100 SPOKT IN NORWAY. 



them up, returned, according to agreement, to bead- 

 quarters. No sooner had he got back than he began to 

 look about for his companion, who had not yet ap- 

 peared. After waiting a little time, and offering up 

 a cloud of incense, he espied his friend walking slowly, 

 and apparently as if he had been unsuccessful, home- 

 wards. " What ! not got anything ? Well, we must go 

 out again. It will not do to let her Majesty go without 

 her dinner," &c., &c. But while he thus held forth a 

 sly leer came over his younger companion's face, and his 

 frequent glances behind made him also look in that direc- 

 tion. " Halloa ! what is that ? why, ' Gud bevar mig !' " 

 It was a magnificent reindeer, a buck with royal antlers ! 

 Like Jacob of old, he had found his quarry close to 

 hand, within a mile of their quarters, and was fortunate 

 enough to get near him and bring him down. There 

 was no need to go after ryper then a venison haunch 

 would be more appreciated than grouse. And so there 

 was rejoicing in the camp. The animal was flayed ; the 

 haunch and the five brace of grouse at once sent off to 

 the station ; and so it came to pass that the queen had 

 a better dinner that day than on any other on her 

 route up to Throndhjem. As it was such a noble animal, 

 and the circumstances under which it was shot so in- 

 teresting, the skin was sent to the University ; and there 

 you may see it for yourself, and if you ask for the 

 history of it you will find my statement corroborated. 



