BERTHAS VISIT TO HER 



ceeded a tea-cup full ; but it was extremely 

 luscious, of a fine aromatic flavour, and richer 

 than cream v Of this we eagerly partook, after we 

 had permission ; which, however, Per Mathison 

 did not at first seem willing to grant, but his 

 sullen nature was soon softened by brandy. 



" In the middle of the herd of deer, suspended 

 to the branches of a low birch, was a child about 

 a year old, enclosed in a kind of cradle, or case 

 covered with leather. The Laplanders, when 

 obliged to go any distance from their tents, fre- 

 quently leave their children thus suspended on 

 a tree, by which they are secured from the attack 

 of any ravenous animal. 



" It was past midnight before the whole of 

 the herd was milked. The sun had left the 

 heavens about an hour, but a deep orange 

 tint, on the verge of the horizon, shewed that 

 it was not far below it. The deer were at 

 length turned out from the fold ; and, spreading 

 themselves along the sides of the mountains, 

 were quickly lost to our view. The Laplanders 

 now collecting the milk, which amounted to a 

 considerable quantity, proceeded with it to the 

 tent, inviting us to supper. We crept in, 

 and seated ourselves on reindeer skins, which 

 were strewed on the ground. The business of 

 making cheese now commenced : and Mark, 

 emptying the milk from the bowls into a large 

 iron pot, placed it over a fire, in the centre of 



