, “but
hark, ye, Jan, jump along first, and reef all
the sails, for it blows like the blue burnt


THE HERMIT.
129
fiend himself. As thou wilt make one, George,
I wont object, but wrap thyself up, ye cripple,
no weather for boys to-night, I swear.”
* Take care of thyself,” returned George,
laughing, and hurried off to get his father's
permission.
Letsler, whom George found in his own
room, gave him leave, without difficulty, for he
considered everything like hardening a good
thing for a youth, and such an affair as the
present was just the thing for the purpose.
And now while the crew of the Free Sailer,
are getting ready, we will just step on board
the excise yacht, and see how matters go
there.


130
THE HERMIT.
CHAPTER VI.
THE DISCOVERY.
“I CAUGHT the fox at last,” said the lieutenant,
chuckling as he seated himself at the helm,
after he had busied himself a little about the
mainsail.
“Yes, lieutenant, you came over him like
Christmas eve over the old woman--he had not
even time to blow out a candle. I can just
fancy him now, cursing like a Turk, and be-
having like an angry house dog, from whom a
bit of stolen meat has been snatched.”
Peter Gran was not impervious to the
soothing influence of flattery.
“ It is not a man's own fault after all,” he
said, “if he is wiser than other folk; and now,


THE HERMIT.
131
if we have luck this evening, boys, we'll make
another capture, and you'll come in for some
share, according to the finding, as the judge
says. Oesterberg, hast thou stowed away the
ankers, as I ordered thee in the left berth of
the cabin-are they all fast with the bungs
uppermost ?”
“ All right, lieutenant, I'll warrant my back,
but shouldn't we reef ? The wind freshens
every moment.?
cup of tea.”
"No chatter—I'll take care of that, but
now just jump down and make a fire, wash out
the tea kettle and set water to boil—I'll take a
"
“ Aye, aye, sir," replied Oesterberg, quickly
doing as he was told.
The lieutenant now addressed his second
follower.
“Hark ye, Kron, thou canst swear that the
ankers which we have seized were aboard the
Free Sailer."
“No lieutenant, how can I do that. Carolus


132
THE HERMIT.
was half an hour afore us at the Johannis
Cliff, and had time to change the ankers as
often as he liked."
“ But didst thou not at least see four ankers
lying in his boat? Thou must needs have seen
that.”
“No, indeed, lieutenant, I really did not.”
“Dog-fish that thou art," continued the
lieutenant, impatiently,“ do'st not conceive,
then, that if I can't shew that the ankers were
in the boat it can't be confiscated, and that boat
I will have.”
“I do assure you, lieutenant, that I can say
nothing but what I really saw; for if it was not
so dark as it is now, and we had been even close
to the Free Sailer, you know she is decked, and
a man can't see what's under the deck."
“Good, good, and did Oesterberg see nothing
either ?"
“That I don't know, sir.”
“
“Thou knowest nothing—but I know that
thou wilt be suspended after six months, for


THE HERMIT.
133
>
thou’rt no more fit for a yacht boy than a
Dalesland Shepher), away with thee, forward.”
“The water is put on, lieutenant,” replied
Oesterberg
“Light a candle then,” ordered the lieu-
tenant, “ and screw the candlestick tight that
it
may not upset, with the motion. I'll call
ye
after a while to see that the bungs of all the
ankers are properly sealed-order before all,
that was always my late father's maxim, and it
shall be mine too."
“ Light ready, sir."
“ Very good, take the tiller, Oesterberg-
devilish gusts-keep your tongues quiet, will
ye?"
The Lieutenant went down, closed the door
carefully, and drew the curtain before the win-
dow of the cabin.
In Peter Gran's countenance there was a
curious mixture of rogue and honest man; his
jolly round face, and hair sprinkled with
reverend silver, inspired a sort of confidence,


134
THE HERMIT.
but if you looked deep into his eyes there was
a kind of cattish leer, which bore witness that
the man was not altogether the good piece of
stuff you were at first sight inclined to believe
him.
He poured some water into a glass, put in
some sugar, and as he stirred it up with a
feather, soliloquized as follows:
“ Oesterberg must see as I choose him to
do, he'll just swear that he saw the ankers in
the boat. Carolus will be put on his oath, he'll
refuse to take it, and the boat will be con-
fiscated, and I have the Free Sailer; there now
wait thou there,” he said, putting the glass on
one side.
“ Thou shalt just have a share from.
this friend here. Aha, no seal--good, the
ankers may leak; now then you fellow with
the three crosses, you ought to be proof stuff.
Aye, aye, Patron Holmer has good taste, now
one might just let you bleed a canful, and fill
ye up with a canful of water, and no one
would find out that ye were less genuine.


THE HERMIT.
135
Confound it I have nothing but this little jar
here, and I can't call," and he balanced a jar,
which might possibly contain about a can full,
and was now about a quarter full of inferior
brandy of his own,
66 and there's ne'er a bottle
to pour this into-mix it ? no, pish, that won't
do. Need knows no law, and so here goes,
and he poured the contents of the jar into the
sluice hole in the deck.
And now thanking heaven most devoutly
for the roaring wind and lurching sea, which
caused such a creaking as to drown the noise
he made in opening the bung, Peter Gran
proceeded to take toll from his capture.
Aha,” said he, "right spirit, by my soul,”
as he gloated over the clear sparkling colour of
the liquid as it ran out into his jar. “Now
then old comrade, thou'll just be corked up,
and we'll have the grog over and above,” and
filling his glass the Lieutenant seated, or to
speak more correctly, wedged himself con-
tentedly in between the bench and the table,


136
THE HERMIT.
murmuring in a satisfied tone, “ah, not a
doubt on't-won't fail this time, no man has
been able to touch Carolus yet, long as they
have been after him; the district chief knows
l
his smuggling well, he'll name me to the
general board of excise, and then there's but
one step to superintendant—ha, thy health,
captain," and so saying the Lieutenant set the
glass to his lips, (his excitement had prevented
his marking the want of smell,) and instantly
spirted out the sugar and water over the floor.
If Peter Gran's fervent ejaculation, on dis-
covering the trick, had been registered it would
certainly not have been so to the benefit of him-
self or any one else. The trick was too gross.
He stood still for a moment, and then it might
have been seen in his features, that he had hit
upon no unworthy resolution—and this was soon
manifested.
“Put the helm hard a'port,” he shouted
from the door, so loud that Oesterberg gave a
spring up, and the other yacht-boy, Kron, who


THE HERMIT.
137
was wrapt in his imagination, and, in idea, was
enjoying himself at home on bacon and grits,
fell straight on his face, and nothing saved
him from being washed overboard but his
managing to catch hold of the forestay in his
fall; for the order which had been just given,
had the effect of causing the little vessel to
ship a sea, which literally nearly swallowed
her, and rolling over her, threw her on her
side,
All of them, the yacht-lieutenant included
at first feared that the boat would capsize in
going about; but she reversed herself.
“My God ! lieutenant,” cried Oesterberg,
recovering his breath, “what do you mean?
we can never hold the sea in such weather ;
you are a widower, sir-but recollect that
Kron and I have wives and children."
However, at such moments, Peter Gran was
a commander, and nothing else, as his answer
plainly showed.
“Keep as close to the wind as possible, ye


138
THE HERMIT.
66
hound-or, by all the fiends, I'll knock ye over
the sconce with the car."
And with undoubted peril of his life, the old
seaman reefed the large sail himself, and then
helped Kron with the foresail.
“ “So, my boys,” he now continued in his
usual composed manner,
now just hark, one
word's as good as a dozen—for ye
know Peter
Gran thinks before he speaks—all the same if
it was the last night we had to live, we must
cross the Fjord to Grosskär, and now ye know
it."
“But, Heaven bless you, lieutenant, that's
unreason-"
“Belay your jaw, I tell ye, if you are in-
clined to figure in the log as a couple of asses
-at least, I won't make a third. I'm not
going to have people brag to our noses, that
they have done us, and that may be the case
yet this evening, if we don't keep our eye
open.”
“Why have not we done our duty this


THE HERMIT.
139
6
evening, then ?” Oesterberg was bold enough
to reply.
“Aye, the d only listen; now I was
just stretching my hand over the crib, to get
my dressing-gown, and came across the bung
of the anker—and what d'ye think? my
hand
got wet; I put it to my nose to judge what
kind of cognac it was--smelt nothing, but a
rat-opened the bung, and trust me, boys,
instead of cognac, the ankers were filled with
water-water, boys.”
The two boatmen, on hearing this, vented
a volley of sailor oaths and execrations, which
we may be excused for leaving to our reader's
fancy.
"Now then, children, you know what the
Dane said when he was going to be hanged ?
'Wait a bit,' said he, he who laughs last
has the best of it;' they will now be for taking
the cognac over to Strand, and I'm not the man
to be fooled by such a lame trick, after
following the scent as long as I have done.”
6


140
THE HERMIT.
-
“What will you do then—if I may ask,
lieutenant ?"
“ Why, I'll shew them that I'm not to be
done; it would'nt do to go back there, because
they have, probably, shipped the right ankers
again ere this—they're on their guard, and if
they catch a glimpse of the yacht, they shove
off, and get to sea, and then we lose the game;
but now just listen—the moon gets up at one,
and the storm will abate, and the smugglers
won't venture to wait longer; we can, mean-
time, get a good start, and lay the yacht under
the lee of the great mountain of Grosskär;
and whilst Kron looks after them, and watches
the Johannis cliff, I'll go up to Halmar, borrow
his boat, and thou and I, Oesterberg, will just
go, properly disguised, over to Strand, and
catch the rogues in the act."
Lord, lieutenant, you turn your plans as
easily as I would a quid,” said Oesterberg;
" but,” he added, with a deep sigh, “it will
66


THE HERMIT.
141
66
be no child's play crossing the Fjord and
passing the Axlebrott."
“ No danger, my lads ; I've often been worse
off ; when we went about, we had Furnholme
right on the lee, and if we keep our present
course, we shall just run past the Axlebrott
right on Grosskär; but, Oesterberg, hast not,
by chance, a little cognac in thy flask. I
struck my foot against my little supply, and
upset it all."
Aye, aye, lieutenant, I dare to say I have
a drop or so left,” said Oesterberg, readily,
and handed his officer a quart bottle, which, to
avoid all untoward accidents, he had enclosed
in an old stocking, and hanged upon a nail.
“I'll just go below, now, for a moment,”
announced the lieutenant, “keep on just as ye
are—and thou, Kron, come to me, at once, if
thou seest or hearest aught suspicious; keep
thy lugs open as well as thou canst."
After Peter Gran had given his orders, he


142
THE HERMIT.
went into his cabin, to give his sugar and water
a colour.
As the lieutenant had foretold, the storm
begun to abate ; and as Peter Gran was just
draining the last drops of his second glass of
grog, Kron reported that they had passed
,
the Axlebrott, and that Grosskär was right
a-head.
After the lapse of a few minutes more, the
Excise yacht lay under Kron's charge at the
appointed spot; the moon was already high
enough to enable the eye to distinguish distant
objects, though the horizon was misty and ob-
scured by masses of clouds.
The lieutenant dinned it into Kron's skull,
not once, but ten times, that he should look out
sharp, and report if he saw anything like the
Free Sailer on the passage, if he wished to go
home in a whole skin; and Kron, the good
simple soul, had such an awe for the commands
of his superior, that he was even afraid to take


THE HERMIT.
143
a pinch of snuff, and did not venture to allow
his imagination to wander back to his fried
bacon and porridge with the old woman.
“Rouse up, sluggards,” was the lieutenant's
greeting as he entered the hut of the poor
fisher, Halmar Monson, “ there's money to be
earned; up, man, and get to work, sharp.
Thine old woman can draw the coverlet over
her head while I am in the house, for I know
she is an honest, decent body, according to the
finding, as the judge says.”
“I hear—its the lieutenant," answered a
rough voice; “but, alack, we have not an
'
inch of candle end in the house."
“All one,” answered Peter Gran, feeling
for the hearth, "I have a candle in the lantern;
just strike a light, will
ye
?
The awakened fisherman crept out of bed
with the greatest caution to avoid disturbing
the children, who were reposing near, in the
joint society of the cat, and a half-grown pig.
At length, after striking and blowing for


144
THE HERMIT.
ܪ
some time, Halmar managed to get a light, and
lighted the candle.
“Now then, my good Halmar," said the
lieutenant, “thou hast my fishing-clothes,
which I left with thee in good keeping, I'll
be bound—be alive, and hand them over here,
and take these signal flags, and roll them up on
a stick ; but first make them fast at both ends,
and empty thy boat, and wipe out the fish-
scales from the stern-thou understandst, I
have a little matter afoot; as soon as thou art
ready, thou mayst come up and take a dollar
for meal for the pig and the brats; but quick
-now quick, and don't forget the oars."
While Halmar was busied in making these
preparations, Peter Gran amused himself with
the children, who had been awakened by the
stir, and sat staring, with great sleepy eyes,
at the guest, whom they, however, knew
directly.
“Look’ye, brats," said Peter, “d’ye know
what this is ?” and he took from his pocket


THE HERMIT.
145
one of the ship’s biscuits, which he had brought
with him-he waved this to and fro, and
twirled himself here and there, holding it over
his head, and then out towards them, as if
teaching a dog to jump, and, in a trice, up
sprung the three lads, so briskly, that the straw
flew about again, and wrestled and fought, with
all their might and main, to get at the biscuit,
and Peter Gran laughed till the tears ran down
his cheeks.
At length, the fight was brought to a close,
by the biscuit rolling on the floor, when piggy,
with great activity, slipped in and secured the
prize for himself.
Halwar now entered with the intelligence
that all was in readiness.
Thanks, my good Halwar, thanks for thy
trouble; thou wilt find a rixdollar on the
table; and now thou hast only to lend Oester-
berg thy jacket and cap."
66
VOL. I.
H
н


146
THE HERMIT.
>
“And now, Oesterberg," said the lieutenant,
as they went down to the boat, “let's see who
can play best man. I'll take one oar my-
self.”
And as soon as Halwar had helped them to
shove off the boat, it flew, urged by their
vigorous strokes, across the Fjord, spite of the
heavy, threatening waves, which, at one mo-
ment, reared their foaming crests, as if to bar
its progress, and the next sank down power-
less as it rose rapidly over the successive
surges. This was arduous work; but Peter
Gran was in his full strength, and rowed as
vigorously as Oesterberg, whose energies were
kept alive, by the anticipations of what he was
likely to win by the successful issue of the en-
terprise, as well as the thoughts of a good
supper and a dram after his work.
The storm had so much abated, that it was
now nearly calm, though the sea still ran very
high; however, it was fortunately not far from
Groskär to Strand.


THE HERMIT.
147
After they had rowed awhile in silence,
Oesterberg asked, in a tone which somewhat
bore out the lieutenant's former remark re-
garding the pot-making propensities of his
father :
66 If his honor the lieutenant did not see
something white, at the extreme point by the
landing place at Strand, which resembled a
man without a head ? that is, no doubt,” he
added, with a half-suppressed sigh, “ a drowned
seaman, who has floated ashore, and not got
christian burial."
“ Trouble not thyself about ghosts,” replied
the lieutenant, snappishly; “but ply thine
oars, or else I'll give thee a leader over the
snout, that will make thy teeth play second
with a vengeance.”
Oesterberg held his tongue-he saw that his
commander was reflecting.
“Keep thine eyes open, and look out,” be-
gan Peter Gran, soon after. 6 Dost see the
H 3


148
THE HERMIT.
Free Sailer? according to my thoughts-she
should be now past the Lyngholm.”
“I hardly think that, lieutenant; it has got
so calm, that they'll need to row to get on at
all."
“Stop now, Oesterberg—just hold hard a
minute-dost thou not see something there,
glancing in the water, right close away under
Flatskär? Now call me a fool, if that's not
the smugglers--they're rowing under the
—
shadow of the Holm, in order to escape obser-
vation; the thousand now, d'ye see how they
;
are coming out from behind the cliff—they
must have a little wind there, too, for they
have their mainsail up."
“Yes, by my soul, lieutenant, you are
right—I know them by the lofty sail-how-
ever, we have a good start--it will be some-
while yet before they come.”
“Oh, aye, we'll be there good three quarters
of an hour before them; but let's row closer
l
"


THE HERMIT.
149
66
in shore, that they mayn't see us; and when
we come to the sea booth, just stop a bit, so
that the landing place may hide ye; and then
leave the rest to me; and now one word more
-whatever orders ye get, be quick about them,
or else, ye know me.”
Aye, indeed, at my fingers' ends,” an-
swered Oesterberg.
The lieutenant now laid aside his oar with
the remark that he wanted to arrange some-
thing in the boat.
This arrangement consisted in spreading a
large piece of sail-cloth over the two middle
benches, but so ingeniously as to make it ap-
pear as if there was something concealed be-
neath it.
“Can'st see, Oesterberg, if the booth is
open-it seems to me as if there is something
moving there," whispered the lieutenant;
"but sms-sh, sit there now, I saw Holmer's
--
head-he will take charge of the goods in
person; so much the better, the business will


150
THE HERMIT.
soon be settled then—there, there's thy ghost
for thee—thou mayst see that he has his white
cloak on-he has surely seen us long ago, the
sly old rogue."
The excise officer had now got right under
the pier, which by reason of the shadow cast
over the sea by the warehouse was sufficiently
dark to prevent any one approaching from
being immediately recognised, and the less, too,
that a favoring cloud just now covered the
moon.
“ Carolus," whispered Holmer from above,
"is't thou ?"
“S-s-hsh,” whispered the lieutenant,
stooping down, as if to put something right in
the boat.
“Hast thou got the confounded excise dogs
at thy heels that thou hast not come in the
Free Sailer-thou canst not have much in this
small boat."
“Sh-sh,” was the only answer which
Peter Gran, still retaining his stooping position,


THE HERMIT.
151
and keeping his back to the landing, chose to
give.
However, after Oesterberg had succeeded in
bringing the boat apparently close to the pier,
the lieutenant clambered quickly up, and the
next moment stood beside the astonished mer-
chant.
“Good evening, good evening, Mr. Holmer
---you are out late, Master Patron; however,
business before all—that's my maxim too-I
hear you are expecting a few casks by Carolus
-it was a lucky chance that I happened to
come—for now I can both see the pass and
assist you in unloading at once."
“Good, lieutenant-no joking now,
torted the merchant, in a serious and some-
what pettish tone. "I see that I am found
out--and so, short and sweet, will you accom-
modate the business."
“Now, Patron, you are jumping at conclu-
sions—a man in my important position must
re-


152
THE HERMIT.
}
be cautious, according to the verdict, as the
judge says.”
“Now, now, lieutenant, you have been long-
ing for my little white pinnace this good while,
be satisfied with that."
“Eh, what, what !
"
a neat little thing
enough—but won't answer for an excise
boat."
“Well, well, then, that black cloth there,
which you got on account in the summer,
can't that lay over, for good and all ?"
“You talk very sensibly, Patron," said Pe-
ter Gran, in a tone as low as Holmer's; "and
I am not the man who wishes to pinch honest
folks in their earnings; but you must see, of
,
course, that I can't speak of these things with
my people myself, it would cause me to lose
my respect.”
Holmer contented himself this time with an
enquiring look at the officer.
Peter Gran hemmed, and looked im-
portant.
66


THE HERMIT.
153
“I'll go and take a little walk here on the
pier," he said. “You know very well what
you have to do a ten dollar note in Oester-
berg's hand, more or less, according to the
finding, as the judge says.”
“Good, good,” rejoined the Patron, quite
pleased. “I'll not forget the service.”
And with these words he turned away, and
crept down into the boat to Oesterberg.
However, he had scarcely accomplished this
manæuvre, when, sharp as lightning, the
lieutenant loosed the boat, and shoved off, his
ministering spirit took the hint as quickly as
it was given, and plied his oars almost at the
same instant.
“Now then, Oesterberg, away back to the
excise yacht, quick--fire in the stove-candles
on the table—and out with everything good in
the larder—not forgetting a pitcher of English
portermand when thou has seen the worthy
Patron well cared for in the cabin, shut the
door close, and return here as fast as ye can.”
"
H 5


154
THE HERMIT.
“Sir, sir,” shouted the enraged merchant,
from the boat, “such another arch rascal as
you,
I don't believe there is under the sun;
but let the boat return, and we'll settle it all
nicely."
Thank
уе,
thank
ye,
for
your liberality,
called Peter Gran, while the boat rapidly in-
creased its distance ; “but one must do one's
duty, let it be ever so unpleasant.”
The last words of this sarcastic speech were
unheard by the merchant, whom the lieutenant
could perceive giving vent to his choler by
loud outcries. Little as Holmer was noted for
valor, he saw that he was not inclined to sub-
mit unresistingly to the loss of his liberty, and
that he commenced a violent struggle with
Oesterberg for the oar, until the boat threat-
ened to capsize, and the Patron was obliged to
submit patiently to the trick which the crafty
exciseman had played him.


THE HERMIT.
155
CHAPTER VII.
(6
6 WHAT a face he will make to-morrow,
when
he comes and makes his visitation at the
Johannis Cliff,” said Carolus to Stonge-jan, as
he sat at the helm on board the Free Sailer;
as to the press door, he'll never find it, if he
searches to all eternity, and even if he should,
there is nothing there to take."
Aye, depend upon it, he'll make his visi-
tation to-morrow, if he does not find out any-
thing before that,” replied Stonge-jan; "the
Lord grant that nothing goes wrong with us
to-night. I know Petter, and scarce believe
that he'll have patience to wait long, without
proving his capture. And now take care you
don't suffer, for waiting till the moon got up,


156
THE HERMIT.
corner
or
against our advice; it is not unlikely that he
is lying lurking about, in some
• other."
“Stuff 'and nonsense,” rejoined Carolus,
shortly, " is the excise yacht so small that she
wouldn't be visible in the moonshine ? no, no,
children, no danger–I have often whipped old
Peter Gran-but I do believe this will be the
last time, for I begin to weary of all this
trouble and botheration—there, we'll soon be
there now—and though my eyes are as good
as other folks, I can't see a living being on the
water."
George, who had long sat silent, now said,
confidently,
“Then thou seest worse than usual, Caro-
lus, for there is decidedly a row boat on the
Grosskär side."
Carolus turned to the point mentioned, and
after some effort, discovered that George's eyes
had not deceived him.
“Aye, aye, it's a fisherman, may be, catch-


THE HERMIT.
157
ing seals—awkward any how-it can't be the
yacht lieutenant, he would not be rowing in a
boat by himself—and more by token, let it
be who it may, the d-l may care for me
-1
for before he can get here, it will all be safe in
the booth-and then the Patron can take care
of himself-look there, by my soul, he is
opening the door of the sea booth--but we
can't run up so high-must bring to at the
end of the landing-jump forward, Stonge-jan,
and keep her off-so-good now--climb up,
George, and run to the Patron, and fetch the
line to hoist up the casks.”
George clambered up one of the side piles of
the pier like a cat, and hurried through the
half open door into the booth.
“Now quick, Patron, if you please, just give
me the lines,” he said, clapping the lieutenant
on the shoulder; "why have you no light in
"
“The wind blew it out,” whispered Peter
Gran, endeavouring to imitate the merchant's
your lantern ???


158
THE HERMIT.
(6
voice; "and now I don't know where the
confounded ship boys have put the lines. You
must seek them as well as you can in the
dark."
Low as the tone was, in which the lieutenant
spoke these words, George could easily distin-
guish that it was not Holmer's—and he even
fancied that he could discern the lieutenant's
features by the dim light which gleamed
through the door; and as he quickly turned
over in his mind the darkness in the booth
with the singular circumstance, that the
Patron had not shewn himself on the pier,
George begun to suspect that the whole affair
was just a bit of the lieutenant's cunning.
While, however, he pretended to be searching
for the lines, he was considering how to warn
Carolus of his danger; and at length gradually
approached the door under the pretence that as
the lines were not to be found, they must do
without them. The lieutenant followed close
upen his heels, and just as he was on the point


THE HERMIT.
159
"
of shouting out, “ Carolus, shove off, here's the
lieutenant in disguise," there was a whizzing
in his ear, and a swinging buffet from Peter
Gran's muscular fist, sent him spinning and
stunned among the casks and boxes.
“In the name of her Majesty, and the crown,
I declare both boats and lading confiscated,"
thundered the yacht Lieutenant, running for-
ward on the pier with incautious haste, and
catching hold of the tow line, which, however,
to his unspeakable rage and vexation, was at
the same moment cut by Stonge-jan.
The pier was too high to make a spring from
it on board the Free Sailer; but with the bold
presence of mind, for which Peter Gran was
distinguished, he seized the divided end of the
tow line, and swung himself down by it, in
order, if possible, thus to reach the deck of
the boat, or at least, gain secure footing in the
rigging; he really did succeed in doing the
last, but though he held fast on with his legs


160
THE HERMIT.
to the shrouds until his position was nearly
horizontal, he yet felt the boat leaving him
gradually, and that he must either let
go
with
his legs, and hang on by the pier, or loose
that; and pitch headlong into the sea. There
was nothing else open to him, for Carolus and
Stonge-jan had now grasped the oars, and the
lieutenant, who was naturally unable to hold
the boat, could not swing himself over to them.
Peter Gran, now absolutely foamed with
rage; when, however, at last his feet gradually
relaxed their hold, and his long body fell not
very gently against the uprights of the pier,
his fury knew no bounds, at being obliged to
humble himself before the man whom he but a
moment before fancied so securely in his power.
“ Carolus,” he cried, "thou knowest me; if
thou wilt not obey my summons, made in the
king's name, at least, help me up on the pier
again, thou mayst see that I cannot possibly
climb up, as I have no firm footing.”


