II.

Once there came a Danish three-master to cast anchor in Wagoe's trusty harbor to recruit sailors for a two-month whaling voyage. Manor boarded the ship, and the captain immediately hired the lanky, nimble youth. Har, too, offered to join as a cabin-boy. When she heard of this, Lara lamented, "You're my only child. The sea has claimed your father. Do you want to leave me, too?" Har stayed behind. Manor sailed with the three-master.

Two months had passed, and winter was already in the air again. As usual, Har continued to climb the reef and look out into the distance. One morning he saw a ship approaching. Joyfully, he waved his kerchief. But it was stormy, and the surf was high. The ship steered toward the harbor of Wagoe. Unable to reach the island, it was driven dangerously off its course onto the reefs of Stroemoe, stranded before Har's eyes. He could even see the shipwrecked sailors battling the waves. He witnessed one strong arm grab hold of a plank. But moments later he saw both man and plank disappear beneath a torrent of waves. He even knew who it was. It was Manor.

Many lifeless bodies were washed ashore. They were laid side by side onto straw. Har helped to inspect the bodies. Then Manor's body was finally brought ashore. Har examined his dripping wet hair. His eyes were shut, and his lips and cheeks were pale. His cold, slender body, even in death, cut a handsome figure. "Well, then, Manor, this is how it all turned out to be," he cried, throwing himself over the body that he loved. For one moment, sobbing, he savored the joy of a last embrace. They took the bodies out of the narrow waterway; they buried them in the sand dunes of Wagoe on the same day.