112 THE LAST CRUISE OF THE CARNEGIE 



justice of the sterner sort, free from the exaggerated sentimental- 

 ism found in other civilized countries. 



Another of these pools is called the Reserve Bank of Iceland, 

 for each visitor tosses a coin from his homeland into the sapphire 

 waters. Money from every land lies here on the bottom, glit- 

 tering in the sun, and far too deep in the cold waters for a passing 

 sneak-thief to recover. 



There were several Norwegian tourists at Thingvalla that 

 day, many of whom had come out on the handsome Iceland 

 ponies. These little beasts carry enormous loads uncomplain- 

 ingly, and can go without food for several days if necessary. We 

 never found an opportunity for riding on them, although they 

 are still the chief means of transport throughout the island. 



We had not been long in the valley before we were wandering 

 about in shirt-sleeves. It was uncomfortably hot in the blazing 

 sun. The management of the little inn had been notified by 

 telephone that they were to expect some distinguished guests. 

 They had gone to particular pains to procure the greatest delica- 

 cies known to an Icelander. Imagine our dismay when we found 

 spread before us canned salmon, canned sausage, canned beef, 

 canned butter, canned fruit! Surely a mistaken way to treat 

 eight hungry sailors, when out of the window they could see fresh 

 mutton grazing beyond the fence of the vegetable garden ! 



On the return journey we visited a few of the numerous small 

 craters which line the highway, and some of the party walked to 

 the modern hydroelectric plant supplying the city with power. 

 On the outskirts of the town are many hot springs which furnish 

 the town with continuous hot water for laundering, bathing, and 

 heating. Iceland has been called the "Land of Frost and Fire." 

 For on every hand these great natural forces are brought into 

 vivid contrast. The active volcanoes are hooded with glaciers. 

 Hot springs are abundant. Our word "geyser" is no more than 

 the Icelandic name for their most famous steam-fountain. 



We were hardly back in the city when word was passed that 

 an exhibition of Icelandic wrestling was to be held for the Nor- 

 wegian tourists, and that we were invited to attend. This form 

 of wrestling, characteristically Icelandic, resembles faintly the 



