374 SKARBAGAR. 



morning, and for that purpose started at an early hour ; but 

 we had not gone far before the snow, from the mildness of 

 the temperature, became kram, and adhered in masses to our 

 Skidor ; and what was nearly as great an inconvenience, the 

 water dripped from the trees and bushes to that degree, as 

 almost to liken a shower-bath. Under these discouraging 

 circumstances, it was thought best to postpone the Chasse 

 until a more favourable opportunity ; and we therefore headed 

 back to our temporary home, where we amused ourselves for 

 the rest of the day as best we might. 



Our detention within doors was luckily short ; for during 

 the succeeding night it froze sufficiently hard to prevent 

 the snow from fastening to the Skidor, so that at the 

 first break of day we were again off for the forest. To 

 relieve Elg's shoulders, we, on this occasion, were accom- 

 panied by a peasant, who, together with our kit, containing 

 a goodly supply of provisions, &c., bore an axe a need- 

 ful adjunct, as it was more than probable we should 

 be necessitated to bivouac for one or more nights in the 

 forest. 



This man was equipped with Skarbdgar, a very miserable 

 substitute for Skidor. As said in " Northern Sports," they 

 consist of frames of wicker-work, of a roundish or rather 

 oval shape, about eighteen inches in length, and twelve in 

 breadth ; but to say nothing of their insufficiently an- 

 swering the required purpose, they, owing to their very 

 imperfect construction, are continually liable to get out of 

 order. But Skarbagar are possessed of this advantage, that 

 they are easily made and easily repaired. Horses even are, 

 at times, provided with Skarbagar. These consist of cir- 

 cular iron rings, of about ten or twelve inches in diameter, 



