Hulda was finally aroused from her reverie by the approach of Joel.  She first caught a glimpse of him as he was descending the topmost slope; soon he reappeared in the midst of a narrow clearing between the burned and fallen trees.  Then he vanished from sight behind a clump of pines, and at last reached the opposite bank and jumped aboard the ferry-boat.  With a few vigorous strokes of the oar he propelled the boat swiftly through the rapids, and then leaped upon the little pier beside his sister.

“Has Ole returned?” he asked, hastily.

It was of Ole that he thought first of all; but his question remained unanswered.

“Have you received no letter from him?”

“Not one.”

And Hulda burst into tears.

“Don’t cry, little sister,” exclaimed Joel, “don’t cry.  You make me wretched.  I can not bear to see you weep.  Let me see!  You say you have received no letter.  The matter is beginning to look a little serious, I must admit, though there is no reason to despair as yet.  If you desire it, I will go to Bergen, and make inquiries there.  I will call on Help Bros.  Possibly they may have some news from Newfoundland.  It is quite possible that the ‘Viking’ may have put into some port for repairs, or on account of bad weather.  The wind has been blowing a hurricane for more than a week, and not unfrequently ships from Newfoundland take refuge in Iceland, or at the Faroe Islands.  This very thing happened to Ole two years ago, when he was on board the ‘Strenna,’ you remember.  I am only saying what I really think, little sister.  Dry your eyes.  If you make me lose heart what will become of us?”

“But I can’t help it, Joel.”

“Hulda!  Hulda! do not lose courage.  I assure you that I do not despair, not by any means.”

“Can I really believe you, Joel?”

“Yes, you can.  Now, to reassure you, shall I start for Bergen to-morrow morning, or this very evening?”

“No, no, you must not leave me!  No, you must not!” sobbed Hulda, clinging to her brother as if he was the only friend she had left in the world.

They started toward the inn.  Joel sheltered his sister from the rain as well as he could, but the wind soon became so violent that they were obliged to take refuge in the hut of the ferryman, which stood a few hundred yards from the bank of the Maan.

There they were obliged to remain until the wind abated a little, and Joel was glad of an opportunity to have a longer conversation with his sister.

“How does mother seem?” he inquired.

“Even more depressed in spirits than usual,” replied Hulda.

“Has any one been here during my absence?”

“Yes, one traveler, but he has gone away.”

“So there is no tourist at the inn now, and no one has asked for a guide?”

“No, Joel.”

“So much the better, for I would much rather not leave you.  Besides, if this unpleasant weather continues, it is not likely that many tourists will visit the Telemark this season.  But tell me, was it yesterday that your guest left Dal?”