STORIESOFBOY—LIFEINTHELANDOFTHEMIDNIGHTSUN
　　BYHJALMARHJORTHBOYESEN
　　CONTENTS
　　THEBATTLEOFTHERAFTS
　　THECLASHOFARMS
　　BICEPSGRIMLUND’SCHRISTMASVACATION
　　THENIXY’SSTRAIN
　　THEWONDERCHILD
　　"THESONSOFTHEVIKINGS"
　　PAULJESPERSEN’SMASQUERADE
　　LADYCLARETHESTORYOFAHORSE
　　BONNYBOY
　　THECHILDOFLUCK
　　THEBEARTHATHADABANKACCOUNT
　　THEBATTLEOFTHERAFTS
　　I.THEORIGINOFTHEWAR
　　AdeadlyfeudwasragingamongtheboysofNumedale.TheEast—SidershatedtheWest—Siders，andthrashedthemwhentheygotachance;andtheWest—Siders，whenfortunefavoredthem，returnedthecomplimentwithinterest.Itrequiredconsiderablecourageforaboytoventure，unattendedbycomrades，intotheterritoryoftheenemy;andnoonetooktheriskunlessdirenecessitycompelledhim.
　　Thehostilepartieshadplayedatwarsolongthattheyhadforgottenthatitwasplay;andnowwereactuallyinspiredwiththeemotionswhichtheyhadformerlysimulated.Undertheleadershipoftheirchieftains，HalvorReitanandViggoHook，theyheldcouncilsofwar，sentoutscouts，plannedmidnightsurprises，andfoughtattimesmimicbattles.Isaymimicbattles，becausenoonewaseverkilled;butbrokenheadsandbruisedlimbsmanyaonecarriedhomefromtheseengagements，andunhappilyoneboy，namedPeerOestmo，hadaneyeputoutbyanarrow.
　　ItwasagreatconsolationtohimthathebecameaherotoalltheWest—Sidersandwaspromotedforbraveryinthefieldtotherankoffirstlieutenant.Hehadthesympathyofallhiscompanionsinarmsandgotinnumerablebitesofapples，cancelledpostagestamps，andcoloredadvertising—labelsintokenoftheiresteem.
　　Buttheprincipaleffectofthisfirstseriouswoundwastoinvestthewarwithabreathlessandall—absorbinginterest.Itwasnownolonger"makebelieve，"butdeadlyearnest.Bloodhadflowed;insultshadbeenexchangedindueorder，andoffendedhonorcriedforvengeance.
　　ItwasfortunatethattheriverdividedtheWest—SidersfromtheEast—Siders，oritwouldhavebeendifficulttotellwhatmighthavehappened.ViggoHook，theWest—Sidegeneral，wasahandsome，high—spiritedladoffifteen，whowasthelastpersontopocketaninjury，aslongasredbloodflowedinhisveins，ashewaswonttoexpressit.HewastheeldestsonofColonelHookoftheregulararmy，andmeantsomedaytobeaVonMoltkeoraNapoleon.Hefeltinhisheartthathewasdestinedforsomethinggreat;andinconformitywiththisconvictionassumedasuperbbehavior，whichhiscomradesfoundveryadmirable.
　　Hehadthegiftofleadershipinamarkeddegree，andestablishedhisauthoritybyaduemixtureofkindnessandseverity.Thoseboyswhomhehonoredwithhisconfidencewereabsolutelyattachedtohim.Thosewhom，withmagnificentarbitrariness，hepunishedandpersecuted，feltmeeklythattheyhadprobablydeservedit;
　　andiftheyhadnot，itwassomehowinthegame.
　　ThereneverwasamoreabsolutekingthanViggo，noronemoreabjectlycourtedandadmired.Andtheamusingpartofitwasthathewasatheartagenerousandgood—naturedlad，butpossessedwithaloftyidealofheroism，whichrequiredaboveallthingsthatwhateverhesaidordidmustbestriking.Hedramatized，asitwere，everyphraseheutteredandeveryactheperformed，andmodelledhimselfalternatelyafterNapoleonandWellington，ashehadseenthemrepresentedintheoldengravingswhichdecoratedthewallsinhisfather’sstudy.
　　Hehadreadmuchaboutheroesofwar，ancientandmodern，andhelivedabouthalfhisownlifeimagininghimselfbyturnsallsortsofgrandcharactersfromhistoryorfiction.
　　Hiscostumewasusuallyinkeepingwithhisownconceptionofthesecharacters，insofarashisscantyopportunitiespermitted.Anold，brokenswordofhisfather’s，whichhadbeenpolisheduntilit"flashed"properly，wasgirdedtoabrass—
　　mountedbeltabouthiswaist;anancient，gold—braided，militarycap，whichwasmuchtoolarge，coveredhiscurlyhead;andfourtarnishedbrassbuttons，displayingtheGoldenLionofNorway，gaveamartialairtohisbluejacket，althoughtherestwereplainhorn.
　　ButquiteindependentlyofhispoortrappingsViggowastohiscomradesanaugustpersonage.IdoubtiftheGrandVizierfeelsmoreflatteredandgratifiedbythefavoroftheSultanthanlittleMarcusHenningdid，whenViggocondescendedtobeciviltohim.
　　Marcuswassmall，round—shouldered，spindle—shanked，andfreckle—faced.Hishairwascoarse，straight，andthecolorofmaplesirup;hisnosewasbroadandalittleflattenedatthepoint，andhisclotheshadaknackofneverfittinghim.Theyweremadetogrowinandsomehowhenevercaughtupwiththem，heoncesaid，withnointentionofbeingfunny.Hisfather，whowasColonelHook’snearestneighbor，keptamodestcountryshop，inwhichyoucouldbuyanything，fromdrygoodsandgroceriestoshoesandmedicines.YouwouldhavetobeveryingenioustoaskforathingwhichHenningcouldnotsupply.Thesmellinthestorecarriedoutthesameidea;foritwasamixtureofallimaginablesmellsunderthesun.
