198 A SPRING AND SUMMER IN LAPLAND. 



path, and kept it. The waterfall could not have 

 been more than a mile and a half distant, but the 

 wood was so thick, and the ground so covered 

 with fallen timber, over which we kept tumbling 

 about every five minutes, that we were nearly two 

 hours before we reached it. However, when we 

 got there my guide knew that if we followed it 

 down for about two miles we should reach one of 

 the keepers' houses ; and right glad was I to see 

 a light at last in his cottage window. After wan- 

 dering for about six hours, we were nearly as far 

 from the meet as when we left home. The keeper 

 was getting ready to start, but, like an old soldier, 

 would wait till the moon rose, for he said that 

 even he, who was bred in the forest, would hardly 

 venture out on such a night. A cup of coffee and 

 four hours on the floor (after the old fashion, five 

 women and two men in the same room) was any- 

 how better than a night in the forest, for it was 

 indeed a wild night, and the old pine-trees fairly 

 groaned and cracked " 'neath the howling blast." 

 However, when the moon rose the weather cleared, 

 and at four we started. ISfo fear now of losing 

 my way with such a bloodhound for my guide. 

 He was in great hopes this time ; for although, as 

 he said, our party was small, they were all good 

 men. Each man had to bear his own provisions 

 for three days. At six we reached the keeper's 