THE HERMIT.
161
C
“Oh, trifle, that,” rejoined the unmoved
Carolus, plying his oar most zealously, "" you
swim like an otter, I know, and so you have
I
naught to do but to let go and swim ashore."
“ But I shall loose my life, or my health,
you devil of a man," groaned the lieutenant,
making a desperate, though fruitless effort to
clamber up.
“That would be a shocking pity,” observed
Carolus, with a coolness which irritated the
lieutenant more than the words themselves.
But, now, hearken, lieutenant; if you are
not inclined for a ducking, why you have the
choice of holding on where you are, as the
case may be, as the judge says, and then, by
way of amusement, you can just think over
your logs and memoranda; good night, lieu-
tenant, the while, and thanks for your pleasant
company here, and at the Johannis Cliff.”
If the lieutenant had been on board the
Free Sailer when these words were uttered, it


162
THE HERMIT.
is very likely Carolus might never have uttered
another.
“ I'll catch ye, yet; you scoundrel,” he
shouted, “and trust me, I'll curry your hide
so that your own child shan't know ye, just
wait, that's all.”
These threats just expended themselves upon
the winds, however, they were partly heard by
George, who had now recovered from the effects
of the blow he had received, and was coming
out of the sea-booth, he hurried down the pier,
and beckoned to Carolus, who returned his sig.
nal, glad to see that the boy had got no harm.
Aye, it's a good thing that thou hast come,
youngster," said the lieutenant, in a gentler
tone, “now just run into the booth, like a
good fellow, you'll find a rope ladder there, just
fetch it, and fasten it on to the beams—now run
for the bare life; I can scarce hold on long,
and if I fall, I shall be drowned, or at any rate
spoil my telescope and pistols.”'


THE HERMIT.
163
6
“ Aye, aye, we shall have fine weather
now," observed George, coolly, seating him-
self, without appearing to listen to the lieu-
tenant, and letting his legs hang down over the
side of the pier, not far from him—the wind
has got easterly, I see, and Carolus has main,
fore sail, and jib hoisted. It is quite a pleasure
to see the Free Sailer under canvass, what do
you think, lieutenant ?"
“Dos't hear what I said, ye young dog-
or dost wish to be the death of an honest man
--fetch a rope, directly."
My ear rings so consumedly from the clout
you gave me, that I can't well hear
ye.”
And so saying, George arose, and hearing
the dash of oars, and seeing Oesterberg in the
boat which was now approaching, he carefully
cleared the sea-booth, nodded to the lieutenant,
wished him good night, and quietly took the
path towards the house.
“So that's the way ye creep along, like a
miserable tortoise, whether by land or water,
was the lieutenant's greeting to his subordinate
66
>>


164
THE HERMIT.
as he managed to get safely into the boat, and
rested his aching joints.
“ God bless ye, lieutenant, I _."
—
“ Hold your tongue, not a word, you should
have been here ten minutes ago, at least, and
then this devil's fun would not have happened,
and now row, row for your life, that I may
keep my eye upon Carolus, and see where
he steers to, he won't venture to the Johannis
cliff, I'll swear."
Oesterberg, without replying to his angry
superior, set to work with all his remaining
powers, but the only result was, that after a
quarter of an hour had elapsed, Peter Gran,
became convinced that the chase was hopeless,
and soon after had the pleasure to see the Free
Sailer vanish in a south westerly direction in
the grey morning mist.
And as he thus saw his prey escape him,
Peter Gran folded his hands, and uttered a
morning prayer that made every individual
hair on Oesterberg's head stand on end, as he
heard it.


TIE HERMIT.
165
CHAPTER VIII.
At the end of the long and narrow passage which
intersected Holmer's house, and connected it
with the store and counting house, was a large,
neat, and well furnished chamber, named the
mistress's apartment, and to which we will
now pay a visit before George, coming in to
report the above mentioned events to the pa-
tron, can arrive there.
On a handsome bed in a half recumbent
position, was a female, who had not yet reached
the middle age, though evident traces of illness
had destroyed the rose which had once bloomed
upon her cheeks, and dimmed the fire of her
eye; she seemed to be listening, and her


166
THE HERMIT.
glances turned continually towards the door, as
if expecting some one.
That this female, Cornelia Holmer, had been
gifted with more than ordinary beauty, was
clear to the most casual observer and one might
almost have fancied one saw a miniature
of her former self in her daughter, of eleven
years, the little Fanny, who having shortly
before sprang from her bed, was now sit-
ting half dressed, on a stool beside her
mother's bed, leaning her glowing cheek upon
her hand. The single candle, covered with a
green shade, shed a feeble light through the
apartment in which all was so still, that the
noise of the raging surf might be heard in all
its painful monotony.
“What a dreadful night, mother,” whispered
Fanny, putting back her shining hair from her
brow, it is nearly as fearful now as when it
was at the worst. Oh, if the thunder storm
should return."
“I do not believe it will, my child, it seems
a


THE HERMIT.
167
(6
to have abated; but wrap thyself in the shawl
which lies at my feet, and hearken once more
at the door if father is coming."
Fanny's slight flexible figure was quickly
wrapped in the shawl, and she sprang to the
door which she opened, to be better enabled to
do as her mother had desired."
“Well, Fanny."
Nothing, mother, I can hear nothing; but
the sea howls worse than old Phylax, when he
sees the sprite and her following, at night.”
Does not the dog bark ?"
“Not now, mother."
“I can't conceive why he should have raged
so, just now, certainly there must have been
strangers here. It is inconceivable why your
father does not come in, perhaps he went down
too soon—yet at this time all is usually
>
over.”
2
“Perhaps father is waiting in vain for
Carolus, who has not liked to venture out in
this storm."


168
THE HERMIT.
just tell
Oh, Carolus likes these sort of nights the
best—all goes so slow now.
When I was
younger and healthy, and had not this gout, it
was quite different, now I am only uneasy in-
stead of being active and about."
“But tell me, dear mother, what makes
father and you so uneasy ? Could not these
matters be settled by day as well as father's
other affairs ?
“ You can't understand it, my child, but I'll
you
this much-there are several sorts
of Foreign goods, on which so high a duty is
laid, as to place them quite out of the reach of
folks, such
poor inhabitants
of
the coast here, unless the merchants managed
to procure them, without the knowledge of the
custom house ; and that cannot always be
managed, because the excise officers are nearly
always on the watch to prevent it.”
“Ah, now I understand,” said Fanny, “and
the yacht lieutenant whom father is so afraid
of, is one of those excise officers, who comes
as
our


THE HERMIT.
169
and takes such heavy custom, that father can't
sell the goods cheap enough for our poor
fishermen."
“Yes, that's it; but the worst is, that if one
don't take good care, one may lose all one has
collected; for the yacht lieutenant has the
right to institute a house investigation, and
seize everything, and then we should have to
pay a heavy fine besides."
“Ah, the nasty people—the spies as father
calls them."
“We should not say so, Fanny, they only
do their duty—but you must be careful and
not let any of your acquaintances get out of
you that father has business out of doors at
night-you know you are a simple, stupid
-
girl.”
“ I am simple and stupid,” said Fanny, re-
peating the words with an incredulous shake
of her head. “Do you know, mother, they do
.
say at the school, at Göteberg, that I am such
a shrewd, quick-witted girl, that I'm not easily
a
VOL. I.
I


170
THE HERMIT.
66 I
66
>
,
deceived. That's what Mamsell Blad herself
says. But sh-$-$-sh, did I not hear some-
thing ? No, no, it was fancy-how tiresome
that is."
“I feel that something is wrong,” said her
mother, restlessly fidgetting on her bed. “I
am afraid to call and I cannot go out.”
“Oh, let me," said Fanny, earnestly, “ let
me go, I'll creep gently down to the sea-booth,
and see how things are.”
“Oh, no, dearest, you would take cold, and
the night is so dark.”
“No, dearest mother, I'll wrap myself up
quite warın, and I'll take a lantern, and I am
not the least afraid of anything."
"Oh, you don't know, suppose the yacht
* lieutenant himself were to meet you, and ask
you where you were going-what would
you
66
say?"
“Say ?-oh, let me see-
see-give him no
answer-cry out and run away as if I had
seen a ghost."
:


THE HERMIT.
171
66
a
Oh, he would soon overtake you.”
“He would get nothing out of me; I'd play
him a trick-and so, mother -"
-
And quicker than thought, Fanny had
thrown on her dress, wrapped herself up in a
cloak, lighted the candle in the lantern, and
disappeared, saying she would return in a few
minutes with good news.
“Oh, you bold girl, do wrap the mantle
round the lantern or the light will betray
a
you."
But Fanny was already out of hearing.
She tripped softly along the passage, but
when she had to open the house-door and go
out into the court, she hesitated for an instant,
with a feeling not exactly of fear, but not devoid.
of a certain kind of sensation ; however, she
overcame this--set the lantern down and en-
deavoured to open the large door with the
united strength of both her hands, it was hard
work, but at last she succeeded, but poor
Fanny, she had put down the lantern too near,
I 2


172
THE HERMIT
and as the door flew open, it broke the glass
and extinguished the light.
For some seconds our little heroine leaned
irresolutely against the door-post; she could
easily have found her way back to her mother's
room; and then it was cold and dark outside,
and Phylax was barking so, and the waves
rolled and beat so hollow, and the sea-booth
looked so ghastly, and the moon--the naughty
moon-Fanny's best friend, had hid herself
behind a great black cloud.
Fanny began to ponder seriously whether it
would not be better to go back, but then how
could she ever set up for having courage again;
would not her mother always say, recollect,
Fanny, the night when you were so brave, and
wanted to go down to the sea booth.
And coming to this vexatious conclusion, she
overcame her momentary irresolution, and
descending the darkness, went out into the
court.
Here she took post between two great casks,


THE HERMIT.
173
which had been set there to catch the rain
water; first to accustom herself to the darkness,
and then from this little fortress, as it were, to
observe what was passing in the sea-booth and
its neighbourhood. She soon distinguished
that the door was open, and that some one was
coming from thence, and she could plainly see
that this was neither her father nor Carolus ;
all at once she heard a cry, as of some one in
distress. She knew not whether to go or stay,
her anxiety was unbearable ; she would have
run down and called for help from the men-
servants, but before she could adopt a reso-
lution, she heard a peculiar noise, as if some-
thing had fallen, and immediately after a vio-
lent splashing. This motion, which was
occasioned by the lieutenant, in getting into the
boat, decided her, and thinking of nothing but
her father, she started off with all her force and
speed down the long court, but had scarcely
got half way when she was stopped short by


174
THE HERMIT.
1
>)
two outstretched arms-it was George, who
was just about to enter the house.
“No--what do I see ? how, in Heaven's
name, dear, good Fanny, are you here-outside
and at night too ?”
“Oh, is it you, George ?" cried Fanny, joy-
fully, breathing freely again, “ then it was a
cask or something which fell into the sea.
Oh, I heard something so frightful from the
pier there, which nearly terrified me to
death."
“That was nothing frightful, Fanny; but
something, on the contrary, very merry," an-
swered George, in a tone which quite re-assured
Fanny, “it was the yacht lieutenant, who has
been having a cooling himself, after keeping us
in hot water all the evening."
“Then what is father doing there so long ?
will he come soon ?"
The patron must have gone up to the house,
for I found the door open."
“No, no, he has been out several times to-


THE HERMIT
175
night, to meet Carolus; but now he has been
out a couple of hours, and mother and I were so
uneasy,
that I ran down to listen."
“And thou didst thus venture, dear, brave
little Fanny ?” said George, who suddenly got
a number of odd ideas into his head. Patron
Holmer being absent from the house, aroused a
suspicion that something had occurred at
Strand, before the arrival of Carolus and him-
self ; but he did not venture to utter his
forebodings, for fear of encreasing Fanny's un-
easiness.
“I am certainly not timid," said she; “but
the lantern was broken, and it was so dark, and
so—was not that provoking ? but what do you
think? Where can father be ? could he have
hid himself in the sea-booth ?"
When George recollected the blow he had
himself received from the yacht-lieutenant, he
thought it far more probable that Holmer might
be lying there unconscious; however, he kept
this supposition to himself, and merely begged


176
THE HERMIT.
6
permission to take Fanny back into the
house.
But she would not hear of it.
“We will go to the sea-booth," she said.
“No, not yet, my dear Fanny ; 'tis far
better, and more becoming, for me to go
alone.
I will just get a lantern."
But then we shall alarm my mother,” de-
clared Fanny, “and I will not do that, George
-so do take me with you. We will open the
doors, and then we can see sufficiently, and can
feel about with our hands."
Holmer, however, was not to found, as we
know, in the sea-booth, and so George, finding
all remonstrance useless, for Fanny had become
exceedingly distressed and anxious, took her
up to her mother, to whom he related all that
he knew in as few words as possible. He ad-
vised that the people should be called up and
a search instituted at once, and kept his ideas
on the chance of an encounter having taken
place between Holmer and the yacht-lieu-


THE HERMIT.
177
tenant, to himself, giving Mrs. Holmer to un-
derstand that he apprehended that her husband
might have fallen down, and have been
stunned.
In a few minutes, the people assembled in
the court with lanterns, and went over the pier,
the sea-booth, and all the neigbouring localities.
George led the search ; but just as he was most
zealously endeavouring to roll away a great
disordered heap of sail-cloth, and bast-matting,
quick oar strokes were heard approaching the
landing, and immediately after, patron Holmer
himself appeared—his countenance a little pale
and disturbed, but otherwise quite uninjured.
“What's the matter here now, children ?
why are ye all up ?" was his first question.
Pray forgive me, patron, I am the cause of
all this stir,” exclaimed George, leaving the
heap of articles which he had been moving,
and which he had half imagined concealed
the mortal remains of the patron, “as I
a
I
and_
I 5


178
THE HERMIT.
The merchant gave him a sign to be silent,
and said,
“Now go, children, and get to bed again,
and don't be so easily gulled another time.
I had something to do at Grosskär this evening,
and was detained by the storm, so that I could
not return sooner; hast anything to say to me,
my boy ?” addressing George, “come with me
into the office."
Impatient, however, as Holmer was to learn
the fate of Carolus and his cognac, he was,
nevertheless, obliged to restrain his uneasiness
until he had been in to see his wife and
daughter; and after telling the latter to get
young Letsler something to eat, and bring it
into the office, he hastened to lead the way
there, to learn the rights of the matter.
“And now, George.”
“Well, patron; and now, what, in Heaven's
name, did he do with
you
?"
“ Did he take the casks ?"


THE HERMIT.
179
66
“Oh, yes, finely he took them he had a
taste of hanging instead.”
“What do you mean ? please Heaven I
might be allowed to see the knave hanged, for
all the vexation and disgrace which he has
occasioned me this night.”
"Aye, aye, it has been a remarkable night
for adventures, and no mistake."
“But the casks, my boy, the casks ?”'
Aye, where they are now, God and Carolus
knows; but I believe they are bound to a
place, where Peter Gran will find it a hard
matter to smell them out. This was the way
of it.”
And George detailed all that we have re-
lated to the patron, from the commencement at
the Johannis cliff, up to his own and Carolus's
heroic deeds at Strand itself, and their pleasant
conversation with Peter Gran, while he was
hanging on to the tow-rope, endeavouring to
excite their philanthropy.
It would be hard to say whether Holmer


180
THE HERMIT.
was most pleased to find that his goods were still
safe, or with the manner in which the lieu-
tenant had been made to rue his impudence ;
and with rapidly following expressions of
delight, or, perhaps more correctly speaking, of
malice, he crossed his legs, clapped his hands,
snapped his fingers, and made George repeat,
several times, all that Peter Gran had said and
done during the memorable process of sus-
pension.
After giving vent to his delight, his next act
was to tender George his hearty thanks, for to
his shrewdness and invention he ascribed the
rescue of his casks, as well as the pleasant re-
venge which had been taken.
“Ah, that is not worth making a fuss about,"
observed George, modestly.
“ Aye, by my soul it is, and I'll pay you for
the service depen on it, George, for if you had
not noticed that all was not right, and played
him a trick in the sea-booth, Carolus would
never have had time to get off clear. I have
2


THE HERMIT.
101
>
long marked that thou art an active, able lad,
and if any kind of employment on ship-board,
or in the counting-house, would suit—though,
to my fancy, you should stick to the sea-Nils
Holmer is not the man to forget the friends
who have served him."
And Holmer now related to George how the
lieutenant and his follower had come disguised,
and managed to decoy him into the boat, and
carry him off, as above mentioned.
“And so," he continued, “ will he, nill he,
,
I was obliged to make up my mind for a trip
on the Excise yacht, since better might not
be."
“What a cunning old cat," said George.
“ You may believe I was not very well
pleased ; but yet, the time did not hang very
!
heavy with me in the cabin, for I found the
four water ankers, and managed to pump out
of the simple ass, Kron, how Carolus had done
the lieutenant; and this comforted me, and
enabled me to become rational and cool again.


182
THE HERMIT.
99
In about an hour the door opened, and Peter
Gran poked his nose in, as red in the face as a
boiled lobster; 'the way is open; but we shall
meet again,' was all he said, and so I marched
out. The boat was clear, I stepped in, and
after I had looked in vain after any traces of
my casks, Oesterberg shoved off--and there's
an end of the song.'
However, this little adventure did not strike
Holmer as half so funny as the trick which
George and Carolus had played his adversary;
and he did not seem half to like it, when
George laughed as heartily at it as at the other
—and remarking that George must be tired, he
recommended him to get some rest on the sofa,
until Fanny had got something warm, and left
him.
Fanny, like a good housekeeper, was too
anxious about George to let him wait long,
and a little table was soon covered, and they
sat down opposite to each other, and ate and
joked. Oh, it was a pleasant thing, after such


THE HERMIT.
183
a night of toil and adventure, to be able to sit
down to such a nice supper, in a comfortable
little
room,
and in
company
with such a cheer-
ful little beauty as Fanny Holmer.
Holmer kept them company for a short time;
but as soon as he had taken his share of the
dainties, he rose, and, with a significant smile,
reached his keys to Fanny, whispering,
“Keep house well now, recollect, for three
winters--
The girl clapped her hands for joy; and as
soon as her father had shut the door behind
him, Miss Fanny drew the high chair from the
writing-desk to a large walnut-press, and when,
by the help of a foot-stool, she had managed
to climb up on the chair, she called George to
hold the light for her.
The eyes of both glistened with delight
when the sanctuary of the press was opened,
and displayed, to their views, whole shelves,
containing glorious rows of citrons, oranges,


184
THE HERMIT.
a
apples, and drawers full of grapes, raisins, and
figs.
At first, Fanny and her companion amused
themselves with looking at these lovely fragrant
stores of good things; but a not less charming
sight in George's eyes was Fanny's little sylph-
like form, as she stood there before the great
press, with her pretty golden locks Aying
,
wild, which last pleased George more than all,
because they reminded him of his mother's fair,
silky curls,
“Is not this good fun ?" asked Fanny, “is
not it beautiful ?”
“Yes, indeed; but I know something more
>
so.
“Oh! what ?» cried Fanny, in a tone of
wonder; for it would have been difficult for her
to have pictured to herself anything in the
world so superb as this great walnut-press of
her father's-out of which she had sometimes
been permitted to fill her apron and pockets,
" what then, George ?" she repeated.


THE HERMIT.
185
“Thou thyself, Fanny, art far more beautiful
-nearly as beautiful as my own dear mother ;
thy cheeks are redder than the apples, and
thine eyes brighter and clearer than the grapes, ,
when you hold them to the light.”
Fanny smiled; but declared, though she did
think that George, too, was beautiful, and
very, very good, yet she could not help saying,
for all that, that father's walnut-press was the
most beautiful of all.
Fanny was just eleven.
George, on the contrary, nigh fifteen ; and
he did not seem quite satisfied with her an-
swer, though he laughed heartily at it.
And now Fanny made him hold his hat,
while she carefully sought out a little store of
such things as would be most acceptable to his
mother--and as soon as George was supplied,
Fanny thought of herself, and the apron
pockets came into requsition; and then they
were fully busied in packing all their nice
things in a little basket, when patron Holmer


186
THE HERMIT.
entered, and announced that day was dawn-
ing.
George sprang up; he had quite forgotten
that his parents would be uneasy about him in
case Carolus should not return.
“Adieu, patron--adieu, dear Fanny. I
must hasten home," and with his basket on his
arm, he hurried down the steps to the landing,
got the oars, and rowed the boat, and was soon
urging her over the seething waves, upon
which the dense morning mist hung like a
shrowd-nothing was to be seen, nor an oar
dash to be heard, except his own.
Even the
sea-fowl, terrified by the past contest of the
elements, had taken refuge in the rocks--all
was grey, silent, and gloomy.
And yet a mighty spirit spoke out of the
stillness of the deep, and as the mist lifted,
and his eye rested upon the sad vestiges of the
departed storm, while the greyish green surges
dashed and hissed foaming against the naked
rocks, and the sea still trembled from the


THE HERMIT.
187
effects of its fury, its heaving bosom covered
with fragments of wrecked vessels and cargo.
George sighed deeply, for his heart grieved to
think of all the misery the past night had
caused; but he plied his oars briskly, and cast
;
a longing look towards the barren strand of
Grafwerna.
1


188
THE HERMIT.
CHAPTER IX.
THE RETURN.
AMONG the many slender threads of destiny
which were spun this night, there was one
which had been more tightly strained than the
rest, and that one was in the soft heart of poor
Nicoline.
This warm-hearted being who had long
ceased to cherish one single selfish wish, lived
and breathed but for her husband and her son,
and the more strong and affectionately her
heart beat for each, the more did it silently
tremble at the thought of every evil which
might befal them.
Excited, agitated, and well nigh stupified,
though incapable of rightly conceiving the


THE HERMIT.
189
connection of what she had heard and seen,
she was no longer fooled by the question of
right and wrong, and had fallen asleep in the
midst of her confusing thoughts; but when the
moon rose,
and cast her faint beams over the
objects around, she was awakened by a voice
on the landing. Still confused, she started up,
and called to mind, as if it had been a dream,
though it was a sober fact of reality, that she
had just heard the creaking of the mysterious
hiding-place. She had but one thought,
perhaps they are taking away the dangerous
contents by night; oh, that George may not be
with them.” She went softly to her husband's
room,
it was empty.
« Doubtless he is out upon the cliff," she
sighed, while she stood listening at the door of
George's chamber, to ascertain if she could hear
him breathe; but she could catch no sound; she
opened the door and entered—alas ! her fore-
boding was too true! George's bed was un-


190
THE HERMIT.
1
2
touched, and he himself nowhere to be found
in the house.
“Perhaps they have not yet departed,” was
her next thought, and without a consideration
of how ill-calculated her thin apparel was to
resist the chilly influence of the night air, she
hastened to the cliff, whither she only came in
time to see the Free Sailer vanish round the
point.
On the mass of rock where he had watched
so many weary hours by night, Letsler was
seated, his hands muffied in the folds of his
cloak; he heard not the sounds of his wife's
light steps, until she pressed closely to him,
and weeping, and with a tremulous voice
asked
“Why—oh why, dear Bernhard, dost thou
allow George to take part in that which is not
right. Is he not naturally too much inclined to
be heedless and rash without"
She got no farther, Letsler led her back to
i


THE HERMIT.
191
her apartment; and now he spoke of smuggling
-set it in the most favourable light, shewing a
ready sophistry, which evinced his habit of
applying the same lullaby to his own conscience;
but now that all was clear to Nicoline's under-
standing, this reasoning had lost its power;
she saw that the employments in which George
was made use of, were unlawful, and might
bring down punishment, and it nearly drove
her to despair, to think that George should
have been encouraged, and even advised, to
such actions, and that by his own father.
And in such a night toothe weather had
abated, but the sea still ran high and tempestuous,
and the hurricane might return at any instant,
and to Nicoline's ideas, it was now doing so,
though her husband assured her that what she
heard was nothing but the dash of the surf
among the breakers.
In a state of feverish anxiety she awaited
the arrival of the Free Sailer, and her imagina-
tion, ever ready to picture dangers, had ample


12
THE HERMIT.
time to indulge its fancies, for hour after hour
elapsed, and the boat did not return.
However, now Letsler became uneasy also:
Carolus should have been home long since, and
it appeared as if he was making unnecessary
delay.
“Go, dear Bernhard, and look about," she
besought him every moment, and then, as soon
as she was alone, she wished him back again,
and when he returned without comfort, it was
worse than ever.
At last day began to disperse the shadows
of night, and now it appeared certain that
something was wrong, and Letsler could not
help supposing that the yacht-lieutenant had
fallen in with the Free Sailer, and seized it and
.
At length, however, as the sun peeped out
from the dark clouds, there appeared in the far
distance a moving speck, it drew nearer, and
soon Letsler rushed impetuously in with his
telescope, and clasped Nicoline to his bosom,
its cargo


THE HERMIT.
193
in a manner which clearly betokened all that
he himself had endured, though silently.
“Great God !” cried she, “who knew the
beatings of this stormy heart, and responded
to them-he is here-- George, my child, is
here."
Convulsively did Nicoline strain the youth
to her beating heart, while he almost felt his
own ready to break, for repentance and regret
at having, amid his enjoyment at Strand, for a
moment forgotten, that his beloved mother
was alone at home with her sorrow. Nicoline
passed her hand caressingly over the locks of
her boy, moistened as they were by the exer-
tions of rowing, as she assured him again and
again, that all uneasiness was now forgotten,
and that all again was well—and love, and
forgiveness, and peace were in the glance
which she cast upon her husband, in whose
eyes might be seen, at once, the prayer for
pardon; and the solemn vow that from hence-
VOL. I.
K


194
THE HERMIT.
forth George should take part in such enter-
prises no more.
And George, too, vowed the same in his own
bosom.
And as his dear mother, with tears in her
eyes, spoke of her affliction, that her George
could look with indifference upon an infraction
of the laws, he who had hitherto taken so
much pleasure in these lawless adventures, was
now nearly led to look on them with abhor-
rence.
***
*
And now the uneasiness also spread to the
fireside of old Elias. Neither this day, or the
following, or even the next to that, was there
the least sign of the Free Sailer. The storm
had recommenced, and played worse havoc
than on the night of the smuggling adventure
itself.


