Dawn is late in these high latitudes in March, but when at last it grew light it was bright and clear.  The wind was calm, and they hoped they would be able to get through the pass.  A regular fleet of boats, composed of every one who could get away from Noroe, was ready to go in search of the absent men.  Just at this moment several vessels hove in sight, and soon reached the village.  They were the fishermen who had gone out the day before, not expecting such a cyclone; but Mr. Hersebom was not among them.

Nobody could give any account of him, and the fact of his not returning with the others increased their anxiety as all the men had been in great peril.  Some had been surprised by the cyclone and dashed upon the shore, others had time to shelter themselves in a secure place of anchorage.  A few had reached the land just in time to save themselves.

It was decided that the flotilla should go in search of those who were missing.  Mr. Malarius who still wished to take part in the expedition accompanied Erik and Otto.  A large yellow dog begged so earnestly to go with them, that at length they yielded.  It was Kaas, the Greenland dog that Mr. Hersebom had brought back with him, after a voyage to Cape Farewell.

After issuing from the pass the boats separated, some going to the right, and others to the left, to explore the shores of the innumerable islands which lie scattered near the entrance to the fiord of Noroe, as well as all along the coast of Norway.

When they met at midday at a given point, which had been agreed upon before separating, no trace of Mr. Hersebom had been discovered.  As the search had apparently been well conducted, everyone was of the opinion that they had nothing more to do but to go home.

But Erik was not willing to own himself defeated, and give up all hope so easily.  He declared that having visited all the islands which lay toward the south, he now wished to explore those which were in the north.  Mr. Malarius and Otto supported him; and seeing this they granted his desire.

This persistence deserved some recompense.  Toward two o’clock as they approached a large island, Kaas began suddenly to bark furiously; then before they could prevent him he threw himself into the water, and swam to the shore.

Erik and Otto rowed with all their strength in the same direction.  Soon they saw the dog reach the island, and bound, while he uttered loud howls, toward what appeared to be a human form lying extended upon the sand.  They made all possible haste, and soon saw beyond a doubt that it was a man who was lying there, and this man was Mr. Hersebom; bloody, pale, cold, inanimate—­dead, perhaps.  Kaas was licking his hands, and uttering mournful cries.

Erik’s first action was to drop on his knees beside the cold body, and apply his ear to his heart.

“He is alive, I feel it beat,” he cried.

Mr. Malarias had taken one of Mr. Hersebom’s hand’s, and was feeling his pulse and he shook his head, sadly and doubtfully; but he would not neglect any of the means which are usually tried in such cases.  After taking off a large woolen girdle which he wore around his waist, he tore it in three pieces, and giving one to each of the young men, they rubbed vigorously the body, the arms, and the legs of the fisherman.