The Wilmingtonian., 1824-04-22

pin, struck around to prevent the deer from
strayns. As the herd came up to it, the
deer made frequent snortings, and loud
cracking was heard, produced by their
hoofs striking against each other. These
animals, which are endued with an ex-
quisite sense of smelling, soon perceived
there were strangers near and our appear
auce, 50 different from the dress of the
LapIanders to which they had been accus-
toned, alarmed them to such degree, that
liz was necessary for US to retire till they
had entered the fold. After some difficult
ty, the whole of the herd were at length col
lected within the circle; and the women,
bringing their bowls from the tent. began
the operation Of milking, which, as some
hundreds of deer were assembled, was like
ly to take up considerable time. In this
both the women and men were busily en-
ployed. Before each deer was MIXED,
cord, with moose, was thrown round the
horns, by which it was secured and kept
steady. The Laplanders are in gene
raj extremity expert at this; and it was
surprising to see the exactuess with which
the moose was thrown from a consi-
derabe distance, hardly ever failing to light
upon the horns &C the deer Tor which twas
intended, though in the thickest of the
herd. The cord. for this purpose, was made
of the ibres of the birch, very neatly plat
ted together, and exceedingly strong. Dur
ing the short time the animal was milking,
this cnrd was either held by one of the wo-
men, or made fast to birch shrub, some of
the thickest having been stripped of their
leaves, and left standing for that purpose.
Many Of the deer, instead of being tracta-
BILE as | had previo usly imagined. were We
ry fractory, frequently even throwing the
women down, and butting them with their
horns. The latter seemed very little to
mind this /; but strong as the Laplanders
are. they appeared to have little power o.
yer one Of these animals /; for, when it had
the cord round its horns, and refused to be
MIXED, it dragged the holder, with ease,
round the fold. The quantity Of milk that
each deer gave hardly exceeded tea-cup
full but it as extremely luscious, ofa fine
aromatic favour. and excellins cream in
richness. Of this we eagerly partook after
we had permission, which. however, Per
Mathison did not seemed at first very will
ling to grant; but his sullen nature was
soon softened by the brandy, which we had
brought for that purpose, and of which the
females partook, though with some mod era
ton. The whole of them, however, On
drinking it, made strange wry faces on &C.
count oflts strength: not that this diminish
ed their desire Tor it on the contrary, az
ter emptyins each glass to the very last
drop, they smacked their lips with signso of
the greatest satisfaction, begging imlnedi-
ately for an additional quantity.
In the middle Of the herd, suspended to
the branches of low birch, was child a-
bout year old, enclosed in kind IF era
die, or rather case covered with leather,
with coarse piece of linen coath attached
to it to protect the infant from the heat Of
the sun and from the mosquitoes. When
the child began to cry, the candle was
the same effect as rocking. The Laplan-
ders, when they have occasion to go any
distance from their tents, frequently, for
safety, leave their children thus suspen-
ded ou tree, by which they are secured
/ from the attack of any ravenous animal
4 that might happen to approach.
1t was already past midnight before the
whole of the herd was MIXED. The sun
had left the Heavens about an hour, but
deep orange tint on the verge Of the hor-
ivan showed that it was not far below it
The deer were at length turned out from
the fold, and spreading themselves along
the sides of the mountains, were quickly
lost to our view.-The Laplanders now
collecting the milk they had obtained
which was considerable quantity proceed
: ed with it towards the tent giving US an
invitation TO supper. Having accepted il
we crept in, and seated ourselves on rein
deer skins, which were strewed on thu
I, ground. The business of making tn,
cheese now commenced, and Mart Mar
tins Datter, emptying the milk from tn,
bowls into large iron poi, placed it owe
Z lire which she had made in the centre @
the tent, and the smoke of which annoye,
Ms more than any thing. Every corne
was filled with it, and it caused the tear
: to stream pentifully from our eyes. Th
: only outlet, it had was an opening at tn
: top of the tent, and in order to withstan
n II in some measure we lay down fiat. b
y which we were enabled to breathe NOR
r freely. The milk after remaining shol
E time on the fire, assumed the consstenc
y "f curd and being taken off, was placed i