THE HERMIT.
195
Mother Malena's tears fell silently; but the
young Johanna’s grief was more clamorous, as
she ran here and there making the rocks echo
with her despair.
In vain did old Elias exhort her to calm her-
self-in vain did he suggest that his son was
as sly as Peter Gran—and that he probably
dared not venture out on account of the watch-
fulness of the excise yacht.
“Yes, I know,” she exclaimed, proud even
in her distress. "I know full well that Caro-
lus is a match for old Gran-10-no-there is
some other cause for his detention;" and she
began to weep afresh.
"Do restrain thyself a little, young woman,
and do not thus tempt God with thy clamor,
said Elias, in a somewhat reproachful tone.
“But where can he be then, father? what
do
you
think yourself ?"
“That God only knows; but as he is
;
ich
an audacious chap, as I hear, and has taken to
smuggling, and that sort of thing, which you
a
K 2


196
THE HERMIT.
hour;
may trust me he never learnt from his father,
why I can understand very well that he has
laid
up in some snug corner, where his wares
can be well taken care of, and, may be, he has
made a run for it, but nothing worse than that,
I'll be bound.”
While the Free Sailer seemed to have van-
ished alike from sea and land, the excise yacht
never intermitted its vigilance for a single
and Peter Gran, who watched the ap-
proach to Strand as sharply as ever anxious
lover looked for the arrival of his beloved,
had even instituted a house visitation at
Holmer's, which though conducted with all
imaginable strictness, had, as we may easily
imagine, no favorable issue; and Patron Holmer
did affirm, with a smile, when the baffled
official had withdrawn, that so much diligence
and exactitude deserved a better fate than to be
laughed at under his very nose.
A week had now elapsed, the moon had en-
tered its last quarter, and not so much as a


THE HERMIT.
197
solitary star illumined the dark autumn nights.
But Peter Gran held as vigilant watch as on
the first day—he was not the man to give up
an undertaking out of regard to his own con-
venience or comfort-however, he altered his
tactics so far as to pretend to leave that part of
the coast; but often as he vanished, so often
did he quite unexpectedly return.
Whilst he passed his time in this way,
it
happened one evening, just as the excise yacht
had turned her head towards Strand to com-
mence her accustomed watch, a boat, well
known about these shores, glided out from be-
tween two rocks, and landed at Grafwerna.
Mother Malena was sitting over the hearth,
watering the threads of the net which she was
making for her husband, with hot tears. She
could no longer hope, spite of her husband's
representations; but Mother Malena had a
quiet, patient spirit—her complaints were
never heard-her tears flowed in silence.
Old Elias, who was sitting and carving row.


198
THE HERMIT.
locks, looked from time to time at his daugh-
ter-in-law, who was quite incapable of employ-
ing herself, and walked up and down the room,
wringing her hands. The old man would not
confess how his own courage began to fail--
however, he could not but feel, that hope grew
fainter and more faint.
Suddenly, it was as if an electric stroke had
passed through the whole family---some one
grasped the handle of the door-a well known
grasp—and the next instant Carolus stood be-
fore them.
“Gracious, Carolus, is’t thou ?”
Johanna received the first embrace, father
and mother the second.
“Give me something to eat,” were the first
words he uttered. “You
"You may easily see,”
pointing to Stonge-jan, “ that this miserable
prisoner and myself must have some lining to
our waistcoats, before we can use our jaw
tackle; and, dear Johanna, don't forget to give
us a proper good schnapps."
2
1


THE HERMIT.
199
All sat silent, thankful in their hearts to
God, who had restored him to them, while
Carolus and his companion satisfied their won-
derful appetites; at last, when Carolus had
shoved away the empty fish dish, and with
folded hands, had uttered his thanks to God
for food and drink, he turned to his parents,
whose eyes had with warm sympathy, followed
his every movement, and from the eagerness of
his hunger, Elias concluded that he had fared
but ill while away.
“Father,” said Carolus, extending his great
powerful hand to him across the table, “I can
see well enough that you want a promise from
me, and mother and Johanna, too, and the little
ones, they want it, too_and so I say, as sure
as I'm called Carolus Eliasson, and mean to
bear the name honestly till I die, you shall
have the promise--however, I'll stick to this
much-that ne'er a priest, or prophet, or ex-
ciseman, cr royal ordinance, if they should
reach from here to England, shall make me be-


200
THE HERMIT.
may go henceforth
lieve, for an instant, that I am not an honest,
good chap, because I have now and then
played hide and seek with the revenue boats-
for I'd do it again, and gladly, if I was alone
in the world; but now, hark ye, father, while
I faithfully vow, I'll become an orderly, quiet
man, for so much is to be understood when
one weighs the desert and the earning against
the difficulty and responsibility—it don't look
well—and so to the deuce it
and for me.
And as he finished his declaration, he gave
his hand heartily to each in turn, but when he
raised his Johanna's tearful face to the light,
and regarded the traces left by the last week of
anxiety and sorrow, he continued with a softer
voice-
“I'll confess to thee my heart's gold, that
I've had many a qualm of conscience, at caus-
ing so much sadness, and sorrow here, at home,
but God's death, when I once had the devil in
the boat, I was forced to land him safe again,


THE HERMIT.
201
a
a
and it was not so easy, for Peter Gran was
after me like a bird of prey, if I did but stick
the end of my nose out.”
“And how did you manage the- ?" asked
Johanna, whose cheeks had now begun to re-
cover their roses,
you say he lay there before
Strand, like a house dog."
"Aye, did he, just exactly so, for don't ye
see as soon as ever the Free Sailer ventured to
stretch out its nose, it had to drag it in again
sharp, for the first thing to be seen was the
excise yacht.”
“But in Heaven's name, Carolus, where
were ye then all the while," and father and
mother and Johanna, listened with eagerness
for his reply.
“Oh, well, I have some friends down south
east. Now, now, Johanna, no need to look shy,
a man may have other friends in the creeks,
besides woman kind-for example, one of those
*giant urns in which he may not only cook his
66
* Sepulchral gigantic urns or barrows in the hills.
K 5


202
THE HERMIT.
fish, but hide a thing or two at need, and these
did not fail me at this pinch. I know a hole,
never mind where, where a man can easy hide
a large freight, and I thought of letting the
casks of cognac lay there awhile, but then I
was irked at the thought of giving in to the ex-
cise hounds, and when I saw he was obstinate
and would not leave Strand—why I took my
oath-a stupid oath as ever a man took too-
but all one-once taken why it was to be kept
—that I'd bring the casks to their right desti-
nation before I took my leave of them, even if
I should wait there till the day of doom.”
“Well, and then ?” exclaimed they all at
once, their attention strained to the utmost.
,
“Well; at length it occurred to Petter Gran
that a clever chap like himself could play a
sharper game than that so he'd take himself
off by day and return at night, just to see if the
Free Sailerhad ventured out and catch her
at it—but the Free Sailer knew better, and
played tricks as keen as clever Peter. I
4


THE HERMIT.
203
watched early and late, and this morning
when the excise yacht was off to catch another
gold fish, which had been thrown in the old
one's way, by my suggestion, but which I don't
believe he'll find though,” added Carolus, with
a satisfied smile. "I at once took (as I had
settled before hand) the little boat belonging
to the boy at Risö, for if I had taken the Free
Sailer, old Petter Gran would have scented her
out, if he had been ever so far off, and with a
bold face as if I had no end in view, but what
was all right, I started out in broad day light,
with a lot of sea weed laid over the casks, and
as luck favors the bold, I got over safe and
well. Holmer nearly got apoplexy, when I
came in, and asked him to take charge of the
casks. 'Thou mad chap,' says he, thou'lt
ruin
me,
but I just gave him a little courage-
a
the casks were stowed away safe enough,
where neither custom sniffer nor any other
christian soul can find them, and as soon as
the work was done, and it was all over in half
6
6


204
THE HERMIT.
an hour, I went back to my old hiding-place,
and aboard the Free Sailer, and made all ready
(as soon as the Excise yacht should turn its
nose to Strand) to be on the watch and slip out
for ye see I made such a number of turns and
tacks the night he was after me—that I did
not want him to know where I had come from,
and how bad I'd been off for food, and
brandy; and the best and heartiest thing I
could hear now would be that he might lay
there a fortnight yet and look out for the Free
Sailer.
However, this hope was not gratified.
Carolus's arrival at Grafwerna was a novelty
which soon spread, and Peter Gran, who had
never believed that there could possibly exist
such shameless impudence in any living man,
was very near taking a bad illness, on account
of the trick he had been played—especially
when he heard of the bold smuggler's visit to
Strand.
Of course he set a new visitation on foot,
а


THE HERMIT.
205
but it was just as vain as the first had been.
No one had such hiding-places as Holmer, and
after a week's labour lost, Peter Gran with,
we will not venture to say what sensations,
returned home, taking nothing with him but
a most severe cold, which, for a long time, pre-
vented him from pursuing his business with
his former zeal.
And Carolus never gave him another chance.


206
THE HERMIT.
CHAPTER X.
DEATH.
The days of trouble had passed away from
Grafwerna, and left no outward trace of their
visit behind.
Its inhabitants, as well as the family on the
Johannis Cliff fell into their usual train, and
Nicoline smiled cheerfully again, when she
saw her George happy and content. But
when she was alone the smile faded from
her lips, and often times would a tear drop
silently upon the work she was doing for her
husband or son.
Since that unlucky night when, regardless
of her feeble health, she had gone out, and the


THE HERMIT.
207
cold blast on the Johannis Cliff had struck a
chill through her frame, while feverish anxiety
consumed her within — since that night
Nicoline felt that the hand of death was on
her heart-perhaps this chance had merely de-
veloped the seeds of illness which had long
existed within.
Death in itself had, for her, no terrors, and
she would have welcomed its approach, after
her long and severe trials, as a calm and peace-
ful haven of rest, had not her thoughts upon
the fate of him whom she should leave behind,
continually filled her heart with sorrow.
Strongly as her heart clung to George, she
yet considered the approaching separation less
painful as it might affect him, who was now
just about to enter the world, and buy experi-
ence, than Letsler, who would then be left to
brood over his gloomy thoughts in this desolate
home alone. The first would, she felt, gradually
forget his sorrow, and when he recalled the
image of his loved mother it would be with


208
THE HERMIT.
sadness, but at the same time with pleasing
recollections; but the latter had naught in the
wide world to rest his hopes on, but herself,
and this thought made Nicoline's heart shud-
der as she anticipated the moment when his
eyes would be opened and he should clearly
see the affliction that awaited him; and she
could not prevail upon herself to recal his
thoughts to a subject so painful.
She did her utmost on the other hand to
prepare George for what was about to happen,
she sought to strengthen his energies and his
mental powers, so that in the hour of need
they might not desert him. When they were
alone, she painted the illusions of vice and all
their frightful consequences in the most vivid
colors, and in such beautiful words that George
regarded with wonder and admiration how his
calm and tender mother seemed transformed
into a spirit of energy and power, who, while
she guided and warned him, filled him with
confidenoe and hope.


THE HERMIT.
209
Never did these secret and serious discourses
fade from George's memory; but not till she
who had uttered them had long ceased to ex-
ist, except as a warning angel hovering around
him, did they stand in the full clearness of
their truth before his soul, then first did he
correctly estimate her hints, her entreaties, her
uneasiness, and her anxious efforts designed,
by unveiling the various dangers of the hour
of temptation-to temper and refine his heart
before the actual trial should arrive.
***
The sun had already melted the cold snow
flakes which winter bad left about the foot of
the Johannis cliff, when Letsler, as if awaken-
ing at once from an unconscious lethargy, sur-
veyed his wife with looks which testified the
most painful uneasiness. She avoided his glance,
for she could not thus see his eye fixed upon
her with that searching, sad expression without


210
THE HERMIT.
an almost irrepressible desire to weep—and she
wished to be strong.
But Letsler once awakened to these distract-
ing thoughts, which soon absorbed all others,
sank into a melancholy, more consuming than
all the torments he had yet endured—he gave
no vent to his feelings in words, but his ema-
ciated cheek, and bent form, spoke too plainly of
the loss at once of hope and energy, and a con-
tinued restless and wearing strife within.
George, who had long watched his father and
mother with surprise, wondered that they, who
had so often held converse with each other's
looks, even when they exchanged no words,
now, as if by mutual consent, as if they, con-
scious of some guilt, seemed to shun each
other's eyes whenever their glances chanced to
meet-and he felt a cold shudder, like that of
death, upon his heart. However, a sadness
devoid alike of hope or consolation was some-
thing which George could not willingly con-
а


THE HERMIT.
211
66 Tell me,
ceive or endure. He threw himself in wild
despair at his mother's feet.
I pray thee, mother, tell me-
that I deceive myself-or tell me—the truth.”
“My son, my George," faltered the sur-
prised mother—she could say no more, but she
laid her cheek on George's drooping head, and
kissed his forehead.
“ And you must die,” sobbed the youth,
“ die ere I have been able to take you from
this dreadful rock-before you have been per-
mitted to see me become a man. Oh, then I
will no longer work-no longer live-for thee,
thee alone, dear, dearest mother, did I wish to
labour or to live, and if thou diest, I will also
die."
" For God's dear sake, my George, restrain
this vehemence, it terrifies me; and must I
then believe that I have spoken in vain, all
that I have said to thee this winter; and thou
wilt not strive to govern the impetuosity of thy


212
THE HERMIT.
character, all that is passionate and unbridled
in thy feeling—?"
“And thou didst catch cold that night, when
in my wild petulance, I forgot all thine entrea-
ties, and cautiously crept out, lest thou shouldst
awaken, and see how disobedient I was; and
yet I could be cheerful and happy there
whilst thou wert here at home running into the
arms of death."
“No, no, my beloved child, it was not thou,
do not think it; and inflict needless pain upon
thyself-poor George, thou wilt have sorrow
enough—no, long, long ago, when we dwelt
in Norway; before thou canst remember, when
we lived in that old nest, and I enjoyed no air
and exercise, and never got a glance at the
blue bright heavens, except through the nar-
now windows--then George, then my heart
was broken, and it has been God's great mercy
alone which has permitted me to remain with
you so long, but sms-t, I hear thy father's
steps.”


THE HERMIT.
213
“No, no," said George, “ there were no
steps—and so thou didst then begin to die--
mother, I am young, but not too young to un-
derstand, and wilt thou, mother, leave me, and
never let me know, and sorrow over all that
thou hast suffered. I know, ay, well do I
know, though for the first time I say it, that
it has been much, much and bitter, but oh, I
would hope," and here a dark flush overspread
George's cheeks, and tears hung on his long
lashes; “I would hope that thy tears have
burned upon no human heart.”
“No, my George-I say it in sad serious-
ness, and thou knowest that I am incapable of
speaking falsely; no tears of repentance have
I wept. I have never been a sharer of those
gloomy mysteries which have made sad thy
father's life. Never has he allowed me even to
guess them, and often, often as I have felt in-
clined to complain of the necessity that bou
his tongue-(for it was no want of confidence).


214
THE HERMIT.
I have yet been thankful for it, for my ignor-
ance in this respect saves me the pain of being
obliged to refuse thee aught.”
George answered with scalding tears alone,
and covered his mother's hand with kisses.
Nicoline continued, “It would have been
both wrong and childish in me, had I wearied
thy father with entreaties which he was unable
to grant; what more did I need to know than
that he was unhappy, and needed all my ten-
derness and love."
66 And thine own heart, my mother, was
always sad ? or had'st thou ever any joy ?”
“Oh, canst thou ask that, George ? Aye,
I had my love, and the blessed consciousness
that I was the sole joy, the only happiness of
my husband; that I was the tie which bound
him still to life, and then heaven blessed me
with a more precious joy when it gave me
thee, my child.”
“Oh, mother," said George, sighing bitterly,
66


THE HERMIL.
015
.6 if thou did'st but know how much it pains
me to think how often I have caused you sor-
row instead of joy."
“Never, never, with intent-no, thou did'st
ever love me too well—and whatever anxiety
thou may'st have given me as a boy, thou
shalt, as a man, make good by laying a stronger
restraint upon thy will and feelings, and ma-
tured understanding; and the remembrance of
me, will aid thee to curb and keep down thy
youthful and impetuous blood."
Yes,” interrupted George, ardently, laying
his head upon his mother's breast, "the thought
of thee shall keep me back, even were I upon
the brink of crime, I often feel as if a wild
thought came over me, but let it come. I have
promised thee, that I will bridle it-and I
will do so; for when God takes thee hence, I
will ever believe that thou dost hover around
me, and see'st and knowest all I do; ay, and
perchance all I think.”
66
2


216
THE HERMIT.
would say,
Though no warm or intimate relation sub-
sisted between George and his father, yet when
he saw how he would sit in mute despair,
strong in his suffering, resolutely repressing
every struggling thought, and never betraying
his anguish, save by that look of sorrow which
never left his features-George felt his heart
yearn towards him.
And when Letsler marked that George's
inclinations led him to approach him as if he
“ do I not suffer too; oh, let our
hearts open to each other,” a gleam of light
waved past his countenance, and he would
extend his hand to his son, and make room for
him on the rocky seat beside him-but yet no
confidence-he seemed to shrink instinctively
from a word which might unveil the truth,
which, deeply impressed as it was upon his
heart, had never as yet been revealed by his
lips.
Young sorrow seeks to relieve itself by con-
fidence. But the struggle in the heart of the


THE HERMIT.
217
man, the pain and suffering which have been
as a crown of thorns to a whole existence,
shuts itself up where no strange eye can pene-
trate--and shudders at the mere idea of the
moment when its pangs shall no longer form
its own sad secret.
When the sea was again free from ice, and
the Free Sailer was again ready to plough the
briny waves, Carolus wondered to see George
so indifferent, and uninterested; but he was
still more surprised when the latter declared,
in the most decided tone, that he should not
quit the Johannis Cliff this spring--perhaps
not during the entire summer.
“And what in heaven's name will you do
with yourself all the time," asked Carolus, who
had hoped that George's melancholy would be
dissipated by his favorite occupations.
VOL. I,
L


218
THE HERMIT.
a
“I will — God knows what,” answered
George, with a half repressed sigh—“but this
I know, that I will not cause my mother sor-
row during this spring—she shall not have to
weep or suffer uneasiness on my account-I will
remain at home, Carolus.”
And what a reward was the expression which
George read in that beloved mother's eye, when
he told her that the Free Sailer should sail
without him this time.
And it did so.
And sometimes in the calm warm evenings
George would row his mother over to a little
holm, upon which he had erected a grotto; two
of its walls were formed by the rocks, the
third he had constructed of stones and rushes,
and on the fourth side, which formed the
entrance, he hung a curtain of bunting,
a
whenever he took his mother to this quiet little
retreat.
And how blessed were the feelings which
filled Nicoline's eyes with tears at every new


THE HERMIT.
219
evidence of the tenderness and love of her son,
which were displayed in each visit to this spot.
Sometimes a chair and stool had been brought
the day before ; and sometimes a table covered
with the delicate refreshments which he had
got from Fanny Holmer, at Strand; sometimes
a book or a vase of flowers, always some little
agreeable welcome which she had never even
thought of; one day, however, George had
prepared a far more gratifying surprise.
When Nicoline, leaning on his arm, entered
the grotto, she was met and welcomed by the
beautiful childish face of little Fanny Holmer
herself, standing at the entrance with a smile,
as she held her little offerings in her apron.
“Ah, that must be Fanny Holmer,” said
Nicoline, delighted, and charmed with the
little maiden's beauty and whole air, in which
there was such a captivating mixture of child-
ish innocence and firmness.
“Yes, dear, beautiful lady, I am Fanny,”
L2


220
THE HERMIT.
66
said the little maiden, making a curtsey and
displaying the contents of her apron, among
which two fragrant hyacinths were not the
least important.
Nicoline tenderly kissed Fanny's brow, while
she admired the lively, kind-hearted activity of
the child.
“And how did you manage to get here
alone, little one ?" she asked.
Oh, I can row myself if it's necessary,”
answered she, with an air of pride,“ but to-day,
Pernilla, the pilot's daughter helped me, and
now she is gone over to Grafwerna to do some-
thing for mother."
“And early this morning," said George,
his eyes beaming with happiness, “I was over
at Strand, and asked Fanny's mother to allow
her to come.
And this evening at George's Holm was the
happiest Nicoline had enjoyed for a long long
time-she had once more looked upon happy,


THE HERMIT.
221
cheerful faces, and had listened to fresh, childish
prattle.
Soon, however, even these little excursions
were obliged to cease.
And confined to her sofa, in her own quiet
apartment, Nicoline, with humble devotion,
awaited the last summons.
She had not yet had power to speak to her
husband-his untiring tenderness, his self-de-
nial, renouncing his own rest to keep her
company in the long weary nights—all this
was soothing balsam to her heart, but holy,
warm, affectionate, as was the relation existing
between them—they yet mutually avoided the
decisive moment.
Nevertheless it came.
It was a calm still night in July—the soft
sea breeze streamed lightly in at the slightly
opened window, and a pale moon-beam which


222
THE HERMIT.
had broken through the thick foliage without,
fell upon Nicoline's lily-like features, as she
reclined on Letsler's bosom.
She was on the sofa in a half recumbent
position, whilst he sat on the corner of the
same, and held her in his arms.
All was so still without and within, at times
only might be heard the light plash of the
waves as they rippled on the beach.
Letsler's silvery hair fell down long and
neglected over his sunken cheeks; upon his
forehead there was a dark cloud, and an un-
speakable expression of tenderness in his eyes
as they rested upon the being who reclined
half slumbering in his arms.
Suddenly a shudder passed through Nico-
line's frame, she was awakened by something-
a burning tear dropped upon her neck, it fell
from Letsler's eye.
Sixteen years had she been united to this
man, and she had never seen him weep. She
raised herself, she regarded him and was struck


THE HERMIT.
223
a
mute with what she saw it was not the
mysterious cold despair which she had been used
to meet there, but there was a still unheard,
unspoken pang as of death, laboring in his whole
soul as well as body.
“Bernhard, my own dear, beloved Bernhard,
speak to me,” she begged, with the most heart-
felt and affectionate tone, “oh, beloved, speak,
speak."
“Nicoline !” he pressed her closer to his
breast and a flood of tears bathed her forehead
and neck.
Now she could answer him-she too, had
tears.
After some minutes he said softly, and with
convulsive efforts-
“ Can words picture what a soul so rent, so
sad as mine, suffers, to see the being which
constitutes its entire existence vanishing, fading
away, never, never to return ?"
Nicoline pressed her husband's hand, she
ventured not to comfort him.
а


224
THE HERMIT.
1
Knowest thou that thou art dying ?” he
asked her in a tone which it would be utterly
impossible to describe.
Yes," she whispered.
" And thou art-?"
Ready—my beloved-devoted and sub-
missive to the will of God.”
“But thou goest not gladly hence-oh, say
no, say nom-thou wouldst still, if thou wert
permitted, delay with the poor Hermit whose
only sun has risen in thine eyes, whose w.
joy in life has hung upon thy lips.”
Oh, if it were God's will how gladly woulo
I stay with thee—but we must be patient, as
He has otherwise determined. I have loved
thee much, much, and I have been beloved-
as few, few have been. I have tasted the
highest and most beautiful of all life has to
give."
" And that which is most bitter also, poor,
poor Nicoline ; to be bound to a being who has
been to thee an insoluble enigma, and who
-


THE HERMIT.
235
even now, at this moment, when death waves
his pinions over thy soul, cannot venture to
unveil the torments which have consumed his
heart, and at this moment scorch it
up
with
fiercer flames than ever. Oh, Nicoline, tender,
adored wife—my greatest, heaviest crime was
when I took thine innocent heart to my guilty
bosom."
“Oh, my Bernhard ! speak not thus !
Perhaps though I have long resigned the hope
of ever being allowed to share thy long, thy
bitter sorrow~-perhaps, for thou knowest no
childish curiosity prompts memperhaps I may
I
yet be granted the happiness to comfort and to
sooth thee as far as my
weak powers will admit,
and I ask thee now with all the warm earnest-
ness of one, who will soon no more be capable
of asking, if it would not be soothing to thee to
impart thy sorrows to me--to pour out thy
sufferings in my bosom--would it not be good
if thou couldst think, when I am gone, that we
have been one in all I can bear all now for I
L 5


226
THE HERMIT.
am strong, strong in the will to convince the
that God's grace is endless.”
“Even this last comfort, my heavenly wife,
must I renoụnce; my heart pants to lay open
before thee all its wounds, but love withholds
me—it has compassion on thee. Believe me,
dearest, I were utterly unworthy of all the
tenderness which thou hast lavished on me
could I lay this burden upon thee. In all that
is beautiful, and pure, and good, our thoughts
and feelings have ever been in unison-let
naught else intrude between us now.''
“Oh, keep then this secret, my Bernhard;
but tell me, shall not George one day know
all ? believe me, when I say it, he is strong in
energy; he is capable of aiding thee to bear
this burden, while I could not. He will be to
thee the tenderest of sons, and the most faithful
friend, when my place is vacant.”
“Yes, George shall one day learn all, I
promise sacredly; and now be not farther
anxious regarding father and son, they will un-


THE HERMIT.
227
derstand each other entirely, when they have a
common grief."
“And he will be thy comfort.”
“No one will be—can be that—my sorrow
is too great for comfort. George must hence
into the world; the Johannis Cliff is too narrow
;
a stage for him; let me live with my memory
alone; and should I ever find peace,
'twill be
in the conviction, that every passing day takes
one away from the long drear purgatory which
life must be to me without thee."
Nicoline's head sank upon her husband's
heart—her sighs replied to the unruly pulsa-
tions of his heart-both were silent-but their
looks betrayed a suffering deeper, far deeper,
than their lips could utter.
And the moon, that moon who has gazed
upon so many an hour of earthly sorrow,
beamed softly down upon the unhappy ones,
and their thoughts soared upward as they gazed
on her soft radiance, and the realms, where
pain and sorrow shall be done away, and where


228
THE HERMIT.
they hoped, ere long, to be together, never
more to part.
*
And from this night forward, a beautiful
spirit of confiding love reigned between the
three who lived on the lone Johannis Cliff.
George knew not how it was, his father
fled from him no more, no longer shunned his
sympathy; in silent preparation they waited
for the hour, which was not long delayed.
Ere the first cold blasts of autumn came,
Nicoline was no more, her gentle spirit had
passed almost insensibly away, and the silent
Angel of Mercy spread his protecting wings
over the two who now, in hopeless sorrow,
wept on the bare, deserted cliff.
This winter, George prepared for his first


THE HERMIT.
229
sacrament, and with feelings deep and holy as
ever glowed in a youthful bosom, he awaited
the moment which should consecrate him to the
trials of life.
George could not conceal from himself that
his father seemed to look for the hour when he
should be left on the Johannis Cliff alone; but
he felt not injured by this sad longing of a
sorrowful heart, but sought in every imagina-
ble way so to order their mode of life that his
father might feel as little constraint as possible
—and the hour of parting came--and Letsler
was alone.


