When one tumbled down, the whole line of march was flopped ;
when the word halt was given, all the caravan threw itfelf on the
ground ; and it was not without much entreaty that we could
get the individuals of it to raife themfelves again on their legs.
We were nearly fix hours in going fix miles. At length we
reached the borders of a fmall lake called Kevijervi, on the right
o f which a chain of mountains extends itfelf, and forms the
boundaries, of Finmark, or Norwegian Lapland, and Swedilh
Lapland. On the border of this lake we found two boats which
were in am ofl ihattered condition, full of leaks, with oars that
were fplit and of unequal lengths. . Thefe boats were built by
the Laplanders, and left in the place mentioned, buried in fnow
during the winter, and expofed to all weathers. Such were the
boats in which we were now to crofs this lake, about a mile
over, and the only conveyance that could poffibly be procured
this purpofè. Two L,aplanders rowed, and two more fcooped
ont the water, which flowed in at feveral leaks as fail; as they
could throw it out : and had they ceafed baling, the boats would
have filled in a ihort fpaçe of time, and we Ihould all have gone
• to the bottom. Yet, notwithflanding that we were all placed
in this perilous fituation, we obferved, not without great indignation,
that our Lapland rowers plied their oars, and pulled as
leifurely, and with as much phlegmatic calmneis, as if there had
not been the leaft occafion for their exertion.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER VI.
The Plant Angelica, accounted delicious Food by the Laplanders : its
. Jalutary Qualities— The Molejlation from the Mufquetoes augmented—
Arrive at the river Pepojovaivi— Meet with fame Lapland
FiJhermen, and two Children— Manners o f thefe People; Behaviour
o f the Children— The Laplanders cook their Supper: their
Mode o f Eating— Sufpicion they entertain o f the Juppofed Emif-
Jaries of Government— The Miffionaries in Lapland—Notions o f
the Laplanders' concerning Religion and civil Inftitutions Their
_ unfocial Way o f Living— fncreafe o f Wolves in Lapland during
late Years— Journey purfued in Boats, on the River Pepajovaivi.
^ T ^ E gained at laft the oppofite banks of the lake, and without
any accident. Our Laplanders quitted the boats, and we
purfued our journey on foot as before. On the border of this lake,
one of thefe people -fpying a certain plant, ran to gather it, and
devoured it with as much avidity as if it had been the moft delicious
morfel in the world. I t was the famous plant Angelica,
th e chief luxury pf the North, and which is deemed a very great
antifcorbutic. Being defirous o f tailing it, one was given to me,
and I found it fo agreeable to my palate, that I foon became
fonder o f it than even the Laplanders themfelves. I am fully
1L H convinced