OLD CUSTOMS PRESERVED. 
335 
crew; this is another old custom which has long since 
fallen into ill-merited neglect; but we were careful to 
observe all the conditions of the ancient ceremonies, 
and great was the excitement on board when the 
moment came for the youths to contend for the pos¬ 
session of our garland. This was a tastefully con¬ 
structed wreath of gay-coloured ribands, binding a 
splendid pair of reindeer antlers they had carried 
home for the occasion. At a given signal the lads 
rushed into the rigging, and strove, with might and 
main, to reach the prize, which hung suspended from 
the mast-head. At first the contention was general; pre¬ 
sently the object of all seemed to be to prevent, if pos¬ 
sible, the likely hands from clutching the garland, now 
that the others could no longer hope to win it for them¬ 
selves. Then the fun grew fast and furious, and we 
watched, with the keenest interest, as the contest waged 
aloft came to a speedy termination by the winner at last 
securing the gaudy badge. As the struggle came to a 
close, we found, ourselves close by the landing-place, 
where a crowd of lads had already assembled to 
welcome our return; and the fine old sea-port town 
sent down its quota of inhabitants to give us a hearty 
greeting. In a few minutes more we were made 
securely fast to a little steam tug-boat, under whose 
guidance we found our dock, where but little time was 