230
THE HERMIT.
CHAPTER XI.
THE CAPTAIN-COMMANDER AND THE CABIN-BOY.
Who ever had been standing on the strand at
Frederickswärn on the of August, 184,
would have had the gratification of beholding
one of the finest spectacles which can glad the
eye--namely, that of a large ship-of-war
running up to her anchorage under full sail.
The Flight of Fancy—the enjoyment of the
moment is unalloyed by the bustle, shouting
and running to and fro, which generally


THE HERMIT.
231
a
characterize a similar manquyre on board a
merchant ship, a short whistle, and the majes-
tic ship makes a long, graceful sweep, another
and another, and the clouds of canvass disap-
pear, and sails are furled with the rapidity of
magic—at brief intervals, a few more lively
notes are heard, and at last the ponderous
anchor falls to the bottom, athletic forms
swarm in the rigging, and in a short time the
upper part of the ship becomes a skeleton, but
still in its denuded state, retaining all its
symmetry and beauty--perhaps, however, no
heart feels the sensations awakened by this
most glorious beauty more vividly than that of
the old invalid seaman, who has long ceased to
bear his part in such scenes, except in his
dreams of the past.
At a short distance from the frigate, whose
arrival in the road of Frederickswärn we have
noticed, lay a small, well-rigged Norwegian
schooner, which had run into harbour much
about the same time as the former vessel ; we
a


232
THE HERMIT.
will, however, leave her for the present, and
go on board the ship-of-war.
There it lay, as if slumbering upon the
watery mirror, the extreme border of which
reflected the orange, red, and violet clouds
which surrounded the declining sun.
The bell had struck two-the sentinels had
echoed their monotonous “all's well;" and
the gunner had reported all the fires and lights
out, except in the cabin of the officers, and the
doctor who was busy extracting a tooth for
some poor devil.
The men of the watch were sitting away
forward, mending their shirts and trowsers,
here and there were to be seen some lines with
newly washed linen, which at all events
“must " be dry before morning, as nothing of
the kind was allowed to be seen after sun-
rise.
On the starboard side, at the gangway, en-
gaged in earnest conversation, whilst their
glances fell by turns on the aforesaid Norwe-


THE HERMIT.
233
gian schooner, and on a group of the junior
officers, who were talking together on deck,
were a couple of young cadets, whose uneasy
glances betrayed that they had a plan afoot,
which had it been discovered by their superiors,
might have cost them an hour or two at the
mast head.
“So, so," said the first, quickly, "good
council is dear; but now's the time, and I
must take some decided step. Nineteen closely
written sheets to my Bianca make me burn
with anxiety, and I shall be half crazy unless
I can manage to get the packet on board yon
schooner."
“It would be hard, as she answered to our
hail in passing that she was bound to Cadiz,
not to be able to send a token to your beloved ; ;
but in thy place, I should take it coolly--it is
a difficult business. These Spanish maidens,
with their eyes of fire, and ever vigilant
duennas, may be very good for the moment;


234
THE HERMIT.
but now we are here in dear old Sweden ; for
what I care, they may console themselves with
another lover as soon as they choose."
“Ay, and why—because thou hast left thy
heart in Smaland, I mine in Spain—so truce to
your nonsense, and strike out something from
thy brain-pan that may do thee honour.”
"
“Well then, go away straight to the chief,
and ask him for a boat."
“Capital idea that; if my mother was on
;
board the schooner, and I begged a boat to go
and pay her a visit, he would most graciously
assure me, that the boats of the Crown were
only available for points of service; and if I
was simple enough to state the whole truth,
he would probably doubt whether I was in the
perfect possession of my senses, and if in one
of his most brilliant humours, perhaps tell me
to go to the d-1, and turn his back on me.”
Well, that would not be quite an impro-
bable issue to the affair," remarked the confi-
dant with a provoking smile.


THE HERMIT.
235
66
Well then, thou seest that-but dost thou
see no other plan for gaining my point ?"
“Oh yes—for instance, if thou could'st
persuade some young dare-devil to swim over
to the schooner."
“Bravo, brother; by my soul, thou hast a
rare head-real stuff to make a vice-admiral :
but now I must be speedy-I know my man
already. Go thou below, as if thou knewest
nothing, and we shall meet again.”
The cadets parted, exchanging a mysterious
nod.
Somewhat apart from the watch, under the
shadow of the main-rigging, was standing a
tall, well-built stripling, busy in mending the
arm-hole of a sailor's jacket. As the usual
sea-going strictness of costume was somewhat
relaxed, he was, at present, attired in a red-
wollen shirt, and kersey trousers, which had


236
THE HERMIT.
once been white, and which, notwithstanding
the specks of tar with which they were dis-
figured, evinced, by their fineness and cut, that
they had sprung from some officer's wardrobe.
Instead of braces, they were supported by a
leather strap round the loins, which gave the
supple form and the broad shoulders a still
more easy and athletic appearance ; every
movement of this youth was full of energy and
elasticity.
Under a hat of white sail-cloth, with a
broad brim, appeared a countenance browned
by the sun, but healthy, ruddy, and beardless
as that of a girl and this face, with the rich
brown curls that strayed from under the hat,
had an unmistakeable likeness to a certain youth
whom we once met on the Free Sailer.
The roguish smile which had shortly before
played on George's lips had now given place to
a shade of melancholy, and as he leaned over
the side, and gazed on the changing forms of
the gold and purple-sunset clouds, his thoughts


THE HERMIT.
237
were far away—they had taken a long flight-
ay, even as far as the Johannis cliff, where,
sitting by his beloved mother, he had painted
such brilliant pictures of his future prospects;
he had now learnt the difference, the wide and
striking contrast, between imagination and
reality-he had started as a cabin-boy, as a
cabin-boy he had returned, the sole distinction
which he had gained having been that the chief
had selected him as his own attendant, or more
properly speaking, as a sort of companion and
guardian of his son-a boy of twelve years
whom his father had brought with him to inure
him to the sea, and bring him up for a sailor-
for which occupation he, however, evinced not
the least inclination.
“Aye, aye,” continued George, pursuing
,
his thoughts, as his flashing eye was raised, with
a warm glance, toward the Heaven, where his
loved and heartily regretted mother now dwelt,
"aye, aye, now would'st thou have seen, poor
و


238
THE HERMIT,
mother, how childish I was-epaulettes, sword,
medal-all a dream--a vain dream and there-
fere I'll just give up the fleet, and return to
the merchant service."
And as his thoughts took this direction, he
moved himself quickly from his reflecting
posture, and resumed his needle.
A hand touched his shoulder, and a youthful
voice accosted him with
“What art thou doing, George ?”
It was the cadet, whom we have just seen,
on the point of seeking a true-love messenger,
who would not object to play the triton a
little.
George took off his hat, and answered —
“I'm stopping a hole for No 36 Tupp."
" Aha!- thou hast turned ship's tailor
then ?"
“Oh no, sir-no such promotion,” replied
George, smiling; “but you see, sir, this is how
it is—the flag-boatswain, Stormbom, chanced
>


THE HERMIT.
239
56 I say,
to give a flourish with his hand so smart, that
Tupp has got a black eye, and can't see, just
now, to mend his own jacket.”
say, George,” continued the cadet, with
an insinuating tone, “I always thought thee a
good friendly soul, and I am glad to see I was
right; but that's not all, by a good deal—thou
art also a deuced handy lad, and hast no fear
in thee, and that's what I like thee for."
“Well, sir-yes,” returned George, who
though this praise was rather unexpected,
did not feel it a bit undeserved. “I get along
as well as others."
“ Harkye, you scamp,
and the cadet as-
sumed a more confidential posture, “thou seest
yon Norwegian schooner—its not very far off,
is it?"
“No, no, sir-just under one's nose, as one
might say.”
“So I think; and as I have no time for
ceremony, I will just ask thee straight on end,
a


240
THE HERMIT.
if thou wilt do me a favor, and get something
aboard her for me ??
“How, sir ?" answered George, looking
surprised. “ You may fancy, sir, that I have
not St. Peter's art of walking on the sea,
though I have a little luck betimes."
“But, George, thou canst swim--swim like
an otter--a regular first class swimmer. I know
there's not another like thee."
'But, sir, that won't help us.
No man
may leave the ship after nine o'clock, you
know."
“ Trifle, George, a dare-devil like thee, what
signifies that ?—thou could'st just slip down
under the bows, and no one will know when
you go or return either.”
“Aye, aye—that is all very fine, sir; but
suppose I should be found out—then you
know," and George pointed significantly to a
gun.
"Oh, don't get such stuff as that in your


THE HERMIT.
241
head. The first lieutenant is just alongside
the doctor, and beginning on the subject of
his endless West India voyages, and that
story will last out this watch, I'll be bound.”
May be, sir; but I've no mind to risk any-
thing any more; the voyage will soon be at an
and I'll be discreet.”
“Well, I never thought that such a smart
lad would have so quickly changed into a poor
wight. I am really alarmed about thee-I am
afraid thou art sick."
“Oh pray make yourself easy, sir, I am
quite well, and wish to get home with a whole
skin; however, as to having turned pitiful or
fearful, all that you know yourself, sir, is just
a fudge, to make me bite !"
“My honest George," said the cadet in an
unaltered tone,
never believe I meant to in-
sult thee. Oh no, quite the contrary, but I'm
in a state of mind in which I can't weigh my
words; tell me, was’t thou ever in love?"
Aye, sir, I should think so," answered
George, his eyes flashing brightly up.
(6
VOL. I.
M


242
THE HERMIT.
“Then, now, see'st thou, we shall soon under-
stand each other well, there is a maiden in Cadiz.
The Norwegian Schooner is about to sail there;
and here," pointing to his breast pocket, “is a
letter in a little tin box which I would fain
send—thou can’st tie it round thy neck-and
now has't thou the heart to say no ?”
" In truth, I have not, sir,” said George,
totally overcome; “no time to lose, I'll be off
at once, but,” said he jokingly, pointing to the
after part of the ship, “I feel it in
·
my
shoul-
ders, that a storm will come from aft there.
Now, sir, you'll be kind, and ask for fair wea-
ther, if it does.”
“I swear I won't leave thee in the lurch
if the matter goes too far for thee to get quit
thyself."
And after watching George depart on his
venturous errand, the cadet went down to tell
his confidential friend the lucky beginning of
his scheme.


THE HERMIT.
243
CHAPTER XII.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
QUITE contrary to all expectation, the West
India voyager did not even spin out to the end of
the watch, instead of extending far into the
next; and the doctor was just on the point of
seeking his berth, when the first lieutenant
suddenly said, “wait an instant,” and fixed
his eye sharply on an object which had at-
tracted his attention, “there is something
floating there."
“A gay buoy, I fancy,” observed the good
natured doctor, putting his glass to his eye,
and soon discovering the object.
M 2


244
THE HERMIT.
>
a
Oh yes, a very pretty buoy, indeed,” re-
turted the lieutenant, with a smile,“ by my
soul, its a man swimming; aye, and making
right for the frigate. Wait you here. I'll lay
my life its one of our crew.”
But very far from attending to the lieuten-
ant's wish, the doctor hastily wished him good
night, heartily wishing that the poor devil who
had been out of bounds, could be changed into
a veritable buoy for a few hours.
The lieutenant, however, did his duty, and
hurried forward; under the bowsprit he dis-
l
covered the hat, jacket, and trowsers of a
cabin boy—aha, thought he, there, that's that
scamp George, again--and so saying, the officer,
whose face seemed to clear up a little at the
discovery, hid himself close by the prow, so
that the swimmer could not perceive him.
Directly afterwards, a slight movement of
the cable in the hause hole made him aware
that some one had climbed up by it.
Silent and supple as a cat, and not in the


THE HERMIT.
254
least calculating upon the encounter which
awaited him, George had soon climbed the
deck, but involuntarily recoiled a step, at so
unexpectedly finding himself face to face with
the officer : for in spite of the proud consci-
ousness of being a favourite as well of the
captain as of the crew, George really could
not venture to hope for a favourable escape,
in this critical dilemma. He, however, de-
termined to neglect nothing-short of declaring
the truth—and to put the best face on the
matter which he could.
“Be quick and dress yourself,” was the
lieutenant's first command, in a harsh voice.
“Yes, sir,” and before five minutes had
elapsed, George stood dressed before his su-
perior. He had, by a rapid glance, convinced
himself that the deck was, clear, and tête-à-
tête with the lieutenant, the affair did not look
quite so perilous—and he might venture to talk
a little, and give a range to his craftiness.


246
THE HERMIT.
>
Where do you come from ?” said the
officer, fixing him with a sharp glance.
“Well, lieutenant, your honour, since the
last time I polished the gun there, I had such
a heat in my skin, that I felt I needed a bath
to cool it."
“I can see that you are lying-don't attempt
to play tricks with me.”
“The lieutenant sees right through, and
through one; well then, sir, I must just tell
the truth.”
66 Let's hear it then."
Well, sir, I was angling in the bows
there, and such a big, heavy fish gave a bite,
that just as I had drawn him up to the
surface, he gave a jerk, and pulled me over-
board."
“ Take care, my boy,” said the lieutenant,
in rather a sharp tone, which, however, had
not much anger in it; “ take care-perhaps
you'll change your thoughts, and hit upon the


THE HERMIT.
247
6
truth, when you make acquaintance with the
gunner's daughter to-morrow. Now confess
this instant--for I saw you—what business had
you at the schooner there ???
George grew hot all over ; but he could not
make
up
his mind to betray his trust, and so
resolved to leave all to chance and the lieu-
tenant's generosity.
“Well now, be quick. Will you tell the
truth ?"
“ Yes, lieutenant. I was coming from the
Norwegian schooner.”
What business had
ye
there ?"
“Well, I can't tell your honour that."
66 More evasion. You had a small box on
your breast as you came up—what was in
it?"
Well, sir, there was nothing in it-I got
nothing," said George, “ trying to get
through."
“ Come, come, youngster, you are too bold;
I'm losing patience, and I ask you now, for
>
>


248
THE HERMIT.
the last time, if you choose to tell me what
was your business aboard the Norwegian
vessel ?"
“Well then, sir," said George, seriously
and earnestly, “I cannot tell you, sir; but it
had nothing to do with the service.”
Well, well, we shall see to-morrow if
the service won't make you find your tongue.”
“No more then than now; if a man could
get the truth out of me at all on this point, it
would be you, sir—for you have been kind to
me; but my tongue is my own, and I'll hold
it come what may; but one thing I must
heartily beg, sir, and that is, if you are de-
termined to let me get the rope's end, I hope
you will let it end there; for rather than
forfeit your good opinion, sir, for my dis-
obedience, I would polish the gun there three
times over."
To-morrow you'll get five-and-twenty,"
said the lieutenant, turning away sharp tha
George might not see that he was moved-for
1
>


THE HERMIT.
249
whatever the lad might have said in the way
of
excuse, he knew well that his last words were
true.
However, the real criminal now came
forward—the cadet-he had long since left
his berth, and had listened to the whole pro-
ceeding
“ Lieutenant,” said he, with a pale cheek
and beating heart, as he stood before his
superior, “I should be unworthy of my uniform
if I could be any longer a silent witness of
George's magnanimity without releasing him
from his self-imposed silence. It was I who
persuaded him to swim to the schooner, with a
letter in the tin-box. I submit myself to an-
swer for my fault; but let me hope, lieutenant,
that you will be so generous as to overlook
George.”
The officer, who was pleased with the cadet's
candour, and not sorry to have a pretence
for forgiving his favourite, let them both off
M 5


250
THE HERMIT.
with a reprimand; and George assured the
cadet laughingly, when they were alone, that
he hoped he was safe now for this voyage;
however, he was a little out in his reckoning,
and we shall show how.


THE HERMIT.
251
CHAPTER XIII.
NO HELP FOR IT THIS TIME.
The following morning we find George again
in the execution of his duties, as attendant
and companion of the chief's son ; he was
engaged in helping the young Baron with the
rigging of a bran new brig, which stood upon
one of the silk covered sofas in the saloon of
the Captain, Commander Baron, V.U., his
father; while George was left to finish the
work above mentioned alone, young Master
Fritz, who had got weary of his toy, amused
himself in rummaging about a small cupboard
in his father's sleeping-cabin, and had the good


252
THE HERMIT.
fortune to discover a carefully closed receptacle
full of choice preserves—the contents of which
he was not long in examining, after he had
once tasted the beautiful peaches, with which
the captain had intended, on his arrival at
Göteberg, to regale the ladies, who would
doubtless honour the ship with a visit; he felt
it quite impossible to break off the acquaint-
ance, and in order to facilitate the appropria-
tion, he made use of the mast of his new brig,
which had not yet been fixed, to decoy one
delicacy after another from its retreat.
The young Baron might have abstracted
about three quarters of the contents, when well
known steps caused the blood to forsake his
cheeks. The drawer was hastily shoved back
into its place, and when the captain entered,
Fritz, with his back turned to the door, was
busily engaged in scraping the mast, which had
been so improperly applied.
“ Away with all this play,” said the chief,
somewhat out of temper.


THE HERMIT.
253
George instantly vanished.
Some hours after, it happened that the cap-
tain wished to get something out of the above
cupboard, and found, to his great surprise,
as he removed the jars of preserves from one
place to another, that several of them were
half empty
His first suspicion fell upon his son, whose
crib was in his father's sleeping-cabin. Fritz
was called; but when he saw the threatening
sternness of his father's features, the timid
boy was afraid to confess the truth; but with
a violently beating heart, declared that he did
not even know that his father's cupboard had
contained preserves.
It is true that it did not escape his father's
observation, as he made the assertion, that his
colour varied ; but he knew that an innocent
person might shew this agitation out of fear,
and as it was quite impossible for him to con-
ceive that his son would venture to tell him an


254
THE HERMIT.
66
untruth-he believed the assertion, and his
next suspicion fell upon George.
The youth was called, and stood, cap in hand
and upright as a dart, before his chief.
“Thou hast been here several times alone ?"
said the Captain, with a searching glance.
Yes, according to the Captain commander's
orders, I have been here rigging the little brig
for Baron Fritz."
“Hast thou been into my sleeping-cabin ?--
hast thou opened my cupboard, and eaten the
preserves which were kept there ?"
“No, sir," and George's colour rapidly went
and came.
“ Hast thou never seen them either ?”
George was silent.
“Could you have the audacity to tell me a
lie?"
No, sir-it would be quite impossible for
me to do so.”
"However, I have been told that
you
have
played several scampish tricks on board.”


THE HERMIT.
255
>
“So it is said, captain ; but they have been
always innocent."
" And thou didst not eat my preserves
?"
“No, captain.”
“Hast thou ever had a taste of the rope's
end at the gun there ?"
“Several times, captain."
“Go up and tell the flag-boatswain, Storm-
bom, to have all clear above, and a new rope's
end—thy comrades shall see how a lie is
punished."
“Aye, aye, sir,” said George, with unshaken
com posure, and he departed to communicate the
orders he had received.
It was very lucky for Fritz, who had been
present at this examination, that his father had
paid no attention to him-for the word 'guilty
was too evident on his pale brow and trembling
lips.
When the Captain commander had gone
into his sleeping-cabin, Fritz slunk upon deck,
and whispered to George-
6


256
THE HERMIT.
“I cannot, dare not ask you anything, dear
George; but I am so afraid that father should
discover all —would you tell all if it pained
very much ?"
“Never fear,” answered George, casting a
half contemptuous, half compassionate glance
at the spoilt effeminate boy.
The chief soon appeared on deck.
In military array about the piece, which bore
the mystical name of the gunner's daughter,
stood the cabin-boys; and George, who was
somewhat in advance of the others, had as
proud and independant a bearing as if the gun
was about to have been used for a salute.
By his father's orders, Fritz was also present,
that he might profit by the example; but his
trembling legs would scarce sustain him, and
he leaned, for support, against the edge of the
gangway, close by the opening of the accom-
modation ladder.
After the Commander had spoken a few
words to George, but had found him, as he


THE HERMIT.
257
believed, quite callous, there succeeded a
pause of some seconds and then, at a sign
from the captain, the flag-boatswain, Stormbom,
a veteran seaman, who, from a liking for the
business, generally exercised the office of cor-
rection, stepped forward. The old man held
an artistically plaited cat, gay with red fringes,
in his hand.
When George had, in the regular way, been
placed by two marines on the gun, and the
ominous words five-and-twenty had been pro-
nounced, the punishment begun. Not the least
sound escaped the lips of the youth; but he
regarded the little Baron with looks which
seemed to imply an admonition to let this
example be a warning to him. The poor boy
perhaps suffered more at thus beholding the
punishment of another for his guilt, than if he
had been himself the sufferer; but fear kept
his lips closed.
George had now received fifteen lashes--at
the sixteenth the cat wielded rather pitilessly


258'
THE HERMIT.
by the experienced hand of old Stormbom,
extorted a half suppressed cry ; but in
the very same instant, the culprit rushed im-
petuously from the gun, leaving his jacket in
the hands of the two marines, whose office it
had been to hold him, and before a soul could
prevent him, plunged into the sea.
At the same moment, and in immediate
connection with George's disappearance, the
cry echoed over the deck, “the young Baron
overboard.”
It had been windy during the night, and
was now nearly a storm, and Fritz was therefore
scarcely able to swim; he had, it is true, re-
ceived much instruction, but could never get
into the way of it; two little hands appeared
above the crest of a wave, and again instantly
vanished, and immediately afterwards George's
white shirt sleeves were seen as he swam in
that direction.
The Commander was silent, but he stretched
himself eagerly over the bulwarks, and cast


THE HERMIT.
259
anxious looks at the object which alternately
rose and sank in the waves, and those who best
knew the old chief, declared that this day, for
the first time in his life, did his cheek grow
pale, and his tongue refuse its office in the
hour of danger.
Meantime George was fortunate enough-
before the first lieutenant's orders could be
carried out and a boat lowered—to arrest young
—
Fritz on his way to exchange life and light for
the blue depths of the ocean; he caught him
by the hair, and with a rapid whirl succeeded
in bringing him to the surface again; the young
sailor kaew that assistance would soon be
there, and therefore applied all his strength to
keep the boy and himself afloat.
The boat, rowed by four men, came up
quickly, and after the little Baron had been
drawn in, George clambered in after him like a
dog, and immediately began to busy himself
with the boy who had come to himself, and
only complained of cold.


