OSLA'S WEDDING. 319 



smooth and their high crests ceased so break. Mean- 

 time, Ned seized one of the fishing-buoys — an inflated 

 sheepskin, to which a long line was attached — and 

 threw it overboard. The tearing wind carried the light 

 messenger on its errand of rescue fast to leeward. The 

 poor castaway apprehended the situation at a glance, 

 caught the buoy, which was skilfully guided to his very 

 hand, gave two turns and a hitch of the line round his 

 arms, lest he should lose consciousness — for, like most 

 Shetland fishermen, he could not swim a stroke — and 

 the next instant he was being hauled through the water, 

 and was soon on board Ned's boat. He was the only 

 man of the ill-fated crew that was saved ; the others 

 had disappeared beneath the waves. Ned set sail 

 once more, and reached land in safety. 



Strange to say, he did not pay Osla a visit for more 

 than a fortnight after this, and when at last he did 

 come, she reproached him gently. " Why didn't you 

 come to see me all this time, Ned ? I wanted so much 

 to thank you for your brave conduct in saving my 

 father's life yon dreadful morning. The whole island 

 is ringing with it." 



" I didn't want you to thank me," Ned replied. 

 " I did no more than Magnus would have done for 

 me, if I had been in his place and he in mine." 



Tlien Osla broke down, and sobbed in an incoherent 

 half-hysterical manner, a very natural and pardonable 

 proceeding on her part, in the circumstances, but one 

 which Ned did not understand ; but, brave lad as he 

 was, he was also very soft-hearted, and Osla's tears 



