HE RETURNS. 



195 



Gustavus, and forthwith dispatched two of their most 

 experienced Skid-lopare, or runners on Skidor, in search of 

 the wanderer. 



GUSTAVUS ON SKIDOR. 



These men, following Gustavus' tracks on the snow, 

 through wilds and fastnesses, were at length enabled to 

 overtake him at Salen, the very last hamlet in Western 

 Dalecarlia, situated close to the foot of the Norwegian Alps. 

 They communicated to him what had happened since his 

 departure, the people's regret for the past, and their present 

 willingness to risk life and fortune for the deliverance of their 

 father-land. 



The knight received this intelligence with joy and thank- 



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