“Take heart, brother, take heart,” answered the Minstrel cheerily. “To-morrow we shall have better luck; we shall make a great catch, and soon we shall sail back to Wainola with a full cargo and great plenty of salmon.”
But on the morrow their bad luck continued. Their net was broken, they lost their best whalebone hook, their boat was grounded in the shallows, and half the day was wasted.
Suddenly from the shore they heard some ravens calling among the storm-beaten pines. They listened to the voices of the ill-omened birds.
“See those fishermen,” said one. “See how they toil in these empty waters.”
“Caw! caw! caw!” answered its mate. “They are foolish. They know not what is going on at home.” [[280]]
“If they were wiser they would spread sail and hasten back to Wainola,” croaked a third.
“Hasten back to Wainola!” echoed the cold, gray cliffs and the ragged rocks on the shore.
“Back to Wainola!” came a voice from the waveless waters.
“To Wainola!” shouted Ilmarinen, as he seized the ropes and hurriedly hoisted the sail.
“Wainola! Wainola!” sang the ancient Minstrel as he wielded the long rudder and deftly turned the vessel before the wind.