LYCKSELE LAPLAND. 141 



indeed when I reached the other side, I 

 congratulated myself on having had a very 

 narrow escape. A neighbouring mountain 

 affords grey slate, but of a loose and brit- 

 tle kind. 



We had next to pass a marshy tract, al- 

 most entirely under water, for the course 

 of a mile, nor is it easy to conceive the dif- 

 ficulties of the undertaking. At every step 

 we were knee-deep in water ; and if we 

 thought to find a sure footing on some 

 grassy tuft, it proved treacherous, and only 

 sunk us lower. Sometimes we came where 

 no bottom was to be felt, and were obliged 

 to measure back our weary steps. Our 

 half boots were filled with the coldest wa- 

 ter, as the frostj in some places, still re- 

 mained in the ground. Had our sufferings 

 been inflicted as a capital punishment, they 

 would, even in that case, have been cruel, 

 what then had we to complain of? I wished 

 I had never undertaken my journey, for 

 all the elements seemed adverse. It rained 

 and blowed hard upon us. I wondered 



