20 ANGLERS' EVENINGS. 



owed so much, screamed in his laughter as we walked 

 down the dark way to our old quarters, and, victims as 

 we were, every one of us joined in the fun as heartily 

 as though we were amused at someone else's expense. 

 From the little pier we rowed out into the fiord and 

 wafted a large lantern to attract attention. Then the 

 steamer came up looking immense in the dark distance. 

 On board we finished our interrupted meal, and after a 

 sail of a couple of hours were landed at Laerdal. 



As we neared the end of our journey and again 

 reached a town, we found the portrait of our stout friend 

 in every shop window and learned that he was Bjornsen, 

 the foremost man of letters in the country. This ex- 

 plained the whole of the Fninningen mystery. When 

 we asked him to beg the coffee he no doubt also com- 

 municated his name which had the " open sesame" effect 

 I have recorded. 



Laerdal introduces us to a new district, a new class 

 of scenery, and better fishing. And here, if you please, 

 we will rest ; it is a fitting place at which we may break 

 our journey, and when we continue it, I will promise you 

 that we will get more trout than we have so far succeeded 

 in catching. 



Part W.—L.ERDAL TO CHRISTIANIA. 



Laerdal is a considerable village at the extremity of 

 the fiord, with three hotels, too popular and populous a 

 place for one in search of an angler's " sweet retirement," 

 and as soon as practicable after our arrival, our little 