　　Now，itwasthechiefmiseryofMarcusthat，sleeping，ashedid，intheroombehindthestore，hehadbecomesoimpregnatedwiththiscuriouscompositesmellthatitfollowedhimlikeanodoriferoushalo，andprocuredhimanumberofunpleasantnicknames.Theprincipalingredientwassaltedherring;buttherewasalsoasuspicionoftarredropes，plugtobacco，prunes，driedcodfish，andoiledtarpaulin.
　　ItwasnotsomuchkindnessofheartasrespectforhisowndignitywhichmadeViggorefrainfromcallingMarcusa"Muskrat"
　　ora"Smelling—Bottle."AndyetMarcusregardedthisgraciousforbearanceonhispartasthemarkofanoblesoul.Hehadbeencompelledtoaccepttheseoffensivenicknames，and，findingrebellionvain，hehadfinallyacquiescedinthem.
　　Heneverlovedtobecalleda"Muskrat，"thoughheansweredtothenamemechanically.ButwhenViggoaddressedhimas"baseminion，"inhiswrath，oras"SergeantHenning，"inhissunniermoods，Marcusfeltequallycomplimentedbybothterms，andvowedinhisgratefulsouleternalallegianceandloyaltytohischief.
　　Heborekicksandcuffswiththesameadmirableequanimity;nevercomplainedwhenhewasthrownintoadungeoninadesertedpigstyforbreachesofdisciplineofwhichhewasentirelyguiltless，andtrudgeduncomplaininglythroughrainandsleetandsnow，asscoutorspy，orwhat—not，atthebehestofhisexactingcommander.
　　Itwasallsoveryrealtohimthatheneverwouldhavethoughtofdoubtingtheimportanceofhismission.Hewasratherhonoredbythetrustreposedinhim，andwasonlyintentuponearningalookorwordofscantapprovalfromthesuperbpersonagewhomheworshipped.
　　HalvorReitan，thechiefoftheEast—Siders，wasabig，burlypeasantlad，withapimpledface，fierceblueeyes，andashockoftowyhair.Buthehadmusclesashardastwistedropes，andsinewslikesteel.
　　Hehadthereputation，ofwhichhewasveryproud，ofbeingthestrongestboyinthevalley，andthoughhewasscarcelysixteenyearsold，heboastedthathecouldwhipmanyaoneoftwicehisyears.Hehad，infact，beensopraisedforhisstrengththatheneverneglectedtoaccept，oreventocreate，opportunitiesfordisplayingit.
　　Hismannerwasthatofabully;butitwasvanityandnotmalicewhichmadehimalwaysspoilforafight.HeandViggoHookhadattendedtheparson’s"ConfirmationClass，"together，anditwastheretheirhostilityhadcommenced.
　　Halvor，whoconceivedadislikeofthetall，ratherdainty，anddisdainfulViggo，withhisaquilinenoseandclear，aristocraticfeatures，determined，asheexpressedit，totakehimdownapegortwo;andthemorehischallengeswereignoredthemorepersistenthegrewinhisinsults.
　　HedubbedViggo"Missy."Heranagainsthimwithsuchviolenceinthehallthatheknockedhisheadagainstthewainscoting;hetrippedhimuponthestairsbymeansofcanesandsticks;andhehiredhispartisanswhosatbehindViggotostickpinsintohim，whileherecitedhislessons.Andwhenalltheseprovocationsprovedunavailinghedeterminedtodispensewithanypretext，butsimplythrashhisenemywithinaninchofhislifeatthefirstopportunitywhichpresenteditself.HegrewtohateViggoandwasalwaysachingtomolesthim.
　　HalvorsawplainlyenoughthatViggodespisedhim，andrefusedtonoticehischallenges，notsomuchbecausehewasafraidofhim，asbecauseheregardedhimselfasasuperiorbeingwhocouldaffordtoignoreinsultsfromaninferior，withoutlossofdignity.
　　Duringrecesstheso—called"genteelboys，"whohadbetterclothesandbettermannersthanthepeasantlads，separatedthemselvesfromtherest，andconversedorplayedwitheachother.Noonewillwonderthatsuchbehaviorwasexasperatingtothepoorerboys.IamfarfromdefendingViggo’sbehaviorinthisinstance.Hewashere，aseverywhere，theacknowledgedleader;andthereforemorecordiallyhatedthantherest.ItwastheRoundheadhatingtheCavalier;andtheCavaliermakingmerryattheexpenseoftheRoundhead.
　　TherewasonlyoneboyintheConfirmationClasswhowasdoubtfulastowhatcampshouldclaimhim，andthatwaslittleMarcusHenning.Hewasakindofamphibiousanimalwho，ashethought，reallybelongednowhere.Hisfatherwasofpeasantorigin，butbyhisprosperityandhisoccupationhadrisenoutoftheclasstowhichhewasformerlyattached，withoutyetrisingintotheranksofthegentry，whonow，asalways，lookedwithscornuponinterlopers.ThusitcametopassthatlittleMarcus，whoseinclinationsdrewhimtowardViggo’sparty，wasyetforcedtoassociatewiththepartisansofHalvorReitan.
　　Itwasnotavulgarambition"topretendtobebetterthanhewas"whichinspiredMarcuswithadesiretochangehisallegiance，butadeep，unreasoningadmirationforViggoHook.
　　Hehadneverseenanyonewhounitedsomanysuperbqualities，noronewholookedeveryinchasnobleashedid.
　　Itdidnotdiscouragehimintheleastthathisfirstapproachesmetwithnocordialreception.HisoffertocommunicatetoViggowheretherewasahawk’snestwascoollydeclined，andeventheattractionsoffoxdensandrabbits’burrowswerevaliantlyresisted.Betterluckhehadwithapairoffan—tailpigeons，hismostprecioustreasure，whichViggoratherloftilyconsentedtoaccept，for，likemostgenteelboysinthevalley，hewasanardentpigeon—fancier，andhadlongvainlyimportunedhisfathertoprocurehimsomeoftherarerbreedsHecondescendedtoacknowledgeMarcus’sgreetingafterthat，andtorespondtohisdiffident"Good—morning"and"Good—evening，"
　　andMarcuswasdulygratefulforsuchfavors.Hecontinuedtowoohisidolwithraisinsandginger—snapsfromthestore，andotherdelicateattentions，andborethesnubswhichoftenfelltohislotwithhumilityandpatience.
