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Oddo tossed up his cap, cold as the night was, so delighted was he to have scared away the bird which had for a moment scared him. He hushed his mirth, however, when he perceived that lights were wandering in the yard, and that there were voices approaching. He saw that the household were alarmed about him, and were coming forth to search for him.
"Perhaps he was making for the best fishing-ground as fast as he could." "We shall see that by the fish he brings home." "True. By supper-time we shall know." "Hund will not be home by supper-time," said Oddo, decidedly. "Why not? Come, say out what you mean." "Well, I will tell you what I saw. I watched him rowing as fast as his arm and the tide would carry him.
"It is likely," said Oddo; "but thinking that some man must have put it there, I should like to see whether it really is impossible for one with a strong hand and light foot to mount this wall. I brought our longest boat-hook on purpose to try. Where a ladder hung before, a foot must have climbed; and if I mount, Rolf may have mounted before me."
As the search-party crowded in among the women, and pushed all before them into the large warm room, M. Kollsen was seen standing on the stair-head, wrapped in the bear-skin coverlid. "Is the boy there?" he inquired. Oddo showed himself. "How much have you seen of Nipen, hey?" "Nobody ever had a better sight of it, sir. It was as plain as I see you now, and no further off."
When seriously questioned, Oddo had no wish to say anything but the truth; and he admitted the whole, that he had eaten the entire cake, drunk all the ale, seen a fox and an owl, and heard the echoes in answer to himself. As he finished his story, Hund, who was perhaps the most eager listener of all, leaped thrice upon the floor, snapping his fingers, as if in a passion of delight.
He had used as much discretion as Peder himself about not revealing the precise place of their destination; and when Vogel islet came in sight, the two helpers at once gave him hints to steer so as to keep as near the shore, and as far from the island, as possible. Oddo gravely steered for the island, notwithstanding.
Most of the company thought Erlingsen very bold to talk in this way; but he was presently justified by Oddo's appearance on the balustrade. His master seized him as he touched the ground, while the others stood aloof. "Where is my ale-can?" said Erlingsen. "Here, sir;" and Oddo held it up dangling by the handle. "And the cake? I bade you bring down the cake with you." "So I did, sir."
Every winter now, when Erlingsen hears a moaning above his chimney, he may know it is poor Oddo, foolish boy!" "Foolish boy! but one can't help pitying him," said another. "Chained astride upon the wind, and never to be warm again!" Oddo had thus far kept his laughter to himself, but now he could contain himself no longer.
It was found afterwards that Oddo had acted as lady's maid, fitting the gowns to the shortest men, and dressing up their heads, so as best to hide the shaggy hair.
She eagerly put the ale-can into his hand, and the cake under his arm; and Oddo was going out, when his blind grandfather, hearing that he was to be the messenger, observed that he should be better pleased if it were somebody else; for Oddo, though a good boy, was inquisitive, and apt to get into mischief by looking too closely into everything, having never a thought of fear.
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