64 



AECTIC KESEAKCH EXPEDITION. 



The first Sunday at Holsteinborg I determined to ascend the 

 mountain on the north side of the harbor, and there worship in 

 the great temple of the world's Creator. In the morning, accom- 

 panied by Sterry, we began the ascent, with a fine clear sky above, 

 and the glorious sun shining warmly upon us. But, ere we had 

 got far, swarms of musquitoes came around. Fortunately, I had 

 long hair on my head, and my beard and mustache were also of 

 great length. Sterry, however, had to cover his face with a hand- 

 kerchief having two little holes for look-outs. 



As we went on, streams of pure and sparkling cold water came 

 dancing down the mountain side, and at these we several times 

 quenched our thirst. Thus steep after steep we mounted, but at 

 what cost ! The sun's rays poured hot upon our backs, and both 

 of us soon had to doff our coats, leaving the musquitoes to perse- 

 cute us at will. All we could do was to push on quickly, to see 

 if we could get into a higher region where these torments did not 

 abound. But our bodies soon became weary ; and the steepness 

 of the way was such that one false step would have proved fatal 

 to us ; }^et we were not without some relief. Patches of broad- 

 leaved sorrel on the mountain-side refreshed us greatly as we 

 rested, and beds of moss, covered with smiling flowers, served as 

 our temporary couch. 



In about two hours we gained the summit, both of us covered 

 with musquitoes, and driven almost to madness by their stings. 

 In vain we tried every thing that mind could think of to get rid 

 of them. Nothing availed. We were doomed by these merciless 

 invaders, and our very life's blood was copiously drawn forth to 

 supply their gluttonous desires. 



On the other side of the mountain we saw a beautiful little 

 lake ; and upon standing by its side, it was found to be clear as 

 crystal, mirroring forth the lofty peaks above us. On its north 

 shore was a low shingly beach, that had been thrown up by the 

 winds coming in this, the only direction they could cross the wa- 

 ter. This lake was fed by various small streams that were leap- 

 ing down from the snowy mountains, and, if it had got no other 

 name, I termed it " William Sterry" Lake. We walked along it, 

 and saw numerous salmon, small trout (three of which we caught 

 with our hands), and many skulls and horns of deer. 



It was now dinner-time, and our appetite was well sharpened 

 by the exercise we had enjoyed. Accordingly, a fire was lit 

 whereby to cook the fish, though at first I was greatly puzzled 



