Noah and Zachariah had leave of absence till three o’clock; they returned at half-past two o’clock. Having crossed the lake in a boat, they had been for a ramble on the “Kjölen Fjeldene.” A peasant boy had offered them the use of the boat if we stayed a day longer. Our dinner consisted of six fish and five eggs, fried in oil, with black bread and tea. Though our visitors were then reduced to about twenty-five persons, at three o’clock there were again fresh arrivals; one peasant woman brought the donkeys fresh grass. They hurried up in parties, perspiring in the warm sun, inquiring for “den asen.” Then they hastened as fast as they could over the rocks to where they were. Endless discussions were held over them; our poor donkeys must have been much astonished at their sudden importance.
Thy gipsy-eye, bright as the star That sends its light from heaven afar, Will, with the strains of thy guitar, This heart with rapture fill. Then, maiden fair, beneath this star, Come, touch with me the light guitar.
Thy brow, unmarked by lines of care, Deck’d with locks of raven hair, Seems ever beautiful and fair At moonlight’s stilly hour. What bliss! beside the leafy maze, Illumined by the moon’s pale rays, On thy sweet face to sit and gaze, Thou wild, uncultured flower. Then, maiden fair, beneath this star, Come, touch with me the light guitar.
ESMERALDA AT THE LAKE--OUR CADEAU--THE VISITORS--DISAPPOINTMENT--AN ADONIS--THE SILENT VISIT--THE OLD MILL--A NORWEGIAN FOX--THE PURU RAWNEE’S FALL--THE FOREST SCENE--ZACHARIAH’S TORMENT--UNDER DISCIPLINE--MUSIC IN THE FOREST--DISTANT ADMIRERS--THE ENGLISH HUNTER’S GIFT--OUR GIPSIES FISHING--THE MILITIA CAMP--SILENT VISITOR--ORNAMENTAL FLADBRÖD--A FOREST CONCERT.
Some of the peasants, especially women, were most anxious to explore the hidden recesses of our tents, but this could not be permitted. Our gipsies were very well conducted, and quiet in their demeanour, as befitted the day.
After dinner Esmeralda, who had washed and dressed herself in her robe with silver buttons, accompanied us for a quiet stroll to the shores of the lake; her brothers were left in charge of the tents. The distance was not very far. Seated on a wooded knoll above the shores of the lake, we watched its silvery waters and the picturesque outline of the Kjölen mountain; its patches of snow near the summit were not yet melted by the summer’s sun. How enjoyable was life in the wild mountains near the smooth lake whose silvered waters seem ever smiling; all seemed in repose as we breathed the pure air of heaven. The lake, we understood, was called the Logan Vand. A peasant woman, at a house near the lake, asked us to come in, both going and returning, but we preferred the open air.