Part 25 (2/2)

”Yes, I could do that!”

He took up his pole and set the raft loose--a couple of tree trunks, no more, fastened together with withies--and rowed hurriedly across to the opposite bank.

”Like a dear sister she comes,” he thought to himself, as he helped her on to the raft. The girl held his hands and looked deep into his eyes, but without speaking.

”Sit there on the crosspiece--you can't stand up when it begins to move.”

She sat down obediently, and he rowed across.

”I never thought you could be such a friend,” he said, as they stepped ash.o.r.e.

”Friend?” said the girl, with a tender, grateful glance--grateful that he had found the very word for the feeling that had brought her thither, and which had cost her so much already.

The sun was setting. A youth and a girl walked down from the woods towards the river bank, talking together.

Then suddenly they awoke from their dreams, and looked at each other in dismay. The river was a waste of water only, the banks deserted, the raft gone--neither of them had thought of how they were to get back.

”What are we to do?” The mute question was in the eyes of both.

”You can't get back along this bank?” said the young man at last.

”All through Vaha-Kohiseva village and over the bridge--no. And I ought to bring the calves home, too.”

”There's no boat anywhere near?”

”No.”

A gleam of resolution shone in the young man's eyes.

”Can you swim?” he asked suddenly, turning towards her.

”Swim?” she repeated in surprise. Then her face lit up as she grasped his meaning. ”Yes, indeed!”

”And _would_ you swim across with me if I carry your clothes?”

She trembled slightly--it was a daring plan, yet there was a certain secret fascination in the thought.

”With you? Yes!” she cried.

”Good. You can undress here. Then roll up all your clothes in your blouse, and tie it round with the sleeves. I'll go a little way off and get ready. We'll manage all right, you see.”

And he strode off with rapid steps.

But the girl flushed, and looked anxiously around, as if she had promised more than she could fulfil. She glanced along the sh.o.r.e--Olof was sitting a little distance away, with his back to her, already undressing.

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