Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Travels through Lapland - Chapter V
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
THROUGH LAPLAND. 45
their zeal excited to fome exertion for our fervice, if it be poflible
to excite the leaft fentiment in minds fo torpid as theirs. We
were not, however, difpleafed that they were witnefles of the fatis-
faction we had given our Finlanders, and the regret they expreffed
on parting with us; and we hoped this example would infpire
them with refpect for us, and a defire to ufe all the activity necef-
fary to accomplifh the object for which we had engaged them.
After our Finlanders had taken their leave, and were departed,
we found ourfelves as it were cut off from all communication
with the reft of the world; the completion of our enterprize, nay,
our very exiftence, were at once in the hands of thefe Laplanders.
If the continuation of our journey appeared to be impracticable,
and they fhould forfake us, there was no means of return left to
the little ifland, and the fifhermen of Kantafari; for we had no
longer a boat to convey us acrofs the lake to that charming retreat,
which we had-fo lately quitted, and witli fo much regret. But
to quiet our apprehenfions, we confidered .that thefe Laplanders
were not a cruel people; and although they were feven in num-
ber, with the girl, we confidered ourfelves as a match for them,
notwithftanding we only muftered four altogether, that is to fay
the interpreter, a fervant, Colonel Skioldebrand, and myfelf. The
reafon why they came fo many in number as feven, was in ordez
to tranfport our baggage; becaufe, as they informed us, the rein-
deer were at this feafon particularly untractable and dangerous,
on account of the prodigious fwarms of mufquetoes, which tor-
ment them to a degree of madnefs: fo that perhaps they might
run from us and be loft altogether with our provifions and bag-
gage,
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
