214 HAPPY HUNTING-GROUNDS 



which might have led to disastrous results. How- 

 ever, all the vehicles eventually passed us without 

 accident, and we proceeded on our way. 



The new road, a really magnificent piece of 

 engineering, takes a lower level than the old rough 

 track along which I had passed on my former journey 

 to and from Trondhjem, but in spite of its numerous 

 windings the gradient down the steep descent to 

 Gjora is a very stiff one, and the track hangs sheer 

 over a beetling precipice far above the Sundal 

 River. Our driver drove very well, but certainly 

 rather fast considering the nature of the country ; 

 perhaps he wanted to make up time ! Our little 

 Norwegian fellow-traveller was frightened out of her 

 wits, and begged K. to change places with her, as she 

 was on the near side of the vehicle with an un- 

 interrupted view down the precipitous height. There 

 was certainly some excuse for her nervousness, as a 

 skid, or brake failure, might have sent us hurtling 

 down into the gorge. For myself I revelled in the 

 gorgeous scenery, the beloved and well -remembered 

 river winding like a silver thread far below among 

 the pines and rocks, and enjoyed the sensation that 

 we were really progressing, and were certain to reach 

 our journey's end that evening. Norwegian " hests" 

 have not yet become accustomed to mechanical 

 traffic ; the drivers of carts or carrioles always got 

 down when we approached and turned their horses' 

 heads well away, leading them into the woods or up 

 the hills. Our driver was certainly no " road hog," 

 as he always stopped the car as soon as any horse- 

 drawn traffic came in sight. 



We reached Gjora in good time, and found at 



