Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-05-12
Bayard Taylor in Lapland.

ArtIc ocean, III latitude II deg. His
proceeding Journey lay across the barren
elevated table land, which divides the
waters of the Bothnian Gulf from those
OF the Northern Ocean-a dreary, un-
friendly region, inhabited only by a few
wandering Lapps. The Journey was
made by the assistance of reindeers, on
pulks, as the Lapps call a species of
long, light, narrow sled. We have space
for only few extracts of his long though
Interesting letter.
TRAVELLING DRESS.
We fouad itimpossibIe to procure Lapp
leggingS and shoes at Muoniovara, but
our Russian boots proved an admirable
substitute. The poesk of reindeer skin
IS The Warmest covering for the body
which could be devised. It is drawn
over the head like a shirt, fitting closely
around the neck and wrists, where it is
generally trimmed with ermine, and
reaching halfway below the knee. A
thick WOODEN sash, wrapped first around
the neck, the ends then twisted together
down to the waist, where they are passed
tightly round the body and tied in front,
not only increases the warmth and con-
venlence OF the garment, bat gives it a
highly picturesque air. Our sea-otter
! caps, turned down SO far as 10 cover the
ears and forehead, were fastened upon
our boas of black and red squirrel to the
tips Of our noses. Over our dog skin
nittens we drew gauntlets of reindeer
skin, with which 1t was difficult TO pick up
or take bold Of anything but as the deer's
rein IS twisted around ones wrist, their
+ c.ulnsiness does not interfere with the IA
cilIty of driving. It would seem inposs-
ibIe Tor even Ardc cold 10 penetrate
through such defences-and yet 1t did.
i THE COUNTRY, WEATHER AND NORTHERN
LIGHTS.
I The country through which we passed
i was merely continuation OF the scenery
below ADMINISTRATIONS, wooden hills,
white plains, and everywhere snow, snow,
silence and death The cold increased
10 30 deg. below zero, obliging me to bury
my nose in my boa and TO keep up wig
/ oroUs exercise of my toes to prevent them
from freezing, asst is impossible TO cover
ones boots in pulk The night was calm,
clear and starry, but afteran hour a bank
Of auroral light gradually arose in the
north, and formed a broad arch which
threw It's iustre over the snow and light
ed up our path Almost stationary at
first, a restless motion after time agita-
ted the cleaning bow II shot out, broad
streamels OF yellow fire, gathered them
IN and launched them forth again, like
the hammer of Thor, which was always
returned to his hand after striking ne
blow for which 1t had been hurled. The
most wonderful appearance, however, was
an immense square curtain, which fell
from all the central part Of the arch. The
celestial scene shi t5rs were rather clum-
sy, for they allowed one end to fall lower
than the other, so that il overlappcd and
doubled back ul on itself in Il broad fold.
Here it hung for probably half an hour
slowly swinging to and fro, as if moved
by a gentle wind. What new spectacle
ives III secret preparation behind it we
did not learn, for Il was hauled up so
bungliugiy that the whole arch broke and
fell III, leaving merely pile Of luminous
ruins under the Polar Star.
SCENE WITH REINDEER.
: Our progress was now slow and toll
some, aud it was not long before my deer
gave out entirely. Long Isaac, seeing
that 4 chance must be made, finally made
up his mind TO give give me a wild, pow
erful animal, which he had not yet ven
tured to intrust to either of US.
The deer was harnessad to my pulk,
the rein carefully secured around my
wrist, and Long Isaac let 60 his hold. a
wicked toss Of the an.lers and a prodIgiou5
Jump followed, and the animal rushed full
tilt upon Braisted, who was next before
me, striking him violently on the back
IT more [ eudeavored TO rein HIM In,
the more he plunged and tore, now dash
ing against the led deer, now hurting me
over the baggage pull, and now leaping
Of the track into bottomless beds OF loo e
snow. Long Isaac at last shouted to me
to 90 ahead and follow Eric, who was
: about half a mile in advance. a few
: furious piunges carried me past, and out
! Of little caveran, with my pulk full of
snow and my face likewise. Now, low
{ ering his neck and thrustlnG out his head,
. with open mouth and glarIng eyes, the
, deer started off al the top Of his speep.
Away went, like lance shot from
, the auroral armory; the pulk slid over the
: snow with swiftness of Il fish through
the water; a torrent of snow-spray pour
ed into my lap and showered against my
face, until | was completely blinded
Eric was overtaken SO quickly that he had
no time to give me the track, and as was
, not in condition to see or hear anything
i the deer with the stupidity of his race
E sprang directly upon him, trampled him
down, and dragged me and my pulk over
him. We came to a stand IN the deeI
snow, while Eric shook himself and start
ed again. My deer now turned and made
for the cavern, but l succeeded IN pulling
his head around. when he charged a sec
: ond time upon Eric, who threw himself on
: of his pulk 10 escape. My strength wa;
fast giving way, when we came to a ridge
of deep loose snow, in which the animal;
: sank above their bellies, and up which
: they could hardly drag US. Ny deer wa:
so exhausted when we reached the tol
that had no further difficulty In control