260
THE HERMIT.
>
When the Commander saw his son rescued,
and safe on board, his usual imperturbable
composure returned, and in a tone not in the
least distinguishable from his ordinary manner,
he directed him to be taken down and have
dry clothes put on.
“Nine more lashes to receive, captain,” said
George, standing before his chief, and putting
his hand to where his cap should have been.
“Tell Stormbom to give thee thy rights,
my brave lad,” said the chief, turning hastily
away, for George's countenance and look af-
fected him in no common degree. Those eyes
which perhaps glanced like lightning at the
unexpected answer
the whole expression of
the face struck him as something which he
knew, and with slow thoughtful steps he
sought his cabin, after giving orders that
George should attend him in an hour.
The latter, with unmoved firmness, returned
to his position at the gun, but the old boat-
swain was uncommonly awkward in handling


THE HERMIT.
261
a
his instrument of correction, for all the remain-
ing lashes seemed to fall upon the cannon,
instead of the culprit, as soon as all was over,
George received a direction from the generous
officer, who had the watch the preceding
evening to come into his cabin ; what took
place there was not known, but George returned
soon after, with a fine linen shirt, a neat blue
jacket, a new edition of the white kersey
trowsers, and a new Bengal silk cravat loosely
tied round his neck. The whole suit was a
present from the first lieutenant, who was glad
to show George a kindness, because he had
conducted himself so as to gain his hearty
approbation. From every one George would
not have accepted these tokens of good will,
but with some officers he stood on a footing
which would have caused it to be regarded as
pride, obstinacy, or ingratitude, if he had de-
clined them.
At the time appointed for his interview with
his chief, George descended with firm steps to


262
THE HERMIT.
2
the saloon, where he found the captain walking
thoughtfully to and fro.
“You have, in some sort, deceived me,
George,” were his first words.
“I have never seriously done So,
sir."
“Why did you not tell me who the culprit
was? I now know, and by no means approve
of your silence.”
“I could not have acted otherwise, sir."
“It was however wrong, and you therefore
in some measure deserved some punishment."
George was silent.
“I do not,” continued the captain, "I do
not so much thank you for having saved my
boy's life, any other who was as good a swim-
mer as yourself could have done that; but you
have, to-day, shewn that you possess a firm
mind, quick decision, and a good heart--three
most essential qualities for a sailor--and to mark
my sense of your conduct, I present you with
this sword, which I have worn myself.”
George's voice was weak as that of a child,
.
a


THE HERMIT.
269
1
as he stammered forth his gratitude—there
was a pause of some seconds.
Though he had received no order to depart,
George believed that his audience was at an
end, and was about to retire, but just as his
hand was on the latch of the door, and he was
making his bow, the captain signed to him to
remain, and asked-
“And what do you think of doing on your re-
turn home? If our cruise were to last longer,
you would, from to-day cease to be a cabin-
boy."
“I will return to the merchant service,
captain."
“Right, my son, the royal navy is a poor
career for poor sons of good families to seek
advancement in-lives—" there was a visible
expression of hesitation in the captain's voice
as he concluded the question—"lives thy father
still !!
George, colored, it was the first time any


264
THE HERMIT.
one had questioned him on this point, and he
scarcely knew how to reply.
“Do not make yourself uneasy, it was a
casual question, perhaps he is dead, then ?”
“No, not exactly that,” replied George,
deeming this answer the nearest to the truth.
“What would you imply ?” asked the
captain, whose attention was evidently excited.
“I mean that he still lives, after a fashion,
but perfectly alone, entirely secluded from his
fellow men, it is his manner, but he is an
honorable man."
( Where does be dwell ?"
“On a lonely cliff, on the rocky coasts of
Bohusland.”
“And your name is George Letsler,” con-
tinued the captain, with marked emphasis"it's
singular, that I should never have noticed
your
name until to-day-George - Letsler-George
Letsler,” he repeated, as if recalling some train
of recollections.
>


THE HERMIT.
265
“I
your father's
George stood silent and surprised.
“Do you know if your father is a native
Swede ?"
“I have never heard otherwise, but my own
loved mother-alas she is now no more-was
a Dane."
At these words the captain's
features clouded.
once,"
,” he said, half aloud, "I once knew
a person
of
name, he was always
gloomy and suffering, he had a wife too, whom
he fondly loved, her name was Nicoline."
“She was my mother,” exclaimed George,
his eyes beaming joy, as he heard this name so
dear and hallowed to his heart.
“Well, continued the captain, struggling to
regain his self-possession, which was evidently
shaken. “I have watched you constantly with
attention and satisfaction, you have won the
good opinion of your superiors, as well as
your comrades—and deserve that I should
notice these good qualities---as well as your
VOL. I.
N


266
THE HERMIT.
be
conduct this day, which has especial claims
upon my gratitude--and I therefore intend to
befriend you for the future.
for the future. When we arrive
at Göteberg I will see and get your name
written off the frigate's books, that you may
able to return home and visit your father, who
will be anxious to see you; but in the coming
autumn and winter you will study navigation
at Göteberg, at my expense, and as soon as
you have passed your mate's examination, I
shall see that you get a berth in an East
Indiaman with a captain who is a friend of
mine."
At this extraordinary good news George,
with difficulty, restrained himself within the
bounds of due respect; he could have fallen
upon his knees before the captain ; and then
have rushed on deck; he would like to have
shouted, jumped, laughed, and wept, all at
once, but he was obliged to stand still while
the floor seemed to burn under his feet, and his
heart and brain were on fire.


THE HERMIT.
267
а
>
At length, as if he needed some voucher,
that this was not all a wild dream, he stam-
mered forth-
" Is this possible ?”
' Aye, aye,” smiled the chief, most graci-
ously, “I am accustomed to keep my word, but
I must tell thee one thing, my lad—have not
thy heart always at thy tongue's end, for if I
am not very much mistaken, thy father will be
better pleased the less he is talked about, is it
not so ?”
“Yes, truly, sir," said George, no longer
capable of bridling his astonishment, “and I
am heartily sorry for it—but I hope and trust
that to me, he will one day be open—may
-
I
venture, when I see him, to greet him from
my commander, and when I converse with him,
I can give full vent to all the gratitude, which
respect restrains me from expressing now."
Aye, do so, and when you leave the
frigate, you shall have a letter to him, and I
will speak with you once more.”
And the
66
a
N 3


268
THE HERMIT.
chief made a slight movement of dismissal with
his hand—but in this gesture of the superior
to the poor humble cabin boy, there was a
something which clearly shewed, that at this
moment, and in this matter, the chief had
given place to the feelings of the father and
the man.


THE HERMIT.
269
CHAPTER XVII.
GEORGE's first care on his return to the deck,
whither he seemed to glide rather than walk,
was to seek out the old veteran Boatswain
Stormbom, who with his cat over his arm was
walking to and fro before the gun, regarding
it with a somewhat melancholy smile. George
approached him, and expressed his thanks for
the mildness of the latter part of his punish-
ment.
“ Hads’t thou not sailed under false colors,
my lad,” replied the old seaman, thou wouldst
not have had to prove the excellence of my


270
THE HERMIT.
new invention,” and he waved his cat, com-
monly called the rectifier, a name so well
known to all the sailors and boys on board,
that its very mention awakened a shuddering
sensation along the spine.
George who was now less than ever pre-
pared to confess the truth, merely gave the old
man a sly look.
“Good, I understand,” continued Stormbom,
“thou dost no more trouble thyself about
preserved fruit than I do, myself, about a smart
rigged young lass; but though thou wilt not
let it out, I can see it in thy face, that all has
been discovered—come down into my berth
with me."
George, who had no more ardent wish than
to relieve his over flowing heart in such worthy
company, followed him with alacrity.
When they came into the cabin, the half of
which was at old Stombom's disposal, the old
man made George sit down upon the chest,
covered with red sail cloth, and then assuming


THE HERMIT.
271
an expression of solemnity in face and tone as
if he was about to make his last will-com-
menced as follows-
“George, boy, belay, I say, don't spring
a-leak in thy heart, man, till I have told thee
first, that the moment thou didst step across
the threshold of the chief's cabin, I saw that
thou was't quit and with honour too of thy
duties as cabin boy, and wouldst not need to
be used any more as a coverlet to the old
cannon yonder, and that thy craft is ir no dan-
ger of getting among the breakers of the
rectifier again. Thou wilt henceforth steer
another course, and I heartily wish ye a fair
wind throughout, until ye think fit to let the
good ship cast anchor in a comfortable harbour,
for good and all."
George, who was acoustomed to regard the
old boatswain with great respect and affection,
for the latter had gained the good will and
liking of the whole crew, from the captain to
а


272
THE HERMIT.
I
the cabin boys—listened to this preface with
as devout attention as if it had been a sermon.
“I have,” continued the old man, in his
own peculiar and expressive manner, while he
raised his still powerful form proudly up, “I
have eaten the King's bread these five-and-
thirty years, and trod the King's planks, but
never, and I say it, boy, to thine honor, never
did I see the rope's end fall abroad a smarter
youngster than thyself—and therefore, ye see,
I've always preferred thee, to the other wights
who are not fit to hawl at the sheets of a poor
(Wener-craft*), and to prove that all this isn't
mere idle gossip, but true real right down
truth, I make thee a present of my new
' rectifier,' with the wish not that thou mayst
ever need it for the health of thine own body,
but, as my mother would say, when I thanked
her for a pair of new breeches, that whenever
6
* Wener is a lake of great extent in Sweden, and navi-
gable for ships.


THE HERMIT.
273
thou lookest at this old friend, thou wilt also
give a remembrance to thine old friend and
teacher, Stormbom, who,” (and the old man
here hawled out a bottle to which was tied a
little horn drinking-cup, with a wooden bot-
tom)—“ for the future permits thee to call him
uncle.”
And to give force to these momentous
words, he filled the little tumbler, and drinking
to George, re-filled it and handed it to him,
and George felt obliged to pledge him, and
make a little speech himself.
“My best uncle, this is really a very great
honor, and as truly as this day, from the last
night's watch till the present hour, has been
full of strange events, and so surely as my name
is George Letsler, the rectifier plaited by
Uncle Stormbom's own hands, shall accompany
me as faithfully through life as this sword just
presented to me by our chief himself,” and so
saying, he produced the weapon which he had
hitherto left concealed.
N 5


274
THE HERMIT.
“Thanks my honest lad, and I know thou
dost mean all thou sayest, and I can tell thee I
saw a little bit of that there thing when thou
didst come up to me near the gun, and I saw
at once what o'clock it was! And now just
tell me what fine things the old one said to
ye aft, there, and that was no little I'll be
bound, if one may guess by the time thou
wast below."
With the exception of what concerned the
captain relative to his father, which, after the
hint he had received, he deemed it better to be
silent regarding, George now related every
expression of the captain's, and his promise to
procure him a situation on board an East
Indiaman, as second mate perhaps, as soon
as the following year.
"Boy,” exclaimed Stormbom, heartily de-
lighted, “this is great news-grand prospects
I would say. I know the old man in the stern
cabin, there, he does nothing by halves——thy
2


THE HERMIT.
275
fortune is made, and it was a lucky hour when
thou didst embrace the gunner's daughter.
I've heard it pretty decidedly spoken of, that
his honor is going to his rest, and means to
retire, and cast anchor at his old estate in
Holland, and so to thank thee for saving his
son and heir, he is going to frank thee in the
merchant service, and I'm glad of it, for no
man knows better than I do, that if the crown
biscuits are large and good, its a dooms diffi-
cult job for men like thee and me to get our
teeth into them."
“Aye, and so when I come to Göteberg this
autumn, to study navigation, uncle will allow
me to come sometimes and have an hour's gos-
sip with him, it will be my best pastime after
work."
“Sometimes, sayest thou. I know some-
thing better than that.
In the Masshugg,
* The Masshugg is a suburb of Gôteberg almost ex-
clusively inhabited by seafaring men,


276
THE HERMIT.
a
there's a little yellow painted wooden house,
the owner of which is named Stormbom, and
moreover ye see in this house there's a little
chamber, with a private entrance. My old
woman-thou mayest take an old sailor's word
for it-hasn't her like for goodness in the
world, and she'll get thy washing up and keep
thy matters tidy, and I, I'll be a father to thee,
in case thou hast no better at hand.”
“Belay," said George, highly delighted,
“if the chief has no objection, I'll accept your
kind invitation, with all my heart—I fancy
uncle will not remain long at Carlscrona.”
2
Their confidential conversation was cut short
by a long, shrill whistle, and the hoarse sum-
mons of “all hands on deck to weigh anchor,
they hurried up, the boats were hoisted up,
the capstan manned, and the anchor lifted, to
9


THE HERMIT.
277
the lively song and measured tramp of the
seamen, the frigate spread her canvass wings
to the freshening evening breeze, and under the
silvery radiance of a bright August moon sped
on her destined course.


278
THE HERMIT.
CHAPTER XV.
Two days after we have seen the frigate leave
her anchorage at Frederickswärn, we find her
approaching Göteberg.
The crew which had to-day received orders
to dress themselves in blue woollen shirts and
trowsers, with black hats, decorated with long
silken bands, on which the name of the frigate
was displayed in letters of gold, had been
shortly before piped to muster by divisions,
and were now busy with the hammocks, which
were neatly packed and stowed away; an un-
usual display of activity pervaded the entire
ship, the dazzling white deck was thronged
with life and all was in readiness for
landing


THE HERMIT.
279
It was a little after midday, when the frigate
approached this fine mercantile town, the officer
of the watch received orders to pipe all hands
on deck, and the second in command took the
trumpet, and assumed direction of the ship.
Unbroken silence—that indispensable con-
dition of all ship discipline-reigned every-
where—the only sound was the song of the
men in the chains, as they heaved the lead,
and reported the depth of water, the nature of
the bottom, &c.
All eyes and ears were bent with anxious
attention upon the commanding officer, while
the lieutenants were all alert to see that every
one was at his post.
At length, the voice of the first lieutenant
issued the necessary order for the maneuvre to
be executed.
“All clear forward, sir,” answered a deep
bass voice from the bows.
A few seconds after, the voice of the officer
was again heard-
>


280
THE HERMIT.
“Clew up the courses-take in the top-
gallant sails—be alive, boys."
And as he signalled with the trumpet, a
piercing whistle echoed from the boatswain,
whilst the crew ran away with the ropes. .
The frigate had fired a salute, which had
been answered from the land.
When the lead line shewed five fathoms
the topsails and jib were brailed up, and as
the frigate lost her speed, the anchor was let
go, dragging out fifteen fathoms of the rattling
chain cable.
The ship now lay motionless by the new
wharf.
A multitude of people had assembled, gazing
with curiosity and admiration on the beautiful
ship-of-war, and the quickness and facility with
which her active crew climbed the rigging and
furled up all the sails.
“If they behave as well at Carls-crona," said
the chief, with a satisfied smi , "we shall
have no cause to be ashamed of our crew


THE HERMIT.
281
i
a
give them an extra glass of grog when they go
below."
“I am quite sure," said the old flag-boat-
swain Stormbom, nudging his friend the steers-
man Mas, “ that my old woman's there on the
strand among the rest—but she must have
patience—the old man aft there has his
eyes about him, and he has his reasons may-
hap, for thanks to my rectifier the boys un-
derstand their work-ho leave to be looked for
to-day. Well, well, my old woman is a sailor's
wife, and knows very well what subordination
means; but I dare say she thinks it a fine
thing to look at the frigate which I serve in.”
“Aye, aye, boy,” answered Mas, with a
good-natured smile; “and when she embraces
thee to-morrow, and takes an overhaul of thy
chest, may be she'll find something to suit her
taste better, a handsome teapot or so, as a com-
panion to Bambus Olle,” (the old man's spirit
jar.)
There was another, however, besides Storm-
»


282
THE HERMIT.
bom, to whom their arrival at Göteberg was
not a little important.
George had never, until now that he was
approaching the object of his hopes, experi-
enced such powerful longing; his bosom swelled
with the thought that he should soon see his
father again. Oh, how was he now ? from his
father, his thoughts flew to the little goddess
at Strand, how she would have grown,
and
Norwegian Fanny, and the passion flower, and
the ivy, amid the foliage of which his loved
mother's light curls had so often waved, and
now-and George sighed a deep and bitter
sigh—that little chamber was vacant.
But he forcibly withdrew his thoughts from
this sad theme, and turned them to brighter
visions.
Carolus, dear, good Carolus, and father
Elias, and Mother Malena, and the pretty
Johanna, and the Free Sailer-how old Elias
would listen with an approving nod to all he
had to tell, while Carolus would open his
eyes,


THE HERMIT.
283
and shake him by the hand with cordial and
hearty expressions of good will—and then a
feeling of pleasing pride began to arise in his
bosom, and he waited with impatience the mo-
ment when he should receive his last instruc-
tions from his respected chief.
He did not waste his time with puzzling over
the why such good fortune had befallen him-
that it had done so, was the best part of it-
and perhaps—for George was not entirely
without his shade of self-love-it had not come
upon one so totally undeserving of it.
However, George's fancies were interrupted.
Supper was ready, and his comrades awaited
him.
Meal time on board a ship of the larger
size is one of the most lively and cheerful
scenes that can be imagined-here, free from
the restraint of duty, these strong, athletic
forms, group themselves in easy postures about
the long tables, according to their separate
messes, how many a merry jest, which has
,


284
THE HERMIT.
vainly sought to escape during the day, now
finds a vent, as the spoon passes between the
dish and the mouth, and if the jest is not
always the most refined, it suits the taste of
those who hear and enjoy it; and if any one
wishes to know how hearty laughter sounds, let
him hear it ring from the lips of merry
sailors.
George and a cabin boy, named Brännare,
had been comrades during the whole voyage,
and had played each other many a frolic-
some trick; Brännare loved George because
while he felt that George was of
superior class and nature to himself, the latter
never alluded to it, but with the sole excep-
tion of clinging to some innate habits of deli-
cacy, mixed freely and without constraint
among his shipmates in everything.
Suddenly Brännare broke off in the midst of
a merry speech, laid aside his spoon, and said,
in a sorrowful tone-
Aye, aye, my dear George, now it is done,
a


THE HERMIT.
285
as the man said, when he perjured himself—we
have had our last meal together as comrades,
thou'lt become a great man now the chief has
taken ye by the hand, while, as for me, 'tis
my
fate to be a cabin boy for many a long
year.”
“Ah, well, when I get a ship of my own-
and perhaps it will not be so many years first
-thou shalt sail with me, and be my mate,
Bräạnare,” said George, with a slight shade of
patronage in his tone.
“Aye, will I, by my soul," answered Brän-
nare; “but when thou’rt a captain, and a
great man, thou'lt forget all of us poor
devils."
"I see you don't know me,” replied George
"a good comrade I'll never forget; and as
sure as my name is George Letsler, and I in-
tend to have a brig before I am four and
twenty, thou shalt be her mate."
“Ha, ha, ha,” laughed Brännare, with the
full force of his deep bass; "thou a captain
>
>
>


286
THE HERMIT.
2
before thou’rt four and twenty; no, boy, no,
George, must wait a bit-wilt have a little
trouble afore that comes-thou'lt have to
lower thy pipe a little, and take up with a
coaster."
“I'll have nothing to say to coasters-I
could have one in a jiffy if I chose--I tell
thee, I've set my heart upon a brig, and I rig
her out every night in my dreams, and thou
shalt see, Brännare, that shall be a ship
-I don't speak of other brigs—but my brig,
Captain George Letsler's brig.”
"Poor lad, he's stark crazy–hark ye,
Tromm, turning to another cabin boy who was
standing near, “hast never heard tell of George
Letsler's brig-hi-hi-hi-thou knowest
which I mean, the one afore the sun and a-hint
the moon."
“Aye, aye,” answered Tromm, with a sneer-
ing laugh, and an expressive gesture; "and I
I
have heared whisper, as she is to come from
Greenland with a whole cargo of preserves."
-
9


THE HERMIT.
287
a
66
" What dost mean by that,” shouted
George.
“Why, that the man who owes his luck to
a pot of sweetmeats will soon be saucy enough
to be able to load a whole ship with the like,
and moreover too~"
However, what was moreover did not ap-
pear, for as the word left his lips, a buffet from
George sent him sprawling under the table.
“There now, pitiful titmouse, that thou art,
there for taunting me in that sneaking way-
venture to say that I owe my luck to a miser-
able box of sweetmeats, if you dare, and I'll
not leave a whole bone in thy skin--and that
ye may swear to."
“What devil of pride has possessed ye,”
groaned out Tromm as he strove to rise;
“thou think'st, I suppose, that no one's good
enough for thee now thou art to leave off cabin
boy and study navigation; but what have ye
to thank for that-if not-hi-hi-hi-” and
Tromm hesitated to laugh out right, while he


288
THE HERMIT.
66
regarded with a kind of malicious pleasure,
the swelling veins in George's forehead, and
the fury which was expressed in all his
features—“ if not to-hi-hi-hi-such a
joke."
Whom do I thank for it?" stammered
George, alternately red and pale with anger-
66 whom ? tell me that ?":
66 Whom-whom—if not the-ha-ha-
ha !"
“Have a care, Tromm,” whispered Brän.
nare, “or thou'lt have him over thee like the
surf on the breakers—have a care, I tell thee,
and that's fair warning."
“Now then out with it, or—" muttered
George, between his closed teeth.
“Out with it, or—" mimicked Tromm, who
was far below George in bodily power, but
would for the rest have gladly been a good
knight, and was not without craft at need.
“To the , so I will then-_I've no
d -1
need to shame for what I've got to say—and


THE HERMIT.
289
that is, I have spoken out often enough before
I ever saw Captain George Letsler, and often
shall again to the day of my death, and so I
say, straight away, so that all may hear it,
that thou owest all thy luck, and the fair wind
that puffs thee out now with such big words,
to the-the-the-harbour of Frederickswärn,
and the south-east wind which favored ye,
when ye jumped overboard and fished
up
the
young baron."
At this turn to the observation, a roar of
laughter burst from all, in which no one joined
more heartily than George himself, who im-
petuous as he was, was appeased at once-and,
in an instant, all grudge was forgotten, and
George and Tromm became such friends, that
as a token of peace and good will, the latter
got a present of a watch-chain of gilded brass.
George had intended this for Carolus ; but he
said he would now give him his own.
“And now," proposed Tromm, “ thou shalt
give us the name of Captain George Letsler's
VOL. I.


290
THE HERMIT.
brig-I mean, ye know, the one which Brän-
nare says, lies before the sun and behind the
moon."
“Ay, how wilt thou christen her, George,”
asked Brännare, “when she is all ready for
sea."
"
God knows, I have not thought of that
yet,” returned George ; "the brig Nicoline-
no, the name is too dear to me, to be picked
out in yellow paint on a ship’s stern, even the
best that ever was built of Swedish oak.”
And George's thoughts now turned to his
little fairy at Strand, and he wrote in large
characters on the table—“Fanny Cornelia.”
“That don't sound ill,” he said ; " and I
know a maiden of the name who is right dear
to me.”
"Aye, aye,” observed Brännare, “never
heed it; you get the brig first, and we'll soon
find a name for her; and now when we go
ashore, we'll just have a glass to Captain George
Letsler's brig."


THE HERMIT.
291
>
“Belay,” said George, “and I'll stand treat
---and now I'll just tell ye one thing : if the
chance had not turned up about the young
baron, I had no intention of making another
voyage as cabin boy—and had made up my
mind to leave the fleet, and go to the merchant
service.”
“Aye, aye—but it costs money to study
navigation.”
“Of course it does; however, I'm not quite
bare of that; and if I had not wished abso-
lutely to make one long voyage, the examina-
tion might have been over now.”
“ Aye, aye-a gentleman's son can do all
that better than we poor devils; at any rate,
George, my boy, thou hast much to thank our
old chief for--and its both honor and happi-
ness to have such a patron as him.”
Aye, and I am right thankful for it, trust
me—and it shan't be my fault, if in a few
years I don't one way or other save money to
66
03


292
THE HERMIT.
be able to think seriously of the ship I've been
talking of.”
*
**
Some days after the confidential chat on the
lower deck, George, attired in his best clothes,
stood before the chief.
He now naturally no longer considered him-
self as a cabin-boy of the frigate, but as one
about to become a candidate as second-mate
of an East Indiaman, and as a consequence
of
this notion, he, perhaps, bore himself somewhat
more proudly than usual, as well as having,
since his discharge from the frigate, donned
the usual attire of a Swedish seaman, which,
in his case, consisted of a jacket and trowsers,
of fine blue cloth, a lacquered hat, and a Bengal
silk handkerchief tied loosely round his
neck.
“Now, my dear George," said the com-
mander, regarding him with a glance which


THE HERMIL.
293
66
appeared to George to denote more than mere
sympathy, 'we are about to part; what do
you think of doing in the first place ?”
“I purpose going home immediately, cap-
tain."
“So I guessed—and you have not far to
go?
“No, please God, if the wind is any ways
fair."
“Good ! and then ?"
“Then, with the captain's good leave, I
will go to my studies with the zeal of a man
who wishes to accomplish his end quickly."
“Very good, George; you know that I shall
pay the expense of your course and residence
at Göteberg, and you will, consequently, have
more money at your disposal than heretofore,
and therefore I will only say that it will be
pleasing to me, that you should choose your
associates well, and not mix with boys and
common seamen, for that is not the thing for
one who seeks to qualify himself, not only for


294
THE HERMIT.
a capable commander, but a respectable man.
You comprehend me ?"
“I think I do, captain, and though I cannot
be haughty, I trust that I can still know my
old comrades, while I let them feel that old
familiarity cannot last beyond the moment,
which, in due course, should put an end to
it.”
“I have heard, however, that within these
few days, you were drinking in mast-hugg with
Brännare and Tromm."
“ The day before yesterday, captain, I was a
cabin-boy,” said George, candidly, excusing
himself.
“Very good, I see that you take my mean-
ing; haughtiness is ever out of place with
those with whom we are to pass our life; but
the relations of service require a strict regard
to order."
“Yes, captain, and whether it shall be my
part to obey or command, I will continually
keep my duty in view; but I would ask, with
"


THE HERMIT.
295
all respect, if the captain commander has any
objection to my lodging with the old flag-
boatswain, Stormbom, on
my return to
Göteberg; he has been kind enough to say that
he will endeavour to guide me where I have
not sufficient experience myself.”
“ A proposition which I quite approve.
Stormbom is a man of strong, honourable feel-
ing, and an able seaman, and when I part with
the old man in Carlscrona, I'll speak to him;
and
now, according to promise, here is a letter
for your father, and I have only to add, that as
long as your conduct does me credit, you may
reckon upon my friendship and protection.
As soon as you have past your examination,
write me word, and you shall find your berth
ready for you."
“It is indeed hard to express my gratitude,"
replied George, with unaffected emotion ; “but
my
beloved mother in Heaven will ever pray
for the captain's happiness and welfare.”'
“ Alas!" replied the latter, and a slight
66


296
THE HERMIT.
colour tinged the cheek of the
grave
old
seaman, “she was a glorious woman-I never
saw one more beautiful or more gentle. I re-
joice, however, that she has left this earth-it
was all too rough for her.”
“ Aye, was it,” said George, with a low
sigh; “but on the Johannis cliff, one still lives
in solitude, who will never more know a joy in
this life now that she has left him."
“A father who has a hopeful son, about
whose prospects he can be happy, should
not feel deserted, even if all other ties are rent
asunder. I now think of retiring myself, and
seeking the repose of home at my old Hel-
genäs.”
And as the captain uttered these words, he
regarded George with a searching glance; but
his features bore no sign of prior knowledge
of the name.
“I shall become nearly a hermit, and here-
after, you must visit me at Helgenäs. I see,
however, that it is twelve o'clock—it will not


THE HERMIT.
297
be long ere we have a boat load of lady visitors
-fare thee well, my dear George. On thine
arrival at Göteberg, thou wilt find all that is at
first necessary-no thanks. God bless thee,
boy; go on as thou hast begun, and I shall
always be satisfied with thee."
And speaking thus, the commander clapped
George kindly on the shoulder, and with a
tremulous voice, and hardly able to refrain from
tears, the latter replied,
“It is my firm purpose, with God's good
help, never to shew myself unworthy or un-
grateful for my captain's kindness."
.
The old chief once more nodded kindly, and
withdrew, while George, with highly excited
feelings, returned to the deck.
“ Good-bye, good George,” said a voice
close behind him—it was young Fritz, who
had crept after him. "I would fain be brave
and strong like you; but, as papa says, I am
but a poor creature."
" Fritz will become different as he grows
05


298
THE HERMIT.
you allowed
older,” said George, “ of that I feel
sure,
and
I am also convinced that Fritz will never tell
untruths again.”
“No, George, I have resolved that it shall
never occur again, and when I go home, I will
tell Elvira all about
you,
and how
yourself to be flogged for my sake, when you
need only have said a word to escape-rely
upon it, I will never forget you, or that day.”
" Who is Elvira then ? that is a pretty, very
pretty name.”
“Elvira is my sister, and, trust me, she
fears nothing—aye, she would have made a
better boy than me—for now you are going
away,
and won't tell anyone,
I can tell you,
that I am afraid of the sea, just as when I was
a very little boy I was frightened at the old
tower at home ; but Elvira, who is only one
year older than memah, she does what she
likes, and that is a great deal too."
"Ah, how I do like that name,” said George,
and he thought that some day he should like
3
66


THE HERMIT.
299
saved me
to call his brig Elvira Cornelia, or Fanny
Elvira, " Then Fritz is very fond of his
sister,” he observed.
“Aye, indeed, you may say that she has
more than one taste of father's
Spanish cane, and often when I have done
wrong, she has taken the blame, for she knows
very
well that father won't touch her."
“That pleases me—it is something good in
her, and when I become a great gentleman,
and come to visit at Helgenäs, I hope to see
that Fritz has got the upper hand—for it is not
the right thing for a boy to let a girl master
him, and do as she likes with him.”
“Oh, yes, yes, you say so; but wait, you
have not seen Elvira yet; but good-bye, dear
George, and many, many thanks for all your
kindness, and for all the boats which
you
have
built and rigged for me."


