THE ELK IN NORWAY. FS 
nor less than an elk-deer enjoying a swim, would have 
been transformed by him into a sea-serpent, or some 
such monster. 
But another history is perhaps more remarkable. 
In 
some ten years ago, a dreadful monster was reported 
lake, not a hundred miles from Christiania, 
to be committing fearful ravages among the fish. The 
poor people who lived in the immediate vicinity, and 
who derived a great part of their winter supply of 
provisions from the waters of the lake, became dread- 
fully alarmed. The half-eaten remains of fish found 
on the banks fully confirmed the story of some lad 
who had himself seen the monster swimming in the 
lake. So they repaired in a body to the pastor to ask 
for advice. What is the strangest part of the story is, 
that his reverence appears to have participated in their 
alarm ; at all events, a petition was drawn up, headed 
by the worthy clergyman, and addressed to the govern- 
ment, humbly praying that somebody might be forth- 
with sent to destroy this dreadful plague, for ‘ they 
feared lest when it had eaten up all the fish in the 
lake, it would seek the dry land, and devour their 
cattle, and perhaps, ultimately, themselves and their 
children.” The “somebody ” they wished to be sent 
happened to be a great friend of mine, and I had the 
story from him. He himself had read the original 
petition, and promised to try and procure it for me to 
