The Argosy . s, and the inevitable passenger who is sure to be too latewas frantically gesticulating. On this occasion it was one of thecrew, who having stayed on shore too long and disregarded thesignals for departure, had been left behind. The skipper would notwait, and the unlucky sailor had to go back again. He will comeon by to-morrows boat, said the captain grimly ] and it willteach him to be exact another time. I would not stop for apassenger, much less one of my own crew. Once I am off it is forgood ; stoppages and returnings are unlucky. We say the same in England, I observed. So I su
The Argosy . s, and the inevitable passenger who is sure to be too latewas frantically gesticulating. On this occasion it was one of thecrew, who having stayed on shore too long and disregarded thesignals for departure, had been left behind. The skipper would notwait, and the unlucky sailor had to go back again. He will comeon by to-morrows boat, said the captain grimly ] and it willteach him to be exact another time. I would not stop for apassenger, much less one of my own crew. Once I am off it is forgood ; stoppages and returnings are unlucky. We say the same in England, I observed. So I suppose theNorwegians are also superstitious ? Superstition is common to all the world, returned the skipper. Our very belief in an unseen power makes us so. And we shall A Night Excursion, 45 always be so as long as we have not the controlling of our owndestinies. It is the natural outcome of the mystery and uncertaintythat surround our lives. Evidently the skipper was a philosopher. I think he read You wonder to hear me saying this, he said. It is out of theprovince of a prosy old skipper, you imagine. But I was not alwaysdestined to the sea; and my earlier years were spent in beingtrained for a higher walk in life. My intelligence was awakened,and my present occupation gives me plenty of leisure time forthought. 46 A Night Excursion. Christiania at last, and the dangers of the sea at an end. Carlthrew up his cap and became unmanageable. Now for a glorious time ! he cried. For lakes and forests andwaterfalls ; for carrioling, and lovely walks, and wonderful adven-tures ! Christiania. was as bright as ever. Passing the fish-market onour way to the Victoria, once more we admired its women sat as of old under green boughs in their picturesquecostumes, and it might have been the first of May, and they so manyqueens of the hour. There is, nothing in the town itself to attract one; nothing but itsbright though relaxing air, and the general air of cheerfuln
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