It was on the afternoon of the following day that Joel was to return home; and Hulda, who knew that her brother would come back by the table-lands of the Gousta and along the left bank of the Maan, went to meet him at the ferry across that impetuous stream.

On arriving there she seated herself on the little wharf which serves as a landing-place for the ferry-boat, and abandoned herself to her thoughts.
To the deep uneasiness caused by the non-arrival of the "Viking" was now added another great anxiety.

This last was caused by the mysterious visit of Sandgoist, and Dame Hansen's agitation in his presence.

Why had she destroyed the bill and declined to accept the money due her as soon as she learned her guest's name?
There must be some secret concealed under all this--and a grave one.
Hulda was finally aroused from her reverie by the approach of Joel.
She first caught a glimpse of him as he was descending the topmost slope; soon he reappeared in the midst of a narrow clearing between the burned and fallen trees.

Then he vanished from sight behind a clump of pines, and at last reached the opposite bank and jumped aboard the ferry-boat.