The uncertainty lasted for a quarter of an hour, and never in his life
had Salvé seen so heavy a countenance as that with which Beck, whose
expression discovered a trace of doubt, looked at him, evidently
hesitating whether he should not take the command again himself.

But in the mean time the gleam of light shone forth again--whatever
might have been the cause of its obscuration--and that night Salvé
Kristiansen brought the Juno safely into Merdö.




CHAPTER VII.


Out on Little Torungen meanwhile noteworthy events had occurred, which
were now the talk of the town.

Old Jacob had had a stroke the week before, and had died the same night
the Juno had had her wrestle for life. In the preceding two days of fog
and storm they had heard many signal-guns of distress, and his
granddaughter had during that time kept up the fire alone at night. It
was only as he was drawing his last breath, and she sat by his side and
bent over him, forgetful of aught else, that it was for a while
neglected; and it was this little moment that had caused Salvé such a
_mauvais quart d'heure_ on board the Juno. On the following day, in her
despair, she had attempted a perilous journey over the drift ice to
bring people out to her assistance, and had been taken up by a boat and
brought in by it to Arendal.