THE REIN-DEER. 145 



awkward situation. I relied greatly on mine, from 

 its size, and fortunately was not disappointed, as it 

 conveyed me safely across, both deer and sledge 

 clearing the entire space." 



At night the party, twenty-three in number, halt- 

 ed in a birch thicket at the base of the Finmark or 

 Lapland Alps. The weather changes to a storm of 

 wind and snow, but after much consultation, it is 

 determined to proceed and attempt the crossing of 

 the Solivara Mountains. The ascent was very te- 

 dious, from the steepness and the newly fallen snow, 

 and the weather came on so thick, that the guide 

 thought it advisable not to 1 attempt crossing the sum- 

 mit. In the course of an hour, however, the fog 

 cleared away, and it was detei mined again to pro- 

 ceed, after a short halt, to recruit the strength of the 

 jaded deer. 



"Our halt scarcely exceeded a quarter of an 

 hour ; but, before the expiration of this, our twilight 

 had failed us, and the arch of heaven was studded 

 with twinkling lights. We had no time to lose ; for 

 we had yet many a weary stretch of mountain, be- 

 fore we should arrive at any place that would afford 

 us wood for our night's bivouac. The evening star, 

 which shone brightly, cheered our lonely way, as we 

 glided along the frozen top of the Solivara, the high- 

 est of the Finmark Alps. The snow on its bleak 

 surface was hard as adamant, and our deer, refreshed 

 by the rest they had made, flew swiftly along. We 

 had at this time accomplished about half the distance 