　　Butaneventsoonoccurredwhichwasdestinedtochangetherelationsofthetwoboys.HalvorReitancalledasecretmeetingofhispartisans，amongwhomhemadethemistaketoincludeMarcus，andagreedwiththemtolieinambushatthebendoftheroad，whereitenteredtheforest，andattackViggoHookandhisfollowers.Then，heobserved，hewould"makehimdanceajigthatwouldtakethestarchoutofhim."
　　Theothersdeclaredthatthiswouldbecapitalfun，andenthusiasticallypromisedtheirassistance.Eachoneselectedhisparticularantipathytothrash，thoughallshowedamarkedpreferenceforViggo，whom，however，forreasonofpoliteness，theywereobligedtoleavetothechief.Onlyoneboysatsilent，andmadenooffertothrashanybody，andthatwasMarcusHenning.
　　"Well，Muskrat，"criedHalvorReitan，"whomareyougoingtotakeonyourconscience？"
　　"Noone，"saidMarcus.
　　"PuttheMuskratinyourpocket，Halvor，"suggestedoneoftheboys;"heissosmall，andhehasgotsuchahardbullethead，youmightusehimasaclub."
　　"Well，onethingissure，"shoutedHalvor，asadarksuspicionshotthroughhisbrain，"ifyoudon’tkeepmum，youwillbeamightysickcoonthedayafterto—morrow."
　　Marcusmadenoreply，butgotupquietly，pulledarubberslingfromhispocket，andbegan，withthemostindifferentmannerintheworld，toshootstonesdowntheriver.Hemanagedduringthisexercise，whicheverybodyfoundperfectlynatural，togetoutofthecrowd，and，withoutseemingtohaveanypurposewhatever，hecontinuedtoputacoupleofhundredyardsbetweenhimselfandhiscompanion.
　　"Looka—here，Muskrat，"heheardHalvorcry，"youpromisedtokeepmum."
　　Marcus，insteadofanswering，tooktohisheelsandran.
　　"Boys，thescoundrelisgoingtobetrayus！"screamedthechief.
　　"Nowcome，boys！We’vegottocatchhim，deadoralive."
　　Avolleyofstones，bigandlittle，washurledafterthefugitive，whonowrealizinghispositionranfordearlife.Thestoneshaileddownroundabouthim;occasionallyoneviciousmissilewouldwhizpasthisear，andsendacoldshudderthroughhim.Thetrampofhispursuerssoundednearerandnearer，andhisonechanceofescapewastothrowhimselfintotheonlyboat，whichhesawonthissideoftheriver，andpushoutintothestreambeforehewasovertaken.
　　Hehadhisdoubtsastowhetherhecouldaccomplishthis，forthebloodrushedandroaredinhisears，thehill—sidebillowedunderhisfeet，anditseemedasifthetreeswereallrunningaraceintheoppositedirection，inordertobetrayhimtohisenemies.
　　Astonegavehimathumpintheback，butthoughhefeltagradualheatspreadingfromthespotwhichithit，hewasconsciousofnopain.
　　Presentlyalargermissilestruckhimintheneck，andheheardabreathlesssnortingclosebehindhim.Thatwastheend;hegavehimselfupforlost，forthoseboyswouldhavenomercyonhimiftheycapturedhim.
　　Butinthenextmomentheheardafallandanoath，andthevoicewasthatofHalvorReitan.Hebreathedalittlemorefreelyashesawtheriverrunwithitsswellingcurrentathisfeet.
　　Quitemechanically，withoutclearlyknowingwhathedid，hesprangintotheboat，grabbedaboat—hook，andwiththreestrongstrokespushedhimselfoutintothedeepwater.
　　Atthatinstantadozenofhispursuersreachedtheriverbank，andhesawdimlytheirangryfacesandthreateninggestures，andheardthestonesdropintothestreamabouthim.Fortunatelytheriverwaspartlydammed，inordertoaccumulatewaterforthemanysaw—millsunderthefalls.Itwouldthereforehavebeennoverydifficultfeattopaddleacross，ifhisachingarmshadhadanatomofstrengthleftinthem.Assoonashewasbeyondthereachofflyingstonesheseatedhimselfinthestern，tookanoar，andafterhavingbathedhisthrobbingforeheadinthecoldwater，managed，infifteenminutes，tomakethefurtherbank.
　　Thenhedraggedhimselfwearilyupthehill—sidetoColonelHook’smansion，andwhenhehadgivenhismessagetoViggo，fellintoadeadfaint.
　　HowcouldViggohelpbeingtouchedbysuchdevotion？Hehadseentheracethroughafieldglassfromhispigeon—cot，buthadbeenunabletomakeoutitsmeaning，norhadheremotelydreamedthathewashimselfthecauseofthecruelchase.Hecalledhismother，whosoonperceivedthatMarcus’scoatwassaturatedwithbloodintheback，andundressinghim，shefoundthatastone，hurledbyasling，hadstruckhim，slidafewinchesalongtherib，andhadlodgedinthefleshypartofhisleftside.
　　Adoctorwasnowsentfor;thestonewascutoutwithoutdifficulty，andMarcuswasinvitedtoremainasViggo’sguestuntilherecovered.Hefeltsohonoredbythisinvitationthathesecretlyprayedhemightremainillforamonth;butthewoundshowedanabominablereadinesstoheal，andbeforethreedayswerepastMarcuscouldnotfeignanyailmentwhichhisfaceandeyedidnotbelie.
　　Hethen，withaheavyheart，betookhimselfhomeward，andinstalledhimselfoncemoreamonghisaccustomedsmellsbehindthestore，andponderedsadlyonthecapriceofthefatewhichhadmadeViggoahigh—nosed，handsomegentleman，andhim——MarcusHenning——anunder—grown，homely，andunrefineddrudge.Butinspiteofhisfailuretoanswerthisquestion，therewasjoywithinhimatthethoughtthathehadsavedthishandsomefaceofViggo’sfromdisfigurement，and——whocouldknow？——perhapswouldearnaclaimuponhisgratitude.
　　ItwasthisseriesofincidentswhichledtothewarbetweentheEast—SidersandtheWest—Siders.ItwasamereaccidentthatthepartisansofViggoHooklivedonthewestsideoftheriver，andthoseofHalvorReitanmostlyontheeastside.
