65 
out returning by tbe perilous road he 
had so recently passed. 
“ Nay, man,” said she, “ thou hast 
only to go the same way back again ; 
for the river overflows so much, it is 
not possible for thee to proceed further 
in this direction. From us, thou hast 
no assistance to expect in the prosecu¬ 
tion of thy journey ; as my husband, 
who might have helped thee, is ill. 
Thou mayst enquire for our next neigh¬ 
bour, who lives about a mile off, and, 
perhaps, if thou shattldst meet with 
him, he may give thee some assistance; 
but 1 really believe it will scarcely be 
in his power.” He enquired the dis¬ 
tance to Sorsele. u That we do not 
know,” she replied; “ but in the pres¬ 
ent state of the roads, it must be at 
least seven days journey, as my hus¬ 
band has informed me.” 
He was greatly in want of food ,* but 
