The Legend of the White Reindeer 
Threats of civil war, of a fight for indepen- 
dence, were heard throughout Norway. Meet- 
ings were held more or less secretly, and at 
each of them was some one with well-filled 
pockets and glib tongue, to enlarge on the 
country’s wrongs, and promise assistance from 
an outside irresistible power as soon as they 
showed that they meant to strike for freedom. 
No one openly named the power. That was 
not necessary; it was everywhere felt and un- 
derstood. Men who were real patriots began 
to believe in it. Their country was wronged. 
Here was one to set her right. Men whose 
honor was beyond question became secret 
agents of this power. The state was honey- 
combed and mined; society was a tangle of 
plots. The king was helpless, though his only 
ee: wish was for the people’s welfare. Honest and 
ou ©) straightforward, what could he do against this 
cs far-reaching machination? The very advisers 
my) by his side were corrupted through mistaken 
a patriotism. The idea that they were playing 
S»into the hands of the foreigner certainly never 
entered into the minds of these dupes —at least, 
not those of the rank and file. One or two, 
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