　　Viggo，whohadachivalroussenseoffairplay，wouldneverhavemolestedanyonewithoutgoodcause;butnowhisownsafety，and，ashepersuadedhimself，evenhislife，wasindanger，andhehadnochoicebuttotakemeasuresinself—defence.Hesurroundedhimselfwithatrustybody—guard，whichattendedhimwhereverhewent.HesentlittleMarcus，inwhomherecognizedhismostdevotedfollower，asscoutintotheenemy’sterritory，andswelledhisimportanceenormouslybylendinghimhisfield—glasstoassisthiminhisperilousobservations.
　　OccasionallyanunhappyEast—Siderwascapturedonthewestbankoftheriver，court—martialed，and，withmuchsolemnity，sentencedtodeathasaspy，butparoledforanindefiniteperiod，untilitshouldsuithisjudgestoexecutethesentence.
　　TheEast—Siders，whentheycapturedaWest—Sider，wenttoworkwithlessceremony;theysimplythrashedtheircaptivesoundlyandlethimrun，ifrunhecould.
　　Thusmonthspassed.Theparson’sConfirmationClassceased，andboththeopposingchieftainswereconfirmedonthesameday;butViggostoodattheheadofthecandidates，whileHalvorhadhisplaceatthebottom.[1]
　　[1]InNorwayconfirmationisalwaysprecededbyapublicexaminationofthecandidatesintheaisleofthechurch.Theorderinwhichtheyarearrangedissupposedtoindicatetheirattainments，butdoes，asarule，indicatetherankandsocialpositionoftheirparents.
　　Duringthefollowingwinterthewarwasprosecutedwithmuchzeal，andtheWest—Siders，inimitationofRobinHoodandhisMerryMen，armedthemselveswithcross—bows，andlayinambushintheunderbrush，aimingtheirswiftarrowsagainstanyintruderwhoventuredtocrosstheriver.
　　Nearlyalltheboysinthevalleybetweentwelveandsixteenbecameenlistedontheonesideortheother，andtherewerecouncilsofwar，marches，andcounter—marcheswithoutnumber，occasionalskirmishes，butnodecisiveengagements.PeerOestmo，tobesure，hadhiseyeputoutbyanarrow，ashasalreadybeenrelated，fortheEast—Siderswerenotslowtoimitatetheexampleoftheirenemies，inbecomingexpertarchers.
　　MarcusHenningwascapturedbyahostileoutpost，andwasbeingconductedtotheabodeofthechief，when，byacleverstratagem，hesucceededinmakinghisescape.
　　TheEast—Sidersdespatched，underaflagoftruce，amostinsultingcaricatureofGeneralViggo，representinghimasaroosterthatseemedonthepointofburstingwithanexcessofdignity.
　　Thesewerethechiefincidentsofthewinter，thoughthereweremanyothersoflessconsequencethatservedtokeeptheboysinadelightfulstateofexcitement.Theyenjoyedthewarkeenly，thoughtheypretendedtothemselvesthattheywerebeingill—usedandsufferedterriblehardships.Theygrumbledattheirduties，broughtcomplaintsagainsttheirofficerstothegeneral，anddid，infact，allthethingsthatrealsoldierswouldhavebeenlikelytodoundersimilarcircumstances.
　　II.
　　THECLASHOFARMS
　　WhenthespringislateinNorway，andtheheatcomeswithasuddenrush，themountainstreamsplungewithatremendousnoisedownintothevalleys，andtheairisfilledfarandnearwiththeboomandroarofrushingwaters.Theglaciersgroan，andsendtheirmilk—whitetorrentsdowntowardtheocean.Thesnow—patchesintheforestglenslookgrayandsoiled，andthepinesperspireadeliciousresinousodorwhichcheersthesoulwiththeconvictionthatspringhascome.
　　Butthepeasantlooksanxiouslyatthesunandtheriveratsuchtimes，forheknowsthatthereisdangerofinundation.Thelumber，whichthespringfloodssetafloatinenormousquantities，iscarriedbytheriverstothecitiesbythesea;
　　thereitissortedaccordingtothemarkitbears，showingtheproprietor，andexportedtoforeigncountries.
　　Inordertopreventlog—jams，whichareoftenattendedwithterribledisasters，menarestationednightanddayatthenarrowsoftherivers.Theboys，towhomallexcitementiswelcome，areapttocongregateinlargenumbersatsuchplaces，assistingorannoyingthewatchers，ridingonthelogs，orteasingthegirlswhostanduponthehillside，admiringthedaringfeatsofthelumbermen.
　　Itwasonsuchaspringday，whentheairwaspungentwiththesmellofsproutingbirchandpine，thatGeneralViggoandhistrustyarmyhadbetakenthemselvestothecataracttoshareinthesport.Theywerearmedwiththeirbows，asusual，knowingthattheywerealwaysliabletobesurprisedbytheirvigilantenemy.Norweretheyinthisinstancedisappointed，forHalvorReitan，withfiftyorsixtyfollowers，waspresentlyvisibleontheeastside，anditwasaforegoneconclusionthatiftheymettherewouldbeabattle.
　　Theriver，tobesure，separatedthem，butthelogswereattimessodenselypackedthatitwaspossibleforadaringladtorunfaroutintotheriver，shoothisarrowandreturntoshore，leapingfromlogtolog.TheReitanpartywasthefirsttobeginthissport，andanarrowhitGeneralViggo’shatbeforehegaveorderstorepeltheassault.
　　Coolanddignifiedashewas，hecouldnotconsenttoskipandjumpontheslipperylogs，particularlyashehadnoexperienceinthisdifficultexercise，whiletheenemyapparentlyhadmuch.
　　Payingnoheedtothejeersofthelumbermen，whosupposedhewasafraid，hedrewhistroopsupinlineandaddressedthemasfollows：
　　"Soldiers：Youhaveonmanypreviousoccasionsgivenmeproofofyourfidelitytodutyandyourbraveandfearlessspirit.IknowthatIcan，nowasalways，trustyoutoshedgloryuponourarms，andtomaintainournoblefameandhonorabletraditions.
　　"Theenemyisbeforeus.Youhaveheardandseenhischallenge.
