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306 THROUGH NORWAY WITII A KNAPSACK.
were nailed, and thus the bottom and sides were formed :
it was a sort of rude packing-case, with thick ends, and
no top; and some lumps of stone were placed in the
bottom for ballast. The old man got out, and we hauled
the box ashore, to let the water run out of its sides;
then I threw out two big stones that ballasted one end,
and took their place, baling out the water as the old
man rowed. When I remarked that the boat would not
last much longer, he smiled; said that it would last as
long as he should himself, and patting its side, told me
that he made it fifteen years ago: he seemed to have a
strong affection for it, and I could not help fancying
that he intended it to be his coffin.
After crossing, I walked up to the saeter, answered a
great many questions from the curious inhabitants, and
then followed a track which ascends to a great height
above the river and commands some fine views. Many
tourists visit the Riukan Foss, but they come from the
other side, and very few ascend to this part of the
valley. After passing another saeter, where I was
supplied with milk in a kind of trough shaped like a
London butcher’s tray, and demanding much skilful
management to drink out of the corner without
overwhelming oneself, I arrived at the farm near to the
Riukan Foss, which was the residence of Marie, the
heroine of the Marie Stige.* This farm is situated on
the side of a mountain, which blocks up the valley.
* " Stige" is the Dansk and Norsk for ladder, and placing the article
en at the end of the word, as is usual, it becomes Stigen, the ladder,
hence the local name " Marie Stigen," the Mary’s ladder, which most
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