Vadsaeth and Svardal. 185 



we rowed to the lower end of the lake under an azure sky 

 and a baking hot sun. 



The lake of Vadsseth is surrounded by mountainous 

 country of rock, clothed now and again with scrub and 

 birch trees. The rock rises sheer from the water-edge, 

 and no road exists until where the Svardal river runs out 

 of the lake, consequently the only means of conveyance 

 is by water. 



In less than an hour we ran the boat ashore, at the 

 point where the lake discharges itself into the small river 

 connecting it with Svardal Lake, and, stepping ashore, 

 I walked to the hamlet and interviewed the farmer who 

 owned our future residence, he at the time being busy 

 making hay. ' ' ' ■ 



It was at once evident that, to suit his scheme, the 

 crafty Johann had withheld from the farmer all notice 

 of our arrival, and we found the house somewhat in a 

 state of disorder. . 



As a matter of fact, we paid a good deal too high 

 a rent ; but, in passing down the water, I had formed the 

 idea that our stay would be of but short duration, and as 

 we must necessarily put them to a good deal of trouble 

 to prepare the house, I was not very particular about the 

 terms. 



At the small hotels and inns up-country, the price 



for board and lodgings is about Kr.4 per head a day, 



2b 



