Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 4).djvu/579

 from Frida when he brought her the news that Axel would live.

The hours passed, nine, ten, eleven o'clock, and still the little craft pursued its way; but how slowly it went! It was impossible to steer straight for the rock. Robert was obliged to steer first to this side, then to that, in order to avoid the floating ice.

At last the rock was reached. The heavy surf rendered it difficult to land; but, having selected a suitable spot, Robert lowered the sail with considerable trouble, and, taking hold of the rope, he sprang from the boat upon a ledge. His feet slipped; by a tremendous effort he managed to clutch a point of rock, and, in spite of the foaming waves, he succeeded in reaching a small platform of rock, upon which he scrambled, safe and sound. He still retained his hold of the rope, and although the boat had been driven violently against the reef, he knew that her planks were solid, and he was not at all uneasy about getting back. Robert made his way to the figure of the Black Virgin, and, kneeling down, implored her to work a miracle;—yes, a miracle; for Axel was nigh unto death. But this was the favourable night, and the Virgin ought to reward the heroism of one who had gone through so many perils to implore her help.

When he had finished, he looked towards the sea.

"Am I dreaming?" he exclaimed. For out at sea was another boat, similar to his own, and this boat was apparently making for the rock. Here and there, between the blocks of ice, the second boat made its way, boldly pursuing its course in the midst of those moving mountains. There was no doubt that its destination was the rock of the Black Virgin.

A sudden thought flashed through Robert's mind, and made him shiver with anxiety—supposing it were Frida in that boat! Suppose