pointed; for, in addition to his own weight*
his horse had to earry two large chests,
containing tallow, wool, and worsted stockings,
which were to be bartered for iron and
other articles of necessity, at Reikevig.
Monday, A little better weather this morn-
juiy io. jng induced us to put our luggage
out of the tents to d ry ; but this was scarcely
done when it began to rain, and continued
to do so, without intermission, the whole
day. We were not even able to light a fire,
but were obliged to send our provisions to
the priest’s house, which was full a quarter
of a mile offj to be cooked.
Tuesdayj After a night of wind and heavy
Juiy ii. ra;nj about ten o’clock the weather
cleared up, and, with the exception of a few
showers, was fine during the remainder of
the day. A brighter atmosphere now permitted
us to catch a glimpse of the neighboring
scenery; and the first thing that
drew our attention was the immense Lake
of Thingevalle just before us, and seeming
as if placed there by enchantment, as,
though almost at our feet, we had hitherto
seen nothing of it, except the margin. I t
is reckoned fifteen miles long, and from five
to twelve miles wide. Near the middle rise
two fine black insulated rocks, of considerable
size and height; the largest called
Sandey, and the smaller one Nesey, upon
both which, thousands of the Black-backed
Gulls (Larus marinus L. Svart Bakr Isl.J
annually rear their young. North and south
of this lake, were some grand rugged mountains,
but at a considerable distance from the
place in which we were, and mostly covered
with snow. Whilst we were looking at this
magnificently wild scenery, the priest came
down to us, having returned late the night
before, after a journey of two days on horseback
in incessant rain, during which time
he did not once change his clothes ; not even
when he had to preach before the bishop.
We now proposed taking a walk by the side
of the lake, and setting off on our journey
early in the afternoon. The margin we found
every where flat, and the water appeared
extremely shallow for a considerable way
into the lake, but it is by no means so