300
THE HERMIT.
And now George had the painful task of
bidding farewell to his old comrades. Every
one had a kind word for him, and from the first
lieutenant he received much good advice,
which he faithfully followed.
When George went on board the little
coaster, he observed that two persons had run
hastily after him, and with a few bounds they
were on the deck beside him.
“Good bye, George, we must have one more
look at thee,” cried at once Brännare and
Tromm, with a hearty and unusual degree of
emotion for them.
“ We are not envious of thee, George,'
assured Tromm, “but thou wilt become a great
gentleman-thou—"
“ However, thou wilt always be an honour-
able lad,” said Brännare.
George gave his hand to each-gave one of
them a silk pocket handkerchief, and the other
a neckcloth, and then the skipper cried out to
come aboard.


THE HERMIT.
301
They all three once more waved their hats
aloft in token of farewell. The three never
met again ! for before Captain Letsler's brig
was ready for sea, Brannare and Tromm had
both departed on the last long voyage from
which no one returns.


302
THE HERMIT.
CHAPTER XVII.
An author has somewhere observed ; “ There
are painful moments in human life, but life, on
the whole, is a blessing :” sad, sad indeed, is
the mental state of him who can go so far as
to reverse the sentence, and say; “ There are
blessed moments in life, but regarded as a
whole, it is a curse.''
Letsler had cherished thoughts of the latter
description in earlier days, when Nicoline's
gentle spirit caused him to feel less heavily, the
burden of life; but with the loss of his beloved
wife, these days vanished, the moments of


THE HERMIT.
303
light had for ever fled, and nothing but the
curse was there.
Nicoline was gone--for ever gone. George
also was away.
Never before had Letsler
known how endless in their weary length, could
be the hours, when no human being was near
with whom a word, a thought, could be ex-
changed-alone-ever alone-night and day
alone.
And in this wide waste of time which he
knew not how to kill, there was a boundless
evil.
He daily went into Nicoline's chamber,
trimmed the passion flower, and fed the bird;
the ivy had withered, its dry and leafless
stems alone remained. This was his only
recreation, and it brought with it such a sad
train of thought, such bitter feelings of sorrow,
such painful recollections, that oftimes he fled
from the sanctuary, shuddering at the peace-
ful solitude, and sought refuge in his own
apartment.


304
THE HERMIT.
And here he would sit for hours, allowing
his thoughts to be entirely engrossed with the
indescribable slow movements of a tortoise-a
present from Carolus, as it crept about a
space of a few inches, hardly appearing to
move.
He began to compare his position with that
of the animal, and discovered that on compa-
rison with himself, it was at the pinnacle of
happiness. This animal, he would say, has no
wants; consequently, no cares, no anxiety; it
subsists for months on a few drops of water
and a handful of leaves. It lives in its shell,
has no trouble, for its natural covering pro-
tects it from the chilling cold, and the burning
sun; and if it thinks, its thoughts at least do
not expand, and transform themselves into
furies like the thoughts which spring from in-
jured honour, and torture that being most
severely, who, born with energies to control
them, has yet become their slave; and the
poisoned shaft of envy, now rankled with the
rest in Letsler's bosom.


THE HERMIT.
305
He determined to try what the soul, the will,
could effect, over the mere body, the tool made
but to obey.
He placed a pitcher of water and a loaf of
bread upon the table, and stretched himself
upon his bed; by the severest chastening of
1
the commonest wants of humanity, he would
strive to gain the victory over his most con-
temptible foes, as well as those which
were more formidable—his dark and gloomy
thoughts; he would bring them to such
a state of prostration, that they should no
longer possess the power to torment him, and
he would then merely vegetate in the same
state of lethargy which he pictured to him-
self to be the envied state of the tortoise.
For the first day, the unnatural tension of
his spirit prevented the want of food from
being felt; but the second, the pangs of hun-
ger came upon him with redoubled keenness.
He laughed in scorn, and challenged them with
wild menaces to do their worst. He lay there


306
THE HERMIT.
and found actual enjoyment in thus, as it
were, reducing his corporeal necessities to a
skeleton.
The third day fever raged in his veins.
His pitcher was empty, another mighty
necessity—the desire to quench his burning
thirst, this was a new torment, and he actually
revelled in the bitter struggle against hunger
and thirst; for it had vanquished the strife
within, but for how long ?
He grew weaker. He still regarded the
tortoise, which unceasingly continued to creep
on its quiet daily round, and he felt tempted to
murder it; because, in spite of all his efforts,
he was incapable of bringing himself to the
same condition.
At length, as well, his will, as his energies,
were exhausted, and with the bitter laugh
of still more bitter scorn, he staggered from his
couch to satisfy the craving necessities, which,
but a short time previously, he had in his mad-
ness, defied.


THE HERMIT.
307
And from this day forward he regarded him-
self with still deeper and more bitter con-
tempt than ever. He had striven to subdue
the cravings of his mind by martyrizing the
body, he found that simple and scanty as was the
food he allowed himself, he could not dispense
with it. He discovered too, that the time thus
saved by neglecting his bodily wants, left still
more on his hands than before. His nights
were often sleepless, and the greater number of
such waking hours were passed upon the rocks
without. Rain and storm raged around him,
he felt it not, or if he did, he was merely con-
scious that it was less intolerable than the
scorching rays of the sun, for then his thoughts
and brain burned too.
During the first year after Nicoline's death,
he had occasionally applied himself to writing
and re-arranging his notes, but now he had
finished all he had to write, the papers disap-
peared, he sunk again into gloomy, senseless
apathy, he ceased to observe even the bird,


308
THE HERMIT.
and tortoise his sole companions; he began by
degrees to neglect the flowers, or to visit poor
Nicoline's apartments; he totally neglected his
attire, and winter or summer, wet or cold, he
was always wrapped in his old cloak.
At the beginning of the summer, at which
our narrative has arrived, his powers were well
nigh exhausted—he was no longer conscious
what he ate, or whether he had eaten it, or
whether he had slept; and if his solitude was
invaded, he scarcely even noticed the visitor,
usually one of old Elias's family who came to
look after him he even knew not that he was
ill—though, in reality, he was intensely so.
It was a ghastly, fearful illness—the body
moved, existed; but the mind, the light of
l
existence, had fled; he was obliged to be
treated like a child, nothing plagued him,
burdened him, or pleased him, he seemed to
have attained his wish to have assimilated his
condition with that of the tortoise.
And so passed several weeks.
1


THE HERMIT.
309
At length, one evening as he lay upon his
bed, his senses seemed to return, his looks had
long been fixed intently upon an object at the
foot of his bed, the powers of the brain seemed
to revive, his eyes grew bright, his pulses beat
with renewed vitality—he extended his arms, ,
and a low indescribable cry escaped his lips.
The object which had attracted his gaze, was a
fairy, golden-locked female form, leaning upon
his bedstead, and which on hearing his cry,
sprang up and hastened to his side. Letsler
gazed upon it with wonder; it was not as his
imagination would have fain persuaded him-
Nicoline's spirit-but a youthful, beauteous,
girlish form.
" Who is there ?” he asked, in a faint tone,
for he was as yet incapable of manifesting
emotion.
Fanny Holmer, dear sir,” answered the
maiden of fourteen; “ I came here, hearing
you were ill, I hoped I might be of some
service to you."


310
THE HERMIT.
2.
“ Fanny Holmer, I know nothing of the
name,” he said, in a tone of coldness.
“ But George does,” rejoined Fanny, who
had heard sufficient of Letsler, not to be dis-
couraged; “George was often with us, and
was very fond of me.”
“How camest thou hither, maiden ?”
“ Carolus's wife was at Strand yesterday,
and mentioned how distressed they all were
about you, at Grafwerna, and so my parents let
me come over."
“ It is not proper for you to be here, my
child-go back, I- need no human being
here."
“ Ah, do not say so, and do not send me
back again, I should so like to stay, and I
could make your soup, and boil your eggs, and
only come in when I was wanted— dear Mr.
Letsler, may I stay? George would be so glad
if he heard I had been here sometimes, and
that good, beautiful Mrs. Letsler, whom I saw
once at George's little holm. Oh, she would
have wished it too.
>


THE HERMIT.
311
“ Sawest thou ?” Letsler said no more, but
his looks were quicker, and more eloquent than
words.
“ Yes,” continued Fanny, who easily un-
derstood his meaning; “I saw her, and she
was so good natured and kind to me. I always
I
used to send her my prettiest flowers, and the
best fruits which I got from father.”
“Did'st thou so ? well, sirce thine eyes have
'
seen her, since thou hast given her pleasure, I
cannot refuse thy request—come here then,
sometimes—but seldom, very seldom, and now
I must be alone, but believe me, I am not
unthankful for the kindness thou wouldest
shew me, though I wish to be alone.”
Fanny did not venture to persist, and with-
drew.
When Letsler was alone, he raised himself
with a searching glance around, and gradually
the heavy clouds which had somewhat passed
from his features, begun to gather there afresh


312
THE HERMIT.
--for what had he awakened ? to continue his
lonely watch upon the solitary cliff—to exist
in the torment of the past, without an object
or a hope for the future.
His looks now fell upon the continually
creeping tortoise, and with an unalterable ex-
pression of sadness, he sighed, “I was for a time
as thou art, but now the shell has burst.”
The illness left him.
He rose from his bed and sat again upon
the rocky seat upon the cliff, and fixed his
rigid looks upon the waves, which, with a
kind of monotonous dash, still beat as before
against the cliff.
He looked as if he were callous and
insensible as the granite block on which he
sat, but this was outward seeming, arising only
from the look being steadfastly turned within-
still did he possess a powerful capacity to feel
and to suffer-still did a fire smoulder in this
decaying tabernacle which could flame aloft


THE HERMIT.
313
with all the soaring vehemence of youth.
Vainly did the chill nightly blasts rush against
his bosom. They cooled it not.
Had it been a crime? or a folly? or both ?
which had thus bowed this once powerful
spirit ? God only knew; that, however, some-
thing gnawed deeply, and painfully at his con-
science, was as certain as that repentance had
laid its heavy grasp upon his heart. Though,
a repentance which had failed to sooth, and
was incessantly and restlessly busy in building
up, destroying, and again re-building the crea-
tions of a distempered fantasy.
**
It was a glorious evening towards the end
of August, Letsler was seated in his usual
place, before the house, with little Fanny
Holmer, who had just come over from Strand,
by his side.
Fanny, young, fresh, and cheerful, loved the
VOL. I.
P


314
THE HERMIT.
mysterious being, and though they said to her
at home, do not always be going and teasing a
stranger thus; she came, nevertheless, and
when she could extract from him the least
word or expression of satisfaction, she was
happy.
“Good evening," sounded a hearty voice
from behind them, and the still powerful form
of old Elias Ass-bjornsson in his striped shirt
and red woollen cap, appeared.
“ Good evening," said Letsler, nodding, and
extending his hand to the old man.
Now, that's beautiful, to see our good old
father Elias," said Fanny, laying her little
hand upon his shoulder; “how goes it at home
with mother Malena and Johanna ? have you
any letters from Carolus, lately.”
Aye, Mamsell, yesterday, and he will soon
be back; but what I wished to say, was, that
I judge there is some one else on the way home
also; the old man has got good eyes, yet.
Mr. Letsler, do you see that little fishing boat
66


THE HERMIT.
315
coming hither ? yon's Peter Isakson's boat,
and there is one in her bows who will be a
welcome guest at the Johannis cliff.”
“ George, goodness, it is George, dear Mr.
Letsler,” cried Fanny, clapping her little hands
with delight; ah, how charming, how de-
lightful.”
Letsler turned and looked upon the sea, to
discover the object alluded to, but in vain, for
at this moment the boat vanished behind a
little headland, but the father's cheeks, for a
moment, at least, had assumed the color of
cheerfulness, and his eye had an expression
which Fanny had never seen before.
“It can scarcely be George ?” he said, look-
ing enquiringly at the old Sailor,
Ay, by soul, but it is—I know the boy as
far as I can see, he will be here directly.”
What, meantime, were George's feelings, as
he approached the place where the fair flowing
locks, and the light from of his beloved mother
could no longer welcome his return.
66
P 2


316
THE HERMIT.
“I shall see them no more,” he said, thought-
fully to himself, and then, if my father should
have grown more gloomy and melancholy still,
or should he, perhaps, have also left the place,
and the old Johannis cliff should be there
alone, and sterile as ever, with its solitary
thistle, and no living heart to bid me welcome.
" And under the influence of these sadden-
ing thoughts, George scarcely ventured to look
towards the barren cliff, as it loomed before
him, but when he gathered courage, and did so,
did he dream ? or was there not sitting on the
rock beside his father, a light form with waving
golden locks; and yet that form was not his
mother's, but Fanny's; and how had she con-
trived to gain permission to be near his father,
could it be a mere vision of his fancy?
The nearer, however, he approached, the
more undoubted was that which presented it-
self to his eyes.
A year and a half had elapsed since the last
а


THE HERMIT.
317
time he had seen Fanny. The child had ex-
panded into the opening flower, which gave
promise of the beauteous girl, and with de-
lighted glances he gazed upon, and extended
his arms towards them both; he nodded joy-
fully to old Elias too; he felt so happy, so
joyous, to think that his father had not been
entirely left alone in his solitude.
His boat glided up to the landing.
And with a few rapid steps, George, now a
tall, well
grown,
handsome youth, whom Fanny
looked at with a kind of bashful fear, was by
his father's side; he threw himself on his
knees before him, as he sat upon the rock, and
bowing his face upon his hands-received his
blessing in words which had a heavenly sound,
for they displayed all the feeling—the rich
affectionate feelings of a father--he once more
raised his father's hand to his lips, arose, and
Fanny received his second embrace, not with-
out blushing as she said :-
a


318
THE HERMIT.
>
“No, George, you are too tall for that now.
Oh, how dreadfully tall you
have grown.”
“And you too, my sweet Fanny. You too
have shot up like a water-lily, and have grown
so handsome too,” and the youth's heart throb-
bed impetuously.
“And now will you shake hands with the
old man ?" said Elias, with a kindly smile.
“Aye, surely, my excellent, good father
Elias. Is Carolus at home? If he is, I must
go over to Grafwerna at once—this very even-
ing."
“If he had been there, you would have had
him over here by this time," said the old
man,
“but he'll come soon; and now just let me
say a word aside-if anything is wanting, you
know old Elias lives hard at hand and Mr.
Letsler don't trouble himself much, whether
there is anything in the house or not.”
“ This evening, however,” said Letsler,
,
rising, and his usual bearing had quite changed
under the pure influence of human feeling,
>


THE HERMIT.
319
“this evening, there shall be a festival on the
Johannis cliff. Go thou, my child,” nodding
kindly to Fanny, “and set the water to boil
for tea—and when it is ready, (I see thou
hast not forgotten thy little basket) come and
call us."
“Oh, father,” said George, joyfully, as
Fanny's light form disappeared, “this is more
than I ventured to hope. I am so thankful-
so affected—so happy.”
“Do not lull thyself with deceptive hopes,"
returned Letsler, “this child comes here only
because she came once, when I was ill, and
extorted my consent that she might sometimes
return—and this consent pained me more than
thou canst well imagine ; but to-day,” he con-
tinued, “to-day is an exception to my usual
habits—it is doubly festive, for ske," and
Letsler's eyes were raised to Heaven." she


320
THE HERMIT.
6
visited me during the past night—that was a
prophecy of happiness—and thou comest, and
again, again I welcome thee, for thy looks tell
me that thou hast returned as pure in heart as
when thou didst leave me.”
“Yes, my father, she had not else an-
nounced my coming."
And both sank into deep reflection, as they
sat hand in hand upon the mass of rock.
“ To-morrow," said Letsler, as Fanny came
to call them to tea, “to-morrow thou shalt tell
me all about thy voyages."


THE HERMIT.
321
CHAPTER XVIII.
Had George been ever so disposed to believe
what he wished the most, one look at his
father's apartment, where all betokened the
utmost indifference to everything like comfort,
would have undeceived him.
Elias and Fanny had done their utmost to
supply what was wanting; but it was easy to
perceive that this was mere patchwork, and
that no spirit of peace presided over that lonely
home.
As George, with an anxious heart, laid his
hand upon the latch of the door leading to the
room which had been his mother's, his father
said


322
THE HERMIT.
“Not to-night-do not go in to-night, my
son—all is well, but go not in to-night.”
George withdrew his hand, and now opened
the door of his own apartment—here all was
just as he had left it, and when all the old
cobwebs had been removed, this chamber was
still the pleasantest.
" Johanna shall come over and help a little,"
whispered Elias to George.
George gave a nod of thanks; but Letsler
observed
“Oh, we are used to help ourselves, Father
Elias, and women are always superfluous wares
here with us."
“ Ay, to be sure they are,” said Fanny,
casting a lively glance at Letsler.
66 If I had
not been here, you would'nt have had any
tea.”
“Aye, and how well you suit this place
don't you ?-like a little rose in a sandy
desert,” said Letsler. "No, Fanny, this is
2


THE HERMIT.
323
no place for you—and now, dear child, 'tis
time thou wert at home, it grows late.”
“Don't the tea taste nice ?” she asked, deaf
to the hint; the sun had quite set, and the
sea was beautifully calm and still.
The tea was drank, and the things removed ;
the last sunbeams were gilding the mountains
and Fanny had no excuse for longer delay,
when George asked-
“Who is to row thee home, dear Fanny ?”
“Oh, Nisse of Westräo is in the boat wait-
ing for me—he rows me wherever I like; you
can't think, dear George, how thankful the
poor thing is, that father gives him food and
shelter. You knew Nisse of Westrao ? or had
he not come to Strand before you left.”
“I almost think I remember the name;
but I cannot recollect that I ever saw him."
“I'll tell you his little story another time,”
said Fanny, “but now Mr. Letsler wants to
get rid of me. However, if you will not be
troubled with me, Mr. Letsler, while George is


324
THE HERMIT.
here, you'll let me come again when he is gone
-promise me, won't you ?"
“Thou wilt come, whether I allow it or
not,” said Letsler, caressing the girl's head.
6 “ God bless thee, my child."
"
“And now, father Elias, you'll lend me your
boat when it has set you ashore at Grafwerna,
and I'll go a bit of the way
with Fanny."
Aye, aye, with all my heart,” said the old
man; and as Letsler nodded consent, the affair
was settled, and forgetting her fourteen years
and seven whole months, Fanny tripped down
the rocks to the boat, dancing with delight.
“When you return, George," said his father,
go to your chamber at once. I am going to
rest now; but to-morrow early I'll expect
66
Jou.”
“And now shall I row your boat, Fanny ?"
asked George, as soon as they got to the land-
ing, where Nisse was sitting in the stern, plait-
ing rushes..
“Oh yes, George, if you like ; and, Nisse,


THE HERMIT.
325
do thou set father Elias ashore at Grafwerna in
his boat, and then bring it after us."
And the young pair got into the boat,
George took the oars, and Fanny the rudder,
and wishing old Elias good evening, they
shoved off.
“Now, is not this pleasant ?" said George,
taking his work very leisurely.
“You have been through much on your
voyages, and away in foreign lands ?” asked
Fanny.
“Aye, you may say that; but now I've
taken leave of the fleet, and as soon as I can
pass my mates examination, I mean to go on
board an East Indiaman."
“Oh, George, and then you'll never come
back. These East India people are terrible
great folks, and what beautiful silk handker-
chiefs they have there-oh, I do like them so."
“Ah! when I come back from my first
voyage, you shall have at least two pieces of
the best-rely upon it, Fanny.
And now tell
>


326
THE HERMIT.
me, how is Patron Holmer, and your
mother?
-and how goes on the smuggling? has any
one played Peter Gran such a fine trick as
Carolus and I did the evening we hanged him
on the pier ?”
“Oh no, I believe not, indeed ; but he
caught father last year, and seized a whole
bale of piece goods, and father was fined
besides, and I don't think he'll trouble himself
much more with the trade. He always says
there's no doing without Carolus, and he don't
smuggle any more, except, they say, a little
now and then for himself.”
Aye, aye, and about thy mother ?"
“Oh, thank God, mother is well enough in
summer; but when the autumn and winter
comes, she gets bad again."
“Aye, and now tell me, Fanny, how a young
thing like thee managed to venture to the
Johannis cliff, and how he ever allowed you to
come and see him ?
“Oh,” said Fanny, “her cheerful smile
'
66


THE HERMIT.
327
vanishing, "he was very ill, and the good
people at Grafwerna, thought his mind was
astray, and they told us and I thought of you,
George, and was determined to see if I could
be of any use, but it was a long time before I
was allowed to come and go as I liked.
“Great God, and has it been so bad,” cried
George, resting his oars, " and I away too; oh,
i
Fanny, how my heart thanks you for all your
kindness to him, I believe there is not another
being so good as you.
“Oh, yes, I know one much better,” said
Fanny, one whom no one thinks of praising,
but who is yet better than any one else.
“ And who is that ?"
“ 'Tis poor Nisse,” she said, nodding towards
her favorite, who was following them in
the other boat.
“I really do believe I shall be envious of
Nisse, what has he done to make himself such
a favorite of yours ?"
“Well, since you will not begin your own
2


328
THE HERMIT.
history, I'll tell you all about poor Nisse, but
look now at our beautiful mountains; have you
ever seen any thing grander than that ?” and
Fanny pointed with beaming eyes to one of the
loftiest mountains, the naked perpendicular
side of which, shewed not a single cleft where
the smallest bunch of moss could nestle, and
upon the highest point of which stood a huge
peculiarly shaped mass overlooking the sea.
In the twilight this stone resembled the figure
of a man, and the traditions of the coast relate
that it is the spirit of an ancient Viking, who
once went to war with the mountain spirits be-
cause they had sunk his ship, but was con-
quered, and remains there a pitiful prisoner to
this day.
“And now for poor Nisse's history,” said
Fanny.
“ You know Westräo is a very poor little
place, with only a few needy families; p a little
hut here dwelt Nisse's parents, with him and
his two little brothers, they were very poor,


THE HERMIT.
329
a
a few
oh, George, you can't think how poor, but they
feared God, and thanked Him for His mercies
every night, whether they had a meal or not,
and Nisse's father read a portion of an old
leather-bound bible aloud, this bible was their
comfort and never left them.
"The old man worked as a sailor in summer,
and Nisse picked oakum to eke out their
scanty living, and if he earned enough to have
pence
left to find tobacco or a little coffee
for the father and mother, you should have
seen how delighted he was.
“Well, one winter evening, they heard guns
of distress, and the father, though he was not
a regular pilot, said he had saved the life of
many of God's creatures, and notwithstanding
the tempest, he would not shrink from en-
deavouring to help them now.
Honest Bengt, he went, but returned no
more, and the next morning the ship was a
wreck.
" And now Nisse read the bible in his


330
THE HERMIT.
father's place, and they read it until God's
spirit came to their poor hearth, and brought
peace to their hearts, and Nisse would set on a
stone in our court and pick oakum, and hardly
give himself time to eat, and always so good
and kind the while, and if I gave him any
trifle he always asked if I had mother's leave.
“ And Nisse's mother spun night and day,
and they had hard work to get through, but
Nisse never begged except perhaps a trifle for
snuff for his mother.
" And they read their bible and said in their
hearts that God was with them. Well, one
year, the winter was very hard, and while the
ice lasted, Nisse got work with father, but when
the thaw came, and the ice gave way, but not
so as to clear the passage for boats, the people
at Westrao could no longer pass to and fro,
nowhere was the distress so great as in the hut
of Nisse's mother. The ice would not disperse,
and the poor boy regarded the floating masses
with a feeling akin to despair, for at last they


THE HERMIT.
331
6
were starving The mother lay exhausted
upon her bed, and Nisse had not tasted food for
two days. He managed to borrow a gallon
of potatoes from a neighbour, which he cooked
for his mother and brothers, and then pro-
ceeded to carry out a project which he had
been revolving in his head-he read his bible,
and felt his courage revive. "If," he said, "I
cannot help them, I can at least die for them-
father died to save strangers, and shall not I
venture life for those, who are dearest on earth ?'
He took a plank and a strong cord, and went
down to the sea, where the ice was floating in
broken masses. With firm resolve Nisse
leaped upon the first mass, and drawing his
plank after him, managed to throw it across as
a sort of bridge to the next, the ice masses
trembled and rocked beneath his tread, and
several times he was tempted to despair,
but he prayed to God and took courage, and
thus proceeded on his perilous way, until at
last, George, day begun to decline; his limbs


332
THE HERMIT.
grew stiff with cold, and he often felt tempted
to throw himself into the water, and end his
sorrows, but then came the thought of those he
had left, and his father's bible and his trust in
God, and he said, no I will strive on to the
last, and then if it is His will—I can die.'
“At length, however, he suddenly found him-
self on the last piece of ice, and the whole
space of sea between him, and Strand was open,
during the last hour the wind had blown the
ice off shore, and now Nisse could see no way
of getting forward or back, he sat down on the
piece of ice, commended his soul to God, and
let it drive whither it would, and it drove on,
Nisse closed his eyes and believed that his
hour was come-all at once the mass struck
against something, it roused him from his
stupor, and only think, George, it was a boat
which had got loose and had been fioated out
to sea.'
“Oh, God," exclaimed George, “what must
he have felt ?”


