"If he did, it is not the 'Viking' that is behind time, but the American mail.

Suppose, for instance, that Ole's ship touched at some port in the United States, that would explain why none of his letters have yet reached Europe." "The United States, Mister Sylvius!" "That sometimes happens, and it is only necessary to miss one mail to leave one's friends without news for a long time.

There is, at all events, one very easy thing for us to do; that is to make inquiries of some of the Bergen shipowners.

Are you acquainted with any of them ?" "Yes," replied Joel, "Messrs.

Help Bros." "Help Bros., the sons of old Help ?" "Yes." "Why, I know them, too; at least, the younger brother, Help, Junior, they call him, though he is not far from my own age, and one of my particular friends.