himself, and that was often poorly enough--had probably advised him
beforehand, to sell it cheaply, so that Elias should have it, and also
to make it a condition that the boat should not be marked in any way.
The cross [Customary with fishermen in Nordland to keep evil spirits
away.] usually painted fore and aft, did not, therefore, appear on the
boat.

Elias now thought of sailing home, but first went to the shop and laid
in a supply of Christmas goods including a little keg of brandy for
himself and his family. Delighted as he was with his purchase, both he
and his wife took that day a little more than was good for them, and
Bernt, the son, also had a taste.

Their shopping done, they set out to sail the new boat home. It had no
other ballast than himself, his wife and children, and the Christmas
fare. His son Bernt sat in the fore-part, his wife, with the help of the
second son, held the halliard, and Elias sat at the helm, while the two
younger boys, twelve and fourteen years of age, were to take turns at
baling.

They had eight miles [About thirty-eight English miles = eight Norwegian
sea miles.] to sail, and when they got out to sea, it was pretty evident
that they would come to prove the boat the first time she was used. A
storm was gradually rising, and the foam-crests began to break on the
great waves.

Now Elias saw what sort of a boat he had; she cleared the waves like a
sea-bird, without so much as a drop coming in, and he therefore judged
that he did not need to take in a reef, which in an ordinary ten-oared
boat he would be obliged to do in such weather.