THE HERMIT.
333
“ What indeed ? he clambered into the boat,
and with his plank for a paddle, and renewed
courage in his heart, pushed on with his re-
maining strength for Strand, and oh, I never
shall forget his looks, when he arrived, they
would have wrung tears from a stone.”
“Well, the next day the water was so far
open that they could row across with great
peril, but it could be done, and we loaded the
boat with provisions, and Nisse wept and
laughed by turns, now rejoicing at his treasures,
and then dreading that he might be too late ;
he closed no eye during the night, and as soon
as daylight appeared, went off at once, and
when he reached Westraö, what was the joy of
his heart to find that all were still living
though exhausted to the last degree, however
they soon recovered under his tending, and
never ceased to bless their good Nisse.
“ And God heard the blessing. Nisse from
this time has worked for my father and saves
every shilling for winter stores for his mother,
2


334
THE HERMIT,
now,
and he works late into the night mending
shoes and clothes for a trifle from the labourers
and servants, and every Sunday he rows over
to Westraö, and reads the bible to his mother,
and examines the children out of the bible and
catechism, which they have been reading dur-
ing the week.”
“And I see it in your eyes, my dear Fanny,
that
you
have assisted Nisse in his difficulties."
“Oh, not so much, George, for he has
service and is so happy, that he can work
for his mother and brothers, that I never like
to lessen his joy, and only see that he gets work
for his leisure hours. But see, George, there
is Strand before us, how we have gossiped away
our time, you should have been back long
ago.”
And Nisse was beckoned—George got into
the other boat, and after wishing Fanny good
night rowed back to the Johannis Cliff.
George had slept but a few hours, when his
father was already stirring:
1


THE HERMIT.
835
He had exerted himself to arrange his room,
and giveit some appearanee of comfort, made the
bed, fetched a woollen cloth out of the press,
and spread it over the old torn and patched
coverlet, which, however, Letsler wjuld not
allow to be changed, because looking at the
figures formed by the patching, was one of
his favorite amusements, which a new quilt
would have deprived him of.
But making the bed was not all, the room
was swept and sanded. Some logs laid in
the stove to boil the coffee, and as it sputtered
and hissed, Letsler opened the door which
led to Nicoline's old room, and which still re-
mained neat and in good order; after open-
ing the window and letting in the morning
air, he proceeded to make his humble arrange-
ments for breakfast.
And when all was ready and George was
called, with what lively surprise and gratitude
did he witness the preparations, for he felt that
they were all marks of his father's affection.


336
THE HERMIT.
And yet again seeing the room where his
mother had lived, her bird, her flowers, and all
the little things which had been hers, so af-
fected him, that he, with difficulty restrained
his feelings, but his father laid his hand upon
his shoulder, and said in a tone of calm resigned
a
sorrow
“Let us be patient, she is near us always.
“Yes,” said George, “wiping away the
“
tear, which trembled in his eye; and then un-
able any longer to struggle against his emotion,
he threw himself into the corner of the sofa,
and wept like a child.
a
Later in the day, when their feelings were
more composed, the father and son sat together
in Letsler's apartment, and now George re-
lated his voyages from beginning to end, to
which his father listened with marked sym-
pathy, but hen he came to the last part, and


THE HERMIT.
337
6
ני
66
for the first time, as if casually, mentioned the
name of his chief, Letsler's frame quivered
slightly, and he exclaimed, turning pale-
“Now, thou didst then serve under-un-
der" and his voice seemed to refuse its
office.
"Yes, my father,” under the captain com-
mander Von U-
Good, I fancied he had long ago retired
-how did he treat thee ?"
“Always according to my deserts, until he
discovered
“What?cried Letsler, springing up
in
the greatest excitement, what did he dis-
cover ? Thy name—ah, so-yes, many may
be named Letsler, but thou wast always a
heedless, impetuous youth, and never could
learn to be silent-some heedlessness of course.''
“My father, my dearest father.”
“Not a word, what he discovered was doubt-
less through thy simple, unthinking answers."
66
VOL. I
Q


338
THE HERMIT.
>
“But I had received no particular cautions
to be silent."
“Still, I say-still-thou wast old enough
I
to have understood that no man selects an
abode such as this-who has it in his power to
choose another. Betrayed ! betrayed ! and by
my own son.”
“Be convinced, my father, that whatever
‘
secret may be involved in your residing here
on the Johannis Cliff is in safe keeping with
Captain Von U
he is an honourable man,
and incapable of betraying a friend.”
Aye, I believe it," retorted Letsler, with
bitterness, "he would gain little by doing so,
yet I had been glad that no one who had known
me in better days should have learned where
the spot lies on which I have sought refuge,
but now tell me everything, and truly.
George told him all, and ended by giving
him the letter of his chief.
As Letsler read it the severe and angry ex-
pression of his features grew milder, and they
66
>


THE HERMIT.
339
even seemed to brighten—the letter was long,
and when Letsler had crushed it together, he
said, slowly-
“ Thou wert not to blame, George, I was
over hasty—the name and the resemblance-
well, well, let be-perchance 'twas a happy
meeting for thee. Captain Von U— is a
man of honour, and though I had rather thou
hadst made thy way in life without his help,
yet it is now unavoidable, and he may look to
it, to make of thee what he can, according to
thine own conduct, and what certain little cir-
cumstances render it his duty to do.
“If I understand your words rightly,” said
George, after a moment's reflection, “ Captain
“
Von U-, in the good which he may do me,
U-
merely pays an old debt.”
“No, not exactly that; he may owe me
much, or nothing, as it may happen to be;
he has done me service too, but I have no
;
other claims on him, than such as his honour
Q 2


340
THE HERMIT.
may dictate; regarding it thus--all which
he can do for thee is but a duty-nothing else
-remember.”
"I will never forget it,” replied George. “I
owe him much already."
“Knowest thou,” asked Letsler, after a
lengthened pause,
pause, “if he has any children
living besides this son ?"
“One daughter, I heard."
“A daughter !-aye, exactly, a daughter.
She may be about thirteen or fourteen years
old; but,” continued he, as if speaking to
himself, “the son will have Helgenas ! Hel-
genas did he ever mention that name ?"
“He said I should pay him a visit there
some day.”
“ Aye, and wherefore not ? however, time
enough to think about that. Meantime, I am
satisfied with Captain Von U-'s plan-
follow it, and it will not be long ere you are
able to stand alone, and act for yourself."


THE HERMIT.
341
(6
“That is my aim,” replied George, “and
I will neglect nothing which may lead to its
attainment."
“And now, should it please God to call me
suddenly hence, look here," and touching the
secret spring in the press, which opened, and
discovered the entrance to the smuggler's
hiding-place, which we have mentioned at an
earlier period, Letsler shewed his son a small
cleft in the rock, concealed by a stone well
fitted into it, “ this is a place of security known
only to ourselves
here are all my papers, and
what money I have—of the latter, indeed, not
much, but sufficient, with what you may here-
,
after be able to add to it, to purchase a ship of
your own; the papers will declare all that has
appeared dark and mysterious in your father's
life, as well as the cireumstances which pre-
vent his placing you in the position which you
are entitled to occupy.
“I," said George, deeply affected by the
excessive depression with which his father had
2


342
THE HERMIT.
spoken the last words, “I will ever be satisfied
with that position which has been assigned
me from my childhood, and, I assure you, that
whatever might have been my situation or
means, I would, in no case, have made choice of
any other than a seaman's life.”
“ “Bnt," objected Letsler, “ thou art proud,
ambitious, and hast had bright boyish dreams,
which the young man must now abandon.”
( Who has not had his childish dreams ?"
returned George, colouring vividly as he re-
collected all the airy castles he had built.
“'Tis true, I still have my dreams; but they
have another aim—in place of the epaulette
and sword, and officer's commission, I now
exert myself for that which I can obtain with-
out too much delay; and with my present
thoughts—for rather would I tread my own
deck as a commander, than serve as subaltern
in the fleet.",
Letsler nodded his approval, convinced that
George only said what he felt.


THE HERMIT.
343
After they had sat silent for some seconds
George drew his chair nearer to his father, and
with a look of the most expressive reverence
and affection, said-
“Perchance so favourable an opportunity
may never again occur. Dear father, would it
give you too much pain now to disclose to me
the secret which oppresses you ?
I ask
it not from curiosity; but it grieves me that I
cannot manifest my sympathy, or speak the
words of consolation to you, while you yet
live."
“On this point I can resolve nothing, George.
Perchance
my
troubled life
may not so quickly
end. However, thou art yet too young, and I
am not sufficiently callous to touch upon these
old and ill-healed wounds; but whenever or
wherever thou mayst learn thy father's fate,
know that he will neither be comforted or pitied
-compassion or comfort would but still deeper
pierce the heart, already wounded, in its inmost
core.”


344
THE HERMIT.
(6
66
"How," replied
replied George, sighing deeplý,
can there then exist a heart so incurably
wounded, that not even a son's deep sympathy
can reach it?
"Perhaps that very sympathy is the most
painful of all : but let us leave this subject,
my son.
Should I live some years yet, I will,
myself, recur to it-until then, let it be men-
tioned no more."
George pressed his father's hand affec-
tionately, and was silent.
In the afternoon, George took his boat and
rowed to Grafwerna, to visit old Elias and his
family, and to give them the little presents
which he had brought.
On leaving them he felt low spirited; the
important conversation which he had with his
father, and incessantly pondering over what
the connexion could be, in which his father


THE HERMIT.
345
and Captain Von U had stood towards
each other, and more particularly his father's
words, that he could not give him the position
he had a claim to ocoupy, united in filling his
lively fancy with innumerable images, and his
mind with disquiet. He disliked all mystery :
with his frank and enegetic temperament, he
would have sacrificed all, in order to obtain a
clear insight into these matters; but as this
could not be, he wished to forget them all, and
recover his cheerful tone of mind as quickly as
possible.
On leaving Grafwerna, he steered to the
little Holm, whither he had been accustomed
to conduct his mother.
There was still the grotto, and the bank,
and the little table, and upon the lattice still
lay some dried leaves of the choice flowers
whieh little Fanny had brought for the beau-
tiful lady-and all these memorials of her
whom he had so revered and loved, tended to
soothe his excited spirits. He thought of that
5


346
THE HERMIT.
dear mother, who, like himself, had been con-
tinually kept in ignorance of these circum-
stances, which were now all clear to her, and
the higher his thoughts mounted, the more
petty appeared to him all the subjects which
had but now so painfully engaged his mind-
sooner or later he too would be where she had
gone before him, and then all strife, uneasi-
ness, and curiosity, would have an end.
,
“No," thus did he close his self-communing,
“no, our time here below is all too short to be
lavished in idle fancies. Should I learn ought,
it
may be well, and perhaps not; but, at any
rate, I will no longer waste my thonghts upon
a subject which can in no wise alter my real
position in life.”
He now ascended to the highest point of the
Holm, and cast his eyes over the sea. Scarcely
had he done so, ere he experienced an un-
describable emotion; he descried a boat ap-
proaching in full sail, and that boat was no
other than the one on which he had spent so


THE HERMIT.
347
a
many happy youthful hours-on which he had
learned to love a sailor's life -it was the Free
Sailer, and the man at the helm, who waved
his hat to him, was Carolus.
He threw himself into his boat, and rowed
to meet her, and soon did his feet once more
tread the planks, which he could not again
behold without feeling his bosom nearly burst-
ing with the excess of his emotion.
Here was the place where his dear mother
had sat on their passage from Drammen-here
the chest, upon which his father had rested,
gloomy and sunk in sadness—and there the
spot where his own mattress had been spread;
and, after warmly shaking Carolus by the
hand, he again wedged himself into the place,
where he had as an eager boy held the tiller,
and exulted in the thought of steering the
vessel by himself.
“Now, see what a proper man the Free
Sailer's boy has become,” said Carolus,
'
exchanging a look of gratified pride with


348
THE HERMIT.
>
Stonge-jan; 66 but where is the uniform of the
fleet?
“Oh, gone to the deuce,” said George,
laughing,
“ The 1-1 is in thee, for certain, my lad,
that thou hast learned to be wise so soon. I
always thought it would be long enough ere
thou camest so far-well, and so thou wilt go
back to the merchant service."
“Aye, and that with all sail. Luck is all
in my favour.
favour. I long to tell thee all, and only
see what a grand fellow Stange-jan has become !
how art thou old Stonge-jan ? dost yet remem-
ber how we hanged old Peter Gran ? TU
never forgot that as long as I live.”
“ Neither shall I,” said Carolus.
“ And I'm sure I sha’nt,” laughed Stonge-
jan. “I have got a little flesh on my bones
again now, but it was a good year after that
hunt before I eould pick it up again.”
“Hold thy chatter, and now,” said Carolus,


THE HERMIT.
349
>
66
" let me ask thee, George, how are all at
Grafwerna ? thou knowest better than I."
“ The old folks live like pearls in gold, and
what a pair of fine lads—Carolus.”
“Aye, aye; not so bad," said Carolus, with
a satisfied smile; “ and as soon as they're big
and strong enough, they'll away to sea.
I
hope they'll have the honour to sail under
captain George Letsler."
Aye aye; the eldest will just be ready for
cabin boy, when I make my first voyage as
commander," answered George, in a jesting
tone; “ but now, Carolus, let me thank thee
from the bottom of my heart, for all thy kind-
ness and attention to my poor father. God
knows what would have become of him in his
hours of sadness and solitude, but for thee."
“Come, come, none of that now," answered
Carolus, giving Stonge-jan some order, to escape
George's thanks.
And when the Free Sailer lay snugly moored
at Grafwerna, and the whole family had been


350
THE HERMIT.
made happy with the presents which Carolus
always brought home from his longer voyages
George and he sat in the apartments of the
former, at Johannis cliff, and gossipped over old
times, and when at last, as day was breaking,
Carolus rowed away home, George was once
again the light hearted cheerful boy he had
been in earlier days.
Adjoining the servant's hall, at Strand, was
a sort of lumber-room, called the little cham-
ber, the bare comfortless walls of which, had
been lately clothed with odds and ends of pa-
per pasted together, which had been collected
from the scraps swept out of the shop; the
window was curtained by a small piece of
white shirting, the edges of which had been
cut into points, and fringed. On one side was
a bed-place fastened to the wall, and covered
with a brown woollen coverlet; and through-
out the little room, the remaining furniture
of which consisted of a wooden stool, a bench,


TUIE HERMIT.
351
and a table by the window, with a small brown
press, there was an air of tidiness, and com-
fort, which was quite striking, notwithstanding
the numerous articles for different sorts of
work, which it contained, this chamber was
Nisse's, who had so pleased his young
mistress
by his continual little services and atten-
tions, that she, at last, could not refrain
from telling him to clear out all the old lumber
which this little room contained, and consider
it as his own domain for the future, and who
was now happier than Nisse, when he found
himself able to withdraw from the servants'
hall, and transfer himself and all his worldly
goods to this little refuge.
It was Sunday, and Nisse was working away
in his Sunday clothes, at a little pinafore for
his eldest little brother.
And near the window stood an old baking
trough, filled with earth, which held Nisse's
winter garden, consisting of southern wood


352
THE HERMIT.
and balsam, a small geranium with pale leaves,
and still paler blossoms, a few stiff hollyhocks,
with some fennel flower, and a little bunch of
white daisies.
No one who had not seen the glances which
Nisse cast at this little collection, could have
even the most distant idea of the pure un-
mixed happiness which lightened in his eyes,
and displayed itself in the tenderness and
affection which he devoted to his favorites,
and how proud he was of them.
And Nisse was so happy as he sat there, at
the early morning hour, surrounded by his
work, his flowers, and with his pure innocent
thoughts that he would not have changed with
any mightier or richer man; he was prudent,
he was rich in small things, and seldom ex-
tended his desires beyond what he had
got, and the limit of Nisse's ambition was
that people might say,
- Nisse of Westrao,
conducted himself so well, that he was never


THE HERMIT.
353
without work, and maintained by his work his
old mother, and educated his brothers--the
beings he loved most on earth”.
Nisse was just laying the finished pinafore
on one side, as the first sound of the chapel
bell sounded from Grafwerna; he always timed
his work so as to conclude it at the moment
that the bell rang, for that was the beginning
of Nisse's sabbath, and after that, nothing
would induce him to touch his needle again
that day.
He now opened the little press, and with the
greatest reverence took out his valuable pater-
nal inheritance, the leather bound bible, and with
a devout sigh-Nisse's first preparation for the
sabbath duties--he seated himself again at the
table, and opened the bible, and his piety was
in the eyes of all in that house so unaffected,
so heartfelt, and so humble, that no one, let the
occasion, be what it might, would have dis-
turbed him in its exercise.
Several times already, had a fair haired head
a


354
THE HERMIT.
peeped through the open door, but no sound
had escaped Fanny's lips. The bible was read
every Sunday morning, in her parents' room,
but Fanny never felt it as when Nisse read it.
She felt not nearly so humble and good, when
she heard another read.
Nisse had now finished, and stooped over
the flowers to pluck a balsam leave for a mark,
his glances wondered from one leaf to another.
Which could he have the heart to pluck ? he
could not, and would not place a withered leaf
in the book of life--and then the perfect leaves
were the proudest ornaments of the plant.
Nisse, at length, made choice of one, a little
damaged at the edge.
Fanny now wished him good morning.
“ God's peace,” answered Nisse; “shall I
I
do any thing for
you,
miss."
“ Yes, good Nisse, if
“ If I would! oh, Miss Fanny ? what can
you desire of me that I would not do—I at
least know nothing.
you would.”


THE HERMIT.
355
66
“ Sunday is, however, your own day.
“ And whom have I to thank for that, for
all the good which I enjoy, Miss Fanny, if not
yourself—that is of course next to God"
“ Hark ye, Nisse, is it far from Westraö to
Nöddö ? I believe it is not.
Certainly not, if a person can only row."
“ You can do that, Nisse, and look you at
Nöddö, old Lars Mattsson's wife Kauna, is
lying on her death-bed, perhaps, however, all
may
not be over so soon. She
may even re-
cover for a while, but you know how wretched
and poor she has been ever since her son-in-
law, and her daughter were drowned. I have
been getting together a few things for her.
She should not suffer want in her last days,"
and so saying, Fanny, without further preface,
placed a good sized bundle beside Nisse's
baking trough.
Very good, miss, it shall be done." and
with a loving look at his flowers, he con-
tinued. “ I will give her something too,
to cheer her. Poor Kauna. I will make
>
66


356
THE HERMIT.
her a little nosegay; to a person down with a
lingering illness, nothing is more grateful than
looking upon, and enjoying the perfume of
flowers.”
“ True enough, Nisse—but tell me now, is
it far from Noddo to the little holm which I
once shewed you, as we rowed past it. I know
not if it has already a name, she continued
blushing, but I call it George's holm; because
George built a little grotto there for his mother.
I have never wished to go there since his de-
parture, but now I would like to look at it, if
it was set in order a little; for, perhaps, it may
come to pass, that I, or George, or both of us,
may pay it a visit."
Yes, I understand," said Nisse, and
though it is a good pull from Noddo. I'll go
there from home, towards evening, and depend
upon it, every thing shall be fine there."
“ Thanks, good Nisse,” remember me to
your mother, and the little brothers; there is
something extra for the children, beside your
66
1


THE HERMIT.
357
breakfast, and give my love to Lars Mattsson's
Kauna. I'll come and see her myself-good
bye.”
And Fanny hastened back to her morning
duties with a light and cheerful heart.
Shortly before noon, the same day, a boat
was at the landing at Strand, and the Patron,
who was sunning himself in the court, went
with a friendly countenance to meet the arrival,
who was our George; welcome, heartily wel-
come, my dear George ; Mr. Letsler, I should
say, for you are too big now to be called by
your christian name. Now, Fanny you have
met already—on my soul I was right glad
when the girl came and told me that you
had
arrived."
“I thank you heartily, Patron, for remem-
bering me so kindly,” replied George ; "and
though I can't join in these sort of merry ad-
ventures now, yet I feel it a sort of duty to warn
you, that I saw the excise yacht in the offing-
have you any grounds for expecting a visit ?”
66


358
THE HERMIT.
side;
66
“Well, sure enough old Peter won't make
me an official visit to-day," said the Patron,
as he strolled up with George from the sea-
" but
you see, my boy, how it is ; a few
days ago, a nephew came to old Peter, a
young fellow, to be his deputy, when he has
the gout-a deuced fine attack of gout-which
he caught, mind you, through that hanging
business--and so now the old fox is bringing
the young one to make a friendly visit, and to
see how the land lies, in case he should have
anything to settle in future in my sea-booths,
and boats, and so forth.'
“I see," replied George, with a laugh ;
“Peter Gran is a shrewd, smart fellow, and
would give the merchants lots more trouble if
he only had more efficient yacht men.”
“Efficient enough, they are, by my soul-
though after he got rid of that poor, honest
soul, Kron, he engaged a regular churl of a
fellow, who is commonly called, Sniffing
Calle;' for when he is sent out, he snuffs and


THE HERMIT.
359
a
>
snuffs about till he gets the scent, let it be ever
so well concealed ; aye, he is a cursed fellow,
.
that Sniffing Calle--thanks to him, Petter
Gran seized a whole lot of goods of mine last
spring."
“I rather guess Peter smiled in somewhat
a different fashion from what he did when he
found the water in the brandy casks."
“Aye, aye, he puffed and blew like a turkey
cock; and I should be very apt to shew the
old churl the other way now, if it was not
perhaps more prudent to have a look at the
young chap, and see what sort of a fellow he
is."
“People say, Patron, that you are thinking
of giving up the secret trade.”
What's to be done ? one must stir to live
—that cursed excise takes enough away from
me, as it is—if one half 'scapes scot free, the
other half must have the mark, you see-and
so it is with everything—bad times-hard


360
THE HERMIT.
gone,
times, my son—no business to be done which
puts money in the box.”
And now Fanny, who had seen George from
the kitchen, came running out with the twirl-
ing stick in her hand.
“Now just look at the wench," said Holmer,
laughing; "she splashes the cream in our
;
faces, as if they were dishes. Get thee
Miss Monkey, with thy twirling stick, or I'll
tell the mother how nicely you take care of the
dairy.”
“No tales out of school, father; mother
keeps me strict enough without. Ah, George,
so good of you to come; I was so glad when I
i
saw you, that I forgot to put the twirling stick
back into the pot.
Mr. Holmer hurried in to speak to his
wife regarding the expected guests, and
George went into the kitchen with Fanny,
where he soon had cause
had cause to admire her
activity and dexterity.


