Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1857-05-14
Seiect Wiscciiapu
bayard Taylor in Northern Europe-.A
Rc'n-dser Journey Across Lapland.
- kAUroKEIso, Norwegian Lapland.
Lat go deg. n. Jan. Is. 1877


day last, fully prepared for a three davis
journey across the wilds Of Lapland. We
were about to traverse the barren, elevated
tabls-land, which divides the waters of the
Bothnian Gulf from those of the Northern
Ocean, drcary, unfriendly region, inhab-
ited only By "a few wandering Lapps. We
found it impossible to procure Lapp lep-
ging and shoes at 1Iuonioyara, but our
Russian boots proved an admirable substi-
tnte- Tho poesk of reindeer skin is the
warmest covering for the body which could
DC devised 1t is drawn over the head like
shit, fitting closely around the neck
and wrists, where it is generally trimmed
with ermine, AMI reaching half way below
the knee. A thick wollen sash, wrapped
FIRST around the neck, the ends then twisted
together down to the waist, where they are
passed tightly around the body and tied in
front, not only increases the warmth ana
conveniencs of the garment, but gives it a
highly picturesque air. Our sea otter caps,
turned down Sd as to cover tho ears and
forehead, were fastened upon our heads
with crimson handkerchiefs. and our boas
of black and red squirrel tails, passed
thrice around the mock, reached to the tips
of our noses Over or dog skin mittens
we drew gaantlcts of reindeer skin, with
which it was difficult to pick up or take
hold of anything: but as the deer's rein is
twisted around ones wrist, their clumsi-
moss does not interfere with the facility of
driving. It would seem impossible for G.
ven Arctic cold to penetrate through such
defenses-and yet it did.
ANOTHER AURORA"
/ have already described the country
through which we passed, as it was mere
" a continuance OF the scenery below Mu-
onioniska-low, wooded hills, white
plains, and everywhere snow, snow, snow,
silence and death. The cold increased to
80 deg. below zero, obliging me to bury
my nose in my boa and keep up vigor-
Gus exercise of my toes to prevent them
from freezing, as it is impossible to cover
ones boots in pulk. The night was
calm. clear and starry, but after an hour
bank of auroral light gradually arose in
the north, and formed broad arch which
threw its lustcr over the snow and lighted
up our path. Almost stationary at first, a
restless motion after time agifated the
cleaning bow; it shot out broad streamers
of yellow fire, gathered them in and launch
cd them forth again, like the hammer of
Thor, which always returned to his hand
after striking the blow for which it had
been hurled. The most wonderful appear
arce, however was an immense square cur
tain, which fell from all the central part
of tbs arch. The celestial scene-shifters
were rsther clumsy. for they allowed one
end to fall lower than the other, so that it
ovcrlapped and doubled back upon itself
in broad fold. Here it hung for proba-
bly, half an hour, slowly swinging to and
fro, as if moved BY gentle wind. What
new spectacle was in preparation behind it
we did not learn, for it was hauled up so
bungl;ngly that the whole arch broke and
fcllin, leaving merely pile of luminous ru-
ms under the Polar Star.
REINDEER '.RuSAwAY."
Oar progress was slow and toilsome, and
il was not long before my deer gave out
entirely. Long Isaac, seeing that change
must be made, finally made up his mind to
give me wild, powerful animal, which he
had not vet ventured to intrust to either of
us.
The deer was harnessed to my pulk, the
rein carefully secured around ny wrist. and
Long Isaac let so his hold. A wicked toss
of the antlers and prodigious jump fol-
lowed, and the animal rushed full tilt upon
Braistes,, who was next before me. striking
him violently upon the back. The more
] endsavored to rein him in, the more be
plunged and tore, now dashing against the
led dear, now hurting me over ths baggage
pulk, and now leaping off the track into
bottomless beds of loose snow. Long
Isaac at last shouted to me to go ahead and
follow Eric, who was about half mile in
advance. A few furious plunges carried
me past our little caravan with my pulk
full of snow and my face likewise. Now,
lowering his neck and thrusting out his
head. with open mouth and glazing eyes,
the deer set of at the top of his speed.
Away went like lance shot out from
ths auroral armory; the pulk slid over the
snow with the swiftness of a fish through
the water; torrent of snow-spray poured
into nv 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 was in no con-
dition to see or hear anything, the deer,
with the stupidity of his race, sprang direct
" upon him, trampled him down, and
dragged me- and my pulk over him. We
canas to a stand in the deep snow, when
Eric shook himself and started again.
Nv deer now turned and made for the car
aran, but succeeded in pulling his head
around, when he charged second time up
on Eric, who threw himself out Of his pulk
to escape. My strength was fast giving
way, when we came to ridge OF deep,
loose snow. in which tie animals sank a.
bove their bellies, and up which they could
hardly drag as. Ny dear was SO exhausted
when we reachsi the top that had no fur
thsr diff Guilty in controlling him.
POETRY OF ATTIC TRAVEL
Nv deer, although his first savage
strength was spent, was still full of spirit,
and began to enjoy this mode of trsvel.
We soon entered the hills, which were COW
cred with thickets of frozen birch, with
here and there tall Scotch fir completely
robed in snow. The sun which had showed