252 
REYKHOLT. 
After crossing the four parallel rivers, of which 
we had so fine a prospect on our descent from 
Skardsheidi, we entered Reykhoits-dalr, or the 
vale of Reykholt; a name the place well deserves 
from the number of columns of steam that are 
to be seen rising on both sides of the Revki- 
adals-aa # . Just at the mouth of this valley we 
stopped to rest our horses, near a hill from which 
five or six fountains were gushing forth and- form¬ 
ing a number of streamlets that poured down 
along every side of the eminence. These I had 
already crossed with the help of a stout pair of 
shoes, and was standing by one of the apertures, 
when a little English dog, that had accompanied 
me on this excursion, at first unconscious of the 
heat of the water, came running towards me 
through the scalding fluid. His howling soon 
made known the pain the poor animal suffered, 
and so alarmed was he ever after at the sight of 
water, that it was with the greatest difficulty he 
could be induced to cross a cold river, nor would 
he do it till we had gone so far that he vras 
fearful of being lost, so that, for some time sub¬ 
sequent to this accident, we were obliged to carry 
him over the numerous torrents we had to pass. 
From these springs, which seem to be what are 
described in the Voyage en Islande , under the 
* The river of the smoking valley. 