THE HERMIT.
361
>
“I must be active, mustn't I, when mother
trusts me to take her place ? besides, I always
liked housekeeping from a child."
“Oh, so long ago, you can hardly remember
that, I suppose," said George, with a wicked
smile.
Fanny wrinkled her brows, and tried to look
angry.
“When one is near fifteen years old, one is
no longer a child, I hope."
" “I wish you had always remained a child,
for you had such a number of little captivating
ways, which of course you have lost now you
have grown a great girl.”
“Have I—now there—there are two ginger-
bread cakes burnt–because you vexed me-
-
have done—and so you think I lose the more
the bigger I grow ? Now do hold the dish
straight. I should like to know any one who
can make better gingerbread than that—I did
not mean to have any to-day; but as father
said the young yacht-lieutenant was to—"
>
VOL. I.
R


362
THE HERMIT.
“ A-ha, then it wasn't on my account, that
you were in such a hurry to stir up the
things ?
“How--on your account !" said Fanny,
with the greatest apparent surprise—“on your
account! no, indeed, my good George-one
forgets little play-fellows altogether, when one
expects to see a smart young man; and I have
heard that the young yacht-lieutenant is very
good-looking, and very polite too."
“Ah, Fanny, I can see that you are no
longer a child; you can think about young men,
can you ; however, since the old play-fellow
is superfluous, he can go back again. Adieu,
Fanny.”
“Adieu, George."
And Fanny had a great deal to do all at
once at the fire.
George pretended to go; but made three
bounds back from the door, lifted Fanny in
his arms, and whirled her round and round,
till she exclaimed, laughing-


THE HERMIT.
363
“Oh, let me go, George, let me go, I shall
get giddy."
" Then who were you making the ginger-
bread for ?"
“For the yacht-lieutenant, didn't I tell
you ?"
“Ah, very well, then we'll have a little
dance, just till they're all burnt, they'll be
quite good enough for him.”
“Take care, George-let me loose now-or
I'll be angry.”
66 Tell the truth then, and I won't keep you
another second."
“Ah, ah, my gingerbread_hark at them
hissing—they'll all be burnt to coal-nasty,
George."
“The truth then-out with the truth."
you
tell the truth, George, when you
said just now that I had lost all my pretty little
66 Did
ways ?"
“I never said so."
“Then I never said or thought that the
R 3


364
THE HERMIT.
2
gingerbread was for any one but you; but now
the mischief's done, and you must be satisfied
with scorched cakes."
“And if they were as black as charcoal,
they would be as good as angel's food," said
George, putting Fanny down upon the hearth ;
“oh, you are right-right-right"
“Sweet !” said Fanny, gaily.
“No, saucy—you are just the same saucy,
clever little thing as ever; but I tell you now,
Fanny, don't venture to look at this yacht-
lieutenant; now, I won't stand it.”
I
" What's to be done--little children may
play with those who are good to them.”
“ Little children-yes—but—"
" And then if he takes me on his lap, and
shews me something pretty, his watch, his
breast-pin, or such like-or-"
“Take you on his lap ?” cried George, with
sparkling eyes, “I would'nt recommend him,
that's all. I'll cudgel him black and blue.”
“God forbid—a little girl like me, what are
,
you thinking of ?"


THE HERMIT.
365
CHAPTER XIX.
A VISIT FROM AN OLD FRIEND.
as we
“ Most obedient, good madam,” said the voice
of old Peter Gran, as the door opened,
were in the neighbourhood, I determined to
have the honour of presenting my nephew, and
please God my successor, Mr. Ture Gran, a
sly, clever youth, as the case may be, as the
judge says.
“As the nephew of our yacht lieutenant he
could not be otherwise,” Mrs. Holmer could
not help saying, as she civilly welcomed the
stranger.
Mr. Gran, junior, was tall and slender as the
tree* whose name he bore, and his face, if not
actually handsome, was fresh-colored, and there
+ Gran a fir tree.


366
THE HERMIT.
66
was something of breeding in the way in which
he paid his compliments; his voice was well
toned, and gave every little civility, an expres-
sion of politeness, a politeness which never
forsook him, and was a strong contrast to the
rough but good-humored coarseness of old
Peter Gran.
“I fear," he observed, with a low bow, to
his hostess, “that my uncle is taking rather too
great a liberty in thus introducing a perfect
stranger.”
“Oh, not at all, lieutenant,” Mrs. Holmer
{ave the young man the title, in order to con-
ciliate him by her civility. “Your uncle, on
the contrary, has given us great pleasure; there
is such a very confined society in our poor
barren coasts here, that the few who compose
it really ought to seek each other out.”
“ There, that's just what I said to you,” said
old Peter Gran, “sure, said I to my nephew,
tre'll just take a holiday and go see, Patron
Holmer, for
you see it is just that—the gentle-


THE HERMIT.
367
66
man at Strand, and I—we have always been on
such friendly terms, you know, as the case
might be, as the judge says."
Aye, aye, that's true enough,” interrupted
Holmer, with a loud laugh, and now look here,
lieutenant, here is another old acquaintance,
Mr. George Letsler, who mayhap, in a few
years,
if he should be content with a coaster,
may be a good customer too; he was a saucy
;
boy enough, was not he, the—the lieutenant
no doubt has not forgotten him.”
“Aye, aye, a regular young satan,” said
Peter giving his former adversary a hearty
shake of the hand, “the scripture says we
should always be forgiving, and I'm an old
man-here's the man who shall speak for me
for the future.”
Mr. Ture Gran, the commander in pros-
pect of the excise yacht, and George Letsler,
the future captain of the brig Elvira Cornelia,
which was not yet built, measured each other
for some seconds, with looks which though


368
THE HERMIT.
a
differing but little in their expression from
ordinary glances, yet left the full conviction on
the minds of both that they were not created
to be friends with each other. George's open,
straight-forward manner could not harmonize
with the assumed grace and studied modesty of
young Gran; they understood at once that they
should never understand each other.
The guests and George stayed dinner at
Strand, and after the meal old Gran proposed
to take the family for a sail in the yacht, which
was acceded to by Mrs. Holmer, who wished to
conciliate a person who had so much in his
power. The weather was delightful, and the
elder gentlemen sat on deck with their cigars
and toddy, while Ture Gran was busy doing the
amiable to the ladies in the cabin, but to his
no small vexation Fanny seemed to be but
little amused by his conversational powers, and
in a short time beckoning George, she took her
bonnet and went on deck.
Ture Gran would gladly have persuaded
a


THE HERMIT.
369
Mrs. Holmer to do the same, but she expressed
herself perfectly satisfied where she was, and
he was therefore obliged to remain and exert
himself, to show no outward sign of vexation,
and whether Mrs. Holmer saw that he was put
out or not, she most perseveringly kept her
seat in the cabin.
"
“Thanks, thanks, dear Fanny,” said George,
“I could not have stood it much longer."
“Yes, I saw you were getting out of patience
and temper, and thought it better to come on
deck, otherwise he rather amused me," she
added mischievously.
“He did nothing of the kind, and you know
it very well; but hark ye, Fanny, what think
you,
which sounds best, Cornelia or Fanny."
“How can you ask, when you are always
used to say Fanny ?”
“Yes, but Cornelia is your name too; how
R 5


370
THE HERMIT.
66
66
do
you
think it would look painted on a ship’s
stern, in letters of gold.”
“It will never have the opportunity, all
father's boats have names already."
But mine, Fanny, my ship that is to be."
“Oh, time enough when you get it."
Oh, I shall get it, but it ought to have
two names, what do you think of Elvira
Cornelia.
"Fie,” said Fanny, “ Elvira's an ugly name,
who's named so ?"
f.“ Nobody whom I ever saw; but she is the
daughter of my late chief, by whose kindness I
hope to get a ship ere long, and ought I not
out of gratitude to give it her name? And
after all, it is only to have a female name on
your account.”
“Well, I have heard that women's names
are unlucky for ships, you had better let it
alone."
" Indeed I shall not let it alone, I hardly
thought you would have disliked it."
>


THE HERMIT.
371
>
“Oh, I like it very much, and when father
builds that galeass, he is talking of, and pro-
mises shall sail on my account, I think I shall
ask him to call it Ture George--not so bad is
it.”
“Well, I think that sounds very vulgar-
you have too good an ear Fanny, not to feel
that these names don't suit each other the
least."
“ That is just what I think of Elvira Cor-
nelia.”
“Well, I can think of nothing prettier, and
it is always in my head, night and day-Elvira
Cornelia.”
“ And why not Cornelia Elvira," asked
Fanny, pettishly, “is not that just as pretty.”
“No, nothing like it.”
“Ah, and so you think my name is best
last ?"
“Yes, because Elvira is the shortest name
of the two; now forgive me, dear Fanny, but
2
>


372
THE HERMIT.
>
66
>
you must not ask me to let this alone—it gives
me so much pleasure.'
“Oh, well, we shall have time enough to
talk about it when you have a ship, and then
perhaps you will name it after neither of us,
no body knows-why not call it Nicoline ?"
Oh, no, that name is too dear and holy to
me, I would not have it read by all, and,"
added he, coloring, and so it is with Fanny-
Nicoline and Fanny, they are printed on my
heart-Elvira Cornelia shall be on the ship."
“Well, well, then, let them !” said Fanny,
with a tone of voice all at once so lovely and
bashful, that George started.
Though Fanny was not yet fifteen, she was
no longer a child. The last three days had
made her as many years older.
“Now then, that's a nice wench, isn't she ?”
asked Peter, as he was sitting in the cabin
with his nephew, on the way back from
the Strand. She would be a good catch;
a


THE HERMIT,
373
what dost think if thou couldst get her eh, the
richest girl in these coasts."
“Aye, a pretty child enough, a neat little
doll,” replied the young man, with affected
carelessness, lighting a cigar, and throwing
himself on the sofa.
“Aye, aye, good fun enough to be able to
play with such a doll, thirty thousand rix-
dollars, Banco, that's money, my lad, in our
country—however, I don't think she'll bite at
the first cast."
“Oh, trifle !” rejoined Ture Gran, "a little
coast girl like that, scarcely out of the nursery
-no such difficult conquest I should fancy."
“So so, a prudent man is never too secure
on these matters, he paves his way if he cani,
he forces his way if needed, as the case may
be as the judge says, but he never brags before
the time."
“Neither do I, uncle, for to speak candidly,
I hardly think of trying my luck there, she is
too much of a child."
(6
call


374
THE HERMIT.
“That's an easy fault to cure, two more
years will do it, and then in two, or at most
three, I shall retire, and so, my dear, Ture,
that will all just come right.”
“She has had no education; her manners are
"
so very, so"
“Excellent,” said his uncle, finishing the
sentence, “and as to education, she was at
school at Göteberg, writes like a clerk, and
makes flowers and fruits and all that nonsense,
that belongs to elegant education."
“Oh, no, my dear uncle, one don't call that
elegant education, that's all less than nothing
at all.”
“Well now, upon my soul I should like,
and Peter Gran looked exceedingly surprised,
“I should like to know what you call education
then ?
Yes, uncle, something very different—some-
thing very different—something—in short-
something entirely different.”
>


THE HERMIT.
375
66
66
“Aye, aye, I hear all that, but what does
the difference consist in ?"
“Well--a well educated girl,” began, Mr.
Ture, raising himself from the sofa, and assum-
ing a dignified look to have all possible effect
upon Peter Gran, who sat there with his full
glass of grog, gaping at his dear nephew with
his
eyes
wide open,
a well-educated girl must,
in the first place, understand French, fluently."
“Oh, the devil.”
and German like her mother tongue.”
6 Wetter !"
"- and English for domestic purposes."
“ The plague !"
“Moreover she must draw not only flowers
and fruit and such trifles, but drawings of a
superior kind-landscapes, sea-pieces, and such
like, and be able to paint.”
“ Thousand fiends," shouted Peter Gran,
clapping down his glass so violently that half
the liquor was spilt over the table and floor,
why she'd need be a governess for that, but


376
THE HERMIT.
you must know, Master Ture, Fanny Holmer
has money enough to buy pictures if she wants
them, and a girl of that sort may occupy
her-
self better than taking away the earnings of
those who have to sell their talents."
Possibly; but you must not forget, uncle,
that you requested my opinion regarding a
good education and then, besides all this,
she must understand music, for, you see, uncle,
that is the greatest accomplishment a girl can
have.”
“Hold hard and belay," interrupted Peter
Gran, “thou hast chattered balderdash enough
-to the d with all thine accomplishments
and graces, if such trash as that is called
grace; and I tell thee, I have lived longer in
the world than thou hast, and the best orna-
ment of a wife is to please her husband in
everything. Will she look after the house-
keeping while she's playing the piano ?-will
she make the children's clothes while she reads
French, or darn thy stockings while she's


THE HERMIT.
377
dawdling over German-do ye think she'll
mind salting herrings and business while she's
daubing paper, painting your stupid things ?
No, no—such wives and such ornaments are
all out of place on our coasts here—to brew,
bake, boil, salt fish, and dry it, keep husband
and children, and home, wholesome and clean,
and well to do—that's the main point--and
when she has 30,000 dollars to boot, why I
think there is nothing more necessary; and the
man who is crazy enough not to understand
and value such ornaments as these, why he is
only fit to listen to the tinkling of a piano
the most diabolical noise I know-all his life
long.”
And now the young gentleman laughed
aloud, and began to find his uncle seriously
entertaining
" However, let us take the matter in
earnest,” continued Peter, sipping at his grog.
“Don't you forget that you were born to great
expectations; but your father went bankrupt,


378
THE HERMIT.
and now you're as poor as a church mouse;
and if I had not helped you by putting you in
as an extra hand in the excise, why_”
“ Why I should have starved long ago,
uncle-should'nt I ?"
“ Aye, aye, and that's been the fate of many
a better man than thou art."
“Should'nt be mine though. Powder and
“
ball can be got when there's nothing else in
the world.”
“Aye, aye, that's like your big words;" and
old Peter shook his head deliberately. “I
don't like to hear boys brag about meddling
with God's handiwork— Stick thy pipe in
the bag, and take a spoon in your pretty hand,
says the proverb.”
Mr. Ture coloured up; fearing to irritate his
uncle, he made no further reply; but his very
silence irritated the old man; he tossed off the
rest of his grog, and said, in a trembling voice,
“And now, just let me tell ye a word or two
I don't like your ways——they don't
more.


THE HERMIT.
379
a
>
please me—and you need not think that I,
Peter Gran, am a man to be bamboozled with
all your fine snick-snacks—that may all do
very well to take in the women; but I like
short and sweet. Now, if I am to help thee
forward in life, I mean to have a word in the
matter, and if not—why, I can serve for the
next ten years, just report to-morrow that
my health is all right, and I can resume my
duties."
“Now, my dear uncle,” interrupted Ture
Gran, repressing his own rising anger, “have
I done or said anything to vex and anger you
thus. I am very sorry if I have; but a poor
man and one who is dependent is easily hurt.”
“Well, well—let be, let be,” replied the
yacht-lieutenant, who only wished to keep his
authority up, and was, in reality, proud of his
good-looking nephew, “no harm meant, my
I only mean to say, that with the excise-
yacht in hand, Fanny Holmer in prospect, you
might be at ease.”
son.


380
THE HERMIT.
young sailor.”
“I have nothing in prospect, my dear uncle
-the girl is out and out mad about yon saucy
"
“Stuff, stuff, I tell you. I should like to
see it. 'I know a little about him I have a
crow to pick with him of old, and let him
cross you, and I'll make him feel where the
shoe pinches."
“ What do you mean, uncle ?”
“Mean? why that there's a screw loose
about these worthies on the Johannis cliff; the
father came there as if he had dropped from
the clouds- no one knows what he is—fish or
fowl.
“Or perhaps a—" and a spark of exulta-
tion glanced in Ture Gran's eye; but he was
silent.
“As I say, neither fish nor fowl. However,
by playing our cards well, we may manage to
make the youngster glad to leave the field free
to you; he is very fond of his father, and if
,
he does'nt know his father's secrets, he does
>


THE HERMIT.
381
know that it would ill please the old man that
they should come to light—however, this is all
for the future. The man has done no one in
our country any harm, and the man who don't
hurt you, why don't you hurt him—that's my
logic."
“And sound logic too, uncle—a good thing
a
if everybody thought as handsomely."
“Well, well,” concluded Peter Gran, “ that's
as the case may turn up—as the judge says,
an excise officer must hurt people when his
duty bids him,'—what I said was 'off duty,'
6
<
mind ye.”
“Aye, aye, uncle, and I understand you
most perfectly."
Several weeks had elapsed since George's
arrival at the Johannis cliff.
During this time, scarce a day had passed in
which he had not either visited Strand, or
the little grotto * on the island, in which


382
THE HERMIT.
latter place Fanny, accompanied by her true
knight, Nisse of Westrao, often awaited him.
At such times, while Fanny busied herself
with garments for some of her various protègés,
George would narrate the tales of his voyages
and adventures, and confide to her all his plans
for the future.
And by way of illustration to his stories,
George was obliged to make drawings of the
different kinds of boats which he had seen
when they had casually visited the Frigate-
and when, to please her, he had constructed
a little pirogue, Fanny was a sportive child
again, and when she made her little voyages,
the pirogue always sailed in the track of the
boat, attached by a string, until this amuse-
ment so completely engrossed her, that George
half repented his readiness in inventing it.
However, as the time of parting ap-
proached, when George was to set out for
Göteberg, the pirogue was consigned to a
hook in her room, and she thought only of the


THE HERMIT.
383
giver-nobody had been so kind and good to
her as George—so pleasant and entertaining,
and this was the sum total of Fanny's compre-
hension of her own feelings. George had
also, as yet, scarcely defined his own; he
thought of Fanny, because it was so natural,
and he was very, very sorry to part with her,
but, notwithstanding, dear as she was to him,
he would not have wished to delay his active
exertions, for a single week, on her account.
He had been watching for old Stormbom's
letter; and this had now arrived with the
intelligence that the old boatswain had re-
turned home after the frigate had gone into
harbour at Carlscrona, and was now expecting
George at Masthugg.
“And nowyou must delay no longer,” Lets-
ler said to his son, “the sooner you begin, the
sooner will
your end."
“Yes,” replied George, “I wish to work, and
will work-but it grieves me to the heart to
leave
you, dear father, so alone; the autumn
you attain


384
THE HERMIT.
66
is drawing on, and then comes winter-winter.”
Trifles, my son, I am used to all this.”
Oh, but it is a hard and cruel habitudes-
you may be ill again.”
“ Then let us say, God's will be done.”
“But I cannot be easy, and I neither can
nor will be so, unless some one comes here to
stay during the winter."
Here, come here, art thou mad ?» cried
Letsler, with surprise, and well nigh indigna-
tion; “perhaps you will wish me to take in
some old wife, to sweep
the rooms, and din my
ears with her chatter."
“No, assuredly not, I well know, father,
that you cannot endure women-but I know
some one-a quiet, silent, and good and serious
youth."
“Be quiet with your knowledge, I can take
care of myself.”
“ I know that very well—but he whom I
think of, will never be in the way; he has a
certain tact which tells how and where he is


TIIE HERMIT.
385
wanted; he is the only one I know who would
suit this place.”
" As I have told you before, no one will
suit me—but who do you mean ?”
"A poor, a very poor youth-named Nisse,
A
of Westrao," who is now in service at Strand,
and has often rowed Fanny over here. His
disposition is such, that he can accommodate
himself to any, and every thing; and he will
never speak unless spoken to. Oh, father, i
you would but see him—he could have my
room, and you need never trouble yoursel
about him.”
“ Hum,” returned Letsler, “I rather think
I must have seen him, he always sits at some
work or another, or in the boat, and appears s
if he neither heard or saw."
“No more he does,” rejoined George, d -
lighted that he had at last broken the ice ; it s
not his business to hear or see, except-
ing what is necessary for the discharge of his
duty-he is an honest, good boy, and for a
)
VOL. I.
8


386
THE HERMIT.
very trifling monthly stipend; will be as true
as the most faithful dog. But I speak not
fairly, he will not be true for the sake of the
money,
but he will be ever true and unwearied
in his efforts to serve him who gives him
money to support his mother and brothers. I
assure you he would be incapable of disturbing
you when he saw how bent you were upon
solitude. Oh, father, did you but know what
a heart that boy has.”
“ Thou art eloquent, my dear George, and
you are well aware that I know how to value
and appreciate your good intentions; however,
I can make no promise, I cannot so suddenly
break in upon habits and customs which have
been dear to me meantime I will consider
about it."
George did not venture to press the matter
farther at present, what he had achieved had
far exceeded his hopes.
When, he soon afterwards met Fanny, he
asked her affectionately';“ I believe, dear Fan-


THE HERMIT.
387
>
66
ny, if I were to beg something of you, which
you are very fond of, you would be quite capa-
ble of giving it up to me, what do you think?
do I deceive myself ?”
No, certainly, my dear good George if
I have anything you want, even my great,
beautiful amber heart-you shall have it."
Oh, said George, laughing, if the talk
was of hearts; you have another heart beside
the amber one-what I mean, is, whether you
would give up to me something that I know
you would not like to give to another."
“ I can't really think what you can mean,
said Fanny, a little confused by George's re-
mark about the amber heart.
“ Well then, I want Nisse of Westraö.
I don't want him for myself, dear Fanny ;
but see, I have been thinking,” and he took
her hand, and pressed it affectionately—“that
when winter comes, and the snow lays thick
upon the Johannis Cliff, I always have my
father before my eyes; and if he should fall


388
THE HERMIT.
ill again, as last year, you may imagine,
Fanny, I should not have a moment's quiet,
if I knew that he was quite alone; and then
;
I have been thinking that no one would suit
my father so well in all ways as Nisse, who
could look after their little housekeeping, and
have plenty of time to mend shoes and jackets
for all Grafwerna."
“Ah, George, what a capital idea, and
although I never thought that Nisse and I,
such good friends, should part, I should be too
glad to be able to do your father a service; the
most difficult part of the business will be to
induce him to take Nisse."
“I hope it may be easier than we have
imagined. I have spoken to him already, and
though he has given me no positive promise,
he has not yet absolutely refused; but what do
you think Nisse himself will say ?»
Oh, Nisse will do everything I wish-and
father will easily get more workmen than he
wants—and so you may be easy about that.”


THE HERMIT.
389
“How good and rational you are, sweet
Fanny, and what a heart
you have; when
you
speak seriously, no one would think that
you
were just fourteen.”
“And seven months and three weeks,”
added Fanny, waggishly.
“Oh, goodness, how could I ever have for-
gotten that most important fact,” returned
George, in the same tone; “however, you may
depend upon it, that though I may forget your
age, I will never forget yourself—and your
cheerful, pretty, fair-haired image will accom-
pany me everywhere by land and sea, and it
will always be such a comfort and happiness to
me to know that you think of me sometimes.”
“Oh, George, you nearly make me cry.
I
do believe I shall die for grief when you go
away.”
" And for joy when I came back again,
eh ?"
“No, then I will live," said Fanny, more
”


390
THE HERMIT.
cheerfully; "for then I hope, at least, that
“
you will think I have grown big."
On this same evening, Carolus returned
from Drammen; the ever restless Carolus had
again only a few days to spare for his family;
and as he was anxious to go to Göteberg, it
happened luckily that George was able to make
his voyage there in his society, and on the
Free Sailer; and this circumstance served to
soften his grief at parting with his father and
with Fanny.
And now Letsler was again alone.
Often during his son's stay, he had ex-
perienced the longing to be alone again; but
now George was gone, he felt that love, affec-
tion had become a necessity, and that there


THE HERMIT.
391
was something comforting in knowing that a
loving, sympathising heart was near.
One day, more than ordinarily depressed in
spirits, he opened the mysterious hiding-place,
and entered-he stood silently before the
place which he had pointed out to George, and,
after some hesitation, removed the stone which
concealed the opening.
A light shudder ran through his frame, and
with eyes flaming darkly, he looked into the
cleft, and again recoiled--after doing this
more than once, he, at last, with an effort,
grasped the packet of papers.
It was two years since he had placed them
there; a powerful desire lad now seized him
once more to look at them, to read once more
that dreadful secret, which as yet known to
no living soul, might, if he so willed it, ac-
company him to oblivion in the grave.
· He hastily grasped the packet, and took it
out into the chamber; after opening it, some
older papers fell out-he pushed them hasti]


392
THE HERMIT.
aside, and turned up the first page of the
manuscript, which he had begun and finished,
some time after Nicoline's death, and which
bore the superscription—"Bernhard Letsler's
confessions—dedicated to his son."
He fixed a long, rigid, and thoughtful look
upon these lines.
“If,"—thus he murmured to himself—“if I
were to cast all these into the fire, who could
then relate to him all these old tales of unhap-
piness and dishonor, without the knowledge of
which, he would be quite as happy, nay, pro-
bably far happier. Should George's eye never
rest on these confessions, his childish reverence
and affection would never be disturbed. Never-
theless,” he sighed deeply, “I have promised
her-her-Nicoline-who would have so re-
joiced to lift the veil from the past-now all is
clear to her-oh, Nicoline, adored, lost angel,
thou wast too pure, too free from passion, to
have understood so much weakness, folly, and
wretchedness."


THE HERMIT.
393
Letsler's forehead sunk upon his hands.
.
Oh, could he have but died with the convic-
tion that George would bless his memory,
would never dream that there had been
a spot thereon-but that was to desire
too much he could not be free from stain in
that son's recollections and his mind was still
too proud to content itself with the love which
duty or compassion might call forth.
And wherefore then should he actually con-
temn me—was I not hurried on by fate-after-
wards came the consequences—those I pre-
pared for myself—and have I not expiated
them with a lost and wretched existence
the
life of a proscribed being—but with what
specious sophistry would I cajole myself? no,
much as George's feelings of childish affection
might lead him to excuse--yet-yet his sense
of right must compel him to condemn.
He hastily caught up the papers-a letter
fell to the ground—as he lifted it, his eye fell
upon the address—"Richard Tank,” he started


394
THE HERMIT.
--shuddered violently—but could not tear his
gaze from that name, which, in hollow tones,
escaped his lips.
“ Richard Tank-Richard Tank,” he re-
peated, in the suppressed accents of bitter
sorrow, “art thou not-oh, art thou not yet
sufficiently avenged ?"
*
*
*
END OF VOL. I.
1
T. C. Newby, l'rinter, 30, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square.












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