　　Itbehoovesustorespondgallantly.Tojumpandskiplikerabbitsisunmilitaryandunsoldierlike.Iproposethateachofusshallselecttwolargelogs，tiethemtogether，procure，ifpossible，aboat—hookoranoar，and，sittingastridethelogs，boldlypushoutintotheriver.Ifwecanadvanceinatolerablyevenline，whichIthinkquitepossible，wecansendsodeadlyachargeintotheranksofouradversariesthattheywillbecompelledtoflee.Thenwewilllandontheeastside，occupytheheights，androutourfoe.
　　"Nowleteachmandohisduty.Forward，march！"
　　Thelumbermen，whosesympathieswerewiththeEast—Siders，foundthisperformancehighlydiverting，butViggoallowedhimselfinnowisetobedisturbedbytheirlaughterorjeers.Hemarchedhistroopsdowntotheriver—front，commanded"Restarms！"andrepeatedoncemorehisinstructions;then，flingingoffhiscoatandwaistcoat，heseizedaboat—hookandransomehundredyardsalongthebankofthestream.
　　Theriver—bedwashereexpandedtoawidebasin，inwhichthelogsfloatedlazilydowntothecataractbelow.Treesandunderbrush，whichusuallystoodondryland，werehalf—submergedintheyellowwater，andthecurrentgurgledslowlyabouttheirtrunkswithmuddyfoamandbubbles.Nowandthenaheapoflumberwouldgetwedgedinbetweenthejuttingrocksabovethewaterfall，andthenthecurrentslackened，onlytobesuddenlyaccelerated，whentheexertionsofthemenhadagainremovedtheobstruction.
　　Itwasanexcitingspectacletoseethesedaringfellowsleapfromlogtolog，withbirch—barkshoesontheirfeet.Theywouldrideonaheapoflumberdowntotheveryedgeofthecataract，dexterouslyjumpoffatthecriticalmoment，andafterhalfadozennarrowescapes，reachtheshore，onlytorepeatthedangerousexperiment，assoonasthenextopportunityoffereditself.
　　Itwastheexampleofthesehardyandagilelumbermen，trainedfromchildhoodtosportwithdanger，whichinspiredViggoandhisfollowerswithadesiretoshowtheirmettle.
　　"SergeantHenning，"saidtheGeneraltohisever—faithfulshadow，"takeasquadoffivemenwithyou，andcutsteering—polesforthoseforwhomboat—hookscannotbeprocured.Youwillbethelasttoleaveshore.Reporttomeifanyonefailstoobeyorders."
　　"Shallbedone，General，"Marcusresponded，withadeferentialmilitarysalute.
　　"Thebows，youunderstand，willbeslungbythestrapsacrossthebacksofthemen，whiletheysteerandpushwiththeirpoles."
　　"Certainly，General，"saidMarcus，withanothersalute.
　　"Youmaygo."
　　"Allright，General，"answeredMarcus，withathirdsalute.
　　Andnowbeganthebattle.TheEast—Siders，fearingthatastratagemwasintended，whentheysawtheenemymovingupthestream，madehastetofollowtheirexample，capturingontheirwayeverystraylogthatcamealong.Theysentineffectualshowersofarrowsintothewater，whilethebraveGeneralViggo，stridingtwobiglogswhichhehadtiedtogetherwithapieceofrope，andwithaboat—hookinhishand，pushedproudlyattheheadofhisarmyintothemiddleofthewidebasin.
　　HalvorReitanwascleverenoughtoseewhatitmeant，andhewasnotgoingtoallowtheWest—Siderstogaintheheightsabovehim，andattackhimintherear.Hemeanttopreventtheenemyfromlanding，or，stillbetter，hewouldmeethimhalf—way，anddrivehimbacktohisownshore.
　　Thelatter，thoughnotthewisercourse，wastheplanwhichHalvorReitanadopted.Tohaveatusslewiththehigh—nosedViggointhemiddleofthebasin，todislodgehimfromhisraft——thatseemedtoHalvoradelightfulproject.HeknewthatViggowasagoodswimmer，sohefearednodangerousconsequences;
　　andevenifhehad，itwouldnothaverestrainedhim.HewassomuchstrongerthanViggo，andherewashismuch—longed—foropportunity.
　　Withgreatdespatchhemadehimselfaraftoftwologs，andseatinghimselfastridethem，withhislegsinthewater，putofffromshore.Heshoutedtohismentofollowhim，andtheyneedednourging.Viggowasnownearthemiddleofthebasin，withtwentyorthirtypickedarchersclosebehindhim.Theyfiredvolleyaftervolleyofarrowsagainsttheenemy，andtwicedrovehimbacktotheshore.
　　ButHalvorReitan，shieldinghisfacewithapieceofbarkwhichhehadpickedup，pushedforwardinspiteoftheironslaught，thoughonearrowknockedoffhisred—peakedcap，andanotherscratchedhisear.Nowhewasbutadozenfeetfromhisfoe.Hecaredlittleforhisbownow;theboat—hookwasafarmoreeffectualweapon.
　　Viggosawataglancethathemeanttopullhisrafttowardhim，and，relyinguponhisgreaterstrength，flinghimintothewater.
　　Hisfirstplanwouldthereforebetofencewithhisownboat—
　　hook，soastokeephisantagonistatadistance.
　　WhenHalvormadethefirstlungeatthenoseofhisraft，hefoiledtheattemptwithhisownweapon，andmanageddexterouslytogivethehostileraftadownwardpush，whichincreasedthedistancebetweenthem.
　　"Takecare，General！"saidarespectfulvoiceclosetoViggo’sear."Thereisasmalllogjamdownbelow，whichisgettingbiggereverymoment.Whenitisgotafloat，itwillbedangerousouthere."
　　"Whatareyoudoinghere，Sergeant？"askedtheGeneral，severely."DidInottellyoutobethelasttoleavetheshore？"
　　"Youdid，General，"Marcusreplied，meekly，"andIobeyed.ButI
　　havepushedtothefrontsoastobenearyou."
　　"Idon’tneedyou，Sergeant，"Viggoresponded，"youmaygototherear."
