244 
BORGAFIORD. 
The ground upon which we now rode was so 
firm and unbroken that, having mounted fresh 
horses, we galloped for a mile or more on solid 
rock, till the descent became so steep as to re¬ 
quire more caution in our proceedings. On de¬ 
scending somewhat lower, we emerged from the 
clouds into a clear atmosphere, and had a most 
extensive prospect of rivers, morasses, mountains, 
and lofty jokuls; among the latter of which 
those of Geitland made a most conspicuous 
figure at no great distance from us, shooting 
their pointed summits, capped with eternal snow, 
through the thick clouds that partly enveloped 
their sides. The mountain, also, called Boula, 
from its great height and conical figure, formed 
a prominent feature in the scene: it is likewise 
deserving of notice on account of the vulgar 
idea, that there is on its summit (which, by the 
bye, has proved inaccessible to all who have at¬ 
tempted to reach it) an entrance to a rich and 
beautiful country; a country constantly green, 
and abounding in trees, inhabited by a dwarfish 
race of men, whose sole employment is the care 
of their fine flocks of sheep The Tatsroed 
particularly directed my attention to four rivers 
* I think I heard of one or two other Icelandic mountains, 
concerning which the natives entertain similar notions; but 
I was not aware that Geitland Jukul was believed to contain 
such regions of pleasure and happiness, till I observed it re- 
