CONCERNING LAPLAND, 289 
will ftrive to difengage the ftick from each other's grafp ; and in 
this, perhaps, they are affifted on each fide by ail equal number of 
the by-ftanders: this occafions a fmart ftruggle, till at length the 
rope breaks, or the weak eft party gives way, which at once de¬ 
cides the conteft ; when the wager, for there generally is one de¬ 
pending on the event, is determined, the prize is aftigned to the 
viftor. Another exercife confifts in two of them fattening their 
hands in each other’s belt, ftriving to raife one another from the 
ground, and thus to give each other a fall. They are befides ex¬ 
pert wreftlers; and thefe kind of exercifes are found neceffary to 
keep their bodies warm, as well as to fill up their intervals of 
leifure, when they are upon a journey, during the lloppages re- 
quifite to be made to give their rein-deer an opportunity of bait¬ 
ing ; for which purpofe, as has already been obferved, thofe ani¬ 
mals mult dig up the fnow in queft of mofs, as it is not poffible 
to carry forage with them in their fledges. 
They are in general excellent markfmen ; and fome of them 
have been known to hit a fmall objecft with a bullet fired from 
their pieces, at a confidcrable diftance ; and that for a number of 
times repeatedly, without a fingle failure. 
P p 
VOL. II. 
SECTION 