　　TheboomingofthecataractnearlydrownedhisvoiceandMarcuspretendednottohearit.Ahugelumbermasswaspilingitselfupamongtherocksjuttingoutoftherapids，andadozenmenhanginglikefliesonthelogs，sprangupanddownwithaxesintheirhands.Theycutoneloghereandanotherthere;shoutedcommands;andfellintotheriveramidthederisivejeersofthespectators;theyscrambledoutagainand，drippingwet，settoworkoncemorewithacheerfulheart，tothemightymusicofthecataract，whosethunderingrhythmtrembledandthrobbedintheair.
　　Theboyswhoweresteeringtheirraftsagainsteachotherinthecomparativelyplacidbasinweretooabsorbedintheirmimicbattletoheedwhatwasgoingonbelow.HalvorandViggowerefightingdesperatelywiththeirboat—hooks，theoneattackingandtheotherdefendinghimselfwithgreatdexterity.Theyscarcelyperceived，intheirexcitement，thatthecurrentwasdraggingthemslowlytowardthecataract;nordidtheynotethewarningcriesofthemenandwomenonthebanks.
　　Viggo’sbloodwashot，histemplesthrobbed，hiseyesflashed.
　　Hewouldshowthismiserableclownwhohaddaredtoinsulthim，thatthetrainedskillofagentlemanisworthmorethantherudestrengthofabully.Withbeautifulprecisionhefoiledeveryattack;struckHalvor’sboat—hookupanddown，sothatthewatersplashedabouthim，manoeuvringatthesametimehisownraftwithadmirableadroitness.
　　Cheeruponcheerrenttheair，aftereachofhissuccessfulsallies，andhiscomrades，selectingtheirantagonistsfromamongtheenemy，nowpressedforward，alleagertobeartheirpartinthefray.
　　Splash！splash！splash！oneEast—Siderwasdismounted，gotaninvoluntarybath，butscrambleduponhisraftagain.ThenexttimeitwasaWest—Siderwhogotaducking，butseemednonetheworseforit.Therewasayellingandacheering，nowfromonesideandnowfromtheother，whichmadeeveryoneforgetthatsomethingwasgoingonatthatmomentofgreaterimportancethanthemimicwarfareofboys.
　　Alltheinterestofthecontendingpartieswasconcentratedonthedueloftheirchieftains.ItseemednowreallythatHalvorwasgettingtheworstofit.Hecouldnotgetcloseenoughtousehisbrawnymuscles;andinprecisionofaimandadroitnessofmovementhewasnotViggo’smatch.
　　Againandagainhethrusthislong—handledboat—hookangrilyagainstthebottom（forthefloodedpartsofthebankswereveryshallow），topushtheraftforward，buteverytimeViggomanagedtoturnitsideward，andHalvorhadtoexertallhispresenceofmindtokeephisseat.Wildwithragehespranguponhisslenderraftandmadeaviciouslungeathisopponent，whowardedtheblowwithsuchforcethatthehandleoftheboat—hookbroke，andHalvorlosthisbalanceandfellintothewater.
　　Atthissameinstantatremendouscrashwasheardfrombelow，followedbyalongrumbleasofmightyartillery.Ascreamofhorrorwentupfromthebanks，asthegreatlumbermassrolleddownintothecataract，makingasuddensuctionwhichitseemedimpossiblethattheunhappyboyscouldresist.
　　Themajorityofbothsides，seeingtheirdanger，beat，bymeansoftheirboat—hooks，ahastyretreat，andastheywereinshallowwaterwerehauledashorebythelumbermen，whosprangintotherivertosavethem.
　　Whenthecloudsofsprayhadclearedaway，onlythreefigureswerevisible.Viggo，stillastrideofhisraft，wasfighting，notforhisownlife，butforthatofhisenemy，Halvor，whowasstrugglinghelplesslyinthewhiterapids.ClosebehindhiscommanderstoodlittleMarcusonhisraft，holdingon，withonehandtotheboat—hookwhichhehadhewn，withallhismight，intoViggo’sraft，andwiththeothergraspingthebranchofahalf—submergedtree.
　　"Saveyourself，General！"heyelled，wildly."Letgothere.I
　　can’tholdonmuchlonger."
　　ButViggodidnotheed.Hesawnothingbutthepale，frightenedfaceofhisantagonist，whomightlosehislife.Withadesperateeffortheflunghisboat—hooktowardhimandsucceededthistimeinlayingholdoftheleathergirdleabouthiswaist.
　　Onehundredfeetbelowyawnedthefoaming，welteringabyss，fromwhichthewhitesmokeascended.IfMarcuslosthisgrip，ifthebranchsnappednohumanpowercouldsavethem;theywerealldeadmen.
　　Bythistimethepeopleontheshorehaddiscoveredthatthreeliveswerehangingonthebrinkofeternity.Twentymenhadwadedwaist—deepintothecurrentandhadflungastoutropetothenoblelittlefellowwhowasriskinghisownlifeforhisfriend.
　　"Keepyourhold，mybravelad！"theycried;"holdonanotherminute！"
　　"Grabtherope！"screamedothers.
　　Marcusclinchedhisteeth，andhisnumbarmstrembled，mistgatheredinhiseyes——hisheartstoodstill.Butwithaclutchthatseemedsuperhumanheheldon.Hehadbutonethought——
　　Viggo，hischief！Viggo，hisidol！Viggo，hisgeneral！Hemustsavehimordiewithhim.Oneendoftheropewashangingonthebranchandwaswithineasyreach;buthedidnotventuretoseizeit，lestthewrenchcausedbyhismotionmightdetachhisholdonViggo’sraft.
　　Viggo，whojustnowwaspullingHalvoroutofthewater，sawinaninstantthathehadbyaddinghisweighttotheraft，increasedthechanceofbothbeingcarriedtotheirdeath.Withquickresolutionheplungedthebeakofhisownboat—hookintoMarcus’sraft，andshoutedtoHalvortosavehimself.Thelatter，takinginthesituationataglance，laidholdofthehandleoftheboat—hookandtogethertheypulledupalongsideofMarcusandleapedaboardhisraft，whereuponViggo’sraftdrifteddownwardandvanishedinaflashintheyellowtorrent.
