i64 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



fortnight without food or fire in a dark ocean cave, 

 who could find means of leaving his prison, and could 

 spirit away a large boat — such a one was not likely 

 to have perished on the sea. Yes, without doubt, the 

 Denschman would return to XJnst ; " and Heaven help 

 us when he comes ! " said the islanders. 



Then it happened one autumn afternoon that 

 a stranger vessel was seen, on the Westing Bicht, 

 making tacks for the isle. The people had always 

 cause to suspect an unknown sail, and they watched 

 the stranger's approach with some fear. As he drew 

 nearer, it was observed that he closely resembled the 

 I!7'ne of old, but carried the white flag of peace. The 

 Norland pirates ever scorned to conceal their true 

 character, which was never a treacherous one, but 

 flaunted their ruthless blood-red colours in the face of 

 day. If a viking hoisted the white banner, he meant 

 peace ; and so well was this known, and so thoroughly 

 could all men trust in the good faith of a viking, that 

 the islanders instantly sent off a boat to the vessel, 

 though they suspected it was a pirate ship. The 

 stranger had a boat in tow, and when the islanders 

 came near he lay-to and allowed them to come along- 

 side of his convoy. What was the fishermen's astonish- 

 ment to find that the boat was no other than that of 

 the Unst udaller ! 



Then a stern voice spoke from the ship. " Come 

 not nearer," it said, in a patois half-Danish, half- 

 English, which the Hialtlanders could interpret well 



