A good breakfast was procured, and they settled with the landlord and "tipped" him in a fashion that made him bow almost to the ground.
"Come again, and welcome, sirs," he said. "And do not mind what the burgomaster said. More than likely he will soon lose his position, for many people are dissatisfied with him, and he is exceedingly slow in settling his debts."
They were soon on horseback, the sleigh having been put away under one of the sheds. Hendrik led the way, past the village and then to what was little better than a mountain trail, winding in and out through several patches of firs and then across some rough rocks. At the latter spot there was a good deal of ice, and once Roger's horse went down, carrying his rider with him.
"Are you hurt, Roger?" asked Dave, leaping down to his chum's assistance.
"I don't think so," was the reply of the senator's son. But when he arose he drew in a sharp breath. "He caught my left ankle and I reckon he twisted it a little."
The horse was gotten up and Dave assisted Roger to mount. It was painful to stand on the injured ankle, but Roger said it was all right when he was in the saddle.
"Be careful after this," said Dave, and they were cautious at every spot where the ice showed itself.
The scenery around them was magnificent, but it was such a gray day this was practically lost upon them. They were going steadily upward and to the north of Norway, and they could feel the air growing colder. Only the firs stood out against the sky; all else was snow and ice.
"This is winter weather, and no mistake," remarked Roger. "I don't know that I want to go much further north."
"How desolate it is!" said Dave. "Not a sign of a house or hut anywhere! It's as bad as being in the far West of our country in mid-winter."
"Hark! I hear bells!" cried Granbury Lapham. "Can another sleigh be coming?"
They looked in the direction from whence the sound came, and presently made out something moving below them, on a road in the valley.
"I really believe it is a sled with a reindeer attached!" cried Dave. And such proved to be the case. But before they could get a good look at the novel turnout, sled and reindeer flashed out of sight.
"I shouldn't mind having a ride behind a reindeer myself," said Dave, as they resumed their journey.