　　AtthatveryinstantMarcus’sstrengthgaveout;herelaxedhisgriponthebranch，whichslidoutofhishand，andtheywouldinevitablyhavedartedoverthebrinkofthecataractifViggohadnot，withgreatadroitness，snatchedtheropefromthebranchofthehalf—submergedtree.
　　Awildshout，halfacheer，halfacryofrelief，wentupfromthebanks，astheraftwiththethreeladswasslowlyhauledtowardtheshorebythelumbermenwhohadthrowntherope.
　　HalvorReitanwasthefirsttostepashore.Butnojoyouswelcomegreetedhimfromthosewhosesympathieshad，alittlewhileago，beenallonhisside.Hehungarounduneasilyforsomeminutes，feelingperhapsthatheoughttosaysomethingtoViggowhohadsavedhislife，butashecouldnotthinkofanythingwhichdidnotseemfoolish，heskulkedawayunnoticedtowardtheedgeoftheforest.
　　ButwhenViggosteppedashore，carryingtheunconsciousMarcusinhisarms，howthecrowdrushedforwardtogazeathim，topresshishands，tocalldownGod’sblessinguponhim！Hehadneverimaginedthathewassuchahero.ItwasMarcus，nothe，towhomtheirovationwasdue.ButpoorMarcus——itwaswellforhimthathehadfaintedfromover—exertion;forotherwisehewouldhavefaintedfromembarrassmentatthehonorswhichwouldhavebeenshowereduponhim.
　　TheWest—Siders，marchingtwoabreast，withtheirbowsslungacrosstheirshoulders，escortedtheirgeneralhome，cheeringandshoutingastheywent.Whentheywerehalf—wayupthehillside，Marcusopenedhiseyes，andfindinghimselfsoclosetohisbelovedgeneral，blushedcrimson，scarlet，andpurple，andalltheothershadesthatanembarrassedblushiscapableofassuming.
　　"Please，General，"hestammered，"don’tbotheraboutme."
　　Viggohadthoughtofmakingaspeechexaltingtheheroismofhisfaithfulfollower.ButhesawataglancethathispraisewouldbemoregratefultoMarcus，ifhereceiveditinprivate.
　　When，however，theboysgavehimapartingcheer，infrontofhisfather’smansion，heforgothisresolution，leapeduponthesteps，andliftingtheblushingMarcusabovehishead;calledout：
　　"ThreecheersforthebravestboyinNorway！"
　　BICEPSGRIMLUND’SCHRISTMASVACATION
　　I.
　　ThegreatquestionwhichAlbertGrimlundwasdebatingwasfraughtwithunpleasantpossibilities.HecouldnotgohomefortheChristmasvacation，forhisfatherlivedinDrontheim，whichissofarawayfromChristianiathatitwasscarcelyworthwhilemakingthejourneyforameretwo—weeks’holiday.Then，ontheotherhand，hehadanoldgreat—auntwholivedbutafewmilesfromthecity.Shehad，fromconscientiousmotives，hefeared，senthimaninvitationtopassChristmaswithher.ButAlberthadapooropinionofAuntElsbeth.Hethoughtheraverytediousperson.Shehadadozencats，talkedofnothingbutsermonsandlessons，andaskedhimoccasionally，withpleasanthumor，whetherhegotmanywhippingsatschool.ShefailedtocomprehendthataboycouldnotamusehimselfforeverbylookingatthepicturesintheoldfamilyBible，holdingyarn，andlisteningtooft—repeatedstories，whichheknewbyheart，concerningthedoingsandsayingsofhisgrandfather.AuntElsbeth，afterapreviousexperiencewithhernephew，hadcometoregardboysasratherareprehensiblekindofanimal，whodifferedinmanyoftheirwaysfromgirls，andaltogethertotheboys’disadvantage.
　　Now，theprospectofbeing"caged"fortwoweekswiththisestimableladywas，asIsaid，notatallpleasanttoAlbert.Hewassixteenyearsold，lovedout—doorsports，andhadnotasteforcats.Hischiefpridewashismuscle，andnoboyevermadehisacquaintancewithoutbeinginvitedtofeelthesizeandhardnessofhisbiceps.ThiswasastandingjokeintheLatinschool，andAlbertwasgenerallyknownamonghiscompanionsas"Biceps"Grimlund.Hewasnotverytallforhisage，butbroad—shoulderedanddeep—chested，withsomethinginhisglance，hisgait，andhismannerswhichshowedthathehadbeenbornandbrednearthesea.Hecultivatedaweather—beatencomplexion，andwasparticularlyproudwhentheskin"peeled"onhisnose，whichitusuallydidinthesummer—time，duringhisvisitstohishomeintheextremenorth.Likemostblondpeople，whensunburnt，hewasred，notbrown;andthisbecameasourceofgreatsatisfactionwhenhelearnedthatLordNelsonhadthesamepeculiarity.Albert’sfavoritebookswerethesearomancesofCaptainMarryat，whose"PeterSimple"and"MidshipmanEasy"heheldtobethenoblestproductsofhumangenius.Itwasabitterdisappointmenttohimthathisfatherforbadehisgoingtoseaandwaseducatinghimtobea"landlubber，"whichhehadbeentaughtbyhisboyassociatestoregardasthemostcontemptiblethingonearth.
　　TwodaysbeforeChristmas，BicepsGrimlundwassittinginhisroom，lookinggloomilyoutofthewindow.HewishedtopostponeaslongaspossiblehisdepartureforAuntElsbeth’scountry—place，forheforesawthatbothheandsheweredoomedtoasurfeitofeachother’scompanyduringthecomingfortnight.
　　Atlastheheavedadeepsighandlanguidlybegantopackhistrunk.HehadjustdisposedthedearMarryatbooksontopofhisstarchedshirts，whenheheardrapidfootstepsonthestairs，andthenextmomentthedoorburstopen，andhisclassmate，RalphHoyer，rushedbreathlesslyintotheroom.
　　"Biceps，"hecried，"lookatthis！Hereisaletterfrommyfather，andhetellsmetoinviteoneofmyclassmatestocomehomewithmeforthevacation.Willyoucome？Oh，weshallhavegrandtimes，Itellyou！Noendoffun！"
　　Albert，insteadofanswering，jumpedupanddancedajigonthefloor，upsettingtwochairsandbreakingthewash—pitcher.
