THROUGH LAPLAND. 
S l 
cloud of fmoke. We were obliged to eat with gloves on ; and 
at every morfel we put into our mouths we were under the 
neceffity of drawing afide the veils that covered our faces, very 
gently and with great circumlpedlion, for fear of the infects en¬ 
tering along with our refrelhment. In fpite of all our precautions 
the mufquetoes were fometimes fwallowed together with our 
viands. In order to be quit of fo difgufling a fauce, we were 
compelled at each morfel w r e put into our mouths, to draw near 
the fire, and thrufi: our heads into the riling column of fmoke. 
We chofe rather to encounter all the bad effects of the fmoke, 
and to be half fuffocated, than to fwallow thofe peltiferous ani¬ 
mals. 
In order to remedy the inconveniency occafioned by the defect 
of a breeze, which might waft the fmoke horizontally, and thus 
make us partakers of its kind influence, w r e bethought us of the 
following contrivance : we kindled three fires around us, in the 
midlt of w’hich we were glad to remain, notwithflanding the ex- 
ceflive heat. I cannot at this moment account to myfelf why 
we did not think of fetting up our tent, under which we certainly 
v 
fhould have enjoyed greater comfort, and have been lefs tor¬ 
mented by the infects. Perhaps it w T as, that we did not expect to 
remain long in this place, and becaufe the erection of our tent 
always took up fome time ; or it might be too carefully packed up, 
or perhaps we had not the means at hand of erecting it. It often 
happens that a perfon does things for w 7 hich he afterwards can 
aflign no direct realbn, though at the time he may have had fatis- 
factory grounds for his proceedings. 
