SUMMER JOURNEYS AND FERTILITY. 11) 



its place. We also required a new peak for the mainsail, and 

 this, too, 1 undertook to make. The smithy had been moved 

 ashore, near the river, and Nodtvedt, with Stolz as striker, stood 

 there hammering day in and day out. Among other things, the 

 funnel was in want of repairs, and hoops had to be made for the 

 new spars, etc. 



But not only was blacksmith's work done in the shed. It was 

 also used as a wash-house, being handy for the river ; and we 

 had only to draw the water straight from it. Each man had his 



THE DIJEDG1XG-BUAT UXDEI! SAIL. 



washing-day in turn. It may possibly be thought that blacksmith's 

 work and washing in the same shed were occupations not likely 

 to harmonize, but it must be remembered that it was not fine 

 linen that was being washed ; while the conditions of life up there 

 were so peaceful that it would have been difficult for us to come 

 to loggerheads over a laundry and mangle, as is sometimes the case 

 between the housewives in our flats at home. As a rule we waited 

 to do our washing until the blacksmith had finished for the day, and 

 then the kettle sat in state on the forge, the soap-suds foamed, and 

 we paid a tribute to the virtue of cleanliness. We never did get 



