THROUGH LAPLAND. 
45 
their zeal excited to fome exertion for our fervice, if it be poftible 
to excite the leaft fentiment in minds fo torpid as theirs. We 
were not, however, difpleafed that they were witnefles of the fatis- 
faftion we had given our Finlanders, and the regret they expreffed 
on parting with us; and we hoped this example would infpire 
them with refpeeft for us, and a dehre to ufe all the activity necef- 
fary to accomplifh the objedl for w 7 hich we had engaged them. 
After our Finlanders had taken their leave, and were departed, 
we found ourfelves as it were cut off from all communication 
with the reft of the world ; the completion of our enterprize, nay, 
our very exiftence, w 7 ere at once in the hands of thefe Laplanders. 
If the continuation of our journey appeared to be impracticable, 
and they fhould forfake us, there was no means of return left to 
the little ifland, and the fifhermen of Kantafari ; for we had no 
longer a boat to convey us acrofs the lake to that charming retreat, 
which we had fo lately quitted, and with fo much regret. But 
to quiet our apprehenfions, we confidered that thefe Laplanders 
were not a cruel people; and although they were feven in num¬ 
ber, with the girl, we confidered ourfelves as a match for them, 
notwithftanding we only muftered four altogether, that is to fay 
the interpreter, a fervant, Colonel Skioldebrand, and myfelf. The 
reafon why they came fo many in number as feven, was in order 
to tranfport our baggage; becaufe, as they informed us, the rein¬ 
deer were at this feafon particularly untradlable and dangerous, 
on account of the prodigious fwarms of mufquetoes, which tor¬ 
ment them to a degree of madnefs: fo that perhaps they might 
run from us and be loft altogether with our provificns and bag- 