　　"Hurrah！"hecried，"I’myourman.Shakehandsonit，Ralph！
　　Youhavesavedmefromtwoweeksofcatsandyarnandmoping！
　　Giveusyourpaw！Ineverwassogladtoseeanybodyinallmylife."
　　Andtoproveit，heseizedRalphbytheshoulders，gavehimavigorouswhirlandforcedhimtojoininthedance.
　　"Now，stopyournonsense，"Ralphprotested，laughing;"ifyouhavesomuchstrengthtowaste，waittillweareathomeinSolheim，andyou’llhaveachancetouseitprofitably."
　　Albertflunghimselfdownonhisoldrep—coveredsofa.Itseemedtohavesomeinternaldisorder，foritsspringsrattledandavaguemusicaltwangindicatedthatsomethingorotherhadsnapped.Ithadseenmuchmaltreatment，thatpooroldpieceoffurniture，andborevisiblemarksofit.When，aftervariousexhibitionsofjoy，theirboisterousdelighthadquieteddown，bothboysbegantodiscusstheirplansforthevacation.
　　"ButIfearmygroommayfreeze，downthereinthestreet，"Ralphejaculated，cuttingshortthediscussion;"itisbittercold，andhecan’tleavethehorses.Hurryup，now，oldman，andI’llhelpyoupack."
　　Itdidnottakethemlongtocompletethepacking.Albertsentatelegramtohisfather，askingpermissiontoacceptRalph’sinvitation;but，knowingwellthatthereplywouldbefavorable，didnotthinkitnecessarytowaitforit.Withtheassistanceofhisfriendhenowwrappedhimselfintwoovercoats，pulledapairofthickwoollenstockingsovertheoutsideofhisbootsandapairoffur—linedtop—bootsoutsideofthese，girdedhimselfwiththreelongscarfs，andpulledhisbrownotter—skincapdownoverhisears.Hewasnearlyasbroadashewaslong，whenhehadcompletedtheseoperations，anddescendedintothestreetwherethebigdouble—sleigh（madeintheshapeofahugewhiteswan）wasawaitingthem.TheynowcalledatRalph’slodgings，whencehepresentlyemergedinasimilarEsquimaucostume，wearingawolf—skincoatwhichleftnothingvisibleexceptthetipofhisnoseandthesteamofhisbreath.Thentheystartedoffmerrilywithjinglingbells，andwavedafarewelltowardmanyawindow，whereinwerefriendsandacquaintances.Theyfeltinsojollyamood，thattheycouldnothelpshoutingtheirjoyinthefaceofalltheworld，andcrowingoverallpoorwretcheswhowerelefttospendtheholidaysinthecity.
　　II.
　　Solheimwasabouttwentymilesfromthecity，anditwasnineo’clockintheeveningwhentheboysarrivedthere.Themoonwasshiningbrightly，andtheMilkyWay，withitsmyriadstars，lookedlikealuminousmistacrossthevaultofthesky.Theauroraborealissweptdownfromthenorthwithwhiteandpinkradiationswhichflushedthedarkblueskyforaninstant，andvanished.Theearthwaswhite，asfarastheeyecouldreach——splendidly，dazzlinglywhite.AndoutofthewhiteradiancerosethegreatdarkpileofmasonrycalledSolheim，withitstallchimneysanddormer—windowsandold—fashionedgables.Roundaboutstoodthetallleaflessmaplesandchestnut—trees，sparklingwithfrostandstretchingtheirgauntarmsagainsttheheavens.Thetwohorses，whentheyswungupbeforethegreatfront—door，weresowhitewithhoar—frostthattheylookedshaggylikegoats，andnoonecouldtellwhatwastheiroriginalcolor.
　　Theirbreathwasblownintwovaporycolumnsfromtheirnostrilsanddriftedabouttheirheadslikesteamaboutalocomotive.
　　Thesleigh—bellshadannouncedthearrivaloftheguests，andagreatshoutofwelcomewasheardfromthehallofthehouse，whichseemedalivewithgrownuppeopleandchildren.Ralphjumpedoutofthesleigh，embracedatrandomhalfadozenpeople，oneofwhomwashismother，kissedrightandleft，protestinglaughinglyagainstbeingsmotheredinaffection，andfinallymanagedtointroducehisfriend，whoforthemomentwasfeelingatriflelonely.
　　"Here，father，"hecried."Biceps，thisismyfather;and，father，thisismyBiceps————"
　　"Whatstuffyouaretalking，boy，"hisfatherexclaimed."Howcanthisyoungfellowbeyourbiceps————"
　　"Well，howcanamankeephissensesinsuchconfusion？"saidthesonofthehouse."Thisismyfriendandclassmate，AlbertGrimlund，aliasBicepsGrimlund，andthestrongestmaninthewholeschool.Justfeelhisbiceps，mother，andyou’llsee."
　　"No，Ithankyou.I’lltakeyourwordforit，"repliedMrs.
　　Hoyer."AsIintendtotreathimasafriendofmysonshouldbetreated，Ihopehewillnotfeelinclinedtogivemeanyproofofhismuscularity."
　　When，withtheaidoftheyoungerchildren，thetravellershaddivestedthemselvesoftheirvariouswrapsandovercoats，theywereusheredintotheold—fashionedsitting—room.Inonecornerroaredanenormous，many—storied，ironstove.Ithadapictureinrelief，ononeside，ofDianatheHuntress，withhernymphsandbayinghounds.Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodabigtable，andinthemiddleofthetableabiglamp，aboutwhichtheentirefamilysoongathered.ItwassocoseyandhomelikethatAlbert，beforehehadbeenhalfanhourintheroom，feltgratefullytheatmosphereofmutualaffectionwhichpervadedthehouse.Itamusedhimparticularlytowatchthelittlegirls，ofwhomthereweresix，andtoobservetheirprofoundadmirationfortheirbigbrother.Everynowandthenoneofthem，sidlinguptohimwhilehesattalking，wouldcautiouslytouchhisearoracurlofhishair;andifhedeignedtotakeanynoticeofher，offeringher，perhaps，aperfunctorykiss，herprideandpleasurewerecharmingtowitness.