307 
a Scene in Bergen Stift in Norway. 
dangerous excursion. With all my haste, however, I could 
not escape being thoroughly wet. The path now descend- 
ed gradually towards the river. The mountain, to the side of 
which, as to a wall, we had been, as it were, fastened the whole 
way, now turned a little off from us, leaving a broader, though 
an irregular way. On a sudden it goes off entirely to the right, 
opening a new side- valley, and, before I knew where I was, I 
stood on the fields of Yettie, only a little above the surface of 
the river. Heavy with my wet clothes, dropping with sweat, 
and exhausted by violent exertions, I was glad to reach the 
houseman’s dwelling, which lay nearest us, there to repose a little, 
under cover, before I should attempt to mount the long and 
high hill on which stood the farm-house of Yettie. 
On the road to it I was met by Ole, the goodman, who con- 
ducted me up. The family had just risen from dinner. Every 
thing was instantly carried off, as they did not think it good 
enough for me. On the table was immediately set their best 
butter and cheese, and smoked flesh, and hour-bread ; and, in 
short, every thing they had to please the appetite of the weary 
traveller. But as there was not a dry thread on me, I felt very 
uncomfortable in my wet clothes. The goodman found a re- 
medy for that ; and from his chest I was provided with every 
thing I required. Clad from top to toe in his Sunday’s clothes, 
I sat down, metamorphosed into a Leirdaller, amidst this friend- 
ly family, who could not cease from expressing their wonder at 
a visit as unexpected as unheard of before, and who did not 
know what kindness to shew me; complaining from their hearts, 
that I had not given them notice, that they might have been 
better prepared to receive me. His wife was in an advanced 
stage of pregnancy. I expressed my wishes for her safety on 
her approaching confinement ; and asked her, How she would 
get the child taken to church. — O, answered she, smiling, when 
matters come that length, there will be no difficulty : the child 
is well wrapped up, and is carried to church, properly girt on 
the shoulders of the servant-man. — By the same way I have 
come? — Yes; we have no other. — Now, then, God be with both 
him and the child. — O, we are not afraid of the way, we are so 
accustomed to it ; and after a few weeks it will be better, when 
all the ice will be away. By God’s help I shall soon come to 
